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. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
    Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsDetroit Red Wings

    Yeah that’s what I’d do
     
  2. C A N E

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

    Damn good call. Didn’t notice that. I’ll remove my link
     
  3. ATX305

    ATX305 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Miami Hurricanes

    Signed up for the Sapphire Preferred back when they were offering the 150k mile signup and then upgraded to Reserve when it came out. Like others have stated, this is very likely our last year with the card given the high fee.

    Outside of linking Apple Pay to my Apple Credit Card, we put all purchases on the card, so we definitely maximize our point earnings. Wondering if they move is just to downgrade to Preferred but are open to other cards. Austin isn't really a hub for many airlines so not sure it's worth going that route.
     
  4. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    It's not a delta card, but the regular Amex platinum will get you into Centurion along with Delta lounges
     
    skeezy likes this.
  5. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    Has anyone used the 35% rebate with amex business platinum when booking flights using Amex points?

    Usually I'd transfer to Skymiles or something but that 35% off is too sweet to ignore - right? What am I missing?
     
  6. Jimmy the Saint

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

    If you’ve had your current Sapphire card for more than 4 years I’d downgrade that to a no fee card and open a new Preferred so you get the bonus.
     
  7. Volholic16

    Volholic16 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Tennessee VolunteersAtlanta BravesNashville PredatorsGrateful Dead

    Thanks. Will give it a look.
     
  8. Where Eagles Dare

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

    I'm hoping they run something this year for 90-120K+
     
    bigjrock likes this.
  9. ATX305

    ATX305 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Miami Hurricanes

    Have had it since '17. So downgrade to Freedom and then open a Sapphire Preferred?
     
  10. Jimmy the Saint

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

    Yes
     
  11. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    Not gonna link because I cannot refer for it, but dang check your links. This is monstrous.

    • Platinum personal card: Get 150,000 points and $200 – Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Earn $200 Back in statement credits on purchases during the first 3 months of Card Membership.
    Only caveat is that you'll need to be committed to the AF.
     
  12. Where Eagles Dare

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

    That's a nice referral and essentially pays for the AF. I got 150k last year but not the 200x3 statements
     
  13. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    $200 within first 3 statements.

    $200x3 would be nuts.
     
    bigjrock and DuffandMuff like this.
  14. Where Eagles Dare

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

    Oh. Yeah
     
  15. Tommy Jefferson

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

    Whoever can share that link is going to cash in on referral bonuses
     
    BellottiBold likes this.
  16. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    It's capped at 100k/year.

    I'm debating if I should go for the platinum. I'm hoping that either the CSP (preferrably) or CSR get an elevated bonus soon.
     
    Tommy Jefferson likes this.
  17. Tommy Jefferson

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

    I don’t necessarily need the platinum, I don’t think I can take stomach of the $650 AF. If my sign up bonus includes a $200 credit, then I’ll take the bait
     
  18. C A N E

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

    Wife is in pop up jail. Pain.
     
    Where Eagles Dare likes this.
  19. C A N E

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

    Just hit the 60 days for that Amex business checking bonus. Easiest 60k MR
     
  20. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    Am I being naive regarding Amex Plat if I wait to see if the 150k + 10x grocery store or restaurants to come back? That offer seems so much more badass than the current one. I’m an AmEx noob, though.
     
  21. comrade static

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

    what is this? If discussed in here I missed it
     
  22. racer

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

    I’ve seen lately 150k, 150k+$200, and 125 +10x for 6 months. I had not seen 150+10x. I took the 125 + 10x because it was the best offer while I was looking to open. The 10x was kind of balanced out to be about 25k points I’d guess.
     
    #15123 racer, Mar 11, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2023
    The_Baumer likes this.
  23. racer

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

    Does anyone utilize bonus categories, like
    Grocery, to pick up gift cards to other places you spend money, like Amazon, to essentially get the bonus on more of your total spend?
    My assumption is that Amex just gets the transaction total and applies points based on that.
     
  24. C A N E

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

    comrade static likes this.
  25. comrade static

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

    my grocery store charges a fee for using a credit card to buy gift cards, otherwise I would
     
    racer likes this.
  26. comrade static

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

  27. C A N E

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

    Can’t go Amex > Hyatt
     
  28. comrade static

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

    well fuck. Where can you transfer?
     
