Credit Card Thread - Now with a Beginner's Guide to free travel/FAQ

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by blind dog, Apr 10, 2015.

  1. * J Y *

    * J Y * TEXAS
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsTexas RangersSan Antonio SpursDallas Cowboys

    So you filter purchases through 3 different chase cards?
     
  2. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I don't have a unlimited card yet, but yes, I filter through two now.

    I put all my 5x on freedom and everything else on the sapphire
     
  3. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    I won't ever use the unlimited for the 1.5%. I don't pay for gas but I'll use the freedom at grocery stores during the 5% quarter and restaurants during that 5% quarter
     
  4. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    what do you use for, say, an amazon purchase? or a fishing pole?
     
  5. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    CSP was always my default amazon card. Would switch it up to the ones on 5% quarters if I remembered
     
  6. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
    Donor
    Kansas State WildcatsSeattle Kraken

    Discover 5% amazon rn tho
     
  7. wes tegg

    wes tegg I'm a Guy's guy, guys.
    Staff Donor
    Atlanta BravesDenver BroncosChicago BlackhawksBirmingham LegionMississippi Rebels

    The Amazon prime store card gives you 5%. Forgot to mention that I also have that.
     
    AU3kGT likes this.
  8. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
    Donor
    Penn State Nittany LionsGreen Bay PackersChelseaHartford WhalersPhoenix Rising

    Will downgrade my CSP to a Freedom when the annual fee comes due in February but I don't know how much value I'll get out of it. I already get 6% back on groceries with my AMEX Blue Cash Preferred so that's a worthless quarter for me.
     
  9. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    Not if you're transferring the points to your csr where they're worth 1.5 times
     
  10. Tilly

    Tilly Souf Cack
    Donor TMB OG
    South Carolina Gamecocks

    Just got an email that UR points are now 1.25 for Amazon purchases.
     
  11. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
    Donor
    Oklahoma State CowboysHouston AstrosHouston TexansTiger Woods

    Probably a long shot, but is there any way to transfer from a specific travel partner to Ultimate Rewards? Gf has about 80k miles in her United MileagePlus account that we'd like to use for an upcoming vacation but we won't be flying United so was just curious if it was possible at all
     
  12. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    United/star alliance is an ultimate rewards partner that is a 1:1 points transfer FROM UR to united. I am not sure about the reverse, but they are a partner
     
  13. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
    Donor
    Kansas State WildcatsSeattle Kraken

    To clarify, UR points are being devalued.

    Old:
    100 points = $1
    New
    125 points = $1
     
    Tilly likes this.
  14. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    you just use statement credits instead imo
     
  15. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
    Donor
    Kansas State WildcatsSeattle Kraken

    well, yea
     
  16. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    Arkadin

    Called the reconsideration line and moved some credit from other cards, clarified that I was just an authorized user on two other cards and was approved. Pumped about this card
     
    High Cotton, LeVar Burton and Arkadin like this.
  17. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    good work, that 30 day has been a good sign.
     
    Menelaus likes this.
  18. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Lounge access looks like fire

    Thanks Chase
     
    gordon bombay and Menelaus like this.
  19. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    most of those priority pass lounges look way cooler than they are, but its definitely a nice perk for long layovers where you dont want to hang out in the bar/want some free booze
     
    CTownND, ohhaithur and Menelaus like this.
  20. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    I'm staying at two Relais & chateaux properties in France next May...the CSR gives me immediate elite hotel benefits there. Hell yes
     
  21. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    You know me ark. I won't drink free booze unless everyone is in a tux and waiters are referred to as "the help"
     
  22. LeVar Burton

    LeVar Burton Knee deep in a dynasty, ROLL TIDE!
    Kansas JayhawksAlabama Crimson Tide

    Instantly approved for the chase sapphire reserve card :smug:
     
  23. Big Apple Duck

    Big Apple Duck Craving a chimichanga
    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    why?
     
