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]
Oct 31, 2017, 6:46 am
#301
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 384
If you're focusing your search too tight you'll have problems. Regardless of spend the approach to analysis is the same. With rewards programs you still have to do your own homework to determine the value you can leverage with each program to see which is best suited to you.
Oct 31, 2017, 10:35 am
#302
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
I definately would never charge $100k on any of the AA Cards.
If you're spending a lot on airfare, you should get the Personal AMEX Platinum which gives you 5 Membership rewards points per dollar. These points can be transferred to BA which can be used to book AA and other OW partners. They also transfer to programs like Flying Blue and ANA and you'll have the flexibility of booking award flights with all 3 alliances.
The "best" card right now for everyday spend is the Citi Doublecash/Fidelity Visa, which will give you 2% back on all spend. If you prefer the miles over the cash back the Starwood Amex gives you 1x starpoint per dollar which has 25+ transfer partners that transfer 20,000 : 25,000 (1:1.25). The chase products are also a decent option, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) offering 3x points on Dining and Travel and a number of 1:1 transfer partners.
If you're spending a lot on airfare, you should get the Personal AMEX Platinum which gives you 5 Membership rewards points per dollar. These points can be transferred to BA which can be used to book AA and other OW partners. They also transfer to programs like Flying Blue and ANA and you'll have the flexibility of booking award flights with all 3 alliances.
The "best" card right now for everyday spend is the Citi Doublecash/Fidelity Visa, which will give you 2% back on all spend. If you prefer the miles over the cash back the Starwood Amex gives you 1x starpoint per dollar which has 25+ transfer partners that transfer 20,000 : 25,000 (1:1.25). The chase products are also a decent option, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) offering 3x points on Dining and Travel and a number of 1:1 transfer partners.
Nov 4, 2017, 6:25 pm
#303
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 213
I was looking at the wiki on page 1, and an update would be that PayPal Cashback Mastercard recently waived the FTF.
But it still has a con: I don't think has offline PIN support for purchases.
Compared to PenFed Power Cash Rewards (Visa), which of the two would be a better card?
Both are 2% cash back, but Visa has slightly worse exchange rate than MC, while the PayPal doesn't have offline pin.
But it still has a con: I don't think has offline PIN support for purchases.
Compared to PenFed Power Cash Rewards (Visa), which of the two would be a better card?
Both are 2% cash back, but Visa has slightly worse exchange rate than MC, while the PayPal doesn't have offline pin.
Nov 20, 2017, 1:06 pm
#305
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 7
Best credit card for spending?
We have a small business and spend over $200-300K on business expenses every year. We also do quite a bit of traveling every year and probably spend about $30-40K on hotels, car rentals, flights, etc. And then we spend about $600/month on cell phone, internet, and satellite TV.
Right now we just have a Citi Aadvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard which we use for the business purchases and earn AA miles. We also have a Hyatt card for personal expenses which we earn Hyatt points. I feel like we aren't getting the maximum value for our spending with these cards. I'd also like to have more options than just AA and Hyatt. I've been trying to read about the best programs but it's all so confusing. It seems the Barclays Arrival Plus, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Ink are all popular options. And now there is a Chase Sapphire Reserve?
I think we'd like to focus most of our points on airline miles instead of hotels (that's why I didn't include Starwood). I'd love to get your thoughts on the best rewards program for us.
Right now we just have a Citi Aadvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard which we use for the business purchases and earn AA miles. We also have a Hyatt card for personal expenses which we earn Hyatt points. I feel like we aren't getting the maximum value for our spending with these cards. I'd also like to have more options than just AA and Hyatt. I've been trying to read about the best programs but it's all so confusing. It seems the Barclays Arrival Plus, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Ink are all popular options. And now there is a Chase Sapphire Reserve?
I think we'd like to focus most of our points on airline miles instead of hotels (that's why I didn't include Starwood). I'd love to get your thoughts on the best rewards program for us.
Nov 20, 2017, 4:55 pm
#306
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,427
Welcome to FlyerTalk mac1986
We already have an existing long thread on this subject, so I merged your post into it. Please look at some previous answers and feel free to follow up on previous advice.
~moderator
We already have an existing long thread on this subject, so I merged your post into it. Please look at some previous answers and feel free to follow up on previous advice.
~moderator
Nov 29, 2017, 11:23 am
#307
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: Southwest, SPG, Marriott, UR & Amex
Posts: 79
Building a house - Which card?
I am planning to build a home within the next year.
Before anyone tells me not to apply for credit when applying for a mortgage - The house will be built cash.
That being said, I want to maximize my earning on a credit card - Mainly on travel rewards.
I know signup bonuses and categories change seasonally, but what would be an ideal credit card for such an endeavor?
I will be spending about $100k + within a few months time mainly on lumberyards, hardware stores, construction based shops, etc.
My wallet already has the a southwest card, basic everday rewards card from amex, and chase preferred.
So far this is my thought process:
1. Get new southwest cards and meet minimum spending for the CP
2. Get chase ink and meet minimum spending for the UR
Where to charge the main chunk of my expense to get the best travel rewards after i meet minimum spending in the above mentioned cards?
Any other cards to consider?
Discuss
Before anyone tells me not to apply for credit when applying for a mortgage - The house will be built cash.
That being said, I want to maximize my earning on a credit card - Mainly on travel rewards.
I know signup bonuses and categories change seasonally, but what would be an ideal credit card for such an endeavor?
I will be spending about $100k + within a few months time mainly on lumberyards, hardware stores, construction based shops, etc.
My wallet already has the a southwest card, basic everday rewards card from amex, and chase preferred.
So far this is my thought process:
1. Get new southwest cards and meet minimum spending for the CP
2. Get chase ink and meet minimum spending for the UR
Where to charge the main chunk of my expense to get the best travel rewards after i meet minimum spending in the above mentioned cards?
Any other cards to consider?
Discuss
Nov 29, 2017, 2:15 pm
#310
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP/4MM, DL GM/1MM, HH ♦, Bonvoy LT PLT, Hyatt Globalist, AMEX Bus Plt
Posts: 620
We just completed a major remodel on our home. Purchased tons of gift cards at office supply for Home Depot and Lowes at 5x maxing out Chase ink plus cards from both me and wife.
Nov 29, 2017, 3:53 pm
#311
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: Southwest, SPG, Marriott, UR & Amex
Posts: 79
Nov 29, 2017, 6:18 pm
#312
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAS, MPL
Programs: DL Platinum, 1 MM
Posts: 1,320
Nov 29, 2017, 6:44 pm
#313
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,427
Nov 29, 2017, 7:45 pm
#314
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: Southwest, SPG, Marriott, UR & Amex
Posts: 79
Mar 9, 2018, 7:33 pm
#315
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 7
Best Rewards CC for $2.5M in annual purchases
My small business spends approximately 2.5 million per year in our company credit card. We currently have the Chase ink Business Cash card. Almost all of our purchases fall in the 1% rewards categories adding up to around 28k per year in rewards. We prefer to redeem our rewards for travel.
I'm trying to find the best card to use for travel rewards redemption. I think the answer is the Gold Luxury MasterCard, which would result in around 50k per year in travel rewards. Anything else I should consider?
I'm trying to find the best card to use for travel rewards redemption. I think the answer is the Gold Luxury MasterCard, which would result in around 50k per year in travel rewards. Anything else I should consider?