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]
May 18, 2018, 12:43 pm
#361
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: Marriott Ambassador/United 1K
Posts: 68
Really appreciate this thoughtful response. I might still hold card for the 15 free nights, but I've got about 11M SPG points and should have 15-16M by 8/1. As a result, I'll still stay at SPG and should be able to get platinum based on free nights.
Am really just looking for best card for airline points. Since I won't get status with award tickets, I don't really are about the airline (I live in a big city so AA, UA, Delta all have good presence). I'd love to know what card you use to maximize airline miles.
Again, thank you for taking the time, and apologies for my slow response. Really makes me realize (i) how great this community is and (ii) how much more I have to learn. Thank you.
Am really just looking for best card for airline points. Since I won't get status with award tickets, I don't really are about the airline (I live in a big city so AA, UA, Delta all have good presence). I'd love to know what card you use to maximize airline miles.
Again, thank you for taking the time, and apologies for my slow response. Really makes me realize (i) how great this community is and (ii) how much more I have to learn. Thank you.
But what kind of status do you want?
The status equivalent to SPG Platinum50 (which is currently called Marriott Gold but will be renamed Platinum in the new merged program) is still going to be available going forward using only free nights (since it's been available using only free nights at Marriott as well as SPG up to now). In 2019, any one of several cards in the new merged program will give you 15 nights towards that (max 15 nights no matter how many different cards you have), so you'd only need 35 actual stay nights (paid or free) if you had one of those cards.
You have to understand that the SPG card + program was very unusual in giving you both hotel benefits and airline miles (at the earn rate of airline cards). No other hotel program did that, and so now there will be no hotel program that does that.
You can get Hilton Gold or Diamond status from just holding (not even using) the right Amex credit card (Amex Hilton Ascend card for "instant" HH Gold, Amex Hilton Aspire card for "instant" HH Diamond). But you won't get airline miles at a good rate from that, so get that card only for the hotel status and not for the airline miles.
Then you'll need a separate card to earn airline miles at a somewhat comparable rate to SPG Amex (but with a much smaller number of airlines you can transfers to). But that card won't give you status.
And that brings up another point: Do you care which airlines you can transfer to? Presumably if you were using SPG Amex, you weren't transferring to United (since it was 2:1, while most other airlines were 1:1), but United is the only domestic legacy airline partner of Chase UR points, while Delta is the only domestic legacy airline partner of Amex Membership Rewards points, and no transferable points program transfers to AA. If you specifically want AA miles, you have to either continue with a card in the Marriott/SPG replacement program despite the slower earning, or get an AA card from either Barclay or Citi . If you want to use UR points for oneworld or SkyTeam flights, you have to learn about and use foreign airlines. If you want to use Amex MR points for oneworld or StarAlliance flights, you also have to learn about and use foreign airlines.
The status equivalent to SPG Platinum50 (which is currently called Marriott Gold but will be renamed Platinum in the new merged program) is still going to be available going forward using only free nights (since it's been available using only free nights at Marriott as well as SPG up to now). In 2019, any one of several cards in the new merged program will give you 15 nights towards that (max 15 nights no matter how many different cards you have), so you'd only need 35 actual stay nights (paid or free) if you had one of those cards.
You have to understand that the SPG card + program was very unusual in giving you both hotel benefits and airline miles (at the earn rate of airline cards). No other hotel program did that, and so now there will be no hotel program that does that.
You can get Hilton Gold or Diamond status from just holding (not even using) the right Amex credit card (Amex Hilton Ascend card for "instant" HH Gold, Amex Hilton Aspire card for "instant" HH Diamond). But you won't get airline miles at a good rate from that, so get that card only for the hotel status and not for the airline miles.
Then you'll need a separate card to earn airline miles at a somewhat comparable rate to SPG Amex (but with a much smaller number of airlines you can transfers to). But that card won't give you status.
