gnarlywood

It would've been more efficient to call with it on speaker while you packed than you fiddling with a computer to find the online version, and likely quicker... definitely quicker than doing that and creating this thread. More socially awkward, though, I guess. Have a nice trip and enjoy that weak CAD.

Amazon Store Card is automatically tethered to the Amazon account, BTW. I tried to use mine a couple of months ago after the Citi Forward got nuked (RIP you sweet, sweet card) and found out the hard way that they'd closed mine for inactivity, yet it's STILL tethered (and "never expires") to my Amazon account. And another note, if she has Prime then the Amazon Store Card gives her 5% back, which is why I was switching to mine. That *might* be a reason for her to ignore you pleas. This is the kind of stuff that ends relationships quickly. I hope you can get it sorted.

It shows a negative impact of excessive cards posting balances (N>6), which I was clear about. The charting for up to 6 cards reporting balances in strong profiles like the OP indicated that he/she has shows the same impact if utilization is in that optimal range, which I can't quite decipher on this screen, but it is clearly not <1%... somewhere 1-3%ish. (I don't think the OP mentioned how many revolving lines he/she has, so I have no way of judging whether or not "all" cards in the OP's portfolion reporting a small balance would fall under that N<7 beneficial range.) Good to know the differences between FICO 4 & FICO 8. I don't keep up much around here anymore so I haven't seen a lot about the nuances that you guys have figured out in recent years.

I'm a bit surprised by some of the reactions here because part of what he is saying is true as covered many times here including in this recent thread. However where he is wrong is there is zero reason to carry a balance on all cards, one is enough. In your case though your score is high enough that it probably makes no difference. However if you were to carry a very small balance on one card, you'd see a higher score. In my case carrying no balance puts me around 750. Carrying a very small balance puts me around 780. YMMV depending on your particulars. Personally I wouldn't bother in your case. I'm shopping for a house so I want to stay as high as possible just so I have a big cushion (above 740) to guarantee the best rate. The group gangbang of the finance manager is annoying. It's like everyone jumped on a high horse of CB-exceptionalism and forgot the work of one Bob Wang that demonstrates multiple cards cutting balances is generally beneficial to a certain quantity and <1% doesn't generally maximize the score. Whether or not the guy actually knew what he was talking about is another issue.

So rather than going through fax or email, you did the online application and now are having problems? I'm not sure what angle you're coming with here, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Yes, all 4 of us applied online. Two of us did it a few weeks ago and are now in. Two of us did it later and we're waiting. I didn't complain about any problems -- I expected a lengthy audition from NFCU based on the variety of results in the process I've heard over many, many years. I'm also going to be in San Diego this weekend where branches exist and should be able to take care of any issues. I'm really just providing this data point regarding the differing versions of the same email from the Membership Docs department beginning last week which no longer mentions the Navy League eligibility route. With the FB post dated July 22 continuing to confirm eligibility of NLSD members, it appears one concerning conclusion that could be drawn -- that the route no longer exists due to the CB EffectTM causing some type of suspension of NLSD applicants -- is not the case.

