Originally Posted by
tjguitar85
You only have one card with an aged history? Yikes.
I have some other generic accts that I don't use at all. I just listed the IHG because I still use it sometimes. My average acct. age did drop from 8y9m to 4y after acquiring all of these cards though... My report says I have like 22 accounts open total. But I think that includes more than CC's.
Originally Posted by
KennyBSAT
Churning refers to opening another card you've already had for a second (or third or whatever) bonus. You're talking about getting lots of cards but no churning yet.
Yeah, I guess I am not using the word correctly. However, I'm not against it, if it makes sense. I just figure there's so many good cards out there that I haven't opened for a first time, I can save the churning for later.
Originally Posted by
KennyBSAT
Rigid planning of apps is silly. Take the best offers available, and if something comes along that you want, jump on it. Don't do an SPG at 25K, do it when it's 30K.
I guess my planning is not rigid. These are just my best ideas. I didn't know there would be a better SPG offer, good to know!
Originally Posted by
KennyBSAT
App-O-ramas are overrated and outdated. I open a card (or two or three) every 30-45 days or whenever there's a deal worth taking. But I have a 15 year credit history and a 10 year old card. You may very well need to take it slower.
I am not against this method. I guess I kind of like the AOR because I can do all the work at once. Maybe I will move away from that strategy. I understand that there aren't too many advantages to that anymore.
Originally Posted by
KennyBSAT
You can save tons of miles on the burning end by learning to do efficient award bookings and making the most of sweet spots. For a fun little example of an around the world trip with 8 or 9 stops for ~135K miles, check out
this post.
Great! Thanks!
Originally Posted by
KennyBSAT
Based on your preferences, that Hilton AMEX is a totally wasted app. Get an AMEX Platinum card for 100-150K points or a PRG for 50K instead.
These look like invite only? 150k points would be sweet! I would love to get this offer. Actually I was attracted to the Hilton because it's an invite with some etra points. Why is it so wasted? Hilton points are just not too good?
Originally Posted by
KennyBSAT
I'd get the Alaska card with 25K miles and $100 statement credit (this one you can churn and get one every 3 months or so) instead of the BofA card you listed.
Great idea. I think you're correct. I shouldn't waste an app on this BofA card, or any card that only gives that few points...
Originally Posted by
KennyBSAT
I'd get a Citi Business or Executive AA card rather than the ThankYou points card.
Can I get this as quickly when I just got the Citi AA Plat card a month ago?
Originally Posted by
KennyBSAT
I'd MS (or put regular spending) on the Barclays Arrival card and skip the Capital One with its hard pull on all 3 credit bureaus. And I'd likely switch that and the Lufthansa card, as LH miles aren't good for much on coach travel other than on United within the Americas, and Air New Zealand (due to surcharges).
The suggestion to skip the Capital One Venture is a surprise to me. It offers 2x points. I was thinking about making it an every day spend card while I'm on my trip.
Originally Posted by
KennyBSAT
Finally, I'd look into US Bank's cards, specifically the Club Carlson. You'll want to freeze ARS and IDA to apply for one of those, but the more cards you get the less likely that US Bank will approve you for anything.
I just got the CC. Is this one easily churnable? I was thinking about keeping it open and not churning it because there's an annual point bonus of 40k, I think. I also like that I can get a free night with each reward stay. Pretty cool.
Thanks for all the advice!
