Setting your 2021 Card Strategy

[TheCreditCount]

Currently gardening and it looks like it will be like that for a while but i have big plans for later in the year:

Current Rotation:

• Amex Gold:  4x MR Groceries + Dining
• Amex Bonvoy Biz:  4x Marriott Points Gas
• Amex Blue Biz: 2x MR Everything Else
• Fidelity Visa: 2% Where Amex Not Accepted 

Also Amazon Prime Visa and Amex Plat get used a fair bit but are rarely carried. There's other stuff that is used much less.

This year I want to cut out a lot of stuff and only keep AF cards that get real regular use. Like everyone and their pet goldfish Eugene I'm eyeing the AOD Signature and if I can make my wallet into the Amex Gold+AOD Signature then I will. There are way to many redundant benefits and I've reached a point where more cards in general is not the solution so there likely wont be any new applications beyond that.

Cancelling AF cards is also a theme I want for this year: JetBlue Plus, Bonvoy Brilliant (already have the Bonvoy Biz and Bonvoy Modern Art so there is a lot of redundancy), and likely the Amex Plat are all on the chopping block.

My intention for 2021 is the year that my rotation gets altogether simpler and cheaper.

[_bobby_lee]

I've enjoyed reading what others are thinking - I am new to this community and for a couple years was trying to strategize myself with no outside references, so it is very satisfying to see others taking credit seriously and trying to make the most of their cards/rewards/finances. I opened 2 new cards in 2020 so I am going to lay low for a couple more months and hopefully meet my one goal for the year - get either the US Bank Cash+ or Altitude Go. The end of Feb will be over the 12 month mark for my AMEX app, which would leave only my Chase FF from October on my 12 month history for US Bank to see. Here's hoping!

[Anonymous]

I had the Chase Quadfecta over the last two years. This year I wanted to get into the Amex trifecta. I applied and was approved for the Amex Platinum a few weeks ago. 100,000 points for $5000 in 6 month, 10% groceries. But, I'm already having doubts about the Amex trifecta given how difficult it is to redeem the airline credit. I know there are ways to get around it but coming from the broad Chase travel credit it has certainly put a damper on my expectations. My plan is to apply for the Gold in June and the Blue Biz in September.

[1GaDawg85]

I think I finally have a lineup I can live with (for now).

AOD - 3% CB everything 

PenFed PCR - 2% CB everything

DiscoIT - 5% CB rotation

Navy Fed AMEX - 3x dining/food delivery (DoorDash)

Apple Card - 3% CB Apple subs/UberEats

Verizon - cell phone bill 

Macy's AMEX - Macy's purchase/util padding

Navy Fed Platnum - balance holder (when I can get the interest rate down)

Barclays - util padding

AMEX - util padding

Robins - util padding

Cap1 - util padding

DCU - util padding

USAA - util padding

[SecretAzure]

Been in the gardening phase for a while now. I plan to garden more. My scores have been wonderful for several years but one thing has always held me back, my AAOA. My initial goal was to hit 5 years of AAOA. This probably would have already happened if I didn't refinance my mortgage early last year. Now it seems like I won't hit that until July, 2021. But of course, one ends gardening by apping for an interesting card...so if I wanted to maintain a 5 year AAOA, I can't apply until February, 2022 .

The good news is, I really don't see any cards calling my attention. Pre-pandemic, I scoured the internet for the best infrequent traveller, travel card. Very intersted in CSP/CSR. Nowadays, they make even less sense to me than before. Many MFers have speculated a change may be coming to CSP. That could maybe tilt the scales for me. I still have a bunch of UR's saved up from Chase Freedom/Freedom Unlimited. Who knows?!

For now...more gardening! 

P.S. I'm arbitrarily using CK to give me my AAOA which does not seem to factor in closed accounts so my AAOA may actually be higher (closed my oldest account a couple years back) but I want to get out of orange on CK any ways. 

[credit_endurance]

Just thought I would chime in and give an update on my 2021 plans thus far. 

Was going to wait until mid year to go after my goal cards but plans have changed.

First went for BOA Premium Rewards since I had reached 6/12 still got denied! Puzzuling to say the least. Re'coned like 3 times and all reps could bring up was my LOL/24. Really couldn't argue much about that but this whole thing through me for a loop and once again proves that their is no guarantees in this credit game. 

Also shot down for Citi Prestige for same reasons. So with that all being said, I went for some alternatives to add to my collection that will actually benefit me in my grand scheme.

Applied for a BOA Biz Travel card and was approved for $8,000 SL. This will complement my Cash Rewards to take full advantage of Preferred Rewards status.

Applied as well for Citi AA Advantage. Got weird denial for too many recent inquiries but this one is on a positive recon track to the EO and hopefully will get overturned soon. 65,000 AA points for $4k spend in 4 months will pay dividends on a nice trip end year/early 2022.

Applied for 3rd Navy Card as I am closing in on maximum exposure with them. Approved for $5,000 SL. We get $150 bonus cash for $3k spend in 90. Also will then request a CLI attempt to bring me to $80k max this year.

Applied for BBVA Clear points approved for $12,000 SL. This was a goal card for the year so content with the outcome.

Looked at a couple other options like Avianca Avelua but couldn't get app through for some reason.

Also made an attempt at Sync Rakuten. I know real brave, especially after having all my credit lines in the tune of $100k taken right up under me during start of Covid. Interesting denial was only because I had recent account closed. And no hp pull done. Interesting so dp for those thinking of rekindling a Sync thing. 😆😂

Also credit line increased my 2 USAA Visa. One up to $30k & $5k for the other.

