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. LeVar Burton

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

    Haven’t stayed current with this thread but I think I’m done with the AMEX platinum coupon book card after this year. Just ready to get another one of those big sign up bonus and double up on the first year benefits.

    The United travel bank still works for the airline credit by the way. Just had my 2 $100 credits post today

    Is the chase sapphire reserve still the preferred card of choice in here?
     
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  2. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    It is. Unless you’d like to opt for one of the Chase no fee Biz cards.
     
  3. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    imo the capital one x venture is better than CSR
     
  4. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    I misread his post because he used “preferred” in his question. CSP is the better option over CSR if you’re under 5/24 and want to swim in the warm Chase waters.
     
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  5. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    yeah i still put most my spend on my CSP. great value card.
     
  6. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    The benefits of the Reserve haven't exactly kept up with the increased annual fee IMO, which is now at $550. Plus the sign up bonus is currently low at 60K.

    The Venture X is $395 and includes $300 rebate for any travel booked through their portal. 75,000 point sign up bonus. 10,000 point bonus on your anniversary. Some large spend multipliers if you book hotel/flight/car through their portal.

    It includes Priority Pass. Unlimited access to Capital One Lounge in DFW with more opening this year. Here's my shameless referral plug https://capital.one/3PIjebP

    However- if you don't care about lounge access and some of the higher travel multipliers and rebates, then maybe look at Amex Gold ($250 AF) or Citi Premier ($95 AF). Both offer some great spend multipliers on common expenses. There's a Gold referral in this thread for 90K SUB. Citi Premier has an 80K SUB (EDIT- I just looked and the Citi SUB dropped from 80K to 60K a few days ago).

    Also, make sure you have a Membership Rewards earning Amex open before you cancel your Platinum so you don't lose points.
     
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  7. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Chase Hyatt card has a 5X offer on gas and grocery spend starting from January 15th to March 31st. Not sure who all is eligible. Here's the link https://www.chase.com/mybonus
     
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  8. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    if you are a traveling person and don't care about lounge access i don't trust you
     
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  9. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    I do, but a lot of them are overrated, esp if we're talking PP enabled access, and centurion has been trash in both SF and SEA in my time as a member (thankfully SF's reno just completed and SEA's is underway)
    Premium/INTL lounges though - wipes brow
     
  10. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    I just spent all day in the American Airlines international Admiral’s Club lounge in Chicago. It was really nice. The food was on point.
     
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  11. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    im at a delta hub so getting access to the delta clubs whenever i travel is a huge benefit to the amex plat and delta reserve cards
     
  12. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
    Donor

    Even the shittiest lounge is still better than gen pop :twocents:
     
  13. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesKansas City ChiefsLas Vegas Golden KnightsWatfordOlympicsFormula 1

    Minute suites is where it’s at
     
  14. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    ive tested the bounds of this and disagree

    savannah airport for example is far better outside the shitbox lounge they have
     
  15. Where Eagles Dare

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

    Lounge access is only worth it if you have international layovers or live somewhere shitty and can't get direct flights.

    Why the fuck you showing up places that long before take off
     
  16. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesKansas City ChiefsLas Vegas Golden KnightsWatfordOlympicsFormula 1

    Peace and quiet from home or the office
     
  17. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    usually only have half an hour but ducking in to grab a bite and a drink or two is handy
     
  18. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsChicago Cubs

    Free beer
     
  19. Where Eagles Dare

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

    I actually do like the lounges to go take a shit and grab a coffee on early morning flighte. ATL Delta lounges are nice

    But IMO it's really only a huge perk if you've got a long layover after an international flight and want to chill, shower, etc
     
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  20. i am a bammer

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

    Eh I fly a fair bit but it's usually non-stop around the southwest. Never even bothered because I don't get to airports early.
     
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  21. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesKansas City ChiefsLas Vegas Golden KnightsWatfordOlympicsFormula 1

    Hotel with earlyish checkout or meetings that don’t take all day paired with a later flight is another reason
     
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  22. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    Completely disagree. I travel 2-3 days a week and would be lost without Delta lounge access.

    Took several red eye flights back from LAX last year. That shower + old forester & cookie combo made my life better.
     
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  23. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesKansas City ChiefsLas Vegas Golden KnightsWatfordOlympicsFormula 1

    Discussion reminds me of Kenny tarmac

     
  24. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    I assume you're referring to the Flagship Lounge? I'm hoping to check that out in late April when I go transcon from there on Iberia. First Flagship experience, a little stoked.
     
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  25. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Fair, most of the time
     
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  26. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    Yes. I’d forgotten the name of it but that’s it. I was impressed.
     
  27. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesKansas City ChiefsLas Vegas Golden KnightsWatfordOlympicsFormula 1

    New Delta flyer here, thanks to Amex. What is everyone’s best advice for tracking down good sky miles value? So far I’ve had some pretty set dates and places, and found the best pricing that fit. Looking to find some good value to get some ideas for travel later on this year.
     
  28. Sportfan

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

    FYI I only had an 80k referral on my new account so I sent your link to a friend so he could get 150k. So you got a couple coming your way.
     
