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]
Feb 3, 2015, 12:25 pm
#91
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 9
Thanks, folks. The payment is for a world cruise...bought through a special friends and family program at a special rate with special payment rules (total payment at time of booking using a credit card). Nothing can be negotiated.
I checked and I can use more than one card.
My credit limit on my main card is - surprisingly - almost $50,000 so that's not a problem
Dori
I checked and I can use more than one card.
My credit limit on my main card is - surprisingly - almost $50,000 so that's not a problem
Dori
Feb 3, 2015, 12:32 pm
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Thanks, folks. The payment is for a world cruise...bought through a special friends and family program at a special rate with special payment rules (total payment at time of booking using a credit card). Nothing can be negotiated.
I checked and I can use more than one card.
My credit limit on my main card is - surprisingly - almost $50,000 so that's not a problem
Dori
I checked and I can use more than one card.
My credit limit on my main card is - surprisingly - almost $50,000 so that's not a problem
Dori
If you don't have the card, would recommend you apply. You can get 40,000 miles after a nominal spend and then another 48,000 miles for your cruise purchase. So nearly 100,000 miles which you can transfer to a number of airlines including United, Singapore, Korean, British.
https://creditcards.chase.com/sapphi...Chase+Sapphire
Feb 3, 2015, 11:24 pm
#94
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Pacific NW
Programs: AS MVP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 126
I second the Chase Sapphire if you have time to apply and receive the card before making the charge. Since your only Chase card is IHG, in my experience, if you have had the IHG card at least 6 months, you may get a high credit limit on the Sapphire. That will then allow you to diversify airlines in addition to AA. Diversity is good in this game.
Feb 3, 2015, 11:29 pm
#95
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
For a cruise (or plane tickets), definitely pay by credit card, not check/paypal/western union/bank transfer/debit card/etc.
Feb 13, 2015, 4:06 pm
#97
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 9
SFO777 - thanks so much for the excellent advice. I applied for the Chase Sapphire and managed to get a $19,000 credit limit. The card was delivered yesterday. The cabin I wanted was still available. I purchased the cruise this morning and the web site would only accept one credit card. Surprised me that it was accepted for over $25,000! I called Chase and was told it was ok even though it was $6000 over my limit! Got 90,000 points! Just as you predicted!
drminn said - "make sure you pay it off before the statement closes, otherwise your utilization may go through the roof and your credit score will take a dive for a few cycles."
Not sure I understand what you mean. I plan to pay it off when I get the first statement. That's soon enough, isn't it?
Cheers, and thanks again for all the advice.
Dee
drminn said - "make sure you pay it off before the statement closes, otherwise your utilization may go through the roof and your credit score will take a dive for a few cycles."
Not sure I understand what you mean. I plan to pay it off when I get the first statement. That's soon enough, isn't it?
Cheers, and thanks again for all the advice.
Dee
Feb 14, 2015, 9:16 am
#98
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 111
Making a big purchase - any rationale to open a NEW CC?
In the upcoming months, I will be spending close to $30K in CC purchases. What is the best credit card for such a situation that will maximize my gains?
based out of EWR/LGA/JFK - we travel to MIA/FLL 2-3 times a year. We will be taking an international trip this July for approx 2 weeks - just not sure where as this will be a honeymoon. Probably somewhere warm and relaxing
currently have capital one venture with about 117K points, amex gold with 45K points, ba avios with 50K points and amex cash back preferred with about a $1k balance.
should we just use what we have? open a new card? etc etc
would appreciate any input. thanks again.
edit - forgot to mention that we have other cards that we don't use much/at all. Discover, Chase Slate, Penfed Platinum Rewards - actually use this one for gas only.
based out of EWR/LGA/JFK - we travel to MIA/FLL 2-3 times a year. We will be taking an international trip this July for approx 2 weeks - just not sure where as this will be a honeymoon. Probably somewhere warm and relaxing
currently have capital one venture with about 117K points, amex gold with 45K points, ba avios with 50K points and amex cash back preferred with about a $1k balance.
should we just use what we have? open a new card? etc etc
would appreciate any input. thanks again.
edit - forgot to mention that we have other cards that we don't use much/at all. Discover, Chase Slate, Penfed Platinum Rewards - actually use this one for gas only.
Feb 14, 2015, 3:05 pm
#101
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 96
Generally speaking, you should probably research what you want to get out of the card before looking for "best value". So much of it depends on how you use miles/points/etc.
