Honestly not 100% sure what direction I want to go. Kind of just wondering if there are any glaring gaps.
Current cards: (list cards, limits, opening date)
BoA Custom Cash (3% Online Shopping)
Citibank Costco Anywhere
Synchrony Trashley’s Furniture
Chase OG Freedom
Capital One Venture X - April 2023
Capital One Savor One - July 2023
Discover IT - July 2023
BILT Mastercard - January 2024
US Bank Altitude Reserve - January 2024
FICO Score: 782
Oldest account age: 23 Years
Chase 5/24 status: 5/24 until April.
Income: $108,000
Average monthly spend and categories:
Dining: $500
Groceries: $150
Warehouse: $500
Gas: $90
Travel: $500
Other: $200
Open to Business Cards: Yes
What’s the purpose of your next card?
Better lounges than PP.
Access to AMEX/other ecosystems and shopping offers.
Do you have any cards you’ve been looking at?
Chase Ink come April. - Farm SUB
Amazon Prime Visa - 5% Amazon + seems to have decent special offers usually.
AMEX Blue Business Plus/Blue Cash Everyday - Gets me into AMEX ecosystem.
IHG One Rewards Premier - Free annual night for $99 AF seems reasonable. I stay at IHG properties reasonably often.
Alaska Airlines Visa - Is $95 AF a reasonable option if I can’t necessarily use the Companion Pass?
Strata Premier - Is there a downgrade path to this card?
Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card?
Already got the major ones, but sure.
Other considerations: I usually fly First Class domestically so airline cards tend to give rewards included in my fare. Not in the military, but I do work on a military base so USAA and NFCU are options for me as well as cards that give base benefits.
If I’m just lukewarm on everything is that basically just the sign it’s time to start churning SUBs full-time?
Rants said:
At 4/24, I always recommend churning business cards.
Even though Chase has clamped down on their Ink cards, you can probably get 2 within 6 months (3 months in between).
Three months between Chase cards? Could I go Ink Business Cash for $750 in April, Chase Prime Visa in July, then another Ink Business once SUBs are satisfied?
@Lake
3 months is the recommended timeframe for back-to-back Ink cards. If you are going business to personal, then I say 1.5-2 months is generally fine.
As for 5% on Amazon, do you prefer CB or UR points? If the latter, then grab the Ink Cash and buy Amazon GC at office supply stores (i.e., Office Depot). Downside to using any GC is forfeiting any protection/extended warranty benefits associated with the Amazon card or other CCs.
This is what I do since I’m team travel, prefer UR > CB, and value UR points at ~2cpp via Hyatt.
@Rants
I’m not opposed to travel. I have some travel cards. My issue is basically that the USBAR eats so much of my spending I don’t know how viable travel is for me given my earning rate. My VX is literally my least used card.
Weston said:
The sub for Chase Amazon went down to $150. It was $200 over Black Friday week. If that $50 doesn’t matter, you can apply for it while over 5/24.
What is the gap you need between Chase cards? If I apply, that would push my 5/24 date out until July I believe.
@Lake
You can do two Chase cards within 30 days. I’m not sure if there’s a rule after that apart from 5/24. There are data points of people getting approved for the Chase Amazon card at or above 5/24 around Prime Day and Black Friday (whenever they had the elevated $200 bonus) so you might want to consider waiting on that.
@Cove
I think that could be a plan. Go for Ink Business Cash in April, buy Amazon Gift Cards as madskilzz suggests until the $200 SUB occurs again then go from there.
Amex platinum is the way to go; you are one of the few that can far exceed the enormous annual fee. I believe it just went from $595 to $695 a year. However, if you fly that much, you will rack up crazy points. Also, the initial bonus offer = about $1500 in cash however you want to use it. Keep in mind it’s a charge card and you have to pay the entire balance in full 23 days after your statement closes. Every month. It’s unlimited spending, but not really. Typically, someone at your income and expected spending would probably be able to spend about 30k before they call and ask what’s up. But they’ll call you and release more funds if you explain the transaction. Amex is hands down one of the most premier banks to deal with. I don’t fly much, but I have had the gold card for 10 years, and recently got the cash preferred card (only $95 annual fee) it’s an actual credit card and pays 6x on grocery store purchases. They are very generous with the initial credit limit. Moreover, if you spend on it, they will triple your limit in like a year. I started at 11k, and in 1.5 years, with 4 increases I never even asked for, I’m at 26.5k now. I did spend about 30k on the card though. Love Amex! I have 2 cards, a CD, and a savings account with the bank! Highly recommend.