My Latest Round Of Applications: I Am Batting 1.000
Even during the pandemic I have tried to keep myself busy and my applications rolling. I may not be traveling much but I can still prepare for the future. Not to mention I have cashed out a large amount of points with Pay Yourself Back and in an attempt to fund my kids college savings. That is used must be replaced! I have not been trying to do a one for one replacement but rather focused on opportunities that have arisen over the last few weeks/months. That led me to applying for 3 different cards in a short time span for which I was able to get approvals for all 3 cards. Let’s take a look at the cards and why I decided to add them to my portfolio.
Choice Privileges
If you listen to the podcast then you saw this one coming. The offer for the Choice Privileges Visa, from Barclays, recently shot up to 50K points. I am always looking to diversify my hotel portfolio from Hilton and Hyatt. This is a pretty niche program, although there are some luxury sweet spots. I plan to use the points on a trip to Nassau or to Europe, where Choice points really shine.
- Offer: 50,000 points after $1,000 in spend within 3 months. The points are worth around $300, more at low tier properties.
- Results: Instant approval
Charles Schwab Platinum
If you remember I tried for this one a few years back and was smacked in the face with the Amex popup. But I already had the required brokerage account because of it so I thought why not try it again. The credits being offered right now for platinum cardholders is what really put me over the top. To be honest, I should have jumped on it a lot earlier because of this.
I grabbed it at the end of July and was able to trigger the credits on the final day of the month. After maxing out the $20 wireless and streaming credit each month that will net me $240 in credits. Throw in the $200 airline incidental x2, $200 in Uber credit, $100 in Saks credit plus the 60,000 points and I am coming out way ahead.
- Offer: 60,000 points after $5,000 in spend within 3 months. The points are worth around $900.
- Results: Instant approval
Bank Of America Travel Rewards
On my last application spree write up I grabbed an increased offer on the BOA Travel Rewards Business card. I then parlayed that into half off our trip to the lake in Michigan. Well Bank of America emailed me saying I was pre-approved for the personal version. I expected a denial but decided to go for it anyway. I figured since they targeted me for it I may have a better chance. The application went to pending but they gave me the approval after about a week. I love using these type of cards for non point hotel stays or excursions etc. BOA seems to be pretty lenient with the travel category too, you just don’t know what will code. Sometimes a trip to your local Legoland does the trick!
- Offer: 25,000 points after $1,000 in spend within 3 months. The points are worth $250.
- Results: Pending and then approval
Final Thoughts
These are far from the most lucrative applications but they should do me well in my future travels. All in all, I netted around $1,450 after $7,000 in spend. That doesn’t include the close to $1,000 in credits I will get from the Schwab Platinum card, or the ability to cash out Membership Rewards at 1.25 cents each if I so choose.
Share your latest conquests in the comments below. What was your most recent approval and what card are you eyeing next?
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I don’t se how you do it. If I apply for a single card 6 months after the last one, I always get a turn down for too many applications.
I try my best to hop around between banks which helps some I think.
Schwab is the way to go man, I’ve cashed out over $11k in less than 2 years. Free money is the best money.
Tax free $$$$ 🙂
Exactly!
Is this correct: Schwab acct needed to app for their plat, cannot have vanilla personal plat and this same time? Not that one would want both at once.
They are considered separate products so someone could have both at the same time.
I did the Schwab Platinum back in May to make full use of the credits 😉
That was a great time to grab one!