Credit Card Thread - Now with a Beginner's Guide to free travel/FAQ

It should be 1:1.

I just got back from Thailand. I transferred Amex points to British airways, and then to Qatar to book Qsuites on the way there. I transferred Amex points to Avianca lifemiles and booked Eva Airways on the return.

 

I always put $1000, but I think that's because one bank requires that as the minimum. I don't want to have to justify anything higher.

 

If you don’t mind me asking, what was the Qsuites redemption?

 

I just got the Chase Ink Business (before the 90K UR bonus went away) and it did ask me my personal income, in addition tot he business income. Personal income, i matched it to my personal chase card acct & business income was entered as $1000. I got a low credit limit but thankfully an instant approval.

 

I was able to get 2 saver awards from Houston to Bangkok for 95k each. Amex had a 40% transfer bonus to BA at the time so it was 136k Amex points. The Eva flight through Lifemiles was 156k for 2 flights.

 

I called the line today before reading this. It was approved, they just had to move some credit lines around.

 

is hopper an app to trust for cheaper hotels? I downloaded it last year and made an account. Just redownloaded and it has mandalay bay hotel for way cheaper than every other website i've found.
like 180 total with fees and taxes vs 225-350 everywhere else.

 

Definitely trustworthy, but read the fine print as those lower fares are usually very restrictive

 

New Amex Plat holder here. I am planning to book a Delta ticket and pay for part of it with an unused flight credit. Based on what I've read, things like that tend to trick the computer into counting the remaining fare as an incidental charge that would count for my $200 annual credit. Is that correct?

 

Wrong thread

 

Correct. You need a gift card to pay for part of the flight, then the remainder under $200. If you buy a gift card online it takes 2 or 3 days for it become usable, so you can't immediately use it. Gift cards at the grocery store are apparently 24 hours.

Seems dumb they aren't immediately redeemable, but it was a snag I ran into when booking a flight that had "1 seat remaining at this price" and I had already booked the other two with reward points separately.

 

ah i'm not going to be under $200. They make this very hard to use

 

You buy a delta gift card to make up the difference. So a 300 flight you buy a $125 gift card. Then put $175 on your amex and you get reimbursed.

 

yep. i'll have to do that for the next flight - it says you can't combine gift cards and ecredits on the same fare.

If I buy the gift card from Delta does that count for the 5x amex points?

 

How so?

 

Currently considering a Delta AMEX card or AMEX Plat. Anyone have any strong opinions? The Platinum 150k + 200 sign up bonus looks great right now, but it looks like the membership points 4:3 to Delta. I’m about to downgrade my CSR to a Chase Freedom, and that’s been my main card.

 

After a year is paying the $695 sub twice though, right?

 

Yeah I live at a Delta hub. That’s the only reason I was considering the Delta AMEX. Does AMEX let you downgrade like Chase?

 

In most places it’s going to come with no cancellation, bottom of the barrel room class, etc.
Vegas hotels are a bit different as the front desk can more or less do what they want for you (for a tip, see $20 trick).

 

My only hesitation is 1x on every thing else that’s not travel. More reason to only keep it for a year I guess.

 

You can downgrade but only to certain cards. The Amex plat can be downgraded to the Gold or Green and the Delta cards can be downgraded to other delta cards but if you downgrade to a card you haven't had, you can't get the bonus for that card, so it's best to downgrade to a card you already have, or cancel it

 

I signed up for platinum last month. As lyrch said, just jump on the current bonus and take the next year to decide if you think its worth keeping. I did a deep dive on my last five years of spending a few weeks ago and this is what I came up with as the optimal lineup for me (I live in a Delta hub and fly ~10x per year).

Amex Platinum for the sign up offer & benefits
Amex Gold for 4x points on restaurants and groceries (I haven't added this yet, but will when a good sign up offer comes around). The monthly uber credit cuts the annual fee in half and the incremental points on restaurants and groceries will more than cover the rest for me.
Delta Amex plat - I've come close to dropping this but the companion ticket pays for the card if you are intentional about using it (i.e., not for last minute bookings).
Chase Freedom/Freedom Unlimited - for rotating 5% categories and other daily spend.

I have had the Chase Sapphire Reserve since it came out. I plan on downgrading or canceling at my next annual fee unless they give me any retention credits or otherwise improve the card.

 

90 can still be had, full disclosure, but I have a gold referral for 80 (6k / 6 mos) & $200 statement credit (first 3 mos)
https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/MATTHCS0oU?XL=MNDCP

 

This is my exact situation. Thanks for the breakdown.

 

Getting your AF paid for in statement credits is nice. It's next on my list for sure.

This is basically me.

CSP -> Freedom this year
Delta Amex Plat for a while solely due to value of companion pass. Most of spend has been moved here for MQM or whatever waiver.
Amex Plat for 150k last year (to transfer to Delta for intl flights). Probably gonna cancel once second AF hits.

Probably going to get Amex Gold next and it be my everyday spender card especially due to 4x groceries. Maybe a CSP if they have decent bonuses bc the AF is low

 

Gotcha, I’m usually not picky, Priceline will do that too, when I stay at park mgm. I feel bad though I’ve never tipped, I just ask for a bathroom with a glass shower because I have trouble stepping over the tub ones after my surgery( I have never had surgery).

The hopper I booked as 120 for a resort king, and pictures explanation mentioned a soaking tub so that seems like a nicer room *shrug*

 

FWIW, I bought GCs off Amazon in November and was able to use them 10 min later for Christmas flights to knock the cost under $250 and get the $200 credit on my fiancées Plat.

 

What am I able to do with my airline incidental on my aspire Amex?

 

Have the 150k offer + $200 statement credits if anyone wants it:

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/JOHNFHWBO?xl=cp10e8

 

I’m certain this has been discussed (looks like potentially even on this page), but I’m drunk and lazy so I’ll ask again anyway.

We do not fly a ton (maybe 5 or 6 times a year), but my wife flies exclusively on Delta. What is the best (not everyday spender) travel card to pair with Delta travel? Is it the Delta Amex Platinum? We already have the CSR.

Minimum spend and annual fee won’t be an issue. Happy to use anyone’s referral code.

 

Hey there

Depends. Probably either Amex Platinum Delta or Reserve for pure benefits. You get 15% discount on reward bookings and then a companion pass for regular (Plat) or First (Reserve) that mostly will pay for itself.

AF is $250 or $550. Main decision if you want to buy first class seats. Reserve does get you into the sky club if that matters

 

Matt Foley

Here's an Amex Delta Platinum referral for 90k pts. Think it works for Reserve too

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/GREgOSH6GW?XLINK=MYCP

 

Is there any chance this signup bonus increases significantly in the next 6 months or so? Or is 90k pretty standard?

 

Pretty close to the top end unless you get targeted offers.

I know some people ITT have 100k or 125k Amex Platinum referrals.

 

Posted the 150k plus $200 statement credits a little higher up in this thread.

I may take you up on the Delta Reserve

 

Reminder - don't buy a consumer electronic (phone, tablet, tv) on a card without extended warranty.

I've used it before and thought I could use it on my fitbit which just broke after a swim. The device is only 17 months old and the warranty is 12 months, so of course Fitbit support is no help. Went to dig up my receipt to file a claim with Chase only to realize I put the purchase on the Discover It for 2% CB, not realizing (until today) that card doesn't have that protection.

 

For you folks who truly get into this game, how many new cards are you signing up for each year?

 

Typically at least three. Between the wife and I at least five.

 

6-7 between my wife and I.