MilesBuzz! - Large unexpected bill - What credit card is right for me?

I have two sudden large bills (which I can pay off immediately.) One $2K and the other for $7K. The latter might or might not be payable by credit card. The former takes VISA/Mastercard. I figure this would be the time to get at least one new card and take advantage of a sign-up bonus. Credit scores are very good.

Departure airport is Boston, Manchester, or Providence. Destination is usually Salt Lake City or any warm island.

Does anyone have any recommendation as to the best offer available in my situation?

Here are some cars I'm considering:
Chase British Airways credit card (50,000 miles, might meet the extra 25,000 after $10K)
Chase Sapphire Preferred (50,000 miles after $3K)
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus (50,000 bonus points after first purchase)

Thanks in advance! Feeling totally overwhelmed trying to decide this on the spot (I need the card ASAP.)

You might want to think about the Citi AA Visa/Amex cards.

App link: Nevermind, that's the wrong link. You can search the thread below for the most current links. There are also links here: http://millionmilesecrets.com/hot-deals/

Go here to learn about the two-browser trick so you can get both cards: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milesbuzz/1262549-citi-aa-100-off-50k-companion-cert-plus-other-offers-they-appear.html

You might want to think about the Citi AA Visa/Amex cards.


Thanks. Do you recommend those cards mainly because American Airlines has many options out of Boston or because the sing-up offer is interesting? I'm asking this because I really don't have much of a grasp on which airlines would be the cheapest to redeem miles from Boston to my destinations.

Pay cash, and forget about credit cards.

I don't understand unexpected $10K charges which require cc applications.

You are asking for problems with double digit interest rates.

sorry to preach and sound holier than thou.

Pay cash, and forget about credit cards.

I don't understand unexpected $10K charges which require cc applications.

You are asking for problems with double digit interest rates.

sorry to preach and sound holier than thou.

:confused: OP said she could pay them off right away; she won't incur any interest.

If you don't have the two Citi AA, I'd go for that. I love AA miles b/c they're so flexible (one ways) with some great redemption options.

Pay cash, and forget about credit cards.

I don't understand unexpected $10K charges which require cc applications.

You are asking for problems with double digit interest rates.

sorry to preach and sound holier than thou.

As I wrote above (sorry if I wasn't clear,) I can pay both these charge in full (I'm not looking to borrow these amounts.) It seems to me like this would be an opportunity to quickly meet spending requirements on one or several credit card offers with interesting sign-up bonuses.

Thanks. Do you recommend those cards mainly because American Airlines has many options out of Boston or because the sing-up offer is interesting? I'm asking this because I really don't have much of a grasp on which airlines would be the cheapest to redeem miles from Boston to my destinations.
I recommend them for the signup offer. It's the best one out there right now, imo. I'm not familiar with the flight options out of Boston.

Wife and I have gotten a Chase Sapphire Preferred and Ink Bold each. From application to receiving a card, it has been a minimum of 9 days to a maximum of 14 days. 2 week wait included having to wait to call reconsideration. Depends on how soon you need the card.

I believe the Chase Sapphire bonus is only 40,000 right now, so I would hold off on that until it goes to 50,000 again.

Does anyone know if the double browser trick pulls one or two inquiries on ones credit report?

Does anyone know if the double browser trick pulls one or two inquiries on ones credit report?
Usually just one. That's one of the benefits of this offer.

Usually just one. That's one of the benefits of this offer.

It's sounding better by the minute! thanks.

Approved on both Citi cards! :D

Now, do I get greedy and get the wife to do the same? :p

Approved on both Citi cards! :D

Now, do I get greedy and get the wife to do the same? :p

If you can meet the spending requirement - why not?! I don't call it greedy, I call it strategic. ;)

I recommend them for the signup offer. It's the best one out there right now, imo. I'm not familiar with the flight options out of Boston.

No doubt its a good offer, but wouldn't it be wiser to hold off in the hopes of the 75k AA offers to return?


Cheers

*The latter might or might not be payable by credit card.*

Then pay if off with a miles earning debit card via MOs.@:-)

I have two sudden large bills (which I can pay off immediately.) One $2K and the other for $7K. The latter might or might not be payable by credit card.

No doubt its a good offer, but wouldn't it be wiser to hold off in the hopes of the 75k AA offers to return?


Cheers


While I don't have any special inside info on credit card offers, it seems in general the offers have been getting a bit worse over the past couple of months, not better.

For example, the Chase Sapphire has gone down from 50K to 40K. AA card best offers have gone from 75K after $1500 in spending, down to 50K after $3000 spending w/ $150 credit and 2 adm passes, and down again to 50K after $5000 spending w/ $100 credit and 2 adm passes.

While I would love to get another 75K offer, it may very well have very high spending requirements that many of us cannot meet. Or the offer may never come back at all.

Personally, I think the 50K with the $150 credit and 2 adm passes is a great deal for many leisure travelers. That is two domestic round trip tickets and $150 in spending money.

In another 10 days, I will hit the 19 month mark on my last AA personal cards, and I hope the link for the 50K/$150 credit/2 adm passes is still active then. As they say, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

No doubt its a good offer, but wouldn't it be wiser to hold off in the hopes of the 75k AA offers to return?


Cheers

That's exactly what I have been thinking too. I have had my eye on these cards for a while but the 75K offer from last year is keeping me from applying. But as jeanie said (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18399170-post17.html) the offer could very well get worse.

At this point it's just a gamble: Do I go for the 50K +$150 credit (40K after $2K in 4 months + 10K after another $5K in 12months) or do I wait in hopes of a better offer coming after 4/30? :confused:

In my opinion, though, this offer is much better than it looks. That is because of the $150 statement credit on "eligible AA purchases" (per the offer landing page). Considering the credit is given to you for purchases you make with AA, in my mind, this is just like a few extra miles. If you value $150 at a conservative 1c/m that is like getting an extra 15K miles for each card.

I am pretty new to the travel hacking world so if my rational doesn't make much sense to the veterans I'd be happy to hear a different opinion.