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Which card(s) to use for high spend or large purchases? [Consolidated]

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Old Jan 2, 2017, 9:16 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: yugi
Ways to get high rewards or bonus on credit card spending:

1. sign-on bonus, miles, UR or MR points, free nights and cash rewards
2. on-going rewards, points or cashback
3. spending bonus for extra points/$ or status, like spending $10,000 to get extra 20k points etc.

Cards with large spending bonus: (alphabetical)

AmEx Delta Skymiles Gold: $25,000 MQD waived for elite status
AmEx HH Ascend: $40,000 to Diamond
Barclay Aviator Red: $25,000 for $3,000 EQD
BofA Merrill +: $50,000 for additional $200 travel credit
Chase Ritz Carlton: $10,000 to renew Gold status. Subject to change from 8/1/2018
Chase United MileagePlus Explorer: $25,000 for 10,000 United miles
A lot more to list...

Cards that earn better than 1 airline mile (or points convertible 1:1 to airline miles) per dollar: (alphabetical)

Amex Blue Business Plus - 2x MRs on up to $50k per year. No AF, FTF.
Amex Blue for Business - 1.3x MRs (Another card needed in order to transfer, such as Amex ED/EDP/PRG/BGR/Plat etc). No AF, FTF. Discontinued, replaced by BBP.
Amex Business Platinum - 1.5x for charges over $5,000 up to 1M extra points ($2M spend) AF $450, no FTF. Many other perks.
Amex EveryDay - 1.2x if you make 20+ charges per cycle. No AF, FTF.
Amex EveryDay Preferred - 1.5x if you make 30+ charges per cycle. AF $95, FTF.
Bank of America Virgin Atlantic MasterCard - 1.5x VS miles, 2x if you spend $15k per year, 2.1x if you spend $25k per year. AF $90, no FTF.
Bank of America Air France KLM Mastercard - 1.5x AF miles. AF $89, no FTF.
Barclaycard Arrival Premier - 1.43x for all partners except JAL, AC (1.18x). You will get 2.14x on all partners except JAL, AC (1.76x), if you spend $15k or $25k per year. AF $150, FYF, no FTF. Discontinued.
Capital One Venture X Visa - 2x on all partners, except Accor and EVA. AF $395, no FTF, many other perks.
Capital One Spark Miles Business Visa - 2x on all partners, except Accor and EVA. AF $95, FYF, no FTF.
Capital One Venture Visa - 2x on all partners, except Accor and EVA. AF $95, FYF, no FTF.
Capital One Venture One Visa - 1.25x on all partners, except Accor and EVA. no AF, no FTF.
Capital One Spark Miles Select Business Visa - 1.5x on all partners, except Accor and EVA. No AF, no FTF.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Visa - 1.5x URs (Another card needed in order to transfer, such as CSR/CSP/Ink Plus/Ink Bold/Ink Preferred). No AF, FTF.
Chase Ink Unlimited Business Visa - 1.5x URs, Same as Freedom Unlimited
Citi Double Cash MC - 2x TYP. You need a premium Citi card, (Premier, Prestige or Chairman) to transfer to partners other than JetBlue at 1:1 ratio. No AF, FTF.


Cards that earn hotel points

Amex Hilton Honors - 3x HH points, no AF, no FTF
Amex Hilton Honors Surpass - 3x HH points, AF $95, no FTF, some perks
Amex Hilton Honors Business - 3x HH points, AF $95, no FTF, some perks
Amex Hilton Honors Aspire - 3x HH points, AF $450, no FTF, lots of perks.
Amex Bonvoy - 2x Marriott points. AF $95, FYF, no FTF. Discontinued.
Amex Bonvoy Business - same as Amex Bonvoy. AF $125, no FTF.
Amex Bonvoy Brilliant - same as Amex Bonvoy. AF $450
Barclaycard Choice Privileges Visa - 2x on everything. No AF, FTF.
Barclaycard Wyndham Rewards Visa - 2x (grandfathered versions 2x on everything). AF $69/$0, FTF.
Chase Bonvoy Boundless Visa - same as Amex Bonvoy.
Chase IHG Traveler MC - 2x on everything. No AF, no FTF.
Chase IHG Premier/Premier Business MC - 3x on everything. AF $99, no FTF.
Chase Ritz-Carlton Visa Infinite - same as Amex Bonvoy. AF $450, no FTF. Discontinued, but can be obtained via PC from another Chase Bonvoy card.
FNBO Best Western Rewards Premium MC - 2x BW points. AF $59, no FTF
FNBO Best Western Rewards MC - 2x BW points. No AF, no FTF

