re: Credit Card Rewards and Points Discussion

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Just talked to my dad, he has >2mil miles on delta. I'm trying to figure out why I have paid for flights to visit him

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How is this even possible?

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Yeah that is fine for domestic use. Just know they will charge you the annual fee on the first year.

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Are there any better options I should look at for that scenario?

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You can do Chase Sapphire Preferred if you know you will spend 4,000 in the first three months. Then you can transfer the 50,000 points to Southwest, or another airline. Annual fee is waived first year.

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Exactly. Plus the fact that it will earn you double points on restaurants and other travel expenses. SW card will only earn 1x. And since you can easily transfer Chase points to SW 1:1, you are earning more SW points with the CSP.

Not sure exactly what you mean.

What I am understanding is you are looking at hotels that cost 3-3.5 points per dollar (so a $200 hotel will cost 600 points). Which would mean you are getting a value of 33 cents per point or worse. Which is a great redemption. Almost too good. Any examples? Am I misunderstanding you?

Usually lower tier hotels yield a good cents per point value and then higher end hotels almost always will. But that also means you are shelling out a lot of points.

If you have the CSP, then you should be using the CSP for restaurants which also gives you 2 points per dollar. With the added flexibility of being used elsewhere if needed.

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Are there any better options I should look at for that scenario?

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Whatever you do, make sure you get a credit card with no foreign transaction fee. The Sapphire Preferred falls into that category. I don't now about the Southwest card.

Nah I meant 3 to 3.5 cents per point

I would do it on CSP; the thing is, with the complimentary night on the Hyatt Visa, it's makes the annual fee worth it. The annual fee on the CSP being worth it is a bit more complicated.

I was told three trade lines were often standard for traditional mortgages. I've never had a car note or student debt and never had the need for multiple cards. Credit score is very good but was told I could still be denied due to too few trade lines.

I currently only have Chase Freedom. Which two cards would be recommended for someone who doesn't spend a ton of money but still seeks worthwhile rewards?