topic Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards? in Credit Cards

What are some of your go-to travel cards?

MT936 — Sat, 09 May 2020 00:58:39 GMT

Hello All,

Before the pandemic hit I was starting to look for travel cards (travel points, airlines, hotels, etc.) to apply for next. What are some of your favorites and recommendations? I was looking into the Chase sapphire reserve, delta gold, and amex platinum among others.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

wasCB14 — Sat, 09 May 2020 01:03:23 GMT

Keep in mind that new customers may not get the same temporary incentives (like credits and bonus categories) that existing customers have reported.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

iced — Sat, 09 May 2020 01:19:10 GMT

@MT936 wrote:
Hello All,

Before the pandemic hit I was starting to look for travel cards (travel points, airlines, hotels, etc.) to apply for next. What are some of your favorites and recommendations? I was looking into the Chase sapphire reserve, delta gold, and amex platinum among others.

You gotta provide a little more context. As-is, this is like asking what cuisine is people's recommendations: you're going to get 100 opinions and 100 of them don't know your specific tastes or dislikes.

What would help people answer:

1. Your travel habits. Are you a flyer or driver? International travel? How often do you travel? Any particular recurring locations or just wherever sounds good?

2. Airline information (if appicable). Is your home airport a fortress hub for one airline or do you have several viable options? Do you have a preferred airline?

3. Hotel information: preferred hotel chain, existing status, etc.

4. Your spend patterns. How much dining/travel spend do you have monthly? If not much, what other categories do you spend the most on?

Mods: there really needs to be a sticky similar to the "info that is needed" post over on auto loans for questions like this.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

MT936 — Sat, 09 May 2020 01:23:03 GMT

@iced I want to get some ideas based on other people's usage. How about yourself?

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

recoveringfrombk7 — Sat, 09 May 2020 01:56:04 GMT

Right now we only fly once a year, but we travel a lot by car to campgrounds and attractions. So once the NFCU Flagship SUB is back (hopefully next quarter) and I'm eligible to apply for my 3rd card with them, that will be my travel card until we start traveling more internationally/by air.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

M_Smart007 — Sat, 09 May 2020 02:10:04 GMT

@MT936 wrote:
Hello All,

Before the pandemic hit I was starting to look for travel cards (travel points, airlines, hotels, etc.) to apply for next. What are some of your favorites and recommendations? I was looking into the Chase sapphire reserve, delta gold, and amex platinum among others.

Amex Corporate Platinum Card
Amex Hilton Honors Business Card
Amex Hilton Honors Aspire Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase Marriott
HSBC Premier World Mastercard
NFCU Flagship
Delta Gold

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

TSlop — Sat, 09 May 2020 02:14:12 GMT

My go to right now is the CSP. I like my CSP when traveling because of the primary rental car coverage. I also like both the Chase shopping portal and Chase offers for the extra cashback on other purchases that help keep me utilizing the card at 2x or greater. I've never used it for a 1x purchase.

My BoA PR though... it will eventually replace my CSP. When I hit the first level of preferred rewards, I'll probably put the CSP in the SD and only use it for the shopping portal/offers and when renting a car. At the first level of preferred rewards, the BoA PR will earn more (I don't use the Chase travel portal). Currently, my BoA is in the SD and only used for the incidental airline fees.... which I probably won't get to redeem this year since my business trip was cancelled and I don't have any leisure trips by plane planned.

Both cards are ones that I would recommend.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

Anonymous — Sat, 09 May 2020 02:19:53 GMT

Navy Flagship

Alaska Airlines Visa-we live in one of their hubs, so the benefits are worth the AF since we fly almost solely on Alaska.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

Aim_High — Sat, 09 May 2020 17:00:58 GMT

@MT936 wrote:
Before the pandemic hit I was starting to look for travel cards (travel points, airlines, hotels, etc.) to apply for next. What are some of your favorites and recommendations? I was looking into the Chase sapphire reserve, delta gold, and amex platinum among others.

IMO, the context question could be important (or not) depending on profile. There are some excellent travel cards out there that can be useful by a variety of profiles. For less frequent travelers, there are some great choices in the $0 to $250 AF range that might be more appropriate than a premium card in the $400 to $550 AF range. Interesting that you mentioned one in the lower and two in the upper range.

