Rewards Cards and App Spree Strategy

[MJPEREZ77]

Well after reading recent post regarding the various Points Programs, Redemption Value, and Bonus Offers, I have been thinking about a "Strategy". I am gearing up for an App Spree after having completed one for my DW between 8/30/14 and 9/2/14 (yes I know, I went overboard ). I was able to take her from 5 "Toy Cards" with a few decent Store Cards (5) to 14 New CC Accounts (10 of which are non toy, hoping 3 of the new toy cards grow, while Sams Club Store I could care less about ) and 1 New $5k PLOC (NASA). However, my dilemma is that I'd like to know if it is better to have "complimenting cards" (between out respective portfolios) in the event that we have a chance to do that immediately or does it matter to have identical cards in both our portfolios? Of her Rewards Cards, She has the Arrival (20k Bonus already achieved) Barlays MC Rewards (can I combine these rewards with the Arrival?) Chase Freedom (spending met, will probably choose to stockpile UR Points until she can get a CSP), and the Virgin America Visa Sig (I know a hefty AF, but they gave her $11k CL, her 1st 5 figure CL, and we will be using it to fly to Vegas a few times as well as a business trip to FL and NY). She also has a few Cash Back Cards (Discover, QS1(x2), Tobyhanna?). So would I be better off app'ing for completely different cards to "diversify" the HH Portfolio or should I just take what I can get since I am starting out building my CC Portfolio ( I have QS1(x2) CL $4K CL$1200, and a Sparks Biz Classic CL$1700, FAKOS are Credit Sesame 727, EQComp 706, TUPlus 757). EX has 1 Coll Acct in Dispute and 12 INQ, only 1 in '14 10 in '13, and 1 to fall off 12/18, All CB's have multiple State and Fed Tax Liens Showing, which I am working on but won't have completed until sometime late next year. I have already called Cap1 EO this morning and requested CLI's to $20k, $15k, and $20k respectively (I run about $6k-8k, $3k-4k and $5k-6k thru them respectively). Once and if any CLI's go thru (they said by Thursday or Friday) I may wait for them to report to do a CLI w/ Barclay's or just pull the trigger, not sure because I have to do B* (my other post) and would like to get done before the Holidays so I can use that time to help meet spending requirements. Sorry for the long story, hope I didn't put anyone to sleep And as always Thanks for all your advice!!

[mendelssohn]

Well after reading recent post regarding the various Points Programs, Redemption Value, and Bonus Offers, I have been thinking about a "Strategy". I am gearing up for an App Spree after having completed one for my DW between 8/30/14 and 9/2/14 (yes I know, I went overboard ). I was able to take her from 5 "Toy Cards" with a few decent Store Cards (5) to 14 New CC Accounts (10 of which are non toy, hoping 3 of the new toy cards grow, while Sams Club Store I could care less about ) and 1 New $5k PLOC (NASA). However, my dilemma is that I'd like to know if it is better to have "complimenting cards" (between out respective portfolios) in the event that we have a chance to do that immediately or does it matter to have identical cards in both our portfolios? Of her Rewards Cards, She has the Arrival (20k Bonus already achieved) Barlays MC Rewards (can I combine these rewards with the Arrival?) Chase Freedom (spending met, will probably choose to stockpile UR Points until she can get a CSP), and the Virgin America Visa Sig (I know a hefty AF, but they gave her $11k CL, her 1st 5 figure CL, and we will be using it to fly to Vegas a few times as well as a business trip to FL and NY). She also has a few Cash Back Cards (Discover, QS1(x2), Tobyhanna?). So would I be better off app'ing for completely different cards to "diversify" the HH Portfolio or should I just take what I can get since I am starting out building my CC Portfolio ( I have QS1(x2) CL $4K CL$1200, and a Sparks Biz Classic CL$1700, FAKOS are Credit Sesame 727, EQComp 706, TUPlus 757). EX has 1 Coll Acct in Dispute and 12 INQ, only 1 in '14 10 in '13, and 1 to fall off 12/18, All CB's have multiple State and Fed Tax Liens Showing, which I am working on but won't have completed until sometime late next year. I have already called Cap1 EO this morning and requested CLI's to $20k, $15k, and $20k respectively (I run about $6k-8k, $3k-4k and $5k-6k thru them respectively). Once and if any CLI's go thru (they said by Thursday or Friday) I may wait for them to report to do a CLI w/ Barclay's or just pull the trigger, not sure because I have to do B* (my other post) and would like to get done before the Holidays so I can use that time to help meet spending requirements. Sorry for the long story, hope I didn't put anyone to sleep And as always Thanks for all your advice!!

 

That's what I did.

 

IMO, you should either focus on travel rewards or cash back. Keep in mind, the Arrival+ is a cash back card, regardless of what they call their reward points.

 

Here's my current strategy: http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=221256&p=5119535