For folks that do the credit card game, any feedback or thoughts? I’m more interested in cash than travel points/miles as I don’t have current trips planned but not against them as travel is FUN.
Besides splitting to get a bonus spend on 2 different cards, there is a decent chance that some bonus cards will start you out with a low limit. It’s entirely possible that 1 card won’t give you $8000 in credit line at first, even with a high credit rating - plan accordingly.
My other ‘hot tip’ on this would be to make your decision asap and apply. I’ve had cc’s with great bonuses take 10-14 days to show up. It’s no fun stressing about receiving the cc in time to pay for the big expense that you were relying on to earn the bonus in the first place!
The flow chart above is really good, but if this is just a one-off and not an ongoing activity, it probably doesn’t matter what order you apply for credit cards. You sell your art, no? You’re a small business? If you’re under 5/24 and want cash, I recommend splitting the $8k on 2 different cards and getting: 1) Chase Ink Preferred (80k points after $5k spend, $95 annual fee) and either 2) Chase Ink Unlimited or Chase Ink Cash ($500 bonus for either one after $3k spend, no annual fee).
Chase Ultimate Reward points are more valuable if applied for travel but can be easily converted to cash. You’d be getting $800+$500-$95(annual fee) = $1205. Easy peasy, but I also recommend getting your cards lined up ASAP.
The Citi card you linked to is a good one for travel, but the valuation for converting Citi ThankYou points to cash is terrible, and using them for gift cards or to shop on Amazon is less valuable, too.
ETA: If you’re wary of using business cards to pay for a healthcare expense, then I recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Bank of America Premium personal credit cards.
Thank you for this! I need to buckle down and figure this out in the next few days.
I don’t feel comfortable doing business cards. I sell art but, like, not on the reg and not to a point that it really exceeds a hobby. But this info is very helpful, thank you!
I’m borderline comfortable getting business cards myself, but I’ve gotten a couple, ha. The personal cards I recommended should net you $900 cash, after annual fees. Hopefully, as a non-churner with a high credit score, you’ll have no problem getting them.
Ah! Hi Oro! I’m sorry I forgot to loop back. I don’t have any non-business cards with referral bonuses right now sadly, I checked. Do have quite a lot for the Chase Ink biz series!
I think the Chase Cash back has one though so if anyone else has one! (I don’t have that card.)
back from it!
I’m more interested in cash than travel points/miles as I don’t have current trips planned but not against them as travel is FUN.