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. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I like that plan except maybe no SW for you. That sounds like a waste based on your living situation
     
  2. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    Very good value. Nice
     
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  3. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    I need 3 tickets from ATL to SNA, nonstop. Delta is my preference, but could go other routes. My companion cert won’t be available until after this trip, so that’s out, but I do have $200 in delta gift cards. Current options are to just use 165K Delta miles, or transfer MR and use those (least preferred), or use about 120K UR. Any better ideas?

    Due to babies, I don’t foresee much airline travel for the next 18 months after this trip, so I’m not against using a lot of the miles we have, just don’t want to be dumb about it
     
  4. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    If United is .5 or .6 then why not just cash that out at 1 to 1?
     
  5. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I don't see any other directs besides Delta. I think I would go one through Delta direct using gift cards and the others through UR
     
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  6. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    0.5 or 6.0+

    Like you can get first class flights at absurd valuations. It's just variable
     
  7. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    United has great redemptions for international flights (or at the very least I can vouch for Europe and Asia). I'd definitely stash some there.
     
  8. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
    San Antonio SpursHouston TexansNew Mexico State AggiesTexas AandM Aggies

    Got to leverage the Chase 15% back at Hyatt Place hotels during a work trip. Pretty nice free $45, was staying there regardless.
     
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  9. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    Ahhh got ya. Yeah well then yeah I will stash some there since its my home airport.
     
  10. Jimmy the Saint

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

    AMEX Delta Platinum fee is going up to $250. I was planning on canceling it this year anyway but that made the decision even easier.
     
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  11. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    Got that email too. 2x in restaurants and groceries, global entry, and annual companion certificate. I still will probably come out ahead but not by a ton.
     
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  12. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    Restaurants I exclusively use the CSR and groceries are usually good for whatever bonus I'm working on (or if it's a CF 5x quarter). I'm good on global entry for a few years.

    Just not worth it for me to shell out $250 to marry myself to having to fly Delta from a non-hub and hope I find a flight with the right classes of ticket available on the dates I want.
     
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  13. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    ASU Knight didn't even read this :angry:
     
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  14. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    will proooobably keep delta plat still, companion ticket covers the fee and living in a delta hub it's not hard to use
     
  15. comrade static

    comrade static i love french fries
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    Oklahoma City ThunderPhiladelphia EaglesOklahoma SoonersBarAndGrillBig 8 Conference

    ohhaithur talk to me about the Hilton aspire. I need a refresher.

    For reference/background, I live outside of Tulsa and go to Dallas a few times a year for random stuff except for my annual OU/Texas pilgrimage. I have a 5 and soon to be 3 year old so we don’t travel much because my almost 3 year old is a difficult (but getting better). I see that one of the Hilton “resort” hotels is the Anatole in Dallas. They recently added a small water park/pool scene to the hotel so I could see us staying a few days in the summer there with the kids. Plus, it is only. 3.5 hour drive instead of a flight so we can handle that. From what I can tell the $259 resort fee credit isn’t for a room, only for buying stuff at the resort. Is that right?

    My thought process is we could potentially use the free weekend night for one night that we stay there. Is the free weekend night for any type of room or the cheapest room available? We would want a suite or something where the kids could hopefully sleep in a different room.

    For the airline fees, can I still buy gift cards or did they catch on?

    What else do I need to know?
     
  16. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
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    The resort credit is actually good for the room fees. Wife and I will be using it at the Rockwell resort in Dallas this fall.

    The free weekend night is only good for a basic room though you may be able to pay for an upgrade.

    The airline fee doesn't work for any gift cards right now but there is a loophole with Delta to use it. If you want a ticket that is greater than $250 then use a gift card to get the total down to between $200 and $250 and then pay the balance with your card it will classify it in a way that you'll get the credit.

    Here's my referral link if you're going to sign up.

    Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you're approved! http://refer.amex.us/RYANJgqCj?xl=cp01
     
  17. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Gift cards likely won't work anymore but cheap southwest flights will.

    The resort credit will be easy to use in resort fees and restaurants. There's also a gift card-like hack if needed (send me a PM if interested in that @thread)

    The diamond status is sweet too. You'll easily get the value from the AF. also it's easy to downgrade to a free card if you don't think you are getting value and it's easy to get another bonus if you are

    Don't forget to get a referral if you choose it
     
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  18. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsUSA RugbyTiger WoodsOhio BobcatsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansOlympics

    comrade static

    Everything he said, but I have been credited for a room price before, but that was the first few months of the card. You’ll have plenty of points to cover your other night/nights, along with your weekend reward.

    Regarding weekend rewards, they are used for the standard redemptions, so it would likely be a king or two queen/double room. However, there is a solid chance the could upgrade you. But to be safe, do NOT check in to your room on the app before you arrive. Wait until you get to the hotel. The most effective way I’ve learned to get upgrades is to just ask politely if they have anything available. It’s worked more often than not, but I’m also EXTREMELY handsome and charming.
     
    #12168 Todd Bonzales, Feb 1, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2020
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  19. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    Funny timing, I used mine day before yesterday on a local stay (instead of splashy "aspirational") and was upgraded twice at desk check-in. From base room to something, and then up to suite. A free night (technically from annual fee) for a $699 room.
     
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  20. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    I probably fly for personal not work stuff 3 times a year. I like Delta. I guess if I got a delta rewards card I'd just put all my flights on it. Is that really going to do that much for me. As opposed to putting the flights on my chase saphire reserve and getting points for it?
     
