Credit Card Thread - Now with a Beginner's Guide to free travel/FAQ

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by blind dog, Apr 10, 2015.

  1. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    Oh damn. Any other reason she would have gotten a pop up?
     
  2. Tommy Jefferson

    Tommy Jefferson Well-Known Member
    Nebraska CornhuskersKansas JayhawksKansas City RoyalsKansas City Chiefs

    I used one lucky poster’s amex Gold referral which included a $200 statement credit. Can anyone confirm how that shows up on the statement?

    I have a transaction for $200.00 from Amazon Marketplace NA PA which I’m confused about. If Amex uses some Amazon servers or processing software, that could make sense. Otherwise, I’m just a little uneasy if this is the first step in some Nigerian Prince Scheme to defraud me.
     
  3. Baby Boy

    Baby Boy Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    Wife is still trying to figure out what card to get. I really don't know anymore. I've done some looking around. Like I said she will be traveling strictly around SC, NC, GA and AL. She doesn't handle her flight bookings. That goes on company corporate card. Everything else...hotels, gas, food, any expense she has for anything that could be work related she will pay for and be reimbursed. I just want to make this card count. She said something about Marriott Bonvoy but iirc that has not been well liked here. Halp.
     
  4. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    Have you looked at the Venture X? It has $395 (I think) annual fee, but you get $300 travel credit and the annual point bonus is worth another $100. Plus priority pass and the normal benefits. No category multipliers, but everything gets 2 points per dollar so it keeps things simple. Unless I'm working on a sign up bonus, I put groceries and food on my Amex Gold and everything else on my Venture X.

    Sign up bonus is 75k, which isn't elevated. May want to keep that in mind if you want to wait for a better offer. I'll put a referral link below just in case.

    Is she consistent with always staying at Marriott's, both for work travel and personal?


    https://capital.one/3LZmSyl
     
  5. C A N E

    C A N E Let justice be done though the heavens fall
    Donor
    Miami HurricanesMiami Heat

    I’d get the CSP in branch if it’s been 48 months since your last bonus
     
    bigjrock likes this.
  6. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    What is her goal? Hotel status? Accruing a lot of points that have a high variety of transfer options? Is she planning on staying at a specific hotel chain? If so, a card that partners with that chain would probably be best bet.

    Chase sapphire, Amex, and cap one will require you to book through their portable for hotels if you want the big spend multipliers. And by doing that you won’t accrue any status or points with that hotel chain.

    Chase reserve is 3x restaurants and hotels. Chase preferred is 3x restaurants and 2x hotels all the time. Cap one venture x is 2x everywhere.
     
    bigjrock likes this.
  7. Baby Boy

    Baby Boy Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCarolina Panthers

    This is just all brand new. She just started the job this week. She isn't even sure what cities she'll be in yet in these states. We were just trying to figure out what would be the best card so she has it for her expenses out the gate. I have the Capital One Venture X. She has AMEX Platinum. We got both of those about a year ago. Good questions from y'all. I think ideally she would like to stick with one hotel so she can accrue points, status, etc. Idk we just want to do the smartest thing.
     
  8. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    Just got my Amex $15 Uber credit for the seventh month since I canceled. Chess, not checkers.
     
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  9. WC

    WC Bad Company, ‘til the day I die.
    Donor TMB OG
    North Carolina State WolfpackAtlanta BravesCarolina PanthersCarolina HurricanesUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    Best practice for how long to wait after downgrading a CSR before reapplying? I’m clear of the 48 months.
     
  10. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
    Donor
    Penn State Nittany LionsGreen Bay PackersChelseaHartford WhalersPhoenix Rising

    I think I waited a few days after downgrading CSR and applying for a CSP. Whatever people in here recommended. If you search for it there's an exact answer ITT.
     
    WC likes this.
  11. WC

    WC Bad Company, ‘til the day I die.
    Donor TMB OG
    North Carolina State WolfpackAtlanta BravesCarolina PanthersCarolina HurricanesUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    tysm
     
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  12. beist

    beist Hyperbolist
    Donor

    I signed up recently too. It shows up as credits like below. I can't figure out the rhyme or reason to the credits, I've put about 12 charges on there, and only some have been reversed with credits. But I confirmed with Amex that this is what it is

    upload_2023-4-4_11-19-12.png
     
    Tommy Jefferson likes this.
  13. bRamonceTaylor

    bRamonceTaylor Well-Known Member
    Donor

    Was in NY last week for work and around the corner from a Saks so finally used Amex Plat the credit on a gift card. First time in however long they’ve had that benefit. Only 7 more to my free brief case!
     
