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. C A N E

    C A N E Let justice be done though the heavens fall
    Donor
    Miami HurricanesMiami Heat

    Currently at St Regis and just got an Amex offer for $100 off a $500 stay. :ohgosh:
     
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  2. C A N E

    C A N E Let justice be done though the heavens fall
    Donor
    Miami HurricanesMiami Heat

  3. Lip

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

    What about on the app?
     
  4. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Account --> Awards
     
  5. tjosu

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

    The Chase terms say it can take up to 10 weeks to post to your account which is pretty similar to the free night certificate for the AmEx Aspire (took several weeks for mine to post there). This reminded me that I'm due for my free night as well
     
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  6. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    don't get me started
     
    Lyrtch likes this.
  7. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Free wifi on the beach in Australia came in clutch when I was snapping out dick pics a few years ago
     
  8. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Sounds like the file size wasn't too large if the pictures went through on a public free wifi.
     
    DuffandMuff likes this.
  9. PAHokie

    PAHokie Can't a bitch living say I bought her Michael Kors
    Donor
    Virginia Tech HokiesPittsburgh PenguinsAtlanta Braves

    I’ve started using Apple Pay wherever I can after being in Europe in July.
     
  10. i am a bammer

    i am a bammer Ben Eblen>Jamychal Green
    Donor TMB OG
    Alabama Crimson TideSan Diego Padres

    Is Samsung pay any good? I disabled the damn swipe-up-for-pay thing they're trying to force on me yesterday.
     
  11. Tony Wonder

    Tony Wonder Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan WolverinesDetroit LionsDetroit Red WingsNewcastle UnitedDetroit Tigers

    TAS and The_Baumer like this.
  12. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
    Donor
    Oregon DucksPortland Trail BlazersSan Francisco 49'ersManchester UnitedPortland Timbers

  13. Tony Wonder

    Tony Wonder Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan WolverinesDetroit LionsDetroit Red WingsNewcastle UnitedDetroit Tigers

    I thought you could have both if you had it long enough. Maybe I had that wrong. Not a big deal as I am planning on downgrading it but was waiting to make sure some referrals hit.
     
  14. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
    Donor
    St. Louis CardinalsTennessee TitansNashville PredatorsMiddle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

    Sorry if it’s been covered in this thread, but what are the thoughts on the AmEx Platinum? The $550 annual fee seems very high.
     
  15. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    Calculus for me is uber credits I get full value of. Incidental airline fee thing I get mostly full value but it's complicated and annoying. So looking at $400 if you can optimize both.

    Global Pass you likely got from another card because amex plat isn't a #1 card.

    Saks credits I know some people use, it's $50 every six months. I've used 1 of the 3 I've had.

    Premium airline portal is actually very valuable if you regularly pay cash for premium economy or first class tickets (this saved me a bunch this year on a Japan flight).

    If you travel a lot and have centurion lounge or delta skyclubs often, you can get lots of benefit from this. I get lots of value here as I'm at a Delta hub.

    Hotel status can be beneficial too but I don't really give a shit about the marginal benefit it seems to bring.

    (if you decide to get one use my referral bb)
     
    THEBLUERAIDER and ohhaithur like this.
  16. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    I’ve considered this one several times. Every time I come to the same conclusion and pass. I’m not an Uber user and I get the global entry benefit from other cards already. If I was a high volume flyer, I’d have it for the lounge access, but as a 5-10 times a year type, I just can’t justify it. I’m not getting it unless/until they up the intro offer to 100K
     
    THEBLUERAIDER likes this.
  17. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Take the bonus and downgrade in a year iyam. But I am anti amex
     
  18. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Only apply if you get the 100K bonus.
     
    THEBLUERAIDER likes this.
  19. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
    Donor
    St. Louis CardinalsTennessee TitansNashville PredatorsMiddle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

    Sorry for all the questions. Why anti Amex?
     
  20. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
    Donor
    St. Louis CardinalsTennessee TitansNashville PredatorsMiddle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

    I don’t think I travel enough to use it. Maybe once a month right now, but I just got a new job so we will see.

    Thanks.
     
    Lyrtch likes this.
  21. tjosu

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

    True Life: I'm a Points Whore

    In the very early stages of planning a wedding and was browsing some venues yesterday. There's a Grand Hyatt we've stayed at a lot in her hometown that I decided to look at to see the kind of spaces they had. Turns out, if you host a wedding/reception at certain Hyatt properties, you can earn World of Hyatt points. Even better is that when I sent that to the fiancee, she liked that we actually get something in return for all that money spent
     
    Lipp, CoastalOrange, SP1 and 9 others like this.
  22. phunkybuck

    phunkybuck Your pennies have been in my ass
    Donor TMB OG
    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsColumbus Blue JacketsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansGrateful Dead

    I'm getting married at a Marriott property next month and the points incentives are nice although I'm salty they devalued them before I could book a trip with the points I'll be getting. I did manage to use all my Chase and United points for a free 2 week honeymoon to the Greek Isles though.
     
