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. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Crossover rewards
     
  2. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    Wondering if I should churn the amex platinum ($550) for the $1000 in pts after meeting spend requirement. Anyone done that? Should I avoid since its a 1 and done card?
     
  3. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    You get approved as soon as you leave the meeting unless they deny you/send you to an appeal. Don't need the card for anything
     
  4. PJP3

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

    Whats the points offer you are seeing? I think highest I've ever seen is 100k points which would certainly be worth having for a year, IMO. If its like 50k I'd wait.
     
  5. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    Don't use a referral link for Amex Platinum. It's never going to be 100K. Since it's a once in a lifetime bonus, better wait until you see the 100k offer (targeted mailer, baidu method, cardmatch, etc.)
     
    gordon bombay, PJP3 and ohhaithur like this.
  6. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    When shopping through chase portal, do the bonus UR points usually show immediately or does it take a while?

    I did this Monday at a store showing +6 PTS/$1, but the charge has cleared now and its showing just 1 pt per dollar under “all other purchases”. Will that correct itself?
     
  7. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Pretty sure UR points aren’t available until the billing cycle is over. They do show how many points you will receive on your next statement though.
     
  8. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    Yea that’s what I mean, in recent activity I see the cleared charge and expand it and it shows “rewards earned with this transaction”. They aren’t in my account yet, but it’s been accurate on other categories so far so I’m wondering if I messed it up somehow.
     
  9. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Did you shop through the portal link? Or just use your card.
     
  10. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
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    Oklahoma State CowboysHouston AstrosHouston TexansTiger Woods

    If you go into the UR portal (not just the account summary where you're seeing that charge) there's a section where you can see your rewards earned and upcoming rewards. In there is a section for bonus rewards and you can find the shopping bonus in there. Typically when I've done it in the past I've noticed that it can take a little longer for those bonus points to show up than just when the charge actually posts
     
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  11. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    Yep, it’s a store I wouldn’t normally even buy from, just found the link in the portal. Clicked and bought straight from that window.
     
  12. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    Ok found it in the UR portal. It’s still showing as just 1 per $1 in pending rewards, but I’m thinking it just needs more time to show. Thanks for the help
     
  13. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
    Donor
    Oklahoma State CowboysHouston AstrosHouston TexansTiger Woods

    That would be my guess. I typically get automated emails too saying I earned a shopping bonus
     
  14. ButchCassidy

    ButchCassidy Well-Known Member
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    Ohio State BuckeyesColumbus CrewUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamSneakers

    as the poster said above, your points will show up once the cycle ends.
     
  15. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    pratyk ohhaithur

    Mailer.

    Sounds like I should make the plunge? My other amex is cobranded, so I'm new to amex pts. I'd probably redeem for GC right...since I cannot transfer to cash or bill credit like UR points. Arkadin
     
  16. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    How many points are you offered?

    GC are a bad value
     
  17. gordon bombay

    gordon bombay magician's alliance enthusiast
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    Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksAtlanta Falcons

    Will you be travelling a lot this year? The 100k offer is great but the actual perks of the card really only benefit those that travel a lot specifically on DL or have a centurion club nearby.

    ETA I will add that the absolute best time to get the amex platinum is in December so you can triple dip on the $200 statement credits. But obviously you also need the 100k signup offer.
     
    #4817 gordon bombay, Apr 18, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2018
  18. PJP3

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

    Amex has a lot of transfer partners where you'd get better value than a gift card (I assume thats what GC means?) But I'd wait for the 100k which seems to come up about once a year. Just checked my referral and it only offers 60k, so not worth it at that.
     
  19. Det. Frank Bullitt

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

    ohhaithur GordoBombay PJP3

    100k offer via a really nice mailer I received the other day. I use uber minimally, I do not have an included lounge at my home airport (AUS)

    bottom line is what can i do with 100k Amex points (besides GC)? worst case scenario is $450 in free GC. That could be a free 4k TV on the smaller side.

