topic Re: How do you rack up YOUR points? in Credit Cards

How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 22:30:11 GMT

Do you spread out your points / credit cards with a whole bunch of different companies? Or do you try to keep it within one or two companies? Which do you prefer & why?

Debating to focus more on TYP, UR, or Cashback & would like to hear all of your wonderful experiences & opinions 😊😊

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 23:26:44 GMT

If you are talking offseason non intro bonus periods im simply banking my American Express points and actually redeeming chase points because I don't have a Sapphire card, and the 5% groceries was significant cash back this time around.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 23:29:11 GMT

Since things swing around and devalue it might be a good idea to look at things backwards and apply for cards that are friendly with Airlines you can use instead of just picking the airline to work with a membership and cards you already have.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 23:30:57 GMT

Most of my spend is on the Chase cards for UR points. I chose this becuase they seem the most flexible for redemption with different arlines and hotels. I use my Amex blue cash whenever they have a good promo for the card, like 10% off gas right now. I chose one system , UR, becuase I don't want to have points spread all over the place and have to keep track of where they are.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 00:12:31 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Most of my spend is on the Chase cards for UR points. I chose this becuase they seem the most flexible for redemption with different arlines and hotels. I use my Amex blue cash whenever they have a good promo for the card, like 10% off gas right now. I chose one system , UR, becuase I don't want to have points spread all over the place and have to keep track of where they are.

Yes, unless you have a lot of spend (a relative term) and you want transferable points, it makes sense to focus on just one program, choosing the one that has the best partners for your location and goals. With more spend, multiple programs make more sense to increase flexibility, especially if one partner devalues.

If you are into cash back, you can use many more programs, just make sure you can reach minimum redeption on each in a reasonable time

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 00:26:59 GMT

I only have 1 travel card so far, but I have a pretty good idea of what my strategy will be when I get more. For me it's not about the bank but the travel partners. For example, Chase's UR program does not appeal to me because I mainly fly Delta. I also don't stay in hotels, I'm in my mid-20's and stay in hostels when I travel. I never fly United, so the only reason I'd get the Sapphire Preferred/United card is if I wanted to fly on United's partners, such as SWISS Air, an airline I do fly. So other than when I go for big sign up bonuses in the future, I'll keep it within AmEx/Membership Rewards, so I can transfer them to Delta.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

driftless — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 00:29:32 GMT

DW and I both use the Chase ecosystem for points, we think that it makes sense to focus on one program. We also have Cap One cards but we use those as our second bank, cash back, Cap One will always be with you, thank you for helping us rebuild, Cap One cards.

Post-Script: we are heavily invest in United. Million mile flyers decades ago.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Closingracer99 — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 01:56:51 GMT

I orginally put all my eggs in one basket which was Chase with the CSP and Freedom but decided a while into my first year with the CSP I rather go with TY Points and got the TY premier this year.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 02:22:07 GMT

This depends on many many things.

My current go-to cards are SPG since they are worth about 3 cents per point, which outweighs the double cash for general spend. If amex isn't accepted I use the amtrak.

I was kinda focusing a little extra non category on the Sams Club but after all this synch stuff, I will only use it for travel dining and gas.

If I book a hotel direct, I use amtrak.

I am pretty good on MR points right now so just minor things from time to time.

I would say for most people if they have rotating category cards they should use up all those first, especially if they get great value with redemption or partner transfers.

For OP, it would depend on your amount of spend and travel habits. If you can get great value out of UR, above 2 cents a point then that is what you should be using most.

Since I have well into six figures with amex MR points, I am using those for uber rides. And luckily I get 1 spg point per dollar spent on top of that. So even though I am only getting 1cpp in value on the MR, I am simultaneously earning SPG points. (errrr at least I hope so?!)

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

ScoreOrBeScored — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 03:00:54 GMT

I put all my spend on my Prestige , Premier , AA , & Virgin America cards.

the Thank You Points just works better for me. And the transfer partners ....

Thank You Transfer Partners :

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Virgin America Elevate

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Qatar Airways Privilege Club

Qantas Frequent Flyer

Malaysia Airlines Enrich

Garuda Indonesia Frequent Flyer

Flying Blue

Etihad Gues

EVA Air Infinity MileageLands

Asia Miles

Hilton HHonors Worldwide

___________________________________________________________________

Virgin America Transfer Partners :

Memebership Rewards

Thank You Points

SPG

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Australia

Hawaiian Airlines

Singapore Airlines

Emirates Airlines

i also use the AA & VIrgin America shopping portal to SCORE more points.

the only thing I buy out the actual physical store is food and perishable items.

everything like clothes, stuff from Walmart , to tires for my car, all bought thru

shopping portals.

when shopping the AA portal I pay with my AA card for added miles

when shopping thru Virgin America portal I pay with my VA card for added miles.

cash cards I use for cash back is Freedom and Ink Cash and discover for catogory spend.

sometimes I'll use QS too.

this is how I rack up MY points/Miles

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

NRB525 — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 03:44:14 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I only have 1 travel card so far, but I have a pretty good idea of what my strategy will be when I get more. For me it's not about the bank but the travel partners. For example, Chase's UR program does not appeal to me because I mainly fly Delta. I also don't stay in hotels, I'm in my mid-20's and stay in hostels when I travel. I never fly United, so the only reason I'd get the Sapphire Preferred/United card is if I wanted to fly on United's partners, such as SWISS Air, an airline I do fly. So other than when I go for big sign up bonuses in the future, I'll keep it within AmEx/Membership Rewards, so I can transfer them to Delta.

