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. Uncle Tupelo

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

    If not interested in business cards, I'd go ahead and just start getting all the Chase personal cards you are interested in. The Chase Ink unlimited has a $200 (20K points) bonus for 0% Intro APR

    https://creditcards.chase.com/cash-back-credit-cards/chase-freedom-unlimited

    Other good bonus value personal cards include the Hyatt Card:https://creditcards.chase.com/travel-credit-cards/world-of-hyatt-credit-card?CELL=60LC&F42G=VK0WN8

    Marriot Card: https://creditcards.chase.com/travel-credit-cards/marriott-premier-plus?CELL=60LC&F42G=VK0WN8

    United Explorer Card: https://creditcards.chase.com/travel-credit-cards/united-mileageplus-explorer?CELL=60LC&F42G=VK0WN8

    Southwest Card: https://creditcards.chase.com/travel-credit-cards/southwest-plus?CELL=60LC&F42G=VK0WN8

    I would recommend the Business cards though, The Ink preferred has the best bonus (80K), and the ink cash and ink unlimited offer 50K points for 0% Intro APR. They also don't count toward 5/24. I understand if you don't want to do them, however. Also keep in mind you need to wait at least 1 month between Chase applications. I would personally recommend closer to 2 though.

    Also, don't forget to ask for referrals.
     
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  2. i am a bammer

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

    BoA Bank Americard cash rewards card now let's you pick your 3% rewards category, so that's nice.
     
  3. 49ers169

    49ers169 Administrator
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Boston BruinsMichigan State SpartansBoston Red SoxSan Francisco 49'ers

    Not credit card but anyone get the Robinhood checking and savings notice today? 3% on all money in either checking or savings.
     
    i am a bammer likes this.
  4. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    I signed up for the wait list. Seems almost too good to be true. Anyone familiar with their security insurance? I only know of FDIC
     
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  5. 49ers169

    49ers169 Administrator
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Boston BruinsMichigan State SpartansBoston Red SoxSan Francisco 49'ers

    Yeah thought the cap would be the $8,000. Seems way too good.
     
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  6. BP

    BP Bout to Regulate.
    Donor
    Atlanta BravesGeorgia BulldogsAtlanta Falcons

    Dumb questions incoming.
    Just got CIP, my first business card, Is the business login on the same page as my personal cards or is it a completely different Chase site.
    Do the business rewards points merge with the personal rewards points?
     
  7. rezy

    rezy Member
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesNew York YankeesLos Angeles ClippersNew York GiantsManchester United

    You’ll have to make a separate log in for the business card. You’ll have the option to combine them both which will be under the biz log in. You’ll be able to combine points by adding your personal card as a household member
     
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  8. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    in retrospect I should have gotten this card over the SPG Lux but the targeted 125k bonus got me in

    or maybe i'll just get both, $300 credit and free night pays for annual fee on spg lux, but trying to juggle all the free nights and getting rebates redeemed with Hyatt/SPG/Hilton cards could get cumbersome
     
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  9. Todd Bonzales

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

    And reward nights almost add a little pressure, as odd as that sounds. I refuse to use them at a Hampton or Home2. I HAVE to maximize it at a premium hotel. I don’t understand how people can just throw them away, essentially.
     
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  10. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Yeah I'm the same way. Hyatt almost killed me
     
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  11. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    My Q4 sheet is in.

    Just broke 2,000,000 accumulated points. But I'm going to get WRECKED over the next six months. $13,144 in value to be used. :ohshit:12/15-3/15 will be the first quarter I lose value though

    Screenshot_20181214-124559.png
     
    Buzz, Menelaus, CoastalOrange and 9 others like this.
  12. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    You could sell your spreadsheet if it’s that tite.
     
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  13. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    It's overly tite. I chart redemptions and do a pivot table Screenshot_20181214-130001.png
     
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  14. Houndster

    Houndster Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG

    Give me that
     
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  15. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Remind me in January. No time to scrub it before I go to Argentina
     
  16. Uncle Tupelo

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

    When booking trips, specifically hotels, do you guys value better overall value or higher end redemption? Looking at ways to use some Hilton points in Scotland this summer, and I can get the Waldorf Astoria right next to the castle at just under .005 cpp or another 4-star hotel at closer to .007 cpp.
     
  17. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    I try to balance it, my priority with hotels is always location though, I like to be able to walk everywhere if possible so will take slightly less value or splurge for higher end if it gets me in the neighborhood I want. You'll find that at least with Hyatt the value increases(on a per point basis) as the hotel quality increases, but you're using a bunch more points.

    I'll also forego points all together for a good deal in the perfect location, like I did for Rome.

    This post is likely no benefit. I'd lean towards better value at .007cpp but how far from shit you want to do is it?
     
