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Credit Card Question

Posted on 7/8/13 at 8:52 am
Posted by Janky
Team Primo
Member since Jun 2011
35957 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 8:52 am
We haven't had a good credit card question in a while. So, here we go. I am looking for a credit card that gives me the best airline travel rewards. I am trying to get a couple of free tickets for next year. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by HeadyMurphey
Los Santos
Member since Jan 2008
17183 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 8:58 am to
An airline credit card. You practically get a free flight just for signing up
Posted by wegotdatwood
Member since Aug 2009
17094 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 9:00 am to
Yeah, get a couple good ones=free flights. I could have churned a few cards, I'm waiting for a big family vacation in the future
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
39553 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 9:55 am to
quote:

We haven't had a good credit card question in a while. So, here we go. I am looking for a credit card that gives me the best airline travel rewards. I am trying to get a couple of free tickets for next year. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


Are you married? And do you own a business(not required, but maybe easier)?

If you have one business you apply for:
Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Business Ink Plus at same time. This will net you 90,000 Chase UR points which convert 1:1 to participating airlines which = 90,000 miles. This will get you a coach seat at the very least to any where in the world. (40,000 points to South America, 60k to Europe, 65k to SE Asia, 80k for Africa - all roundtrip) You will need to spend $8,000 in three months at most, but if you apply in a Chase Branch the $3,000 in 3 months for Sapphire Preferred is only $2,000 in 3 months (Ink Plus is $5,000 in 3 months) for a total of $7,000 in spend in 3 months to get the bonuses. If you don't own your own business with an EIN, just apply as a sole proprietorship that is just "starting up." They will look at your personal credit to approve you. Applying on the same day gains a tactical advantage from applying for too much credit from the same bank.

Your wife can apply for Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Freedom. After $3,500 (or $2,500 if applied in branch in spend ($500 in spend on Chase Freedom to get 10,000 bonus), she will net 50,000 points.

You now have 140,000 points. 3 or 6 months later you can apply for a Chase Freedom and get that 10,000 bonus for 150,000 points total.

IF you allow these cards to hit their annual fee in one year, the total cost to you would be $285, but I believe that is avoidable by downgrading the cards to their no fee versions. The Chase Freedom has no fee.

Enjoy your trip.

I've done Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Freedom starting in April and have accumulated 65k points already which is one roundtrip ticket already paid for to just about any where not named Africa or Australia. I should have enough by end of year to any where. My girlfriend starts her career in September, and she will be put on the same plan.
This post was edited on 7/8/13 at 10:04 am
Posted by BACONisMEATcandy
Member since Dec 2007
46643 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 10:13 am to
quote:

An airline credit card. You practically get a free flight just for signing up


But he would be "committed" to that single airline and their "prices." I would tend to look at a card that you get points for that can be easily converted to other airline miles or used as cash.

Chase - UR points
Amex - MR Points

Find a card from either of providers that gives you the most points where you spend the most money
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
39553 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 10:22 am to
quote:

Amex - MR Points


They had some obnoxious deals a month or so ago. Up to 100,000 points I believe.
Posted by BACONisMEATcandy
Member since Dec 2007
46643 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 10:36 am to
I think I might switch from my Amex Delta Reserve to the Amex gold premier card in Sept if they will let me
Posted by rintintin
Life is Life
Member since Nov 2008
16157 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 10:50 am to
I have the amex blue sky card. You get miles towards flights, but you can also use the points for anything travel related such as hotels and car rentals. A much better deal IMO than my Southwest card which I can only use for southwest flights.
Posted by Bear Is Dead
Monroe
Member since Nov 2007
4696 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 11:02 am to
quote:

I have the amex blue sky card

Whats the annual fee?
Posted by BACONisMEATcandy
Member since Dec 2007
46643 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 11:08 am to
Blue Sky Preferred is $75
Blue Sky is $0
Posted by Janky
Team Primo
Member since Jun 2011
35957 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 11:08 am to
Thanks guys.
Posted by SpartyGator
Detroit Lions fan
Member since Oct 2011
75388 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 11:15 am to
I've always wondered myself if the Airline Mileage CC's are worth it. Delta SM amex was the only one I've looked at.
Posted by rintintin
Life is Life
Member since Nov 2008
16157 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 11:27 am to
No annual fee and 12 month 0% apr.... or was it 15 months. Either way it was a good deal IMO.
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
39553 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 11:27 am to
quote:

Thanks guys.


I forgot to mention, being as sexist as I am, that if you do have a wife with good credit, she could apply for a business card as well as a sole proprietorship and net an extra 50,000 points giving you both 200,000 points total. At that point you are close/if not have two first/business class tickets to a lot of destinations.
This post was edited on 7/8/13 at 11:28 am
Posted by SLafourche07
Member since Feb 2008
9928 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 11:29 am to
Speaking of Blue Sky. Would the charge for a vacation to Disney world be redeemable? Wife and I are planning a trip next year and we should have more than enough points to cover the flight. So I was wondering if the rest could be put towards the Disney charge.
Posted by Janky
Team Primo
Member since Jun 2011
35957 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 11:34 am to
quote:

Teddy Ruxpin


Oh yeah, sorry. I am married but not technically a business owner.
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
39553 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 11:38 am to
quote:

Oh yeah, sorry. I am married but not technically a business owner.


Still OK to do it though, if you wanted. Just letting you know. The business designation of the card doesn't change too much in the process.
This post was edited on 7/8/13 at 11:39 am
Posted by BACONisMEATcandy
Member since Dec 2007
46643 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 11:52 am to
quote:

I am married but not technically a business owner.


Don't need to be to get a business CC fwiw
Posted by PhiTiger1764
Lurker since Aug 2003
Member since Oct 2009
13847 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 12:11 pm to
I have a similar question as the OP. I am planning a trip to Europe next summer. I currently have one credit card (Amex blue cash preferred) and I use it everywhere I can.

Would it benefit me to get a mileage rewards card now for this trip in a year? I'm a little oblivious to how it all works so bear with me here. How much money would I need to spend to get this flight paid for?

Eta: not married and not a business owner.
This post was edited on 7/8/13 at 12:15 pm
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
39553 posts
Posted on 7/8/13 at 12:17 pm to
quote:

Would it benefit me to get a mileage rewards card now for this trip in a year?


It certainly can help.

quote:

How much money would I need to spend to get this flight paid for?


The best route for attaining miles or points is through sign up bonuses. Since you already have a Blue Cash Preferred, you already are earning MR points so I would imagine getting another MR earning card with a good bonus will set you on your way to attaining your goal. I'm more familiar with UR points (Chase) and their current bonus offers though, so I'd have to look around for a good card for you to sign up for. Usually, you have to spend somewhere between 3 and 5,000 dollars on the card in 3 months to get the bonus. I find that to be pretty easy to achieve without doing any special shenanigans.

A search gave me this option as the best offer currently:
The Business Gold Rewards Card® from American Express OPEN - 50,000 points after $5k spend in 3 months.

This card was 75,000 points not too long ago, and may again, so you could wait if you wished. Depends on when your flight is.

quote:

Eta: not married and not a business owner.


Don't have to be a business owner. You would apply as a sole proprietorship (ie as doing business as yourself). In any event, even if you have a business, they would check your personal credit before issuing the card anyways, so it doesn't change any thing.
This post was edited on 7/8/13 at 12:26 pm
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