2013 App-O-Rama (AOR) and Churn Advice Archive
Jul 1, 2013, 6:12 pm
#1126
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
[QUOTE=actie;21019009]Advice sought for first ever AOR.
I am pretty much a clean slate.
I'm a clean slate when it comes to rewards programs, too.
My goal: A trip to Japan for two in summer 2014, F or J round-trip. (I'm in NYC.) If I can partially cover the hotels with points, too, that's a plus, but covering the flights is definitely the priority.
AOR: I I'm not sure what else to apply for. Suggestions very welcome.[/QUOTe
The cc world is wide open for you. Read these threads for ideas and take it slow at first to minimize beginner mistakes. For hotels, check out the offerings in Japan, then apply for a credit card program that has the hotels you want.
I am pretty much a clean slate.
I'm a clean slate when it comes to rewards programs, too.
My goal: A trip to Japan for two in summer 2014, F or J round-trip. (I'm in NYC.) If I can partially cover the hotels with points, too, that's a plus, but covering the flights is definitely the priority.
AOR: I I'm not sure what else to apply for. Suggestions very welcome.[/QUOTe
The cc world is wide open for you. Read these threads for ideas and take it slow at first to minimize beginner mistakes. For hotels, check out the offerings in Japan, then apply for a credit card program that has the hotels you want.
Jul 2, 2013, 8:28 am
#1127
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1
Fresh New Face to AOR
Hello! Rookie looking for help in maximizing first AOR. My boss and I are eager to learn from the wonderful people here @ flyertalk. We are currently based in NYC. I racked up a decent amount of Avios points via MR points transfer (we travel frequently on short hauls from NYC).
Goals:
• Maldives, Bali or Dubai in 1st Class, stay @ top of the line Hilton/SPG
• Would like to travel to Florida & California once this year
Current Cards:
Me:
• Chase Freedom (late 2012)
• Chase Business Bold (signed up early Jun13 – almost got the 50k)
• American Express Business (signed up in Mar13)
• TD Signature Visa
Boss:
• Chase Freedom (mid 2012)
• SPG Personal AMEX (bonus achieved, Jan 2012)
Recent Cancellations:
Me: SPG Personal AMEX, Premier Rewards AMEX
Boss: Premier Rewards AMEX
Creditkarma: 769
Initial Thoughts:
• Probably want to gear long-distance travel around Chase/United, Amex MR and AA Points (delta and swa dont’ seem worth it)
• Looking to sign-up for MB Plat Amex to get global entry etc
• I’m thinking...
o Me: MB Amex (50k bonus), Citi Amex (50k bonus, not sure where to find this), Chase Sapphire (40k bonus), United Explorer Business (50k? Not sure where to find this)
o Boss: Chase Bold Ink (50k), Chase Sapphire Preferred (40k), Citi MC or Amex (50k?)
Any help/advice would be awesome! Thanks in advance!
Jul 2, 2013, 9:16 am
#1128
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 14
Has anyone had success in the past getting 3 Chase cards all at once?(2 personal + 1 business)
I'm looking to stock up on some United miles by getting the following 3 cards.
United MileagePlus Explorer 30,000
Chase Sapphire Preffered 40,000
United MileagePlus Business Explorer 30,000
Is this a feasible plan with a FICO of 715 and no existing Chase cards?
I'm looking to stock up on some United miles by getting the following 3 cards.
United MileagePlus Explorer 30,000
Chase Sapphire Preffered 40,000
United MileagePlus Business Explorer 30,000
Is this a feasible plan with a FICO of 715 and no existing Chase cards?
CSP/Freedom/Ink Bold
Jul 2, 2013, 12:24 pm
#1129
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 79
Wife and I applied for 40 cards over past 24 months, no declines -- until several weeks ago when we both applied for the Arrival card. 
Jul 2, 2013, 2:46 pm
#1130
Used to be ' simz '
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Kolkata, India
Programs: Does it matter..??? It doesn't matter to them
Posts: 1,129
I did my first app-o-rama.. he only decline - Barclays US card.. I started with their card before moving on to other cards.. reason for decline- very little credit history.. are you kidding me- i already have the NFL card, so obviously your banks thinks my credit history is fine..!!!
Jul 3, 2013, 7:36 am
#1131
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 633
Wife approved for Citi 50K Adv, and Chase Marriott (after rejection and reconsideration with cancelling UA card). She received rejection notice for both Carlson cards and Arrival. No notice on Ink card as of yet.
