Originally Posted by
GrayAnderson
I would suggest getting either a Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points/dollar, can be redeemed for statement credit if desired at 1% or better) or a new Chase Freedom Unlimited (ditto due to doubling first-year benefits) or Freedom Flex.
I would tend to agree with something simple like this. OP is not interested in a long term perspective. Just the payout of this one purchase. I would personally have a different viewpoint but it's not my money.
Chase Sapphire Reserve would earn 3x30000=90000 points, plus 60000 point signup bonus. I wouldn't necessarily book thru the Chase portal, since that introduces a travel agent into the trip. But booking direct, OP would probably be eligible for all the Chase travel protections anyway. So in summary,
- 150000 points that could be easily redeemed for $1500 cash back (less a net $250 annual fee)
- Industry-leading trip delay, cancellation, and interruption protection
- Likely primary CDW if OP wanted to rent a car on the trip
- Probably very easy approval process and a large credit line without hassles
- Entire process would be easier than almost any other idea