And that brings up another point: Do you care which airlines you can transfer to? Presumably if you were using SPG Amex, you weren't transferring to United (since it was 2:1, while most other airlines were 1:1), but United is the only domestic legacy airline partner of Chase UR points, while Delta is the only domestic legacy airline partner of Amex Membership Rewards points, and no transferable points program transfers to AA. If you specifically want AA miles, you have to either continue with a card in the Marriott/SPG replacement program despite the slower earning, or get an AA card from either Barclay or Citi . If you want to use UR points for oneworld or SkyTeam flights, you have to learn about and use foreign airlines. If you want to use Amex MR points for oneworld or StarAlliance flights, you also have to learn about and use foreign airlines.
May 18, 2018, 1:01 pm
#362
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: 1,973
Really appreciate this thoughtful response. I might still hold card for the 15 free nights, but I've got about 11M SPG points and should have 15-16M by 8/1. As a result, I'll still stay at SPG and should be able to get platinum based on free nights.
Am really just looking for best card for airline points. Since I won't get status with award tickets, I don't really are about the airline (I live in a big city so AA, UA, Delta all have good presence). I'd love to know what card you use to maximize airline miles.
Again, thank you for taking the time, and apologies for my slow response. Really makes me realize (i) how great this community is and (ii) how much more I have to learn. Thank you.
Am really just looking for best card for airline points. Since I won't get status with award tickets, I don't really are about the airline (I live in a big city so AA, UA, Delta all have good presence). I'd love to know what card you use to maximize airline miles.
Again, thank you for taking the time, and apologies for my slow response. Really makes me realize (i) how great this community is and (ii) how much more I have to learn. Thank you.
Chase points you can transfer to UA, WN, BA, AF, and VS. KE is a good partner too, but it imposes carrier imposed fees even on DL flights ($300). This is I think much better than Amex, but Amex have transfer bonuses from time to time, so keep it in mind. My preferred Amex transfer partners are AF, ANA, VS and BA.
May 22, 2018, 11:38 am
#363
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAS, MPL
Programs: DL Platinum, 1 MM
Posts: 1,320
I've been agonizing over this question and would really appreciate some ideas or advise on the following:
I will have recurring invoices of around 20k/monthly in the coming 6 months for services rendered by a contractor.
He agreed to accept any credit card payments. He has billed a 2.5% fee for this service and I will start payments asap.
My credit card portfolio is varied and credit lines will easily cover.
I value my SPG, have the ATTAM for the extra 10k points, have Ink Biz and value Diamond Status with Hilton for $40k and so on.
I could also use my 2% Fidelity for cashback.
Will apply for the Amex Biz Blue - which also seems to be excellent for the future recurring payments.
Many Thanks in advance !
I will have recurring invoices of around 20k/monthly in the coming 6 months for services rendered by a contractor.
He agreed to accept any credit card payments. He has billed a 2.5% fee for this service and I will start payments asap.
My credit card portfolio is varied and credit lines will easily cover.
I value my SPG, have the ATTAM for the extra 10k points, have Ink Biz and value Diamond Status with Hilton for $40k and so on.
I could also use my 2% Fidelity for cashback.
Will apply for the Amex Biz Blue - which also seems to be excellent for the future recurring payments.
Many Thanks in advance !
May 22, 2018, 6:20 pm
#364
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
If you are under 5/24 and have a decent credit rating you may want to apply for a new card each month and cover the initial spend. The Chase Sapphire for 50K points after initial spend comes to mind, you could also apply for an AA Platinum for 60K points if you value AA miles. You could do that in addition to meeting the spending thresholds on your existing cards.
May 30, 2018, 3:14 pm
#365
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Bay area, CA
Programs: SW, AS, UA, AA, Delta, Hilton, Hyatt, Club Carlson, SPG, IHG, Choice
Posts: 183
Best credit card for large purchase >$15K
Hi,
I have upcoming Ikea store purchase of >$15K.
Which credit card should I use to get benefit? I am not eligible for chase cards that fall under 5/24...
I have Amex SPG, Amex Hilton business, Citi AA (Personal & Business), BoFA Alaska, Chase IHG (both versions), Marriott business, freedom, Discover Miles
TIA.
I have upcoming Ikea store purchase of >$15K.
