Jan 2, 2017, 9:16 am
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 $85, FYF, no FTF.
State Department Federal CU Premium Cashback+ Visa - 2%, no AF, no FTF.
Synchrony Paypal Cashback MC - 2% for non-PayPal purchases, no AF, FTF.
Too many to list.
1. sign-on bonus, miles, UR or MR points, free nights and cash rewards
2. on-going rewards, points or cashback
3. spending bonus for extra points/$ 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.
Which card(s) to use for high spend or large purchases? [Consolidated]
Nov 21, 2016, 6:44 pm
#211
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
It would seem to me that most non-business high spenders have enough money that they wouldn't likely be bothered by the complexity of this miles/points game.
OTOH, just because someone has high business spend doesn't mean they necessarily have high amounts of personal money for their own personal spend.
For that reason, I would expect most of the high spenders here to be business high spenders.
Nov 21, 2016, 6:48 pm
#212
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Also, don't forget that most of these cards with category bonuses cap those category bonuses, to the point where a high spender might max them out pretty quickly, even if a more humble spender might never approach those limits (without MSing).
So, again, if you're a really big (non-business) spender, you might have different concerns than capped category bonuses, and you wouldn't necessarily choose cards the way an FTer would.
Nov 21, 2016, 7:42 pm
#213
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
This is easy to obtain. MasterCard World/Elite and VISA Signature/Infinite cards have a no present spending limit feature, functionally the same as an American Express charge card.
Adequate credit limits are also available with sufficient income. The definition of high used in the first post wouldn't require an extraordinary revolving limit.
Adequate credit limits are also available with sufficient income. The definition of high used in the first post wouldn't require an extraordinary revolving limit.
Nov 23, 2016, 11:50 pm
#214
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 205
$10000 a month is not hard for a regular middle class family if they are putting all their expenses on credit cards. I rarely put that much on one card but regularly do across cards. Some things I charge are groceries, utility bills, cell phone bill, property taxes, insurance, community college classes for daughter, home improvements, resaurants, take out, parking, gas, even a bottle of water at the gym. I almost never use cash or checks. It all adds up.
Nov 24, 2016, 1:13 am
#215
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 238
I spend about 6-7k a month on cards. I do Prestige for flights/hotels and restaurants, Discover for rotation, EDP for gas and grocery, CSP on other travel, then everything else on Double Cash including electronics (24 month warranty).
When abroad I use Prestige for flights/hotels, CSP for restaurants and Amex Plat for everything else (CSP if Amex isn't accepted).
My income has quadrupled over the last couple of months, I'll still probably keep this combo for a while. I am moving towards easy redemptions and extra benefits and Citi Double Cash hits the spot.
When abroad I use Prestige for flights/hotels, CSP for restaurants and Amex Plat for everything else (CSP if Amex isn't accepted).
My income has quadrupled over the last couple of months, I'll still probably keep this combo for a while. I am moving towards easy redemptions and extra benefits and Citi Double Cash hits the spot.
Last edited by Sintaku; Nov 24, 2016 at 1:25 am
Nov 27, 2016, 9:03 am
#216
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
$10000 a month is not hard for a regular middle class family if they are putting all their expenses on credit cards. I rarely put that much on one card but regularly do across cards. Some things I charge are groceries, utility bills, cell phone bill, property taxes, insurance, community college classes for daughter, home improvements, resaurants, take out, parking, gas, even a bottle of water at the gym. I almost never use cash or checks. It all adds up.
Just switching to credit cards instead of checks or debit cards can bump the spend for people. Paying our various health, home, auto and business insurance bills is in the 20K a year range. Even if a person isn't hitting the miles and points game hard, simply switching to a credit card payment method will net a trip or two a year, especially on a carrier like Southwest.
Nov 27, 2016, 7:16 pm
#217
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,255
$10000 a month is not hard for a regular middle class family if they are putting all their expenses on credit cards. I rarely put that much on one card but regularly do across cards. Some things I charge are groceries, utility bills, cell phone bill, property taxes, insurance, community college classes for daughter, home improvements, resaurants, take out, parking, gas, even a bottle of water at the gym. I almost never use cash or checks. It all adds up.
The median household income before taxes in the United States in 2015 is $56,516.
As of 2014 only 19% of households in the United States made $120,000 or more a year gross.
Anyone putting $120k through credit cards is likely making $300k+/yr, probably more.
Last edited by jags86; Nov 27, 2016 at 7:21 pm
Dec 3, 2016, 2:38 pm
#218
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Places in Palm Beach, Las Vegas, NYC
Programs: AA, Hyatt, Starwood,Delta, Ritz,
Posts: 23
What is the BEST high end card for rewards? I have them all but need to trim back.