  21. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    Currently at like 72k points on CSR , it's like $1000 in rewards travel dollars. Love CSR. I usually just go on the website and book flights through the Chase website using points. Is that the best way to do it? I know you can transfer the points to some of their in network partners. Not sure if that is a better way of doing it.
     
  22. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsUSA RugbyTiger WoodsOhio BobcatsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansOlympics

    I’m crossing my fingers that I can get an upgrade for our spring break trip, but ten night stays ain’t exactly high on the list of stuff they want to upgrade.
     
  23. Jimmy the Saint

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

    It can be, just depends on the flight, hotel, etc. Except transfers to Southwest are always at $.015 cpp.
     
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  24. Red Rover

    Red Rover Neck water faucet, mockingbirds mocking
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    Notre Dame Fighting IrishPhoenix Suns

    I opened the Southwest Rapid Reward card in 2014. Am I SOL trying to get both bonuses for the companion pass?
     
  25. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    I think it's 24 months? Did you cancel your old one?
     
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  26. Red Rover

    Red Rover Neck water faucet, mockingbirds mocking
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    Notre Dame Fighting IrishPhoenix Suns

    No, still have it currently But never use it

    Should I go ahead and cancel?
     
  27. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I'm not 100% on this but I'm probably 95% sure that the only requirements for a SW bonus are:

    1. No new bonuses in the last 24 months
    2. Not currently a holder of the card you're applying to
     
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  28. Red Rover

    Red Rover Neck water faucet, mockingbirds mocking
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    Notre Dame Fighting IrishPhoenix Suns

    Guess I’ll just have to give it a shot. Thanks man
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  29. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    Never called recon...card just showed up in my online account :blessed:
     
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  30. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
    Donor
    San Diego State AztecsSan Diego Padres

    so what is now counting as applicable charges for the amex travel credit (hilton aspire, to be exact)? i forgot to update from southwest this year, so that's again the airline. i know gift cards don't work anymore, but I'm wondering what does. is there a way to get airfare included here?
     
  31. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Under a hundred
     
  32. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
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    San Diego State AztecsSan Diego Padres

    Interesting...
    So I could book some cheap flights, cancel those and keep funds available for future use as travel credits on Southwest?
     
  33. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    You are opening yourself up to clawbacks but yes, that is the new "gift cards"
     
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  34. $P1

    $P1 Ball State #1
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsLos Angeles LakersChicago BearsChicago BlackhawksWest Ham UnitedBall State Cardinals

    Just used 78k Delta points to fly Delta One Detroit-Vegas for the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. No ragrets
     
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  35. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    I did not know this until this past week, but I downgraded the Alaska Airlines BoA card ($75 AF) because I fly them far less in my new hometown.

    Well by downgrading, I was slotted to the BoA Cash Rewards Visa, which still includes the same main perk....a $99+taxes AA companion certificate. Their footprint makes this a no-brainer if you have decent connectivity to their network.
     
  36. colonel_forbin

    colonel_forbin Well-Known Member
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    Where are you seeing this? I'm also thinking about downgrading my AA BoA card
     
  37. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    The companion code is already loaded into my Alaska account, under codes and certificates or w/e its called.
     
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  38. NoNatty

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

    I think you get to keep it but it’s not recurring.

    The companion fare is such an underrated perk if you’re near an Alaska city. Wife and I booked roundtrip flights to Maui for $600.
     
  39. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    I never used one in two years :/
     
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  40. NoNatty

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

    nice humble brag about having a billion AA miles.

    we use it almost every year for a trip to Mexico or Hawaii (out of Portland) and get $300+ value out of it.
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  41. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    True about the miles but I think it's because it sucks to use in the midwest

    Rip my miles though
     
  42. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    That would certainly make more business sense. I downgraded and they refunded (as it had already posted) the AF.
     
  43. colonel_forbin

    colonel_forbin Well-Known Member
    Donor

    It really is. The problem is that I live in north Alabama and fly out of Nashville. The only direct flights from Nashville are to Seattle, so I have to go to Seattle to get anywhere. Which was great when I went to Seattle/Vancouver last year, but not so much when I'm trying to get to southern California this year. It adds like another 3 hours of flight time.

    The card has still been worth $750+ to me in two years with the companion fare, waved annual fee the first year, plus bonus miles.
     
  44. comrade static

    comrade static i love french fries
    Donor
    Oklahoma City ThunderPhiladelphia EaglesOklahoma SoonersBarAndGrillBig 8 Conference

    Read up on the Hyatt and IHG cards. Seems like a no brainer unless you never stay in a hotel.

    Do either one of those have a referral bonus? I’m in the middle of a refi on my house which will be immediately followed by a refi on my 3 rental properties, so I won’t be able to apply for a card for a few months. But I plan on loading up this summer
     
  45. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
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    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsDetroit Red Wings

    Hyatt does, here's mine if you'd like to use it.
    https://www.referyourchasecard.com/205a/UDE67L7X5G

    And yeah the Hyatt card is a no brainer.
     
  46. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    comrade static you'll probably pick Hyatt but here's a guide

     
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  47. JacobPalmer

    Donor
    Nebraska CornhuskersGreen Bay PackersPoker

    Hypothetically, if your parents owned a farm/ranch that did a very large amount of spending in a year but in the past they have only bought things with cash, where's the best place to start with getting them set up for a business card that could reward them for all of their spending? Call AMEX business card department and have them run some numbers?
     
  48. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Ask us
     
  49. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCleveland Browns

    We should be able to help you here. How much business spending do they do a month? Do they have any interest in travel cards, or would they want straight cash back?
     
  50. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    ^^^

    The key is also amex would try to upsell while we don't have an incentive. Also we'll probably recommend a non-amex product but that's not as important
     
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