2%+ Cashback Cards: (by % amount)

US Bank Altitude Reserve Visa - 4.5% towards travel (cashout possible), if you use Android Pay, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay or LG Pay for in-person, in-app or online purchases. AF $400, no FTF, many other perks.
Barclaycard Priceline Rewards Visa (grandfathered 2x/5x version) - 3.33% if redeemed against Priceline or travel purchases, 2% if redeemed for everything else. No AF, no FTF.
AOD CU Visa Signature - 3% on everything. No AF, no FTF. Discontinued.
Synchrony Paypal Cashback Mastercard - 3% if paid with Paypal, 2% everywhere else, no AF, FTF.
Barclaycard Arrival Premier MC - 3% if you spend exactly $15k or $25k, 2%, if you spend less than $15k. AF $150, FYF, no FTF, some perks. Discontinued.
Bank of America Travel Rewards Visa (with Platinum (Honors) Preferred Rewards) - 2.25/2.625%. No AF, no FTF.
Bank of America Premium Rewards Visa (with Platinum (Honors) Preferred Rewards) - 2.25/2.625%. AF $95, no FTF, some perks.
Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Visa (with Platinum (Honors) Preferred Rewards) - 2.25/2.625%. AF $550, no FTF, many other perks.
USAA Limitless Cashback Rewards Visa - 2.5% (must be USAA member, with $1k direct deposit per month). no AF. Discontinued.
Alliant Cashback Visa Signature - 2.5% up to $10k per cycle, if you have $1k on your checking account. No AF, no FTF.
Barclaycard Arrival Plus MasterCard - 2.1% if you redeem for travel purchases. AF $89, no FTF. Discontinued.
Discover it Miles - 3% (first year only, 1.5% after that). No AF, no FTF.

Exactly 2% Cashback Cards: (alphabetical)

Amex Blue Business Cash - 2% on up to $50k per year. No AF, FTF.
BBVA Compass Rewards Visa - 2%, if you receive $1000 in direct deposits per month to checking account. No AF.
Blispay Visa - 2%. No AF.
Citi Double Cash MasterCard - 2%. No AF, FTF.
Capital One Spark Cash Business Visa - 2%. AF $95, FYF, no FTF.
Capital One Spark Miles Business Visa - 2% if redeemed for travel. AF $95, FYF, no FTF.
Capital One Venture Visa - 2% if you redeem for travel purchases. AF $95, FYF, no FTF.
Capital One Venture X Visa - 2% if you redeem for travel purchases. AF $395, no FTF, many other perks.
Fidelity Rewards Visa - 2%. No AF.
PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa (with Honors Advantage) - 2%. No AF, no FTF.
PNC Premier Traveler Visa - 2% if you redeem for travel purchases. AF $85, FYF, no FTF.
State Department Federal CU Premium Cashback+ Visa - 2%, no AF, no FTF.
Synchrony Paypal Cashback MC - 2% for non-PayPal purchases, no AF, FTF.
Too many to list.













