Keeper card
Jun 13, 2017 | 5:21 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,807
The OP said clearly that this is a card they don't want to do spend on, just keep in a drawer, and yet still get benefits from it. That's why the example of Chase hotel cards which give a free night of some sort for nothing more than paying the annual once a year, and otherwise keeping the card in a drawer doesn't diminish that benefit.
The OP was looking for specific benefits like free nights (or totally free flights, but those are pretty impossible), without spend, and that requires a co-branded card, doesn't it?
The OP was looking for specific benefits like free nights (or totally free flights, but those are pretty impossible), without spend, and that requires a co-branded card, doesn't it?
Bottom line - OP's keeper card does not exist.
Jun 14, 2017 | 9:30 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, WF, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 2,371
Jun 14, 2017 | 1:55 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,807
City National Crystal Visa Infinite. If you can add enough AUs (up to 3), you can come out positive over the AF, as each AU receives $250 airline reimbursement. Unlimited PP access, and some other nice perks. Categories are 3x on gas, groceries, restaurants and travel. Each point is between 0.95 and 1.2 cents, depends on how you spend it.
Credit cards offered in City National Bank offices in the states of California, Georgia, Minnesota, Nevada, New York and Tennessee.
Jun 14, 2017 | 2:42 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: Chase, Amex, Citi, basically all of them
Posts: 74
List of keeper cards and why.
Crystal Visa - if you get the three authorized users, you and the three free AU each get $250, easily offsetting the AF. Priority pass for TWO holders that allows unlimited guests.
Chase Hyatt, IHG, Marriot; Club Carlson - free nights/status/or points
JetBlue Barclays Plus - free checked bags, 50% discount food purchased in flight and bonus points each year, etc; plus a ton of points for using it to buy JetBlue flights
Amex Bus Platinum - doubles (and in a year, increases by 50%) value of MR points, Marriot/SPG and Hilton status, Centurion lounge access, etc.
Citi Prestige - generous $300 travel credit that works on airplane tickets, one of the best travel insurance of all the cards, 4th night free benefit. Used to be even better before this month
Chase Reserve/Preferred - someone above already explained why.
Any of the multitude of Amex cards, preferably the ones with no AF - I know it's a broad category, but the Amex cards generally give you the Amex offers, which can save you a ton of money, so any one is a keeper in my mind.
BofAML Alaska Air - besides the normal free checked bag, etc., this has a great annual companion fare where you get a companion ticket for $99 plus taxes, potentially saving you a ton.
Chase Unlimited (good all around), Chase Ink Preferred (good for buying gift cards, paying for cell phones, etc.) and Chase Freedom (good for quarterly category) - keepers for ways to earn high number of UR that are worth a great amount.
Crystal Visa - if you get the three authorized users, you and the three free AU each get $250, easily offsetting the AF. Priority pass for TWO holders that allows unlimited guests.
Chase Hyatt, IHG, Marriot; Club Carlson - free nights/status/or points
JetBlue Barclays Plus - free checked bags, 50% discount food purchased in flight and bonus points each year, etc; plus a ton of points for using it to buy JetBlue flights
Amex Bus Platinum - doubles (and in a year, increases by 50%) value of MR points, Marriot/SPG and Hilton status, Centurion lounge access, etc.
Citi Prestige - generous $300 travel credit that works on airplane tickets, one of the best travel insurance of all the cards, 4th night free benefit. Used to be even better before this month
Chase Reserve/Preferred - someone above already explained why.
Any of the multitude of Amex cards, preferably the ones with no AF - I know it's a broad category, but the Amex cards generally give you the Amex offers, which can save you a ton of money, so any one is a keeper in my mind.
BofAML Alaska Air - besides the normal free checked bag, etc., this has a great annual companion fare where you get a companion ticket for $99 plus taxes, potentially saving you a ton.
Chase Unlimited (good all around), Chase Ink Preferred (good for buying gift cards, paying for cell phones, etc.) and Chase Freedom (good for quarterly category) - keepers for ways to earn high number of UR that are worth a great amount.
Jun 14, 2017 | 5:50 pm
#20
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, WF, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 2,371
Jun 14, 2017 | 6:01 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, WF, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 2,371
List of keeper cards and why.
Crystal Visa - if you get the three authorized users, you and the three free AU each get $250, easily offsetting the AF. Priority pass for TWO holders that allows unlimited guests.
Chase Hyatt, IHG, Marriot; Club Carlson - free nights/status/or points
JetBlue Barclays Plus - free checked bags, 50% discount food purchased in flight and bonus points each year, etc; plus a ton of points for using it to buy JetBlue flights
Amex Bus Platinum - doubles (and in a year, increases by 50%) value of MR points, Marriot/SPG and Hilton status, Centurion lounge access, etc.
Citi Prestige - generous $300 travel credit that works on airplane tickets, one of the best travel insurance of all the cards, 4th night free benefit. Used to be even better before this month
Chase Reserve/Preferred - someone above already explained why.
Any of the multitude of Amex cards, preferably the ones with no AF - I know it's a broad category, but the Amex cards generally give you the Amex offers, which can save you a ton of money, so any one is a keeper in my mind.
BofAML Alaska Air - besides the normal free checked bag, etc., this has a great annual companion fare where you get a companion ticket for $99 plus taxes, potentially saving you a ton.
Chase Unlimited (good all around), Chase Ink Preferred (good for buying gift cards, paying for cell phones, etc.) and Chase Freedom (good for quarterly category) - keepers for ways to earn high number of UR that are worth a great amount.
Crystal Visa - if you get the three authorized users, you and the three free AU each get $250, easily offsetting the AF. Priority pass for TWO holders that allows unlimited guests.
Chase Hyatt, IHG, Marriot; Club Carlson - free nights/status/or points
JetBlue Barclays Plus - free checked bags, 50% discount food purchased in flight and bonus points each year, etc; plus a ton of points for using it to buy JetBlue flights
Amex Bus Platinum - doubles (and in a year, increases by 50%) value of MR points, Marriot/SPG and Hilton status, Centurion lounge access, etc.
Citi Prestige - generous $300 travel credit that works on airplane tickets, one of the best travel insurance of all the cards, 4th night free benefit. Used to be even better before this month
Chase Reserve/Preferred - someone above already explained why.
Any of the multitude of Amex cards, preferably the ones with no AF - I know it's a broad category, but the Amex cards generally give you the Amex offers, which can save you a ton of money, so any one is a keeper in my mind.
BofAML Alaska Air - besides the normal free checked bag, etc., this has a great annual companion fare where you get a companion ticket for $99 plus taxes, potentially saving you a ton.
Chase Unlimited (good all around), Chase Ink Preferred (good for buying gift cards, paying for cell phones, etc.) and Chase Freedom (good for quarterly category) - keepers for ways to earn high number of UR that are worth a great amount.
I'd say Ink Cash is better than Ink Preferred.
Amex Business Platinum doesn't double the value of points anymore, it's now adds 54% to the value.
I'd also add Amex BBP to the list.
Last edited by yugi; Jun 14, 2017 at 10:06 pm