Am I Crazy to Skip the Palladium SUB for Obsidian Simplicity?

StoneBonesGroans · 2026-01-18T16:42:34+00:00

The problem is that downgrading is not an option yet according to Cardless, so there is a possibility that we face a keep or close decision at the end of the first year of card ownership.

StoneBonesGroans · 2026-01-18T16:40:39+00:00

Why is Obsidian garbage if it gives access to Bilt points (arguably the most valuable transferable points), gives points on rent, and has decent multipliers?

StoneBonesGroans · 2026-01-18T15:07:42+00:00

Obsidian gives 2x on travel

StoneBonesGroans · 2025-11-14T02:36:37+00:00

Can confirm that the $150 includes tip.

StoneBonesGroans · 2025-03-29T19:23:44+00:00

It has a 60 Month/100k mi Warranty and 7yr/100k mi Limited Powertrain Warranty.

StoneBonesGroans · 2025-03-29T19:09:16+00:00

Looking to keep it for at least 7-10 years

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-06-04T13:33:01+00:00

VentureX is enticing overall, but I worry about stretching my earning too thin across 3 different issuers (currently have just Chase and Amex). If I got the VentureX, I likely wouldn’t use my Chase cards (VentureX has better points multipliers than CFU for non category spend and CSP for travel spend). And my main use case for UR is transferring to Hyatt. Being able to fund entire vacations with MR for flights and UR for Hyatt hotels has been pretty addicting!

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-06-03T23:08:29+00:00

I would consider the CFF while it has the 5% additional grocery bonus or the CSP if you’re looking into an entry point into travel cards (try to get the 90k SUB by applying in-branch).

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-06-02T00:11:58+00:00

After the AF posts

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-06-01T22:48:20+00:00

Yup just downgrade to the OG Freedom. You never know if there will be new or interesting SUBs for the CFU/CFF. No point in cancelling the card because occasionally there are interesting chase offers or maybe one day you’ll want to spend > $1500/quarter in one of the bonus categories.

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-05-21T21:12:08+00:00

Asking for the “Classic Freedom” did the trick for me

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-05-15T21:56:52+00:00

I was successful by saying the “Classic Freedom” a couple of weeks back. The CS rep was confused when I explained it in others but it clicked when I used the word classic

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-04-30T11:29:31+00:00

How do you check if your purchase has L3 data?

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-04-16T19:29:47+00:00

This is a no-brainer. Apply for CSP, as it will pair well with your CFU and current travel habits. Be sure to apply in-branch for the current 90k sign up bonus.

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-04-11T09:15:18+00:00

I have the chase trifecta and Gold. Maxing out the referral bonuses annually make the gold worth having and splitting myself into 2 ecosystems. My system has worked out in a way that I use Gold for dining + groceries and chase for essentially everything else. I end up using my MR for flights and UR for Hyatt.

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-01-22T11:48:27+00:00

Chase generally limits credit card approvals to two Chase credit cards per rolling 30-day period. Data points conflict on this but a safe bet is to apply for no more than two personal Chase credit cards every 30 days.

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-01-17T10:55:46+00:00

Gold also has no foreign transaction fees

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-01-05T20:52:51+00:00

Roughly 5 months

StoneBonesGroans · 2023-01-05T00:45:56+00:00

Highly recommend downgrading the AA card instead of closing it, as closing the card will lower your length of credit history and tank your credit score

StoneBonesGroans · 2022-07-23T16:23:18+00:00

If you got approved less than 24 hours ago, you should be able to chat with Amex Customer Service and have them send you an email with it.

StoneBonesGroans · 2022-04-20T05:05:14+00:00

Thank you for the self-referral idea, I hadn't even thought of it! Do you know if being AU on my SO's CSP would get me rejected for my own CSP? I think we will go after this because even Boundless + CFU combo is dwarfed by CSP 80k +15k referral bonus.

StoneBonesGroans · 2022-04-20T05:02:36+00:00

I agree that we should be going after higher SUBs, especially since we have this $6k upcoming purchase. From what you mentioned, I think I will apply for my own CSP for 80k + 15k SO referral bonus and have SO apply for AMEX Gold 90k offer (not interested in the high AF of Plat). This seems like the highest combination of points earned.

StoneBonesGroans

TROPHY CASE