@xenon3030 wrote:Here are my Q1 lineups:
- Online shopping: General (BOA CCR, 5.25%), Amazon (Chase, Affinity CR, 5%), Walmart (Cap1, 5%), Instacart (6%, BCP)
- In-store: Samsung Pay (USBank Ralphs, 5%), groceries (6%, BCP).
- Bills/Utilities: Affinity CR and Cash+ (5%, cell phone/internet/utility).
- Streaming: Netflix/YouTube Music (USBank Altitude Go/Connect, annual benefit).
- Dining: USBank Altitude Go (4%, limited due to Covid).
The other cards go to SD (Discover, CFF, etc).
I like your strategy. It's giving me some ideas and making me rethink mine.
Check your Chase app. Once approved, it usually loads relatively quickly with the last four of your account number, your credit limit, etc.
@AwsiDooger wrote:After the past two weeks I think I'm content with my current lineup. I did my first product switch, from Citi Simplicity to Custom Cash. Then a few days ago I applied for Chase Freedom Flex. I assumed it would be a mere formality. I have a good relationship with them and put lots of purchases on the Freedom card every month, especially in cycles with PayPal.
To my surprise, the application came back saying they needed more time to evaluate. I'm a gambler so my resume and file look markedly different than the norm. It's always amusing how differently the companies react. I now have limits from $1000 up to $22,000. Sometimes I'll have limits raised by one company simultaneous to another bank slashing it.
Frankly I expected to be turned down for Freedom Flex. The only other time I received a review notice was by Wells Fargo last spring. I think I mentioned that here. They wanted all kind of stuff, like records from my brokerage account. It's the only time I've been turned down. The letter of explanation was completely different than the explanations I received over the phone. I laughed at Wells Fargo and concluded they are wimps who have no clue what they are doing. How difficult is it to get your story straight? Then I told them not to send me any more applications or preapproval notices. Supposedly that was taken care of within their system. It lasted all of 3 months. Now I'm bombarded with those offers again. Fat chance.
Anyway, today I received an email from Chase: "Thank you for your interest in a Chase Credit Card." It read like a typical rejection letter. Until I opened the email. Congratulations. You have been approved. Card will arrive in 3 to 5 days. Huh. I have no idea what my limit will be, or anything else. But I'm happy to have Custom Cash and Freedom Flex. That gives me some versatility. I was really annoyed when Chase AARP swiched to Barclays AARP a few months ago. That took away the 3% cash back on restaurants. It was the only decent card I had for restaurants, other than using the BankAmericard revolving category.
I just put a lot of spending on Blue Cash because I had the Plan It offer of 0% for 24 months on any purchase of $100+. I bought tons of stuff and American Express gambled with me by raising my limit considerably as they saw me doing it. After December 31 that promotion ends so I'll set aside the card for 2 years, other than perhaps using it for 3% groceries once in a while. But I hope the two new cards mean I''ll be receiving 5% back on groceries the vast majority of the time.
Starting Score: 469Current Score: 819
Goal Score: 850
Highest Scores: EQ 850 EX 849 TU 850
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Slightly rethinking my 2022 strategy, as earlied posted. I realized in another thread that I would only use Custom Cash for transit, drugstores, home improvement, and live entertainment, none of which are categories I reliably spend in. I then connected the dots that one of the Kroger cards would bring a bunch of my non-category spend right up to 5%, which would include my drugstore as well as several other stores I reliably use. Since I use Surpass for the majority of my non-category spend (to earn weekend night certificate), this could put almost all of the rest of my non-category spend at 5%.
So, I'm now prioritizing a Kroger card. If I were to apply today I'd grab the Harris Teeter version, but I'll evaluate the offerings again then. If US Bank pulls TU (most likely) that means I'll hold off on Custom Cash, as Citi has pulled TU for me in the past, and go for a second MCP next. If US Bank pulls EX or EQ I'll go for Custom Cash next instead, with a bit of a buffer in case Citi double-pulls to be 0/5. I'll then save whatever I don't apply for after my Chase app in 2023.
