Thinking Through My Next App Party

Posted by Noob Master on Mar 20, 2013 in App-Party, Credit Cards, Ink Cards, Miles, Uncategorized | 6 comments

I’m so excited today! And not just because the NCAA tourney starts tomorrow, but because I’m due for an App Party.

Jordan and I earned over a million miles and points from credit card sign-up bonuses alone last year (and our credit is still in great condition). That doesn’t even include the miles and points we received from using our cards.

I plan out my credit card applications on one day, every 90-120 days. This helps me stay organized, increases my approval chances, and protect my credit. The only time I break my cycle is if there’s a great LTO offer. Then, I just reset my app schedule from the date I applied. It takes a really awesome offer for me to make an exception like this.

But just because Jordan and I do App Parties doesn’t mean that you should. Only apply for credit cards if you’re responsible enough to pay off your bills in full at the end of each billing cycle, your credit score is in good condition, you’re monitoring your credit score, and you can handle the work it takes to manage your new accounts.

All that being said, here’s what I’m thinking for my upcoming rewards card apps.

Delta Gold 45,000

I had already applied for the American Premier Rewards Gold card last year, so the 50,000 offer was off the table. It appears that the 50,000 Amex PRG offer is no longer available, anyway. Plus, I already have the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express card which I believe to be the best American Express option. I always try to throw in an American Express card to diversify between banks and because of their great backdating which increases my average age of account. So the Delta Gold card it was.

The Delta Gold 45,000 offer is still being offered through creditcards.com and their CARDMATCH^TM  tool. Just click the link, then —> “Offers Matched For You”  in the upper left corner of the site —> enter in your information (you can leave out your social security number), and see what offers you get.

I like that you have 6 months to meet the minimum spend requirement and the free checked bags for up to 9 people. That’s a pretty slick feature. I can use 45,000 Delta Skymiles to add to my somewhat deplenished account. I do also like that Delta is a transfer partner of Membership Rewards and although it’s been awhile I hope there’s eventually a transfer bonus. 

Chase Ink Plus

You know how much I love my Ink products. Maybe too much. But I have a new little project that I’ve been working on, so I’m going to apply for the Ink Plus® Business Card to help me manage/separate my spending. I already have 3 Ink cards, so we will see. There’s only one Ink card that I don’t use that often, so maybe I’ll have to close that one out in order to open this new one.

Having multiple Ink Bold and Ink Plus business cards is possible if you have multiple businesses. You can also have an Ink Bold and Ink Plus for the same business since they are different products. 

I’ll be applying as a sole proprietor. Here’s my post on how to apply for a business rewards card as a sole proprietor and how to handle the business reconsideration phone call.  

Although the 5x earning potential took a hit when OD quit selling Vanilla Reloads, and Visa Gift cards in $500 increments, there are still some good opportunities. I run all my phone, internet, and cable through my Inks. Plus I enjoy earning 2x points on gas. Hell I love my Inks so much that I recently downgraded my Sapphire Preferred to the Freedom. 

I’m all about earning Ultimate Rewards points because of how uber versatile they are, and I’ve been burning so many that it’s to rebuild. Stacks on stacks.

Citi AAdvantage Business Card

This has been one of our go-to cards, but Jordan was denied during her last App Party for being a previous card holder! Boo. I’m pretty sure that I will roll the dice though because I’m lusting after some AAdvantage miles before the merger and I did personal AAdvantage apps last fall.

This is an expired link, but I will receive 50,000 AAdvantage miles after spending $3,000 in 4 months. This offer is supposed to come with a $150 statement credit (after eligible AA purchase), and 2 Admiral Lounge passes too, but I don’t hold my breath for those extra perks on the expired offers. There’s no mention of the sign-up bonus or extra perks on the landing page, and there’s risk involved since I’ve held this card recently.

Link: Citi AAdvantage Business

Recap

These are the cards that I’m definite on applying for, but I could throw in the Club Carlson card but probably not. I love the CC cards features, but I don’t think US Bank and I will work out. They are sticklers for having “too many recent inquiries” and approving you for a lesser version of the card you applied for.

Signing up for multiple rewards credit cards and using your card is still the easiest way to accumulate miles and points. True story. But only apply for credit cards if you’re monitoring your credit and are responsible enough to pay your bills in full. If that’s you then you reap the rewards of maximizing your credit for tremendous travel.

If you’re new to the blog and are looking for some great starter cards – check out my sick deals page or shoot me an email at geoff@noobtraveler.com I don’t bite.

— Noob Master