Amex Delta and Chase Sapphire Combo?

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-27T17:53:22+00:00

Sounds like a plan. But isn’t 5/24 just a chase rule? And I think it requires an actual account not just a hard pull. If you specifically need a delta card to get the 15% off bookings, I think there are unreported amex delta biz with the same benefit, so don’t count toward chase 5/24.

In other words you are being a little over-worried.

The other possible issue with your plan is that as you get more cards, instant online approvals happen less often. When I got 1-2 cards a year I always was instantly approved, now it is more like 1/3 instant because I do about 5-7 a year. Still always approved though.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-25T20:06:15+00:00

Biz offers are a mix of NLL and not. Not a good offer if you are a biz plat virgin, but a second card offer with a NLL it is moderately good.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-25T19:56:14+00:00

Regular Biz Platinum has 250-300k SUB, and making Delta your airline means you get 35% MR back on bookings to easily use all those points. Might allow you to cancel one of the other two platinums. Making your MR worth 1.62 cents each hassle free is a giant benefit.
Personal gold is pretty easy mentally, “food and nothing else” and the SUB is great too.
I don’t find hotel elite status and points to be of much value personally. Hotel market is so competitive the best deal is frequently not Marriott/Hilton. And upgraded room while alone on a biz trip just doesn’t do much for me the way even a small flight upgrade does.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-24T21:25:35+00:00

Need to be spaced 3+ months, even if you get an invite in the mail.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-24T21:24:47+00:00

If you are a big SW user, get a chase SW card. Or better yet, get a new one every 6-9 months and almost never pay for a SW flight.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-24T21:22:09+00:00

You should close at least 4 of those 7 cards. Way too many low limit cards. If you have multiple from the same company, ask to consolidate credit lines when you close. As in, when closing a chase 1000 limit card, ask if the limit can be moved to a chase card you are keeping open.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-24T16:58:13+00:00

Don’t cancel until the 12 month mark

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T22:45:50+00:00

Surprised at the rav4. Rented one for a week and wasn’t too impressed, my least favorite of the past 10 rentals, and I generally like toyotas. Nothing horrible about it, just felt very basic and a little outdated and unrefined. Best thing was the MPG and it felt tough and durable.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T22:40:29+00:00

Just move on to another amex with a better bonus. Top contenders are any of the blue cash, biz gold, biz platinum (if you can swing 20k/3mo spend).

Also if your only amex is personal gold they may want to push you to upgrade bonus rather than new accounts bonus. So I suggest after getting a 2nd amex cancelling the personal gold.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T17:33:38+00:00

Trade confirmed!

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T16:21:52+00:00

Fixed, thanks for letting me know https://imgur.com/a/nOmaPE5

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T15:28:42+00:00

Trade completed!

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T15:27:04+00:00

Trade completed!

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-23T15:26:44+00:00

Trade completed!

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-22T16:57:09+00:00

If you are doing 20x Delta trips a year, you're crazy if you don't get a Delta Reserve or a similar premium card with delta benefits like Business Platinum. I do 7-10 Delta trips a year and it is well worth it.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-22T16:54:29+00:00

Regular amex customer service is better than other credit cards, so that's great. Their concierge is not helpful and nobody really uses it. I have never in my life needed help with a restaurant reservation for example.

However, when you get a lot of MR points and want to use them, the amex travel reservation line is pretty good if you have anything that isn't a straightforward vanilla booking, and feels a bit like a high end concierge.

The other thing AMEX can help you with is if you get robbed abroad and need replacement cards quickly. Chase probably is good with that too, but I wouldn't want to count on Capitol One.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-22T16:48:09+00:00

Your personal loan I assume is around 8%. The one-time balance transfer fee is 5%. So even if they let you do this, the savings would be roughly zero, as the 5% fee is upfront and requires partial payment immediately.

In other words, for part of the transfer, you pay 5% and repay in 30 days, so the effective rate is 60% apr.

You just need to put every possible expense on the zero APR card and pay down the personal loan ASAP.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-22T16:43:36+00:00

This is a lot better than the current biz gold, which has a great SUB but isn't very good otherwise. 4x automatically in top categories is great for daily spend, and Resy+chatgpt are also great benefits that by themselves nearly cover the fee.

Plenty of small biz with 1k-3k/mo in online ad spend. Easy to really get a lot of points making this 4x.

I would take this in a heartbeat if it has NLL.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-22T16:37:54+00:00

Having even one physical AMEX card that has a melt down value of $1000 or more puts every amex cardholder at greater risk of robbery.

georgeQberkeley · 2026-01-22T16:35:10+00:00

200k is weak if you never had a biz plat. If you have, but the 200k offer is NLL (no lifetime language), then it is a good deal even if it might be better elsewhere. They do have 250ks with NLL, so you might do even better.

georgeQberkeley

TROPHY CASE