‘Tis the Season…Successful Card Applications!

by Adam

I normally like to wait at least 90 days in between application days, however I wanted to get the Ink Plus card and the 50,000 Ultimate Reward point sign-up bonus just in case the spending requirement goes back up later in January. I was also eager to attempt for a second Ink Bold (new business with EIN) and Sapphire Preferred card (MC version). I decided I could handle the credit hit as my score had recently jumped to just shy of 800. I would also be applying for my new Ink Bold card using my Employer Identification Number (EIN) instead of my SSN which I normally use.

Some Data Points

  • Credit score – Just shy of 800. Make sure to check your scores before applying.  Get your free TransUnion score from CreditKarma and your free Experian score from Credit Sesame.
  • Total number of Chase cards prior – 6
  • An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is easy to obtain online from the IRS. Check out this link. Note that you still need to enter your SSN at the bottom of the application so that Chase can check your credit history.
  • My previous Chase Ink Bold and Sapphire Preferred were still active when I applied. My new Ink Bold was for a new business and so I was comfortable closing my previous Ink Bold and moving the credit line over to the new card (though this was not required, instead credit was rearranged). I applied using my new EIN number. With the Sapphire Preferred, I explained that I needed a MC version so that I could travel overseas to countries that did not readily accept VISA, but also so that I could do my local shopping at Sam’s Club. I was informed that it was not possible to have both cards and that since I already had a VISA, I would not be approved for a MasterCard.  I offered to give up the VISA version for the MC and was assured that I would still receive the sign up bonus. REMEMBER to move your UR points to an account you will be keeping before canceling any of your cards!

So, since I had already applied for one card “out of cycle” I added a few additional applications:

If you somehow don’t have even your first Ink Plus or Ink Bold now is a nice time to get one. Chase has recently lowered the spending requirements on both cards from $10,000 in spend to only $5000 in spend within 3 months. Chase is currently offering a 50k sign up bonus for the Ink Bold, a 50k sign up for the Ink Plus,  and a 40k sign up bonus for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, providing the opportunity to earn up to 140,000 Ultimate Rewards Points. More details on all of these cards here

Update – 3/23 – Readers are no longer having success obtaining a Sapphire Preferred in the MasterCard flavor 🙁

The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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17 comments

‘Tis the Season…Two Citi AA Cards Finally Approved!!! - Point Me To The Plane December 17, 2012 - 3:28 pm

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David December 17, 2012 - 4:02 pm

Do you have to wait until the 3rd month before the Chase ink 50K bonus get posted even you met the spending in 1 month? because I already spend $5k and statement is close for the month but it only posted the amount I spent on the card with no 50K bonus.

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adam December 17, 2012 - 5:45 pm

@ David – if you hit the spending requirement prior to the statement close date, you should receive the points, even if it’s before the 90 days

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Levy Flight December 17, 2012 - 8:38 pm

I would say it is the season to stop plugging card links and move on. We are done! Time to stop! New Years resolution.

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adam December 17, 2012 - 10:34 pm

@Levy Flight – I was simply writing about my experiences trying to get the CSP MC and a second Ink Bold. Of the 7 cards mentioned in this post, you should know that the Sapphire Preferred MC, AA Visa, AA AMEX, BoA Hawaiian, Bank of Hawaii Hawaiian, and US Airways are all links directly from the banks.

Reply
Charles December 18, 2012 - 6:15 am

Thanks for your insight. I really enjoyed reading your post on this topic.
Charles

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Derr December 18, 2012 - 7:01 am

How long will it take for the HA bonus miles to post after meeting the minimum spend?

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adam December 18, 2012 - 7:56 am

@Derr – BoA is especially slow in even getting you the card which takes almost 2 weeks unless you ask them to expedite it. After meeting minimum spend the bonus posted after my next statement closing date. Remember the BoA and Bank of Hawaii versions do NOT waive the $79 annual fee for the first year.

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Tracy December 18, 2012 - 8:29 am

Applied, and after the call to the reconsideration line, approved without sacraficing any credit. 50,000 more points, check!!!! This will be my first Bold, so I look forward to the giftcard game in the future. Thanks!

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adam December 18, 2012 - 8:30 am

@Tracy – Congrats!!! Impressive, no credit sacrificing or phone roulette!

Reply
Eight Card 350K New Year Churn - Point Me To The Plane January 1, 2013 - 8:07 pm

[…] few credit card presents. I had been away for the week in Curacao and so most of the cards from my December churn had not yet been delivered. That makes a total of eight cards for December including my second Ink […]

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Apex January 18, 2013 - 5:37 am

Does getting an EIN require one to file a tax return for that EIN every year?

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adam January 18, 2013 - 6:31 am

@Apex – Only if you have taxable income for your business.

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Apex January 18, 2013 - 8:50 am

ok I hope signing up for cards using EIN does not trigger any IRS action requiring to file.

Did you create your EIN to get the 2nd Ink card even though the application still asks for SSN? And when callind Chase reconsideration line for approval did you first provide just the EIN first?

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adam January 18, 2013 - 7:34 pm

@Apex – Better to check with your accountant if you are at all concerned! I needed to create an EIN for business purposes anyway, but did use it for the 2nd Ink Card. When calling Chase I still provided my SSN but explained to the representative that this was an application for my new business and had them refer to the EIN number.

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100k Ultimate Rewards Points Post for My 2nd & 3rd Chase Ink Cards! - Point Me To The Plane March 5, 2013 - 3:48 pm

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ben April 18, 2013 - 9:41 pm

Adam, have you ever applied for 2-3 Chase personal credit cards at the same time before? Thanks.

Reply

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