🚀 Your Churning Journey

From complete beginner to expert churner in 12 months. Here's exactly what to expect, when to expect it, and how much you'll earn.

$30K+
First Year Earnings
15-20
Cards Opened
4-6
Hours per Month
750+
Credit Score After
1
Day 1: Getting Started

🎯 Foundation Setup

Your churning journey begins! Today is all about understanding your baseline and setting up the tools you'll need for success.

📋 Action Items:

  • Check your credit score (Credit Karma, Experian)
  • List all current credit cards you own
  • Calculate your 5/24 status (cards opened in last 24 months)
  • Create ChurnVault account to track everything
  • Read r/churning wiki and flowchart
  • Set up spreadsheet or tracker

⚠️ Prerequisites

Need 680+ credit score, stable income, and no major purchases planned for 6-12 months.

7
Week 1: First Applications

💳 Your First Cards

Time to dive in! Apply for your first 1-2 cards. Start with Chase cards if you're under 5/24, or Amex if you're over.

Chase Sapphire Preferred
$750 bonus ($4K spend)
Chase Freedom Unlimited
$200 bonus ($500 spend)

📋 Action Items:

  • Apply for Card #1 in the morning
  • Wait for approval (instant or 7-10 days)
  • If approved same day, apply for Card #2 (Chase only)
  • Set calendar reminders for minimum spend deadlines
  • Start tracking spending in ChurnVault

💰 Expected Earnings

$950

From first 2 cards

30
Month 1: Building Momentum

📈 Meeting Minimum Spends

Focus on meeting your first minimum spend requirements. This is where discipline matters most. Use cards for all everyday spending.

📋 Action Items:

  • Put all normal expenses on new cards (groceries, gas, bills)
  • Consider prepaying utilities, insurance for 3-6 months
  • Buy gift cards for future purchases if needed
  • Track spending daily in ChurnVault
  • Apply for 1-2 more cards mid-month (space out by 2-3 weeks)
  • Join r/churning and Doctor of Credit for deal alerts
Amex Gold
$900 bonus ($4K spend)
Capital One Venture X
$1,000 bonus ($4K spend)

💰 Month 1 Total

$2,850

4 cards opened + bonuses posted

90
Month 3: Expanding Strategy

🎯 Business Cards & Bank Bonuses

Now that you've mastered personal cards, expand to business cards (don't count toward 5/24!) and add bank bonuses to the mix.

Chase Ink Business Preferred
$1,000 bonus ($8K spend)
Amex Business Platinum
$1,500 bonus ($15K spend)
Chase Total Checking
$300 bonus (DD required)
Citi Priority Checking
$2,000 bonus ($50K deposit)

📋 Action Items:

  • Open first business card (use sole proprietorship, SSN)
  • Open 2-3 bank accounts for bonuses
  • Set up direct deposits or ACH transfers
  • Consider manufactured spend for higher MSRs
  • Review credit reports (AnnualCreditReport.com)

💰 Month 3 Total

$8,500

2 business cards + 3 bank bonuses + previous cards

180
Month 6: Advanced Techniques

⚡ Manufactured Spend & Optimization

You're now an intermediate churner. Time to learn manufactured spend, optimize category bonuses, and stack multiple strategies.

📋 Action Items:

  • Start small-scale MS: $2-3K/month VGC → MO
  • Test different liquidation methods (USPS, Walmart, grocery)
  • Apply for more business cards (Amex allows 4-5 credit cards)
  • Open brokerage accounts for bonuses ($1K+ each)
  • Refer friends/family (referral bonuses add up!)
  • Plan travel redemptions (maximize point value)
Amex Business Gold
$700 bonus
Chase Ink Cash
$750 bonus
Schwab Brokerage
$1,000 bonus
E*TRADE Brokerage
$600 bonus

💰 Month 6 Total

$17,500

10 cards + 5 bank bonuses + 2 brokerages + MS profit

⚠️ Watch Your 5/24 Status

You're likely at 4/24 or 5/24 now. Prioritize remaining Chase cards before going over 5/24. After that, focus on Amex, Citi, and bank bonuses.

270
Month 9: Scaling Up

🚀 Maximum Velocity

You're over 5/24 now. Open the floodgates! Hit Amex hard, add more bank bonuses, scale up MS operations, and explore niche opportunities.

📋 Action Items:

  • Apply for 4-5 Amex cards in one day (2/90 rule applies)
  • Scale MS to $10K+/month if comfortable
  • Open premium checking accounts ($2K-4K bonuses)
  • Consider retail arbitrage for higher MSRs
  • Apply for hotel/airline cards strategically
  • Start planning big redemptions (international trips)
Amex Platinum x2
$2,500 combined
Amex Hilton Aspire
$1,500 bonus
Amex Delta Reserve
$950 bonus
Chase Private Client
$3,000 bonus

💰 Month 9 Total

$25,500

15 cards total + 8 bank bonuses + 3 brokerages + MS

365
Year 1 Complete: Expert Status

🏆 Congratulations - You're a Churner!

You've officially completed your first year of churning. Look at what you've accomplished!

$32,450
Total Earned
18
Cards Opened
10
Bank Bonuses
3
Brokerages

📋 Year 1 Breakdown:

  • Credit card bonuses: $18,500
  • Bank account bonuses: $9,500
  • Brokerage bonuses: $2,600
  • Manufactured spend profit: $1,850
  • Average monthly time: 5 hours
  • Effective hourly rate: $540/hour

🎯 What's Next?

  • Wait for cards to age out of 5/24 (start Month 25)
  • Continue business cards and bank bonuses
  • Scale MS operations further
  • Get authorized user cards for Player 2
  • Apply for premium cards with high MSRs
  • Plan spectacular redemptions with points earned

💰 Year 1 Final Total

$32,450

Cash value of all bonuses and MS profit

✅ Your Credit Score

Despite 18 new cards, your score is likely 750+ due to increased total credit, on-time payments, and low utilization. It may have dipped 20-30 points temporarily but recovered after 6-12 months.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Join thousands of churners earning $30K+ per year. Track your cards, get recommendations, and never miss a deadline.

Start Tracking Free →

Want to Double Your Earnings?

Partner with a spouse or trusted friend and coordinate your applications for $60K+ per year.

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© 2026 ChurnVault. Not financial advice. Results may vary based on credit profile and spending patterns.