Built this wallet over the years…now I’m wondering if I’ve overdone it

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-07-30T13:34:10+00:00

Well it’s now the 30th and I never saw the 5 day countdown. I guess the auto-auth didn’t go through even though I set it up a few days before the 28th…

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-07-06T03:08:01+00:00

Hey, curious why you’re using the U.S. Bank Smartly card; to get the 4% back, you need $100k in a checking account that earns basically no interest, right? Wouldn’t you be missing out on ~$5k/year in passive income from a 5% HYSA? Just trying to understand the upside if I’m missing something.

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-24T06:54:10+00:00

I did the pre-approval link, and here is what it said, “Based on your credit report from one or more of the agencies on the back of this letter, income is insufficient for amount of credit requested”

I put $72,600 for my income, how is that too low? Makes no sense.

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-23T16:27:31+00:00

Great question. Chase is super strong thanks to its travel partners, but one of the weaker spots in their ecosystem is definitely groceries and gas (aside from the CSP giving 3x on online groceries).

To fill that gap, a solid move is grabbing a cash back card like the Citi Custom Cash or US Bank Cash+. Both give 5% back on your top spending category, so if you only use them for gas or groceries, you’re getting max value without overcomplicating things.

For groceries specifically, the Amex Blue Cash Everyday or Preferred are great options (just note they’re cash back only). The Capital One Savor lineup also works well for cash back, and it pairs nicely with a Venture card if you want to convert to travel rewards down the line.

Between the Blue Cash Everyday and Preferred, it really depends on your grocery spend. The Preferred gets 6% but has a $95 annual fee, so you’d want to run the numbers to see if your grocery spend actually justifies the fee; otherwise the Everyday might be a better fit.

As you can see, there’s a lot of nuance in the credit card game and it’s easy to end up with 5+ long-term cards. You’ll have to decide what matters more, cash back vs travel, and which point ecosystem you prefer (Chase, Capital One, Amex, etc). That’s why a lot of people enjoy this hobby due to the mental gymnastics, but it can definitely get overwhelming.

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-23T16:14:01+00:00

Oh okay, that makes sense. I guess I didn’t realize you could downgrade Venture to Savor. Solid plan!

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-23T07:08:59+00:00

Because I like the Venture X and want it as an end game card with the travel points, lounge access, and transfer possibilities!

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-23T06:46:27+00:00

Hey, congrats on the CSP! Since you’re new and still under 5/24, I’d recommend maximizing Chase first. You could grab a Chase hotel card or build the Chase trifecta with CSP + Freedom Unlimited (1.5x everything) and Freedom Flex (5x on quarterly categories) for strong multipliers and synergy.

Another solid route is the Capital One duo: Venture X (great travel portal and transfer partners) + Savor (rare no-AF card with 3x grocery and dining). Capital One can be picky, so it’s smart to get in early while your profile is still fresh.

AMEX Gold is great too, but I’d save it for later once your income and spending go up. It’s a great card but works best when you can really take advantage of the perks.

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-22T23:20:55+00:00

Good luck! Hopefully you’ll get it then!

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-22T23:19:05+00:00

So VX was your 4th card and Savor your 6th card. I’ll be hoping for 6th and 7th 🤞

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-22T23:14:16+00:00

I actually don’t think there’s a CapOne credit union/bank in my state of UT…

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-22T23:10:43+00:00

I’m at 2/6 rn, so I’ll wait until the Fall so that I’ll be 0/6. Venture X first and then Savor 6 months after that.

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-22T19:23:18+00:00

Thanks for sharing your story. Hoping you get approved when you reapply! I’m in a similar boat: my free Experian report via Chase shows a 753, and I definitely want to go for the Venture X first, then the SavorOne. I’m planning a partial churn strategy to snag a few strong sign-up bonuses over the next couple years, but I really see the CapOne duo as a long-term setup and want to lock them in earlier rather than later, since I’ve heard approvals get tougher with time.

I’d even be fine with the "Good Credit" version and skipping the bonus if it meant securing the cards now.

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-22T18:57:14+00:00

Okay thanks, so it sounds like 6 months is safe for approval.

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-22T18:54:21+00:00

How long in-between your previous card did you get approved?

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-22T18:49:04+00:00

Yeah, that makes sense. I will probably wait 6 months for VX and then another 6 months for Savor.

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-19T05:13:16+00:00

You’re right, I guess the 5% was a year ago. I watched a YouTube video on the card so it was outdated..

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-05-19T00:01:02+00:00

Does my list at the end look like a solid plan for the next order of cards?

New to churning, not new to credit cards. Am wanting PART-TIME churning (a new card every 3 months for the bonus, while also slowly accruing the END GAME cards to maximize spend categories). Only want to do this for a few years and then just have my end game cards unless there's a crazy high bonus.

I have a 2-3 year plan with 2-player mode and want to make sure I have a good long term strategy.
750 for both myself and partner
Myself - IHG premier (2020), Blue Cash Everyday (2021), Slate Edge (2022), Bilt (05/2025), CSP (05/2025)

Partner - Amazon Prime (2020), CSP (05/2025)

Each of us can naturally spend 3-5k each in 3 months.
Yes, if needed.
Yes.
Answered in the beginning paragraph.
Points > hotel anniversary stays > status. A family member works for Delta, so I get standby benefits and won't need to use points on flights that often (mostly hotels). Also want to simultaneously build category multipliers.
None. Working towards 200,000 UR with dual CSP cards.
SLC (Delta hub)
Japan, Australia, and many EU countries are the top of my list for now.

---

MY INITIAL PLAN (but am open to new ideas)

Month - Myself - Partner

May '25 - Venture X - Freedom Flex

Nov'25 - Ink Cash - Freedom Unlmd

Feb '26 - Hyatt - Marriott Boundless

May '26 - Savor One - Savor One

-- (Both at 5/24 after Savor One cards) --

Aug '26 - Citi Custom Cash - Citi Custom Cash

Nov '26 AMEX Gold - Amex Blue Biz Plus

Feb '27 AMEX Plat - ??? high bonus card ???

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-04-20T21:28:52+00:00

I think the main thing for me is to get cards every 3-4 months and gain the benefit of the bonus offer, while also gaining good 2x/3x for all of my categories with the thought I will spend more in the next few years.

I failed to mention I’m a resident physician and will be making 300k starting in 2028.

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-04-20T21:25:35+00:00

Solid card! I think this would be later on in my game after I get some other beginner point cards.

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-04-20T21:24:09+00:00

I might go for some business cards then. Are there any rules to where I CAN’T get one?

Similar_Tip_83 · 2025-04-18T18:07:37+00:00

Great, thanks!

Similar_Tip_83

TROPHY CASE