I have just given up trying to wait for the people at American Express to grace me with an invite to the black card.
I run about $500,000 a year with everything from lawyer bills to five guys to Ferrari and everything in-between. I also charge a ton on internet purchases like eBay and Amazon as it is easier than leaving the house to buy stuff. My Credit score is 800+
I added a Platinum Amex business to go with my Platinum personal which I had for a long time. They offered 100,000 point so I took them. This puts me at $900 to Amex in fees.
I also got the chase sapphire reserve which costs $400 a year but I got $300 back on my first cruise as a travel rebate.
I have a Citi Prestige card that is another $450 and aside from access to the America Air lounges I am not sure what it offers.
Lastly my standard BOA rewards card offers about 2.15% pure cash back with my 75% rewards bonus.
I am sure I don't need all these cards. I think the business platinum is better than the perosnal card but was told that if I cancel my perosnal platinum card there is no chance I get a centurion invite. That said if after 4 year I haven't then I suspect I won't.
As you can see from my post count they are few and I am not the best at this stuff but can tell you are a bunch of total experts and am seeking advice on the best way to go?
Thanks all.
I run about $500,000 a year with everything from lawyer bills to five guys to Ferrari and everything in-between. I also charge a ton on internet purchases like eBay and Amazon as it is easier than leaving the house to buy stuff. My Credit score is 800+
I added a Platinum Amex business to go with my Platinum personal which I had for a long time. They offered 100,000 point so I took them. This puts me at $900 to Amex in fees.
I also got the chase sapphire reserve which costs $400 a year but I got $300 back on my first cruise as a travel rebate.
I have a Citi Prestige card that is another $450 and aside from access to the America Air lounges I am not sure what it offers.
Lastly my standard BOA rewards card offers about 2.15% pure cash back with my 75% rewards bonus.
I am sure I don't need all these cards. I think the business platinum is better than the perosnal card but was told that if I cancel my perosnal platinum card there is no chance I get a centurion invite. That said if after 4 year I haven't then I suspect I won't.
As you can see from my post count they are few and I am not the best at this stuff but can tell you are a bunch of total experts and am seeking advice on the best way to go?
Thanks all.
Dec 3, 2016, 3:43 pm
#219
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
What do you value the most in terms of rewards? Is there a particular reason why you want AmEx to give you a Centurion invite?
For me, I'd probably go with CSR but that's because I value UR more and also because I get more use from the $300 travel credit than I would with any of the others. Of course, travel habits etc. may make the decision different for others.
For me, I'd probably go with CSR but that's because I value UR more and also because I get more use from the $300 travel credit than I would with any of the others. Of course, travel habits etc. may make the decision different for others.
Dec 3, 2016, 8:18 pm
#220
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Places in Palm Beach, Las Vegas, NYC
Programs: AA, Hyatt, Starwood,Delta, Ritz,
Posts: 23
Thanks for the reply. I would only want the black card for any possible positive impression it would make for business dealings, kind of like a nice watch,etc.
I think CSR is chase reserve but what is the other? Is there any upside to keeping the Citi Prestige card that merits its high price Tag?
What's a UR?
I think CSR is chase reserve but what is the other? Is there any upside to keeping the Citi Prestige card that merits its high price Tag?
What's a UR?
Last edited by mia; Dec 6, 2016 at 8:54 am Reason: Combine consecutive replies.
Dec 3, 2016, 8:52 pm
#221
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 62
Wait a sec, you're worried about $1800 ($1500 if accounting for the CSR, and down to $1300 if you factor in the Amex annual credit to buy giftcards) in credit card annual fees, yet you want a Centurion with a $5000 initiation and $2500 AF?
Dec 3, 2016, 9:43 pm
#222
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 728
Ultimate Rewards points from Chase cards. redeemable for lots of different airlines or hotels. I value Starwood points the highest so would put my spend there as long as Starwood and Marriott programs remain somewhat independent
You need to provide more info on what you value most and what your travel patterns are
You need to provide more info on what you value most and what your travel patterns are
Dec 3, 2016, 10:47 pm
#223
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 62
Thanks for the reply. I would only want the black card for any possible positive impression it would make for business dealings, kind of like a nice watch,etc.
I think CSR is chase reserve but what is the other? Is there any upside to keeping the Citi Prestige card that merits its high price Tag?
I think CSR is chase reserve but what is the other? Is there any upside to keeping the Citi Prestige card that merits its high price Tag?
Dec 6, 2016, 8:56 am
#225
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958