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. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    In the past, if you had the right Chase cards, you could buy gift cards at a grocery store, then use UR points to cover the purchase at 1.25 or 1.5x. I think that is no longer an option, but it's worth checking into.

    If you're really going hard and either of you are under 5/24, I'd recommend getting a new card with a fat signup bonus. That's always going to be the best move.
     
  2. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    I was about to cancel my Amex Platinum but I figured I'd wait until I got back from my trip.

    Good thing I didn't because I forgot about the Centurion lounge at Heathrow. Just out of the shower and the breakfast doesn't look too shabby either.

    For once, my laziness pays off.
     
  3. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    How’s the size compared to other centurion lounges?
     
  4. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
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    Where did you stay in London? I’m planning a trip so I’m looking for recs.
     
  5. LeVar Burton

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

    The $200 Amex platinum airfare credit still works on the United Travel bank.
     
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  6. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Probably half the size of NY centurion lounge. Some of the lounge seating is a bit shallow but food was pretty good.
     
  7. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Gotta be more specific :awesomeface:
     
  8. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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  9. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    PAHokie and Sportfan like this.
  10. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    PAHokie, Sportfan and TAS like this.
  11. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
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  12. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Supposedly more offers will go out 1/15. Maybe check again and you'll have better luck
     
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  13. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

  14. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    No dice on my Hyatt, CSP, Freedom or Freedom Flex. However, Chase Freedom is already 5% back on groceries this quarter and I get 10x at restaurants on Amex.
     
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  15. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    What are everybody's thoughts on Citi Premier/Prestige, or just the Citi ThankYou points ecosystem in general?

    looking into it for upcoming Disney trip with the kids as they are one of the few that can be used for Disney tickets
     
  16. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Recently got the Citi premier. Point transfers to Turkish Airlines opens some really cheap domestic travel (7.5k pts) for one way flights operated by United. Award availability is somewhat limited and dealing with Turkish Airlines is a PITA, but the card has been a welcome addition to all the other bullshit I'm juggling.
     
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  17. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    Anyone have the Capital One Venture X?
    How’s their Capital One travel system?
     
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  18. C A N E

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

    It’s fine. Hotels seemed to be the same price as booking direct, sometimes a little cheaper. Easily better than the BS Amex tries to pull. I booked a hotel in NC with no issues. There’s something about flights that always has me booking direct.

    I love the app. I like how I accrue points as charges post. I also love not having to worry about dumb monthly credits.

    Here’s my Venture X referral link: https://capital.one/3x53q9H
     
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  19. C A N E

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

    Today I learned that you only get a capital one referral bonus if the referral has zero accounts with them
     
  20. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Amex Platinum dropped their 10x small business and restaurant sign up bonus today. However, there is now a 150K sign up bonus after spending $6K in 6 months, which is incredible IMO.
     
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  21. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    I think I've asked this before long ago but wondering if any new options now.

    my sister runs a charcuterie board business and they spend probably $4-5K a month at grocery stores, delis, supermarkets etc.

    Is there a business card worth getting for them, or better to stay with personal cards that have high bonuses at those spots? Any recommendations?
     
  22. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Business cards consistently have pretty great signup bonuses. No reason to stick with personal cards.

    Chase has a lot of good offers right now that are easily achievable with that sort of monthly spend

    https://creditcards.chase.com/busin...p-s7m6H6Qv5zhSFADK1ebYu9Zeb9z0DRoCGw0QAvD_BwE
     
  23. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    If you're not tied to a particular airline or hotel, I'd recommend getting the Chase Ink Unlimited. 75,000 pt signup bonus and 1.5x on all spend


    Earn 100,000 bonus points with the Ink Business Preferred® card or $750 bonus cash back with the Ink Business Unlimited® card or Ink Business Cash® card. I can be rewarded too, learn more.
    https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21a/I9CU79HYDU
     
  24. honestlee

    honestlee Well-Known Member

    They could run through the three Chase Ink cards. That's an easy 250,000 points.

    Unfortunately none of those don't have bonus spend for grocery stores

    Ink Unlimited is 1.5x points
    Ink Cash is 5x points internet, cable, phone, and office supply stores and 2x points for gas and restaurants
    Ink Preferred is 3x points shipping, internet, cable, phone, and travel. This one isn't worth keeping unless you want to pool the points together on one card.
     
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  25. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Agree that in most cases, the card is not worth the $95 annual fee. But if you do not have a Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred, and you wanted to redeem UR points for travel or transfer to a airline/hotel partner, the Chase Ink Preferred is the only business card that gives you that option. The other two business cards limit you to cash back/pay yourself back redemption.
     
    honestlee likes this.
  26. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
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    I’m planning a trip to London and Paris for Christmas next year. I booked the first leg this morning on American’s Flagship First and Biz class.

    CLT to ORD in first and ORD to LHR in biz. 82k AA miles and $5 in taxes.
     
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  27. Tommy Callahan

    Tommy Callahan Well-Known Member
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    Amex gold is 4X at grocery stores
     
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  28. Bishop

    Bishop Future Member
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    Yep

    4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)

    Don't think anyone else comes close to that "up to $25,000".
     
  29. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    150k sounds nice. I need to start putting money on my amex card so they don't give me the pop up of death. I haven't gotten a new card in a while, but either need this or cancel/re-up CSR
     
  30. BellottiBold

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    150 is amazing. Wish I had gotten that.
     
