Welcome to the Weekly Wanderlust Newsletter. This week’s newsletter will include:
The in-branch offer for credit cards (Part 2).
Some upcoming travel!
The In-Branch Offer Part 2
For those of you following along, a few weeks ago I wrote about applying for a credit card in the bank’s branch and how that can lead to some different and maybe even better credit card sign-ups and perks. If you didn’t read that article, you can find it here.
In that article, I wrote about the potential to get an elevated sign-up bonus for the Chase Sapphire Preferred and 5% cash back on gas and groceries plus a sign-up bonus of 20,000 points from the Freedom Unlimited just by signing up in the physical branch of the bank instead of online.
While I didn’t take the plunge and get a new Sapphire card, I downgraded my Freedom Unlimited to a Freedom Flex (so now I have two of those!), so I could take advantage of the offer. However, I had to wait 30 days until I was eligible to apply for the new card. So, I am finally reporting back after that long and taxing wait!
A few weeks ago I was finally eligible to reapply for the Freedom Unlimited again, and I took the plunge. I went back into Chase Bank, told them I heard there was a better offer in the branch, and I got my new card. It was as simple as that. It took about 20 minutes.
I was worried I would get denied because I used to have the card, but I had no problem at all. I was also worried that the in-branch offer would be over, but I was in luck, it was not! One thing I didn’t realize, though, was that the 5% on gas and groceries only lasts for a year, so while I am excited about it, it’s not as exciting as I thought. However, I will get a new sign-up bonus of 20,000 points when I spend $500 in 3 months, so I can’t complain.
While this was a fun little experiment, I think it’s important to talk about the key takeaways
Whether your in-branch bank has a good offer or not, downgrading your credit card and reapplying within the allotted time frame is a great way to earn a new sign-up bonus.
It is important to check the fine print. You need to know how often you can earn a new sign-up bonus! You also need to know if the bank you are applying to has any rules about applying for new cards. For instance, Chase only lets you apply for 5 credit cards every 24 months, so be sure to know how many cards you have applied to in the timeframe of your bank, or you may get denied from your beautiful in-branch or online offer.
The fine print from the Chase Freedom cards about getting a new sign-up bonus Sometimes, you can get better perks when you sign up for a credit card in the bank’s branch, but it’s important to check out your online competition. Right now, Chase Freedom Unlimited has a pretty great offer that they didn’t have when I applied in-branch (or at least I didn’t see it if they did), and it may even be better than the in-branch offer. Plus, if you apply online, you can refer someone. If you earn points in two-player mode (aka combining with a partner), that referral may be even more beneficial!
New bonus offer categories for Chase Freedom Unlimited
Needless to say, if you don’t have the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you are missing out. If you’ve had one for a while (or any card you like, for that matter), you may want to downgrade and reapply (after waiting the requisite time). Looking at the in-branch offers and comparing them to what’s online is also a way to continue to earn more points both through sign-up bonuses and bonus categories! So tell me, would you go into the branch to get a better deal?
This Week’s Obsession: I am headed to Europe next week! I start my travels in Iceland before heading to London and Stockholm. I am so excited, and I would appreciate any and all recommendations you lovely people may have.
Copyright (C) Weekly Wanderlust All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER. I'm not a certified financial planner/advisor, a certified financial analyst, an economist, a CPA, or an accountant. While I hold a J.D., I am not yet licensed to practice law, and I am not your lawyer. For specific information regarding your finances, please consult a professional.