hello everyone, this is my first post in the form, thank you for taking time read my post
I'm currently a junior in college, age 22, I have been started building credit since Oct, 2012. With no help from parents no AU no JOINT acct. I'm not working at part time, income comes from scholarship and freelance work
Got discover more 500CL now 1000CL on oct2012
Chase freedom 500CL now 5300CL on Jan 2013 with the special consideration form filled at local branch
Chase Southwest premier 5kCL on March 2013
AMEX PRG NPSL 50k offer replied on July 2013
Chase Sapphire Preferred web pre qualified with $10000 with 1k spending in 3 months, now increase to 20k CL, applied on Aug 2013
BOA better balance forward 800CL applied on DEC 2013
Chase Marriott Premier $42000CL, yes I was shocked! Applied through an public offer with 1k spending and 70k points this months.
Current FICO score 756
I use freedom and discover for 5% category rotating
CSP for dinning and traveling, PRG for fueling and grocery
Chase freedom for everything else with 1.1% CB, with Chase checking 10% dividend
Combine chase UR for UA international flights, normally a flight to Asia would cost $2000 but using CSP portal to transfer points to UA at 1:1 rate only costs 75k points, equals to $750 if deposit to cash.
I'm currently waiting AMEX offer me another 50k points if I upgrade my gold card to plat, I spent almost 50k last annual cycle on that card. I like the service and the buying power of AMEX, especially I will travel around the world after March next year I graduate, the benefits that plat card is really useful to me.
BOA better balance forward is the card I use to get $100 each year per card to cover the AF of sapphire card and PRG. I have 2 of this card , the other one was a product change from 123 card( after I get the sign up bonus)
I live in Denver and we have good southwest flights, and it needs around 7000 points for $120 tickets for just wanna get away fare, If I use freedom's 5% to get those points, and convert it through CSP, it will only costs $1400 to get $120 airline ticket so I consider it as the best value domestic converting flyer program. Almost everything 15% off.
The reason why I don't have BCP or BCE is because I don't want to spread my points, 1.5x or 2x on everything is good, but the power becomes minimal when points are spreaded.
I'm still On my way to build better credit score now, advices from this form is really helpful, hope my experience and way to use my card can help you little bit, leave your question here and I will try to answer.
Just remember always swipe more, even use it to buy gift cards, and pay it down when bank record and report your balance to 3 major credit institution.
Best wishes!