AMEX Platinum can be a great card for the right person, but consideration needs to be made if your spend and travel will offset enough of the high $550 AF. It best fits those who fly often, who pay for a lot of airfare themselves, and who value the best card on the market for airport lounges. Paying for airfare not only gets you the 5x MR points on those purchases but allows you to fully use the $200 airline fee credit as long as the bulk of your flights are on one primary airline since you have to designate in advance. Bonus points if you stay at a lot of Hiltons or Marriotts since this card gives you automatic elite status. More bonus points if you already use UBER regularly and can apply the $200 credits without generating additional spending. This card was not a good fit for my profile but I appreciate what it has to offer those who can better use it.

AMEX Delta Gold (or any other airline or hotel specific card) would work well only if that is a brand you patron very often and perhaps have elite status. But why the Gold instead of the Platinum or Reserve if you're considering this card? Those would come closer to mirroring your other choices.

I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve and it fits me best, even with the same $550 AF as the AMEX Platinum. It earns 3x UR points (3%) on travel (in general) and dining out, and I usually dine out often. I like the flexibility of the travel definitions and the fact that it's not brand-specific to one airline or hotel. A lot of my travel is not simply flight or airport-centered. This card has a wide definition of travel that includes not only flights and hotels but also expenses such as rental cars, taxis and limos, cruises, parking and tolls, trains, buses, ferries, and campgrounds. The first annual travel-related charges up to $300 are automatically credited to your account. Getting the credits the last two years have been quick and easy. There are additional credits for TSA Global Entry, DoorDash, and Lyft. The Roadside Assistance is equivalent to a basic AAA plan since it not only coordinates support but also credits the first $50 per call up to 4x annually. (Value about $55 AF in my area.) Airport Priority Pass lounge access is included, one of the networks also offered by AMEX Platinum but AMEX has other networks and more locations. Primary Rental Car coverage is included for no additional fee unlike some other cards including the Platinum, so if there is a claim your personal auto policy deductible or changes to your insurance rates will not be affected. Not only that, but through Visa as a Visa Infinite product, the overall trip protections are some of the best-in-class. (See my link below on a previous posting I made.) Like AMEX, Chase has special offers (similar to one-time use electronic coupons) that can be redeemed through the app or website. If you choose to redeem your UR points through the Chase UR portal, you get a 50% bonus so I effectively get at least 4.5% in UR point valuation on travel and dining-out. Like AMEX, Chase has airline and hotel travel partners where points can be transferred for up to approximately 2 ccp value, similar to AMEX Platinum, although AMEX has more partners. You also have the option of a lower-value cash redemption at 1ccp, but that is still above what you get on the standard AMEX Platinum at about 6/10 ccp. I notice you already have the Freedom card, so you can transfer your earnings in UR points from Freedom to CSR where your 5% quarterly category becomes redeemable for 7.5% value in travel. Same if you add the Freedom Unlimited, which turns it into a flat-rate unlimited 2.25% cash back card. And same for the INK business cards. My INK Cash has no AF. I get 5% (redeemed for 7.5% UR) on my recurring home cellphone and internet-tv bills, as well as office supply stores up to $25K annually. Combining cards to maximize UR point value is nicknamed the bi-fecta, tri-fecta or quad-fecta. Even with the coronavirus, this card has still been quite useful to me and I plan to keep it for the long-haul. (Disclaimer: Chase did automatically offer me a $100 credit due to coronavirus changes to travel and my AF coming due soon, but I had planned to keep it anyway.)

See link for more comparisons on travel protections:

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/What-is-BoA-s-niche-market-for-the-Premium-Rewards-card-with/m-p/5905623#M1697270

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

notmyrealname23 — Sat, 09 May 2020 03:07:54 GMT

@MT936 wrote:
Hello All,

Before the pandemic hit I was starting to look for travel cards (travel points, airlines, hotels, etc.) to apply for next. What are some of your favorites and recommendations? I was looking into the Chase sapphire reserve, delta gold, and amex platinum among others.

I think @iced's point is well taken because their or my use patterns aren't going to be yours. Are you looking to churn travel cards? Long term keepers? Are you in a Delta hub, or can you pick and choose your carrier? Do you need free luggage as a major benefit for your card(s)?

