Card Management
Feb 4, 2008 | 8:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Plat, Delta Plat, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton Diamon
Posts: 1,262
Card Management
I've become a bit of a point/miles junkie over time and have joined many programs that I maintain some level of activity in every year. As a result I have accumulated more loyalty program cards than I know what to do with.
How do you store your cards so that they're accessible when you need them?
How do you store your cards so that they're accessible when you need them?
Feb 4, 2008 | 8:50 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,038
There are times when you really need them. Desk agents who control access to airport lounges are one example, with some airlines' agents not accepting any other form of evidence (including frequent flyer elite status that their own computers printed on your boarding pass not ten minutes previously). I generally pull any I think I'll need out in advance of a trip and put them on the pile with my passport, left-over foreign currency from the last trip to that country, the Oyster card for London, maps and so on.
Last edited by Efrem; Feb 4, 2008 at 8:55 am
Feb 4, 2008 | 9:36 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Marriott Titanium
Posts: 2,861
My credit cards get stored electronically (in Quicken).
You almost never need the airline cards, but when you do, you do. So I keep the thick stack in a leather business card holder and toss the hole thing in the bottom of the carryon bag that ALWAYS goes with me. I usually only use it with a GA to make sure they know I am elite when I am asking a special favor... like "Can you please add me to the standby list?" when there is a sign sitting on the counter that says "Standy List Closed".
You almost never need the airline cards, but when you do, you do. So I keep the thick stack in a leather business card holder and toss the hole thing in the bottom of the carryon bag that ALWAYS goes with me. I usually only use it with a GA to make sure they know I am elite when I am asking a special favor... like "Can you please add me to the standby list?" when there is a sign sitting on the counter that says "Standy List Closed".
Feb 5, 2008 | 6:32 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: US
Programs: DL GE
Posts: 1,654
I got a business card holder from Kinko's when I started, all current loyalty cards are up front, last years, or previous status cards in back (just for fun). This holder stays in my backpack.
My Hilton, National and NW WorldClub cards stay in my wallet.
My Hilton, National and NW WorldClub cards stay in my wallet.
Feb 5, 2008 | 9:11 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Chicago Illinois
Programs: 1MM UA
Posts: 1,753
I just counted the stack in my desk, and there were 77 of them (a few
duplicates, I'm sure, but not many). They include some family-member cards. I have all the numbers listed on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper I carry around when I travel. The only time I've ever needed a card itself was,
as Efrem said, for lounge access in an elite program.
duplicates, I'm sure, but not many). They include some family-member cards. I have all the numbers listed on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper I carry around when I travel. The only time I've ever needed a card itself was,
as Efrem said, for lounge access in an elite program.
Feb 12, 2008 | 5:57 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ATL, BHM, DUB, County Wexford
Programs: DL DM, AA ExPlt, Diamond HH, HY, BW, & Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 5,221
I am setting with nearly 1k in cards. I keep them in a 4" 3-ring binder. I ordered duplicates of each one and set up wallet inserts for international travel and a staples card case for domestic travel. I have an international insert for travel to Ireland and the UK and one for the rest of Europe and another for the America's outside the USA. I keep my best credit cards and atm cards in those inserts along with the airline cards that I travel to those locations.
Feb 13, 2008 | 12:20 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM 1.7+MM, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Disc
Posts: 3,312
A few years ago, I received one of those TUMI leather cases that's about the length of an envelope. It's just the right size for all the FF cards, my passport, some biz cards, receipts, etc. It always goes with me.
Feb 13, 2008 | 1:18 pm
#11
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,446
I also have a small card with numbers for all my FFP and frequent stay programs.
Randy informs us you can add these to Priority Club cards. See how in his Boarding Area post.
Randy informs us you can add these to Priority Club cards. See how in his Boarding Area post.
Feb 13, 2008 | 2:06 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Freising
Posts: 97
I put all my travel account #'s in the Notes section of Outlook (Like a Post-it Note). Also put in there a hint to the userid / psw of the website. Seems like all the sites these days have more stringent passwords, so you never know what variation of your standard password you chose for that site when you signed up. If it's a little used account (IE the Amtrak and Continental ones I created for the AMEX->Continental->Amtrak->Choice->Southwest) just look at your "notes". If it's on an exchange server, then you have access to them from anyware if you can look at your outlook on the web.
Feb 22, 2008 | 5:12 am
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, Hertz PC, Marriott Lifetime Plat, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 44,404
Thankfully I've only got one program to worry about... (lol).... Too young to rent a car, and hotels cost too much... so I stick with AS for all my needs, (And have the number memorized anyway) but always have the MVPG card in my possession in my wallet. It helps when they dominate where you fly (and have a good network of partners)
Feb 22, 2008 | 6:10 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bargara Australia
Programs: VA, SQ, IHG, HH,ALL, Europcar
Posts: 1,559
Louis Vuitton card case
I have a wonderful LV card case - a bit like a business card holder...
That sits at home in the office and when I travel I go thru it and take the cards I think I will need - I also have all the numbers in my cell phone directory.
Most of the time you only need your cards when you are online making the reservations.
But I do carry them just in case.
Adam
That sits at home in the office and when I travel I go thru it and take the cards I think I will need - I also have all the numbers in my cell phone directory.
Most of the time you only need your cards when you are online making the reservations.
But I do carry them just in case.
Adam