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Which card(s) to use for high spend or large purchases? [Consolidated]

Old Jan 2, 2017, 9:16 am
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Last edit by: yugi
Ways to get high rewards or bonus on credit card spending:

1. sign-on bonus, miles, UR or MR points, free nights and cash rewards
2. on-going rewards, points or cashback
3. spending bonus for extra points/$ or status, like spending $10,000 to get extra 20k points etc.

Cards with large spending bonus: (alphabetical)

AmEx Delta Skymiles Gold: $25,000 MQD waived for elite status
AmEx HH Ascend: $40,000 to Diamond
Barclay Aviator Red: $25,000 for $3,000 EQD
BofA Merrill +: $50,000 for additional $200 travel credit
Chase Ritz Carlton: $10,000 to renew Gold status. Subject to change from 8/1/2018
Chase United MileagePlus Explorer: $25,000 for 10,000 United miles
A lot more to list...

Cards that earn better than 1 airline mile (or points convertible 1:1 to airline miles) per dollar: (alphabetical)

Amex Blue Business Plus - 2x MRs on up to $50k per year. No AF, FTF.
Amex Blue for Business - 1.3x MRs (Another card needed in order to transfer, such as Amex ED/EDP/PRG/BGR/Plat etc). No AF, FTF. Discontinued, replaced by BBP.
Amex Business Platinum - 1.5x for charges over $5,000 up to 1M extra points ($2M spend) AF $450, no FTF. Many other perks.
Amex EveryDay - 1.2x if you make 20+ charges per cycle. No AF, FTF.
Amex EveryDay Preferred - 1.5x if you make 30+ charges per cycle. AF $95, FTF.
Bank of America Virgin Atlantic MasterCard - 1.5x VS miles, 2x if you spend $15k per year, 2.1x if you spend $25k per year. AF $90, no FTF.
Bank of America Air France KLM Mastercard - 1.5x AF miles. AF $89, no FTF.
Barclaycard Arrival Premier - 1.43x for all partners except JAL, AC (1.18x). You will get 2.14x on all partners except JAL, AC (1.76x), if you spend $15k or $25k per year. AF $150, FYF, no FTF. Discontinued.
Capital One Venture X Visa - 2x on all partners, except Accor and EVA. AF $395, no FTF, many other perks.
Capital One Spark Miles Business Visa - 2x on all partners, except Accor and EVA. AF $95, FYF, no FTF.
Capital One Venture Visa - 2x on all partners, except Accor and EVA. AF $95, FYF, no FTF.
Capital One Venture One Visa - 1.25x on all partners, except Accor and EVA. no AF, no FTF.
Capital One Spark Miles Select Business Visa - 1.5x on all partners, except Accor and EVA. No AF, no FTF.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Visa - 1.5x URs (Another card needed in order to transfer, such as CSR/CSP/Ink Plus/Ink Bold/Ink Preferred). No AF, FTF.
Chase Ink Unlimited Business Visa - 1.5x URs, Same as Freedom Unlimited
Citi Double Cash MC - 2x TYP. You need a premium Citi card, (Premier, Prestige or Chairman) to transfer to partners other than JetBlue at 1:1 ratio. No AF, FTF.


Cards that earn hotel points

Amex Hilton Honors - 3x HH points, no AF, no FTF
Amex Hilton Honors Surpass - 3x HH points, AF $95, no FTF, some perks
Amex Hilton Honors Business - 3x HH points, AF $95, no FTF, some perks
Amex Hilton Honors Aspire - 3x HH points, AF $450, no FTF, lots of perks.
Amex Bonvoy - 2x Marriott points. AF $95, FYF, no FTF. Discontinued.
Amex Bonvoy Business - same as Amex Bonvoy. AF $125, no FTF.
Amex Bonvoy Brilliant - same as Amex Bonvoy. AF $450
Barclaycard Choice Privileges Visa - 2x on everything. No AF, FTF.
Barclaycard Wyndham Rewards Visa - 2x (grandfathered versions 2x on everything). AF $69/$0, FTF.
Chase Bonvoy Boundless Visa - same as Amex Bonvoy.
Chase IHG Traveler MC - 2x on everything. No AF, no FTF.
Chase IHG Premier/Premier Business MC - 3x on everything. AF $99, no FTF.
Chase Ritz-Carlton Visa Infinite - same as Amex Bonvoy. AF $450, no FTF. Discontinued, but can be obtained via PC from another Chase Bonvoy card.
FNBO Best Western Rewards Premium MC - 2x BW points. AF $59, no FTF
FNBO Best Western Rewards MC - 2x BW points. No AF, no FTF