I don't check luggage if I can avoid it, and I don't fancy most USA-based lounges (and the ones I do fancy are mostly ones you can't get into with a card), plus I rent cars/Uber/Lyft/stay in non-chain hotels enough that AMEX Green (3x travel/dining) makes way more sense for my needs then AMEX Platinum (5x just flights/AMEX travel but 1x in a lot of categories). In fact, my goal is eventually Green/Gold long term (Platinum will probably be an occasional churn through AMEX vanilla Platinum/Schwab/Morgan Stanley flavors).

Chase Sapphire Reserve/Preferred are interesting cards but they're probably something I'll get and churn at some point. It will take a long time to manage Chase 5/24 restrictions. I do note their Priority Pass option beats AMEX's by allowing for airport restaurant dining (something I actually would appreciate more than lounges).

I generally think SkyMiles is a fairly weak program (so I am not terribly interested in the AMEX Delta cards) and I have pretty good choices out of my location so I fly Delta, Alaska, Southwest and American domestically (with occasional United or Spirit), while enjoying burning mies on Star Alliance or Alaska Global Partners like Cathay Pacific.

I also grabbed the Hilton AMEX (no annual fee) as an entry into AMEX credit cards and as an interim way to get bonuses on groceries and gas, and as a no-fee option AND upgrade option.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

iced — Sat, 09 May 2020 02:58:08 GMT

@MT936 wrote:
@iced I want to get some ideas based on other people's usage. How about yourself?

I don't see how this is going to help you since you aren't me and don't fly out of my airport or have my exact same spend pattern, but ok:

I'm in both the UR/UA and MR/DL ecosystem, though my MR/DL accrual is mostly from flying and my UR/UA accrual is mostly from spend. This makes sense for me because I'm in a pseudo-hub for DL (side rant: I don't care what DL says, they just don't have the nonstops out of BOS to call it a full hub - if they want that moniker they need to up their regional flights) but I'm also a former UA 1K with a ton of miles from that program and BOS is a heavy *A hub for international.

- I have an American Express Platinum that I use only for airfare purchases at 5x or the occasional side purchase with a promotion (aka right now I'm getting 6x on Amazon). These supplement my DL pool.

- I have a Chase Sapphire Reserve I use only for dining/travel at 3x (10x for Lyft) and the occasional side purchase with a promotion (aka right now I'm getting 5x on groceries and DoorDash, though I think I've already capped DoorDash). These supplement my UA pool.

- I just got a Chase Freedom Unlimited (the SO relented, go 1/24?) that I use for 1.5x on whatever other spend doesn't fit elsewhere plus the occasional side purchase with a promotion (aka 5x on DoorDash since my Reserve limit was hit). These supplement my UA pool.

Back in my UA days, I used the MP Club instead of the Freedom Unlimited for the same earning plus UC access, but now I'm relying on the Platinum for SC access instead.

And...that's it. 3 cards get 99% of my spend.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

Citylights18 — Sat, 09 May 2020 03:38:33 GMT

@iced wrote:
@MT936 wrote:
Hello All,

Before the pandemic hit I was starting to look for travel cards (travel points, airlines, hotels, etc.) to apply for next. What are some of your favorites and recommendations? I was looking into the Chase sapphire reserve, delta gold, and amex platinum among others.
You gotta provide a little more context. As-is, this is like asking what cuisine is people's recommendations: you're going to get 100 opinions and 100 of them don't know your specific tastes or dislikes.

What would help people answer:

1. Your travel habits. Are you a flyer or driver? International travel? How often do you travel? Any particular recurring locations or just wherever sounds good?

2. Airline information (if appicable). Is your home airport a fortress hub for one airline or do you have several viable options? Do you have a preferred airline?

3. Hotel information: preferred hotel chain, existing status, etc.

4. Your spend patterns. How much dining/travel spend do you have monthly? If not much, what other categories do you spend the most on?

Mods: there really needs to be a sticky similar to the "info that is needed" post over on auto loans for questions like this.

Also if you are in the market for business vs. personal.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

Anonymous — Sat, 09 May 2020 04:33:59 GMT

I like the Sapphire Reserve since the 3x categories work best while traveling. I can charge everything from meals to flight/hotel and all the random stuff inbetween on one card to get a solid return on my spend.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

Citylights18 — Sat, 09 May 2020 04:39:51 GMT

The question is are travel prices going up or down? My guess is they are going down.

