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. Lip

    Lip Maybe fuck yourself
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsDetroit Red WingsGeorge Washington ColonialsDetroit Tigers

    you’re welcome
     
    Sportfan likes this.
  2. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    I've learned to always ask in here before signing up for a new card. I think I got like 90k Amex points last year from my Gold referral from this thread alone.
     
  3. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    Haven't used Resy much but I probably can. And the Shake Shack to 5 Guys definitely a plus for me. I'd debate swapping over restaurants to the Cap One Savor but I've heard that has been discontinued.
     
  4. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Even in a market like NYC Resy is underwhelming at this point. I guess some folks are speculating that it may get merged with Tock now that Amex owns both of them...
     
  5. PAHokie

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

    I’ve heard that Hyatt is the best value. My friends wife found this deal first and I’m just tagging onto the trip.
     
  6. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
    Donor
    San Antonio SpursHouston TexansNew Mexico State AggiesTexas AandM Aggies

    Southwest cards have good bonuses now and could perhaps not be the shittiest airline by 2025



    My referral in case anyone wants it. Business cards have 100k or 120k offers right now plus some other perks.
    https://www.referyourchasecard.com/226p/Y4KEX7Y94Y
     
  7. beist

    beist Hyperbolist
    Donor

    This was officially announced this morning. The only thing I don't see in this morning's email is the white gold card option.

    The new annual fee starts with renewals after 10/1, but it looks like the new benefits are effective now. You have to enroll for the Duncan and Resy credits.
     
  8. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
    Donor
    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesWashington CommandersAtlanta United

    Not too surprised. Their margins have gone to shit, their prices are no longer "low cost" and you have similar price with lower service vs legacy carriers
     
    i am a bammer and Sportfan like this.
  9. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
    Donor
    San Antonio SpursHouston TexansNew Mexico State AggiesTexas AandM Aggies

    I’ve gotten absurd deals on SW flights recently. Under $100/10k points per leg at times. Helps I’m in DFW I’m sure but still pretty damn cheap.
     
    All_Luck likes this.
  10. Wywan Bwowna

    Wywan Bwowna Wywan Bwowna
    Donor
    Vanderbilt CommodoresTennessee TitansNashville Predators

    Yeah, I can typically get sub 20k point round trips to the beach and back. I used to be able to get them for around 15k at times, but it’s still pretty cheap.
     
    Sportfan likes this.
  11. Coach Prison Mike

    Coach Prison Mike >>—;;—;—>
    Donor

    Best card to get for general travel rewards in 2024? All my cards have been cash back but trying to find a good one that can be my main use card and hopefully build up enough points/rewards to maybe help pay/offset a yearly domestic flight for a family of four.

    Just got an offer for an Amex Platinum so had been looking at that but not sure if there’s a better option. Credit score is ~800.

    Live in Tallahassee (ugh) and would be flying Delta/AA out of here or PC/Destin 95% of the time if that matters.
     
  12. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Going from memory but I’m pretty sure you can only get delta miles from Amex cards (plat, gold, etc.) and co branded Delta cards.

    I also think you can only earn AA miles from their co branded cards and perhaps Citi cards? If that’s still true, you could go ahead and eliminate any chase and capital one cards from contention.
     
    Coach Prison Mike likes this.
  13. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    Depending on what you spend on, either the Amex Gold or Platinum will help you most with Delta. If you spend a lot on groceries and restaurants, the Gold may be the better option. And if you get the Platinum before getting the Gold, you'll likely be locked out of getting a signup bonus for the Gold in the future. But if your spend is more general and you got an elevated Platinum offer, that may be the way to go.

    If you decide to go with the Gold, referral link below.

    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/gold-card?ref=JEREMjrpAd&XLINK=MYCP

    And to see a full list of transfer partners, check this out:
    https://frequentmiler.com/transfer-partner-master-list/#Airline_Loyalty_Programs
     
    Coach Prison Mike likes this.
  14. Coach Prison Mike

    Coach Prison Mike >>—;;—;—>
    Donor

    Preciate this
     
  15. Coach Prison Mike

    Coach Prison Mike >>—;;—;—>
    Donor

    So looking at it I will definitely get more benefits with the Gold as the daily user. Was 175k offer for the platinum but also have 100k for the Gold so going with that one for now.
     
    bigjrock likes this.
  16. NoNatty

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

    Maybe a dumb question: I am looking to redeem Alaska miles. There is no first class/business redemptions available through Alaska. Can I transfer my Alaska miles to a partner airline in order to book it? Or is there any other work around?
     
