Hello,

I am really getting into the hobby of churning. I got my first round of cards about a month ago. I got into this because I plan to go on a year long RTW trip starting in the summer.

Anyhow, my question is, how hard should I churn? I only earn about 65k per year, but I travel a lot for business and I also have a spouse who spends on my accounts. On a monthly basis I usually spend 4k on cards minimum, but on some good months, I could spend up to 8k. This is without any MS strategies, which I'm not against using if I have to.

My first AOR, I applied for 5 cards and got approved for all of them:
-Capital One VentureOne
-Barclays US Air
-Mariott Rewards
-Chase Club Carlson
-Citi AAdvantage

My reason for choosing these cards is because I want a variety between airlines and hotels so that I have flexibility and a lot of points on my trip. That is my goal. Another reason was that I needed to clean up my credit. So, I picked some easier to obtain cards. I will pick better cards next AOR. I don't think I will have any trouble completing these current offers within' 90 days.

I have raised my score from 670 to 747 after I opened this round of cards.

I have time for 2 more cycles before my trip. It would be great to have 1 mil plus points (including my earnings from normal travel rewards). How many cards should I be applying for at once? My thought is, I should probably start applying for at least 1 card with every major financial institution. that would be: 1 Chase, 1 Citi, 1 AMEX, 1 Capital, 1 USBank, 1 Discover, 1 Barclays, 1 BOA, 1 PNC? Is this a good thought? Should I even double up and do business with some of these as well? How many max is a good idea for me? 10? more?

I know people get annoyed with newb questions, but I really appreciate your help and I promise to return the favor once I'm a seasoned churner!

Thanks for your help.

I look at it a different way. Instead of what kind of cards I should get, I ask myself:
1. Where do I want to go?
2. What airlines fly to that country? Which ones do I actually want to fly?
3. Is it easy to find award tickets for that trip? For example: I've read that it's hard to find premium seat on Qantas from U.S. to Australia, so accumulating AAdvantage wouldn't work unless I want to fly to Australia via Asia.

Once I answer all of these questions, then I have a goal. Say my goal is to do business class RT to Australia. I can either accumulate 160,000 Delta Skymiles, or 188,000 Flying Club Virgin Atlantic. Now I build my strategy based on this goal. I start looking at which card can convert points to Skymiles or Flying Club. Then I'll try to apply for whichever cards that will get me closer to this goal.

Yeah, I know what you're saying. If I could define a specifc goal, it would be much easier. I have received this advice before.

The problem is that the churning is really a secondary goal. My primary goal is to backpack the world with my wife and not have a set schedule. I just want the most miles/points with ultimate flexibility to assist us.

Maybe this sounds dumb, but from my past travels...My favorite experiences is to land wherever wind blows us, based on spur of the moment recommendations from fellow travelers. That always seems to lead to great travel experiences, which is really my main goal. I think if I pre-planned everything, I'd ruin that aspect.

Also, planning an entire year is completely overwhelming when I'm still 9 months away from the trip. My interests might change by the time May 2016 occurs (the end of my trip). It just doesn't seem like a good idea to plan this deeply.

I guess I just want to earn a good variety of points in high quantities. That is my goal. If that doesn't end up being the perfect savings, or the perfect deal, that's ok...

I do expect to spend some time in Eastern Europe and some time in SE Asia...but everything is VERY undefined and will probably remain that way.

I am interested in budget travel, the best deals. I don't have airlines or hotel preferences. I wish to have a ton of variety of points and miles. So I can extend them as much as possible. I don't plan on any luxury travel during this trip.

Barclay and Cap1 are good choices based on your description. You might also consider Chase Ink or Sapphire for their flexibility among several airline and hotel programs.

Yep, I have some of those and I definitely plan to get the CSP on my next AOR.

I like the suggestions on which cards, but my main question is, how many cards should I go after at one time, before it becomes a bad idea? I mean, theoretically, I could probably apply for 20 cards at one time... That would be ridiculous, I think, right? What's the maximum before all the hard pulls become not worth it?

I see you've started a new thread. At a certain point the issuers are going to shut you down for having more than enough credit/limited history with the institution. Rather than trying to figure out a number of cards, why don't you post which cards you are interested in and we can help you decide which cards to apply for first.

I actually had an original thread going and it got resurrected. I wish I could consolidate them. I apologize for crowding the boards.

Anyhow, I currently have:
-Chase IHG Mastercard (long term card)
New as of last month:
-Barclays The US Airways� Premier World MasterCard�
-Citi� Platinum Select� / AAdvantage� World MasterCard�
-Capital One� VentureOne� Rewards Credit Card
-US Bank Club Carlson℠ Premier Rewards Visa Signature� Card
-Chase Marriott Rewards� Premier Credit Card

Thinking of applying in December:
-BankAmericard Travel Rewards� Credit Card
-Barclays Premier Miles & More� World MasterCard�
-AMEX The Starwood Preferred Guest�Credit Card BUSINESS CARD
-Chase Sapphire Preferred� Card
-AMEX HHonors Card Targeted Offer 60k Bonus
-Citi ThankYou

Thinking of Applying in March:
-Barclaycard Arrival Plus� World Elite MasterCard�
-Citi� Hilton HHonorsTM Visa Signature� Card
-Chase United MileagePlus� Explorer Card
-Capital One� Venture� Rewards Credit Card
-AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles� Credit Card

Current CK score = 747. I wouldn't mind adding more or replacing with better on the list if people have suggestions. Also if you have ideas for re-adjusting the order or see any red flags, any help is much appreciated.

Thanks!

You only have one card with an aged history? Yikes.

Suggestions and opinions:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I'd get a Citi Business or Executive AA card rather than the ThankYou points card.

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).

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

Great! Thanks!

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?

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...

Can I get this as quickly when I just got the Citi AA Plat card a month ago?

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.

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!

Yes, you can get either the Business or Executive card. Don't apply for more than one Citi card within any 8 day period, more than two citi cards within any 65 day period or more than one Citi business card within any 95 day period. Three separate rules. Dive into the Executive card thread if you decide to go that route, it is churnable.

The Arrival card is, IMO, similar but better. I'd go for it instead, and that's why I suggested it rather than M&M. Either would work. Both would also be fine, but Cap1 pulling all 3 bureaus is a factor to be considered. Most other banks pull only one or two.

Sorry, I missed that you already had the Club Carlson. My oversight.

Great blog, Kenny! Just have subscribed and reading it ^

I'd skip the venture and do the arrival plus first too. Similar but better IMO. Also, get it early, in your apps, else you might get denied, like the us bank cards, they don't like too many previous apps..

getting the the city Hilton is dicey since you already have the amex Hilton. (read about that) besides club Carlson is better than the Hilton in bonuses and redemptions, especially in Europe. I'd say switch the city Hilton for a business club Carlson.

And, I'd follow Kenny's advice closely, they're valid points...

Also, you could put all your spend on the Barclay's (2x), club Carlson (10x/5x), and the CSP (dining and travel) prior to your trip in preparation.. Don't bother with wasting spend on a cap1 card...

and you can get the amex plat business for 100,000 if you call (do the research for the number, and what to say). I'm personally waiting for the 150,000 offer.

as an aside, have you gotten your into the nights promo done? I just got my free 2 nights and 50k extra points..

If you didn't know spg had a 30k offer (historically around nov-dec) then you should slow down and do your research on cards before applying... . Say, I'd find out for each card you want to get, what's the highest that's been offered on it, and when.. Otherwise you might end up applying for 30k, then miss the 100k a few weeks later lol