I did a 5 card app-o-rama early Thursday morning and here are my thoughts, suggestions, tips, tricks, and ways to improve your reconsideration calls.

Always have a plan and stick to your plan.  You don’t have to sign up for credit cards the first day or week to get the sign up bonus.  Most bonuses last a few weeks or months and often come back a few times throughout the year.  I always recommend waiting at least 3 months since your last credit card application (or app-o-rama in my case) before your next app-o-rama.  My last app-o-rama was on November 18 (link) and I got the following 6 cards:

• US Bank Club Carlson Personal Credit Card
• Bank of American Alaska Airlines Personal Credit Card
• American Express Platinum Mercedes Benz Personal Credit Card
• Citi Dividend Cash Back Credit Card (converted old Citi AA Card)
• Chase IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card
• Hilton Honors™ Surpass® Card from American Express (upgraded from American Express Hilton HHonors Credit Card)

Since my last app-o-rama, there have been a few new cards on my radar.  When planning your app-o-rama, make a list of all the cards you want to get.  Then organize them in the order in which you want to get them.  Ask yourself, “If I could only get 1 card, which card would it be?” For me, that was an easy question.  I am going for the Citi American Airlines Executive Credit Card with 100,000 American Airlines miles after spending $10,000 in 3 months.  Continue reading →