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Message
Looking for advice on credit cards
Posted on 2/17/24 at 7:17 am
Posted on 2/17/24 at 7:17 am
We currently have the USAA Limitless Cashback Visa which was phenomenal, but I think they reduced it last year from 2.5% to 1.5%. Received an offer for AMEX Platinum with 125,000 points. I can almost justify the offsets in my head, but I'm curious what everyone thinks is the best out there.
(Offsets we would capitalize on are: Streaming $240, Uber Credits $200, Clear maybe but I may be able to sneak that through work, $25 Global entry, Airline incidentals seem strict and I'm kind of a SWA homer.) Being that my main airports are MSY and HOU/IAH, the lounge access might be a bit of a bust.
Travel 2-3 times a year. Family of Four, so obviously four plane tickets each trip. Usually two domestic trips and one Caribbean/Mexico trip.
I travel about every six weeks to/from Houston for work. I have TSA Pre. I do not have clear yet, but I think I could game it through work by using my AMEX there.
Spend last year was about $150k, but I think that was largely contributed to outfitting the new house so let's say $100-$115k to be on the safe side.
I don't carry a balance. I pay my balance off every 2-3 days to help myself budget accordingly.
Credit is great. Just checked and it is 827.
Any other fun facts for you all to point me in the right direction or just tell me to stay put with what I have? Any help is greatly appreciated.
(Offsets we would capitalize on are: Streaming $240, Uber Credits $200, Clear maybe but I may be able to sneak that through work, $25 Global entry, Airline incidentals seem strict and I'm kind of a SWA homer.) Being that my main airports are MSY and HOU/IAH, the lounge access might be a bit of a bust.
Travel 2-3 times a year. Family of Four, so obviously four plane tickets each trip. Usually two domestic trips and one Caribbean/Mexico trip.
I travel about every six weeks to/from Houston for work. I have TSA Pre. I do not have clear yet, but I think I could game it through work by using my AMEX there.
Spend last year was about $150k, but I think that was largely contributed to outfitting the new house so let's say $100-$115k to be on the safe side.
I don't carry a balance. I pay my balance off every 2-3 days to help myself budget accordingly.
Credit is great. Just checked and it is 827.
Any other fun facts for you all to point me in the right direction or just tell me to stay put with what I have? Any help is greatly appreciated.
This post was edited on 2/18/24 at 7:42 am
4
Posted on 2/17/24 at 7:27 am to TheWiz
I have Platinum and am able to easily maximize and offset the 700 fee easily.
Think I earned 100k points on airline purchases alone, So I'm already ahead before all of the credits, plus they gave me a 250 credit on my annual fee for a 3k spend over 2 months.
Its a win/win for me, but if I didn't get as much from the 5x airlines, it may not be.
Think I earned 100k points on airline purchases alone, So I'm already ahead before all of the credits, plus they gave me a 250 credit on my annual fee for a 3k spend over 2 months.
Its a win/win for me, but if I didn't get as much from the 5x airlines, it may not be.
Posted on 2/17/24 at 7:28 am to TheWiz
I would checkout the forums, Churning on reddit or the Manufactured Spending forum on flyertalk. Churning keeps a list of the latest sign up bonuses and rates for all cards out there now.
As for cards like the Amex platinum, I found it was great when traveling a lot and hitting the centurion lounges. But outside of that, not so much. You also need to figure out your best use for membership reward points vs. ultimate rewards, etc. That will determine its actual value to you. Also to note, you can get lost for days reading some of that information, and it can rapidly turn into a time sucking hobby.
As for cards like the Amex platinum, I found it was great when traveling a lot and hitting the centurion lounges. But outside of that, not so much. You also need to figure out your best use for membership reward points vs. ultimate rewards, etc. That will determine its actual value to you. Also to note, you can get lost for days reading some of that information, and it can rapidly turn into a time sucking hobby.
Posted on 2/17/24 at 7:51 am to Newgene
Haha. That's why I'm here. This is day 2 of this rabbit hole.