Which credit card should I use to get benefit? I am not eligible for chase cards that fall under 5/24...
I have Amex SPG, Amex Hilton business, Citi AA (Personal & Business), BoFA Alaska, Chase IHG (both versions), Marriott business, freedom, Discover Miles
TIA.
May 31, 2018, 4:11 am
#366
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Places in Palm Beach, Las Vegas, NYC
Programs: AA, Hyatt, Starwood,Delta, Ritz,
Posts: 23
Walk me how I can do better?
I have been with American Express personal for 15+ year and 2 years ago switched to a corporate card.
I was told my annual spend of $500k would get a Centurion invite but after 5 years I have given up. I spend more and make way more than 2 friends who have this card. My charges are mostly goods, Charity and travel.
Now I just will take rewards.
I have Amex business Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Delta Reserve ( only for MQM which I wouldn’t need with the black Amex) and the BOA Premier rewards with a very credit limit.
I have welll over $100 at BOA so I get the platinum bonus.
How can I beat 2.62% on everything and 3.5% on Travel and dining this card is giving me? How would the CSR beat this deal?
I know you guys have figured out all the tricks. What am I missing? I am not looking for sign up bonuses.Perks I love which is the Amex black but otherwise cash or travel credits can buy me those same perks.
Thanks all.
I was told my annual spend of $500k would get a Centurion invite but after 5 years I have given up. I spend more and make way more than 2 friends who have this card. My charges are mostly goods, Charity and travel.
Now I just will take rewards.
I have Amex business Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Delta Reserve ( only for MQM which I wouldn’t need with the black Amex) and the BOA Premier rewards with a very credit limit.
I have welll over $100 at BOA so I get the platinum bonus.
How can I beat 2.62% on everything and 3.5% on Travel and dining this card is giving me? How would the CSR beat this deal?
I know you guys have figured out all the tricks. What am I missing? I am not looking for sign up bonuses.Perks I love which is the Amex black but otherwise cash or travel credits can buy me those same perks.
Thanks all.
May 31, 2018, 10:51 am
#367
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,953
Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3 points per dollar on travel and dining. The points are worth $0.015 each if redeemed for travel through Chase's portal. 3 x 0.15 = 4.5% . The points may be worth more if transferred to airline or hotel partners, and redeemed for otherwise expensive award flights or stays.
May 31, 2018, 12:04 pm
#368
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: 1,973
Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3 points per dollar on travel and dining. The points are worth $0.015 each if redeemed for travel through Chase's portal. 3 x 0.15 = 4.5% . The points may be worth more if transferred to airline or hotel partners, and redeemed for otherwise expensive award flights or stays.
Jun 20, 2018, 11:55 pm
#370
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 50
Best credit card for big spending?
Was looking at different options since SPG card is losing value on spending. Didn't see a dedicated thread for this - not necessarily interested in the best bonus or sign up offer, but one to move most of my spending to. Looking at around 50k spending or more per year...
A colleague mentioned getting the Chase Freedom Unlimited as it earns 1.5 points on every dollar, and then combining that with the Chase Sapphire Reserve so that we can further get 1.5x the points through their travel portal, in effect making the 2.25 cents per dollar spent.
Are there any other good recommendations? I currently have a AMEX SPG card, Chase United, and Chase SWA card, but with United and SWA the redemptions are obviously a bit more limited.
Thanks for any help!
A colleague mentioned getting the Chase Freedom Unlimited as it earns 1.5 points on every dollar, and then combining that with the Chase Sapphire Reserve so that we can further get 1.5x the points through their travel portal, in effect making the 2.25 cents per dollar spent.
Are there any other good recommendations? I currently have a AMEX SPG card, Chase United, and Chase SWA card, but with United and SWA the redemptions are obviously a bit more limited.
Thanks for any help!
Jun 21, 2018, 5:52 am
#371
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
Was looking at different options since SPG card is losing value on spending. Didn't see a dedicated thread for this - not necessarily interested in the best bonus or sign up offer, but one to move most of my spending to. Looking at around 50k spending or more per year...
