Obligatory first AOR thread

OK, I'm in. After many delays, I finally quit waiting for the perfect Tuesday morning to AOR, so I did it on a Friday afternoon (7/20) I started during business hours, but wound up finishing after (probably 4-7 pm). I wanted to take things moderately, so I didn't apply for thousands of cards. I also didn't request a BT with any of the applications. I wanted to see how things shook out. I stuck to all personal cards this time because I haven't really squared the business cards with no business legality. I'm pretty sure nothing would ever come of it even if it weren't kosher. But I also figure that, since I'm putting my toe in the water this time, I can stick to personal lines to get in the door with most issuers.

HHI is $140k

Pre-AOR (after CLI and time to report)
---------------
BoA UGA Platinum MC - $48k limit - 0% util - established in 1997
Chase BP Visa - $11.5k limit - 15% util (everyday spender) - established in 2001

AOR
----------------
AMEX In Chicago - instant approval (Exp) - $16.9k - 0% for 6 months, no fee - (I immediately increased the CL to $24.5k)
HSBC Platinum MC with Cash Back - instant approval (Exp) - $600 - 0% for 12 months, $99 fee
Barclays National Park Foundation Visa - instant approval (TU) - $10k - 0% for 12 months, $50 fee
Barclays USAirways World MC - instant approval (TU) - $12.5k - 0% for 6 months, $100 fee (I need a $10k BT to get 10k miles, so I won't consolidate with the NPF Visa, although maybe I should)
Wamu/Providian ESPN Total Access Visa - instant approval (TU) - $2k - 0% for 6 months, no fee
Citi Professional card w/ TY Network - instant approval (Eq) - $15k - 0% for 12 months, no fee
(I tried to apply for another Citi card right after this one, but it wouldn't let me. I think it was a web site snafu rather than intentional)
Cap One No Hassle Miles Rewards - instant approval (all 3) - $30k - 14% BT APR, but no fee - I got it for BT laundering
Discover Miles - deferred approval (Exp) - $20k - 0% for 12 months, $75 fee - 12k miles with a monthly purchase - (the rep called to verify info and offered a $25k CL if I would fax documentation for income, but I passed)
BoA Platinum Plus MC - deferred approval (Exp) - $5k - 0% for 12 months, no fee (I reallocated $47k from the UGA card above to make this a $52k card. Then I BT'd $25,480 (49%) direct to my checking.)
Chase Platinum MC - deferred approval (Eq) - $6k - 0% for 12 months, $75 fee
Principal Visa - deferred approval (Eq) - $15k - 0% for 12 months, $75 fee
National City Visa - deferred approval (TU) - $12.5k - 0% for 6 months, no fee

Pre-AOR CL - $59.5k
New CL - $153.1k
Total CL - $212.6k

Now, a week later, all the apps have pulled credit, but I haven't received all the cards in the mail. Should I wait until I get all my cards/decisions to start my BT/reallocation plans? Or should I BT as I receive the cards? Nevermind, I figured these guys probably won't pull another CR, so I'm moving forward when I get the cards.
TIA

nobody cares

OP, from what I have seen, it looks like you've got a lot more potential here than what you are taking advantage of. For citi alone, you can have 5 cards at once! (two personal, the professional, two business). Here are two references of high goals you can shoot for: example 1 and example 2

Of course, you don't have to do any more. However, you've come this far, and you are indeed a member of FWF, so I can only assume you like free money

O ya, and...

BUSINESS CARDS, BUSINESS CARDS, BUSINESS CARDS, BUSINESS CARDS, BUSINESS CARDS

barefool said: MikeR397 said: OP, from what I have seen, it looks like you've got a lot more potential here than what you are taking advantage of. For citi alone, you can have 5 cards at once! (two personal, the professional, two business). Here are two references of high goals you can shoot for: example 1 and example 2

Of course, you don't have to do any more. However, you've come this far, and you are indeed a member of FWF, so I can only assume you like free money

O ya, and...

BUSINESS CARDS, BUSINESS CARDS, BUSINESS CARDS, BUSINESS CARDS, BUSINESS CARDSThis is my first AOR, so my main goal was to get my feet wet and get a presence with all the major issuers for future reallocation/consolidation. Assuming I don't crash and burn here, my second AOR, and my wife's AOR is where I'll go whole hog for a drawer full of cards and millions in limits.

Sorry, but I'm a look six times before you kind of half-assed leap kind of guy. Have patience.Haha, no problem. Just giving you a headsup in case you were interested. Good luck with what you have already done.

lebice said: Same here, my 1st AOR last year was just a test drive, only 5 personal cards. After I'm more confortable with it, I did a larger AOR for my fiancee. I'm about to launch my 2nd AOR, which will have 20ish business cards and 20ish personal cards.

that's EXACTLY what i did. used my credit as the first AOR punching bag, then improved my tactics on the wife-o-rama. good luck, OP. keep us posted on your results.

oh yeah, and don't forget to tell us your vitals (HHI and age of lines).