Forgot to mention I need an additional card for my wife so that's another $200 fee I believe.
Forgot to mention I need an additional card for my wife so that's another $200 fee I believe.
Posted on 2/17/24 at 7:58 am to TheWiz
Amex Plat for travel (5x flights)
Amex Gold for dining (4x pts)
Chase Saphire Preferred (3x dining and good UR redemption)
Amex Gold for dining (4x pts)
Chase Saphire Preferred (3x dining and good UR redemption)
Posted on 2/17/24 at 8:02 am to Lsut81
Yeah, I was kind of hot on the Gold for a minute with 4x at supermarkets but it's very limited. We instacart a lot and it seemed like people were still getting 4x when using instacart.
Posted on 2/17/24 at 1:08 pm to TheWiz
I have a Delta Reserve/Amex that has earned me Platinum status, but I had to spend a butt load to get there and keep doing so to keep it.
I really enjoyed my Cap 1 Savor card before I got the AMEX as we dine out a lot. I was getting cash back/points towards purchases that I would swap for gift cards. I was trading in points on Cabelas bucks and earning enough to buy a handgun a quarter, lol.
The Delta Reserve's price went up again this year, but you get the companion flight and other benefits. I have had 4 personal flights upgraded to 1st class and 3 business flights booked as economy bumped to Delta comfort.
I really enjoyed my Cap 1 Savor card before I got the AMEX as we dine out a lot. I was getting cash back/points towards purchases that I would swap for gift cards. I was trading in points on Cabelas bucks and earning enough to buy a handgun a quarter, lol.
The Delta Reserve's price went up again this year, but you get the companion flight and other benefits. I have had 4 personal flights upgraded to 1st class and 3 business flights booked as economy bumped to Delta comfort.
Posted on 2/17/24 at 4:01 pm to oneg8rh8r
Don't think you travel enough for Plat.
Would get gold for groceries and dining. An airline card that is good for gas or whatever your local airport is and a cash card.
Would get gold for groceries and dining. An airline card that is good for gas or whatever your local airport is and a cash card.
Posted on 2/17/24 at 4:54 pm to STLhog
The upgrades I received this past year were all complimentary upgrades, for me and my wife. When I earned Platinum, I earned 4 forced upgrades for this year as well.
Posted on 2/17/24 at 5:21 pm to oneg8rh8r
My bad, I meant OP.
Your strat with Delta/plat is solid. Wish American had that with AmEx.
Your strat with Delta/plat is solid. Wish American had that with AmEx.
Posted on 2/17/24 at 6:55 pm to STLhog
Yeah, I'm leaning to Gold. They were offering 90,000 points. The supermarket restrictions are tight. No Target, Walmart, Costco, or Sam's. We instacart about 98% of our groceries. It's still unclear if they code as groceries.
Posted on 2/19/24 at 9:41 am to TheWiz
Weekday crew bump
Posted on 2/19/24 at 3:59 pm to TheWiz
I'm definitely someone who does not benefit all that much from the Platinum card, but I still have it. I don't travel all that much.
There are a lot of "mind games" involved. The Uber credit is like $15 a month. It's not a lump sum $200 that you work off. If you don't use the uber cash that month, it does not accrue. It can be used on Uber eats.
The streaming credit is great and pretty much pays for our hulu/disney account.
Saks $50 credit every 6 months. I usually get a Peter Millar shirt that's on sale.
Read the fine print for all the Amex Offers. I've been hosed more than a couple of times because I didn't read everything.
You can have another authorized user without having to pay the additional fee.
There are a lot of "mind games" involved. The Uber credit is like $15 a month. It's not a lump sum $200 that you work off. If you don't use the uber cash that month, it does not accrue. It can be used on Uber eats.
The streaming credit is great and pretty much pays for our hulu/disney account.
Saks $50 credit every 6 months. I usually get a Peter Millar shirt that's on sale.
Read the fine print for all the Amex Offers. I've been hosed more than a couple of times because I didn't read everything.
You can have another authorized user without having to pay the additional fee.
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