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. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    Sapphire Preferred was a good choice then.
     
  2. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Sapphire is good for bars/restaurants

    And if you don't want to pay the annual fee every year, just downgrade it to the chase freedom in a year or 2.
     
  3. GGCD

    GGCD The most wasted of days is one without CUM
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    Ohio State BuckeyesChicago CubsChicago BullsChicago Bears

    What if my application gets rejected? I have a feeling it might because I am currently a full time student and my rent is rather expensive. Is there any way to petition or do I have to move on to a new card?
     
  4. Druce

    Druce Fuck football.
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    You spend 4-5k a month as a full time student? Going to be tough to get approved for a limit that high unless you lie about your monthly income or you have some really high paying job and are still a full time student.
     
  5. thegenerel

    thegenerel Well-Known Member
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    Pittsburgh PenguinsPenn State Nittany LionsPittsburgh SteelersWest Ham United

    Does anyone here have the relatively new Amazon Prime Store card which gives 5% back?

    I currently have the Amazon/Chase CC which earns 3% back in points (2% on gas/food, 1% elsewhere), but I use it exclusively on Amazon.

    5% sounds tremendous, but after reading the Amazon forums, there are dozens of pages of complaints regarding the issuing bank (Synchophany? sp?). Most of those people are buying things they cannot afford and are getting killed with late/interest charges. I pay off my CC balances in full each month, so that shouldnt be an issue, but the extra 2% savings isnt worth it if the lender is terrible to deal with.
     
  6. EMAW FC

    EMAW FC Proud Smucker
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    at least two quarters out of the year you can get 5% cash back on Amazon with Chase Freedom or Discover so Amazon Prime store card would be high on my list
     
  7. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Never heard of the card, but if you pay your bills on time, I'm not sure what you have to worry about. Maybe their billing/payment system sucks.
     
  8. LeVar Burton

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

    4-5k in monthly spending?!??! Uhhh wow...that's impressive and a lot of booze and books.
     
    #608 LeVar Burton, Dec 2, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2015
  9. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    Especially as a student. I make decent money for 26 and don't spend that in a month unless I'm on a trip or something.
     
  10. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    It pays to come from money.
     
  11. bro

    bro Your Mother’s Favorite Shitposter
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    very good card. Was able to spend enough for the bonus, very excited

    plus, it is a cool looking card
     
    GGCD likes this.
  12. K T

    K T Well-Known Member
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    Is Discover IT still the go to card for a first timer?
     
    pearl likes this.
  13. pearl

    pearl Fan of: White wimmens feet
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    Yep. If you need a referral. Just pm your email. Bonus $50 cash back reward
     
    kona town likes this.
  14. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Discover or Chase. Chase is offering $150 cash back after you spend $500 the first three months.
     
    kona town likes this.
  15. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    when he first posted 4-5 in monthly CC spending, I assumed he must make 100k plus.
     
    watson, -Asshole- and Baron like this.
  16. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    lol yeah, I did the math and thought, "Damn, $40K+ a year just on food and booze?"
     
    -Asshole- likes this.
  17. Dex

    Dex Well-Known Member
    Clemson TigersCarolina Panthers

    Currently have a Capitol one quicksilver.

    Really want a travel reward card. Typically fly delta, but could change if I move. Spend roughly $4k a month on card-everything goes on it

    Chase travel? Capitol. One travel? Or would I be better for a delta exclusive card? Want the most mileage I can get. Wife flys as a contractor so we could use it for that as well.
     
  18. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    currently the best, all things considered, will be the sapphire or the citi thank you.
     
  19. GGCD

    GGCD The most wasted of days is one without CUM
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    Ohio State BuckeyesChicago CubsChicago BullsChicago Bears

    Just got approved for my Chase Sapphire Preferred card, thanks for the help.
     
    bro and Arkadin like this.
  20. Druce

    Druce Fuck football.
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    North Carolina TarheelsNotre Dame Fighting IrishAtlanta BravesDetroit LionsBarcelonaSneakers

    wedding venue ran a promo to put one payment on a c.c. up to the amount you owe. fuck yes amex points up the ass
     
    TheDKALife likes this.
  21. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    I put my down payment for my car on my CC. /tweet
     
  22. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    Anyone else noticing AMEX reward dollars positing slower than normal? This is the second straight billing cycle now that my reward dollars are taking a week or longer to post. In the past they would usually post a day or two after the statement closed.
     
  23. 49ers169

    49ers169 Administrator
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    Boston BruinsMichigan State SpartansBoston Red SoxSan Francisco 49'ers

    Just got an AmEx platinum 100,000 point bonus the $450 seems steep but honeymoon planning coming up I am debating applying.

    Worth it or no?
     
  24. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Long term? Probably not, unless you think airport lounges are the greatest thing in the world.

    But for a year or 2? Definitely. Just have to take a short term hit on your credit report.
     