  24. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    5% rotating quarters on gas, grocery/wholesale stores, restaurants. you transfer that to the CSR and that's 7.5% cash back
     
    Big Apple Duck likes this.
  25. Big Apple Duck

    Big Apple Duck Craving a chimichanga
    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    The trip delay insurance looks sweet - they'll reimburse you up to $500 if you're delayed 6+ hours or have to stay over night, so you can get a hotel room instead of sleeping in the airport. I wonder, though: would you have to purchase the flight on the CSR for them to do that?
     
  26. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
    Donor
    Oklahoma State CowboysHouston AstrosHouston TexansTiger Woods

    How do you get to 7.5%? I understand the 5% quarters and transferring part, confused about the remaining 2.5
     
  27. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
    Donor
    Oklahoma State CowboysHouston AstrosHouston TexansTiger Woods

    Yes, I believe I read something on the points guy earlier that said you had to have booked using that card
     
  28. * J Y *

    * J Y * TEXAS
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsTexas RangersSan Antonio SpursDallas Cowboys

    I guess I can wait until I hit 8k between these two csr's before I jump in the freedom game.
     
  29. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    Yeah that's how CSP was too, but it had to be 12 hours or overnight. Must have booked using the card, good for food, toiletries, clothes, room, stuff like that. Can't be home airport.
    Points in your CSR ultimate rewards are good for 1.5x their value when used to book travel through the UR portal. So if you transfer over 5 points and use them in the portal, that's 7.5 cents
     
    tjosu likes this.
  30. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    So what's everyone using their CSR bonus points for?

    I already have more than enough UR points for 2 round trip tickets to Paris and 4 nights of hotels with my IHG card and wife's Hyatt cards, so bonus points from CSR are going towards another trip.

    In thinking somewhere in the Caribbean in early 2018.
     
    High Cotton, momux and LeVar Burton like this.
  31. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    that's the big question.

    I'm thinking:

    Spring/Summer: Greek Islands
    Winter: Costa Rica
    NYE: England for some soccer games

    I <3 this thread
     
  32. BB3

    BB3 watch our for your cornhole bud...
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsLos Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Lakers

    Hopefully combining SPG and URs to either Singapore or Korean for biz class to Thailand / Southeast Asia for 2.
     
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  33. texasraider

    texasraider thanks
    Donor
    Texas RangersKansas City ChiefsDallas Mavericks altTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    I'm about to buy an iMac on my Ink card. Can't find an office supply store that sells them to get the 5x. Any ideas?
     
  34. EMAW FC

    EMAW FC Proud Smucker
    Donor
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsFulhamSporting Kansas CitySneakers

    office supply stores would have gift cards right (best buy,frys,etc.)? buy the gift cards at the office supply store, use gift cards to buy the iMac
     
  35. EMAW FC

    EMAW FC Proud Smucker
    Donor
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsFulhamSporting Kansas CitySneakers

    Buying a house next spring/summer so wanting to go on a week + trip to Europe with the wife to celebrate. Points should cover two round trip flights through United + I have around 50k SPG points to burn.

    Cash flow could be tight post house purchase, so we might downgrade to a Caribbean or Central America trip instead
     
    Menelaus likes this.
  36. texasraider

    texasraider thanks
    Donor
    Texas RangersKansas City ChiefsDallas Mavericks altTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    They don't seem to sell any "competitors" gift cards. Or anywhere that sells apple products.
     
  37. Baby Boy

    Baby Boy Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    I apologize for all of the damn questions I have asked over the past week regarding the Reserve and student loan refi ordeal but I have one more question.

    As I've said I'm planning on refinancing student loans but also I'm going to get the Reserve card. I got the advice to get the card first before refinancing because it would make more credit available and help the credit/debt ratio. The other question I have about doing both is I know both will involve a hard credit inquiry. With that said do I need to time both of them together and apply for both during a certain time frame to keep my credit score from being as effected with multiple hard inquiries? Hopefully I'm explaining this well.

