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]
Jun 23, 2022, 6:33 pm
#511
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
For a 1 card solution to the family
- no one worries about which card to use- gets 2% cash back
- Tracks individual users amounts separately - unlike Citi which shares same number
- All users get PPass, Lounge, Hertz status etc -
- needs only 1 card unlike Citi that needs 2 cards Double cash and a premier card
- Visa - so can use at Costco
Honestly - my family now has 1 Card for most personal spend for everyone = Cap 1
I carry the Chase Ink Plus - still gets 5X at office stores and transfers
BofA for 2.625% for me
Rest are all kept for benefits only - with minimal spend
WN - upgraded boardings x4
Hyatt for hotel benefits
UA - no fee to keep accounts alive and minimal benefits
DL Reserve card for status and lounge - I downgraded this to fee free 2 yrs ago, but travel is picking up
Amex Platinum = 5 people on it for lounges
I had the Citi and racked up a few 100k but found that I needed a premier card to transfer points
I still keep the double cash for future transfers to Choice
- no one worries about which card to use- gets 2% cash back
- Tracks individual users amounts separately - unlike Citi which shares same number
- All users get PPass, Lounge, Hertz status etc -
- needs only 1 card unlike Citi that needs 2 cards Double cash and a premier card
- Visa - so can use at Costco
Honestly - my family now has 1 Card for most personal spend for everyone = Cap 1
I carry the Chase Ink Plus - still gets 5X at office stores and transfers
BofA for 2.625% for me
Rest are all kept for benefits only - with minimal spend
WN - upgraded boardings x4
Hyatt for hotel benefits
UA - no fee to keep accounts alive and minimal benefits
DL Reserve card for status and lounge - I downgraded this to fee free 2 yrs ago, but travel is picking up
Amex Platinum = 5 people on it for lounges
I had the Citi and racked up a few 100k but found that I needed a premier card to transfer points
I still keep the double cash for future transfers to Choice
Jun 24, 2022, 9:34 am
#512
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: 1,980
For a 1 card solution to the family
- no one worries about which card to use- gets 2% cash back
- Tracks individual users amounts separately - unlike Citi which shares same number
- All users get PPass, Lounge, Hertz status etc -
- needs only 1 card unlike Citi that needs 2 cards Double cash and a premier card
- Visa - so can use at Costco
Honestly - my family now has 1 Card for most personal spend for everyone = Cap 1
I carry the Chase Ink Plus - still gets 5X at office stores and transfers
BofA for 2.625% for me
Rest are all kept for benefits only - with minimal spend
WN - upgraded boardings x4
Hyatt for hotel benefits
UA - no fee to keep accounts alive and minimal benefits
DL Reserve card for status and lounge - I downgraded this to fee free 2 yrs ago, but travel is picking up
Amex Platinum = 5 people on it for lounges
I had the Citi and racked up a few 100k but found that I needed a premier card to transfer points
I still keep the double cash for future transfers to Choice
- no one worries about which card to use- gets 2% cash back
- Tracks individual users amounts separately - unlike Citi which shares same number
- All users get PPass, Lounge, Hertz status etc -
- needs only 1 card unlike Citi that needs 2 cards Double cash and a premier card
- Visa - so can use at Costco
Honestly - my family now has 1 Card for most personal spend for everyone = Cap 1
I carry the Chase Ink Plus - still gets 5X at office stores and transfers
BofA for 2.625% for me
Rest are all kept for benefits only - with minimal spend
WN - upgraded boardings x4
Hyatt for hotel benefits
UA - no fee to keep accounts alive and minimal benefits
DL Reserve card for status and lounge - I downgraded this to fee free 2 yrs ago, but travel is picking up
Amex Platinum = 5 people on it for lounges
I had the Citi and racked up a few 100k but found that I needed a premier card to transfer points
I still keep the double cash for future transfers to Choice
Citi categories are better, IMO, especially if you have Prestige, Double Cash and Custom Cash. You get 5x on most spend (if you have multiple CCC cards), and 2x on everything else.