A colleague mentioned getting the Chase Freedom Unlimited as it earns 1.5 points on every dollar, and then combining that with the Chase Sapphire Reserve so that we can further get 1.5x the points through their travel portal, in effect making the 2.25 cents per dollar spent.
Are there any other good recommendations? I currently have a AMEX SPG card, Chase United, and Chase SWA card, but with United and SWA the redemptions are obviously a bit more limited.
Thanks for any help!
A colleague mentioned getting the Chase Freedom Unlimited as it earns 1.5 points on every dollar, and then combining that with the Chase Sapphire Reserve so that we can further get 1.5x the points through their travel portal, in effect making the 2.25 cents per dollar spent.
Are there any other good recommendations? I currently have a AMEX SPG card, Chase United, and Chase SWA card, but with United and SWA the redemptions are obviously a bit more limited.
Thanks for any help!
There are quite a few CCs that you can get status and/or bonus with large spending, like Delta CCs and Ritz Carlton card (get Gold status). Chase FU is solid card and it is better than the 2% CCs. There are also 5% categories and AmEx offers to earn. All depending on what you do and the efforts.
Last edited by RedSun; Jun 21, 2018 at 2:44 pm
Jun 21, 2018, 1:07 pm
#372
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
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I have reorganized the Wikipost.
The category Cards that earn better than 1 airline mile (or points convertible 1:1 to airline miles) per dollar: included a number of hotel cards which I have moved to a separate section Cards that earn hotel points.
The only hotel cards that earns points that are convertible 1:1 to airline miles are the American Express SPG cards, and that conversion rate will change 8.1.2018.
The category Cards that earn better than 1 airline mile (or points convertible 1:1 to airline miles) per dollar: included a number of hotel cards which I have moved to a separate section Cards that earn hotel points.
The only hotel cards that earns points that are convertible 1:1 to airline miles are the American Express SPG cards, and that conversion rate will change 8.1.2018.
Last edited by mia; Jun 21, 2018 at 1:48 pm
Jun 22, 2018, 1:57 pm
#374
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: SPG; Marriott; Delta; United; American; Hilton
Posts: 2
What to use for $25k purchase
I have a large purchase of ~$25k in the near future and am trying to decide what to use. I'm looking into one of two options, but am open for suggestions. For both options I will be purchasing through the British Airways portal for 5 avios/$ up to $7500 which will get me 37,500 miles.
Option 1: Signup for AAdvantage and British Airways Card - Would get 158,500 BA ($21k on BA card, 37,500 portal) and 69,000 AA ($4k on AA card)
Option 2: Signup for AAdvantage and Ritz Credit Card - Would get 37.5k BA (portal), 69k AA ($4k on AA card), 4k Ritz points, 2 Ritz nights, Platinum Elite Marriott/SPG until Feb 2020, and 1.5% cash discount ($255) for paying $17k balance in cash
Value from what I can tell:
Option 1: $3,200 (~$2,300 for British Airways, ~$900 for AA)
Option 2: $2,500 ($550 BA, $900 AA, $800 Ritz, $255 cash) + whatever one would value Platiunum Elite at for 1.5 years (I stay 20-25 nights per year Marriott/SPG/Ritz)
Option 1: Signup for AAdvantage and British Airways Card - Would get 158,500 BA ($21k on BA card, 37,500 portal) and 69,000 AA ($4k on AA card)
Option 2: Signup for AAdvantage and Ritz Credit Card - Would get 37.5k BA (portal), 69k AA ($4k on AA card), 4k Ritz points, 2 Ritz nights, Platinum Elite Marriott/SPG until Feb 2020, and 1.5% cash discount ($255) for paying $17k balance in cash
Value from what I can tell:
Option 1: $3,200 (~$2,300 for British Airways, ~$900 for AA)
Option 2: $2,500 ($550 BA, $900 AA, $800 Ritz, $255 cash) + whatever one would value Platiunum Elite at for 1.5 years (I stay 20-25 nights per year Marriott/SPG/Ritz)
Jun 22, 2018, 5:15 pm
#375
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
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