Originally Posted by
IlliniDude
To end up 1/2 pt ahead as you say, one would need to be using a card that pays 3% or more.
1 TYP is worth 3 cents if redeemed for first/business class travel. Many cards offer 2 points per purchase, Citi Platinum Amex offers 3 points for first two years. 3 x .03 = 9 cents per $ spent, or a theoretically 9% "cash back." Not really cash in pocket, but value in plane tickets.
If you just use TYPs for gift cards, you get exactly 1 cent per TYP, or 3% cashback on the Citi Platinum Amex.
Unfortunately, this is a moot point as CardIt doesn't take Amex.