Nobody is skeptical anymore. Well, actually, I and a smaller circle of mine awaiting NFCU to process our applications were becoming skeptical for a specific reason -- Very recent membership dept probe emails asking for eligibility documentation no longer contain the line regarding the Navy League. They don't actively market or advertise eligible ways to join outside of their original field of membership. Hence why theres no mention of it on their website and why people incorrectly call it a loophole. It's not a loophole, it's a legitimate way to become eligible to join. This is Navy Federal's response to someone else's facebook post I posted in this thread way, way back. Navy Federal membership is overseen by a Charter and National Credit Union Administration. In 2010 USA Federal Credit Union was merged with Navy Federal at the request of the National Credit Union Administration. As part of the due diligence with merger, Navy Federal was asked to continue to accept USA Federal Credit Union's Charter which includes the Navy League of United States San Diego Council. While the information you provided is accurate, Navy Federal does not actively market this information for those who are not eligible in their own right. Additionally, we do verify all membership applications to make sure everyone who has applied does fall within our field of membership. As we mentioned, Navy Federal does not actively market this information for those who are not eligible in their own right. If you'd like to discuss this further, please call us at 1-888-842-6328, 24/7. Right... But what I was trying to convey is that between 4 of us who applied under the NLSD route, all initiating online, received different eligibility emails from the Membership Docs department. The two of us who applied a few weeks ago had emails that looked like this: Dear Boaty McBoatface, Thank you for your interest in joining Navy Federal Credit Union. In order to process your application, we will need documentation showing how you are eligible for membership. The different ways that you could be eligible for membership include the following: ● All Department of Defense (DoD) uniformed personnel - Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force, retirees and annuitants ● All Department of Defense Reservists - Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force retirees and annuitants ● All Army and Air National Guard Personnel - civilian employees, retirees and annuitants ● All DoD Officer Candidate programs: Midshipmen and cadets at the United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy, United States Air Force Academy, United States Coast Guard Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy; Other Officer Programs ● U.S. Government employees assigned to DoD installations (including Coast Guard) ● All DoD civilian employees - including retirees and annuitants ● DoD contractors assigned to U.S. Government installations ● Family Members, including grandparents, parents, spouses, siblings, grandchildren, children (including adopted and stepchildren) and household members If eligible through the Navy League we will require that a copy of your membership agreement or membership invoice be provided. If eligible through employment, you would need to provide proof of employment such as military contract showing you are eligible. If eligible through family members, you would need to provide the corresponding birth certificates to show relation. If you are eligible through a household member, you would need to provide a mortgage/lease, Utility Bill (electric, water, gas bill), or IDs for you and the household member showing the same address. All documentation can be attached in a direct reply to this email. Once documentation is received, your application will be processed. I, and another person in the circle who applied later and received correspondence last week had an identical email except we were missing the line that I highlighted in blue. I've attributed it to NFCU just trying to mum down the mention of the easy-in since the floodgates are now open. (Say, for example, someone applies who is unaware of the NLSD route and is otherwise ineligible, they are tipping a hand that I think they just kinda tolerate since it was absorbed into the charter with the USA Fed merger.) It's reassuring to see a post on July 22 that confirms the NLSD route is still applicable as we wait for the highwire fire jugglers.

Nobody is skeptical anymore. Well, actually, I and a smaller circle of mine awaiting NFCU to process our applications were becoming skeptical for a specific reason -- Very recent membership dept probe emails asking for eligibility documentation no longer contain the line regarding the Navy League.

The easiest, logical solution is Chase Sapphire Preferred, as hegemony mentioned. As far as where to rent from -- Alamo/National is my preference. In some places they share a lot and others they're separate. I believe National is the business-targeted brand so they tend to be more expensive for the exact same thing. Why Alamo? The kiosks. You can be in & out under a minute. I've never waited to approach a kiosk. Then you walk onto the lot and you choose your car from a group or groups that the lot attendant will help you with. They're pretty loose about you just grabbing whatever, within reason. Another 30 seconds at the discharge gate and you're on your way. They're not always the cheapest, but certainly rarely the most expensive. Any extra you pay over the cheapest option is completely worth the ease of the process. I'm legit in and out in under 5 minutes every single time regardless of location, including Honolulu where car rental lines can take hours. The best way to book, if you're sensitive to cost and not simply being reimbursed, is carrentals.com It's a giant search engine, doesn't require a CC, free cancellation easily through the site, and doesn't seem to be any more expensive than booking directly. Just keep the search open and refresh it from time-to-time... if you come up with a better rate then cancel the existing reservation and rebook. I've never had an issue with a carrentals.com "free" reservation (again, almost exclusively Alamo) and I am billed directly by Alamo because I'm swiping my CC at the kiosk and not providing it to carrentals.com

Can someone please help me with this? I want some expert opinion/recommendations before I proceed. Thanks again. Jimmy. Wow... $71K on the Prestige. I'd keep the free Simplicity open as a limit growth tool and only keep the AA card if the AF is worth something to you. If it isn't, consider converting it to a DoubleCash or other free Citi product that doesn't tend to have a signup bonus, though the conversion process can be a little weird. http://travelwithgrant.boardingarea.com/2015/07/11/convert-citi-american-airlines-executive-to-double-cash-and-downgrade-american-express-blue-cash-preferred-to-everyday/ Citi doesn't have a limit on the number of personal cards you can have with them so you'd position yourself to take advantage of another signup bonus.

Dude, don't even whisper that. Don't even think it!!

I don't need the free checked bag benefit. I'm pretty unimpressed with Barclays cards overall. I'm hoping that I'm missing something to apply and slide to, otherwise I'll just downgrade and slide in the future.

Sad news... with the devaluation announcement last summer and the AF coming in a few weeks, the love affair will soon end with my Arrival+. I just closed an AA Aviator WMC at the end of January and moved the limit onto the Arrival+. Now I'm not sure what to do -- convert to a free product or apply for something new and merge the limits? What did you do with your Arrival+ and why?

I think I opened this last May to park a balance for a loved one so I never use it... I didn't even know this luv button exists but... thread inspiration!! Your credit line increase of $4,000 is complete.$10,500 --> $14,500 no HP