With Premier the categories are also better. You get gas, and some travel in addition to just dining and groceries for Cap1.
For Costco and most of other purchases I use USB Altitude Reserve, and it's added to mobile wallets of all of my family members.
For online I have Citi AT&T Access More (3x), backed by Rakuten (3x), Priceline (3.33%) and Paypal (3%)
But I recently got Venture X and planning to get Savor One for groceries (currently using Altitude Reserve for that).
Cancelled all of my Platinums, Gold and trying to reduce my Amex cards to minimum (BBP, Hilton Aspire, Surpass, will probably replace Aspire with Hilton Business), got Business Gold for the bonus, but it will be cancelled after AF, since I have Ink Preferred. Will cancel Amex Bonvoy, replacing with Chase Boundless, and later Ritz.
You can actually Pair Venture X with Citi Premier and Custom Cash, which will a better combo than Venture X/Savor/Savor1.
Last edited by yugi; Jun 24, 2022 at 9:49 am
Apr 16, 2023, 10:09 pm
#513
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: LAX, SNA
Programs: B6 M4, AA Plat Pro, WoH Globalist, IHG Diamond Amb, MB Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 1,476
Huge Upcoming Spend of $80k, can be Broken Down, Looking for ATH Card Recommendations
Any ATH SUB recommendations?
Have P1, P2, P3, P4.
P1 is 4/24 dropping to 3/24 in September. P2, P3, P4 are all blank slates (0/24 or 1/24). Open to biz cards. Looking for ATH subs, so far looked at biz Plat, biz Gold, personal Plat and Gold refer offers, and Inks. Open to any ideas. Want to prioritize UR->MR->Hyatt->Alaska/American->Everything else
Have P1, P2, P3, P4.
P1 is 4/24 dropping to 3/24 in September. P2, P3, P4 are all blank slates (0/24 or 1/24). Open to biz cards. Looking for ATH subs, so far looked at biz Plat, biz Gold, personal Plat and Gold refer offers, and Inks. Open to any ideas. Want to prioritize UR->MR->Hyatt->Alaska/American->Everything else
Apr 17, 2023, 10:22 am
#514
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ewing, NJ
Programs: OnePass, Delta
Posts: 244
Cash Back Card To Apply For????
Hello all - I currently have CSP and BofA Travel Rewards now I have a quite large, for me, dental bill coming up (approx $25k) and thought that a CB card would be best for this.
Any suggestions as to which card I need to consider which has a, relatively long, 0% intro offer???
TIA for your thoughts and input... bo1953
Any suggestions as to which card I need to consider which has a, relatively long, 0% intro offer???
TIA for your thoughts and input... bo1953
Apr 17, 2023, 3:24 pm
#515
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Indianapolis area
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 436
Hello all - I currently have CSP and BofA Travel Rewards now I have a quite large, for me, dental bill coming up (approx $25k) and thought that a CB card would be best for this.
Any suggestions as to which card I need to consider which has a, relatively long, 0% intro offer???
TIA for your thoughts and input... bo1953
Any suggestions as to which card I need to consider which has a, relatively long, 0% intro offer???
TIA for your thoughts and input... bo1953
Apr 20, 2023, 8:14 am
#516
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ewing, NJ
Programs: OnePass, Delta
Posts: 244
$25k Purchase Over The Next 12 Months - Follow Up...
In anyone's experience, which of these or type of card will possibly yield a better return, overall.
I have an application in process for the WFAC card, though.
TIA - bo1953
Apr 20, 2023, 8:19 am
#517
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
Apr 20, 2023, 3:43 pm
#518
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ewing, NJ
Programs: OnePass, Delta
Posts: 244
mia - thank you very much for your reply...
There will be two (2) charges, primarily, $12.5 each about eight (8) months apart...
