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Which card(s) to use for high spend or large purchases? [Consolidated]

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]

Old Aug 11, 2019, 11:06 am
  #436  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,250
AMEX’s new Business Cash card has an incognito offer where it will pay $250 after $5000 spent in 6 months and $250 after an additional $10000 spent in 12 months. It also pays 2% cash back. So on $15,000 total spend you’d earn 5.33% cashback. That’s a pretty good deal especially considering your vendors are all likely non-bonus categories. If you think you’ll spend more than $15k on credit cards your finance could always get one and double it to $30k.
jags86 is offline  
Old Aug 15, 2019, 3:54 pm
  #437  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 95
Originally Posted by jags86
AMEXs new Business Cash card has an incognito offer where it will pay $250 after $5000 spent in 6 months and $250 after an additional $10000 spent in 12 months. It also pays 2% cash back. So on $15,000 total spend youd earn 5.33% cashback. Thats a pretty good deal especially considering your vendors are all likely non-bonus categories. If you think youll spend more than $15k on credit cards your finance could always get one and double it to $30k.
Novice question, but would there be any issues with AMEX or the IRS to use a business card for wedding expenses?
Dream of Flying is offline  
Old Aug 15, 2019, 4:12 pm
  #438  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: EWR
Programs: World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, UA Mileage Plus
Posts: 1,250
Originally Posted by Dream of Flying


Novice question, but would there be any issues with AMEX or the IRS to use a business card for wedding expenses?
No
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Old Aug 28, 2019, 11:53 am
  #439  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 95
New card suggestion for a one time large non category purchase

Have a one time non category purchase of around $5,000 coming up in November. Would like suggestions for a card with a good sign up bonus and hopefully continuous usage for at least one year.

It is a personal purchase, but open to using business card as long as the credit card company doesnt mind.

We currently dont have any transferable MR, transferable UR or TYP cards but we are open to them. I am at 4/24 and P2 is at 1/24, both with excellent credit scores.

TIA!
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Old Aug 28, 2019, 12:38 pm
  #440  
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,247
Do you already have a points balance with any airline or vote program? Or specific desires on what you might ultimately redeem for?
javabytes is online now  
Old Aug 28, 2019, 1:01 pm
  #441  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 95
Originally Posted by javabytes
Do you already have a points balance with any airline or vote program? Or specific desires on what you might ultimately redeem for?
We fly AA the most often but our area is also served by Southwest, JetBlue, Delta and United so we are open to using them. We only have a few thousands AA points and nothing else.

Ultimately we want economy domestic flights for sure and maybe one international flight next year but that plan is really up in the air (no pun intended).

What is a vote program?




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Old Aug 28, 2019, 3:03 pm
  #442  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,891
Originally Posted by Dream of Flying


We fly AA the most often but our area is also served by Southwest, JetBlue, Delta and United so we are open to using them. We only have a few thousands AA points and nothing else.

Ultimately we want economy domestic flights for sure and maybe one international flight next year but that plan is really up in the air (no pun intended).

What is a vote program?




Three of the four airlines you mention are transfer partners for Chase UR. Id go with the Sapphire Preferred 60k bonus and add the Freedom Unlimited with no specific bonus but 3x non category spend for first $20k. Then 1.5 after that. If you have the CSP, you can transfer the Freedom UR points to the CSP and then to Airlines. Only P2 would be able to get both these cards bc you are at 4/24. But you all can combine points if same household. So maybe one of you get CSP and the other get Freedom Unlimited.
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Old Aug 28, 2019, 3:15 pm
  #443  
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Join Date: Apr 2009
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Posts: 16,247
Originally Posted by Dream of Flying
What is a vote program?
Hotel, which I apparently misspelled and my phone auto-corrected to something else.
Originally Posted by Dream of Flying
We fly AA the most often but our area is also served by Southwest, JetBlue, Delta and United so we are open to using them. We only have a few thousands AA points and nothing else.

Ultimately we want economy domestic flights for sure and maybe one international flight next year but that plan is really up in the air (no pun intended).


Southwest and JetBlue don't serve many international destinations, so that may be one consideration.

If you fly AA most often, it sounds like they may be the most convenient for you. AA is introducing dynamic award pricing and coach awards are becoming available that are cheaper than ever (even as low as ~5k one way instead of 7.5-12.5k) at low-demand times. That said, if you're looking to travel during peak times, award prices can be higher.
Delta has already fully adopted dynamic award pricing.
So it's getting harder to look at an award chart and plan how many miles you're going to need for an award, but you can at least search some of your intended destinations and get a sense of what the tickets are going for.

