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. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
    Donor
    Houston AstrosTennisRice OwlsTottenham HotspurTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    Yup, I actually think it’s 15k now that PQP rates went up
     
    THEBLUERAIDER likes this.
  2. Jimmy the Saint

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

    Does anyone know if Capital One has a limit on how often you can get a Venture bonus like Chase does with Sapphires?

    I got a Venture over a year ago but now I’m going to start traveling for work somewhat regularly and could use the lounge access with the X. Kids are a little older so we’re traveling as a family a bit more this year so using the credit won’t be an issue. I was a little more concerned about that going to waste last year.
     
  3. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints


    My Venture X is my catch all card. Also made my kids Authorized Users as teenagers to potentially help them start credit and be able to get into lounges if they travel without me. If you decide to get the Venture X again, referral link below.

    https://capital.one/3LZmSyl

    This is from TPG.

    Current and previous Venture X cardholders
    These are the restrictions that are specifically stated in the Venture X's terms and conditions:

    Existing or previous cardmembers are not eligible for this product if they have received a new cardmember bonus for this product in the past 48 months.
    What if I already have the Venture or VentureOne cards?
    If you carry one of the Venture X's sister cards (the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card), you will still be eligible to carry the Venture X and get the welcome bonus. The only caveat is that you'll want to keep a close eye on the timing of your applications.

    TPG's Nick Ewen and David Slotnick applied for the Capital One Venture Rewards when it offered an up-to-100,000-mile welcome bonus in April 2021 (since expired). Both were approved for the Venture X less than a year after they applied for the Venture Rewards.
     
    Jimmy the Saint likes this.
  4. Sportfan

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

    Does anyone have an AmEx business platinum referral? I wouldn’t be signing up for probably another 45 days but wanna see if it’s 250k for $20k spend.
     
  5. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
    Donor
    St. Louis CardinalsTennessee TitansNashville PredatorsMiddle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

    You mind sharing your referral code? Thanks.
     
  6. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
    Donor
    Houston AstrosTennisRice OwlsTottenham HotspurTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    THEBLUERAIDER likes this.
  7. PJP3

    PJP3 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Colorado BuffaloesOakland RaidersFulhamLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    mines only 150k for 20k. Never seen it as high as 250k.
     
    Sportfan likes this.
  8. lewis

    lewis Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta United

    going to japan in two weeks on JAL business, staying in hyatts around the country, and spending $500 on a direct return flight. credit card points are wild.
     
    PJP3, Hank Scorpio, EMAW FC and 6 others like this.
  9. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    What route? (Curious which version you're getting)
     
  10. lewis

    lewis Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta United

    Chicago to Haneda. Booked via Alaska air for 75k AMEX points.
     
    BellottiBold likes this.
  11. Han Solo

    Donor
    Michigan WolverinesOregon DucksSeattle MarinersPittsburgh SteelersAvengers

    Doing the same thing with my family but to London & Paris instead. Only took 2 credit cards.
     
    Lip, BellottiBold and lewis like this.
  12. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    What Hyatts are you staying at? I did a similar trip in late 2019 right before Covid hit. Japan is awesome.
     
  13. Smuggy

    Smuggy Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson Tide

    Has anyone else received a Tax Form 1099 from Chase for your referrals? I had no idea this was a thing until I received one in the mail yesterday.
    Apparently, you are taxed on the dollar value of the referrals.
     
    Sportfan likes this.
  14. Tommy Jefferson

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

    Well that’s some bullshit.

    How are referrals different taxed differently than signup bonus?
     
  15. beist

    beist Hyperbolist
    Donor

    I believe SUBs are considered rebates, which are not taxable income, since they require you to spend money to get them. Same with normal points.
     
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  16. Smuggy

    Smuggy Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson Tide

    It might be the signup bonuses instead of referrals for me, idk. My post was fresh off of my googling of the subject.
     
  17. Gustavo Fring

    Gustavo Fring Feelin' rosy.
    Donor
    Michigan WolverinesDetroit PistonsDetroit LionsDetroit Red WingsDetroit TigersUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    Credit-card bonuses are typically non-taxed. Bank account bonuses, however, are treated as interest, hence the 1099.
     
    BellottiBold likes this.
  18. lewis

    lewis Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta United

    Hyatt House Shibuya, Hyatt Place Kyoto, Hyatt Centric Ginza. It's been a bucket list trip for ages, and finally had the time in the schedule to pull the trigger.
     
  19. Spontaneous Cumbustion

    Spontaneous Cumbustion Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsXavier MusketeersFC CincinnatiTottenham HotspurUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    Planning to go to Japan in October so taking notes. I'm a Chase person so could use my points on Hyatt hotels. Really want lay flats at least on the way there, but from what I've seen there's not many good options for Chase. United is the best I've seen but it's 500k points for two people just to get there in first class. We've saved up 500k+ points but I don't really want to have to pay $2k+ for our return flights. Might just have to do premium both ways to get completely free flights and then use any leftovers on the hotels.
     
  20. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    You're probably too late schedule wise but ANA can be had via VS (Virgin Flying Club)
     
  21. Spontaneous Cumbustion

    Spontaneous Cumbustion Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsXavier MusketeersFC CincinnatiTottenham HotspurUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    I looked at Virgin but they were more points then United. This was last month though so I'll look again. Had to shift to planning our May trip to SA but that is now all booked, so focus can shift back again to Japan.
     
    BellottiBold likes this.
  22. Tommy Jefferson

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

    Why not sign up for the Hyatt card now? I think their signup bonus is still 5 free nights
     
  23. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    I think I got one from Amex, as well.
     
