Originally Posted by
coloradotraveler
So if it were you and you thought 180,000 probably won’t be enough for 4 RT tickets next summer, would you bank some more if it’s offering 5 miles per $1 from now until September 30? Or would you still just keep using cash back cards and may I ask which one (ones) you have? We never carry a balance , so I know to this in a smart way . Buying gas and groceries are frequent purchase for us and husband buys a lot of fuel on our farm . I sometimes use Ink Cash at office supplies stores to get 5x pts on visa or MasterCard gift cards that can be used for anything , if I catch a time when there isn’t a $6.95 activation fee. It’s also 3% back on gas . But for our other card , the Unlimited. it is 1.5% back on everything , so we use it for groceries .
When you use any card you are giving up cash -2c on Citi double cash and up to 2.625% using bofA card with plat honors bonuses
When you get 5 miles per$ spend you are getting (actually buying) miles for 0.5c each - usually a good thing for most times - for you likely a good value overall.
For us not an good value as we have enough UA miles, so we don't need more, even at that low price
In general UA miles get 1c redemption value at the most - so as long as you can buy low at 0.5c (5x) and sell high - redeem at 1c you are OK
Anything below 3x is suspect when you have a BofA with Plat honors
You are better off keeping the card for the bag fee waivers and then using a cash back card - see
Winecountry post below yours
If you can't get the BofA card, then your max cost is 2c with a Citi double cash card - then - if you are getting 2x or more, use the UA card - rest stick to Citi card