New Credit Card Highlights
Stacking up new cards ain’t what it used to be. Bank rules are mostly to blame, but those who question the norms and choose to adopt alternative strategies can still do plenty. In my view, much of this has to do with not becoming overly reliant on any single card issuer. Sure, I love Amex, but I must have a hobby life beyond them. Not coincidentally, none of my recent new credit card highlights involve said bank. Instead, we spread our pursuits around with a variety of other issuers this time. We had a busy night, and here’s how it turned out sequentially.
Citi AAdvantage MileUp Card
My wife recently received a targeted snail mail offer for the MileUp card. I’d held this no-fee card previously and enjoyed its 2x grocery store category most, but my wife had never gotten around to this one. Plus. for a bit over two years, new personal Citi cards haven’t been an option for us, either. So she was intrigued to receive this offer, even while fully knowing it may not pan out the way we want. This targeted version provides 20k AAdvantage miles with $1k spend, slightly up from the publicly-available 15k offer.
While we would’ve preferred other Citi cards, we figured going after this targeted MileUp offer may be more of a sure thing. Long story short, we let the game come to us, and we won.
Outcome: Immediately Approved
Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard
We’ve been interested in this new Virgin card from Synchrony ever since it was first announced, and we immediately signed up for the wait list. This $99 annual fee card comes with 40k Virgin Red points by spending $3k within the first 90 days. We’ll probably spend in the 2x grocery store and dining categories to meet the signup bonus. We’re also confident we’ll pursue the big spend bonuses at the $15k and $30k levels. This card is potentially a long-term keeper for both of us even without a retention offer thanks to the 5k point anniversary bonus. We both applied without flinching.
Outcome: Immediately Approved 2x
Best Western Rewards Premium Visa
Next, I attempted applying for the new Best Western Premium card from Mercury Financial. I’d been turned down multiple times for an FNBO Best Western card, including probably my weirdest denial ever. (My fascination with obscure hotel cards also be odd.) Anyway, pursuing this new Best Western card involves a preapproval requirement. Long story short, I plugged my biographic information in, and the site abruptly stated that Mercury didn’t have any offer for me “right now.” Um, okay…
Outcome: Incomplete
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red
On the heels of the MileUp approval and the uncertain future of the Barclay AA cards, my wife was looking for another timely option to stack on more AAdvantage miles. Earning 70k miles after one purchase with the Aviator Red looked mighty attractive. I suspected an approval here would be a longshot, given my wife’s fairly recent Earner Plus card approval and the general trickiness of Barclays. I wasn’t wrong.
Outcome: Immediately Denied
TD Cash Visa
The time’s right for me to create a new relationship with TD. I’d been considering the TD Business Solutions Visa for several months but ultimately decided the TD Cash as the better long-term fit for our situation. We’ll pick up a simple $150 for spending $1k in the first 90 days, plus 5% cash back on gas station spend for six months (up to $6k spend). The card also offers intriguing categories for 3% and 2% cash back which cardmembers can periodically change.
Outcome: Immediately Approved
Credit Line Increases
But we had more to do beyond the new cards. I requested a credit line increase on my Sam’s Club Mastercard and was immediately approved. My wife asked for an increase on her Synchrony Premier Mastercard and picked up another approval. As I’ve described before, we can never have too much access with 2% cash back cards.
New Credit Card Highlights – Conclusion
We didn’t bat 1.000 this go-round, but we’re happy with our haul: four new credit cards from three different banks and two credit line increases on existing ones. We’ll happily add these tools to our kit, along with our bucket of other credit card supplies. Speaking of the latter, we’ll be back for more Amex soon enough – more on that later. But today is a day to appreciate our successes elsewhere. Here’s to more in the future – for us and you!
What new cards have you applied for and why?
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My wife and I (she travels too)were approved for the Sonesta, Alaska Air and Flying Blue cards over the last 3 months. We were denied for the Hawaiian and Southwest cards. I expected the instant rejections on the formerly mentioned cards and pleasantly surprised when I was approved for the Flying Blue card.
Being retired, and having no credit needs, I apply for anything I deem useful to put in my travel war chest. Even after all the applications I’m still 805 & 787 with my credit scores today. Scores do recover quickly.
I’m thinking that I have to cancel some sock drawer cards we’re both holding and lay off applications until next spring. I also realize I’ll probably never be successful again applying for a Chase card, someone I’ve spent more than $60K with YTD. That’s O.K. since there is an ample supply of vendors whose application rules are less stringent and with what I have in my point and mile arsenal, will never lack for a room or flight anytime or anywhere I need one.
Great perspectives, Bill!
My wife also got the AA Mile up offer for 20k and was approved following a verification call I was instantly approved for the Barclay Aviator with the 70k offer. I was also instantly approved for the CITI Dimond preferred because I need to do a 0 APR transfer from another bank. Finally I was approved for the WF One Key+ World Elite MC. I was denied for the NFCU Plat card and my wife for a second Discover IT card.
Solid results overall, Cmorgan!
Great suggestion for the Virgin card. I never had a Synchrony so I was approved immediately.
Good to know, ssss! While not for everyone, I feel the new Virgin card has plenty for some of us.
I just tried a mini AOR: Capital One Cash Plus Business 200,000 points, BOA Alaska Business 50,000 miles, Ink Premier $1,000. Cap One gave me a flat denial despite me only having one other card with them they said too many cards of this type. BOA instant approval. Chase in limbo.
I probably would’ve had the same luck with Capital One, Christian. Fingers crossed for Chase!
Approved.
Any odds in trying a recon call with C1? I seem to remember hearing somewhere that they rarely reverse themselves.
I’ve never had luck with Capital One reconsideration, but you can’t win if you don’t play!