  17. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    No. You can only use AS miles for AS or partner bookings made through AS.
    What route & timeframe are you looking for?
     
  18. NoNatty

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

    that sucks. Nothing is hard set at this point, but looking for PDX (or LAX/SFA if the connecting leg is an issue) to NAN on Fiji in January/February. We have close to 500k Alaska miles we would like to dump.
     
  19. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    That availability definitely blows, though you're also (for the purposes of award travel) kinda close in tbh.
    Fiji only does that route from SFO, LAX, and YVR, so if it were me I'd start there. Looks like there are a few seats still available from YVR on 2/17. (I haven't looked at returns at all.) AS does show award availability in both main and first for PDX to YVR on that same day, but they aren't letting you get one award for PDX-YVR-NAN, possibly because the only timing that works leaves a 9'ish hour YVR layover - they don't fly PDX YVR direct! If it's of interest you could call them up and see if they'd give you the connection (via SEA)
     
    DuffandMuff and NoNatty like this.
  20. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
    Donor
    San Antonio SpursHouston TexansNew Mexico State AggiesTexas AandM Aggies

    FYI apparently there’s a 175k Platinum referral out there. Mine only shows 80k. Also there’s a 200k gold business. Where my Amex bros at? Yall need to check if you have the links.
     
  21. B-Boy $P1

    B-Boy $P1 Ball-knower, Poster, Trusted Agent
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Michigan WolverinesChicago CubsLos Angeles LakersChicago BearsChicago BlackhawksBorussia DortmundWest Ham UnitedBall State CardinalsOlympics

    Mine only shows 50k right now
     
  22. Whammy

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

    Have 150k biz plat and 100k Biz gold atm. Highest ever seen for gold is 130k
     
  23. NoNatty

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

    I am looking at a semi-last minute trip to meet my dad in Ireland. As my last post probably showed, I am terrible at finding reward flights. I have a ton of AA, Alaska miles, and chase points.

    For all you people good at it, could you help me out? Hoping to fly business/first from PDX on 9/5 to DUB and then DUB to PDX on 9/13.
     
  24. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
    Donor
    Penn State Nittany LionsGreen Bay PackersChelseaHartford WhalersPhoenix Rising

    I don’t know if it’s necessarily best but you can transfer Chase to Aer Lingus so you should have a decent number of options.
     
  25. NoNatty

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

    I looked, Air Lingus doesn't have award availability, which is weird since alaska does with them.
     
  26. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    With awards like these for "hard" dates you kinda have to nab them fairly early in the calendar or damn near last minute imo. Right now it seems like there's literally nothing west coast to Dublin in Sept. There is otoh some scattered August availability from SEA SFO and LAX... AC could be an option out of YVR also. (I know Aer Lingus has done PDX DUB seasonally in the past, but I don't think they have it operating rn.)

    If it's gotta be Sept and it's gotta be Business, you're probably going to have to play the waiting game and pounce on it last minute. FWIW I picked up BCN DUB SEA on Aer Lingus last year like 4 days before travel, so you never know.

    In this case if it were me I'd be watching for availability around your dates to/from damn near every gateway, knowing that positioning flights are going to be required no matter what. Hope for SEA SFO or LAX, but be open to DEN, ORD, or even the East coast. (Start with the transatlantic legs, then work backwards.)
    PM if you would like help monitoring - I've got some alerting subscriptions.

    Edit - there's a smidgen of East coast availability around your dates out of BOS... 9/4 and 9/7.
     
    #16127 BellottiBold, Aug 4, 2024
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2024
    NoNatty and Han Solo like this.
  27. Lip

    Lip Maybe fuck yourself
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsDetroit Red WingsGeorge Washington ColonialsDetroit Tigers

    this is a socialism
     
  28. NoNatty

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

    TYFYS.

    socialism for me, capitalism for the.
     