I'm also adding my Rakuten Visa to the chopping block. My approach with Rakuten is to just activate a shopping trip anytime I buy anything and the browser extension shows a possible offer. Sometimes there are asterisks, like only certain categories being eligible, but I don't even look. If I activate a trip, it doesn't qualify as a valid trip, and thus get no bonus points, no big deal. But if I activate a trip, it doesn't qualify as a valid trip, and then get 1X MR using my Rakuten Visa (tied to Amex MR) instead of 3X MR, that's just not worth it when I can get a guaranteed 2X MR using BBP.
2022 is shaping up to be the year of the chopping block for me...
P2 
P2 Future 
Chopping Block 
I will continue to no apps until at least June/July 2022 as I should be 5/24 with a Chase card or 2 within reach. That would be my first front line Chase cards at any stretch of my credit seeking days. Never had the patience to get serious enough about the goal cards. I will probably also either go for a USB or Elan card as well depending on how long I actually wait to apply for the Chase cards. Ohter than that continue to trim some debt, build the AOAA, AOYA and check in the forums from time to time. Keeps me honest. 
I was so excited today after paying off my debt consolidation loan. What a feeling to free that weight off my shoulders [$12k]. If it wasn't for those 0% balace transfers I'd probably be dead. A Hard 3yr lesson that I'll never forget.
My plan now is to stick to my budget on Mint like a hawk, build an emergency fund. Overall this year my focus will be on saving and improve my health. Maybe get in with US bank in 7mo from now.
Happy new year!
After some more research, I've re-thought my strategy for next year.
I currently have a Discover It 5% rotating cash back card and a Petal One Visa. I've been automatically approved for a CLI and a tiny cashback rate increase for the Petal One. In another 6 months, I should be automatically approved for another CLI and cashback increase. In April, my Discover cashback match program for the first year will come to an end at which point I will request a CLI on that card, as well. I will be in the garden while waiting for these things to happen. In July, I'm going to apply for the Savor One Mastercard for the 3% dining cashback bonus and the PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature card for the 2% unlimited cashback (veteran). Regardless if I am approved or not, I will go back to the garden until 2023 where I will look into the AMEX Blue Cash preferred card or the previous two cards if I was denied.
Edit: I did get a minimum deposit NFCU Secured Visa so that I could have 3 cards on file.
Great post and lots of great input.
I will say this - everyone is running his/her own race. And I like that. We all have different histories, experiences, goals, ideas, mindsets.
With that said, here is a part of my mindset:
1. I have the credit cards that I need/want.
2. I apped for - and received - three credit cards in the second half of 2021 (Capital One Quick Silver, NFCU cashRewards, Amex BCE). Add the NFCU SSL in there and I will admit that I went a little bit crazy. Would not recommend to others but it worked for me. And, yes - this was all after I stated that I was going to garden. But, that plan clearly changed (but - to my mind - with purpose and intent).
3. I have a specific plan/intent for each of the newly acquired CCs.
--The Capital One QS I use for my utilities and subscriptions (and 1.5% cash back). And nothing else.
--The NFCU is a catch all and part of my plan for a relationship with NFCU (and gets 1.75% cash back).
--AMEX BCE is for groceries (3% cash back) and gas (2% cash back).
4. I had - before the spree - the Discover IT (2% on gas) and the Lowes Card (5% and plan is to be purchasing a house in the next 18 months - that has changed a little bit and was pushed back some six months) so I wanted to have a relationship with Lowes for that purpose.
Specific Goals for 2022:
1. First and foremost - garden (but I have said that before).
2. SP CLI for Discover and AMEX (just received a nice 33% CLI for the Discover Card).
3. SP CLI for NFCU.
4. Continued responsible use for all things credit. Goal is to continue AZEO and to keep the "except one" at or below 8.5% reported usage.
5. Allow all cards to age (which is clearly part of the 'garden' theme).
6. Put myself in a very favorable position for a Chase CC (believe that will have to be in 2023.....).
7. Explore a Rewards CC (for travel).
That is what I have in mind as of January 1, 2022. That is correct~ 2022. Say that outloud. Then say it again. 2020 seemed to take FOREVER to be over. 2021 seemed to fly by. Lets see what 2022 does....