Last edited by FlyingBoat; Jul 3, 2013 at 7:50 am
Jul 3, 2013, 3:59 pm
#1132
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 27
Thanks. I did my first, baby-sized AOR today: Chase United Explorer 50k, Citi AA Plat 50k. Both insta-approved. I guess I've got beginner's karma!
Jul 3, 2013, 4:07 pm
#1133
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LAX/SNA
Programs: AA, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,887
Jul 3, 2013, 8:16 pm
#1134
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Hey guys, I'm starting to plan for my next AOR, but have some questions. Here are my apps from 2013:
May 31: CSP - instant approval
May 31: Amex Blue (for backdating and increasing aaoa purposes) - instant approval
May 31: Citi Diamond Preferred - instant approval
June 3: Barclay US - instant approval
I'm not sure if I should apply for the next round on Sept 1 or Dec 1 to be safe. I plan to use my miles to go to PEK/PVG on UA in Fall 2014 (any time between mid Sept to mid Dec), and also for hotels there. Here's what I have planned for the next round:
Chase Ink Classic (because otherwise it's too much spending) - UR for UA miles
Chase Priority Club or Marriot
Barclays US - this would be my fourth... Is this too much? My first was from June 2012, second was Dec 2012, closed first, then got third in June 2013.
Should I also throw in 2 Citi AA cards, or can I only do one per app now?
And I'm not sure if I should to go DTW-EWR/ORD-PEK using UR-UA or DTW-ORD-PEK using US miles redeemed on UA. If I go the UR-UA route, then my 105K US miles would probably become AA miles by the time I use them.
Any input is greatly appreciated!
May 31: CSP - instant approval
May 31: Amex Blue (for backdating and increasing aaoa purposes) - instant approval
May 31: Citi Diamond Preferred - instant approval
June 3: Barclay US - instant approval
I'm not sure if I should apply for the next round on Sept 1 or Dec 1 to be safe. I plan to use my miles to go to PEK/PVG on UA in Fall 2014 (any time between mid Sept to mid Dec), and also for hotels there. Here's what I have planned for the next round:
Chase Ink Classic (because otherwise it's too much spending) - UR for UA miles
Chase Priority Club or Marriot
Barclays US - this would be my fourth... Is this too much? My first was from June 2012, second was Dec 2012, closed first, then got third in June 2013.
Should I also throw in 2 Citi AA cards, or can I only do one per app now?
And I'm not sure if I should to go DTW-EWR/ORD-PEK using UR-UA or DTW-ORD-PEK using US miles redeemed on UA. If I go the UR-UA route, then my 105K US miles would probably become AA miles by the time I use them.
Any input is greatly appreciated!
Jul 4, 2013, 4:55 am
#1136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Hey guys, I'm starting to plan for my next AOR, but have some questions. Here are my apps from 2013:
May 31: CSP - instant approval
May 31: Amex Blue (for backdating and increasing aaoa purposes) - instant approval
May 31: Citi Diamond Preferred - instant approval
June 3: Barclay US - instant approval
I'm not sure if I should apply for the next round on Sept 1 or Dec 1 to be safe. I plan to use my miles to go to PEK/PVG on UA in Fall 2014 (any time between mid Sept to mid Dec), and also for hotels there. Here's what I have planned for the next round:
Chase Ink Classic (because otherwise it's too much spending) - UR for UA miles
Chase Priority Club or Marriot
Barclays US - this would be my fourth... Is this too much? My first was from June 2012, second was Dec 2012, closed first, then got third in June 2013.
Should I also throw in 2 Citi AA cards, or can I only do one per app now?
And I'm not sure if I should to go DTW-EWR/ORD-PEK using UR-UA or DTW-ORD-PEK using US miles redeemed on UA. If I go the UR-UA route, then my 105K US miles would probably become AA miles by the time I use them.
Any input is greatly appreciated!
