Credit Card Programs - Suggestions [MasterCard or VISA] for Mother in Law




farbster
Jan 8, 12, 9:43 am
Hi,

My MIL wants to get a 1% cash back visa because for some reason her current visa (maybe capital one) won't increase her credit line. Believe me, her credit is excellent and she doesn't have any problems paying her bills and they are always paid on time. I don't know her FICO score, but she's had credit for a long time, always paid on time, nor BR's or anything crazy like that.

I didn't think that the BofA 1% card (I think that's what it was) sounded good. She probably won't want to sign up for a card that has a large spend requirement, as that would take spend away from the SPG Amex that is her primary card. She also has a Amex Gold (not sure which one), but that is rarely used. Most everything goes on SPG and we've taken amazing trips all over the world on that.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to a card? It seems that airline points rarely work out, especially if you are a little restricted on your dates of travel. I don't see her saying she could move her dates around because of a free flight. Work and other things to somewhat restrict that.

A free first year would probably be excellent, but what is the strategy for the next year? Downgrade to a less generous card that has no fee?

A visa/mastercard is required, as you really need to have one in your wallet. I think the Chase Sapphire is a visa/mc, even though the logo doesn't show up on the front of the card on the website. Should she go for the preferred and then later down the road switch to the regular one to avoid the fee? Are transfers 1:1 to other programs? I couldn't really see that on their website and I did try looking!

Thanks for your help. Hopefully there are some good solutions out there. I don't think she really wants to churn cards either.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks!!


mia
Jan 8, 12, 12:17 pm
Extensive information about Chase Sapphire Preferred in this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credit-card-programs/1238626-chase-sapphire-preferred-benefits-thread.html

Points transfer 1:1 to four airlines: BA KE UA/CO and WN. Also to three hotel programs: Hyatt, Intercontinental and Marriott, and to Amtrak. There are no other transfer partners.

Note that the free Chase Sapphire card does not offer external transfers, but this can be worked around by first transferring to someone who has a Sapphire Preferred, Ink Bold or JP Morgan card account.

farbster
Jan 8, 12, 12:40 pm
I'm not stuck on the Sapphire card, just mentioned it as an example.




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