How much manufactured spending generated per month?
Aug 26, 2013, 1:48 pm
#61
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
Of course, cash is king! When I started this game (and it's still a fun game to me), I simply made up my mind that I was going to pursue miles by and large, and let my stock trading bring in the money. In my situation, over the past year I have been able to convince the business I work for to reimburse me the costs for miles/points accumulated for long haul flights for work (i.e. the $3.95/$4.95, etc. fees). Much of my biz travel takes me into Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and by crunching the numbers, I was able to show our business that it would save them money on travel to "buy" points this way. Case in point: This past weekend, I booked a flight for work to JNB. 120,000 points on United for Biz all the way. Through the OD GCs, at .7 cpm, that's $840 in fees. Taxes and fees on the flights were $100, so $940 in total for the trip. Cheapest flight there was $1200, in coach. So our business saved $260, or 22%, and I get to fly up front. Win win.
For the first 3 months of the no-fee deal, I bought about 30K/month in Chase GCs, but I'd rather pay the fees with a 5X multiplier at OD, and spend less money overall on my CCs. Especially when the fees are currently being reimbursed to me.
But yeah, cash is king. It's just that my investments are bringing in my cash, so my CCs are able to bring in my points, that's all.
For the first 3 months of the no-fee deal, I bought about 30K/month in Chase GCs, but I'd rather pay the fees with a 5X multiplier at OD, and spend less money overall on my CCs. Especially when the fees are currently being reimbursed to me.
But yeah, cash is king. It's just that my investments are bringing in my cash, so my CCs are able to bring in my points, that's all.
Aug 26, 2013, 1:55 pm
#63
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,108
Aug 26, 2013, 1:59 pm
#64
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: US CP, DL GM, AA Plat
Posts: 729
Aug 26, 2013, 2:10 pm
#66
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 78
Aug 26, 2013, 2:12 pm
#67
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 809
Aug 26, 2013, 2:15 pm
#68
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 78
Aug 26, 2013, 2:16 pm
#69
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: Mileage Plus, Rapid Rewards
Posts: 949
Quote:
Originally Posted by Preacher7
Now it is. Admittedly, when the variable load cards were available, it was easier and more lucrative. But it's still b/w .6 and .7 cpm, which is really good.
It depends. If you max out blue bird (5k limit), you can have either:
1. 25k points for $175 (buying $200 GCs at office stores for $7 fee with Ink card).
2. $100 cashback (buying no fee Chase GCs on a 2% card)
I personally rather have the $100 cashback...
Originally Posted by Preacher7
Now it is. Admittedly, when the variable load cards were available, it was easier and more lucrative. But it's still b/w .6 and .7 cpm, which is really good.
It depends. If you max out blue bird (5k limit), you can have either:
1. 25k points for $175 (buying $200 GCs at office stores for $7 fee with Ink card).
2. $100 cashback (buying no fee Chase GCs on a 2% card)
I personally rather have the $100 cashback...
Aug 26, 2013, 3:10 pm
#73
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
I have OD, Grocery store (with one of the banks I use inside) and Walmart within a 5-7 minute drive from my house. CVS is the furthest away, but I run there during lunch break at work. Plus, the increased limits help me out.
Aug 26, 2013, 3:11 pm
#74
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
Aug 26, 2013, 3:21 pm
#75
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
I'm about a bit over 10k per month. I'm comfy there.
Interesting note about the Chase GCs...I actually agree that I would rather earn 3x or 5x points and get more rewards. I like UR points, but I like cash better. Also, I consider WM gift cards cash for my purposes.
Interesting note about the Chase GCs...I actually agree that I would rather earn 3x or 5x points and get more rewards. I like UR points, but I like cash better. Also, I consider WM gift cards cash for my purposes.