Not going to lie, we went HAM on the credit card applications since my last results post. This year we’ve had/have a lot of big payments so why not pick up a ton of sign-up bonuses? Here are our credit card applications and results for Summer 2018.
My Applications
Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card
Chase came out with a revamped version of the Hyatt credit card and luckily it’s not under 5/24. I was nervous to apply for another Chase card given rumors of shutdowns, but I hadn’t applied for one in over a year, so I decided to give it a go.
Annual fee: $95
Result: Instant approval
Bonus: 40,000 Hyatt points after spending $3,000 in 3 months and an additional 20,000 points after spending an additional $3,000 in 6 months
Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Business Credit Card
I heard that the 50,000 mile sign-up bonus was going away in August so I decided to apply for this card at the end of July. Anyway, I was initially denied but was able to get it approved by calling recon and lowering the credit limits on my other Barclays cards.
Annual fee: $95
Result: Denied, approved after calling recon
Bonus: 50,000 American Airlines miles after first purchase and paying the $95 annual fee
American Express Platinum Business
I had another payment for our wedding venue so I thought it would be a good chance to knock off the high minimum spending requirement for the Amex Platinum Business sign-up bonus. You also get 1.5x points for purchases over $5,000 so it was nice to take advantage of this perk. The 100,000 point sign-up bonus is available by calling 855-854-2682. I was instantly approved and also pleased to see no hard pull from Amex.
Annual fee: $450
Result: Instant approval
Bonus: 100,000 Amex points after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months
American Express Green Business
I was able to refer myself to this card and earn 20,000 points for the referral and 5,000 points for the sign-up bonus. There’s a glitch with the Amex Green Biz card where the bonus actually posts as 10,000 points instead of 5,000 so I ended up with 30,000 total!
Annual fee: $95, waived first year
Result: Instant approval
Bonus: 5,000 Amex points (posted as 10,000 points) after first purchase in the first 3 months
Marriott Rewards Premier Business from Chase
This application is a story in and of itself. I applied for this card and the Amex SPG Luxury before 8/26 when I would no longer be eligible. It took a few weeks but I finally got it approved! I plan on using this for a payment at our wedding venue (a Ritz-Carlton).
Annual fee: $95
Result: Denied, approved after calling recon and sending address verification
Bonus: 75,000 Marriott points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
American Express SPG Luxury Card
Same deal as above. This card will be used for a payment at the Ritz-Carlton. I’m hoping this will trigger the $300 Marriott statement credit. I also have an Amex Offer for the Ritz-Carlton so I’ll get another $100 back from that. You can read more about my rationale for applying here.
Annual fee: $450
Result: Instant approval
Bonus: 100,000 Marriott points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
American Express Hilton Aspire Card
I decided to apply for this card since I’ll be staying at the Conrad Maldives in December. I figured this would be a good chance to use the $250 resort credit. I also hope the free night certificate posts soon so I can apply it to this stay and get 95,000 points back.
Annual fee: $450
Result: Pending then approved
Bonus: 150,000 Hilton points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard
I opened a Citi AA Business card at the beginning of June. I met the MSR, got the bonus, and promptly closed out the card. I waited 95 days so I was eligible to submit another business card application. I then applied for the same card using the code from a mailer that didn’t have the sign-up bonus restriction language. If you can get your hands on a code, you can churn these every 95 days.
Annual fee: $99, waived first year
Result: Instant approval
Bonus: 75,000 American Airlines miles after spending $5,000 in 5 months
My Fiancé’s Applications
Chase Ink Unlimited
The Chase Ink Unlimited is really similar to Chase Freedom Unlimited…you get 1.5x points on all purchases. Since my fiancé is still under 5/24, he’s been slowly applying for Chase business cards. This is a great offer for a no annual fee card.
Annual fee: No annual fee
Result: Pending then approved
Bonus: 50,000 Chase points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
American Express Green Business
I was also able to refer my fiancé to this card. He got 10,000 points and I got another 20,000!
Annual fee: $95, waived first year
Result: Instant approval
Bonus: 5,000 Amex points (posted as 10,000 points) after first purchase in the first 3 months
Final Thoughts
This summer we opened 10 new cards that will earn us almost 700,000 points and miles from the sign-up bonuses alone! This level of spending wouldn’t be possible if we weren’t paying for a wedding. Got to take advantage of it while we can!
