Hey everyone,

Let me start out by saying Im a newbie when it comes to points, collecting them etc. I have a couple questions that Im hoping I can get good answers to on here.

Let me say my only rewards card right now is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and I just got it. I started with this card because the consensus seemed to be that it was the best. I also spend a lot on dining and travel several times a year so it makes sense for me.

My goals as far as traveling are really to travel business and first class for international trips and less about simply traveling more.

So I have a couple questions I am hoping to get some answers to:

1. Seems like the Chase Freedom card would be a good option to build extra points with their categories. Is there any downside to applying for one so soon after applying and receiving the Sapphire Reserve I got??
2. I would like to go to Europe after the summer this year, probably starting in Rome, I am in Houston. Im sure there’s a number of airlines that go there, but how can I fully explore all my options that I can use my UR points for? For example, looking at United’s website they also have flights from Lufthansa while Lufthansa isn’t listed as one of the 11 UR transfer partners. I think I read somewhere also that British Airways was used to book on some airlines as well with Avios or UR points transferred into Avios. How can I work out these details?
3. Do the transfer partners let you pay part points and part credit card for example? i.e. if a fare is cheap in either points or $$, is it reflected in the other?
4. For the many specials I see with cheap economy fares on sites like The Points Guy, does this mean that typically the business or first class options are normal price, or can one make an assumption that there are deals to be had for business / first on these flights as well?
5. I own a small business and I would love a card with bonus points for things like mechanics, maintenance etc since it’s transportation related. I haven’t seen any of these but there seems to be some options for gas bonuses. Obviously there’s the Ink business cards and then there is the AMEX simply cash card which would give 3X on fuel, there’s also the Gold Amex for 3x on fuel. However, I am leaning away from getting another premium card with a high yearly fee since I just got one. What suggestions do people have? I would be looking for something that gives Membership Rewards Points
6. I hear good things about the SPG starwood points, however the card seems to only give bonuses on hotel stays which I don’t think I would spend a lot on in a year. Am I missing something is the fact that that even at 1X they are still valuable and I should try and earn them?
7. MY goal with diversifying my points is so I have different options for airlines to transfer them to and to make sure I am getting the most benefit for my current spending habits. After UR what point currency would be a good option for me to concentrate on?
8. Next year in 2018 I would like to goto New Zealand & Australia. Since this is obviously a long flight, I would like to have a game plan formulated for flying at a minimum business but preferably first class. I am open to dates, so Im not limited by going at a certain time of year. While there are some options via UR points Im curious if anyone has suggestions of other point programs and airlines.
9. I have some property taxes due this month, to pay with a credit card will cost me an additional 2.15%. However, I know in some instances points can be worth more than that when redeeming. What’s everyone’s thoughts on doing this?
10. How can I go about beginning to look for dates and “good deals” for redemption for business or first class flights?
11. I have heard of excursions, basically extended layovers where you can stay in a location for a certain time and then continue on to another destination without extra cost. Can someone explain how this works and what it’s limitations are?
12. Should I go ahead and create frequent flyer accounts for the transfer partners that UR uses now so I don’t have to worry about it later?


Sorry for this lengthy post. I am new to this and so I naturally have a lot of questions and I would appreciate peoples’ input on these questions.


Thanks!