2%+ Cashback Cards: (by % amount)

US Bank Altitude Reserve Visa - 4.5% towards travel (cashout possible), if you use Android Pay, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay or LG Pay for in-person, in-app or online purchases. AF $400, no FTF, many other perks.
Barclaycard Priceline Rewards Visa (grandfathered 2x/5x version) - 3.33% if redeemed against Priceline or travel purchases, 2% if redeemed for everything else. No AF, no FTF.
AOD CU Visa Signature - 3% on everything. No AF, no FTF. Discontinued.
Synchrony Paypal Cashback Mastercard - 3% if paid with Paypal, 2% everywhere else, no AF, FTF.
Barclaycard Arrival Premier MC - 3% if you spend exactly $15k or $25k, 2%, if you spend less than $15k. AF $150, FYF, no FTF, some perks. Discontinued.
Bank of America Travel Rewards Visa (with Platinum (Honors) Preferred Rewards) - 2.25/2.625%. No AF, no FTF.
Bank of America Premium Rewards Visa (with Platinum (Honors) Preferred Rewards) - 2.25/2.625%. AF $95, no FTF, some perks.
Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Visa (with Platinum (Honors) Preferred Rewards) - 2.25/2.625%. AF $550, no FTF, many other perks.
USAA Limitless Cashback Rewards Visa - 2.5% (must be USAA member, with $1k direct deposit per month). no AF. Discontinued.
Alliant Cashback Visa Signature - 2.5% up to $10k per cycle, if you have $1k on your checking account. No AF, no FTF.
Barclaycard Arrival Plus MasterCard - 2.1% if you redeem for travel purchases. AF $89, no FTF. Discontinued.
Discover it Miles - 3% (first year only, 1.5% after that). No AF, no FTF.

Exactly 2% Cashback Cards: (alphabetical)

Amex Blue Business Cash - 2% on up to $50k per year. No AF, FTF.
BBVA Compass Rewards Visa - 2%, if you receive $1000 in direct deposits per month to checking account. No AF.
Blispay Visa - 2%. No AF.
Citi Double Cash MasterCard - 2%. No AF, FTF.
Capital One Spark Cash Business Visa - 2%. AF $95, FYF, no FTF.
Capital One Spark Miles Business Visa - 2% if redeemed for travel. AF $95, FYF, no FTF.
Capital One Venture Visa - 2% if you redeem for travel purchases. AF $95, FYF, no FTF.
Capital One Venture X Visa - 2% if you redeem for travel purchases. AF $395, no FTF, many other perks.
Fidelity Rewards Visa - 2%. No AF.
PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa (with Honors Advantage) - 2%. No AF, no FTF.
PNC Premier Traveler Visa - 2% if you redeem for travel purchases. AF $85, FYF, no FTF.
State Department Federal CU Premium Cashback+ Visa - 2%, no AF, no FTF.
Synchrony Paypal Cashback MC - 2% for non-PayPal purchases, no AF, FTF.
Too many to list.













