EricTheNerd

I was considering applying for the United Mileage Plus Platinum Class Visa card. If I'm not mistaken, I get 5000 EQM on the enrollment date. I don't have much use for the EQM for 2009, but I could certainly use them in 2010. My question is, is there a way I can time the application so that the EQM will post in 2010? I don't apply for credit cards very often, so I don't know whether or not enrollment is automatic once the application is approved, and if so, how long it might take for the application to be approved. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Eric

mahasamatman

I would wait until 01 January to apply. If you apply and get approved in December, there's a always a chance the bonus would post in 2009.

fone

Yes, apply in Jan 2010. I've got a friend who needed last minute eqms and I've told him to apply for the plat card in Dec, he got the eqms for the year he applied.

AquaDyne

I applied Nov 1, 2008, hoping to have the card in hand by new year so my "5000 EQM after first purchase" could post after my first purchase with the card on Jan 1, 2009.

My card was approved sometime in late November, and I was billed an annual fee on Dec 1. Somehow that annual fee was counted as a "first purchase" and the 5000 EQMs posted to my account on Dec 26, doing me absolutely no good at all for 2008 status. Needless to say, I was a bit annoyed.

I did call both Chase and Mileage Plus many times, quoting the exact terms and conditions regarding "first purchase" vs. "fee". MP was of zero help. Chase requested the EQM in 2009 but they bounced around in limbo for a while and finally showed up in my account in June, at the same time as my 5K spend EQM.

Moral of the story: If I were to do it again, I would recommend waiting to apply for the card until Jan 1. It's possible (I'm an example) to go through the pain of getting stuff fixed if you go too early, but just not worth the pain, IMO.

dfreeman02

I thought the 5000 signup EQM came after your first charge. Better read the T&C's carefully. If there's an irregularity Chase is good about correcting things if you mail them through the "secure message center."

Then again, I'm not sure what the drawback would be to waiting. Would you really gain any benefit from having 5000 EQM post in January vs. Feb or March?

Alan6557

I applied last December and was immediately approved. The EQM posted in December. I called both Chase & UA to request the EQM be posted to 2009 instead of 2008....no such luck.

mahasamatman

Never trust that. Many people have reported getting the EQM before the first purchase.

AquaDyne

There are actually different offers for application and each one has slightly different T&C's. I think if you already have a visa and are "upgrading" from signature to platinum, the EQMs post "on acceptance". T&Cs for a new one say you get EQMs "after first purchase".

The computer treats your annual fee as a purchase. I successfully argued this with Chase customer service. Others apparently have failed. Y(EQ)MMV.

EricTheNerd

Thank you everyone for your input! It looks like the moral of the story is apply on Jan 1st to avoid the hassle. Thanks again!

Eric