Credit Card Use Evaluation?
 

Looking for a little help on my credit card use and maybe if there is a different card or use of cards that should be used. Thanks in advance for the input!

Age: 23
Salary: 65k
Flights a year: 5-8
Hotel Nights A Year: 5

During college I used debit card for most transactions. Now I'm trying to utilize my credit cards to the fullest for points/miles (thanks a lot to this site).

The two cards that I am currently using is the Citi Forward Card (5 TY Points for DVDs, Music, Restaurants) and the Hilton HH Honors Card (6 points for supermarkets, drug stores, gas). I use the cards according to these points values.

I had the Citi Elite Premier Pass, but decided to opt out after the fixed points went away. I feel that with my spending/travel habits at this point there is no need to to have a fee card.

I've also started churning AA Citi Cards, just got my first card a month ago (next time will probably apply for two at a time).

Is there anywhere else you see that I could get a better bank for the buck? I know that Citi TY Points are not the best, but wasn't sure if I could do better with a different card.....?

Any thoughts?

Welcome to Flyertalk.

What is your reward objective? When you travel do you primarily fly on Midwest Airlines or AA?

With $65,000 income your credit card spending is probably less than $40,000 per year, and you are dividing it between three programs: American Airlines AAdvantage, Hilton HHonors and Citi ThankYou.

HHonors points are only good value if redeemed for hotel stays, and the best value is achieved at 125/145,000. I would try to shift much of the Citi Forward spending onto the HHonors card by purchasing dining and retail gift cards at a supermarket or pharmacy to earn 6 HHonors points per dollar. Otherwise, it may take a very l-o-n-g time to acumulate sufficient HHonors points for a memorable reward.

Nothing can touch the Citi AA card churn. If somebody wants HHonors points, 100k AA miles plus a $30 transfer fee gets you 200k HHonors points. Also, the best HHonors redemption is 175k for 6 nights at Cat 6 (GLON), not 125k/145k for the AXON awards.

Thank you for the quick responses.

I guess I should have been a little more forward with my objective. Right now I'm looking to save up for a big redemption with the HH Honors (aka the 175k).

The TYP I've been just been using in the select categories (dining, dvds, music) because of the 5 points. I've used TYP redemption for one fixed point flight, and one non fixed.

Do you think that I should shift the majority of my spending over to HH Honors card? Would there be move overall value there?

Or is there another credit card that would be better for accumulating flight points other than the Forward Card? I feel like it is a decent option at no fee....

I plan on continuing to churn AA.... So possibly spend up to my $750 on each AA card and shift all other spending to HH Honors once those have been reached.....

Switch spending over to HH Honors card
 

Yes, go ahead and switch over to the Hilton card because you already have plan to use the points. If your spending with the Hilton card is more than $20,000 in a CALENDAR year, then you will become Hilton Gold which will give you free breakfast at Hilton.

Don't forget the dollar coins from the US mint to reach your minimum spend thresholds (milebuzz forum).

Do the coins work well?

coins
 

Yes, the coins work extremely well. start off with ordering two boxes of each president, then buy as many native americans as you would like. This is especially good if you got the targeted bonus offer with the Hilton Amex. Up to 15,000 bonus points max per month. I get 6 points per dollar over $2200 spend per month. So I'll spend 73,200 Hilton points for $ 14,400 spend over October and November.

Thanks !