1) You CAN apply and potentially be approved even with another recent Chase card opened (I had a SWA one opened about 4 months before grabbing this one)

2) NO one is immediately approved, so don’t sweat it. Just wait 7-10 days and call the phone number to get your status. If you are hear a message at that point that you will get an answer in writing in the mail, then press 0. Ask to be transferred to the applications department, go from there.

3) If you have a lot of Chase accounts already (I had 5), then the approval could be held up. I simply stated that I would be happy to close another account in lieu of getting this one opened. They gladly closed an old Sony account and approved this one for the same amount as that one was

4) The miles post the statement AFTER your first purchase hits your statement, and the first payment posts. I opened two accounts (one for me, one for wife). I have worked both cards effectively and now have 200K+ points, but it took 2 full months from the time the cards arrived.

5) I read nearly every post in the last thread, and I can attest that MOST people will get approved eventually. It seems like 90% of the people that called in to talk to the applications department were able to clear up concerns and get the card.

6) Don’t know who said this, but the miles do NOT need to be spent by the end of 2010. There is an additional benefit on the current offer that allows for $50 off a booking, and that is what the Dec.31, 2010, deadline refers to.

7) If opening multiple accounts in a household, apply for and take advantage of the household account (info in Wiki)

Despite what the BA website shows when doing a rewards point estimate, you CAN use your rewards anywhere in the US where American Airlines flies. They put several cities in there for search purposes, but I can fly from Tulsa anywhere in the continental US for 25K miles + $5 fee.

9) Finding an available reward flight is not that difficult. I did a TON of searches, and can fly just about anywhere I want from Tulsa anytime I need to. There do seem to be some restrictions though (like flying on some weekend days or certain times of the year). However, anytime I got an error saying a flight is not available, I was able to search 7 days prior and find openings. I am considering booking the entire family to Hawaii in September….

10) Flying internationally on BA, you will almost ALWAYS go through Heathrow. The reason for the enormous fees is because of the ridiculous fees at that specific airport. Expect to pay as much as $300 to fly overseas if you book directly with BA and go through that airport. Still worth the trouble IMHO, but don’t expect a $5 ticket.

11) Flights anywhere in the US to anywhere in the US (including Hawaii) cost $5 out of pocket, that’s it. 25K miles within the borders, 35k miles to Hawaii.