Applied for Chase Sapphire Preferred for 100k pts bonus. Now what?

[FIREin2018]

1) I applied because it's their best offer in yrs. I haven't been approved yet.
Assuming I am, I have No idea how to use the Chase Sapphire Preferred 100k pts to maximize the benefit?
a) From what I read, it's better to just xfer to partner airlines than using the Chase portal for international travel.
Buy the base economy fare then use pts to upgrade to intl? Which airlines are best?

b) Or xfer to Marriott? but I use booking.com.


2) My current credit card setup:
- Costco visa for 3% travel + dining, 4% gas (5% Costco gas)
- Fidelity visa 2% for everything else

My grocery store is Walmart and I can't find anything simple that beats the Fidelity 2%.

So cancel the CSP after I get the 100k pts?
(I have the original chase unlimited with rotating categories I can xfer the pts to)

[Theragingloon]

I’m transferring them to my Chase Freedom and taking the cash back thru that card

[bananas]

I usually get the best value out of chase points by transferring them to Hyatt. When I've compared the effective cash rate to the point rate, I've often exceeded 2 cents per point.

[sonofsven]

It's hard to beat the Fidelity card, unless you're churning for bonuses.

With the CSP you get a 25% boost in points value when you book through Chase Travel, but possibly more if you transfer to travel partners.

I can't get it til July, but I suspect the 100k deal will be gone by then.

For anyone else, right now you can sign up through Rakuten for an extra $300.00! I would jump on that offer as it probably won't be around long! (Yesterday it was $50, hence the title of the DOC post, today it's $300).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

[bacchi]

I usually transferred to United, P2 did the same, and then we booked the same flight and tied the records together. For the return flight, we'd use Citi points for American (Citi doesn't transfer to AA anymore).

Last round, as we don't travel much anymore, we used the points for gift cards (REI and groceries, mostly).

I'm over 5/24 so I'm in the waiting room else I'd apply too.

[kpd905]

Don't transfer to Marriott, that is not great value.  As @bananas said, Hyatt can be the best cent per point transfer partner.  Or just cash it out as a statement credit.  Don't close the card right after you get the bonus, wait until the 11-12 month mark.  You don't want to get banned by Chase.

[Morning Glory]

It's hard to beat the Fidelity card, unless you're churning for bonuses.

With the CSP you get a 25% boost in points value when you book through Chase Travel, but possibly more if you transfer to travel partners.

I can't get it til July, but I suspect the 100k deal will be gone by then.

For anyone else, right now you can sign up through Rakuten for an extra $300.00! I would jump on that offer as it probably won't be around long! (Yesterday it was $50, hence the title of the DOC post, today it's $300).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

Ooh. I've been sitting on the offer until I'm actually ready to book flights because I get anxious if I cant make the spend requirement right away, but it's tempting to just apply today. It's been at least 4  years since I've had a sapphire and i think im under 5/24 (husband recently used up a spot getting me an AU card for Costco because I kept forgetting to put his back, and i did a couple of smaller bonuses last year).

The last time I had one they were doing the pyb offer for groceries and gas, so it was a really good deal even without travel.

[sonofsven]

It's hard to beat the Fidelity card, unless you're churning for bonuses.

With the CSP you get a 25% boost in points value when you book through Chase Travel, but possibly more if you transfer to travel partners.

I can't get it til July, but I suspect the 100k deal will be gone by then.

For anyone else, right now you can sign up through Rakuten for an extra $300.00! I would jump on that offer as it probably won't be around long! (Yesterday it was $50, hence the title of the DOC post, today it's $300).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

Ooh. I've been sitting on the offer until I'm actually ready to book flights because I get anxious if I cant make the spend requirement right away, but it's tempting to just apply today. It's been at least 4  years since I've had a sapphire and i think im under 5/24 (husband recently used up a spot getting me an AU card for Costco because I kept forgetting to put his back, and i did a couple of smaller bonuses last year).

The last time I had one they were doing the pyb offer for groceries and gas, so it was a really good deal even without travel.

The 100k offer has an end date of 5/12, although it might get extended.
I've just been opening bank accounts that allow cc funding to make up spending as needed.

[FIREin2018]

For anyone else, right now you can sign up through Rakuten for an extra $300.00! I would jump on that offer as it probably won't be around long! (Yesterday it was $50, hence the title of the DOC post, today it's $300).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

Doh.. since my application is still pending, anyway I can cancel it then reapply?

