Faraz
Train Attendant
I have just applied for the Amtrak mastercard which gives 5k bonus. Is the next good one the Continental Onepass card which supposedely gives 20k bonus for $85 annual fee? Anyone done that?
Lets see. Chase offers and promotes the AGR card. Chase offers and promotes the OP card. There is nothing in either promotion that requires you to use it other than once to get the bonus points or miles. And there is nothing that says you cannot have both cards.I'll state for the record that applying for credit cards solely for the bonus points/miles is not something found in the "smart" column. In particular, Chase doesn't take kindly to this kind of behavior.
Chase issues both the AGR and Continental Onepass cards.
We can agree to disagree. But please don't assume that I don't know how banking and credit works. I think I have a pretty good handle on it. I won't, on the other hand, impugn you knowledge of banking and credit. I'll just say we disagree and leave it at that.PRR, just because you don't understand how the credit system works does not mean that it is benign. Ignorance, in this case, is not bliss.
It's really easy to say that you won't do something that's already done.I won't, on the other hand, impugn you knowledge of banking and credit.
Would you perhaps deign to share your knowledge of how Chase can create negative consequences for people applying for cards only for the points, such that the rest of us might no longer be ignorant?PRR, just because you don't understand how the credit system works does not mean that it is benign. Ignorance, in this case, is not bliss.
Sounds like to me that 20,000 points for $85 a year isn't a bad deal. Even if you have to 'activate' it by using it once to buy a pack of gum. Get the bill, pay it, rip up the card and cancel it after your points are transferred and enjoy it.Would you perhaps deign to share your knowledge of how Chase can create negative consequences for people applying for cards only for the points, such that the rest of us might no longer be ignorant?PRR, just because you don't understand how the credit system works does not mean that it is benign. Ignorance, in this case, is not bliss.
Universal defaultWould you perhaps deign to share your knowledge of how Chase can create negative consequences for people applying for cards only for the points, such that the rest of us might no longer be ignorant?
For the unknowing, "universal default" is the practice of a lender applying a punitive APR to a customer who is reported in default by another lender. This action, based on a third party report, can be taken even if the borrower has never been late with a payment to that lender. For example, if you miss a car loan payment with one bank, another bank who holds your credit card account can bump up your APR based on your car loan problem. That could happen even if your payment record with the credit card bank is perfect. It is a nasty practice that regulators are looking at, but it does happen.Universal defaultWould you perhaps deign to share your knowledge of how Chase can create negative consequences for people applying for cards only for the points, such that the rest of us might no longer be ignorant?
I thought that you wanted to disagree with me. Make up your mind.I certainly do not recommend making a sport out of applying for multiple affinity cards just to get the bonus miles or points. Having multiple idle credit card accounts can affect your credit rating.
Check the posts. You will find that my position is consistent. You said that opening a card just for the bonus points was "not something found in the 'smart' column." I said that was nonsense. I also said that the only risk was from applying for too many cards such that a person's overall credit rating would be affected.I thought that you wanted to disagree with me. Make up your mind.I certainly do not recommend making a sport out of applying for multiple affinity cards just to get the bonus miles or points. Having multiple idle credit card accounts can affect your credit rating.
from 12/19:...Unless you do this tens of times (and having too many open accounts will affect your rating), Chase and the other banks could care less.
Gee, that seems pretty consistent to me. Applying for a card solely to get points is fine. It is done all the time. The banks know it happens and consider it an acceptable cost in exchange for getting new customers in the door. However, applying for a bunch of cards for any reason is potentially a problem. Having ten, twelve, fifteen cards will affect your credit rating....I certainly do not recommend making a sport out of applying for multiple affinity cards just to get the bonus miles or points. Having multiple idle credit card accounts can affect your credit rating.
Applying for and obtaining credit cards - even without ever using them - does lower your credit rating. Credit Inquries, Open Credit Lines, etc are negative factors on a credit score. I think that is all SECHS was saying.Lets see. Chase offers and promotes the AGR card. Chase offers and promotes the OP card. There is nothing in either promotion that requires you to use it other than once to get the bonus points or miles. And there is nothing that says you cannot have both cards.I'll state for the record that applying for credit cards solely for the bonus points/miles is not something found in the "smart" column. In particular, Chase doesn't take kindly to this kind of behavior.
Chase issues both the AGR and Continental Onepass cards.
The suggestion that someone who applies legitimately for a card and receives the bonus miles in accordance with the card T&C's is in some way not "smart" is nonsense. Chase has the right to accept or deny any application. If someone makes an application, it is accepted, and they get 20,000 points for their trouble, then that seems pretty smart to me. What is Chase going to do? Kill your credit rating for getting a card and not running a tab? Doubtful. So, in what other way would Chase display there displeasure?
I get at least a dozen solicitations for affinity cards a week. Hotels, airlines, you name it. They want qualified people to apply and they offer big points or miles bonuses. They are willing to chance that some may pocket the bonus and not use the card in exchange for the opportunity to land a few big balance-running fish. Unless you do this tens of times (and having too many open accounts will affect your rating), Chase and the other banks could care less.
Back to the subject...
I have 17,000 OnePass miles and want to convert them to AGR miles. I cannot find how to do that on either the OnePass site or the AGR site.
How do you do this?
You have to call onepass , I tried to do it by email but they said you have to call and there is no online way. Be prepared for a 20-40 minute wait though for CSR.Back to the subject...
I have 17,000 OnePass miles and want to convert them to AGR miles. I cannot find how to do that on either the OnePass site or the AGR site.
How do you do this?
Also it took one week before they posted on my Amtrak account online .You have to call onepass , I tried to do it by email but they said you have to call and there is no online way. Be prepared for a 20-40 minute wait though for CSR.Back to the subject...
I have 17,000 OnePass miles and want to convert them to AGR miles. I cannot find how to do that on either the OnePass site or the AGR site.
How do you do this?
AFAIK this has to be done in increments of 5,000 miles at a time. So you can only transfer a nice even amount like 5,000, or 10,000 points. That's unless they have changed things, but I doubt it.Ok folks.To transfer Continental One Pass miles on a 1 for 1 basis to Amtrak Guest Rewards, call 713-952-1630. Use the option to talk to a person. Have your OnePass number, your OnePass password and your AGR number ready. Make sure the names on both accounts are the same.
This is what I did today. I was told to expect the mileage to be transferred within 10 days.
I'm waiting with baited breath.
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