I love credit cards so much!

[motherof5]

are most of these credit cards free for first year? I would love that since traveling in 2-3 years so don't want to pay for credit cards for that many years. Appreciate everyone's help and feedback

 

[motherof5]

As a follow up to my earlier suggestion about the Chase Ink Preferred card, if you don't have a Chase branch nearby, it may make sense to put off applying for the CIP until a few months down the line.

The reason being Amex is currently offering the SPG Business credit card at an all-time high of 35,000 Starpoints right now until 3/28/18, so it might make more sense for you to apply for this SPG Biz card first. The current offer from Amex is 35,000 Starpoints after spending $7,000 in 3 months, with the first year annual fee waived. Don't be distracted by the point difference because different points are valued differently. So whereas the CIP would get you 80,000 UR points, and you can transfer UR points to Marriott Rewards points at 1:1, so 80k UR = 80k Marriott points, 35k Starpoints = 105k Marriott points because they transfer at 3:1. It gets a bit more complicated from there. But with Starpoints, you can transfer them to airline partners, transfer them to Marriott for stays or vacation packages, or if you have enough of them use them for free nights at Starwood hotels and resorts. And because the Amex SPG Biz is a business card, it will not report to your personal credit report, and will not count towards how many credit cards you've opened in the past 24 months (*/24), which won't affect any plans you have to apply for Chase's credit cards (like the CIP) down the line.

Thank you. I always look at the points so I wouldn't have looked at 35,000 points as alot never looked at the transfer and how it's higher. Interesting.

 

[motherof5]

As a follow up to my earlier suggestion about the Chase Ink Preferred card, if you don't have a Chase branch nearby, it may make sense to put off applying for the CIP until a few months down the line.

The reason being Amex is currently offering the SPG Business credit card at an all-time high of 35,000 Starpoints right now until 3/28/18, so it might make more sense for you to apply for this SPG Biz card first. The current offer from Amex is 35,000 Starpoints after spending $7,000 in 3 months, with the first year annual fee waived. Don't be distracted by the point difference because different points are valued differently. So whereas the CIP would get you 80,000 UR points, and you can transfer UR points to Marriott Rewards points at 1:1, so 80k UR = 80k Marriott points, 35k Starpoints = 105k Marriott points because they transfer at 3:1. It gets a bit more complicated from there. But with Starpoints, you can transfer them to airline partners, transfer them to Marriott for stays or vacation packages, or if you have enough of them use them for free nights at Starwood hotels and resorts.

And because the Amex SPG Biz is a business card, it will not report to your personal credit report, and will not count towards how many credit cards you've opened in the past 24 months (*/24), which won't affect any plans you have to apply for Chase's credit cards (like the CIP) down the line. We expect the CIP will still have its 80,000 UR signup bonus in a few months time.

How about hotel credit cards like Marriott etc. Worth it?

 

[motherof5]

IHG is offering 60,000 and Marriott offering 75,000. Are either of these worth doing?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

IHG is offering 60,000 and Marriott offering 75,000. Are either of these worth doing?

I'd really advise you to do some research on what various points are worth. It really depends on where you plan to redeem them/use them.

Marriott points transfer to SPG points at 3:1 so their value should be directly tied together. SPG points are often worth > $0.03 cents per point so Marriott points should be worth > $0.01 cents per point.

 

[Lain]

are most of these credit cards free for first year? I would love that since traveling in 2-3 years so don't want to pay for credit cards for that many years. Appreciate everyone's help and feedback

Some credit cards waive the first year annual fee ("AF"), but many of the more rewards-heavy cards do carry annual fees and some of them are substantial (though offer credits and other benefits that offset the dollar impact of the fee).

So for example, the CIP I recommended has an annual fee of $95, but the signup bonus is worth at least $800, and its 3x UR points bonus categories makes it a very strong earner to keep earning you points going forward. Or the CSR, which I mentioned as a possible future card for you, has a $450 AF, but it comes with a 50,000 UR points signup bonus worth at least $500, and a $300/membership year travel credit that you can easily use 2x in your first year before you have to pay a second year AF, in addition to credits for Global Entry/Precheck, Priority Pass lounge access, car rental insurance, very strong 3x UR bonus categories for dining and travel, and makes all the UR points you'll accumulate worth 50% more when redeemed for travel. Keep in mind that in this hobby, there's a lot of canceling cards that aren't worth it past the signup bonus and first year benefits, or product changing the card to a "no fee" version if available.

Offhand, the cards that have their first year AF waived are: Amex SPG Business credit card; the Chase Marriott Rewards Business credit card; the Amex Business Rewards Gold, and the Amex Premier Rewards Gold (a personal card that will count against the 5/24 rule).

 

[wendow]

IHG is offering 60,000 and Marriott offering 75,000. Are either of these worth doing?

Both cards are potentially worth doing but I wouldn't do either until you have an idea of which hotel you might stay at.

Also, marriott points will transfer to SPG and vice versa. IHG will not. Marriott card is under 5/24 rules. IHG is not. You want to gather the cards that are subject to the 5/24 rules first before moving to ones that aren't.

