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re: Credit Card Rewards and Points Discussion

Posted on 8/11/15 at 2:27 pm to
Posted by LSUAfro
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2005
12775 posts
Posted on 8/11/15 at 2:27 pm to
Exactly. It's cash outlay that is unnecessary.

I think I'm going to pay the damn $150 to get my points back. I've found Delta to have some pretty good redemptions in to small airports that are generally expensive to fly in/out.

Just silly that I have to give them $150 to get my points back. This is a prime reason why Southwest is my go to domestic travel.

quote:

Looks like after taxes it comes out to 2 cents a point. Not the greatest but the minimum that doesn't make me feel bad. cash.

Not bad, but the fact is that you know you can get get way more than that. Again, you're back to the unnecessary cash outlay or take a mediocre redemption.

Good luck with that AC. Sho is hot out there .
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
40851 posts
Posted on 8/11/15 at 2:30 pm to
I'm so happy I have two units right now. I just close the doors that lead to the other half of the house, which is at about 90 right now.

Of course, if the unit on this half goes out, I'll be dead in 3 hours.
Posted by LSUAfro
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2005
12775 posts
Posted on 8/11/15 at 2:41 pm to


No worries. If you don't post in a couple days, I'll call 911 and tell em Teddy Ruxpin just bought a house with a broken AC and is probably dead...probably should send somebody out.
This post was edited on 8/11/15 at 2:46 pm
Posted by GenesChin
The Promise Land
Member since Feb 2012
37852 posts
Posted on 8/11/15 at 2:53 pm to
My dad is still a diamond member and gets to redeposit for free his delta points when he had to cancel a flight the other day. I'm pretty darn peanut butter jealous.

BS thing is that his diamond membership was comp'd this year because they thought he was just choosing alternative airlines. He simply chose retirement
Posted by LSUAfro
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2005
12775 posts
Posted on 8/11/15 at 3:11 pm to
Nice.
I don't have status with any airlines and probably never will but I'm okay with that . Flying first/business usually gets you most of the perks they get anyways.
Posted by GenesChin
The Promise Land
Member since Feb 2012
37852 posts
Posted on 8/11/15 at 5:18 pm to
His military command had him travel around the world so he racked up points.

He said the lounge isn't worth it unless you have a ton of layovers.

The real benefit of having diamond status is that most flights have at least one open upgrade seat that they will offer on priority. He probably flew first class on 70-80% of flights despite never booking anything other than coac

ETA: the amount if flying necessary to get that level of status is definitely not worth it. I think in one year he spent nearly 2/5 of his days flying

This post was edited on 8/11/15 at 5:23 pm
Posted by LSUAfro
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2005
12775 posts
Posted on 8/12/15 at 12:54 pm to
Interesting thought to load up on United miles in a short period of time:

United Explorer Personal card: 50k signup + 5k authorized user
United Explorer Biz card: 50k signup + 5k authorized user
Ritz Carlton: 140k Marriot/Ritz Points convert to united at 2.24:1 = 62,500
Marriot cardk: 35,700
Minimum spend for all 4: 10k

4 cards almost 220k United miles.
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
139289 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 8:12 am to
So, I'm thinking of dumping the Barclays card, should I go Chase Sapphire or a Cap one card of some kind? Looking for best overall rewards value. I liked the Barclay's because 2x on everything, but their changes make it seem less valuable. Good sign up bonus would be nice.

I have an offer for 100K for the Amex platinum, but don't really think I travel enough to warrant the $450 annual fee.

Probably fly twice a year for work and once for personal. Would like to get enough rewards points to fly for free for personal travel within the US each year at least once.

Any advice which direction I should go?

Edit: I have the Delta Platinum, and Sams Discover for gas, and also get fuel points at Kroger if that matters.
This post was edited on 8/15/15 at 8:13 am
Posted by Lsut81
Member since Jun 2005
84985 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 9:00 am to
quote:

I have an offer for 100K for the Amex platinum, but don't really think I travel enough to warrant the $450 annual fee.


Great for a churn and burn... Thats what I am looking at doing. Still trying to find a code. Also, since there is no pre set limit, I've read that it won't effect your score that much.

100k Points = 1k in Gift Cards
$200 airline credit
$90 TSA Pre Credit

Thats $1300 in rewards for a $450 payment. You are WAY ahead.

I've got the CSP and its a good card, I have close to 120k points on it, just need to use them.

ETA: Also looks like the AMEX Gold Card has 50k pts for a 1k spend and no annual fee for the first year.
This post was edited on 8/15/15 at 9:04 am
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
40851 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 9:23 am to
If you aren't going to earn and burn signup bonuses I will say it again.

Do not get the Capital One Venture unless you are getting it for the bonus and dumping it.

Here's an article that illustrates my point:

LINK

The Venture card is essentially a 2% cash back card for a $59 fee after the first year. You are much better off with a Fidelity Amex or Citi Double Cash after the first year as both are 2% cash back and NO Fee.
This post was edited on 8/15/15 at 9:24 am
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
40851 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 9:27 am to
That's why I still like united despite them being terrible. Points are easy to get and lots of great (useful) partners.

In other news after applying for Citi Premier last week I got targeted for Delta 60k for the 4th time this year so I obliged them this time. With all these weddings I fly off to I don't mind having these to burn. That will give me 83k miles with them once I get the bonus.

As you can see, I kinda apply willy nilly once I have a purpose and a big offer.
This post was edited on 8/15/15 at 9:38 am
Posted by Lsut81
Member since Jun 2005
84985 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 9:52 am to
quote:

As you can see, I kinda apply willy nilly once I have a purpose and a big offer.