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Which card(s) to use for high spend or large purchases? [Consolidated]

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Old Oct 16, 2016, 5:49 pm
  #196  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Wisconsin
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Delta PM
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Bought a new car in June, and my dealer initially said I could make the $5,000 down payment with a credit card, but after he checked with the sales manager that option mysteriously disappeared.
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Old Oct 16, 2016, 6:34 pm
  #197  
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Originally Posted by LizGross144
but after he checked with the sales manager that option mysteriously disappeared.
As I understand car business, if you negotiate a good deal, CC fee would make a difference between making and losing money for the dealership.
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Old Oct 16, 2016, 6:42 pm
  #198  
 
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We bought a car last month. We made our deal and then I said I wanted to pay by credit card. I've done this in the past and the limit has always been $5,000. No different here and the $5,000 via cc was done after the deal was finalized so it had no impact on the price we paid.
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Old Oct 17, 2016, 8:11 am
  #199  
 
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Originally Posted by ostornadoe1
I didn't tell them I was going to use a CC until the very end, so they didn't have a chance to build any more fees into the negotiated price. Something to keep in mind.
Sharp advice and definitely the way to make this play.
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Old Oct 17, 2016, 12:11 pm
  #200  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
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Originally Posted by EmailKid
As I understand car business, if you negotiate a good deal, CC fee would make a difference between making and losing money for the dealership.
Dealership never loses money.
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Old Oct 17, 2016, 1:31 pm
  #201  
 
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Large Purchase and Smaller CL

I have not been in this situation before, so I do not have direct experience, so would appreciated learned advice:

Lets say one wants to make a $75k purchase on a credit card that has a 60k CL. Is the purchase declined, or is allowed to go through? In this case, I am planning on paying in full when payment is due.

Thanks.
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Old Oct 17, 2016, 1:55 pm
  #202  
mia
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Originally Posted by 747FC
Lets say one wants to make a $75k purchase on a credit card that has a 60k CL.
The answer depends on the card type, and on your history with that card issuer. If you have an American Express charge card, MasterCard World/World Elite or VISA Signature/Infinite the card has a no-preset spending limit feature which means that you can exceed the nominal credit limit (and must repay the overage during the next billing cycle). However, if your typical purchase is $2,000 and you present the card for a $75,000 transaction it will be flagged by the issuer's fraud algorithm, not due to the credit limit. Discuss it with them in advance.
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Old Oct 17, 2016, 2:58 pm
  #203  
 
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Originally Posted by mia
The answer depends on the card type, and on your history with that card issuer. If you have an American Express charge card, MasterCard World/World Elite or VISA Signature/Infinite the card has a no-preset spending limit feature which means that you can exceed the nominal credit limit (and must repay the overage during the next billing cycle). However, if your typical purchase is $2,000 and you present the card for a $75,000 transaction it will be flagged by the issuer's fraud algorithm, not due to the credit limit. Discuss it with them in advance.
Thanks for your helpful input ^
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Old Oct 24, 2016, 6:37 pm
  #204  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 56
Best Credit Card For Large Inventory Purchases???

Hey guys,

Does anyone have any recommendations on credit cards to get for a business who purchases about 20k in inventory a month and spends $5k in advertising?

My current approach is just putting everything on my bold ink and spg card since I value those points the most. I rack up a lot of points per month as my manufacturer allows my inventory (I own a nutrition company) to be purchased via credit card. I'm trying to find a better way to do this. I already use up all $50k 5X points on my bold ink through real estate rehabs (purchasing lowes gcs).

Are there any cards to possibly look into to get the most bang for my buck? The inventory wouldn't qualify as office supplies for bold ink FYI.

Thx!
Cheers
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Old Oct 24, 2016, 8:00 pm
  #205  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Originally Posted by Matt Newman
Hey guys,

Does anyone have any recommendations on credit cards to get for a business who purchases about 20k in inventory a month and spends $5k in advertising?

My current approach is just putting everything on my bold ink and spg card since I value those points the most. I rack up a lot of points per month as my manufacturer allows my inventory (I own a nutrition company) to be purchased via credit card. I'm trying to find a better way to do this. I already use up all $50k 5X points on my bold ink through real estate rehabs (purchasing lowes gcs).