  29. Tommy Jefferson

    Tommy Jefferson Well-Known Member
    Nebraska CornhuskersKansas JayhawksKansas City RoyalsKansas City Chiefs

    Dudes helping dudes, love to see it
     
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  30. kentucky_dawg

    kentucky_dawg Fan of: Georgia
    Donor
    Georgia Bulldogs

    How does their portal compare to Chase's (only one I'm familiar with)?
     
  31. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    It's the best of all the credit cards.

    Flight prices are the same through the portal as they are directly from the airline. 5x points on flights. The best benefit is their price drop protection. If they say it's a good time to buy and the ticket drops in price within 10 days after booking, they'll reimburse you up to $50 per ticket. They use their own price prediction technology to let you know if it's a good time to book. You can set a price watch.

    I booked a Hilton Embassy Suites for a wedding back in November through their portal. Their rate was a bit cheaper than what was offered through my Hilton app as a Gold member. Not sure how common that is. I've also booked a rental car through it with no issues. The 10x point multiplier on hotels/cars is unbeatable. You don't get hotel status credit when booking anywhere other than the hotel though.
     
  32. Tommy Jefferson

    Tommy Jefferson Well-Known Member
    Nebraska CornhuskersKansas JayhawksKansas City RoyalsKansas City Chiefs

    These portals are so irritating. It stresses me out more than it should trying to compare prices between portal/direct/Expedia to find the cheapest method.
     
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  33. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Amex portal is such a clunky POS. I never use that one.

    I typically book through the airline (points) or credit card portal (cash) for flights.

    Direct with hotel if Marriott/Hilton. Either CC portal or Priceline if other hotel.
     
  34. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    I thought they use Hopper, but I could be wrong. I've used them for flights last year and the communication was good when American starting moving flights around. Have another trip coming up and just waiting for my $300 credit to refresh and will use it again.
     
  35. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    You're right. Their site says they've partnered with Hopper. That's what I get for breaking my cardinal rule and clicking on the points guy/first google result and seeing them claim "proprietary price prediction technology" here https://thepointsguy.com/news/capital-one-travel-booking-enjoying-trips/
     
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  36. Lip

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

    what’s the best way to check if the $300 credit is refreshed/available
     
  37. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    Click the wallet at the top of the Cap One travel portal.
     
    Lip likes this.
  38. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    Has anyone flown Singapore Air? I just booked business class for Vietnam for this Christmas.
     
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  39. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    Yes it’s dope
     
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  40. C A N E

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

    If I wasn’t about to burn through 350k UR points, I’d never carry a CSR.
     
  41. Robert Randolph

    Robert Randolph Well-Known Member

    I don’t get the hate for the CSR lately.

    1) The Travel credits don’t have to be earned through the Chase Portal (unlike Venture X)
    2) The Travel Portal gives 10x on flights and hotels just like the Amex.
    3) You get 1.5x redemption value when booking with points through the portal.

    Only downside is no direct transfer to Delta Sky Miles; but Flying Blue can help mitigate it.
     
  42. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Speaking for myself, I’d say a big reason is the increased annual fee to $550 (Venture X $395) without really any added benefits. Combine that with a paltry 60,000 SUB and it’s not good.

    The travel credits being redeemed anywhere is a great pro. Although spending $300 on a simple flight thru Cap One portal isn’t hard. AmexPlat is the worst with theirs: having to select one airline and not redeemable on airfare.

    The travel portal gives 5x on flights. Just like Venture X. AmexPlat wins this with 5x for any flights outside their portal.

    1.5x redemption thru portal is better than others, but I think most of us transfer our points to obtain more value, so that’s not much of a value add.
     
  43. Lip

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

    if someone doesn’t want to put in the effort to transfer to partners and try to find better value, I think the 1.5 redemption is the easy way to go though.
     
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  44. Uncle Tupelo

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

    Chase Aeroplan has a pay yourself back option at 1.25 cpp for travel purchases with aeroplan points. Might be a good option to liquidate MR points or capital one points.
     
  45. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    I have always transferred to UR partners for every airline redemption I’ve made. I use my points to fly international, though. I could see the portal being on par with domestic redemptions. I’ve also used the portal for hotel redemptions.

    I get about 3-5 cents per point internationally - with the exception of my ANA redemption to Tokyo which was a ridiculous 20 cents per point. I doubt that’ll ever happen again.
     
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  46. Spontaneous Cumbustion

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

  47. Tommy Jefferson

    Tommy Jefferson Well-Known Member
    Nebraska CornhuskersKansas JayhawksKansas City RoyalsKansas City Chiefs

    How does this work to get a business card? I know a lot of people reference some “eBay business” but do you need a tax ID or does the credit card company ever request additional information to verify things?
     
  48. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    No. You register as a sole proprietorship and use your own SSN for the business’ TIN.
     
  49. devine

    devine hi, i am user devine
    Donor
    West Virginia MountaineersChicago BullsPhoenix SunsPittsburgh PenguinsManchester CityPittsburgh PiratesSan Diego PadresBarAndGrillCoors Light

    Not sure where else to post this

    best budgeting app?
     
  50. Sportfan

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

    Centurion in DFW was packed yesterday I went over to the priority pass lounge which also was the busiest I’ve ever seen it.

    Centurion in CVG was hilariously small and basic but like three others were there so that was fine. Also had up charges for 80%+ of the liquors on hand so had a nice Jack and Diet and hopped on my flight.
     
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