If not, I still have the freedom unlimited

[sonofsven]

For anyone else, right now you can sign up through Rakuten for an extra $300.00! I would jump on that offer as it probably won't be around long! (Yesterday it was $50, hence the title of the DOC post, today it's $300).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

Doh.. since my application is still pending, anyway I can cancel it then reapply?

If not, I still have the freedom unlimited

Yes, I would call Chase quickly and withdraw your application, then reapply if successful, through the Rakuten link.

[FIREin2018]

I've just been opening bank accounts that allow cc funding to make up spending as needed.

Is there a cash advance fee from Chase?

Which banks allow funding by cc?

[MaybeBabyMustache]

@sonofsven - thanks so much for the Rakuten recommendation! Didn't know that was an option.

[uniwelder]

Don't transfer to Marriott, that is not great value.  As @bananas said, Hyatt can be the best cent per point transfer partner.  Or just cash it out as a statement credit.  Don't close the card right after you get the bonus, wait until the 11-12 month mark.  You don't want to get banned by Chase.

I think the conventional wisdom is to cancel the card at its 13th month once the annual fee gets charged.  I think there is some kind of credit penalty or other negatives for doing so earlier.  Credit card companies have all refunded my annual fee every time.

[FIREin2018]

For anyone else, right now you can sign up through Rakuten for an extra $300.00! I would jump on that offer as it probably won't be around long! (Yesterday it was $50, hence the title of the DOC post, today it's $300).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

Doh.. since my application is still pending, anyway I can cancel it then reapply?

If not, I still have the freedom unlimited

Yes, I would call Chase quickly and withdraw your application, then reapply if successful, through the Rakuten link.

Thx, canceled.
will re-apply tommorow with rakuten link

[Morning Glory]

Don't transfer to Marriott, that is not great value.  As @bananas said, Hyatt can be the best cent per point transfer partner.  Or just cash it out as a statement credit.  Don't close the card right after you get the bonus, wait until the 11-12 month mark.  You don't want to get banned by Chase.

I think the conventional wisdom is to cancel the card at its 13th month once the annual fee gets charged.  I think there is some kind of credit penalty or other negatives for doing so earlier.  Credit card companies have all refunded my annual fee every time.

I always wait until the fee hits. Amex prorates it but it's only a couple dollars and the rest give a full refund.

[FIREin2018]

I usually get the best value out of chase points by transferring them to Hyatt. When I've compared the effective cash rate to the point rate, I've often exceeded 2 cents per point.

Hyatt with points is better than booking.com with cash and booking's lvl 2 discount?

[Catbert]

Don't transfer to Marriott, that is not great value.  As @bananas said, Hyatt can be the best cent per point transfer partner.  Or just cash it out as a statement credit.  Don't close the card right after you get the bonus, wait until the 11-12 month mark.  You don't want to get banned by Chase.

I think the conventional wisdom is to cancel the card at its 13th month once the annual fee gets charged.  I think there is some kind of credit penalty or other negatives for doing so earlier.  Credit card companies have all refunded my annual fee every time.

I always wait until the fee hits. Amex prorates it but it's only a couple dollars and the rest give a full refund.

+2 to waiting until your year is up to cancel.  Amex will claw back points if you cancel within the first year.  If they are points Amex can't claw back they will put you on a Bad List.  Yes, I know this isn't Amex, but it's just a good habit to get into waiting a year.

[sonofsven]

1) I applied because it's their best offer in yrs. I haven't been approved yet.
Assuming I am, I have No idea how to use the Chase Sapphire Preferred 100k pts to maximize the benefit?
a) From what I read, it's better to just xfer to partner airlines than using the Chase portal for international travel.
Buy the base economy fare then use pts to upgrade to intl? Which airlines are best?

b) Or xfer to Marriott? but I use booking.com.


2) My current credit card setup:
- Costco visa for 3% travel + dining, 4% gas (5% Costco gas)
- Fidelity visa 2% for everything else

My grocery store is Walmart and I can't find anything simple that beats the Fidelity 2%.

So cancel the CSP after I get the 100k pts?
(I have the original chase unlimited with rotating categories I can xfer the pts to)

I've mainly just taken the dollars in the past, but I've started trying to amass more miles for travel, so I did a quick search and found this Nerdwallet article https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

It looks like a little bit of work to parse all the info, and it really depends on where you want to go.

