Credit Card Applications and Results: Winter 2017-18

Since my last results post, we’ve been taking it kind of slow. I’m focusing on business cards for the foreseeable future while my fiancé works on Chase cards until he is no longer under 5/24. Here are our credit card applications and results for Winter 2017-18.

My Applications

American Express Business Gold Rewards

I decided to call in to apply for this card in hopes of receiving an offer for 75,000 points instead of the standard 50,000 points. Luckily they were able to pull up 50,000 Amex points after spending $5,000 in 3 months and an additional 25,000 points after spending an additional $5,000 in 3 months. My application went pending and I got a notification for the hard inquiry. I hadn’t received a hard pull when applying for an Amex card since November 2016 so I suppose it had to happen sometime! It’s scary how fast I was able to spend $10,000, but I guess it’s a good idea to open cards with huge spending requirements while paying for wedding stuff.

Result: Pending, but then approved

Bonus: 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months and an additional 25,000 points after spending another $5,000 in the first 3 months. These points are worth at least $750, but likely more depending on where I transfer them.

Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card

I opened this card last spring and closed it a few months ago. When opening it last time, I had to verify my business before they would open the card. This time, I saw a “special offer” on the sidebar of my Bank of America online account and applied on a whim. The application again went pending, but I was approved the next day without any calls from the bank! I can add this card to the list of credit cards I’ve officially churned. This is also proof that Bank of America’s 2-3-4 rule does not apply to business cards.

Result: Pending, but then approved

Bonus: 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. After subtracting the $75 annual fee, the value is at least $425 (probably more) depending on how I spend them. I also get a companion fare which can save even more money.

Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Card from American Express

I closed my SPG Business card recently so I had an extra slot available to open a new Amex credit card. Amex has increased sign-up bonuses on the Delta cards so I decided why not? I don’t have immediate plans for the miles but there are generally decent options for flying to Europe from the East Coast so I decided we should start building up our reserves for 2019 travel.

Result: Pending, but then approved

Bonus: 50,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months and an additional 10,000 miles after spending an additional $1,000 in the first 6 months. The value of these points can swing drastically but let’s just say the 60,000 miles are worth about $700.

My Fiance’s Applications

Marriott Premier Rewards Credit Card from Chase

The sign-up bonus on this card recently decreased by 5,000 points, but the annual fee is waived for the first year. I think this is a much better deal since I like to decrease out-of-pocket spending when possible. We chose this card because we have a HUGE payment to the Ritz Carlton coming up for our wedding so we will get 5x points in addition to the 75,000 point sign-up bonus. I lowered the credit limits on his other Chase cards before applying and we were very happy to see an instant approval!

Result: Instant approval

Bonus: 75,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. The value can vary but is conservatively worth around $675.

Final Thoughts

I’d say this was a successful winter for us. We’re definitely taking it slower with rumors of Chase shutdowns, but there’s nothing wrong with slow and steady wins the race. This winter we earned 240,000 points/miles worth about $2,550. My fiancé now has to wait until July until he is under 5/24 again so he will likely do a business card or two in the meantime. Let’s see what this spring has in store for sign-up bonuses!