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. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    I've found that Chase points usually transfer well to domestic flights and hotels. I've never tried to use them for flights or hotels in Europe so not sure if they are better there. I get the general impression that Amex is better for this internationally. Also I think Amex points can be transferred to Delta.
     
  2. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
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    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    Have never had an issue with using Amex points anywhere….usually because when you use the points it charges to your credit card like a regular card (revenue ticket to an airline or a hotel) and then Amex credits it back on your statement
     
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  3. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    If you redeem for cash back then each point is worth about 0.00999 or 1 cent per point.

    If you redeem for “pay myself back” then each point is worth 0.0125 or 1.25 cents per point

    They are worth about 21 % more through “pay yourself back”
     
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  4. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    Never had any issues with using chase points for flights regardless of destination. Given I haven’t been abroad since 2020 so maybe that’s changed.

    Yes, Amex points can be transferred to Delta. Can get good value sometimes but not consistently above the Chase value per $.
     
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  5. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
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    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints


    They also have a 5 credit card limit (personal + business), but charge cards (gold, platinum, etc) don't count. Not sure if that applies in your case?
     
  6. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
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    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    4 / 6 are charge cards, other 2 are not. I don’t get it, would like the Delta card but not going to spring for it without the welcome bonus
     
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  7. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    Only thing I can think is that I’ve gotten massive bonuses.

    Amex personal and business plat at 150k points per card

    Personal gold at 90k

    Business gold at 110k

    500k total points in welcome bonuses since November, maybe hit an unpublished limit?
     
  8. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    I ended up "paying myself back" redeemed 371,081 points for $4,636 in statement credits. I had like $5600 in travel credit but like I said couldn't use them anywhere I was really wanting to go. So this was a compromise that was better than getting $3,721 by simply cashing them out. Not terrible.
     
  9. milquetoast

    milquetoast Firm Security
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    Florida GatorsNew York MetsTampa Bay BuccaneersNew York Islanders

    Have a lounge access question for Amex Platinum folks. Since my wife is also on my account (both have cards for the same account), is she permitted Centurion Lounge access with me using just my access code or does she have to download the app and get her own code the day we travel?
     
  10. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    Allegedly British Airways can be used to book American flights, I think it's a subsidiary of American or something. But when I called Chase to ask them about that they couldn't tell me anything about whether British Airways could be used to book American flights. Also you'd have to open a British Airways account to transfer the points into. Sounded like a big hassle. You can get your chase points transferred back if the British Airways/American flights didn't work out etc.
     
  11. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
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    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    In the past I’ve just showed my card that has Centurion access, no code required
     
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  12. RJF-GUMP

    RJF-GUMP Daubert Qualified in Cooler Thermodynamics
    Donor TMB OG

    I booked my hotel through the Chase Ultimate Hotel Collection so I get a free breakfast buffet every morning , a free lunch, a free fruit basket lol, and a free wine and cheese tasting.
     
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  13. Menelaus

    Menelaus The Red-Haired King
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideReal Madrid

    Never shown a code, but I thought they recently changed rules that only cardholder gets in free
     
  14. milquetoast

    milquetoast Firm Security
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    Florida GatorsNew York MetsTampa Bay BuccaneersNew York Islanders

    She has her own card also, just the same account. Hopefully that works.
     
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  15. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsChicago Cubs

    It will
     
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  16. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    I think what you're describing is actually how the "lifetime" thing works in practice more often than not, but for a single product. I think many of us have successfully gotten SUBs for additional (different) products pretty quickly.
     
  17. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    To elaborate, one of the great perks of being an authorized user on someone's account is that you are granted the account holder's lounge privileges.
     
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  18. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    AA and BA are Oneworld partners, and you are supposed to be able to (in certain cases) to book one through the other, and you can earn/redeem miles between the two. But they definitely don't share a corporate parent or anything.
     
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  19. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Between a 25% amex transfer bonus and flyingblue offering a 100% bonus on purchased points, finding a cheap af/klm/vs award is awfully tempting rn :ohdear:
     
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  20. PAHokie

    PAHokie Can't a bitch living say I bought her Michael Kors
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    Virginia Tech HokiesPittsburgh PenguinsAtlanta Braves

    Starting up and Airbnb property and want to keep my expenses separate from personal. Thinking about a business card. I have a CSR now, so I stay with chase or would an Amex be a better deal? I’ve pretty much used my points to pay back to date.
     
  21. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
    Staff Donor

    one of my very stupid bucket list flights is KLM business class so i can get a little gin house
     
  22. beist

    beist Hyperbolist
    Donor

    Got 2 business class IAD to FCO in July for 55k points each last week.
     
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  23. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    Basic question here, but if I buy gift cards at a grocery store will the full amount code as a grocery purchase? Need to make a large-ish Home Depot or Lowe's purchase and was thinking about grabbing gift cards from Publix to do so
     
  24. milquetoast

    milquetoast Firm Security
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    Florida GatorsNew York MetsTampa Bay BuccaneersNew York Islanders

    Last year I was working in Beijing and stayed at a Best Western. When I inquired at the front desk about giving my rewards number they looked at me like I had three eyes. I don't stay at BW often because it's meh, but that's where they put me and I might as well get points out of it for a 6-week stay. I called corporate and while I'm staring directly at the Best Western logo in the lobby, the woman from BW said "I'm sorry, we don't have any Best Western hotels in Beijing."