May 31: CSP - instant approval
May 31: Amex Blue (for backdating and increasing aaoa purposes) - instant approval
May 31: Citi Diamond Preferred - instant approval
June 3: Barclay US - instant approval
I'm not sure if I should apply for the next round on Sept 1 or Dec 1 to be safe. I plan to use my miles to go to PEK/PVG on UA in Fall 2014 (any time between mid Sept to mid Dec), and also for hotels there. Here's what I have planned for the next round:
Chase Ink Classic (because otherwise it's too much spending) - UR for UA miles
Chase Priority Club or Marriot
Barclays US - this would be my fourth... Is this too much? My first was from June 2012, second was Dec 2012, closed first, then got third in June 2013.
Should I also throw in 2 Citi AA cards, or can I only do one per app now?
And I'm not sure if I should to go DTW-EWR/ORD-PEK using UR-UA or DTW-ORD-PEK using US miles redeemed on UA. If I go the UR-UA route, then my 105K US miles would probably become AA miles by the time I use them.
Any input is greatly appreciated!
Jul 4, 2013, 5:49 am
#1137
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
True. One of the biggest reasons I wanted to apply for a fourth US card is so I can get 120K+ miles so I can fly in biz on UA. But since by Sept next year US will probably be part of One World I shouldn't bother.
CX will always route me DTW-ORD-HKG-PEK, too many segments and too much time. AA will just do DTW-ORD-PEK, which is why I prefer that. No loyalty to the brand though, just seems like it'll be the fastest getting me from DTW to PEK.
CX will always route me DTW-ORD-HKG-PEK, too many segments and too much time. AA will just do DTW-ORD-PEK, which is why I prefer that. No loyalty to the brand though, just seems like it'll be the fastest getting me from DTW to PEK.
Jul 4, 2013, 6:09 am
#1138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
True. One of the biggest reasons I wanted to apply for a fourth US card is so I can get 120K+ miles so I can fly in biz on UA. But since by Sept next year US will probably be part of One World I shouldn't bother.
CX will always route me DTW-ORD-HKG-PEK, too many segments and too much time. AA will just do DTW-ORD-PEK, which is why I prefer that. No loyalty to the brand though, just seems like it'll be the fastest getting me from DTW to PEK.
CX will always route me DTW-ORD-HKG-PEK, too many segments and too much time. AA will just do DTW-ORD-PEK, which is why I prefer that. No loyalty to the brand though, just seems like it'll be the fastest getting me from DTW to PEK.
Jul 4, 2013, 8:48 am
#1139
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Okay, will keep that in mind! Any advice on my app strategy?
Jul 4, 2013, 4:06 pm
#1140
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 374
Since jumping into this hobby I've been cautious and just applying for a few here and there. Mostly due to spend requirements (I'm not really into manufactured spend).
The goal is possibly Hawaii over New Years. I have tickets in J/F on hold with AA and am looking to try and cover hotels.
I have:
Starwood personal (40K balance)
Priority Club (30K balance)
Sapphire (downgraded it from plus and pushed points over to United)
United Explorer (I downgraded to a fee free version to preserve credit lines)
AA visa
Hubby has similar, but he kept the Sapphire Plus and has two AA cards.
All cards were opened between 12-18 months ago.
Had mortgage pull in February and a new car purchased a week ago.
I can feasibly charge about 3K per month.
My thoughts for a churn for hubby and I:
Ink (we have a rental property, but I've never applied for business cards) x 2
Starwood business x 2
Hyatt? Or Hilton?
Other thought was to go for AA to build back up the balance (since we'll be down to about 100K combined after Hawaii purchase). I'd like to keep some flexibility in terms of being able to transfer, which is why the UR and SPG appealed to me.
Any advice for a relative newb?
The goal is possibly Hawaii over New Years. I have tickets in J/F on hold with AA and am looking to try and cover hotels.
I have:
Starwood personal (40K balance)
Priority Club (30K balance)
Sapphire (downgraded it from plus and pushed points over to United)
United Explorer (I downgraded to a fee free version to preserve credit lines)
AA visa
Hubby has similar, but he kept the Sapphire Plus and has two AA cards.
All cards were opened between 12-18 months ago.
Had mortgage pull in February and a new car purchased a week ago.
I can feasibly charge about 3K per month.
My thoughts for a churn for hubby and I:
Ink (we have a rental property, but I've never applied for business cards) x 2
Starwood business x 2
Hyatt? Or Hilton?
Other thought was to go for AA to build back up the balance (since we'll be down to about 100K combined after Hawaii purchase). I'd like to keep some flexibility in terms of being able to transfer, which is why the UR and SPG appealed to me.
Any advice for a relative newb?