Is one (or so) enough...?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 332
Is one (or so) enough...?
Talking about the CSR card. I have an IHG and a SW where I have received and used the points for the signup bonuses. At this point I am wanting to close both those cards. Am I doing myself some point injustice by looking to lessen the number of cards I have. I do also have the CF and CFU..Thanks for any info
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,795
The IHG is a good keeper card, the $49 fee easily is paid for with the free night certificate. The SW card nearly breaks even with the anniversary points vs the annual fee and many people get retention offers that cancel out most or all of the fee. That said neither card is worth putting any spending on if you have a CSR in your wallet. I think I spent $50 on my IHG card last year and that was at an IHG hotel and I just wanted to use it at least once in 2017.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 332
That is what I was thinking. Because I'd rather make the CSR card my main CC aside from earning points with my CF and then transferring them to the CSR. Because too even though the IHG gives you a free night I'm thinking the $300 TC with the CSR is a much better value.
I'm just looking for a way to lighten my cc wallet but still wanting to hit cc's for the signup and then put them away in the sock drawer.
I'm just looking for a way to lighten my cc wallet but still wanting to hit cc's for the signup and then put them away in the sock drawer.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
I hope you realize that the $300 is essentially a partial refund of your $450 annual fee and not simply $300 free cash...
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,934
Meanwhile, the free hotel night from the IHG card is in exchange for paying a whopping $49 (no typo!) AF. Assuming you can find a use for that once a year at a hotel that (including taxes) would cost more than $49, that 's net negative AF.
So how in the world is a $150 net AF better than a net negative AF?
At any rate, they're separate, and no one is limiting you to only a particular number of Chase cards (if you aren't limiting yourself). So you can have the free night from the IHG card as well as any benefits you like from another card, they're not mutually exclusive!
#7
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 332
This also brings to mind another question...When I do close those accounts, should I transfer some of the balance beforehand to my other Chase cards?
Yes I do. And of course when the $300 TC is used it does bring the AF to $150...
The card w/the net $150 has much better rewards than the card with the net $0 AF...
The card w/the net $150 has much better rewards than the card with the net $0 AF...
Last edited by mia; Jan 13, 2018 at 2:54 pm Reason: Consolidate consecutive replies.
#10
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,795
and what do you mean by transfer the balance? if you're carrying a balance and paying interest, optimizing cards should be low on the list of issues you're dealing with. If you're talking about transferring credit lines you can do that without issue, just tell them to allocate the credit line to your CSR.
as it should, it has a higher AF, it should carry better rewards
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 332
Sorry. Yes meant transfer some of the limit to my other Chase cards. Leaning more towards closing SW only it will be not quite a year. About 10 or 11 months. And yes want CSR
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,934
#14
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, UA Million Miler Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,142
Just got my annual statement a day or two ago. $42k on dining in 2017 so complete no brainer for me.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,285
I value IHG points at 0.7cpp, so 2x on dining is only 1.4% return. Several other cards pay better rewards for dining. After I earn the signup bonus on an IHG card I put it away except for IHG hotel purchases at 5x.
BTW, there is reason to cancel an IHG card. Every two years I cancel mine, wait several weeks, and apply for a new one with another signup bonus.
BTW, there is reason to cancel an IHG card. Every two years I cancel mine, wait several weeks, and apply for a new one with another signup bonus.