 

[mhartman09]

For those of you who PCd your CSR, how long did it take to see the AF credit? DH got his CSR on 02/04/17 and he called in on 02/21/18 to PC to the Freedom. The $450 AF posted to his Freedom account on 03/01/18. I honestly didn't think it would post at all, since we didn't see it before he called. Now it's been 8 days since it posted (statement cut on 03/06/18, not that this is relevant) and still no credit. Just curious what your experiences have been.

 

[wendow]

Offhand, the cards that have their first year AF waived are: Amex SPG Business credit card; the Chase Marriott Rewards Business credit card; the Amex Business Rewards Gold, and the Amex Premier Rewards Gold (a personal card that will count against the 5/24 rule).

Also, CSP with 50k offer.

 

[wendow]

For those of you who PCd your CSR, how long did it take to see the AF credit? DH got his CSR on 02/04/17 and he called in on 02/21/18 to PC to the Freedom. The $450 AF posted to his Freedom account on 03/01/18. I honestly didn't think it would post at all, since we didn't see it before he called. Now it's been 8 days since it posted (statement cut on 03/06/18, not that this is relevant) and still no credit. Just curious what your experiences have been.

Well, I kept my CSR for almost 3mos beyond the AF posting so my experience is a little different but it was a good 3-4 weeks until the AF partial credit posted. I didn't think I was going to get anything (especially since they told me I wouldn't).

 

[miztressuz]

Maximizing bonus question - I'm in my Cashback Match period for my Discover it card so I'm trying to max out the categories but it's hard with normal expenses. Oddly enough I've never bought a BJ's gift card before so before I screw up I thought I'd ask you knowledgeable folks first. Is it any problem if I throw in a $500 BJ's GC on my next shopping trip to get the 5%? Nothing silly like can't buy a BJ's gift card with a credit card OR somehow Discover will ferret out that amount and not give me the full credit? I'm running out of discounted 3rd party gift cards I'm willing to buy right now so I'd like to just prepay for a bunch of future BJ's trips.

 

[speedyfishy]

Hawaii I want to go to two islands Maui and Oahu. Italy want to go to Rome & Venice. I opened 2 credit cards in past 24 months. Yes I own a daycare business. So any hints you have for me would be great.

LAIN provided great advice to go with the CIP. If a branch isn’t close you can apply online.

The CIP will give you 80,000 UR points after you spend 5k in three months.

You can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to 9 airline programs (British Airways, Flying Blue, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic and Aer Lingus and Iberia) and four hotel programs (Hyatt, IHG, Marriott and Ritz-Carlton). All transfer ratios are 1:1. You can also book flights and hotels on the chase travel portal. I’d start looking at some hotels that you would want to stay at.

The next step after the CIP (wait at least 30 days) is to double dip with the CSP/CSR. The CSR has a high annual fee of $450 dollars but you get Global entry or TSA precheck fees reimbursed and a $300 travel reimbursement every year. If you can spend 8k in three months you have to apply for both on the same day. Chase instituted a rule with only one sapphire card every 24 months, but the way around the rule is to apply for both on the same day. Preferably, a business day incase you get the 30 day message. If you can’t spend 8k I’d pick which one you think is a better value. Some people think the CSR with the $450 annual fee is worth it others would rather the CSP where the annual fee is waived the first year. They are both definitely worth it in the first year if you can get both bonuses. After your first year one of those cards you should downgrade. You may even want to downgrade both to a no fee version.

Do you have someone else in your family that is willing to play the game too? If so you can refer them for the CIP and CSR and CSP. That would be 400+ URs but is 26k in spend so that should keep you busy for awhile. Lol

You can also look into Amex Delta Business and the Amex Starwood Business. Delta maybe helpful for your flights I don’t know if your airport has delta though. And Starwood can be used for Starwood and Marriott properties. They can also be transferred to some airlines.

For Rome I really like the Boscolo. It my plan to stay there. It is 180k Marriott points for five nights, but you can book it using UR through the Chase portal often for less points. I’m flying to Rome on Delta since Delta is at my home airport.

I don’t have any specific hotels that I am looking at for Hawaii but for flights Southwest maybe a good option. I’m hoping it’s cheap. Hopefully, they release dates soon.

 

[Lain]

How about hotel credit cards like Marriott etc. Worth it?

IHG is offering 60,000 and Marriott offering 75,000. Are either of these worth doing?

I'm loving all your questions, so don't get me wrong when I say don't rush into anything! None of these offers are going away today.

Like @SouthFayetteFan said, you need to take some time to think about what you want to use points for (e.g., what airlines service your home airport and will get you to where you want to go; are you partial to any particular hotel brand or property?), then ask or research about the current offers.

The Marriott business card is worth getting right now because (1) as a business card, it won't add to your */24 count with Chase, and therefore won't take up a spot that could be used for some of Chase's other more rewarding cards; (2) it has a solid 75,000 Marriott Rewards points offer; (3) it's first year annual fee is waived; and (4) it has a relatively low minimum spending requirement ("MSR") at just $3,000 in 3 months.