Thoughts on the Amex Plat?

Second one I may do is the Southwest Card if I can find the 50k + 100 credit deal again.
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
139289 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 10:03 am to
quote:

Great for a churn and burn... Thats what I am looking at doing. Still trying to find a code. Also, since there is no pre set limit, I've read that it won't effect your score that much.

100k Points = 1k in Gift Cards
$200 airline credit
$90 TSA Pre Credit

Thats $1300 in rewards for a $450 payment. You are WAY ahead.

I've got the CSP and its a good card, I have close to 120k points on it, just need to use them.

ETA: Also looks like the AMEX Gold Card has 50k pts for a 1k spend and no annual fee for the first year.


Thanks. As far as the airline credit, I have the Delta Platinum, got the 60K offer a month ago, and the points are already in my account. I like it for the bag fees and priority boarding. Would they give me the Amex platinum, and if you get the spend, can you cancel before the $450 kicks in?
Also for the $200 in airline credit, I read that is not for flight costs, but incidentals, which I never really have incidentals on flights, maybe internet if it's a long flight. Not sure I could use that. Heard someone mention buying ecerts with it, but is that an airline gift card or something that I could use? Would consider it if that is true.
Posted by Lsut81
Member since Jun 2005
84985 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 10:15 am to
quote:

can you cancel before the $450 kicks in?


I believe its like the Southwest card to where it shows up on your first statement.

quote:

Also for the $200 in airline credit, I read that is not for flight costs, but incidentals, which I never really have incidentals on flights, maybe internet if it's a long flight.


Counts towards baggage fees and upgrades... I've also read that you can buy gift cards or vouchers and still get the 200 credit.

ETA:

quote:

The American Express Platinum Card benefits include a $200 annual airline reimbursement for qualifying airlines. Technically you can’t purchase tickets or use the credit for award taxes/fees; however, depending on how the airline codes your purchase, you may get reimbursed.

The list of eligible incidental fees for the airline credit includes:

Checked baggage fees (including overweight/oversize)
Itinerary change fees
Phone reservation fees
Pet flight fees
Seat assignment fees
In-flight amenity fees (beverages, food, pillows/blankets, headphones)
In-flight entertainment fees (excluding wireless internet, because it’s not charged by the airline)
Airport lounge day passes & annual memberships

As you can see, neither airline tickets nor award taxes/fees are listed. That said, I do know people who have gotten award ticket fees reimbursed, especially if they’re below the $200 threshold. I’ve actually been able to buy gift cards with the credit (which I later used for airline tickets), and I know other people who have as well. Sometimes Amex just sees a small amount charged to an airline and reimburses it without doing too much detective work.




LINK
This post was edited on 8/15/15 at 10:22 am
Posted by Teddy Ruxpin
Member since Oct 2006
40851 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 5:57 pm to
quote:

Thoughts on the Amex Plat?



As with many things, it depends. If you have an international destination in mind and can use an airline like Singapore, then go right on ahead.

However, the domestic options kinda suck for some one originating in New Orleans. Transferring to British Airways to fly American is great value, but American only flies to Dallas, DC, and Miami direct from here. Couple that with availability issues and its hard to capitalize.

However, if you live in Dallas or DC, or some other airport with lots of American options it can be awesome. That's why VABuckeye gets a ton of use from MR points since he has DC airports.

If you have an certain award in mind and give an origination airport we can probably answer this for certain, or recommend a different route. Of course, if you fly a lot, then the regular benefits of the card may be all you need to think about.

At this point, I've put MR on the backburner because I already have 100k Avios, and I determined that burning Citi points on American airlines directly at 1.3 or 1.6 cents per point will probably give me enough value and easier to actually use.

I'm actually eyeing using Citi ThankYou and Avios to fly American MSY to MIA to Grand Cayman, then buying a flight to Havana on Cayman Airways.
This post was edited on 8/15/15 at 6:06 pm
Posted by I Love Bama
Alabama
Member since Nov 2007
38434 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 6:02 pm to
For those with the chase ink card, call and ask for a retention offer. They just gave me a $95 credit just for asking.
Posted by Lsut81
Member since Jun 2005
84985 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 6:24 pm to
quote:

As with many things, it depends. If you have an international destination in mind and can use an airline like Singapore, then go right on ahead.



Prob do London early next year, but will likely use my 120k CSP points for that.

I was just looking at the Amex Plat for the 100k points, $200 towards the seat upgrades/baggage for that trip, and then the TSA Pre.

Hell, I usually buy GC's with my current Amex points when I want something. Usually get a Saks or Neiman GC and get some dress clothes dirt cheap.
Posted by Joshjrn
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2008
32834 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 7:41 pm to
quote:

For those with the chase ink card, call and ask for a retention offer. They just gave me a $95 credit just for asking.


Were you calling to cancel at the end of your year, or just calling to call?
Posted by VABuckeye
NOVA
Member since Dec 2007
38283 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 9:03 pm to
quote:

and then the TSA Pre.


If you're flying to London you should do Glbal Entry. It also covers TSA pre check. You just have to add your known traveler ID to your airline FF accounts.
Posted by Lima Whiskey
Member since Apr 2013
22594 posts
Posted on 8/15/15 at 10:00 pm to
I did my GOES interview two weeks ago.

It may have been the least painful interaction with a government bureaucracy I've ever experienced. They asked me a single question, and jumped right into the fingerprinting process.

The whole thing took less than fifteen minutes.
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