You won't earn enough from a single sign-up bonus to fly multiple domestic flights and an international round trip (especially if by international you mean something besides Canada/Mexico/Caribbean). However, in the case of AA, both Citi and Barclays offer credit cards. You can both sign up for them. And the bonus thresholds are not super high - a single purchase earns you 60k AA miles from Barclay, and $3,000 in 3 months earns you 60k from Citi. If you each sign up for both cards and meet the spending requirements, now you're each sitting on 120k miles from signup bonuses, in addition to the miles from whatever you spend over the course of the year.
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javabytes is online now  
Old Sep 2, 2019, 1:11 pm
  #444  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: A Capital City on The East Coast
Programs: CO-Dirt,SPG-Nothing,Marriott-Gold, Hilton-Blue, Hyatt-Plat, HI-Plat
Posts: 6,872
Looking to revamp current cards

Looking to change up current cards as they are not likely the best options for points/miles
Back in a position where starting to travel a far amount again for work but likely not enough for status
Have some major home repairs planned during the next few month which should help with Min Spend(HVAC/Windows around 20k)
looking to add to current points/miles mainly,
Personal travel needed to Japan for next couple years-prefer at least Biz class

Currently have-
Amex Executive Gold- business card I've had for years for my personal business ($260 AF) (small balance on it)
Chase United Presidential Plus- UA(preferred airline) Club access (and finally one again here at RDU), premier access, checked bags ($450 AF)
Chase United MileagePlus Visa-Nothing ($65 AF) (small balance on it)
Barclay's Aviator Mastercard-Checked bag and earlier boarding ($89 AF)

My thinking
1). Bump the Amex to plat for 60K MR points (after 5k in 90 days). Thought about opening a Schwab account for maybe 100k MR points but that seems
pretty narrowly targeted. Anyone know of an offer for more than 60K?
1a). Not sure if I want to do just straight up Amex or maybe co-branded DL card. Have an offer for 75k miles, with 2k spend in first 90 days.
My skymiles account is darn near empty, so not sure what good 75k sky pesos will do me. I will likely be flying DL some as territory is southeast.
1b). Will likely downgrade either at 1st year mark
2). Reduce credit line on Barclay's card and have for if/when I might be on AA (or maybe just close it)
3). Keep Chase Presidential Plus (or convert to Club Card?)
4). Convert Mileageplus Visa to Sapphire Plus for 60k points, after 4k in 90 days

Q-am I better to pay off balances first? before opening/changing accounts?

Feed back welcome
Thanks
windwalker is offline  
Old Sep 2, 2019, 1:59 pm
  #445  
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,424
Originally Posted by windwalker
1). Bump the Amex to plat for 60K MR points (after 5k in 90 days). Thought about opening a Schwab account for maybe 100k MR points but that seems
pretty narrowly targeted. Anyone know of an offer for more than 60K?
Is there a compelling reason you need a Plat? If you're using United clubs, what does it really buy you? (And unless you have a targeted offer to change to the Plat, you'll need to apply for a net new card anyway if you want the 60k bonus)
1a). Not sure if I want to do just straight up Amex or maybe co-branded DL card. Have an offer for 75k miles, with 2k spend in first 90 days.
My skymiles account is darn near empty, so not sure what good 75k sky pesos will do me. I will likely be flying DL some as territory is southeast.
Bigger question here - if you are going to be traveling more, there's a lot of value in standardizing on an airline to earn elite status. Regardless, tho, if the offer you have is the 75k on the Delta Gold card, with first year annual fee waived and a $50 statement credit, that is the best offer in recent memory, perhaps ever, so you should consider applying for it anyway.
1b). Will likely downgrade either at 1st year mark
Make sure you wait until after the annual fee posts to avoid a clawback
2). Reduce credit line on Barclay's card and have for if/when I might be on AA (or maybe just close it)
You could apply for the Citi version later if you need it and earn the bonus again. There is also a business version from both Citi and Barclays.
3). Keep Chase Presidential Plus (or convert to Club Card?)
If you're going to keep the club access, it probably makes sense to keep the Presidential Plus. There are no publicly available cards that earn PQM so you're holding a benefit you can't really get otherwise. Plus I think you are grandfathered into a lower annual fee.
4). Convert Mileageplus Visa to Sapphire Plus for 60k points, after 4k in 90 days
No bonus for converting, only a new application. If you're thinking of a UR card, the Chase Ink Preferred still has an 80k bonus.

