I have tried to decipher the credit card points and rewards discussion thread, but wanted to see if some direct input in a dedicated thread might help me decide.

I am starting a new job at the beginning of the year and have the option of using my own credit card so I can keep rewards and points and have them pay off the balance.

Mainly will be used for business travel, gas, and meals on the road and I would like to use the rewards for my family to travel.

What setups would y’all suggest for me?

- other tidbit...I have a side business that I run that I will also be getting a separate credit card for expenses. Any suggestion on what to try to get there for a combination of the two as far as rewards go? The second card will likely not be tied to gas or travel expenses.

Thanks.

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Posted by WM_Tiger

NELA

Member since May 2017

1576 posts

Posted on 11/19/18 at 3:34 pm to TigerGrad2011

It depends on your spending habits. If you’re going to be eating out and buying groceries the new Amex Gold card is your best bet. 4 points per dollar on restaurants and groceries, and 3 ppd on flights booked directly through the airline. Strictly business I use the chase business ink preferred.

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Posted by Carson123987

Middle Court at the Rec

Member since Jul 2011

66439 posts

Posted on 11/19/18 at 4:29 pm to TigerGrad2011

quote:
Mainly will be used for business travel, gas, and meals on the road and I would like to use the rewards for my family to travel.

CSR

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Posted by TigerGrad2011

Member since Aug 2016

1578 posts

Posted on 11/19/18 at 5:39 pm to Carson123987

I went to the mailbox today and there was a Capital One Venture Rewards with 60,000 bonus miles. What are the drawbacks of that card and could you pair it with another brand of card to maximize or do you stay within the same brand (ex: Chase/Chase) for multiple cards?

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Posted by foshizzle

Washington DC metro

Member since Mar 2008

40599 posts

Posted on 11/19/18 at 5:48 pm to TigerGrad2011

quote:
Mainly will be used for business travel, gas, and meals

Chase Sapphire Reserve for the travel and meals. You get 5x points per $ and 1.5 times that if you redeem for an airfare on the Chase website, for 7.5 points per dollar.

Gas only counts 2x, but you still get the 1.5 multiplier.

Plus free lounge access, Pre Check and Global Entry comped. The $450 annual fee may seem steep but you get $300 of that back if you spend money on any kind of travel so it's a net $150. Great deal IMO.

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Posted by TheChiefHasArrived

Member since Dec 2011

686 posts

Posted on 11/20/18 at 6:20 am to foshizzle

^Agree with the above, but to correct the math a little it's 3x on meals/travel (and that's all travel including Uber, parking, 3rd party bookings) which makes for 4.5 when redeemed for travel on the portal.

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Posted by LSUDbrous90

Lafayette

Member since Dec 2011

1451 posts

Posted on 11/20/18 at 7:13 am to TigerGrad2011

Main thing to understand is that not all "points" are created equal. Until something changes I am a Chase points guy and your best bet is going to be Chase Sapphire Reserve (especially if your company pays the annual fee). If you want strictly business then Chase Ink Preferred. Its a good card on its own too.

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Posted by TigerGrad2011

Member since Aug 2016

1578 posts

Posted on 11/20/18 at 9:50 am to foshizzle

How does the $300 work if my company just pays the bill directly? Is it only a statement credit, or is there some other way to use the $300 where it does not benefit the company?

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