I may have another charge of $4k for airline tickets, which will be in late May or early June.
TIA - bo1953
There will be two (2) charges, primarily, $12.5 each about eight (8) months apart...
I may have another charge of $4k for airline tickets, which will be in late May or early June.
TIA - bo1953
Last edited by bo1953; Apr 25, 2023 at 9:06 am
May 10, 2023, 11:11 am
#519
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SEA/NYC/IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 1,932
So I'm doing some spreadsheet projections and it looks like I'm going to have up to $85k annually in excess spend I could divert onto a credit card. My current default is to throw it on a Venture X at 2x unbonused for 170k Venture Miles. I'm wondering if there's anything interesting side opportunities I'm missing though. If I added a Hyatt card for instance, this would be 39 or 40 EQN (plus the FNAs and points of course) which makes earning and maintaining Globalist much easier, about on par with stacking personal and business Marriott cards.
Assuming a Venture Mile is worth roughly the same as a MR/UR (let's say 2cpp) the base spend would earn me $3400.
Putting 85k on a Hyatt card would earn me 85k Hyatt (let's say $1530 at 1.8cpp) plus 40 EQN and 2xFNAs. I have enough organic stays that I could make Globalist from there even given Hyatt's limited footprint.
Assuming a Venture Mile is worth roughly the same as a MR/UR (let's say 2cpp) the base spend would earn me $3400.
Putting 85k on a Hyatt card would earn me 85k Hyatt (let's say $1530 at 1.8cpp) plus 40 EQN and 2xFNAs. I have enough organic stays that I could make Globalist from there even given Hyatt's limited footprint.
May 11, 2023, 8:34 pm
#521
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,299
With $85 anticipated spend, without regard to SUBs, if Hyatt points are the goal, Chase Ink Biz Unlimited is an excellent choice. Unlimited 1.5x UR which are easily transferrable to Hyatt. If Hyatt TQN is a goal, then IIRC for $85K spend annually, one would earn a few more TQN with the biz card than the personal card (as below).
$85K is also enough to meet minimum spend on many cards (and thus accumulate many more points than spend only), several of which either earn Hyatt points (Hyatt personal and Hyatt biz) or are easily transferable to Hyatt (Ink Cash, Ink Unlimited, Ink Preferred).
$85K is also enough to meet minimum spend on many cards (and thus accumulate many more points than spend only), several of which either earn Hyatt points (Hyatt personal and Hyatt biz) or are easily transferable to Hyatt (Ink Cash, Ink Unlimited, Ink Preferred).
(July 2022) …Personal card: 5 World of Hyatt Tier-Qualifying Night (TQN) within 8 weeks of your account open date and every calendar year after your first year 5 TQNs within 8 weeks of January 1.
and
Earn 2 TQN for every $5,000 in purchases
Business card: 5 TQN for every $10,000 in purchases each calendar year.
<$50K annual spend: Pers card more TQN than Biz
(example $45K: Pers 23 TQN, Biz 20 TQN)
$50K annual spend: Pers 25 TQN, Biz 25 TQN
$55K annual spend: Pers 27 TQN, Biz 25 TQN
$60K annual spend: Pers 29 TQN, Biz 30 TQN
$65K annual spend: Pers 31 TQN, Biz 30 TQN
$70K annual spend: Pers 33 TQN, Biz 35 TQN
($75K annual spend: Pers 35 TQN, Biz 35 TQN)
($70K annual spend: Pers 37 TQN, Biz 40 TQN)
(>$70K annual spend: Biz card more TQN than Pers)
(Kinda complicated, like the “catch up” charts and graphs for taking Social Security at 65 or 67 or 70, it’s challenging to figure out where the lines intersect and where you expect to be on those lines.)…
and
Earn 2 TQN for every $5,000 in purchases
Business card: 5 TQN for every $10,000 in purchases each calendar year.
