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          CREDIT CARDS  are the fastest way to get to where you want to go for free. That said, there may be many obstacles that keep you from getting the card you may want or need.

No fear, this is where we can help you!

What are these obstacles that can keep you from getting the card you want?

Here are 4…

CREDIT SCORE

The first step to take is to set up a free account with Credit Karma. If you have already done that, you’re one step ahead of the game. This site is a useful tool to help you understand your credit score.

• If you have Poor Credit here are a few simple steps to consider:
  1. Read the factors of credit for your understanding and identify where you need to improve.
  2. Dispute any and all collections (click on accounts, scroll down to collections and click the tab)
  3. Wait and plan. Wait to hear back from your disputes.
  4. Reach out to us so we can walk through the process with you.

CREDIT FACTORS

Just because you have a good credit score doesn’t mean you will get any card you want. Your credit score consists of roughly these main factors (listed in importance):

1. payment history – Always pay in full.*
2. amount of credit used (also called “utilization”)
3. derogatory marks (collections, etc.)
4. credit age (keep old credit cards open if they are free, otherwise downgrade to a fee-free version)
5. total accounts (the more accounts you have the better your score!)
6. hard inquiries

*The #1 rule of using credit cards to travel for free is Steward Well. Never carry a balance that you will pay interest on or else you are defeating the purpose of maximizing the cards value.

BANK RULES

This is where things get tricky. Each bank has their own set of rules for applying for cards. They are easy to navigate once you understand them but we will discuss this more in the future. Just ask us if you have any questions before applying but you should know that the credit cards you need to be considering first are CHASE cards since they all fall under the 5/24 rule now.

“Chase will not approve applications if the applicant has already opened 5 (or more) credit card accounts in the last 24 months. This includes not only cards you open at Chase, but also cards you open at any bank that are reported to your personal credit report.”

TOO MUCH TOO SOON

If you aren’t sure where to start, don’t go for the biggest and best. You will need to slowly build up to the heavy weights. The first step you can take to see if you Pre-qualify for any credit card offers is by using the Card Match Tool by creditcards.com.

SO WHERE DO I START?

The best cards to start out with are:

Low Credit Score – Discover It Secured Card

• Depending on your score (and other factors) apply for this card to start stabilizing your credit.
• This card will help you show banks your ability to use a credit card responsibly.

Good Credit Score – Chase Freedom Unlimited Card

I believe this card is importinat to keep in your wallet, especially if you have one of the Chase Sapphire Cards.

It gets you $150 after spending $500 in the first 3 months, 1.5% cash back on every purchase, and it is free to keep. Thanks in advance if you use our link to sign up!

 

Good – Excellent Credit Score – Chase Sapphire Prefferred Card

This card is a must have for everyone’s wallet. It comes with a weath of benefits including travel insurrance, car rental insurrance, an extra 25% in value when redeeming points for flights and more. You’ll also get 50,000 Ultimate Rewards Points with Chase which are equivalent to $625 in travel and the $95 annual fee is waived the first year.

DONT QUIT

Even if you get denied there are always opportunities to call the bank and have them reconsider their decision once you explain your situation and desire for the credit card. Reach out to us any time and we will help you get your next card!

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Card of the Month:

 The Delta Gold Skymiles Card from American Express is being offered at its highest ever sign-up bonus! The card will give you 60,000 Skymiles which I value at a minimum of $750 (depending on how you redeem your points).

Here is what you get:

• 60,000 Skymiles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
• $50 statement credit after making your first purchase
• A free checked bag on any and every Delta flight as long as you use your card to pay for any portion of the fare & a free bag for up to 8 traveling companions!
  • That is a value of $30 – $270 depending on your crew, per flight!
• Waived annual fee for the first year, then $95. This means you can try out the card for free for a year, then decide if it makes sense to keep it around.
• No foreign transaction fees

Thanks for going with us!

“It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.” – Ernest Hemingway

Every one of us either loves to travel or inevitably has to travel. This blog will help you do that for free (or at least nearly free). There is a whole world in the travel industry that revolves around points, primarily through credit card sign up bonuses. The alleged “Points and Miles Game” is what thousands of people take advantage of and is designed as a mutual win for the banks and the consumer. I have ventured into co-writing Points On Purpose with my friend Aaron Jackson to help people like you continue to do good, steward well, and travel free.

We have been traveling for free by earning points and miles largely through credit card reward points. In the past two years, I have flown to Spain, Nicaragua, Washington, and Indiana, all by using points. Rather than paying $100 for a night at the Days Inn, I have stayed at Kimpton and Hilton hotels in an upgraded suite with a $50 gourmet breakfast – that’s right – for free. I won’t even mention other added card perks like the restaurants and lounges I eat at for free during my flight layovers.

There are so many blogs, websites, facebook pages, articles, and opinions out there about this topic already but the reason we are writing this blog is to give you the ability to know the most important details of advice without doing the hours of reading that we do. We pick through loads of information and deliver the most helpful and simple steps to building credit and earning rewards DEBT FREE. What we give you will be what we have learned from the professionals.

We believe we can help you with any step you are on in your journey to build or rebuild your credit. There are so many ways to simply help you make well-informed, strategic decisions to get the most out of your everyday expenses – ALL FOR FREE. Whether you are an International Worker wanting to fly home to see family, or to another country for a conference, or a Sender who wants to visit someone you support, or gift them miles to help them visit home, or just wanting to take advantage of great offers out there, then this blog is for you and you should subscribe!

While Points On Purpose was created with our friends overseas in mind we encourage you to add your friends or family to our list as well. Connect us with anyone who could benefit from this blog! We will send out bi-weekly or tri-weekly posts but we will be available anytime for step by step consulatation as you have need. We look forward to serving you!

 

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