  29. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Aer Lingus, Aeromexico, Aeroplan, FlyingBlue, ANA, LifeMiles, BAEC, Cathay, Choice Priv, Skymiles, Emirates, Etihad, Hilton Honors, Hawaiian, Iberia Plus, Jetblue, Bonvoy, Qantas, Kris Flyer, Virgin.
     
  30. skeezy

    skeezy what is this? meowschwitz?
    Donor TMB OG
    AvengersFormula 1

    Any tips for racking up Hilton points without getting an Amex card? Can’t afford the annual fee until I get my new job so I’ll get a card then.
     
  31. C A N E

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

    The simplicity of using Cap 1 points is just so refreshing. I referred someone yesterday and got my bonus the next day. Points post real time. Just nice.
     
    DuffandMuff likes this.
  32. Where Eagles Dare

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

    Did like how Chase did this to reimburse travel purchases
     
  33. C A N E

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

    Got targeted for a 150k business platinum offer. 15k in 3 months is a stretch but i can pay rent with a card so i signed up and ill eat the rent fee.

    They don’t take Amex. Pain.
     
    Where Eagles Dare likes this.
  34. C A N E

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

    What is this Europe?!
     
  35. Where Eagles Dare

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

    Have you tried ringing up your rent payment instead of bananas at the grocery store?
     
    wolfpck, WC, EagleDuck and 1 other person like this.
  36. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    I know the question is specific to not getting an Amex, but you can get 100k points on their no-fee card.

    Apply for an American Express Card with this link. With your new Card, you could earn a welcome bonus and your friend could earn a referral bonus. Terms Apply. https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/JEREMjLMDy?xl=cp19

    You can sign up for their dining program, but that will probably just be a little bit here and there. They also sell points half off quite often.

    Any particular reason you going for Hilton?
     
  37. skeezy

    skeezy what is this? meowschwitz?
    Donor TMB OG
    AvengersFormula 1

    I’ve got a conference in January at a Hilton property in Orlando. Wanted to get some points in the bank. Planning on getting an Amex in the fall when I’ve got my attending job
     
  38. Baby Boy

    Baby Boy Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    Didn't see points. Assumed it was 100k. My bad. Carry on. Good luck.
     
    #15139 Baby Boy, Mar 13, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2023
  39. Lip

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

  40. Baby Boy

    Baby Boy Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    Shit. Yeah that's not good. Sorry.

    So is it random/targeted?
     
  41. racer

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

    Hate to say it, but nobody is scrapping $1000-$1500 in value to kick another poster about $200.
     
    Buzz likes this.
  42. Baby Boy

    Baby Boy Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    Didn't see points. Assumed it was 100k. My bad. Carry on. Good luck.
     
    racer likes this.
  43. g8r

    g8r Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsBoston Red Sox

    Need recs. Taking a new job that will require me to travel mostly by car each week. Will likely stay in a hotel 2 nights a week. Territory will be all of Alabama and georgia (north of Columbus). Will be doing client relations and running all meals/travel on my card then getting reimbursed. Been a long time since I got any new cards. I have a csp and Hyatt card but have had them for a while.
     
  44. bRamonceTaylor

    bRamonceTaylor Well-Known Member
    Donor

  45. NoNatty

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

    I just got an “in review” message from chase for a an ink premier despite applying with a real business.

    What the hell.
     
  46. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    I think I've heard that is fairly common with Chase Biz. I read somewhere that they are one of the few that you should NOT call the reconsideration line if you aren't approved right away.
     
  47. Guy Trilby

    Guy Trilby Active Member
    Donor
    Texas LonghornsTexas State BobcatsTennis

  48. Tommy Jefferson

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

    Looking at flights to Thailand, Singapore Air seems like it has the best opportunity to consolidate points from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex points. I’m looking at two different Amex pages that tell me conflicting information on the point conversion, one says 1:1 and the other is 2:1. Can anyone explain what I’m overlooking?

    https://www.americanexpress.com/en-...ingapore-Airlines/Singapore-KrisFlyer/SINGRTN


    https://www.americanexpress.com/en-...s/partner/Singapore-Airlines---KrisFlyer/SING
     
    #15149 Tommy Jefferson, Mar 16, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2023
  49. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    Those of you without real businesses, what do you put for income/revenue when applying for biz cards? I haven't done it in 2-3 years and can't remember. Just fudge a number or do you list your actual personal income?