I clicked on the British Airways Avios (their name for miles) section, for example, which I wouldn't think would interest me since I don't plan on flying to the UK anytime soon, but I found much that did interest me, even though the transfer rate from Chase and Amex points is only 1:1.
Namely, British Air Airline partners (American, Alaskan, etc)   offer pretty good deals on domestic US flights and west coast to Hawaii flights (better than my upcoming flight to Maui I paid for with Hawaiian Air miles using their recent 70k promo).  So, if there is a bonus offer for transferring Chase points to Avios, I would probably take advantage of it since it looks like Avios points would be valuable to my travel plans, including Japan since DD moved there.

I'm trying to learn more tricks to using points for travel, hopefully this thread can provide that; it's so much easier just to apply the bonus to the statement balance!

[mistymoney]

It's hard to beat the Fidelity card, unless you're churning for bonuses.

With the CSP you get a 25% boost in points value when you book through Chase Travel, but possibly more if you transfer to travel partners.

I can't get it til July, but I suspect the 100k deal will be gone by then.

For anyone else, right now you can sign up through Rakuten for an extra $300.00! I would jump on that offer as it probably won't be around long! (Yesterday it was $50, hence the title of the DOC post, today it's $300).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

is that on top of the 100k? I don't understand?

[sonofsven]

It's hard to beat the Fidelity card, unless you're churning for bonuses.

With the CSP you get a 25% boost in points value when you book through Chase Travel, but possibly more if you transfer to travel partners.

I can't get it til July, but I suspect the 100k deal will be gone by then.

For anyone else, right now you can sign up through Rakuten for an extra $300.00! I would jump on that offer as it probably won't be around long! (Yesterday it was $50, hence the title of the DOC post, today it's $300).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

is that on top of the 100k? I don't understand?

Yes, Rakuten is a shopping portal. You can use the $300 at Rakuten, transfer it to PayPal. I believe you can get the bonus in a check from Rakuten, as well.

[Morning Glory]

It's hard to beat the Fidelity card, unless you're churning for bonuses.

With the CSP you get a 25% boost in points value when you book through Chase Travel, but possibly more if you transfer to travel partners.

I can't get it til July, but I suspect the 100k deal will be gone by then.

For anyone else, right now you can sign up through Rakuten for an extra $300.00! I would jump on that offer as it probably won't be around long! (Yesterday it was $50, hence the title of the DOC post, today it's $300).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

is that on top of the 100k? I don't understand?

Yes, Rakuten is a shopping portal. You can use the $300 at Rakuten, transfer it to PayPal. I believe you can get the bonus in a check from Rakuten, as well.

I applied today and was instantly approved.  Used Firefox with no add ons, will see if Rakuten tracks. Chase did show the 100000 point offer after i logged in and before I clicked through to apply, but there's no bonus tracker in the Chase app (maybe it will show up once I activate the card??).

[mistymoney]

lol, ok I applied.

Looked super easy - since I have other accounts at chase already. But - I had a credit freeze.

I went in to unfreeze, but not sure if they will try to pull again automatically or not. It said to unfreeze, but no further instructions.

[tooqk4u22]

Ugh, I got the you will receive a letter answer.   I am under the 5/24 and stellar credit score, I think it is because of another chase (not a sapphire) card I got a month or so ago.

[FIREin2018]

It's hard to beat the Fidelity card, unless you're churning for bonuses.

With the CSP you get a 25% boost in points value when you book through Chase Travel, but possibly more if you transfer to travel partners.

I can't get it til July, but I suspect the 100k deal will be gone by then.

For anyone else, right now you can sign up through Rakuten for an extra $300.00! I would jump on that offer as it probably won't be around long! (Yesterday it was $50, hence the title of the DOC post, today it's $300).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

i called and canceled my application.
then went thru the Rakuten link.
but when the chase sapphire application window opened, it then opened another window for the actual application and the Rakuten symbol no longer said $300 cashback.
tried a few different ways and could not get the Rakuten $300 to stick.

went thru with the application anyway.
got a call from chase fraud (888 #) a few hrs later to verify some info my application.
he just asked me if im mr xyz and if i applied for the chase sapphire.
i said yes to both.
he said the application to will now go to the next stage and i'll be notified by mail about decision.
i guess they were verifying the phone # i put down?

note: I have a chase credit card with them for 10+ yrs and logged in to my chase acct to apply.
shrug

[sonofsven]

The Rakuten bonus is down to $100

[JLee]

lol, ok I applied.

