I once read that banks started frowning on app-o-ramas. That there was some downside to it, can someone advise? I am planning one if the risks are not too much.

From what I have heard, this is not possible as HA does not allow transfers of miles from a third party to HH.

I, like you, am trying to understand how credit inquiries plays into this. I have heard that doing an app-o-rama might make you look DESPERATE for credit (perhaps irresponsible??? in any case, desperate is never a good sign) and raises suspicion by banks wondering if you maybe plan on maxing out a ton of cards and which, if any, are you going to default on. I think for conservative banks, this practice may seem risky for whatever reason/reasons they might conjure up.

But the downside to banks seeing five or six inquires on your credit report in the same day could be worse than just seeing the five or six inquiries spaced out within the month with new lines of credit with regard to whether or not they start denying applications. However, I really don't know. I'm no finance expert; this is just pure speculation on my part and something to think about...

It's VERY interesting to read people's reports on their own research on whether or not inquiries are on your credit report instantly. It seems to be that the hard evidence here is proving that ingy/frugaltravelguy's information that several app's at the same time defer the bank from seeing your other applications, is no longer true.

I did 4 apps at a time in June though (AMEX, Chase, BOA, & Barclays), with 12 hard inquiries on my report, and got them all though. So, who knows. I suppose if they want to give you a card, they will.

How can you get a US credit card not being a us resident ?

All legal workers and students get a SSN. Besides, the point was more about US residents and US citizens living abroad getting a US cc.

Haha everyone is very nosey around here trying to sniff out every little detail!

I'm in Bali half the year and back in the US a few months in the summer. That's kinda why I had to go for such a big churn.

Sadly I'd read doing a bunch at once was advantageous, but I guess I didn't get the whole story.

From a timing perspective, how would you space out applications?

international (if that's what you were referring to) students now need to have a job first too before able to get a SSN. policy changed a couple years ago. My sister 3 years older than me was able to get SSN without having a job. When it was my turn, I had to have job first before applying. Unless policy changed again that I was unaware of of course.

Are they filing taxes in the US? What do you put for their income?

Anyone else have thoughts on the risks of app-o-ramas? I am considering doing one. Can someone also confirm that inquiries from the same company on the same day show up as one inquiry?

I can confirm it is YMMV. What greatly improves your chances of one inquire and approvals is submitting the apps at the same time. Say you are going to apply for three Chase cards. Open three browsers or use three computers. Fill in all the necessary information on all three apps before hitting submit. Then hit submit on all three at the same time or as quickly as possible. This wills most likely result in one inquire and if you normally get instant approvals it will also most likely result in three instant approvals.

I use Credit Boards for all of my info on credit. Don't know if they know anything better than we do, but at least it's an entire board devoted to the subject.

Mike

Always, always check that you get the card you really wanted from Barclays. They did that to me too - and I was careless enough to meet a spend requirement before noticing I had actually been given an inferior card I had no use for. The honest thing to do would be to reply, "You don't qualify for the offer you applied for, but we'd be glad to send you Card B", and then let the customer decide. I guess what they do is technically legal since there's no annual fee on Card B, but it sure is misleading.

I have yet to find good credit board. Most of the ones I've seen have very low member count and there is nobody who ever answers your questions

Did you try CB? They are very knowledgeable and very friendly.