FlyerTalk Forums - How to best maximize $3,400 in spend?

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How to best maximize $3,400 in spend?

Hi Gang,

I've got $3,400 in spend to make sometime in the next 6 weeks. The way I see it, that's about 1 more card to get.

Currently I have 2 Freedom's, and (since February of this year) a CSP, Citi AA, Chase Hyatt, and Chase UAL.

I've got an airfare and some hotels from the above for an upcoming EU trip I have. I am not really looking for anything else for that trip.

I figure I should try my best to maximize the $3,400 in spend (I'll then be done "churning" for 6-12 months, at least) I have left. How would you do it?

Off the top of my head, SWA points or cash back would be nice....but I am flexible and have no real "need" coming up. I probably wouldn't go after a companion pass for at least 2 years from now.

Thanks!

Purdue

Unless there's a specific other airline or hotel program you want to build up points in it's best to focus adding points to your existing accounts. You mentioned you have Citi AA and Chase UA... I suggest you apply for the business version of one of them and bank another 50k+ miles in one of those programs.

So long as you're sure you don't fall under the 5/24 rule, nothing wrong with building up SW points. If you wanted to take it a step further within your budget, you could apply for two of the three, hit both bonuses at $4k combined total spend, and be a mere 6k points from the CP - easily attainable with a few spends through the portal or just your normal everyday spend/bills depending on your finances.

I would vote Ink Plus as another potential since you have the CSP and Freedom. After your purchase, you'd be within $1,400 of the spend, gain over 60k UR points, potentially get 2x points for your hotel reservations on your purchase, and you can downgrade it in a year to the no AF version and have a ton of great bonus spend categories for the long term between all of those UR cards. Don't forget to use one of the community's referral links for whichever you choose. Good luck.

Can you tell us more about your $3.4K spend?

Sorry Guys...had a busy last few days...

Quote:

Originally Posted by darthbimmer (Post 26744154)

I suggest you apply for the business version of one of them and bank another 50k+ miles in one of those programs.

I haven't looked into the business cards a crazy amount, but it seems they all have a clause about "you guarantee these charges would be just for your business purchases," no?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rev (Post 26744341)

Quote:

Originally Posted by purdue1015

Do you think I'd actually have a shot at both SWA cards? In the last 24 months I activated a CSP on 2/15, Citi AA on 3/3, Chase Hyatt on 4/16, and Chase UAL on 6/3. What would be the best strategy for both SWA...apply for both on the same day or?

I would vote Ink Plus as another potential since you have the CSP and Freedom. After your purchase, you'd be within $1,400 of the spend, gain over 60k UR points, potentially get 2x points for your hotel reservations on your purchase, and you can downgrade it in a year to the no AF version and have a ton of great bonus spend categories for the long term between all of those UR cards. Don't forget to use one of the community's referral links for whichever you choose. Good luck.

Thanks. I really didn't think the Ink+ or SWA were feasible given the 4 cards I've gotten since February. I could really go either way on Ink+ vs SWA. Any thoughts on which I'd have a better chance of getting (2 SWA or INK+)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by garykung (Post 26746443)

Can you tell us more about your $3.4K spend?

School tuition. Have to pay by August 1.

Thanks guys!

PS-I also have a targeted mailer for 50K Amex Membership Reward Points with 2K spend and a waived first year AF. Thoughts? It seems Amex points are subject to a tax/fee so UR may be better?

Quote:

Originally Posted by purdue1015 (Post 26760802)

I haven't looked into the business cards a crazy amount, but it seems they all have a clause about "you guarantee these charges would be just for your business purchases," no?

No.

Quote:

Originally Posted by purdue1015 (Post 26760802)

School tuition. Have to pay by August 1.

There is no advantage to put this on any particular card.

So you get what you need, even it means a new card, or simply put this charge to an existing card.

Quote:

Originally Posted by purdue1015 (Post 26761123)

PS-I also have a targeted mailer for 50K Amex Membership Reward Points with 2K spend and a waived first year AF. Thoughts? It seems Amex points are subject to a tax/fee so UR may be better?

No, points earned on CC spend are not subject to tax. The only time you could get a 1099 is by opening a checking or savings account because there is no spend involved. You get the points for opening the account.

Alrighty, thanks guys! I'll try for the Ink+ but if that fails I'll go the Amex.