Looked super easy - since I have other accounts at chase already. But - I had a credit freeze.

I went in to unfreeze, but not sure if they will try to pull again automatically or not. It said to unfreeze, but no further instructions.

That happened to me as well - you'll likely get a letter from them with a phone number to call once your credit is unfrozen. This is what I got - you may be able to call them before the letter is generated:

Thank you for your request for credit. We look forward to reviewing it, but we can't access your EXPERIAN credit report because of safeguards you requested.

Here's what you need to do now
• Contact EXPERIAN to allow us to access your credit report:
PO BOX 2002
ALLEN, TX 75013-0036
(888) 397-3742
WWW.EXPERIAN.COM
• Then, call us at 1-877-260-0087. We're available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and
Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time. We accept operator relay calls.
If we don't hear from you within 14 days of the date of this letter, we'll no longer consider your request.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Chase Card Services

[FIREin2018]

you can sign up through Rakuten for an extra $300.00! I would jump on that offer as it probably won't be around long! (Yesterday it was $50, hence the title of the DOC post, today it's $300).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

i called and canceled my application.
then went thru the Rakuten link.
but when the chase sapphire application window opened, it then opened another window for the actual application and the Rakuten symbol no longer said $300 cashback.
tried a few different ways and could not get the Rakuten $300 to stick.

went thru with the application anyway.
got a call from chase fraud (888 #) a few hrs later to verify some info my application.
he just asked me if im mr xyz and if i applied for the chase sapphire.
i said yes to both.
he said the application to will now go to the next stage and i'll be notified by mail about decision.
i guess they were verifying the phone # i put down?

note: I have a chase credit card with them for 10+ yrs and logged in to my chase acct to apply.
shrug

So I get a letter from TransUnion about my chase Sapphire application.
They flagged it as fraudulent. Wtf?

But the Chase person I talked to when I applied 10days ago said it cleared Chase's fraud thing.

Called Chase and got xferred to their fraud dept.
Went thru the same steps as the other person.
Application has now cleared their dept and will go on to the decision step.
Wait for either the credit card or rejection letter in the mail.

*Facepalm*

[sonofsven]

you can sign up through Rakuten for an extra $300.00! I would jump on that offer as it probably won't be around long! (Yesterday it was $50, hence the title of the DOC post, today it's $300).

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rakuten-get-50-5000-when-signing-up-for-chase-sapphire-preferred-freedom-unlimited-ink-unlimited/

i called and canceled my application.
then went thru the Rakuten link.
but when the chase sapphire application window opened, it then opened another window for the actual application and the Rakuten symbol no longer said $300 cashback.
tried a few different ways and could not get the Rakuten $300 to stick.

went thru with the application anyway.
got a call from chase fraud (888 #) a few hrs later to verify some info my application.
he just asked me if im mr xyz and if i applied for the chase sapphire.
i said yes to both.
he said the application to will now go to the next stage and i'll be notified by mail about decision.
i guess they were verifying the phone # i put down?

note: I have a chase credit card with them for 10+ yrs and logged in to my chase acct to apply.
shrug

So I get a letter from TransUnion about my chase Sapphire application.
They flagged it as fraudulent. Wtf?

But the Chase person I talked to when I applied 10days ago said it cleared Chase's fraud thing.

Called Chase and got xferred to their fraud dept.
Went thru the same steps as the other person.
Application has now cleared their dept and will go on to the decision step.
Wait for either the credit card or rejection letter in the mail.

*Facepalm*

What a mess! I'm sorry I tempted you with Rakuten
Did you take any screenshots during the process? It's helpful to have them for this kind of situation.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

@sonofsven - my Rakuten/Chase process worked well, so I appreciate the mention of Rakuten. I already have the Sapphire Reserve, so I went for the Freedom Unlimited, which offered $150 on Rakuten*, and $200 from Chase. Must spend $500 in first three months, no fee.

*Rakuten offer is now down to $50.

[FIREin2018]

Update:

After being cleared by Chase's fraud dept, i get an email the next day saying my app has been denied because of fraud.
WTF?! *FacePalm*

On the phone with Chase fraud , again

[FIREin2018]

i think i got approved.

my Rakuten acct cash back for for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card went from $0 to $300.
It typically takes 3–14 weeks for Cash Back to go from Pending to Confirmed.

up to 14 weeks to get the $?!