  18. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    I used to do those things and then we had a baby. Shit dropped real fast.
     
  19. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Personal preference. Depends on location number one, then how much I will be in the hotel, if I'm with my girlfriend or alone, if I really need to feel bougie for some reason, etc...
     
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  20. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    sounds like bad priorities
     
  21. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    It's probably why I'm seriously considering the Schwab Platinum. Maybe cash out some of the MR at 1.25 cents per point. Sitting on 500k MR with no big trips until December 2019.
     
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  22. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Do it. You won't regret it
     
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  23. Uncle Tupelo

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

    Yeah, location is pretty similar, so thats a wash. I'm planning to propose on this trip so I should maybe step it up and be fancy. All those points though :ohdear:.
     
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  24. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    hah the benefit to your hopefully future wife being able to say you all were staying at the waldorf astoria vs the Doubletree when you proposed might be worth if it

    maybe
     
  25. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    She’s gonna know as soon as you tell her you’re staying at the Waldorf.

    I’d still do it because I like to feel fancy.
     
    #8775 BrickTamland, Dec 14, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2018
  26. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    you're recording points on a trip you're proposing on? I thought I was bad
     
  27. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    Never tell her that you thought about this
     
  28. i am a bammer

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

    Frugality and thrift are important qualities in a mate. Show her your spreadsheet.
     
  29. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Bitches love spreadsheets
     
  30. pianoman

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

    This is true, my wife said she knew she made the right decision marrying me when I showed her all the spreadsheets I had for different things in my life.
     
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  31. Uncle Tupelo

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

    "We ate our soggy eggs and overcooked bacon at the hotel, and as we walked out, he asked me right in front of the Hampton Inn sign..."

    Yeah I'll get the Waldorf.
     
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  32. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    “Babe, I hit two minimum spends on that fuckin’ piece of carbon. Now please pass me a hot towel and glass of cucumber water.”
     
  33. Uncle Tupelo

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

    Wants a Moissanite ring :smug:
     
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  34. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Telling your kid that they were conceived at Hampton Inn doesn't have the same ring to it as a Waldorf would.
     
  35. Uncle Tupelo

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

    Hampton Inns can be magical places.
     
  36. i am a bammer

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

    Hampton is for the people
     
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  37. hawkeyeOUTeast

    hawkeyeOUTeast Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Iowa HawkeyesChicago CubsCarolina PanthersKansas City ChiefsCarolina HurricanesPGABig Ten Conference

    What if it’s a Hampton in the Hamptons?
     
  38. EMAW FC

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

    As someone who is now the administrator of our company’s corporate credit card program, that is a refreshing turnaround time.
     
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  39. EMAW FC

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

    You can always call the CSR private line and do it over the phone in about a minute
     
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  40. Phi Mus Love Boones Farm

    Phi Mus Love Boones Farm Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG
    Auburn TigersNew Orleans Saints

    I just got back from a trip where I flew American and they had an offer on their Barclay's card that was from what I read was 50,000 miles after your first purchase (no mention of minimum spend) with a 95 yearly fee. I'm not really into this, but I have to be missing something right?
     
  41. Zebbie

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

    Nope, that’s correct - you can literally buy a bottle of water for less than $2 & pay the $95 fee up front & get 50,000 AA miles
     
  42. tjsblue

    tjsblue I was right at the time
    Donor

    What if it is Hilton in Hilton Head. She’d be obligated.

    Laps taken.
     
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  43. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    All you're missing is that it's usually 60,000. I'm a big spender Attach53103_20181009_095454.png
     
  44. HuskerInMiami

    HuskerInMiami Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Miami DolphinsNebraska Cornhuskers

    Didn’t know what moissanite was til your post. Told my wife and she wants one now. I got her engagement ring 6 years ago when I was poor AF and she’s been hinting at getting her an upgrade. You may have just saved me tons of $$$
     
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  45. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    Thoughts on capital one savor? $500 Cashback bonus after MS, $95 AF starting year 2. I don’t have any experience with CO points so not really sure their value. I don’t recall seeing this card discussed much here, so I assume it’s not a top choice?
     
  46. tjosu

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

    Capital One's rewards just aren't as valuable as the other banks. They don't have transfer partners which is where a ton of value comes in and then if I remember right, you can only redeem rewards for cash back at a rate of 1 point = 1 cent
     
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  47. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    500$ and fee free first year isn’t bad. If you’re over 5/24, and you don’t have a specific goal in mind, it’s a good card to get for the bonus.
     
    Baseballman86 likes this.
  48. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    A dozen cards I'd get before that but still not bad
     
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  49. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    as expected they pulled the product
     
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  50. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    As Clueless a product launch I’ve ever seen. Not sure how many on here read Matt Levine’s newsletter / column but he had a good take on it.
     
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