    Best case scenario is one single year of all those perks (club access, uber credits, free credit for global entry, some free airline incidentals, a random hotel credit/upgrade for one of my 4-5 trips I will end up taking before May 2019

    AFAIK, I cannot transfer points to partners (say Delta, as miles), transfer to cash, or do statement credit. is this correct?

    I know my way around the points game, but again, no experience with AMEX pts. TIA brethren.
     
  20. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    you can definitely transfer them

    https://thepointsguy.com/guide/redeeming-american-express-membership-rewards-maximum-value/
     
    PJP3 likes this.
  21. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Dude you can totally transfer points. You need to dig into the MR universe before you get too deep in this, but that offer is a very good one.

    As always, TPG is good for advice on how to spend but not what cards to get, so don't read that stuff:
    https://thepointsguy.com/guide/redeeming-american-express-membership-rewards-maximum-value/
     
  22. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    IMO if you plan to travel in the next year and don’t have a CSR or waiting to go under 5/24, I’d go for the 100k offer - as long as minimum spend without buying gift cards is not an issue
     
  23. PJP3

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

    At 100k I'd do it, then set your airline as American and buy 4 $50 gift cards, that will max out your $200 travel credit. So 100k miles for $350 is a great deal.

    Amex has more transfer partners than Chase: Aero Mexico, Air Canada, Air France/KLM, Alitalia, Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific), British, Delta, El Al, Emirate, Etihad, Hawaiian, Iberia, Jet Blue, Singapore, Choice, Hilton, and SPG/Marriott.
     
    Det. Frank Bullitt likes this.
  24. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    How many annual fee cards are you guys carrying, or what total fees are you paying each year? I think I’m at just under $750 in annual membership fees right now between CSR, Amex Platinum Delta and hotel card, though they all pay for themselves
     
  25. Jimmy the Saint

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

    CSR: $450
    AMEX BCP: $95
    AMEX Delta Platinum: $195
    AA Aviator Red: $89 (I never pay this, I call and threaten to cancel every year and they always waive it.)

    Debating whether to pay the $69 fee and keep my SW card open, I think you get 3k anniversary points. The Platinum SkyMiles comes with a companion certificate when you renew so I think I can easily get some value there. I will cancel my JetBlue card when it's up for renewal, not worth the $99.
     
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  26. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    I have a bunch open but im only going to pay the Hyatt one and the CSR
     
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  27. PJP3

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

    I have Amex platinum, Amex gold business, CSR, IHG, and AA citi that are fee. Also have chase business ink, cant remember if that has a fee or not so around $1300 in annual fees but generally get AA fee waived
     
  28. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    a
     
    #4828 ohhaithur, Apr 18, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2020
  29. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    ah i forgot about my alaska. ill keep that. need to figure out when to use that companion pass
     
  30. pratyk

    pratyk Arsenal FC, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    Rutgers Scarlet KnightsArsenal

    I know they have to phase out the Personal card .. but talk about a god damn awful signing bonus - the Amex SPG bonus is $200 statement credit now.. but the structure is mind boggling.

    Earn a $100 statement credit after you make $1,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional $100 statement credit after your first purchase on the Card at a participating SPG® or Marriott Rewards® hotel within your first 6 months of Card Membership.

    Glad I got it before it got nerfed.
     
  31. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
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    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsUSA RugbyTiger WoodsOhio BobcatsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansOlympics

    Man, that Hilton Aspire looks sooooo good.
     
  32. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Yes yes let me refer dat ass

    I'm using my bonus this week:

    Two nights at a $550 a night room (still 30,000 points left over) and got an executive suite upgrade. Using my airline credit tomorrow to upgrade to exit rows to and from Tokyo (still have $250 left over)

    After using the resort credit and taking out the fee it will be a $1500 bonus. not counting how great it is been to be diamond this year
     
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  33. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsUSA RugbyTiger WoodsOhio BobcatsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansOlympics

    Already used both $250s(resort and SW), got my free weekend night last week and am on pace to get my second (after $60k spend) late summer. The list of blacked-out redemption resorts doesn’t really affect me, which is nice.

    And yeah, we use the thing so much that our bonus should be that and then some, which is awesome.