[FIREin2018]

I got the card.
Interesting that I didn't need to call to activate it. It came activated?!
What if someone stole my mail?

anyway, Suggestions on how to artificially do the $5k spend to get the 100k miles?

[sonofsven]

I like to use it a few times, then open bank account(s) that accept cc's during the initial funding (online).
Doctor Of Credit list of banks that allow cc funding: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/does-funding-a-bank-account-with-a-credit-card-count-as-a-purchase-or-cash-advance/
It is not an exhaustive list; you might find more locally.

[Catbert]

Taxes (quarterly income, property, car), insurance, pre-pay utilities. 

[FIREin2018]

Taxes (quarterly income, property, car), insurance, pre-pay utilities.

Thx. Forgot about Obamacare premiums. 2 months is $1300. Not sure how to force it to charge me early for the 3rd month.
There's a x% fee for charging taxes to credit card.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

If you have any upcoming travel or expenses you will book in the future, you could also go with gift cards (Lyft, Uber, airlines, etc). I find hotel gift cards to be a PITA to use, so those would be a last resort for me.

[Catbert]

Taxes (quarterly income, property, car), insurance, pre-pay utilities.

Thx. Forgot about Obamacare premiums. 2 months is $1300. Not sure how to force it to charge me early for the 3rd month.
There's a x% fee for charging taxes to credit card.

You're right, it makes no sense to charge taxes to a credit card if you're paying a 2% fee and getting 1 or 2% from you credit card.  However, if that's what it takes to finish meeting your minimum spend then paying the credit card fee is worth it to get 100K. points.  If it's quarterly Federal taxes you'd pay you can charge just what you "need" to and pay the balance with cash.

[sonofsven]

You can overpay taxes as well.
What I can't meet with normal spend I make up with funding bank accounts; there's tons of them.

[Morning Glory]

You can overpay taxes as well.
What I can't meet with normal spend I make up with funding bank accounts; there's tons of them.

I usually prepay utilities or buy grocery gift cards to use later. Charity donations work too.

[FIREin2018]

i think i got approved.

my Rakuten acct cash back for for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card went from $0 to $300.
It typically takes 3–14 weeks for Cash Back to go from Pending to Confirmed.

up to 14 weeks to get the $?!

I got my Sapphire card.

Rakuten says:
You’ll receive your Cash Back on the next payment date, after it’s confirmed.
Expected payment date: 11/15/25

Payment dates are quarterly: mid feb/may/aug/nov

[tooqk4u22]

Ugh, I got the you will receive a letter answer.   I am under the 5/24 and stellar credit score, I think it is because of another chase (not a sapphire) card I got a month or so ago.

Got approved.  Seems they wanted to be sure I was real and not fraud.

[JLee]

I got the card.
Interesting that I didn't need to call to activate it. It came activated?!
What if someone stole my mail?

anyway, Suggestions on how to artificially do the $5k spend to get the 100k miles?

I did an annual car / homeowners insurance renewal on mine, which did almost all of it in one shot.

[FIREin2018]

I got the card.
Interesting that I didn't need to call to activate it. It came activated?!
What if someone stole my mail?

anyway, Suggestions on how to artificially do the $5k spend to get the 100k miles?

I did an annual car / homeowners insurance renewal on mine, which did almost all of it in one shot.

Wow!
I'm doing homeowners and car as well, but it's 1/3 of the $5k requirement .

Oh annual car?
Mine is every 6 months

[tooqk4u22]

Ugh, I got the you will receive a letter answer.   I am under the 5/24 and stellar credit score, I think it is because of another chase (not a sapphire) card I got a month or so ago.

Got approved.  Seems they wanted to be sure I was real and not fraud.

Timing of the approval and getting the card was just after I had several big expenses (auto insurance, orthodontist, some travel) that would have knocked out the spend easily.  Unfortunately, with our spending it won't be a problem to hit within the timeframe.

The other thing that stinks is I planned to refer the card to DW to get bonus points and for her to get the 100k points but it looks like it is back down to 60k points.

[JLee]

I got the card.
Interesting that I didn't need to call to activate it. It came activated?!
What if someone stole my mail?

anyway, Suggestions on how to artificially do the $5k spend to get the 100k miles?

I did an annual car / homeowners insurance renewal on mine, which did almost all of it in one shot.

Wow!
I'm doing homeowners and car as well, but it's 1/3 of the $5k requirement .

Oh annual car?
Mine is every 6 months

Yep, switching companies and the new one does annual car, so I'm around $4k all in.