My April Credit Card Strategy + Win $100 For Sharing Yours?

by The Weekly Flyer

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Given the rumors around the impending changes on May 1st, I’m refining my card applications for the coming weeks. There appears to be limited time to signup for bonus offers which I’ve received millions of miles and points from in the past. You might be in a similar boat. So we are also giving a chance to win a $100 American Express Gift Card by sharing the card you’d be most likely to apply for by May 1st, 2014.

How To Enter For Chance At $100 Gift Card

To enter for your chance to win a $100 gift card, simply enter through on of the following methods below:

  • Tweet @Weeklyflyer #PMM100Giveaway + {Name Of Card You’d Apply For}
  • Leave a comment in this post with the name of the card and the reason why you’d apply for it
    • I’d apply for the SPG Amex because I can transfer points to Airline miles and get a 25% bonus

We’ll randomly select one lucky winner on Thursday who will receive the $100 gift card.

Potential Changes Coming May 1st

According to unsubstantiated rumors, a certain credit card provider may implement changes on May 1st, that prevents card members from receiving the signup bonus on cards they’ve already had.

This is both discouraging and encouraging at the same time. Encouraging because there is still a few weeks left to apply for, get approved, and received the signup bonus on cards I’ve already had in the past. Discouraging, because it will likely be the last time for a while, to receive the signup bonus offer if the reports are true. So here’s what I’m considering doing…

 

Strategy – Focus On Cards Previously Held

My focus will be on cards I’ve held in the past, and as a result, received the signup bonus offers on. This means the heavy hitting American Express Membership Rewards cards like the Platinum Card from American Express, could be a good strategy.

Hotel Cards #1 Focus

In particular, I’m focused on both the:

I’ve had both of these cards in the past, so with the potential new rule, I theoretically wouldn’t receive the bonus again.

I’ll defer to a later date the cash back card offers like the TrueEarnings® Card from Costco and American Express, SimplyCash® Business Card from American Express, Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express because their benefit is mainly in holding the card, at which I can downgrade to at a later date from the cards I have in my wallet currently.

But then there are my business cards. I’m fortunate enough to have several businesses, but if the new rules apply to business cards as well, I’ll have to give consideration to the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Business Green Rewards Card from American Express (would do Gold over this one).

 

Bottom Line

If the impending changes on May 1st come true, card members may not receive bonuses on cards they’ve had in the past. So I’ve you’ve had a particular card in the past and received the bonus offer, now may be a really good time to consider picking up another card before getting another bonus offer on the card is prohibited.

So there you have it, that’s what I’m thinking about for May. How about you? What are your considerations?

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About The Weekly Flyer

The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.

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Comments

  1. I’d apply for the SPG Amex because I can transfer points to Airline miles and get a 25% bonus

  2. I’d apply for the Citi AAdvantage Mastercard for the free checked luggage (I just lost my status and had a baby, so the free luggage is very valuable to me right now!)

  4. I’d apply for the SPG Amex because I can transfer points to Airline miles and get a 25% bonus.

  5. I’d apply for the SPG Amex because I can transfer points to Airline miles and get a 25% bonus.

  6. I’d apply for the Amex Everyday because it’s a Membership Rewards card with no annual fee and good bonus spend categories!

  7. I’d apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred because of the flexibility of the ultimate rewards.

  10. I actually just applied for the Gold SkyMiles Amex, especially since I had a targeted 50,000 sign up bonus.

  11. I’d consider the Amex Platinum because of the Global Entry, but the lounge feature has been devalued. And I’d look at the new Amex everyday cards, but would need to do more research on them. Now seems like a time to completely re-evaluate options!

  12. I like the Starwood Preferred guest card from American Express because I can use the points for either hotels or airfare! So flexible!

  13. Starwood Card from AmEx hands down gets my vote. Those points always come through for me, especially since I can transfer them to many airlin programs.

  15. I’ll keep the SPG AMEX and the Southwest VISA because they have served me well with countless freebies. I just had a weekend in Portland with free Luxury Collection hotel and free airfare. Awesome.

