Pakaderm said:**UPDATED**

I added the expected bonuses section this morning.

Also, I applied for the Citibusiness card today but didn't receive immediate approval. I'm worried about applying for more cards because I feel they might pull from EX again, and I don't need that. I'm wary about applying for more expecting them to hit EQ, and finding they hit the other two.

I plan to leave it how it is and evaluate in 6 mos or so.

-Pak

Put a credit freeze on Experian than. Costs $10. If they try to pull they can't and they might try to pull another bureau. Or you just don't get credit with them.

Pakaderm said:Checked my CR this morning and saw another pull from State Farm. That makes all three CRAs, and I still haven't heard a thing from them. However, that didn't knock my credit score down at all, and my TU score actually went up two points.

Four of the cards have shown up on my CR, although only for Experian. The new accounts are Discover, B of A, and the two Citi cards. Too bad TrueCredit.com doesn't show CL. I assume TU and EQ will update tomorrow with the new accounts.

-Pakaderm

I had very similar experience -- State Farm cost me 3 hards and I eventually was denied for too many inquiries (isn't that ironic -- they hit you with 3 and then say you've got too many). if I were to repeat my AOR with theknowledge I have today, I'd avoid State Farm, or make it my first application, perhaps even a day or two ahead of all the others. If you're tired of waiting for the answer from them you might want to call and ask (the phone # is on the appl. web-site).

What do you guys think about my BT plans? Mostly sound?

Balance Transfer Plans
1. SonyStyle - shift United Mileage CL to this card and use the check in the welcome package
2. Discover Mileage - shift existing Discover CL to this card and request BT checks via telephone
3. Not for BT
4&5. Citi - Combine CL and request checks from the Citi website?
6. PNC - No-fee BT checks after 3 weeks?
7. Juniper - ???
8. Not for BT
9. BofA Financial Rewards - Combine BofA Platinum Plus CL and request checks
A. AMEX In/NYC - Combine with existing AMEX cards and transfer balance to Chase/Citi
B. State Farm - Transfer balance to Chase/Citi
C. AMEX Business - Not for BT
D. Advanta - Transfer to checking account via telephone
E. CitiBusiness - Request checks from the Citi website?

-Pakaderm

lhendricks92 said:you can request BT checks from Juniper.

Cool, thanks! That's assuming I get the card from them...

-Pak

Make sure that when you are BT'ing to Citibank, use a card OTHER than one you are using for spending or for its own BT. It makes things much easier to manage.

Unbelieevable said:My comments in bold.

Pakaderm said:What do you guys think about my BT plans? Mostly sound?

Balance Transfer Plans

6. PNC - No-fee BT checks after 3 weeks? Still haven't gotten my PNC BT checks - requested them 3 weeks ago, so good luck!


-Pakaderm

Of course, since I said that, the checks arrived today.

Day 8
-Day 8 brought me two more cards. The AMEX IN:NYC card arrived with the expected $15,500 CL. Also, the Advanta card arrived with a small $5,000 CL. If I take the max BT on this card (~88%) and earn 5.2% on the money, after the $50 BT fee, I'll make a little more than $200 before taxes. I do suppose it's better than nothing, but I would have liked a CL on the order of 10-15k from this card. I guess I did apply for this card last.

Has anyone had any luck getting Advanta to raise the CL on the request for a balance transfer immediately after opening the card?

-Pak

Day 10
-Day 10 I called State Farm to inquire about my application status after hearing nothing. I was told, "No card for you!" Too many inquiries. Those suckers put three of the inquiries on there! Lose-lose for me. State Farm is NOT a good neighbor.

I haven't heard from Juniper yet either. I check the web page daily but nothing. I don't think I'll call them, I'm just going to assume I was denied. Too bad. I could use that cash in my savings account. So I've struck out twice with the smaller banks, but I did get the PNC card.

That leaves two cards yet to be received, both from Citi. I already know I'm approved for both of them. I will leave those Citi cards for Phase 3 of my BT plan and commence Phase 1 as soon as the Chase and Discover purchases are paid for.

-Pak

lhendricks92 said:don't give up on juniper. if i recall, they were the last issuers to actually send me a card in my first AOR. pretty sweet CL, too. wouldn't hurt to call them.

Yesterday I tried calling these guys three times, at three different numbers, and I couldn't get a person. The automated system would say I don't have an account or the app was still pending and hang up on me. I didn't try very hard to find a number.

However, this morning I received an email from Juniper that my app was accepted: $10K limit. Nice surprise!

-Pak

Week 3
I finally received my CitiBusiness card. It came with a $15,000 CL. I'll make a quick purchase and use this for another BT.

I also called about my BofA WorldPoints card and found out they don't have it in the system. I could apply again, but I don't know if I will. I've removed it from my plans, for now.

I initiated several balance transfers today. Two bank transfers and two via check. My bank is putting a hold on the large Chase check so I won't have access to it for about a week. All this BT cash is heading for an Amboy 5.35% account.

BT transferred to date: $50,730
BT total expected: > $70,000

-Pak