    Arkadin
     
  38. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    You're talking about minimal dings on your score. It won't really have a big effect either way.
     
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  39. LeVar Burton

    LeVar Burton Knee deep in a dynasty, ROLL TIDE!
    Kansas JayhawksAlabama Crimson Tide

    A friend of mine got the Chase slate card and the reserve card today and was immediately approved for both.
     
  40. Baby Boy

    Baby Boy Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    Appreciate it. Just wanting to get the best refinance rates I can get and keep my score at that elite level. :dennard:
     
  41. Spontaneous Cumbustion

    Spontaneous Cumbustion Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsXavier MusketeersFC CincinnatiTottenham HotspurUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    Do you guys book your trips through the chase rewards website or do you transfer them to a partner? Going to use mine for a trip to Europe next fall and trying to get the best deal possible.
     
  42. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
    Donor
    Penn State Nittany LionsGreen Bay PackersChelseaHartford WhalersPhoenix Rising

    I think it depends but I'd imagine it'll be hard to beat the new added CSR bonus redemption. I've only transferred once so I could use up some SW points.
     
  43. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    If to you best deal = using the least amount of points, it will most likely be best to book through the portal
     
  44. * J Y *

    * J Y * TEXAS
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsTexas RangersSan Antonio SpursDallas Cowboys

    If I want to use my 200k points for a relaxing trip w/ the wife should I make sure its a hyatt property?
     
  45. BB3

    BB3 watch our for your cornhole bud...
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsLos Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Lakers

    It's the best UR option (imo) if you're planning to transfer points for hotel stays. Marriot and IHG devalued a while back. I've never booked hotel stays through the portal, tho. We are staying in London / Paris for the next 2 weeks starting tomorrow. I'm paying for 3 nights. The rest are Hyatt reward nights. :D
     
  46. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    how many chase points (via a conversion first through their hotel partners) for Companion pass on SWA?

    I would imagine if a husband/wife both got CSR, they could earn a companion pass for $300 profit, right, as long as they timed it correctly, right?

    $450-300-300=-$150 (x2)
     
  47. momux

    momux AFAM Scholar
    Donor
    North Carolina TarheelsCarolina PanthersChelseaFormula 1

    so Hyatt is the best transfer partner for UR but has anyone tried to book with points? Supposedly their all inclusive resorts are available for 25k per night but everything looks unavailable when you try to book with points online. Anyone had better success calling in?
     
  48. BB3

    BB3 watch our for your cornhole bud...
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsLos Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Lakers

    Depends on what you want to do. Economy flights could be better through the portal. If you're wanting biz / first class...well I wouldn't bother looking at the portal unless it's the sale of a lifetime.

    I've booked often with points. How far out date wise are you looking? Sometimes you'll need to look really far in advance or closer to your date for spots to open up. Never booked an all inclusive.
     
  49. momux

    momux AFAM Scholar
    Donor
    North Carolina TarheelsCarolina PanthersChelseaFormula 1

    Tried here https://goldpassport.hyatt.com/content/gp/en/rewards/search-awards-destinations.html

    Literally nothing available for the Zilara properties for 4 nights.
     
  50. BB3

    BB3 watch our for your cornhole bud...
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsLos Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Lakers

    Here are the standard transfer rates for converting Marriott Rewards points to Rapid Rewards points:

    • 10,000 Marriott Rewards points = 2,000 Rapid Rewards points (5:1 ratio)
    • 20,000 Marriott Rewards points = 5,000 Rapid Rewards points (4:1 ratio)
    • 30,000 Marriott Rewards points = 10,000 Rapid Rewards points (3:1 ratio)
    • 70,000 Marriott Rewards points = 25,000 Rapid Rewards points (2.8:1 ratio)
    • 140,000 Marriott Rewards points = 50,000 Rapid Rewards points (2.8:1 ratio)

    Seems like a horrible proposition.