luv2fly4free

Thanks for the tip. I think I got it worked out. However, does anyone know if they do an additional hard pull that will show up on your credit report when you request the bump up to 5k or more to get the signature card after initially being instantly approved for a lower limit card? Or if if that credit pull the agent refers happens within 24 hours of when you first applied (and was approved for the lower limit card) that this pull doesn't show up at all, being combined with the pull earlier in the day?

Also, for ones who have received the regular card and the signature card later, did you find that you could complete the $1k spend for the $100 statement credit with the regular card you initially receive or did you have to wait until you received the Signature card and complete the spend with that card to qualify for the credit?

luv2fly4free

Honestly, based on my past experience, when I left out my number, it didn't seem to really matter. All my miles seemed to end up in my one account. I never had to call or combine accounts with Alaska Airlines. It seemed to happen automatically behind the scenes. However, YMMV. That has been my experience though. In the past, I believed for a couple reasons there might be an advantage to have them setup a new account for me each time. However, that never seemed to happen. As for the double name, I don't know how they will handle that. However, I think I'd wait a month or two and see if it works itself out to save yourself the hassle of making any additional phone calls that may not be necessary.

luv2fly4free

Congrats- it seems some think only 2 cards can be approved in one application period now... But maybe you applied prior to the new informal rule supposedly limiting it to two cards per application cycle.

TOMFORD

Called the number on wiki at 4pm EST

Was told the office is closed.

rgAAFT

Would someone be so kind as to give me a quick rundown of bank of America policies etc (more emphasis on churning potential and app rules) bank of America is the only major Bank left with whom I don't have a relationship yet... Now that even citi has started seriously enforcing 18month rule on AA cards I'm looking for other options.... And yes, I did read the wiki but y'alls wiki isn't very detailed

kpowed

Datapoint: Tried the 4BM. One card instantly approved for $20k limit. Called in to reopen the duplicate apps and shift credit around, but couldn't approve any more. This is my second AS card. Truly YMMV.

macrophage

You're kidding right?

After pages of reported shutdowns you go and try a 4BM?!

kpowed

Well, I felt that the additional apps wouldn't be harmful. The worst case would they dup them.

macrophage

Worst case is that you end up with 4 AS cards and NO points because Alaska will cancel your MileagePlan account.

worldcitizen25

I currently have an open (personal) card & applied for two personal cards a few days ago. Received instant approval for the first app, the second was pending. Called in, but was told initially that I had to wait for a written answer. Two days later, a supervisor called me, asked a couple questions and approved the card.

I have three open cards now & will be closing one. Thought I'd share. Thanks, FT!

airride

lucky for me, I didn't 4BM, as there are now many reports of people whose accounts were closed by Alaska where bonuses posted 4 times, another reason was 3 apps are combined in 1 pull.....will try for 2 more cards after abt 4-5 months when things cool down a bit with bofa...

luv2fly4free

So the prevailing crowd wisdom at this point is 2 is currently still safe without Alaska closing accounts or BofA blocking further duplicate applications? Even two cards wouldn't be worth it if Alaska actually closes your entire account. That is much worse than BofA denying you completely in one application cycle. Going for 3 or 4 back-to-back is currently the trigger for the adverse actions by AS itself (when it sees 3 or 4 bonuses post in rapid succession)? My experience is two personal is still fine, although some mention 1 biz and 1 personal, but I don't really know if that is necessary. Of course, there could be other advantages to choosing the biz card to keep it off your personal credit report, although you then have to pay an annual fee that isn't negated by the $100 credit only offered on the personal card. I guess this all depends on your overall game plan and tolerance for opening more personal accounts that reflect on your credit report. Has anyone that has had their AS account closed been able to have it reinstated after calling/writing them? I'd be curious to know their official stated reason for closing the accounts. I'm surprised AS is interested in closing accounts since BofA seems to be so liberal with their approval policies. I don't know why AS is penalizing people for something their partner bank is clearly allowing. I can easily understand BofA changing policy and closing all of your credit accounts (AS and other cards from them) if they feel this harms their business interests. However, this doesn't seem like it should apply to AS though since they aren't the ones likely bankrolling the bonus points BofA has likely purchased from them outright already.

Don't get me wrong---I don't feel pushing the limits like some have done is wise (with 4-5+ cards at same time). I am just curious why AS would be involved in closing accounts. Maybe they are doing it at the direction of BofA asking them to do so as their partner. Perhaps this is BofA's way of penalizing their customers gaming their system instead of handling it directly on their own.

Bretmd

It sounds like there has been some red flags with mileage plan accounts lately, so the fraud department is stepping up their game. Not all of the account closures relate to the B of A credit card.

Still, B of A and Alaska seems to be operating at a disconnect. Hopefully a little more time and data will help make their policies more clear. In the meantime, I'd be more conservative with applications.... by B of A standards of course.

Carl Christensen

The people that had their accounts closed ... If you had already booked an award were those safe
If you booked award with a partner ... Ie AA, were those safe?

In May, before this got out of hand, I got 4 and my wife got 3

We drained mine in booking aa awards for 2016 but she is still sitting on the 75k from her 3 cards.

Bretmd

Doctor of Credit just posted about the shutdowns with useful information:

http://www.doctorofcredit.com/alaska-airlines-shutdowns-transfers-no-af-multiple-applications-what-you-need-to-know/