<$50K annual spend: Pers card more TQN than Biz
(example $45K: Pers 23 TQN, Biz 20 TQN)
$50K annual spend: Pers 25 TQN, Biz 25 TQN
$55K annual spend: Pers 27 TQN, Biz 25 TQN
$60K annual spend: Pers 29 TQN, Biz 30 TQN
$65K annual spend: Pers 31 TQN, Biz 30 TQN
$70K annual spend: Pers 33 TQN, Biz 35 TQN
($75K annual spend: Pers 35 TQN, Biz 35 TQN)
($70K annual spend: Pers 37 TQN, Biz 40 TQN)
(>$70K annual spend: Biz card more TQN than Pers)
(Kinda complicated, like the “catch up” charts and graphs for taking Social Security at 65 or 67 or 70, it’s challenging to figure out where the lines intersect and where you expect to be on those lines.)…
May 11, 2023, 10:27 pm
#522
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SEA/NYC/IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 1,932
With $85 anticipated spend, without regard to SUBs, if Hyatt points are the goal, Chase Ink Biz Unlimited is an excellent choice. Unlimited 1.5x UR which are easily transferrable to Hyatt. If Hyatt TQN is a goal, then IIRC for $85K spend annually, one would earn a few more TQN with the biz card than the personal card (as below).
$85K is also enough to meet minimum spend on many cards (and thus accumulate many more points than spend only), several of which either earn Hyatt points (Hyatt personal and Hyatt biz) or are easily transferable to Hyatt (Ink Cash, Ink Unlimited, Ink Preferred).
$85K is also enough to meet minimum spend on many cards (and thus accumulate many more points than spend only), several of which either earn Hyatt points (Hyatt personal and Hyatt biz) or are easily transferable to Hyatt (Ink Cash, Ink Unlimited, Ink Preferred).
I figure with this level of spend I might be able to shortcut my way to some kind of status, probably Hyatt, but wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking anything obvious. AA doesn't offer good connectivity to my home airports, otherwise I'd consider the crazy Loyalty Points shell game.
Aug 14, 2023, 11:00 am
#523
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,436
Best card to high travel spend?
What would be the best card to get for someone with very high travel spend who doesn't use most card benefits?
For example, the CSR offers a $300 travel benefit off a $595 annual fee, bringing the effective fee down to $295. Compared to a 2% cash back card, this means that you're better off with the CSR if you spend more than $30,000 on travel, based on the ability to redeem points at $0.01. You could do better booking travel through their portal, but the customer service from the portal seems a mess if plans change, etc. The other major value of the CSR is the trip insurance.
Amex Plat offer 5x on flights, but not on hotels booked direct or through your own travel agent, but no obvious way to redeem points for cash. It also offers a variety of other things that don't seem useful to me, such as a hotel benefit that requires prepaying.
BofA offers a card that would be attractive, but it requires leaving a large balance with BofA.
Is there another card to consider?
For example, the CSR offers a $300 travel benefit off a $595 annual fee, bringing the effective fee down to $295. Compared to a 2% cash back card, this means that you're better off with the CSR if you spend more than $30,000 on travel, based on the ability to redeem points at $0.01. You could do better booking travel through their portal, but the customer service from the portal seems a mess if plans change, etc. The other major value of the CSR is the trip insurance.
Amex Plat offer 5x on flights, but not on hotels booked direct or through your own travel agent, but no obvious way to redeem points for cash. It also offers a variety of other things that don't seem useful to me, such as a hotel benefit that requires prepaying.
BofA offers a card that would be attractive, but it requires leaving a large balance with BofA.
Is there another card to consider?
Aug 14, 2023, 11:09 am
#524
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,606
Yes: the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa. Details here:
https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/...edit-card.html
https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/...edit-card.html
Aug 14, 2023, 11:37 am
#525
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,436
Yes: the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa. Details here:
https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/...edit-card.html
https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/...edit-card.html