    That was the least of the strange things I encountered on that trip.
     
    #15325 milquetoast, May 30, 2023
    Last edited: May 30, 2023
  25. dathalfnukkahd

    dathalfnukkahd dat nukka high definition
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    Michigan WolverinesSeattle SupersonicsGame of ThronesSneakers

    I have Amex Delta Reserve card. Wife has Amex Marriott Bevy card. We're doing it right. right?
     
  26. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

  27. milquetoast

    milquetoast Firm Security
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    I think that's clever, actually.
     
  28. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
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    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    Teach me why its clever...
     
  29. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    the Hawaiian village is a timeshare family hotel joke anyway

    no one should ever go unless it’s free
     
  30. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
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    Oregon DucksPortland Trail BlazersSan Francisco 49'ersManchester UnitedPortland Timbers

    Went to go redeem some chase points through pay yourself back, only to find that it has been downgraded to 1.25/cpp. What the hell.
     
  31. milquetoast

    milquetoast Firm Security
    Donor
    Florida GatorsNew York MetsTampa Bay BuccaneersNew York Islanders

    He accrues points for flights. She accrues points for hotel stays. Together, they travel.

    At least that's how I want to believe it works.
     
  32. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    For the reserve? Preferred has always been 1.25
     
  33. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Ooooof (again)
     
  34. g8r

    g8r Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsBoston Red Sox

    So my new job has me running a bunch of hotel and food expenses on my own credit card. I like to fly delta and looks like most of my hotels will be Marriott. What card should I get and what bonus should I be targeting?
     
  35. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
    Donor
    Oregon DucksPortland Trail BlazersSan Francisco 49'ersManchester UnitedPortland Timbers

    yeah, the reserve. Every category except charities.
     
  36. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
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    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    you should be more philanthropic I guess

    for real tho, I think they initially said they would have rotating categories that qualify for 1.5
     
  37. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    very specific but fun little nugget if you’re a National rental car loyalist like myself. if you book a one way rental it figures the mileage/drop fee in the “base rate” and when you apply a free day reward it covers all of it. so I just booked a one way rental from KC to St Louis and the daily rate is $125, I apply a free day reward and it takes $125 off, my total is $10 in fees/taxes
     
  38. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    damn... didn't occur to me to attempt this on my one way Avis rental terminating in Key West two months ago. IIRC it seemed like they priced in roughly $250 or so of "penalty" for my one way itinerary.
     
  39. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
    Donor
    Oregon DucksPortland Trail BlazersSan Francisco 49'ersManchester UnitedPortland Timbers

    Just had a nightmare situation with Chase and Hertz. Booked a car for my wife for 10-days with chase points.

    She had our three kids with her (10-months, 2.5, 4.5). She got to the counter and told the guy at the desk she wanted to decline everything. Guy had her sign the acceptance of a loss damage waiver, premium roadside assistance, and some other charge I don't know what it means for a total of $700. That was more than the car.

    I caught it day 1, but reaching Hertz was impossible. Finally got through to them on twitter and they said that it would all be refunded but she needed to talk to the people when she dropped it off. She returned the car, and they refused to refund half of it. She had a flight to catch, so she couldn't spend a ton of time arguing.

    Spent an hour and a half on the phone with Chase this morning and they are telling me I am shit out of luck because she signed the acceptance. Expected way better from them.
     
  40. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsChicago Cubs

    Rental car companies are straight scamming people now. My dad booked a car through Priceline for Hertz. He got to the counter and they made him pay again even though he paid Priceline. Told him it was a refundable hold. Nope. And they refused to refund him. So he paid for the same car twice and had no recourse.
     
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  41. dathalfnukkahd

    dathalfnukkahd dat nukka high definition
    Donor
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    amex delta cards or Amex Marriott bonvoy cards. Choose what works best for you
     
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  42. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    Was it your first rental with Hertz or Hertz via Chase?
     
  43. NoNatty

    NoNatty Keyboard Cowboy
    Donor
    Oregon DucksPortland Trail BlazersSan Francisco 49'ersManchester UnitedPortland Timbers

    booked with ur points.
     
  44. Rebelution

    Rebelution I'm not superstitious but I am a little stitious.
    Donor
    Mississippi Rebels

    Looking to get a good travel card, leaning towards Chase Sapphire Reserve. Any reason not to or is there a preferable card? Been using a Citi and Amex card for years but have always just done cash back. The Reserve offer right now is 60k points, is there any way to get higher than that with a referral or anything?
     
  45. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
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    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    Why? What perks matter to you?
     
  46. i am a bammer

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

    I might ditch my CSR for another card soon, maybe the next Amex plat 150k offer
     
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  47. WC

    WC Bad Company, ‘til the day I die.
    Donor TMB OG
    North Carolina State WolfpackAtlanta BravesCarolina PanthersCarolina HurricanesUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    The main question is can you find enough value in the Reserve to negate the annual fee. If not, the Preferred might be the way to go (also a 60k offer right now). Or the Venture X if you want some boosted perks (Priority Pass, Hertz Presidents Circle) for a slightly smaller fee.

    Happy to answer any specific questions you have and/or provide referrals to either if you’d like.
     
  48. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington Football TeamAtlanta United

    CSR is kinda shit now with their rewards/low points offer. I ditched mine