    Something something Hilton points are like Yen/Lire/Pesos something something
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  34. Robert Randolph

    Robert Randolph Well-Known Member

    CSR - 525 - (475 plus a 2nd card for the wife)
    Hilton Ascend Amex - 95

    Both easily pay for themselves; Any reason I wouldn't want to push my Ascend to Aspire and/or get a Delta Amex Platinum despite the fact that probably all my Delta and/or Hilton bookings would still go on the CSR? I've been Hilton Diamond the last 4+ years either from travel or the spend minimum, but I think im going to lose it in 2020.

    Update: Amex won't offer the 100k bonus for upgrading; only new lines of credit (My Ascend card was the Surpass for the past 8+ years, so it's not a new account; Open since 06)
     
    #4834 Robert Randolph, Apr 19, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2018
  35. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    No reason to upgrade. The benefit is the bonus and the diamond status
     
  36. Todd Bonzales

    Todd Bonzales Sex with old ladies for money aaaand bear traps.
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCleveland BrownsUSA RugbyTiger WoodsOhio BobcatsCleveland CavaliersCleveland IndiansOlympics

    Agreed. Upgrade is not worth it to those who earn Diamond on travel.

    Yeah, I was bummed to miss out on the 100k when they moved my Visa to Amex. Might open an Ascend, too, because I think that offer is still 100k and I have not gotten an Amex sign up bonus yet.
     
  37. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    Damn, y’all were right. Definitely looks like the SPG 25K and 30K bonus is gone, just a $200 statement credit now. Gross
     
  38. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    We usually are
     
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  39. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta Falcons

    Just didn’t expect it 3 days after the announcement. What a bunch of assholes. Hope everybody jumps ship and they have to offer something huge to get people back.
     
  40. Dale Doback

    Dale Doback Well-Known Member
    Donor

    Currently have the CSR, Discover IT, and AmEx BCP. Really only use the BCP for groceries, and only use Discover for rotating categories. Thinking about getting the new chase Marriott when it comes out. Any thoughts?
     
  41. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    You should have a freedom at least, unlimited too imo
     
    Dale Doback likes this.
  42. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    not even a statement credit really. you have to spend $100 *at an SPG* to get that second $100 :roll:
     
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  43. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    are you under 5/24? probably should go business
     
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  44. tjosu

    tjosu This is kind of like the breakfast club, huh?
    Donor
    Oklahoma State CowboysHouston AstrosHouston TexansTiger Woods

    I'm looking at getting one of the Chase business cards. Ink Preferred obviously has the better new cardmember offer of 80k vs 50k UR points but the Ink Cash gets 5x points on cable/phone/internet payments plus 2x at gas stations, vs the 3x on the Preferred for cable/phone/internet. I'm thinking the obvious move would be to go CIP and downgrade to the Ink Cash in a year
     
    ohhaithur likes this.
  45. BrickTamland

    BrickTamland You're not Ron...
    Donor
    Florida State Seminoles

    Is 5/24 a hard inquiry count, or just a count of credit line requests?
     
  46. texasraider

    texasraider thanks
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    Texas RangersKansas City ChiefsDallas Mavericks altTexas Tech Red Raiders alt

    https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21/A7E4D9QRMD

    Hello friend
     
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  47. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
    Donor

    Opened personal accounts
     
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  48. rezy

    rezy Member
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    Florida State SeminolesNew York YankeesLos Angeles ClippersNew York GiantsManchester United

    anyone have a referral for a freedom unlimited? at 3/24 already have csp, csr, and freedom. Going to downgrade my csp to a 2nd freedom in a few weeks so I can rack up 5% back on the easy categories
     
  49. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
    Donor

    Earn a $150 bonus with Chase Freedom Unlimited. I can be rewarded too if you apply here and are approved for the card. Learn more.
    https://www.referyourchasecard.com/18/VRGXX2E4LS
     
  50. rezy

    rezy Member
    Donor
    Florida State SeminolesNew York YankeesLos Angeles ClippersNew York GiantsManchester United

    approved, somehow only have a limit of $500 looks like I am at the max of what chase will give me. Once I get the card I'll transfer some credit from one of the other cards
     
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