    Lipp, CoastalOrange, pratyk and 4 others like this.
  23. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    I just got approved for it with a 75k point bonus. I needed a card with no foreign transaction fees and lounge access since I tend to have long layovers or trips with multiple legs.

    I currently have TSA Precheck, but that will end soon and I’ll use the Global Entry benefit. I will easily hit the Uber benefit, so that’s $300 right there.

    I plan on using it for a year then downgrading, at which time it’ll have been 48 months since I got the CSR. If I understand correctly, I’ll be able to get that card again.
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  24. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Favorite islands? Assuming you took ferries?
     
  25. phunkybuck

    phunkybuck Your pennies have been in my ass
    Donor TMB OG
    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsColumbus Blue JacketsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansGrateful Dead

    Going next month, but yes planning to take ferries between islands. Santorini, Paros, and Milos.
     
    DuffandMuff likes this.
  26. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I've been rejected from using it:

    My rent
    my dry cleaner
    At the food truck outside my office
    At the DMV
    When paying state taxes
    In all of South America
    And so many more places
     
    #11376 ohhaithur, Sep 11, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2019
  27. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    as i've gotten lazier about the points hunt the idea of making an amex my primary spend card just isn't happening

    despite some people arguing combos of Amex Gold and such are the best points earners
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  28. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    a
     
    #11378 ohhaithur, Sep 11, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2020
  29. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    i've still never started the AA points thing, probably should do that before it goes away or gets prohibitively difficult

    AA has no presence here which hurts
     
  30. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Between Pay over time enrollment bonus (10k MR), Amex Offers, Retention offers, Uber Credit, and other random advantages of Amex Concierge (Hamilton tickets at face value, reservation at a 3 michelin star restaurant last month in Basel, etc.), the Amex Plat one of the best cards I've had in the past X years. I got rid of the regular Amex plat but still have the Schwab Plat (60k signup bonus if you have a schwab account & lets you cash out 1 MR for 1.25 cents in case you're not looking to travel over the next year or so).
     
  31. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    forgot about concierge services

    only successfully used it once but it got me reservations at one of if not the hardest places to get a table in the world when we were in copenhagen
     
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  32. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersTennessee VolunteersBarcelonaUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamLiverpool

    This still amazes me. I have the one AA card and have not received a mailer since I got it.

    Also, that would put me over the 5/24 rule so I am attempting to wait it out using my other cards.
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  33. EMAW FC

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

    how often do you apply for another citi card? I got my first one this April, i'm guessing i need to apply for another like two months ago
     
  34. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    How was Noma?
     
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  35. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    it was wild, i've done quite a few tasting menus but none like that. they very clearly are trying to challenge you intellectually, its why i compare it more to an art show than just a tasting menu dinner.
     
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  36. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    Wife and I are thinking about a quick 3 or 4 night trip to Copenhagen in next year or so. Good to know about the Amex thing.
     
    Lyrtch likes this.
  37. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    we loved it, i did a huge write up in the travel thread

    stockholm was what we paired with it which was only ok imo
     
    Menelaus likes this.
  38. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCleveland Browns

    Yeah, I always have to keep a Chase card as a backup because Amex just isn't accepted at some places. Both the fiance and I are back at school, and Amex isn't accepted to pay tuition either. It's pretty frustrating, especially considering alot of their good bonuses require a minimum of 5K in spend.
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  39. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    My man
     
  40. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
    Donor
    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington Football TeamAtlanta United

    I got a 60k AA offer, should I start there?
     
  41. Zebbie

    Zebbie Hey Mike, guess what I have in my underwear?
    Donor
    Texas Tech Red RaidersTexas RangersChicago CubsDallas StarsTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    Personal or business?
     
  42. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
    Donor
    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington Football TeamAtlanta United

    Personal. 3k spend

    I'm in Atlanta, so a little hesitant to get on some AA stuff bc usually have to connect
     
  43. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Every 65 days on the dot. Although it looks like the train has ended
     
  44. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    You should send to for me for...inspection. Yes, inspection
     
  45. EMAW FC

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

    I haven't received another mailer, who has an AA mailer offer for Ryan Mallett?
     
    hawkeyeOUTeast and tjsblue like this.
  46. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Almost nobody. And it ends next week
     
  47. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Good lookout on the Pay Over Time bonus. I’ll have to hop on that.

    Should’ve looked at getting the Schwab card since I have a couple of investment accounts with them, but hopefully all my points will be used on travel.
     
  48. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    The $5K spend scared me a bit, but I looked at my spending since moving to the west coast and should hit it somewhat comfortably. Plus holidays coming up and I’ll be spending more around that time.
     
  49. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
    Donor
    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington Football TeamAtlanta United

    Why
     
  50. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Ohh nearly bankrupted them
     
    CoastalOrange likes this.