Finally got HSBC to increase my MC for $2k to $10k after making several attempts last year.

5/8 in this mini spree and 1 app pending.

Will now garden the rest of 2021. Continue to pay down existing CC and loans. Maintain scores. Maintain small investments,  And hopefully by next February when I am 1/12 or so I can go for a US Bank card.😄

All the best to all in their credit endeavours.

[Aim_High]

I'm gardening until at least mid-February, but I've been pondering my long-term card strategy as well as shorter-term for this year.   What I find is that making plans is all well and good ... but life (and credit) happens!    In other words, new offers and considerations seem to often come along that make you consider adapting your plan.   Cases-in-point:  The enhanced AMEX Platinum card SUB was a big temptation for me since last month, but I elected to sit that one out for a few reasons.    Now, a couple of other enhanced or targeted offers have come along that I'm considering.  I posted about the Elan Max Cash Preferred card but it was down my priority list.  Then I got a targeted mailer offer that makes me think that applying sooner rather than later might be a good idea.  Also, I just found out about an enhanced SUB on the AMEX Hilton Surpass card which is very tempting right now! 

Before these, my 2021 priorities were mainly at least one (if not two) new Navy FCU cards to push towards their maximum credit limit, an AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, and possibly a Wells Fargo Propel card later in the year.  That may require an adjustment, but in my favor, I'll have seven new accounts and inquiries falling off my reports this year from 2019.  Four of those inquiries are on EX, my hardest-hit report.

I'm also considering which cards I might close, consolidate, or permanently sock-drawer, especially since I have some that aren't important to me any longer. 

Thanks to everyone who shared their 2021 plans! 

[FormerCollegeDJ]

My current cards (in order of age, excluding one store card):

*Discover It Cash Back (10/1994)

*American Express Hilton Honors (09/1996)

*Chase Amazon Rewards Visa (10/2006)

*Citi Sears/ThankYou Rewards Mastercard (09/2009)

*Citi Best Buy Visa (12/2011)

*Bank of America Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard (10/2015)

*Bank of America AAA Member Rewards Visa (03/2017)

*Chase Freedom Unlimited Visa (06/2020)

*Chase Freedom Flex Mastercard (11/2020)

*Kohl's card (07/2000)

I only started focusing on rewards, particularly cash back and travel rewards, in May 2020 when I had more time to evaluate my credit card portfolio and spending patterns during the early stages of the COVID-19 shutdowns.  Most of my spend in recent months has been going on the two new Chase cards and to a lesser degree the BOA AAA card (use that for my AAA car insurance and gas; travel including AAA payments are 3% cash back) and Discover card (for 5% rotating quarterly categories).

In 2021, my two primary target cards are the Capital One SavorOne Mastercard (thinking I'll apply for that card in April) and Wells Fargo Propel American Express (will probably target October for that card).  I am increasingly intrigued by the US Bank Cash+ Visa and the Elan Financial Services Max Cash Preferred Visa/Mastercard and might apply for one of them in lieu of one of those other two cards, though I may wait until early 2022 to go after one of them.  I'm also keeping an eye on completing the Chase trifecta with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, though more likely in 2022, but the September 2020 benefits additions to the CFU and CFF make the CSP (and CSR) less attractive to me.

[Anonymous]

---

@Aim_High wrote:

I'm gardening until at least mid-February, but I've been pondering my long-term card strategy as well as shorter-term for this year.   What I find is that making plans is all well and good ... but life (and credit) happens!    In other words, new offers and considerations seem to often come along that make you consider adapting your plan.   Cases-in-point:  The enhanced AMEX Platinum card SUB was a big temptation for me since last month, but I elected to sit that one out for a few reasons.    Now, a couple of other enhanced or targeted offers have come along that I'm considering.  I posted about the Elan Max Cash Preferred card but it was down my priority list.  Then I got a targeted mailer offer that makes me think that applying sooner rather than later might be a good idea.  Also, I just found out about an enhanced SUB on the AMEX Hilton Surpass card which is very tempting right now! 

Before these, my 2021 priorities were mainly at least one (if not two) new Navy FCU cards to push towards their maximum credit limit, an AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, and possibly a Wells Fargo Propel card later in the year.  That may require an adjustment, but in my favor, I'll have seven new accounts and inquiries falling off my reports this year from 2019.  Four of those inquiries are on EX, my hardest-hit report.

I'm also considering which cards I might close, consolidate, or permanently sock-drawer, especially since I have some that aren't important to me any longer. 

Thanks to everyone who shared their 2021 plans! 

---

I'm going from 10/24 to 4/24 in 6 months and I can't imagine it. It use to seem so far away. My Experian has the most inquiries too. I lose 2 at the end February. 

[credit_endurance]

Just providing an update on my pending recon Citi AA Business app.

After a few days of back and forth with different departments  I was finally approved for the card with a $3k SL. Not the best but an approval nontheless. 

Also took a stab at Amex Business green and was instantly approved. 15,000 MR points for $3k spend in 90. Between all my Subs from recent approvals, I will have a good amount of bonus rewards/points in place for a nice extended travel vacation in 2022. (Let's hope)😄

So recent spree final result was 7/9. Only denials we're BOA PR & Citi Prestige. Tough cookies to crack but will get back at them next year! 😉

Thanks everyone and be well.