  14. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Since when?
    (This may vary by program admittedly)
     
  15. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    Who’s got the best Amex Plat referral?
     
  16. comrade static

    comrade static i love french fries
    Donor
    Oklahoma City ThunderPhiladelphia EaglesTampa Bay BuccaneersOklahoma SoonersBarAndGrillBig 8 Conference

    mine is only 80k points. However it says you can earn up to $200 in statement credits in addition to that. Terms apply.

    there are probably better ones out there but dropping the link just in case.


    Apply for an American Express Card with this link. With your new Card, you could earn a welcome bonus and your friend could earn a referral bonus. Terms Apply.
    https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/DAVIdWoxeU?XL=MIACP
     
  17. bRamonceTaylor

    bRamonceTaylor Well-Known Member
    Donor

  18. The_Baumer

    The_Baumer Go Mordecai!
    Donor

    There are 150k plus $200 in statement offers out there on the internet if you search.
     
    Lip likes this.
  19. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
    Donor TMB OG
    Texas LonghornsManchester United

    Linking an 80k ref offer....be better TMB
     
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  20. EagleDuck

    EagleDuck Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG
    Oregon DucksSeattle MarinersPortland Trail BlazersSeattle Seahawks

  21. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    Edit: referral is maxed out
     
    #15221 Whammy, Apr 5, 2023
    Last edited: May 14, 2023
    bigjrock and The_Baumer like this.
  22. DuffandMuff

    DuffandMuff Well-Known Member
    Tampa Bay LightningSan Diego Padres

    I stayed in a Hilton embassy suites last year that I booked for a really good price through Priceline. I was able to add my gold status at the desk and get a welcome gift and night credit, but I didn’t get any points.

    I also recall staying at a St Regis I booked thru the Amex FHR portal last year. Pretty sure I did get Marriott points for that. So maybe I’m confusing the two? Or I’m being robbed of points?

    These sites say you don’t get status when booking through chase portal
    https://millionmilesecrets.com/guides/book-hotels-chase-ultimate-rewards-travel-portal/amp/

    https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/chase-ultimate-rewards-travel-portal/
     
    #15222 DuffandMuff, Apr 6, 2023
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2023
  23. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Yea I could see you getting screwed out of points by a priceline rate I guess...
    Sucks about the chase portal though
     
  24. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Anybody have experience with an award inventory tool besides expert flyer? I'm trying to find a way to monitor BA/IB award space and EF hasn't supported that in a while now.
     
  25. Barves2125

    Barves2125 "Ready to drive the Ferarri" - Reuben Foster
    Donor TMB OG
    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesManchester CityBirmingham LegionUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamPoker

    Due for a new card. What's the best sign up bonus going these days? Who got a bonus points for Ryan Mallett?
     
  26. Goose

    Goose Hi
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati BearcatsCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsReal MadridXavier MusketeersDayton FlyersTiger WoodsFC CincinnatiPGA

    Let me know if you end up with anything Amex
     
  27. Smuggy

    Smuggy Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson Tide

    Chase Sapphire Preferred is up to 80,000 these days. That’s worth about $2k if you use the Hyatt 1:1 transfer.

    Now you can earn 80,000 bonus points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card. If you apply and get approved, we can both earn rewards:
    https://www.referyourchasecard.com/6m/ZZAUMRT6J9
     
    #15227 Smuggy, Apr 19, 2023
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2023
    milquetoast likes this.
  28. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    80k ain’t shit for that annual fee tho.
    Do not pass go.
    Straight to jail.
     
    DuffandMuff likes this.
  29. Spontaneous Cumbustion

    Spontaneous Cumbustion Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Ohio State BuckeyesCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsXavier MusketeersFC CincinnatiTottenham HotspurUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    $300 of the fee gets reimbursed every year.
     
  30. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    EDIT: referral is maxed out
     
    #15230 Whammy, Apr 19, 2023
    Last edited: May 14, 2023
    Sportfan, EagleDuck and Barves2125 like this.
  31. Smuggy

    Smuggy Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson Tide

    Meant “Preferred”, not “Reserve”. $95 annual fee vs $550.
     
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  32. EagleDuck

    EagleDuck Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG
    Oregon DucksSeattle MarinersPortland Trail BlazersSeattle Seahawks

    I don’t know if it has been mentioned here but I found yesterday that Amex has a 2.6:1 bonus for point transfers to Hilton right now.
     

    Attached Files:

  33. Smuggy

    Smuggy Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson Tide

    $700 annual fee and it looks like 150k Amex points are worth $1005. That sign up bonus is only worth about $500, right?
     
