Advanced credit card sign-up bonus strategies - Revision history

Editor at 22:02, 5 July 2021

2021-07-05T22:02:16Z

Editor: /* Strategy 6: Earning extra points with referral bonuses */

2021-04-30T03:11:02Z

‎Strategy 6: Earning extra points with referral bonuses

Editor: Editor moved page Advanced Credit Card Sign-up Bonus Strategies to Advanced credit card sign-up bonus strategies without leaving a redirect

2021-02-18T23:39:05Z

Editor moved page Advanced Credit Card Sign-up Bonus Strategies to Advanced credit card sign-up bonus strategies without leaving a redirect

Editor: /* Other optimizations */

2021-02-12T21:16:27Z

‎Other optimizations

Editor at 07:06, 12 February 2021

2021-02-12T07:06:47Z

Editor at 01:52, 11 February 2021

2021-02-11T01:52:06Z

Editor at 20:08, 21 January 2021

2021-01-21T20:08:23Z

Editor: /* Strategy 1: Shift as much of your spending to your new credit cards as you can */

2021-01-08T07:39:51Z

‎Strategy 1: Shift as much of your spending to your new credit cards as you can

Editor: /* Strategy 6: Earning extra points with referral bonuses */

2021-01-08T04:36:14Z

‎Strategy 6: Earning extra points with referral bonuses

Editor: /* Strategy 6: Earning extra points with referral bonuses */

2021-01-08T04:28:24Z

‎Strategy 6: Earning extra points with referral bonuses

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-<li>'''Don’t use your existing credit cards unless you absolutely need to'''. Every dollar you spend on an existing credit card is a dollar less that you can spend qualifying for a signup bonus. Sometimes, you need to use a card to get an important credit card benefit (like the 4<sup>th</sup> night free benefit of the Citi Prestige card) or free bags on United). However, don’t put any charges on a card just to earn bonus points. The amount of extra reward points you will be leaving on the table is dwarfed by the value of potential signup bonuses.</li>
+<li>'''Don’t use your existing credit cards unless you absolutely need to'''. Every dollar you spend on an existing credit card is a dollar less that you can spend qualifying for a signup bonus. Sometimes, you need to use a card to get an important credit card benefit (like free travel insurance with the Sapphire Reserve or free bags on United). However, don’t put any charges on a card just to earn bonus points. The amount of extra reward points you will be leaving on the table is dwarfed by the value of potential signup bonuses.</li>
 On the other hand, if the amount of spending you can generate each year is larger than the amount you need to qualify for signup bonuses, the truly optimal strategy is to take advantage of good bonus category rewards when you can and direct your everyday spending to your new cards—even if this requires you to pay some convenience fees (see Strategy 7 below).
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 '''Citibank bonus eligibility rules differ for different cards'''.
-For the core ThankYou cards (Prestige, Premier, Reward+), you can only earn a signup bonus if you haven't opened or closed any of these cards in the last 24 months. In other words, if you cancel a card, it resets the clock. As a result, convert a card to the Reward+ card at the end of the first year and don't cancel or convert any extra Reward+ cards until you've used up any ThankYou points attached to the card and until you've already just reset the clock by applying for a new Prestige or Premier card.
+For the core ThankYou cards (Premier, Reward+), you can only earn a signup bonus if you haven't opened or closed any of these cards in the last 24 months. In other words, if you cancel a card, it resets the clock. As a result, convert a card to the Reward+ or Custom Cash card at the end of the first year and don't cancel or convert any extra Reward+ or Custom Cash cards until you've used up any ThankYou points attached to the card and until you've already just reset the clock by applying for a new Premier card.
 For the American Airlines cards, you can only a earn a signup bonus every 48 months. However, each variety has its own independent clock, so you can earn one bonus from each of these cards every four years. Targeted offers can avoid this restriction. Printed American Airlines mailers (that come in the postal mail) almost always bypass the normal 48-month restriction.

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:11, 30 April 2021
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	While you might technically be able to refer yourself to a new card, don't do it. Amex has come back later and taken back the referral points from people who have done this. Always refer between spouses, or even better, friends.		While you might technically be able to refer yourself to a new card, don't do it. Amex has come back later and taken back the referral points from people who have done this. Always refer between spouses, or even better, friends.
		+
		+	In rare cases, Amex may alert you during the signup process that while you can apply for the card, you won't receive the signup bonus (even though you've never had the card before). If you see this alert, you can try applying without the referral link. In some instances, you will then be entitled to the signup bonus (but you'll unfortunately miss out on the referral).