  29. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    Need to buy a laptop. I have virtually every card (ironically except the Amex biz platinum). Any specific card or perk I should be using for laptop purchase? Don't want to miss a credit
     
  30. Whammy

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

    Amex biz platinum has a $400 Dell credit
     
  31. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    Surely they must have tweaked something or this is an easy model to score highly on. I don't do anything special.

    upload_2024-8-9_15-49-32.png
     
    steamengine and beist like this.
  32. Dillingham

    Dillingham Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG

    any major sign-up bonuses/ deals happening currently?
     
  33. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
    Donor
    San Antonio SpursHouston TexansNew Mexico State AggiesTexas AandM Aggies

    Always. What’s your current card stack look like?
     
  34. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    If you are into the business card game, I just got approved for the Chase Ink Preferred with a 120k signup bonus for $8k spend.
     
    #16135 bigjrock, Aug 12, 2024
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2024
  35. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    The referral links are only 100k. Direct from chase is 120k. I know this because I just used my gf’s referral link as 100k + 40k referral bonus was a better option for us.
     
    bigjrock and Sportfan like this.
  36. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    I booked DUB to DEN direct on aer Lingus business class for about 47k points a morning ago. I transferred points to British airways/avios. See if that’s an option.
     
    BellottiBold likes this.
  37. Dillingham

    Dillingham Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG

    just getting through the first year on Capital One Venture X and don't feel like paying the hefty fee on it so will likely downgrade it - i can't really be bothered by a full 'stack', thinking delta gold miles amex because we have some big delta flights to book soon but not sure.
     
  38. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    Gotcha. Just deleted my link so no one gets confused.
     
  39. Goose

    Goose Hi
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati BearcatsCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsReal MadridXavier MusketeersDayton FlyersFC CincinnatiPGA

    I have a potentially dumb question. I have a green Amex card that was my first real CC and throw a couple bills on it every month and pay it off every month.

    I have an email saying that if I activate “pay over time” they’ll toss me 20,000 points. It says I can still pay in full every month. Is there some sort of catch here?
     
    bigjrock likes this.
  40. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    No catch. Enroll. Pay on time. Enjoy your 20,000 points. You can unenroll after receiving the points.
     
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  41. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    This.
     
  42. Goose

    Goose Hi
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati BearcatsCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsReal MadridXavier MusketeersDayton FlyersFC CincinnatiPGA

    Thank you
     
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  43. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother i ain’t no country boy quitter
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    Don’t do it, you’re signing over your house
     
    Lip likes this.
  44. dathalfnukkahd

    dathalfnukkahd dat nukka high definition
    Donor
    Michigan WolverinesSeattle SupersonicsGame of ThronesSneakers

    Any recs on an international debit card that can convert currency? Was going to get a Wise card but I guess they are temporarily not sending out cards to US residents
     
  45. Goose

    Goose Hi
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati BearcatsCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsReal MadridXavier MusketeersDayton FlyersFC CincinnatiPGA

    Now I'm convinced that I just fell victim to a phishing scam
    upload_2024-8-13_19-31-6.png
     
  46. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Get a schwab checking account and debit card. Must have for anyone who travels internationally. Can use any atm worldwide for free with no conversion fees.
     
  47. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother i ain’t no country boy quitter
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    I have just used my regular debit card at ATMs when I travel internationally. I have to tell my bank about it but then I withdraw euros or whatever and it’s converted by the bank to dollars from my checking account
     
  48. Tommy Jefferson

    Tommy Jefferson Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Nebraska CornhuskersKansas JayhawksKansas City RoyalsKansas City Chiefs

    You just gladly pay the ATM fees?

    I use my Chase debit card at bars/events/travel and never pay a dime in ATM fees.
     
  49. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    I’d like to add they have great customer service too.

    Used my card at an atm at the Tahitian airport. Took out $200. Nothing came out. Thought it was an error. Took another $200 out and received cash. Checked my account and it showed $400 taken out. Called them and gave them the address and scenario. Immediately refunded.

    Used an atm in the airport in Rio de Janeiro. Hour later get a text asking if I had taken out $400 in Louisville. Schwab was on top of it. Although im guess most banks are on top of that stuff.