  31. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    I got 80K towards the end of 2019. Oh well.
     
  32. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    I got 100 just before everyone started getting 125 w/out trying *sob*
     
  33. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Alabama Crimson TideSeattle MarinersAtlanta BravesNew Orleans Saints

    What's the best sign-up promo for small businesses? Chase Ink Business Preferred? Or one of the Chase Ink with no annual fee?

    Or something other than Chase?
     
  34. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Depends on your monthly spending. The Chase Ink Business Preferred has really high minimum spend to reach the signup bonus
     
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  35. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Alabama Crimson TideSeattle MarinersAtlanta BravesNew Orleans Saints

    Saw that -- don't think I'd spend $15K in first 3 months. Might wait to sign up when I have some huge purchases.
     
    TAS likes this.
  36. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    I don't think the 100k signup bonus is worth the $15k spend, even if you can swing it. You could spread that same spend out across two different Ink cards and get a total of 150k points.

    I think the other two Chase Ink cards are quality cards with good signup bonus if you don't have issues with the $7.5k required spend. I'm personally a fan of Chase over AMEX so that is what I would go with if I got a new card today.
     
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  37. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
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    Why is that? I’m planning to go with CSR/CSP for my next card depending on which one offers an inflated sign up bonus, but thought AMEX was considered somewhat of a gold (or Platinum…) standard.
     
  38. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    1. I use the Chase travel transfers partners more
    2. I think the Chase generic travel redemption is more valuable, but this could be wrong
    3. I think it's cheaper to maintain chase travel cards ($95 for CSP or CIP, vs $150 for the Amex green)
    4. No limit of 1 signup bonus per card per lifetime with Chase. I think Amex be once every 7 years now, but I've also seen 1 per lifetime

    I'm not as deep into the AMEX or Citi points game, but I've used both and there is definitely good value there. It just feels like more work, personally, to extract that value.
     
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  39. LeVar Burton

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

    New AMEX platinum designs! Ok this could be nice…

    :woof: no thank you
     
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  40. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    I just joined Amex with a gold card. Excited. 75k intro bonus. Totally forgot to see if anyone had a referral link. I ultimately chose it over Blue Cash Preferred.
     
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  41. Bishop

    Bishop Future Member
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    Has become my main card. Don't need the Platinum but might get the Charles Schwab version.
     
    racer likes this.
  42. C A N E

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

    Supposedly Southwest Chase cards aren’t under 5/24 anymore? Worth signing up for one to get the companion pass through Feb 2023?
     
  43. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Not sure about the 5/24 stuff but the companion pass is always worth it, if you can utilize SW at least a few times a year. And if you earne one anytime in 2022, it's good until Dec 31, 2023.
     
  44. C A N E

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

    This offer is unique since it’s for the pass only through 2/2023. Spend $5k in 3 months, get companion pass through 2/23 & 30k points.

    I’m at 5/24 now and won’t be under until June.
     
    TAS likes this.
  45. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Ah ok. Well that signup bonus is pretty low and the required spend is pretty high compared to normal SW offers, but the companion pass can be real valuable depending on how much you utilize it.

    Where are you seeing that SW cards are not impacted by the 5/24 rule?
     
  46. C A N E

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

    https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-amazon-card-not-subject-to-5-24-rules/

    Also Ask Sebby on YT. The points bonus is meh, for sure. But the companion pass is calling me. I have a lot of flexibility coming up in work so I can take pretty last second 3 day weekend trips soon. I just wouldn’t get under 5/24 until august if I get approved for this.
     
    TAS likes this.
  47. TAS

    TAS 20_ _ TMB Poster of the Year
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    Cool. It doesn't hurt to apply to see if 5/24 matters.

    And I wouldn't worry so much about not having any open credit applications, especially if you have a P2 for companion.
     
  48. racer

    racer Yuma, where I work in software.
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    You might look into it and see if the 100k is coming back after the companion pass offer is over. Southwest hotels has some big time promos and you can sometimes clear 15-20k rapid rewards points on a $1000 hotel spend and get to 125 pretty easily to get the companion pass anyway. That’s how I topped off for the companion pass just before Covid rendered it basically useless.
     
  49. comrade static

    comrade static i love french fries
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    Crossover thread - but have y’all looked into the crypto.com cards?

    https://crypto.com/cards

    I was looking at the jade green/royal indigo card.

    I’m pretty stupid when it comes to crypto. Seems like a pyramid or Ponzi scheme to me but I’ve got about $1k “invested” in various coins via a couple different outlets.

    Anyway, if I understand the jade green card correctly, you get 3% CRO (crypto.com coin?) rewards on all purchases. If you “stake” your coin then you get 10% rewards. I don’t really understand what staking is but my best guess is similar to interest paid at the bank in a savings account.

    Plus, this card gives you 100% back on Spotify and Netflix (up to 12.99 per month), which I’m guessing is paid back to you in CRO coin.

    Looks like you have to buy 4K worth of CRO coin and hold for 6 months before you can “apply” for the card.

    I was thinking that I could do the 4K and then get free Netflix and Spotify afterwards. Then maaaaaybe put $500 to $1000 worth of basic, non food/travel (bc chase reserve) expenses on it to get the 3% back and 10% stake. Then sell the CRO and buy BTC or ETH or some other coin.

    Could end job being too much work/effort.

    Thoughts?
     
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