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I get a ton of churning questions via e-mail every week. I am more than happy to answer since I do tend to work through a few cards each year.
Some years, like last year with the 100,000 Capital One deal, I pushed it a bit and it did have an impact on my credit score in the short term and my ability to get more cards (I am not, over the next two years, going to buy a home or request an equity line). So, I thought today I would toss up a chart of my score for the past 18 months to get some perspective for those who have questions and for those who have never ever done a churn before. (do you know your score?)
Let’s start with 2011. As you can see, the offers were coming fast and furious and I pounced on them one after another after another. Then I just had to cool my heels and get back on the 3-4 months “normal” schedule. The impact of this, and the subsequent rebound, is much better as you can see from December and March of this year!
Another fun fact that you can see is I now hold more credit cards then I have for a long time and yet my score is at it’s highest level in almost two years! You can see the benefit of ALWAYS paying off your balance in FULL each month and ON TIME.
If you have never even though about a churn, please take the time to read my “ROOKIE” tab today and be sure to look at the 50,000 BA Avios Points VISA card, this could mean a ton of short haul trips on American Airlines. For my recent family reunion I flew my Dad up from Miami to Philadelphia for just 15,000 points plus $5.00 round trip!
And if you want some extra DELTA miles, in addition to the obvious Delta AMEX cards, consider the US BANK FlexPerks card as these points can be used to buy a Delta ticket to where ever you want and will earn both MQM’s and RDM’s for the trip!
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BTW this past Thursday I went ahead and did my current churn and will have the results on Monday of what cards I went for and if I succeeded in keeping my 100% approval record going! And to make it fun, guess YES or NO if I was successful or not here in the comments section of the blog for a chance (it will be random so feel free to guess either way) to win some DELTA swag today!
EDIT: I will pick the winner Sunday AM 
Have a great weekend everyone – René
▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
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I vote YES, though maybe with a few calls
YES!
NO
YES you will!
I think you will still be 100%.
Yes with a few reconsideration calls
I didn’t get instant approval on my latest application last night so I vote NO
Yes but maybe not instantly.
yes
Yes, you will.
yes, you’ll make it aga
Yes, but not automatically
Yes…… of course!
I’m guessing yes
@Paul – keep in mind the reconsideration numbers. I have them at the bottom of the best point cards tab.
Yes, but you should do a write up how yesterday’s credit card settlement and how it’s could affect the points game. Merchants can now charge a fee to consumers using cards. If they charge 3% I for one will being paying cash instead.
Yes
Yes
@MSPDeltaDude – I saw that. I am thinking about it a ton. It will be fun (like poking yourself with a fork fun) to see where it goes. Can you see Walmart doing this? Can you think of the nightmare of that much CASH each day? Is that worth the cost of CC processing? Almost no one has much cash anymore (well those of us who are addicted to points that is). I will blog about it soon but I see this more of an impact on small mom & pop stores but that will be it. I do not see say Olive Garden saying pay with cash for 1-2% off your bill. – Rene
yes no reason not to be successfull
yes
I think if credit card volumes go down the bonus offers will go up as banks struggle to keep the overhead paid with people who really use the cards….!
I guess all instant approvals!
Yes!
Y
Yes
Ya, I was think more of the debit card factor. It there going to charge a swip fee of let’s say .49 for debit cards vs a % when using a CC. I’m worried I will having to use my DC to save money and not earn miles. Might be time to open a Suntrust account
Yes
Yes, of course!
yup
nope
maybe
Besides Mom & Pop stores, I foresee more stores enforcing a minimum for credit card purchase though. They might claim CC fee is waived if you spend more than X.
i’m hoping so
No
Yes….lol.
Yes but all will not be instant.
YES!!
Yes, but I think you’re going to have to call the reconsideration line.
Yes!
Yes the power of positive thinking!
Yes
Yes!
Yes, see you in Ann Arbor!
Yes!!
Hi Rene
What sm incredibly informative post !
I’m checking out Dublin in a minute……
I think with regard to your blog question , you will
Be 100% successful
Good luck!
Nina
My vote is Yes you will.
200% YES
YES
I say yes
Yes
Yes, successful I’m sure
I say Yes.
Yes
Yes, but may take a phone call!
I vote yes!
Yes
Yes, with reconsideration calls.
Yes, but not instant….recon line phone call
No, things are getting harder
No
Yes but after a bit of difficulty.
Yes, you are still at 100% !
Yes, you’ll talk them into it
any surcharge of any kind will immediately move me to cash only status. I do not pay extra to spend money.
YES!
Yes
Yes.
Yes
I’d say sure, no problem for you!
I vote yes
I guess YES!
Yes
If I get a BA visa and earn “Viose” points, how do I use these poins for travel on American Airlines (the airline I mostly use out of El Paso)?
@Stevelpaso – simple. You start at the BA site, and pick you want to include partners, then look for seats. In my example I found a direct American Air flight from MIA to PHL and the same thing on the return. – Rene
i think u got the churn…..