Amex business gold
I have applied for the Amex business gold card 4 times with the elevated offer of 200k points, and get a message saying I don’t qualify for that offer. I decline going any further at that point because I only want it if I can get the elevated offer. I called today and the lady I spoke with said she could process the application, but if I’m approved, it’s up to a specific department to figure out what my welcome offer would be. She said it could be 0-200k points. I once again decided to not proceed, because I don’t want it unless I’m getting the 200k. My credit is great (810), but I have opened quite a few cards since March of last year, one being the Amex Marriott bonvoy. Any insight as to why I keep getting refused the elevated offer?
Big trip planning
I have a family of eight (6 kids). Looking for tips to plan a trip from LAX to Melbourne AUS. Will be in 3-ish years. I’m a year-ish into travel hacking with some but not many flexible points. Not sure how to form a strategy to plan for such a big trip- would like to get trip as close to zero as possible. I haven’t booked flights with points yet, just hotels. Flights seem a tad overwhelming.
How do you all stay organized?
I just spent 2 hours trying to get organized - help! I use Travel Freely of course, but I have been adding calendar reminders for when my FNC should hit annually, when I should cancel my INK so I can apply again, etc. I’m also, like you 3, managing my P2. 🤪 Would love to know how you keep all this organized and straight and get the most out of all of your benefits. And do you loosely plan out your year for P1 and P2 now with closing and what you plan to open? (I know you covered 2025 in a recent podcast episode, so looking more for how you execute the plan from an organizational standpoint. Thank you ladies!!
How do you all stay organized?
I just spent 2 hours trying to get organized - help! I use Travel Freely of course, but I have been adding calendar reminders for when my FNC should hit annually, when I should cancel my INK so I can apply again, etc. I’m also, like you 3, managing my P2. 🤪 Would love to know how you keep all this organized and straight and get the most out of all of your benefits. And do you loosely plan out your year for P1 and P2 now with closing and what you plan to open? (I know you covered 2025 in a recent podcast episode, so looking more for how you execute the plan from an organizational standpoint. Thank you ladies!!
Total Credit Limits with Chase
Can you all talk more about this and if there is a general accepted % for personal cards? Your INK episode has had me evaluating my Chase strategy. I miss those URs 🥴 After making a list of all my credit limits on Chase personal cards, I was surprised to see I have a credit limit of ~ $93k. Seems high. Do you all pay attention to and track this?
Do you have to wait a certain amount of time after a denial to apply for a different credit card?
I own a business and not only do I use Ink cards for points but also use the zero percent interest for a large purchase and then pay it off before 12 months so I don’t pay any interest. I have a large purchase coming up, and with the denials that have been talking about, if I am denied, I will have to turn around and apply for a non-Chase card to get my zero percent elsewhere. My question is, once you apply for any card and get denied,what is the general safe rule about applying for the next card? Generally, do you have to wait a certain amount of time before applying again or can you apply immediately if applying with a different bank?
Other questions about applying for Credit cards
1. Is there any data to show if the denial is about the # of Inks per Business or per person? 2. When applying for a credit card, they ask for your household income. Player one and player 2 uses that same figure. Do the credit card companies ever make adjustments for that when determining how many cards or credit they are going to give you when two people are actually sharing that figure? 3. Does an authorized user of a Business card hurt the authorized user like it does with the personal?
Stockpiling Points
This is my second full year of travel hacking. I blow through my points rather quickly for me and/or my family of 5. How did you all stockpile points at first? Do you really need to space out your trips in the beginning to amass a bank of points. If you were starting over in the beginning, would you pay more attention to shopping portals (I know next to nothing about those) and spending categories on the cards you do have? This year is looking different for me without all the INKs I got last year 🤪 Currently working on that AA double dip strategy, so keep the tips coming ladies - thank you!!
Stockpiling Points
This is my second full year of travel hacking. I blow through my points rather quickly for me and/or my family of 5. How did you all stockpile points at first? Do you really need to space out your trips in the beginning to amass a bank of points. If you were starting over in the beginning, would you pay more attention to shopping portals (I know next to nothing about those) and spending categories on the cards you do have? This year is looking different for me without all the INKs I got last year 🤪 Currently working on that AA double dip strategy, so keep the tips coming ladies - thank you!!
Rental cars
Hi! I know you don’t recommend using points in the Chase and Cap One portals due to value and possible complications, however I’m wondering about booking rentals cars with cash (card) for the 10xs points. Sometimes I’ve noticed the cost is less than direct through the company or Costco. If you’re booking through Costco or Expedia anyway, aren’t those all similar third parties like the portals? Just want to make sure there isn’t something I’m not considering. Thanks!
Recent Southwest Policy Updates
Hello! Regarding the recent SW updates, I see that they still offer a free checked bag (or a 'checked bag credit,' whatever that means) to SW credit card holders. I just got mine through your link (thank you!) for the companion pass promo in February. Does this mean that I now have to pay for the flight using that SW credit card in order to get the checked bag? I usually pay for all cash flights with my AmEx Plat since it earns 5x. Thank you <3
Closing Cards
I know there's a lot of information out there about closing cards, but I am missing some of the finer points. Can you go into all the considerations you make? Some of the questions I have had recently: 1. WHEN do I cancel to not risk losing the sign up bonus? Is it a year from when I RECEIEVED the SUB? Or a year from when I was approved? 2. Timing? Wait 30 days per bank? 3. Anything I'm not considering? PS - LOVING the topics you've been covering - so helpful!
The Other Banks
I am working on closing my Chase biz inks in order to apply for more Chase biz cards. Seems like 90% of the cards I'd like to get are thru Chase. I was an unlucky one who entered the world of Amex in 2023 with my first card as a personal platinum RIGHT before they implemented family language. I have a biz blue card, but the minimum spend for the other Amex biz cards are quite hefty. What do you suggest for business cards with reasonable spends while working back into good graces with Chase and out of luck with personal cards with Amex? I can't be the only one who got caught in this predicament.
Talking to the bank
Despite having lots of success with this hobby, one of my biggest fears is applying for a new card, not getting automatically approved, then having to justify to the bank why I need another card. I know you ladies talk about not drawing attention to all your cards, but what do you do/say when your on the phone and someone is reviewing your accounts and inquiring?
Stockpiling Hyatt Points
If I'm remembering correctly, I think Jess said she used 700,000+ Hyatt points last year. If you know you are going to need that many Hyatt points, do you concentrate some spend on Hyatt cards vs Chase cards since some Hyatt cards have higher category multipliers? If so, what percentage of Hyatt points did you earn on Hyatt cards vs Chase cards? I'd like to do a large family all inclusive when our youngest turns 18 in 12 months and I'm trying to figure out the best way to rack up Hyatt points. I can't get a Chase card to save my life right now, so it might be a "pointless" endeavor for me to apply for/spend on a Hyatt card. :)