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Thereβs general guidance on the points-and-miles blogosphere that applying for credit cards once per quarter is a pretty good strategy. Β Enough time has passed between inquiries on your credit report, and itβs good to always continue to have those credit card points and miles rolling in on a regular basis.
I donβt follow that rule hard and fast. Β Iβll apply for cards several times a year, but itβs not like I apply for a bunch of cards every three months precisely. Β I had just applied for a bunch of cards in early June, and didnβt really have any intention of applying for more until maybe right before the holidays. Β
But then, after nearly a year of mulling options, we decided to pull the trigger on a fairly major basement renovation (more on that in future posts!). Β Which meant some bigger expenses. Β Which meant that we could meet minimum spending requirements for some new credit cards pretty darn quickly. Β
So, lo and behold, I pretty much did apply for new cards almost exactly three months after my last app-o-rama. Β Iβm calling this a βminiβ app-o-rama because it only consisted of two cards, instead of my usual 3 or 4. Β
SPG American Express (Personal)
During the recent bonus increase for the Starwood Preferred Guest Amex Card, I decided to finally apply for this card. Β It seems to be a staple of many miles-and-points bloggers wallets, and I even had KenΒ apply for it a few years ago (when we wanted the points to stay at a W Hotel in St. Petersburg (a Starwood property), but Iβve never had this card! Β
Bonus: 30,000 SPG points after spending $3000 in the first three months. Β
Approval Details: Received βpending decisionβ message. Β My first ever for an Amex Card! Β I had to close out an old, unused Hilton HHonors Amex to be approved for the card. Β Easy Peasy. Β Approved with a $17,500 limit. Β
Discover It
This card has some VERY lucrative cashback offers for the next year. Β The bonus includes double cashback on all purchases for 12 billing cycles. Β So, that would be 2% cashback on normal, everyday purchases, and 10% cashback on their rotating quarterly bonus categories. Β Additionally, theyβre offering 10% cashback when you use your Discover Card on Apple Pay! Β That was too good of a promotion to turn down, even though it doesnβt necessarily translate to βpoints and milesβ easily, I still love the idea of some easy cash back! Β
Bonus: Β $100 bonus after first purchase within three months. Β
Approval Details: Approved immediately with a $3000 limit. Β Seriously Discover, a $3000 limit for somebody with a 790 credit score? Β I called to see if they could increase the limit, but they said that they wouldnβt do that until I had the card open for at least 90 days. Β Womp womp. Β I can still use the card obviously, but I donβt like having cards with lower limits because it puts me more at risk of easily reaching the β50% of my credit limitβ guidance that can start to hurt your credit score. Β Oh well. Β Iβll work with it. Β
Have you applied for any new credit cards recently? Β What have been your top picks?
P.S. Message me if youβd like for me to email you an application link for either card! Β