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Which card(s) to use for high spend or large purchases? [Consolidated]

Old Dec 10, 2016, 1:10 am
  #226  
 
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 62
Originally Posted by garykung
Do you bank with either Chase or Citibank, preferably CPC or Citigold PC level?
DP - if you sign up for the Citigold account that needs a $250k min or whatever to get the AA miles, you can deposit less, pay a service charge, meet the other minimums, close the account, repeat.
steve33 is offline  
Old Dec 10, 2016, 8:32 am
  #227  
mia
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,878
Originally Posted by steve33
...Citigold account that needs a $250k min or whatever to get the AA miles, you can deposit less, pay a service charge,...
Citi has eliminated the option of paying a fee in lieu of maintaining the required balance for Citigold. I do not know what the grace period is to bring a new account up to $200,000.
mia is online now  
Old Dec 25, 2016, 5:58 pm
  #228  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by dukerau
Another option, if your purchases are >= $5k each, is the Business Platinum, on which purchases >= $5k now earn 1.5x.
Why not just get the Fidelity Visa for 2x on everything?
Venusian is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2017, 9:28 am
  #229  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Jackson, WY
Posts: 543
After reading 5-6 pages of this, I found that not many posts identify "Large purchase credit card bonuses", so I created a wiki.

If you all could add to the list that would be great. I don't use hotel cards, but if someone wants to add a section for that, please do so.

My scenario - Due to my home airport (Jackson Hole) being so expensive, I can routinely redeem United points in economy for 3-4 cents per point. Trying to figure out my best options for putting $20-$25k/month of business expenses through Plastiq. My best options right now are United Club card - essentially buying points at around 1.5 cents. I'm trying to find other options. I know this isn't good MS Spend, but it's setting it up automatically and doing it from your pajamas easy. Cashback cards in my case don't make sense.
Mbcijim10 is offline  
Old Jan 3, 2017, 10:05 am
  #230  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 87
$300k+ annual spending, which card should I use

I've been using Ink business + and Capital one venture for a few years. Recently I started to think how I can maximize the rewards by using the cards that gives the max benefit.

I spent ~$25k per month for my business. Breakdown for my spending

Google adwords/FB ads - $7000-$8000 USD per month
Paypal purchase - $10,000 - $ 15,000 per month
Restaurant/Accomondation - ~2,000 - $3,000 per month

The card I have now
Chase Ink Business +
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Venture
Bank Of America Business Travel Rewards.

I put most charges on Ink business and Capital One Venture, but I think will start moving everything to Ink Business and Sapphire Reserve now. Which other card should I get and which card should I put most my charges on?

I expect the paypal purchase and social medias ads spending will grow 20-30% more this year.

Any hell will be great!
bigbellymonkey is offline  
Old Jan 3, 2017, 10:28 am
  #231  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SF
Programs: UA, VX, QF, EY, VA
Posts: 756
Ink Preferred for ad spend.

Other categories already covered.
patrick.barnes is offline  
Old Jan 3, 2017, 10:36 am
  #232  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,929
Amex Business Gold Rewards for Internet Advertising 3x

Amex Business Platinum also for spend over $5k @ 1,5. And then 50% redemption return.

These should also be in the mix, IMO
mhdena is offline  
Old Jan 3, 2017, 12:34 pm
  #233  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,959
Freedom Unlimited for 1.5x on everything
Amex BGR or Ink Preferred for 3x on advertisement.
Citi AT&T Access more for Paypal.
yugi is offline  
Old Mar 26, 2017, 9:27 pm
  #234  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Help with picking a high spending card

Hello everyone,

Currently I am using a business card that nets me about 2.25 pts per dollar on all purchases from BOA. I can only redeem these for travel expenses.

I currently spend about 100k per month on business expenses and about only 1k per month on dining.

I am wondering if there is a better card out there to use instead of the BOA World Points.

What I would be mostly interested in is overall redemption value or being able to redeem those points to fly business to Europe.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Mar 27, 2017, 12:39 pm
  #235  
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Originally Posted by kmilez
Hello everyone,

Currently I am using a business card that nets me about 2.25 pts per dollar on all purchases from BOA. I can only redeem these for travel expenses.