Overall, a card like the Barclay Arrival+ gives you about 2.2% back to spend on travel purchases. Do you want to use your rewards for travel? Do you already pay for premium cabins and are looking for miles to use for upgrade (big bang for the buck if you're paying already)? Do you have a vacation goal in mind, perhaps a particular hotel or hotel group that might be interesting?
These are the questions you should ask yourself before choosing a card, in my opinion.
Then, you can look at sign-up bonuses. 30k is enough spend to get the sign-up bonuses on multiple cards, so long as you can use them all. You could get 40k Barclay A+, 40k Sapphire, 25k SPG for instance, and still have some spend to spread around.
Overall, a card like the Barclay Arrival+ gives you about 2.2% back to spend on travel purchases. Do you want to use your rewards for travel? Do you already pay for premium cabins and are looking for miles to use for upgrade (big bang for the buck if you're paying already)? Do you have a vacation goal in mind, perhaps a particular hotel or hotel group that might be interesting?
These are the questions you should ask yourself before choosing a card, in my opinion.
Then, you can look at sign-up bonuses. 30k is enough spend to get the sign-up bonuses on multiple cards, so long as you can use them all. You could get 40k Barclay A+, 40k Sapphire, 25k SPG for instance, and still have some spend to spread around.
Feb 14, 2015, 3:55 pm
#102
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 111
Generally speaking, you should probably research what you want to get out of the card before looking for "best value". So much of it depends on how you use miles/points/etc.
Overall, a card like the Barclay Arrival+ gives you about 2.2% back to spend on travel purchases. Do you want to use your rewards for travel? Do you already pay for premium cabins and are looking for miles to use for upgrade (big bang for the buck if you're paying already)? Do you have a vacation goal in mind, perhaps a particular hotel or hotel group that might be interesting?
These are the questions you should ask yourself before choosing a card, in my opinion.
Then, you can look at sign-up bonuses. 30k is enough spend to get the sign-up bonuses on multiple cards, so long as you can use them all. You could get 40k Barclay A+, 40k Sapphire, 25k SPG for instance, and still have some spend to spread around.
Overall, a card like the Barclay Arrival+ gives you about 2.2% back to spend on travel purchases. Do you want to use your rewards for travel? Do you already pay for premium cabins and are looking for miles to use for upgrade (big bang for the buck if you're paying already)? Do you have a vacation goal in mind, perhaps a particular hotel or hotel group that might be interesting?
These are the questions you should ask yourself before choosing a card, in my opinion.
Then, you can look at sign-up bonuses. 30k is enough spend to get the sign-up bonuses on multiple cards, so long as you can use them all. You could get 40k Barclay A+, 40k Sapphire, 25k SPG for instance, and still have some spend to spread around.
We usually travel to South Florida 2-3 times per year, where we stay with family. International trips are not too frequent, but we will be traveling somewhere exotic this upcoming July and then likely once a year after that.
From your questions - I suppose I would use point for mostly travel. Ideally, it would be good to cash them in, but the cash equivalent value is usually horrendous. We usually just pay for flights using cash and fly econ most times.
There is a vacation goal for this July! Just don't know where yet, but maybe Bora Bora or Maldives
thanks again
Feb 14, 2015, 4:09 pm
#104
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 111
Feb 14, 2015, 9:47 pm
#105
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 96
My suggestion would be to crystallize your ideas around the vacation, get specific on locations, and approach your CC enrollment with those goals.
I also would say that, assuming you're comfortable with it, you should maximize your signup bonuses. 3-4 cards. The ones I mentioned already are decent choices, but it really depends on your plans. Signup bonuses should be in the ~$500 range after some spend. 3 of those is ~$1500. 30k of spend * 2% (minimum you should be getting back) = $600. So $2k-3k should be your goal on what you get from your planned spend, in my opinion. That's a nice start towards a great vacation.
Good luck.
I also would say that, assuming you're comfortable with it, you should maximize your signup bonuses. 3-4 cards. The ones I mentioned already are decent choices, but it really depends on your plans. Signup bonuses should be in the ~$500 range after some spend. 3 of those is ~$1500. 30k of spend * 2% (minimum you should be getting back) = $600. So $2k-3k should be your goal on what you get from your planned spend, in my opinion. That's a nice start towards a great vacation.
Good luck.