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. Zebbie

    Zebbie Hey Mike, guess what I have in my underwear?
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    Unless you need the SW points this year to get the CP, you might as well wait until December to get the SW Business card so that your bonus will post in early 2020, and try to get the rest of the points in early 2020 so you can have the CP for 1 year + another 8-9 or more months
     
  2. two

    two Hello
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    I mean there is no point in getting the Delta AMEX Reserve if you aren’t flying Delta almost exclusively
     
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  3. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
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    There's some, I just read the benefit terms on Delta's website. To access the Centurion lounge it has to be a Delta flight and be paid for on an american express card.

    But they also didn't touch on one really nice benefit is that Delta Reserve card holders will now hold priority upgrade status over members at the same medallion level. That's huge for me who flys out of an airport with a very small Delta presence. I'll get a ton more upgrades because of that.
     
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  4. pianoman

    pianoman my drinks are free
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    It doesn't have to be purchased on the card, just on an american express card.
     
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  5. gordon bombay

    gordon bombay magician's alliance enthusiast
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    I would agree. Add the fact that they removed the $200 airline incidental / gift card loophole with the regular amex plat and I think most cardholders will switch to the delta reserve.
     
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  6. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    Anyone have a Citi personal mailer they're not using? My fish is slacking
     
  7. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
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    Yep that’s the plan, complete spend in early 2020. Going to apply for in next Monday.
     
  8. beist

    beist Hyperbolist
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    This section is interesting. Wonder what the welcome bonuses will look like tomorrow. Regardless, I will probably be making a switch of some sort between tomorrow and the end of the year

     
  9. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    Bout to go for my CIP5...yikes
     
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  10. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    Let us know how it goes. About to go for 4 in the next few weeks.
     
  11. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    I've got two. Auto approved every time. Always scared getting one bc it's some light fraud. But 100k points is so easy
     
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  12. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    I wouldn't call it fraud if you can make a case for what you say you do. I say I have been in business for 10 years and make $3000 annually. I say that I sell used goods. I sold my wife and I's school books and random knick-knacks in college and then after that I sell things around the house on FB. Probably adds up to around 3k annually.

    Part of me feels like luck will run out eventually and I should just cash it all in for some ridiculous trip. Sitting on 1.2 million chase points right now.
     
  13. CoastalOrange

    CoastalOrange Well-Known Member
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    :ohholkyfuck:
     
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  14. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    I thought I was rich at 172k.
     
  15. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    When you are about to do something risky (which I don't think you necessarily imply that you are), make sure to transfer a bunch out so as to not risk your entire balance on some small (broadly speaking) gain.
     
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  16. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    How the fuck do you have 1.2mm points?

    Also, why? Go somewhere.

    I feel rich when I have like 225k and go to Bali for free. You can go around the fucking world
     
  17. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
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    Just blew 480,000 HH points for a trip. My family and I will be staying in a Home2 in Skokie, IL for three nights.
     
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  18. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    Chase gives you 30 days almost always

    I would transfer some out though but I'm a Chase coward
     
  19. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    ohhaithur I'm sure you've posted this calculation before but I searched and couldn't find it

    My wife and I were discussing which card to use the most and whether it's better value to accumulate AAdvantage miles or Amex points (which would be used almost exclusively for booking airline travel). Amex points are basically worth 1¢ toward airfare. A lot of variables are at play with the value of miles, but a $400 roundtrip domestic plane ticket could be anywhere from 25k miles if you can get a Milesaaver fare(and therefore 1.6¢/mile) or 50k miles (.8¢) for Anytime. And of course some round trips are more than $400, and many are less.

    Curious as to what the best strategy is here.

    thanks
     
  20. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    I value AA points much higher than 1 cent but you're also ignoring AMEX transfer partners

    What's your home airport and some trips you're considering? Do you care about business class?
     
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  21. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    Transfer out to what? I keep the points on my wifes CSR but I guess it wouldnt hurt to transfer them to back and forth to the person who isnt applying for a new CIP.

    2.5 years of churning. I go back and forth on applying between my wife and I. No MS. New CIP everyone 2ish months. As for why...I use them when I can just havent had chance to use them recently. Im also not very well versed on the best way to use them and where I should go. We love to travel and are up for anything if people have suggestions about how to best redeem them.

    Where should I transfer out to?

    I need some ideas on how I should redeem some of this. Wife and I are going to Vienna in December so maybe something next Summer. Been wanting to do Thailand or something beachy.
     
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  22. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    my god the things I'd do with 1.2mill chase points. I'd be so spooked at chase shutting my account down if i was sitting on that money from that kind of churning. I still need to start doing it as I'm getting to the end of normal card bonuses.
     
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  23. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    figure out what airlines and hotels are most in line with your trips and goals (First Class on Lufthansa to Vienna for instance?). And plot out actual usage.

    Devals are consistent and pervasive. Get to using them.
     