Chase UR just added Flying Blue as a transfer partner. Flying Blue is closely aligned with Delta, so by transferring points to FB, you either get a better redemption of those points to Europe, or a good / better redemption on US domestic flights that in many cases are fulfilled by Delta. This does not directly add to your Delta miles, only MR points ( and the not-available Diners card ) do the direct transfer, but as a use of UR points, it can be an opportunity.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

NRB525 — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 03:50:19 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Do you spread out your points / credit cards with a whole bunch of different companies? Or do you try to keep it within one or two companies? Which do you prefer & why?

Debating to focus more on TYP, UR, or Cashback & would like to hear all of your wonderful experiences & opinions 😊😊

Which cards do you have already? Which airlines do you prefer to fly with? Hotel programs?

There are many possibilities, but the question should start from what is best for your travel plans, and understanding the existing cards you have in your wallet. From there you can determine whether adjustments are necessary, or if you are already well on your way. The question of annual fees is also important: several cards have an AF, and you will want to decide if the benefits of the AF make it worth keeping a particular card long term make sense.

For example, Flying Blue is a transfer partner for both TYP and UR, so that might be a place to combine the points.

It is also relevant to let us know the cards you already have, because that does influence what some of your options are.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 19:30:35 GMT

I only have a few cards so I'm limited on that lol. I have two 5% rotating category cards, so I reserve my monthly spending on a certain category for those cards. I signed up for QS for the cash bonus and no FTF, and want to get it to at least 5k limit so I'll be putting all other spending on it for 1.5% back. Right now I'm just putting recurring charges (like certain bills) on my DC 2%, but I'll be using it for all general spending (once I bump my QS up) except for anything out of the US

I maximize rewards, doesn't matter what company. But I do want to get all my limits to at least 5k, so that's also a factor on what cards I focus on.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

sdchrgrboy — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 19:37:59 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Most of my spend is on the Chase cards for UR points. I chose this becuase they seem the most flexible for redemption with different arlines and hotels. I use my Amex blue cash whenever they have a good promo for the card, like 10% off gas right now. I chose one system , UR, becuase I don't want to have points spread all over the place and have to keep track of where they are.

When did Amex start offering 10% on gas? The only 10% i have seen is on wireless

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 19:52:23 GMT

Freedom & Discover It are strictly for categories. Citi hilton & CSP are used when I travel, shopping and any other big purchases. My QS MC is my main for reoccuring charges but I have been thinking long and hard to switch it and divide it to my CSP and Citi HH. My QS VS is used by my brother who is an AU while he is away for college. BOA cash rewards gas and groceries.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 20:50:15 GMT

My primary source of reward is UR. I cashed it all out before. It didn't matter when I didn't have a CSP but since I do now, I try to save all my UR points for a free flight.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 21:00:51 GMT

ALL through chase!

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

wachme — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 01:11:09 GMT

For me, I'm juggling between TY, MR and TrueBlue points. I maximize my spend based on what gives me the highest reward/most value for my next redemption.

Currently it's Access more and Premier combo for 3x TY online purchases, travel and gas. JetBlue plus for 2x TrueBlue points restaurants/groceries. AMEX ED for everything else.

Currently sitting on 130k MR, soon to be 50k TY and 115k TrueBlue points.

I want to build up my TY points a bit more and then apply for SPG to up my starpoint game. I have a measely 6k there. Those starpoints are hard to come by without heavy CC spend which I plan to do a lot of.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 02:54:40 GMT

sdchrgrboy wrote: When did Amex start offering 10% on gas? The only 10% i have seen is on wireless

I think they started offering it at the end of June.

Re: How do you rack up YOUR points?

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 02:57:42 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I only have 1 travel card so far, but I have a pretty good idea of what my strategy will be when I get more. For me it's not about the bank but the travel partners. For example, Chase's UR program does not appeal to me because I mainly fly Delta. I also don't stay in hotels, I'm in my mid-20's and stay in hostels when I travel. I never fly United, so the only reason I'd get the Sapphire Preferred/United card is if I wanted to fly on United's partners, such as SWISS Air, an airline I do fly. So other than when I go for big sign up bonuses in the future, I'll keep it within AmEx/Membership Rewards, so I can transfer them to Delta.
Chase UR just added Flying Blue as a transfer partner. Flying Blue is closely aligned with Delta, so by transferring points to FB, you either get a better redemption of those points to Europe, or a good / better redemption on US domestic flights that in many cases are fulfilled by Delta. This does not directly add to your Delta miles, only MR points ( and the not-available Diners card ) do the direct transfer, but as a use of UR points, it can be an opportunity.

You can also transfer UR points to Kroean Air then on to Delta.