The IHG card is not a good deal right now because (1) it's a personal card that will take up a 5/24 slot with Chase; (2) you can get this card even if you are over 5/24 with Chase (after you've had more than 5 reported open cards in the past 24 months); (3) it's current 60,000 bonus points offer isn't that great -- last year, there was a 100,000 points offer.

 

[speedyfishy]

are most of these credit cards free for first year? I would love that since traveling in 2-3 years so don't want to pay for credit cards for that many years. Appreciate everyone's help and feedback

A lot of the cards are not free the first year, but some are. You don’t need to keep the card for over a year though. For example, the Marriott card the points will go to your Marriott rewards account and you can cancel after a year. For UR cards you can downgrade your card after a year to one that has no annual fee and keep the points in your account.

Your Southwest cards you can cancel the card right after your anniversary points post without paying the annual fee again too. Sometimes they will give you a retention offer to keep the card, but don’t feel bad cancelling your Southwest points will be in your Rapid Rewards account.

How about hotel credit cards like Marriott etc. Worth it?

Marriott maybe worth it to you, but I think UR points are more value and you should start there.

IHG is offering 60,000 and Marriott offering 75,000. Are either of these worth doing?

Do Not get the IHG. You can get that card when you are over 5/24. There are a lot of more valuable cards that you should get while you are under 5/24.marriott you need to be under 5/24 to get so it maybe a good choice, but really I think UR cards are better to get now. They are more flexible.

Edit: I also got the Marriott card when it was offering 120k points for spending 12k in 12 months with no annual fee the first year. I don’t think they still have that offer.

If you really want Marriott points I’d go with the SPG business. The 35k points can transfer to Marriott and be worth 105k points.

 

[miztressuz]

IHG is offering 60,000 and Marriott offering 75,000. Are either of these worth doing?

If you don't have a use for them right away, I'm pretty sure the IHG is fairly standard at the 60k so you may want to wait for a higher offer. I know they've upped it to 80k occasionally and I thought I saw a 100k offer once.
Marriott does fluctuate as well but I think the current offer waives the AF for the first year which is not a common offer. So all depends on your willingness to wait and see if you can get it higher AND with a waived fee. Doesn't hurt to do a little searching to see what you'd be comfortable with and how it will fit into your overall CC plans.

 

[MrPTato]

Assuming this is correct, I'll be curious to see strategies for spending via Chase Pay and Paypal. Sure wish Toys R Us took Chase Pay so that I could buy GOC cards (I think they take Apple Pay but not Chase Pay??).

They take Apple Pay...not Chase Pay.

 

[WVMomof3]

Thank you. I always look at the points so I wouldn't have looked at 35,000 points as alot never looked at the transfer and how it's higher. Interesting.

I would agree with Lain on this post and get the Amex SPG business while the signup is high. Then follow up with the CIP. That is $12000 ($7k for Amex and $5k for CIP) worth of spending so may take you a few months on each. Would definitely double dip the CSR and CSP, but maybe wait till closer to your trips.

 

[GlamMistress]

Update: DHs Amex Plat was approved. Checked the status website. Now the long wait for the card... sadly I've got thousands in real bills ready to go. Sigh.

 

[WVMomof3]

I haven't installed the app yet but I was reading about it and I thought it said within the app you could see what stores near you accepted it. So I guess they have a location service built in, or maybe a search. I thought I ready Kroger was doing a trial of it but I don't have any Kroger stores near me so I don't pay close attention. I think I was looking up supermarkets that took it and kinda stopped when I found Shoprite

Just logged into my app and I only see Best Buy and Starbucks.

 

[miztressuz]

...
The next step after the CIP (wait at least 30 days) is to double dip with the CSP/CSR. The CSR has a high annual fee of $450 dollars but you get Global entry or TSA precheck fees reimbursed and a $300 travel reimbursement every year. If you can spend 8k in three months you have to apply for both on the same day. Chase instituted a rule with only one sapphire card every 24 months, but the way around the rule is to apply for both on the same day. Preferably, a business day incase you get the 30 day message. If you can’t spend 8k I’d pick which one you think is a better value. Some people think the CSR with the $450 annual fee is worth it others would rather the CSP where the annual fee is waived the first year. They are both definitely worth it in the first year if you can get both bonuses. After your first year one of those cards you should downgrade. You may even want to downgrade both to a no fee version...

Awesome post, but I am going to be nit-picky here (sorry, it pops out every so often and I can't help it). From what I understand, the current rule is that you can only hold one Sapphire product at a time. So if you get the CSP you can't apply for the CSR until you no longer have the CSP any more (and vice versa). Chase also has a rule that you are not eligible for a sign up bonus if you have earned the same sign up bonus within the last 24 months. So if you get a CSP or CSR and then cancel it/downgrade it you can't reapply and get the sign up bonus again within 24 months of earning the first sign-up bonus. Which is why people wait the 24 months before applying again. (why apply if you can't get the bonus, right?)
As you pointed out the way to get both bonuses is to game the system a little and get approved for both Sapphire cards on the same day. Otherwise it's a long wait in between.