Question for you guys that jump on these Credit Card Promotions

If there is no fee I just leave the card open. and use it 1-2 times a year. If there is a fee I would cancel it before the fee kicks in.

Opening the card and paying it off every month will make minimal impact to your credit

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So after you spend 3K and get the 55,000 points....then what? What do you do with the card?

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Well, for me, there are a few cards that are "keepers" to put spend on all the time. I've had the CSP since April and plan to keep it even when the fee hits.

Some people get the bonus, book flights, cancel the card, and then wait two years (the time issuers usually require) to apply for the same card again, rinse repeat.

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How many promotions do you try to do a year?

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I got 4 cards this year, but 3 were for keepers (Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Freedom, Amex SPG)

Next year I will probably get some burner type cards like the Barclay's Arrival, United, and Southwest. I really want one more keeper card being the Chase Ink business card.

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having all these cards opened just for the promotions...does that hurt your credit score?

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The credit applications deduct a few points but they come off after a few months. Churners usually do an "App O Rama" every 6 months on the same day so that the credit issuers can't see that they are applying for say, 5 cards at once. This will ding the score for a while but it will recover in time for the next App O Rama. However, at the same time, their credit limits are rising and utilization rates are lowering, so that is HELPING their credit scores.

Lastly, the real drawback is some issuers (Barclays) don't like seeing churners use their cards, and my reading says they deny people routinely who they think are just churning their cards. If you play the game correctly, you are fine.

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What is so special about the Barclays card?

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Nothing is particularly "special" about them, they are just more stringent with who they do business with.

They have some cards with good bonuses just like other issuers.

The Barlcays Arrival card is useful for its 40,000 sign up bonus which is $400 in cash.

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Nothing, They gave me $400 to sign-up for their saints card and havent really used it since I hit the threshold. I'd go with CSP any day over any Barclays.

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Right. I'd just burn whatever they gave me and cancel. I don't have any use of keeping any of their cards.

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My only "keeper" is my Delta Amex Reserve

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I assume you fly Delta A LOT. I don't travel enough to churn as much as some of those blokes do, or to be particularly loyal, so I just pick and choose cards here and there when I need them.

That's why I picked up the Amex SPG last week for the 30 airline partners.

I would guess 2/3 of that is work. The other 1/3 was personal Weddings, bachelor parties, holidays, etc...

5 this year and 4 next year plus my own. I will not be spending any miles from next year til I book the honeymoon

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5 this year and 4 next year plus my own. I will not be spending any miles from next year til I book the honeymoon

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That's the idea here too (getting married in March 2015). I got myself and my fiance both the CSP and the Freedom this year, giving us 160,000 points already. I am not happy about the United devaluation though. If you weren't aware of it, book by Feb. 1.

I have 102,000 United Miles...what about the United devaluation? Where should I go with 102,000 miles built up?

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I fly exclusively delta..currently gold status...what will I gain with that card?

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-You can earn up to 30,000 mqm's per year for hitting spending thresholds. (15,000 mqm's for every $30k spent).

-Skyclub Access for you and up to 2 guests

-1st or Economy Companion Voucher in the 48 States

-Upgrade Tie Breaker (If you and another GM are competing for the last upgrade spot and all things are equal, this card gives you the tie breaker.)

-Personal Concierge Services

-1 more free bag on delta flights

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Also I believe there is another AMEX not specifically delta, that gives you access to any airline sky club in any airport.

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Platinum Amex

Gives you the ability to get into most airport clubs, $200 in airline credits towards a single airline, and with some international 1st class flight tickets you can buy one get a companion to come free.