Future of MS
Jun 1, 2014, 7:58 am
#46
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DFW,OVB (Russia)
Programs: AA HH Gold SPG Gold BA
Posts: 1,823
Believe it is harder going cash back, but have heard of some holding multiples of the same CB card. Over here we run cash back cards as only 3% of total credit line available in the portfolio. That said, miles and hotel points are stacking like cordwood. Some of our spend is just to bump status now. We caught Hilton cheap skating us golds on upgrades in Tokyo to avoid executive lounge costs, so we are running up to platinum (executive lounge access mandatory) as a countermeasure, for example. Figure executive lounge access comprises 25% of the value of our Hilton stays so running up points for platinum status there is cost effective.
That said, I will probably try to bring CB up to 6-9% as a percentage of total credit line outstanding this next year to begin generating cash as an offset to ADK Jr.'s student loans. I am just a few countries short of this year's goal of reaching 150 countries (TCC countries) visited and have more than enough miles to reach it.
That said, I will probably try to bring CB up to 6-9% as a percentage of total credit line outstanding this next year to begin generating cash as an offset to ADK Jr.'s student loans. I am just a few countries short of this year's goal of reaching 150 countries (TCC countries) visited and have more than enough miles to reach it.
Jun 1, 2014, 8:54 am
#48
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
MM and I are indeed both in the same time zone, although MM is up in the beantown area on the coast and I'm down south in the money laundering capital of the free world. 
BTW, personal experience says MS is always better if you live in one of the top ten ML centers. Lots of jobs for AML, CFE and auditor types, too.
BTW, personal experience says MS is always better if you live in one of the top ten ML centers. Lots of jobs for AML, CFE and auditor types, too.
Jun 1, 2014, 1:20 pm
#49
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: US/AA, UA, AS, BA, IHG, HGP
Posts: 223
Believe it is harder going cash back, but have heard of some holding multiples of the same CB card. Over here we run cash back cards as only 3% of total credit line available in the portfolio. That said, miles and hotel points are stacking like cordwood. Some of our spend is just to bump status now. We caught Hilton cheap skating us golds on upgrades in Tokyo to avoid executive lounge costs, so we are running up to platinum (executive lounge access mandatory) as a countermeasure, for example. Figure executive lounge access comprises 25% of the value of our Hilton stays so running up points for platinum status there is cost effective.
That said, I will probably try to bring CB up to 6-9% as a percentage of total credit line outstanding this next year to begin generating cash as an offset to ADK Jr.'s student loans. I am just a few countries short of this year's goal of reaching 150 countries (TCC countries) visited and have more than enough miles to reach it.
That said, I will probably try to bring CB up to 6-9% as a percentage of total credit line outstanding this next year to begin generating cash as an offset to ADK Jr.'s student loans. I am just a few countries short of this year's goal of reaching 150 countries (TCC countries) visited and have more than enough miles to reach it.
Jun 1, 2014, 2:55 pm
#52
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Delta P, SPG G, Marriott S, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,007
Alternative, do cash back and points/miles. Opportunities still there.
Right now my pure cash back cards are only used on 5% category. All of the other cards are paired with portals to double up. I think using points/miles cards without cash back is typically just a waste, and barely cover liquidation costs.
Cash is king.
6 figure ms, all cash+.
Right now my pure cash back cards are only used on 5% category. All of the other cards are paired with portals to double up. I think using points/miles cards without cash back is typically just a waste, and barely cover liquidation costs.
Cash is king.
6 figure ms, all cash+.
Jun 1, 2014, 4:07 pm
#53
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,129
I would rather have cash (and to a certain extent UR) than AA miles, skypesos, etc. All of my CB cards are maxed out for bonuses. I burn hard inquiries on the huge signing bonuses for points, thus I haven't tried to get more than one of each CB card. Right now, a mix of both works well to get signing bonuses and to maximize cash up to the CB cap.
ADK, I'd be interested in a copy of the same PM as well. I'm sure you know lots of things I haven't figured out yet.
ADK, I'd be interested in a copy of the same PM as well. I'm sure you know lots of things I haven't figured out yet.
Jun 1, 2014, 4:27 pm
#56
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: AA, SPG, MR, UR, Cash Back!
Posts: 606
MM and I are indeed both in the same time zone, although MM is up in the beantown area on the coast and I'm down south in the money laundering capital of the free world. BTW, personal experience says MS is always better if you live in one of the top ten ML centers. Lots of jobs for AML, CFE and auditor types, too.
BTW, personal experience says MS is always better if you live in one of the top ten ML centers. Lots of jobs for AML, CFE and auditor types, too.I too have switched to CB if M$. Points are nice but it would be nice to ramp up my cash flow. The more I learn from this forum and piecing things together the easier it seems to get.
Jun 1, 2014, 5:26 pm
#57
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Have CB cards now with 2 issuers. My total CL is large, but my active CB card comprises only 3% of that total CL. The second CB card has another 10% of that total CL, but is currently slack as I'm focusing on Delta, Hilton, United and Membership Rewards bonuses and statuses at present. After another 100k spend or so, I will swing away from points and miles to CB.
Jun 1, 2014, 5:41 pm
#58
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
ELP is less than SAT, but probably better than MFE. As with MIA, it helps to have a majority Latin population for some reason. Over here I see lots of MOs being processed every day, some being purchased with stacks of cash. Last Friday I was behind a twenty something gal unloading about 6 inches of paper 20s, for example.
Just always mind your Ps and Qs, keep your paperwork, diversify your operation and be sure you have adequate capital in event of emergencies (like occasional shutdowns).
Just always mind your Ps and Qs, keep your paperwork, diversify your operation and be sure you have adequate capital in event of emergencies (like occasional shutdowns).
Jun 1, 2014, 7:43 pm
#60
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX
Posts: 546
I think 25K in cash back a year is no longer big. It's advanced level, but no where big. I would say 50 to 75K a year in CB is bag.
ADK- I am really surprised that you are your CB cards have such a small amount of your total CL. I thought you would be more like 50% CB and 50% points. BTW, which cards can you get again and again.
Believe it is harder going cash back, but have heard of some holding multiples of the same CB card. Over here we run cash back cards as only 3% of total credit line available in the portfolio.
That said, I will probably try to bring CB up to 6-9% as a percentage of total credit line outstanding .
That said, I will probably try to bring CB up to 6-9% as a percentage of total credit line outstanding .