When you need a check
 

Hi all,

I am a complete newbie to the points hobby and appreciate the expertise exchanged on this site!

I have started a personal training program which is $100 twice a week. That's $800 a month! I'd like to charge it to my credit card, but the trainer requested that I pay by check. Is there any way to get a check drawn on my credit card account?

I have a Bank Americard Travel card, and will soon have the Chase Sapphire Preferred. (Arriving in the mail soon)

On that note, I would also like any advice people are willing to give on other cards. I travel more than the average person, but probably less than most FT regulars--let's say maybe 5 air trips per year? The bulk of my expenses are probably groceries and restaurants. I have global entry, so credit toward global entry application fees will not be helpful. I probably spend more than most Americans--not the frugal type, I'm afraid, but I live well within my means.

Thanks in advance!

There are services that work similarly to what you want. You pay them the amount you want + a fee and they arrange to deposit the money into the person/company's bank account but I don't think they send a paper check more than once. RadPad is one for paying rent and I think it will work with other monthly bills.
You'd do better off talking to the trainer about them using a service such as Square and agreeing to pay the ~3% fee they charge for this. The deposit it rather quick so it's about the same as giving a check and the trainer depositing it for clearance.

For the credit card advice we need some more info. Where are you located? (country and city) What's your general credit rating? Principle airline/alliance you travel on? Goal for rewards gained via travel & spending?

Thank you! That is what I have done and she is amenable. Thanks.

I am in Portland, OR in the US. I have a credit rating around 750. I think I would like to have rewards to pay for travel upgrades. I have the money to travel, but can never justify paying the extra for particularly cushy things like air class and hotel upgrades, lounge access, etc. Does that make sense?

Bumping! Should this be in another part of the forum?

Welcome to FT, girlonavespa!

I would think that for better answers regarding credit card options you may want to look in the Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs section, specifically Credit Card Programs. There is a sticky thread in Credit Card Programs that should provide some more information: START HERE! Welcome, General Advice, and Index of Popular Threads.

This post could probably be moved there, and you can request that by clicking the http://i.imgur.com/3vzBaRC.gif logo (located on the left of the page in the same frame as your username). This will alert the moderator to the post. It may help in your note to the forum moderator to provide a more specific title and see if the moderator can change it before moving.

Mileage Upgrades are generally easiest to get when you're using the miles of the airline you'll be flying on. Alliance upgrades often come with more restrictions on what fare you have to purchase to use them. So you want to have either a credit card that has various transfer parters (Amex MR, SPG, Chase UR, Citi TY) or a card associated with the airline you will be traveling on (Citi AA, Barclays AA, Chase BA card, Amex Skymiles/Reserve) as these often have set higher earning rates and some cards come with a spending bonus towards Elite status. Since you already have the CSP card you may wish to look into expanding the cards with bonus signups that Chase offers and look into the SPG card as that comes with Status. You can combine that with the Hilton Amex on the same day for 1 credit pull. But only do the 2 if you'll be staying at both. If not I'd go SPG for the transfer partners.
Amex Gold Premier Rewards+Everyday signup bonuses could easily net you 75k MR points but you can only apply for 3 amex cards in 60 or 90 days I believe.

Read the Credit Card forum Wikis and evaluate what will suit your travel needs best.

Thank you!