    Lyrtch likes this.
  24. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    Good on you brother
     
  25. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    one day devals will come for us all
     
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  26. i am a bammer

    i am a bammer Ben Eblen>Jamychal Green
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    You can transfer the points to me if it would take some stress off of you
     
  27. BayouMafia

    BayouMafia Thought Leader in Posting
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    DFW and thinking our next vacation is to Argentina and/or Peru. Business Class matters a great deal to me. I currently have around 250k in AA miles and Platinum status due to work travel
     
  28. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    just an example of the calculus i use for earning

    I like to use points mostly for Hyatt hotel stays as I get the best value OR business class international travel. I also travel everywhere, so don't have to the prioritize europe or south america or anything

    from MSP the best value business class is virgin atlantic booking delta flights as I'm in a delta hub. 50k one way gets me into europe and 60k one way gets me to ICN or HND. can book flights off that to get intra-region.

    CSR/AMEX both transfer to virgin atlantic and hyatt so my decision is easy. I spend almost everything on CSR but once amex trip protection starts I'll put all flights on that.
     
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  29. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    I wouldn't worry too much about transferring out. It sounds like you've spaced your applications out appropriately, and worse case scenario, Chase shuts you down and you either book an awesome trip then, or cash out $12K. I had 700Kish UR points before making my bookings for Europe and didn't feel any pressure.

    That being said, I've always found the best value with Hyatt for Chase points. Got really good value on my flight home to the states with Flying Blue/KLM as well.
     
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  30. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    AA is the answer from dfw

    Too easy to accumulate without annual fees
     
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  31. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    Wish Delta was as easy as AA
     
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  32. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
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    I know this isn’t news to anybody in this thread, nor is it necessarily the “best” use of points, but the damn 1.5 cents redemption for UR with travel is just awesome. My wife is really picky about hotels, and always find one that isn’t part of any chain. UR to the rescue.
     
  33. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    Whatever stay you use points on instead of money is the best use of points
     
  34. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    Chase needs to partner with Airbnb.

    Be a game changer
     
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  35. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    What about apple gift cards
     
  36. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    I said "stay" not "use"

    You can't get me you charlatan
     
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  37. Andy Reocho

    Andy Reocho Please don't get lost in the sauce
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  38. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    we are a friendly bunch generally, ask away if you have any questions

    just don't use your points on apple gift cards or we get a bit squirrely
     
  39. Andy Reocho

    Andy Reocho Please don't get lost in the sauce
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    All I’m doing at the moment is using my new Capital1 Venture card to get the 3 month rewards to try and go on a trip in the spring/summer
     
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  40. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    That's a pretty good intro card and one that is suggested here pretty frequently for newbies to credit card rewards. Nice start
     
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  41. Andy Reocho

    Andy Reocho Please don't get lost in the sauce
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    I will ask, the reward is I believe 50,000 miles that’s transferable airlines/partners. I know it varies at times but is there a general rule of thumb for what type of trip I can get for a rough range of points?

    If it matters I’d be flying out of KC/OKC/Tulsa if possible
     
  42. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    In general I hate The Points Guy but this article is exactly what you need https://thepointsguy.com/guides/cap...les-vs-transferring-to-airline-partners-tues/

    You should get between $500 and $800 in value
     
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  43. Andy Reocho

    Andy Reocho Please don't get lost in the sauce
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    Appreciate it. That was insightful. We most likely wouldn’t be doing a huge international trip at this point, so buying and redeeming seems like the move, and just look for good deals when they pop up.
     
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  44. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    LSU90 what message did the status line give you for your CIP5?
     
  45. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    I know Chase stopped with shutdowns a year or two ago for the most part (I think). I believe they still do shutdown people who MS and just completely abuse the system by opening like double digit cards in a year kind of thing. Do they give you the opportunity to redeem your points within 30 days if they shut you down? If so then I am just going to leave them and worst case scenario I cash out 12k.

    I think I have had a solid plan to fly under the radar. I do not MS. My wife and I are both 1/24. I get a new card every 2ish months and switch back and forth between my wife and I. When the annual fee for the CIP hits at a year I cancel so I keep my income to CL ratio far below 50%. Some people say downgrade but because its business it doesn't affect credit scores, I can keep my CL with Chase down by cancelling. It becomes a revolving door where my wife and I only have 2-3 CIP's open at a time.

    As long as you keep your velocity down and income to CL ratio below 50% I don't think there is an issue. If anyone has any further insight or new knowledge im all ears.

    I havent applied yet. Ive almost hit 5k on my CIP4 for my wife then I am going to apply for CIP5 for myself. Ive never had to do recon except on my CIP1 when they wanted proof of address.
     
    #11545 LSU90, Oct 2, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2019
  46. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    CSP offer back up to 60k
     
  47. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    Going for CIP5 and applying roughly every ~60 days?

    Thoughts and prayers for LSU90 1.2M Chase points.
     
  48. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
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    The Points Guy suucckkkkkks. Hate him. Of course some of that stems from jealousy.
     
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  49. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    I think he's switching every 2-3 months between him and his wife. Every 4-6 months per person is fine as far as application velocity.
     
  50. Uncle Tupelo

    Uncle Tupelo Well-Known Member
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    Chase gives you 30 days to use or lose your points, so yeah absolute worst case is you get shut down and you cash out $12K. I'd rather do that than panic transfer to a partner without a plan.