Originally Posted by
demigawd
You're correct - I realized that in my next post when I mentioned combining credit cards and memberships to further maximize benefits.
So after reading everybody's advice and doing more research, I think i have a pretty good system worked out that I'll run by all of you:
I'm going to sign up for Marriott Rewards for the points program. I picked the points over the miles because I did a few calculations. I'll run them by you to make sure I'm not missing something.
In one year I'll spend $56250 on average in hotels. That's 112,500 miles or 562,500 points (not counting any status bonuses, to keep it clean). 112,500 miles, at 1% is a value of about $1125. Looking on the website, I can probably get 1.5% of the value or $1688. I know there are people here who book first class tickets two weeks before to get really crazy returns, and I did see an $11,000 ticket to Japan that could be purchased for 120,000 points for a nearly 10% return, but on average I pick trips based on when I want to go and not on maximizes value, and I tend to plan months ahead, so 1.5% seems about in line with the average. About $1700.
Now, 562,000 points can buy 25 nights at the Marriott East in NYC at $400 a night, which is worth $10,000. Or it could buy TWO packages each worth 7 nights at a Cat 7 hotel + 25% of a car rental + 120,000 miles (8 thousand MORE miles than just collecting the miles). And there would be 20,000 points left!!!
I mean...wow. That's such a tremendous difference that it's ridiculous.
On top of that, I'll sign up for the United Visa and FF program (though I will have to look into AA per Dillman's recommendation). I will use the United Visa to buy United tickets for a value of 31500 miles per year. On top of that, since I'll be getting enough EQMs to make Premier Executive within six months, at which point i'll get 100% bonus. Just to make life easier for me, I'll credit the whole thing as Premier Executive for an average year. So that's 31,500 miles + 72,000 EQMs + 72,000 redeemable miles = 175,500 miles per year.
Now, factoring in the Platinum bonus, I will actually be getting 18 points per dollar spent on the hotel (10 points + 30% bonus + 5 credit card points). That comes out to 1,0125,000 points per year! And that's not counting any of the variety of specials and promotions and all that other stuff.
OK, so to summarize:
1. United Mileage Program
2. United Premier Visa - 2x miles on flights
3. Marriott Rewards programs - 10 - 13x dollars spent on hotels
4. Marriott Reward Credit Card - 5x dollars spent on hotels
Does that sound reasonable?
Now, a few outstanding questions:
1. I have hotels and flights covered, but should I put car rentals and meals on the FF card or the Hotel card? Or a third card with its own specials?
2. I noticed that I can book hotels on United.com. Do I get the same 2x mileage credit for hotels booked through United.com...in addition to the 13x Marriott credit? Or do I just get the mileage credit for flights?
3. I assume I've come to the conclusion that all of you have come to years ago. What are some of the advanced techniques you use? I noticed that a few people mentioned getting cards just for lounge access and other little perks. How do you incorporate these types of cards into your spending habits?