	<li>'''[//www.chase.com/referafriend/catch-all Chase]'''. Chase tends to offer referral bonuses for their cards, but your friend will typically need to get a card in the same family. Chase can take a week to send an email to the person you referred, so use the link they provide yourself. If the main link doesn't work, try [//creditcards.chase.com/refer-a-friend creditcards.chase.com/refer-a-friend]. Referrals can also be generated for most cards through the Chase Mobile app.</li>		<li>'''[//www.chase.com/referafriend/catch-all Chase]'''. Chase tends to offer referral bonuses for their cards, but your friend will typically need to get a card in the same family. Chase can take a week to send an email to the person you referred, so use the link they provide yourself. If the main link doesn't work, try [//creditcards.chase.com/refer-a-friend creditcards.chase.com/refer-a-friend]. Referrals can also be generated for most cards through the Chase Mobile app.</li>

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 {{seo|description=Advanced tips and tricks to maximize the value from collecting signup bonuses: get approved for more cards, find the best signup offers, and take advantage of referral bonuses.}}
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 The fastest way to earn large quantities of reward points is to take advantage of credit card signup offers. We strongly recommend everyone collect signup bonuses—it is the easiest way to earn free airplane tickets and hotel rooms.

← Older revision	Revision as of 23:39, 18 February 2021
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 <li>'''Pay your taxes with your credit card'''. A few special services specialize in allowing you to pay your taxes with a credit card. Current rates are cheaper than the general-purpose bill paying services.  If you want to get more aggressive, you may be able to reduce your withholding rate, so that your employer withholds less taxes from your paycheck, requiring you to pay more money directly to the IRS. However, to avoid penalties, this may require you to shift to quarterly estimated payments. Or you could simply overpay your taxes using these services and get a refund after you file.</li>
-{{Image|TazPayment.png}}
+{{Image|TaxPayment21.jpg}}
 <li>'''Don’t use your existing credit cards unless you absolutely need to'''. Every dollar you spend on an existing credit card is a dollar less that you can spend qualifying for a signup bonus. Sometimes, you need to use a card to get an important credit card benefit (like the 4<sup>th</sup> night free benefit of the Citi Prestige card) or free bags on United). However, don’t put any charges on a card just to earn bonus points. The amount of extra reward points you will be leaving on the table is dwarfed by the value of potential signup bonuses.</li>

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 While you might technically be able to refer yourself to a new card, don't do it. Amex has come back later and taken back the referral points from people who have done this. Always refer between spouses, or even better, friends.
-<li>'''[//www.chase.com/referafriend/catch-all Chase]'''. Chase tends to offer referral bonuses for all their cards, but your friend will typically need to get a card in the same family. Chase can take a week to send an email to the person you referred, so use the link they provide yourself. If the main link doesn't work, try [//creditcards.chase.com/refer-a-friend creditcards.chase.com/refer-a-friend]. Referrals can also be generated for most cards through the Chase Mobile app.</li>
+<li>'''[//www.chase.com/referafriend/catch-all Chase]'''. Chase tends to offer referral bonuses for their cards, but your friend will typically need to get a card in the same family. Chase can take a week to send an email to the person you referred, so use the link they provide yourself. If the main link doesn't work, try [//creditcards.chase.com/refer-a-friend creditcards.chase.com/refer-a-friend]. Referrals can also be generated for most cards through the Chase Mobile app.</li>
 <li>'''Citibank'''. Citibank has recently been more forthcoming with referral bonuses on a limited set of cards, which may include useful options like Double Cash, ThankYou Premier, and American Airlines Platinum Select. You'll see offers when you log in to your account. </li>
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 <li>'''Barclays'''. If you are targeted to make referrals, you’ll need to do it through your online account.</li>
-<li>'''Bank of America''', '''Wells Fargo''', and '''Capital One''' don’t currently offer referral bonuses.</li>
+<li>'''[//www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/refer-a-friend/ Capital One]'''. Referral bonuses are usually $100 and the are limited to people getting the same card.</li>
 </ul>