  34. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    With even a little bit of effort you can get more than $1005 out of 150k Amex points, plus Uber credits, plus streaming credits, plus delta lounge access (if that’s valuable to you), plus global entry credits.

    If you make an effort, it’s well worth it
     
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  35. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    big difference
     
  36. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    Doesn't CSP have 90k in branch right now?
     
  37. Smuggy

    Smuggy Well-Known Member
    Alabama Crimson Tide

    So what are you waiting for? Take back what you said about me.
     
    Lip likes this.
  38. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    take back what you said about Thor!
     
  39. Whammy

    Whammy Donde es
    Donor
    Alabama Crimson TideVanderbilt CommodoresNew Orleans SaintsChicago BlackhawksAtlanta United

    Was applying for a Delta Amex today and said that I wouldn't be eligible for the welcome offer, I applied for and received 4 cards in the last 12 months and have 6 total. Would that be why?
     
  40. milquetoast

    milquetoast Firm Security
    Donor
    Florida GatorsNew York MetsTampa Bay BuccaneersNew York Islanders

    I've got a 150K referral also for anyone in the market for Amex Platinum

    Apply for an American Express Card with this link. With your new Card, you could earn a welcome bonus and your friend could earn a referral bonus. Terms Apply. https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/JOHNMG3i5?XLINK=MYCP

    Your friend can earn:

    150,000

    Membership Rewards® points after they use their new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within their first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, if they apply for this Card by 06/07/2023, they can receive up to $200 back as statement credits on purchases during the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
     
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  41. g8r

    g8r Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Florida GatorsBoston Red Sox

    doing this after I close on my new home.
     
    milquetoast likes this.
  42. Sportfan

    Sportfan From Six to Dumptime
    San Antonio SpursHouston TexansNew Mexico State AggiesTexas AandM Aggies

    Is there any guidance on how quickly you can downgrade the Reserve after exhausting the annual travel credit?
     
  43. skeezy

    skeezy what is this? meowschwitz?
    Donor TMB OG
    AvengersFormula 1

    Amex platinum or capital venture x? Down to these two for my next card
     
  44. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    do you fly Delta and enjoy the Sky Club lounges? Do you use Uber or Uber eats? If so, I would do the Amex platinum.

    If you are looking for a more general card that still pays for itself with its benefits, then i’d do Venture X.

    Here’s my Venture X referral link: https://capital.one/3NNBFwW
     
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  45. skeezy

    skeezy what is this? meowschwitz?
    Donor TMB OG
    AvengersFormula 1

    I usually fly United since I’m out of Newark 99% of the time but I don’t have status with them or have a cobranded card. I much prefer delta to United but I’m limited since I would have to fly out of jfk which is a bitch to get to from where I live and they usually require connections which my girlfriend cannot handle yet (takes a significant amount of drugs and booze to get her to not white knuckle the whole flight). I fly about 3-4 times a year with one of those being international. Right now I’ve got a no fee citi card I’ve had for 7 years and a sapphire preferred I’ve had about a year. Perks that would matter to me the most are lounge access I think
     
    Lip likes this.
  46. Lip

    Lip Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Michigan State SpartansDetroit LionsGeorge Washington Colonials

    The Venture X includes Priority Pass lounge access, which would include the British Airways lounge in Terminal B at Newark.

    The Amex Plat will get you access to the centurion lounges at JFK and LGA, but there isn’t one at Newark.
     
    skeezy likes this.
  47. BellottiBold

    Donor
    Oregon Ducks

    Careful with the hours here skeezy . If you're flying in the evening or early AM they likely reserve the access for their own passengers and oneworld elites.
     
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  48. bigjrock

    bigjrock Pillsbury Geauxboy
    Donor
    LSU TigersNew Orleans PelicansNew Orleans Saints

    Flew out of Dulles last week. Got rejected from Turkish and British Airways had a sign up that said anything after 2pm was for actual BA biz and 1st class only. Lufthansa let us in, but made us go to a little shithole (still better than the gate!) downstairs.
     
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  49. Bruce Bowen

    Bruce Bowen Well-Known Member
    Donor

    In the market for a new card since we are about to do a home remodel. This is a great sign up bonus right?

    Also, the annual fee, is that owed off the bat or after year 1?
     
  50. milquetoast

    milquetoast Firm Security
    Donor
    Florida GatorsNew York MetsTampa Bay BuccaneersNew York Islanders

    They do get you right away with the fee on the first statement. But the 150K is the best you'll find.
     
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