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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 Aug 17, 2017, 7:51 pm
  #286  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,135
High spend cards

guys - I've found a car dealer that'll sell me the car taking the whole thing of about 35k on credit card. He wasn't sure if he'll allow me 1 or 2 credit cards but wondering which cards provide the best value for high spend if I have to put 35k on a single transaction. My credit is no issue so I should be able to get that high a credit

Thanks
sam007 is offline  
Old Aug 17, 2017, 9:19 pm
  #287  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 728
depends on your goal. Cash back, hotel status, airlines miles?? it will vary for each individual depending on their personal goals so you might want to provide more info to get a better answer.
g8trgr8t is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2017, 12:49 am
  #288  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,978
Originally Posted by sam007
guys - I've found a car dealer that'll sell me the car taking the whole thing of about 35k on credit card. He wasn't sure if he'll allow me 1 or 2 credit cards but wondering which cards provide the best value for high spend if I have to put 35k on a single transaction. My credit is no issue so I should be able to get that high a credit

Thanks
You should get a few cards with high bonuses and use them.
yugi is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2017, 5:36 am
  #289  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,135
cash back and airline miles both will do. I'm going to try to convince them to allow me to use 2 cards, each will get about 17k
sam007 is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2017, 6:31 am
  #290  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 384
For which airline(s)? You can also sort this out yourself by looking at the transfer partners of the rewards programs.

Which programs can you get the highest redemption value for? If you haven't looked into this then you need to do your due diligence. Once you've sorted that out you can determine if you can meet or beat the cash back options or whether cash back would give you the same value with less hassle.
takeshi74 is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2017, 6:32 am
  #291  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,135
I already have but the bonuses top off at a $5000 or $10,000 spend and putting 17k on a card doesn't yield me much benefit
sam007 is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2017, 4:10 pm
  #292  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Georgia
Programs: DL DM/2MM
Posts: 1,037
Originally Posted by sam007
guys - I've found a car dealer that'll sell me the car taking the whole thing of about 35k on credit card. He wasn't sure if he'll allow me 1 or 2 credit cards but wondering which cards provide the best value for high spend if I have to put 35k on a single transaction. My credit is no issue so I should be able to get that high a credit

Thanks
If he's willing to let you put the whole thing on a CC, then you haven't negotiated him down to his bottom line price yet. Decide which is worth more to you.
safigan is offline  
Old Aug 18, 2017, 11:59 pm
  #293  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
Sounds like since OP doesn't have the card(s) in hand the dealer isn't taking him seriously yet.
mhdena is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2017, 8:28 am
  #294  
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 303
What is best current promotion in U.S. for visa/MasterCard?

Need to make a $7,500 purchase today and want to use a new card with a huge bonus of points/miles in U.S.

Looking for a personal card. Have an excellent credit score. What should I get?
spike74 is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2017, 9:46 am
  #295  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
Literal today? As not all banks will approve and provide card info for purchasing use. From application to card delivery could be 2 days to a week.
What cards do you currently have?
What have you had in the recent past? (5 years)
Do you already have awards with a program?
Yoshi212 is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2017, 10:36 am
  #296  
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 303
I have an Amex card as my main points card but am looking for something else. I live in NYC so any airline would work but would prefer pints that can be used on many airlines. Need the card today or tomorrow (wed).
spike74 is offline  
Old Aug 22, 2017, 12:09 pm
  #297  
mia
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Start here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...scription.html

...but most issuers will not allow you to use a new account until you receive the physical card.
mia is offline  
Old Aug 23, 2017, 8:28 pm
  #298  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 15
What card(s) would you guys recommend for a business averaging $300-400k/mo in spend? We want to maximize using rewards for airline/travel expenses.

We already have the Amex platinum and maximize the $5k+ 1.5x multiplier, but the 500,000 mile refund cap sucks. With 35% back, we are hitting that cap quickly.
ryanjm is offline  
Old Aug 27, 2017, 5:31 am
  #299  
mia
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Originally Posted by ryanjm
What card(s) would you guys recommend for a business averaging $300-400k/mo in spend? ...
What are the primary spending categories?
mia is offline  
Old Oct 30, 2017, 11:50 pm
  #300  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 9
Best Credit Card for High Spenders?

I have not seen this addressed specifically - excuse me if my use of the search function is poor.

I generally spend $100k+ per year on my AAdvantage Executive card. I recently applied for the Barclays Red card (and will upgrade to Silver when I can) But is this the best card, all things considered, for me?

I fly AA 95% of the time but don't fly enough to earn status that way beyond Gold. My main interest is points and status.

Thanks in advance for your help!
asudan is offline  


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