Are there any cards to possibly look into to get the most bang for my buck? The inventory wouldn't qualify as office supplies for bold ink FYI.

Thx!
Cheers
Amex Business Gold Rewards lets you pick a 3x category from a few choices, one of which is advertising "in select media." If your advertising qualifies, it's worth the $175 annual fee IMO. As for the inventory purchases, 1x SPG isn't that bad. Another option, if your purchases are >= $5k each, is the Business Platinum, on which purchases >= $5k now earn 1.5x.
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Old Nov 8, 2016, 8:03 am
  #206  
 
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Big Initial/Year 1 Bonus for Big Spend

It seems like the offers for higher spends are dwindling. I've got about $12K in roofing and siding to buy in the next month or so. I got them to waive the 3% CC fee in the contract but am pretty much churned out at the moment so I'm looking for ideas for a single card to get the best bonus.

I'm way over 5/24 so most everything Chase is out. I won't be back under for 12 months - 18 months if I add one new card.

I'm still in the 24 month window on anything Citi TYP or AA.

They won't take Amex, but I've use up any decent offers there at the moment anyway.

Banned from Barclays due to them freaking out over AOR shenanigans during the days of 0% BT AORs.

About all I see is the BoA Virgin America 90K/$12K but not sure of the value of those points. I do plan on future Europe and North American travel but not sure if I want to start another pool of points.

Also considered the Chase BA visa (non-5/24 as I understand), but their bonuses beyond the initial $3K seem to have disappeared.

Also reviewed the Chase Ritz, but am not into fancy hotels, already have priority pass from Citi Prestige, won't be able to use the $300 travel credit in 2016, .....

Are there any $10K+ spend offers out there I'm missing?
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Old Nov 14, 2016, 5:24 am
  #207  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Jackson, WY
Posts: 543
Originally Posted by 747FC
I have not been in this situation before, so I do not have direct experience, so would appreciated learned advice:

Lets say one wants to make a $75k purchase on a credit card that has a 60k CL. Is the purchase declined, or is allowed to go through? In this case, I am planning on paying in full when payment is due.

Thanks.
Amex will let you prefund if it's outside your normal spend.
Chase will not, all you can do with them is request a higher CL. I've broken charges down into multiple mid five figure payments, but be aware it takes about 3-5 days for charge/payment to show up and clear out. It's not fast.
Haven't done any other banks.
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Old Nov 21, 2016, 12:05 pm
  #208  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
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Programs: AA PP, OZ *G, Hyatt Expl, Marriott Gold, Lots of Ex-statuses
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For the high spenders: What are you spending it on?

Hello everyone,

I was curious to hear about what high credit card spenders actually buy. "high" is relative - for me it's someone who spends more than $10k/month on a card. For people spending over that amount, what are you spending it on?

Edit: To clarify, I'm not referring to MS. Just curious about non-MS spending.

Last edited by Rowyourboat; Nov 21, 2016 at 12:14 pm
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Old Nov 21, 2016, 2:32 pm
  #209  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
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Don't need to be a high spender to tell you what non-business high spenders are spending on.

Eating out--3-4x a week at $100+ a pop
Shopping--people an easily spend $1000, $2000, $3000 or more in a trip to Nordstroms
Travel--cash paid business class/first class tickets, hotels, private cars,

Basically the same as most regular people, just at a higher level.
jags86 is offline  
Old Nov 21, 2016, 3:04 pm
  #210  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: O6 GOLD, SPG GOLD
Posts: 122
Originally Posted by jags86
Don't need to be a high spender to tell you what non-business high spenders are spending on.

Eating out--3-4x a week at $100+ a pop
Shopping--people an easily spend $1000, $2000, $3000 or more in a trip to Nordstroms
Travel--cash paid business class/first class tickets, hotels, private cars,

Basically the same as most regular people, just at a higher level.
A combination of Chase CSR and CFU should cover most categories (INK can be added as well), alternatively Amex Plat and EDP can also be used.
romania2007 is offline  


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