Q-am I better to pay off balances first? before opening/changing accounts?
Why are you ever carrying a balance?
MDtR-Chicago is offline  
Old Sep 2, 2019, 2:06 pm
  #446  
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 262
Originally Posted by windwalker
Looking to change up current cards as they are not likely the best options for points/miles
Back in a position where starting to travel a far amount again for work but likely not enough for status
Have some major home repairs planned during the next few month which should help with Min Spend(HVAC/Windows around 20k)
looking to add to current points/miles mainly,
Personal travel needed to Japan for next couple years-prefer at least Biz class

Currently have-
Amex Executive Gold- business card I've had for years for my personal business ($260 AF) (small balance on it)
Chase United Presidential Plus- UA(preferred airline) Club access (and finally one again here at RDU), premier access, checked bags ($450 AF)
Chase United MileagePlus Visa-Nothing ($65 AF) (small balance on it)
Barclay's Aviator Mastercard-Checked bag and earlier boarding ($89 AF)

My thinking
1). Bump the Amex to plat for 60K MR points (after 5k in 90 days). Thought about opening a Schwab account for maybe 100k MR points but that seems
pretty narrowly targeted. Anyone know of an offer for more than 60K?
1a). Not sure if I want to do just straight up Amex or maybe co-branded DL card. Have an offer for 75k miles, with 2k spend in first 90 days.
My skymiles account is darn near empty, so not sure what good 75k sky pesos will do me. I will likely be flying DL some as territory is southeast.
1b). Will likely downgrade either at 1st year mark
2). Reduce credit line on Barclay's card and have for if/when I might be on AA (or maybe just close it)
3). Keep Chase Presidential Plus (or convert to Club Card?)
4). Convert Mileageplus Visa to Sapphire Plus for 60k points, after 4k in 90 days

Q-am I better to pay off balances first? before opening/changing accounts?

Feed back welcome
Thanks
If you have the capacity to pay off balances on credit cards, this should be first thing to do. No reason to pay the cards' interest if it can be avoided.
robchow is offline  
Old Sep 4, 2019, 7:34 am
  #447  
Moderator: Travel Buzz
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,090
I'd seek to keep both the credit lines and the average age of account through downgrades and product changes. Sign up bonuses are the way to get a good haul of points. The only exceptions are the oh so sweet Amex upgrade offers, which keep your account number and history and can offer some hefty upgrade bonus points.

So... I think I'd downgrade the Barclays and United Mileage Plus cards to no fee cards. Possibly (if possible, I'm not sure) product change the Amex Gold Biz to a Blue Biz for 2x the points on everything, and then decide if the United Plus Presidential is worth keeping.

Then, I'd get a new Amex Plat with a good offer
or a Delta
And a Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred, or an Ink (great sign up offers right now). You cannot convert a UA co branded card to a Chase proprietary card, such as the UA to a Sapphire.
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Old Sep 4, 2019, 8:12 am
  #448  
mia
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,885
Originally Posted by StartinSanDiego
.... (if possible, I'm not sure) product change the Amex Gold Biz to a Blue Biz for 2x the points on everything, ....
American Express (USA) will not convert a charge card (Green, Gold, Plum, Platinum), to a credit card (Blue, Everyday, Delta, Hilton, Lowes, Marriott). A CSR may use the term "downgrade", but they will actually close one account and open another.
mia is online now  
Old Sep 5, 2019, 7:58 am
  #449  
Moderator: Travel Buzz
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,090
Originally Posted by mia
American Express (USA) will not convert a charge card (Green, Gold, Plum, Platinum), to a credit card (Blue, Everyday, Delta, Hilton, Lowes, Marriott). A CSR may use the term "downgrade", but they will actually close one account and open another.
Ah, thanks for the clarification. Does the Gold Charge card have any non-fee options?
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Old Sep 5, 2019, 8:30 am
  #450  
mia
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,885
Originally Posted by StartinSanDiego
....Gold Charge card have any non-fee options?
No. Once upon a time there was a free charge card (Zync), but it is long discontinued .
mia is online now  

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