  16. I applied for and received the Chase Ink Plus and the Amex Everyday Preferred cards. The Chase will earn me a total of 75,000 Ultimate Reward points when I reach the minimum spend. The Amex yields 42,000 Membership rewards points when I utilize the shopping options covered by the card. Both cards should continue to reap big rewards for everyday spending that was going to take place anyway. I love these offers.

  17. I actually am getting two Citi AA Executive in April in order to pay my taxes. 220k in a few minutes of effort is not bad.

  19. Id apply for the citi executive card 100k offer so i can fly cathay business from jfk to hkg

  21. SPG Amex biz now that I have finished my 10k spend for AA. Have SPG Amex and like points and flexibility

  22. I’m going to apply for the Chase Rewards card–I’m like the only traveler in the world who doesn’t have one. Also thinking about the AMEX SPG. Trying to diversity a bit!

  23. I’d apply for the Citi Executive AAdvantage MC for the 100k miles!! no brainer!

  25. Thinking of the Chase Sapphire Preferred, another Citi Hilton card, Amex Everyday, Discover It. Already have six Chase cards, want to ditch Marriott. I’d apply for CSP as I really want UR points the most out of these. I’d use them for Hyatt and maybe Amtrak.

  26. I’d apply for the SPG Amex since they have so many airline partners to transfer into and have a 25% bonus.

  28. I’m clustering Sky Team cards for more one-way redemption opportunities. This round includes the AeroMexico card (free companion pass!) and Korean Airlines card from US Bank.

  29. Chase Sapphire Preferred for the flexibility. Hyatt Points for Paris? We will see!

  30. SPG Amex since it has many partners to transfer to for maximum flexibility in planning trips.

  31. I applied for the SPG Amex because I am looking forward to returning to the Le Meridien Bangkok.

  32. I am going small this time, applying for another AMEX Gold product, get the signup bonus, then do it again in a few months time, to capitalize on the May 1st new rule.

  33. I’d apply for the barclays arrival mastercard because of the flexibility of those miles and chase ihg card free bight annually for just @49

  34. I’d apply for the chase hyatt card 2 free nights at any Hyatt and us airways mastercard $89 40000 miles, easy oneworld miles soon to be american.

  35. I’d apply for the club carlson credit card 85000 points after 2500 spent.You get the second night free when you hold the card

  36. I’d apply for the hilton reserve 2 weekend free nights after 2500 spent.I like gold status though, free breakfast and upgrades to executive level.

  37. AMEX Blue Cash Preferred for the bonus categories, even though there is now a cap on the earning potential. Still good bang for your buck with a cash back card. For points Chase Sapphire Preferred with the great signup bonus and relative ease of transfer within the program to various carriers.

  39. I’ll apply for Simply Cash before the sign up bonus goes away. I may also apply for the business gold rewards since I’ve received a bonus on that product before.

  40. I’m getting the Amex Everyday rewards card. There’s no annual fee and you esrn membership rewards points.

  42. Agreed with the Amex platinum discussions above. Going for the big points and I don’t have global entry yet.

  43. I applied for the Chase Freedom to finally take advantage of the 5x quarterly bonuses, the Citi AAdvantage so I can use the miles to go to China, and the Chase British Airways card to take advantage of the Aer Lingus BOS-DUB 50,000 roundtrip in business.

  44. The new Amex Everyday cards look good. I’ve never had the USAirways card or the Ink cards from Chase. I’m trying to make some decisions on where I want to go before I make any card decisions.

  45. I will apply for SPG Personal in April to get the bonus signup before the new “rule” is implemented.

  48. 1) I’m going for broke with the AAdvantage 100k card, I have a stockpile of miles I need to top off before I can burn them.
    2) I’m adding a Chase Freedom, I want a no fee card I will keep to balance against the one I will cancel. I try to open one every cycle.
    3) I have a targeted Platinum Amex offer but I’m on the fence. It is a 100k upgrade offer. I currently earn 75k points in bonus spend on my Gold Rewards card, so I’m only really gaining 25k points but 1st year perks make a lower net fee. Choices. If I don’t do the Platinum I will apply for the SPG personal. Could also try for Platinum Business AND the SPG.
    4) Discover it, for portal shopping offers.
    5) Club Carlson, we need a second one in the family to really get best use out of the program.
    6) I’ll throw in an Alaska Air or US Air just for fun.

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