EDIT: nevermind, you did. thanks!

you sir, are a young whippersnapper daredevil. some of us old folks have to get our brains warmed up before we try some newfangled arbitrage strategy.

barefool said: MikeR397 said: OP, from what I have seen, it looks like you've got a lot more potential here than what you are taking advantage of. For citi alone, you can have 5 cards at once! (two personal, the professional, two business). Here are two references of high goals you can shoot for: example 1 and example 2

Of course, you don't have to do any more. However, you've come this far, and you are indeed a member of FWF, so I can only assume you like free money

O ya, and...

BUSINESS CARDS, BUSINESS CARDS, BUSINESS CARDS, BUSINESS CARDS, BUSINESS CARDSThis is my first AOR, so my main goal was to get my feet wet and get a presence with all the major issuers for future reallocation/consolidation. Assuming I don't crash and burn here, my second AOR, and my wife's AOR is where I'll go whole hog for a drawer full of cards and millions in limits.

Sorry, but I'm a look six times before you kind of half-assed leap kind of guy. Have patience.

Love it barefool. funny. conservative. good luck.

Seeing all the tactics FWF members are using: start with own AOR to learn, then launch a wife-o-rama, I am very tempted to start new threads with titles such as these:

- "Acquiring multiple wifes (husbands) legally - how? Tips and techniques appreciated",
- "Need data-points from spousal AOR to do an ROI analysis of acquiring multiple spouses",
- etc.

J/K

lhendricks92 said: ChumChurum said: Seeing all the tactics FWF members are using: start with own AOR to learn, then launch a wife-o-rama, I am very tempted to start new threads with titles such as these:

- "Acquiring multiple wifes (husbands) legally - how? Tips and techniques appreciated",
- "Need data-points from spousal AOR to do an ROI analysis of acquiring multiple spouses",
- etc.

J/K

Or you could take it up a notch and do the MikeR397-style fam-o-rama. What's the ROI on adopting 16 year old kids for AOR purposes? There's still a little time before the FICO models change to ignore AU status.I'm really quite disappointed my parents stopped at only 2 kids. Can you imagine the potential that this family has?

thank you for the clarification, much obliged

lhendricks92 said: ...
There's still a little time before the FICO models change to ignore AU status.

I'm waiting for when they change the FICO model to possibly go for an AOR. But, I'm not passing opportunities by, especially snail mail pre-qualified offers. Could not pass up 0% for 12 months w/ NO BT fees! Currently, I'm gathering information into a spreadsheet, determining best way to apply (e.g. sign-up bonuses) and find my next DAILY USAGE cards for cash/points back (when 1st 12 months 5% Citibank bonus offers expire).

For some the FICO model change w/ omitting AU will be a disaster, but for others w/ good personal credit it will close a loophole so we show our true colors...

barefool said: Cap One No Hassle Miles Rewards - instant approval (all 3) - $30k

that's the first sweet CapOne CL i've seen from an AOR in awhile. were you using a pre-approved offer and/or did you request a BT with the application? trying to decide if it's worth the 3 pulls for my next wife-o-rama.

congrats on the new lines. btw, you could easily hit another citi card or 2.

As I am preparing for my first AOR, I have a question. OP said he didn't agree on providing the docs for income verfication, is there a good reason why one should do this? In other words what are consequences in providing the proof of income?

I have one question for the AORers out there. Do you use paperless statements, or do you get more offers, BT checks, etc. from getting a statement mailed to you? I started signing up for paperless statements, but now I'm not sure I should.

For national city it mentioned Balance Transfer Fee: There is no balance transfer fee with this offer. However, future balance transfers may incur a fee of 3% of the amount transferred ($10 minimum). So can i do the bt after i get the card or do i have to do it at time of application?

telflonmail said: RagingBull said: For national city it mentioned Balance Transfer Fee: There is no balance transfer fee with this offer. However, future balance transfers may incur a fee of 3% of the amount transferred ($10 minimum). So can i do the bt after i get the card or do i have to do it at time of application?

You need to put a BT on the application to get the 0% rate.This is incorrect. You do not have to put a BT on the app to get the free BT. You just have to do the BT within 60 days. You can call them and have them mail you a check already made out and payable to you to deposit to your checking account. Just do it within 60 days of opening (doesn't hurt to verify this, but I have done it).

telflonmail said: I have tried calling different places that had similiar wording when I didn't BT on application. Some would do it with no BT fees while others insisted on the fee (or would reduce - but not eliminate the fee). It's best to put it on the application if they have the restrictive wording. I agree, but I am speaking in particular to National City. With them you have 60 days to do the BT, else it is a fee. Before that no fee. For others, of course YMMV and thier terms will be different.

RagingBull said: With bank of america, after you apply online and they say wait 30 day for decision, can you call them back up immediately and speak to credit anaylst and get them to either approve you on the spot or move credit line from other cards to this card?

yeah, pretty much. It's easy to get a hold of a BofA credit analyst, and they make decisions FAST.

Mitch007 said: How long did it take for you to get the approval for the "deferred approval cards"? I am still waiting for a handful of "deferred" ones for my AOR.I think I had received an approved email for all of them within 10 days. For some, I had to wait a few more days when the card arrived before I knew the credit limit.