  24. Spontaneous Cumbustion

    Spontaneous Cumbustion Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsXavier MusketeersFC CincinnatiTottenham HotspurUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    Already have a Hyatt card.
     
    Tommy Jefferson likes this.
  25. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Does anyone have experience with Southwest companion pass? You can get it now for a year with their cards. Looking into this because I have a wedding at Charleston and the cheapest flights are on southwest and they’re still $600+. Would rather not spend over $1,200 on domestic flights for my partner and I.

    Hotels are also crazy that weekend. Don’t understand why. I see. WPS announced two shows that weekend.
     
  26. wolfpck

    wolfpck haters gonna hate
    Donor
    North Carolina State Wolfpack

    Have had it last couple of years using the credit cards for myself and then my wife. It's very simple, you just book the flight with the person who has the companion pass and then add the companion onto the flight after. Nothing more to it.
     
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  27. Lip

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

    It comes auto with some cards now?
     
  28. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    I believe so. All three cards offer it after $4k spend. Deal ends in March. Provides companion pass through February 2026.

    Does anyone here have a referral? Would rather not use a credit card salesman’s referral.

    https://frequentmiler.com/swplus/
     
  29. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Sounds easy enough. I didn’t want to go through this process only to find out there’s blackout dates or airfare limits.
     
  30. Sportfan

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

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  31. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

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  32. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Is there a current offer on the Hyatt card for 5 nights? Best i can find is 35k points for 3k spend and 2 points per dollar spent
     
  33. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Pretty sure that’s the best and only offer out. My gf got one back in December and it was just 30k + 30k at two points per $1.
     
  34. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
    Donor
    St. Louis CardinalsTennessee TitansNashville PredatorsMiddle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

    colonelrascals likes this.
  35. colonelrascals

    colonelrascals Mayonnaise-colored Benz, I push miracle whips
    Donor
    Houston AstrosTennisRice OwlsTottenham HotspurTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    So you’re good?
     
  36. THEBLUERAIDER

    THEBLUERAIDER Well-Known Member
    Donor
    St. Louis CardinalsTennessee TitansNashville PredatorsMiddle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

    Yep all good. Thanks again.
     
  37. Sportfan

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

    Anyone have the Amex Gold business card with a referral for 200k after $15k spend? If so please link it here for me.
     
  38. Spontaneous Cumbustion

    Spontaneous Cumbustion Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsXavier MusketeersFC CincinnatiTottenham HotspurUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    Such bullshit Chase doesn't count VRBOs as travel. Just screwed me out of 25,000 points.
     
  39. beist

    beist Hyperbolist
    Donor

    Is that a recent change? My VRBO charge last summer went through as travel.
     
  40. Sportfan

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

    Sounds like for that many points you did a long term booking which could code differently. I have been looking into this as well because I’m booking some month+ stays this summer.
     
  41. steamengine

    steamengine What decision? You got into Duke.
    Donor
    LiverpoolBig Ten Conference

    Where Eagles Dare
     
  42. Where Eagles Dare

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

    Pretty sure Airbnb used to work, but haven't used Chase in an long time
     
  43. Spontaneous Cumbustion

    Spontaneous Cumbustion Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsXavier MusketeersFC CincinnatiTottenham HotspurUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    Airbnb definitely works. VRBO seems to be hit or miss. Mine was only for a bachelor party long weekend so not an extended stay. Chase claims they don't make the decision on coding, each company does it themselves so this is VRBOs decision. So basically they told me to fuck off and I'm not getting anymore points.
     
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  44. Sportfan

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

    Yea on just a long weekend that’s absurd to not code as travel. The only people I’ve seen making 5% back use an Amazon card to buy AirBnB gift cards. Such a heavy lift for just an extra percent or two.

    I’m hoping Bilt codes long term stays as travel so I can purchase on the 1st (rent day 2x all purchases) for 4% back.
     
  45. Sportfan

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

    Can’t tell if Chase finally updated their app to have personal and business cards in the same log in (just a toggle at the top) or if I actually managed to link my accounts after too much effort.

    Either way it’s super nice.
     
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  46. kentucky_dawg

    kentucky_dawg Fan of: Georgia
    Donor
    Georgia Bulldogs

    In the mobile app or website? Mobile app has had that toggle for quite some time for me. On the website they all show up under the same login (no toggle necessary).
     
    Sportfan likes this.
  47. Sportfan

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

    Hyatt raised award categories of some hotels but man it still seems GOAT’d compared to Marriott and Hilton. Idk if they overinflate their cash prices but I just booked $370/night hotel for 8,000 points.

    Even stuff like their flagships at 45,000/night is 2.2cpp and higher.
     
  48. COVIDiskilingme79

    COVIDiskilingme79 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsChicago Cubs

    It's the only value left in credit card points for hotels
     
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  49. steamengine

    steamengine What decision? You got into Duke.
    Donor
    LiverpoolBig Ten Conference

    Do you know if Hyatt does any sort of matching if I wanted to move some Hilton pts over?
     
  50. Where Eagles Dare

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

    Sending my wife to Sedona for a little peace and both signed up for Amex Hilton cards to get 130k pts. We both got approved, she got an approval email & her card is already showing up in her online portal.

    I never got an email and nothing is showing up in my portal. Weird. There is a manual screen to see your historical application status and it shows I'm approved. I guess I'll call customer service.

    Question - Has anyone tried to get a temporary card number while the actual card comes? I've seen a few ppl post about it online, but seems inconsistent. There are a few purchases I'm itching to make and blow out the spend minimums. AirBnB VBRO Reservation is staring at me and want to get it locked down
     
    Rabbit Angstrom likes this.