Originally Posted by sdsearch

First, the reason why you want to slow down is because many credit card companies will start rejecting you as soon as they see "too many" inquiries ("hard pulls") from the past 6 months. From what you've described in another thread (that you applied for at least two AA cards), you're very close to that limit already. (The limit can be different at each bank and for each person, but even for someone with great credit, for example at Citi it could be 6 or 7 inquiries in the past 6 months.)

Second, do you realize that all "use your miles/points on any airline, hotel or car, with no blackout dates" cards are nothing more than a 1 to 2 percent cashback card disguised as a miles/points card. That 25,000 bonus miles is likely only worth about $250. Is that worth using your "last" credit inquiry for?

20k is a poor offer for Delta. They've done 30k at least in the past. So one of the reasons to hold of is to wait for the best deal, because generally you can only apply for a Delta card (and get the bonus) once in your life!

Btw, inquiries add up whether you're accepted or rejected. So once you get rejected for too many inquiries, that rejection itself adds another inquiry! So it gets to be a vicious circle. That's why people who know this tend to "pause" once they fear they might be too close to the "too many inquiries" count.

The BA deal popped out of nowhere, and only lasts a short time. The Cap One Venture deal popped out of nowhere, and only lasted a short time (already over). These deals were both way better than the Discover or Delta. Which bring up that another reason to not walk up to the "too many inquiries" count with "ordinary" offers is that you're more likely to then be accepted for the next fantastic offer which hasn't come yet, but could come at any time.

And since so many of these airlines have "one bonus in your life" or at least "one bonus every few years at most" policies, it can be shortsighted to apply for every airline's bonus right away whether it's a fantastic one or just an "ordinary" one. What are you going to do next year when you've applied for everything already and can't get any more bonuses from anyone? (That's the risk if you go "too fast".) Is this the only year in your life when you're going to need miles???

Originally Posted by Igor718

I wish I read this sooner. Might have screwed up a bit./ When you say 25K miles is only $250, I don't see it that way. I see 52K miles paying for a business class seat one

I jumped the gun and applied for 2 Chase cards at once. First the BA card 100K miles ... it was taking 5 days and still pending approval and I jumped the gun and applied for CO 50K card. Might have screwed myself. We'll see.

So far only got the AA Visa 75K.
my credit score is over 740 right now.

Originally Posted by appl3

I decided not to pursue the UA offer as it's not that hot on 2nd thought -- only 30k miles after first purchase.

Originally Posted by cochino_BA

Great insight SDSearch. As a newbie to the game I appreciate the advice on managing the Credit Card offers. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Igor718

yea, let's just hope that Chase aproves as I already have quite a few chase cards and I bank with them as well.

when I called Citi and asked for them to reconsider giving me a 2nd AA Amex after I got my AA Visa, they denied. Said I had too many applications (2).

Originally Posted by thegent

I applied and was approved for BA 100k. Then, a few minutes later, applied for CO 50k. Got a "considering" message. Then, got a letter in mail saying CO was rejected. Called, and agent said that the system was treating my CO application like it was a duplicate, he verified a few items with me (my name was spelled wrong), asked about BA card. I said I applied for both as they seemed like good offers. He considered and said he was recommending me approval for the CO card, but that I'd have to wait for an official letter in the mail. So I guess 2 Chase on same day is possible.

Originally Posted by stevens397

For me, the answer is very easy - do nothing and let my Credit Score get back to where it was.

Did the BA x 2 during the last go round
Just did AA x 2 (me and my wife)
Capital One x 2 (same)
Hyatt (a few months ago)

I have watched my "excellent" credit score drop 60 points to "good". I'm told this is temporary and as someone with a paid off mortgage and no plans on big spending require borrowing, it's not a big problem - but it IS upsetting.

So be warned. Free points are great - but if you have big plans to buy a house, etc - wait awhile!

Originally Posted by appl3

The number should be on the denial letter sent to you by Chase.

Originally Posted by sdsearch

Citi's official policy is that you can only have one personal AA card (unless you get an invitation to add a second type of card from them or AA directly, which only has a small bonus (10k is for a typical offer to add an Amex when you already have the MC or Visa). To get around that, you typically these days have to wait 12 to 18 months since the last app at least, unless you lucked out on getting both apps approved when you applied for 2 personal AA cards within minutes of each other. (You might be able to apply for a business card after applying for a personal card, but for whatever reason, not vice versa! But be prepared for the possilbiity of them asking for all sorts of forms if you apply for a Citi business card these days!)