I currently spend about 100k per month on business expenses and about only 1k per month on dining.

I am wondering if there is a better card out there to use instead of the BOA World Points.

What I would be mostly interested in is overall redemption value or being able to redeem those points to fly business to Europe.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Check out the info in the WIKI post above.

Which airline would you prefer flying Biz to Europe & which city do you fly out of?
philemer is offline  
Old Mar 27, 2017, 5:41 pm
  #236  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by philemer
Check out the info in the WIKI post above.

Which airline would you prefer flying Biz to Europe & which city do you fly out of?
I don't see much on the WIKI, am I missing something? If that's all there is then it seems my CC of 2.25 points is already the best deal.

As far as airline, it does not matter to me much. I fly out of Boston and I only fly for vacations so I don't have a set destination that I go to. My only thoughts were that if I could get better value on my points by flying Business Class than I would want to take advantage of it.
kmilez is offline  
Old Apr 2, 2017, 9:37 pm
  #237  
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: ATL
Posts: 10
Newbie: $$$ to spend, Credit Card/Points Help

I am having a medical procedure done next week. I need to pay the full bill before I have the procedure done (don't ask, it's a long story). The procedure is $18,000. I have the cash but I was looking to maximize my points. My plan...apply for cards, put procedure on multiple cards, pay cards with cash, get points.

My cards:
1) CSR: Have had for 6 months so I've already met the spend and gotten the bonus points.
2) CSP: Have had for a year, so have already received bonus points for this one too.
3) Jetblue: Just received yesterday. $5k credit limit, no annual fee.
4) SPG Amex: Just received yesterday. $1k credit limit, 0 AF for 1st yr.
5) Hyatt: Just received yesterday. $5k credit limit, $75 AF

I live in Atlanta. JetBlue just moved in last week so I had planned to put $1k on the Jetblue card & get my bonus points. But considering it doesn't have an AF, I don't have to.
The $1k credit limit with Amex bothered me but when I spoke to Amex they said I could pay them upfront and I wouldn't have to worry about the CL. For example, if I was going to buy something to $2k, I would allow them to take an additional $1k from bank account and I would then have a $2k CL ($1k original CL + $1k deposit). Given that option, it changes things. What would you do to spend the $18k?
- $15k to SPG, $2k Hyatt, $1k Jetblue?
- $5k SPG, 5K CSP, 5k Hyatt, $3k Jetblue?
- $18k CSR?

The hospital has to be paid by in 6 days so there is no time to apply for another card.

I need help ASAP.
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Old Apr 2, 2017, 10:09 pm
  #238  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
To me the SPG & UR points have the most value in general so favoring them is a solid plan. The Hyatt card comes with $2k minimum spending to get the 2 free nights so that'd be a good way to get rid of that quickly just like the JetBlue card.
$2k on Hyatt
$1k on JetBlue card
$2-5k on SPG
Rest on CSP/CSR.

Did you talk with the hospital's billing department to make sure they're ok splitting over 4-5 cards? It's not something that is unheard of but it's best to clarify before going in with the plan. Especially if you're going to be sending Amex a chunk to increase the SPG card's limit.
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Old Apr 2, 2017, 10:19 pm
  #239  
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: ATL
Posts: 10
I have been reading about how legit the SPG points are so that is why I thought putting a lot on that card would be logical but you offer an interesting strategy.

And yes, the hospital said "it's ok to pay with multiple cards" since most cards don't have a CL of $18k.
tattedpassport is offline  
Old Apr 2, 2017, 11:17 pm
  #240  
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18K SPG currently transfers to 54K marriott = unbeatable?

yes, you wire it to amex, theres wire department

can just do gift cards to meet spend reqs, dont need this

wonder if anything with medical spend bonus??

also, you negotiated on cash amount? 6 days is infinitely faster than many insurance companies. on this offtopic note, hope all goes as well as possible.
Kagehitokiri is offline  

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