Originally Posted by
MDtR-Chicago
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
I personally would go for the Amex Platinum card because of the
possibility that the OP could save thousands on the airfare through the International Airline Program.
And of course, even no-fee credit cards issued in the U.S. which offer "secondary" rental-car coverage for U.S. rentals offer
primary coverage for rentals outside of the U.S.