  25. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    I think the "$200 airline credit per calendar year" benefit provides the best value if you can get 2 years of benefit for 1 annual fee. But it's probably too late to utilize it for 2015.
     
  26. 49ers169

    49ers169 Administrator
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    Does anyone know when the per calendar year takes effect? When you purchase the flight or when you actually fly on the airline?

    If it is the former I would be able to utilize it as I have to purchase my flight in the next week for Kansas City for work.
     
    #626 49ers169, Dec 21, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2015
  27. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    The airport lounge thing is pretty shitty now. Recently had to give up my Corporate Platinum but almost all of the major airlines used to be a part of it. Now I don't think any of them participate (Delta was one of the last) and the ones you get access with the Priority Pass are obscure.
     
    49ers169 likes this.
  28. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    It's a reimbursement of a purchase, so it should be based on when you make the purchase, not when you fly.

    But note that it doesn't cover ticket purchases. More for things like bag fees (or maybe change fees). Quick google search tells me some people have had luck making small gift card purchases and getting reimbursed, but that is one of the things specifically mentioned as not being covered in the credit.
     
  29. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    And I'm not sure you'll get the card in time to make a purchase next week.
     
  30. 49ers169

    49ers169 Administrator
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    Ahh missed that on first glance, thanks. Doubting I would even get the card anyways.
     
  31. PJP3

    PJP3 Well-Known Member
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    Colorado BuffaloesOakland RaidersFulhamLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    Even if you just use the miles as amex points they're worth $1000. Seems like a no brainer for at least a year. The Platinum is my favorite card I have.

    It's when you purchase, and you get reimbursed pretty quickly, but doesn't cover the flight. Only things like drinks, seat selection, etc. I had no problem buying american airlines gift cards with the credit though even though supposedly its not covered. It just gets billed as an AA misc transaction though. You just need to break it up into four $50 transactions and it goes through fine.

    Number of lounges has certainly gone down, but priority pass is good internationally for lounges and the centurion lounge kicks any other domestic lounges ass. Unfortunately I think there's only 5 right now but I assume they plan on expanding.
     
  32. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
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    Finally had some stupid stuff from 7 years ago when I was in college clear my credit report, so I'm in the market for a new credit card. Currently have one with a stupid APR and a BofA student visa with zero perks. Any recommendations? I don't travel too much and I generally pay my cards off monthly.
     
  33. pearl

    pearl Fan of: White wimmens feet
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    What could you have possibly done that it would take several years to clear?
     
  34. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
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    Had several things go into collections. Showed up as delinquencies on my credit report.
     
  35. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    What kind of rewards are you looking for?
     
  36. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
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    I assume cash back is probably best if I don't care about miles? This is really my first experience getting a credit card that has any perks.
     
  37. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    Travel/hotel rewards are generally better value than cash back. But if you don't travel, then that leaves you with looking at the best cash back cards.

    Capital One Quicksilver isn't bad. Some people like the Amex Blue Preferred.
     
  38. pearl

    pearl Fan of: White wimmens feet
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    Pm your email and I'll send you a referral link for discover
     
  39. Tommy Callahan

    Tommy Callahan Well-Known Member
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    The delta sky clubs are still on there no?
     
    #639 Tommy Callahan, Dec 22, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2015
  40. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    They removed them sometime this year I believe.
     
  41. Tommy Callahan

    Tommy Callahan Well-Known Member
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    Still showing up on the Amex website. That would kill that card I feel like and Delta and Amex have had such a long relationship I don't see it happening.

    Edit. They got rid of the companion for free which might be what you are thinking of
     
  42. PJP3

    PJP3 Well-Known Member
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    Delta are still on there, yes. I used one in november.
     
  43. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    any airline cards that still have companion passes?
     
  44. 49ers169

    49ers169 Administrator
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    Southwest is the only one that comes to mind.
     
  45. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    British Airways (free after $30k spending)
    Alaska ($99)
    Barclays/Lufthansa Miles & More (free)
     
  46. MA

    MA Surprisingly normal looking
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    Have I read in here that some points cards can have the points be converted into cash back?

    I originally went with a cash back card because I don't travel much, but then I got to thinking I would travel more if I was getting travel rewards instead of cash back.
     
  47. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    If you have a chase checking/savings account, you can convert UR points into cash
     
    MA likes this.
  48. The Banks

    The Banks TMB's Alaskan
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    Alaska has the companion fare, two 30% fare discounts if booking within a week or two (can't remember), 40000 miles (about two free round trip flights) when you first sign up, two free bags, and then the standard 3 miles for every dollar spent with Alaska Airlines and 1 miles for every other purchase.

    I'm sure there's a few other airlines with similar perks though.
     
  49. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Pretty much all of them can. You just get better value (20-25%) more when used for travel on the best travel cards. But those cards will translate to 10k points is 100 bucks almost unanimously
     
    MA likes this.
  50. MA

    MA Surprisingly normal looking
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    Guess I didn't think that would be a thing since it kinda makes regular cashback cards seem pointless.