When prices are up hotel redemptions with fixed category pricing will save you a lot of money. However with hotel prices trending down a travel card with a 1.25 or 1.5 redemption can take advantage of lower prices with a further discount. The cards which have that capability are the Chase Sapphire Reserve, US Bank Altitude Reserve and the duo of Wells Fargo Propel/Signature have that 1.5 redemption (amounting to a 33% discount) on points in their systems. Instad of paying $200 in a normal economy for a hotel night, that hotel might go for $100 and then you can get the night for 6600 points which is the same as $66 dollars.

One thing to keep in mind is how tight the pricing is on those portals. Chase is reliable powered by Expedia. Others show some degree of price slippage. US Bank has real time rewards where you can by directly from hotel and airlines then redeem what was spent at 1.5. However one of the limitations is that you need 50,000 points/$500 dollars to reedem hotels real time so it doesn't accomodate flash sale pricing for a couple of nights.

World of Hyatt is a powerful card. First you start with a free night in a Cat 1-4 property. Cat 4 is 15,000 points to redeem but can be with resort fees and taxes included cost as much as $400. If one was to put all of their spend onto this card by the time they hit 15,000 points its a second free night of $400. The earning structure is the same as the CSP, aside from the hotel earn being 1x on Hyatt but (you get 9x on Hyatt properties which its assumed you use) so you could switch off from flexible rewards to hotel rewards. But if you spent that same 15,000 on the CSP with assumed average earn rate of 1.5 ccp that would give you 22,500 points, $450 in value.

If just going with the World of Hyatt then you'll get $400 value on anniversary, $450 value on the 22,500 points and then another $400 when you hit 15,000 spend. That's an earning structure that keeps giving long after you earn the SUB.

https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/hyatt/hyatt-offering-bonus-elite-qualifying-nights-opening-spending-hyatt-credit-card/

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

Andypanda — Sat, 09 May 2020 04:54:32 GMT

If you want a good no af card, there is the wf propel card. 3x on hotel, planes, trains, rentsl cars, restaurants ect. If you pair it with the wf vida signatur account, you cab get 1.5x on airfare redemption.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

M_Smart007 — Sat, 09 May 2020 04:58:58 GMT

@Andypanda wrote:
If you want a good no af card, there is the wf propel card. 3x on hotel, planes, trains, rentsl cars, restaurants ect. If you pair it with the wf vida signatur account, you cab get 1.5x on airfare redemption.

It is a good card, and I have the WF Cash Wise Visa also, I should use it more.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

EAJuggalo — Sat, 09 May 2020 12:35:14 GMT

Here is what works for me. I fly two to three times per year on either Delta or SW, hoping to get international next year. I have the AMEX Gold and Chase CSP that you will never get out of my wallet. 4x dining and groceries with the Gold, and 2x travel with CSP. I would pay the $95 AF for the CSP just to have primary rental car insurance and be able to transfer points to SWA. I use the points accumulated on the Gold to transfer to Delta for flights that way. I currently hold the Delta Gold but will be PCing it to a no AF Blue when the AF hits, the changes AMEX and Delta made to the card make it not even close to being worth the new higher AF. I have the Hilton No-AF card that I use to pay for my stays in Hilton hotels and sometimes gas. I am considering upgrading that to the Aspire for the Diamond benefit and free weekend night. My wife and I do a lot of weekend driving trips.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

K-in-Boston — Sat, 09 May 2020 23:44:38 GMT

<not trolling I swear>Since I live in a Delta hub (BOS) with lots of other SkyTeam airlines operating here, SkyMiles is hands-down the best frequent flyer program</not trolling>, and I stay exclusively in Marriott properties, I am heavily invested in Amex with Business Platinum, Platinum, Gold, 2x Delta Reserve, 2x Delta Platinum, Delta Platinum Business, and a Marriott card in the household. If you counted up $3795 of annual fees paid to Amex, you missed the $175 AU fee on Platinum!

I also have the Chase trifecta (Sapphire Reserve, Freedom, and Freedom Unlimited), Citi Premier, US Bank Altitude Reserve, BOA Premium Rewards and Travel Rewards, and FNBO China Airlines Gold card. Chase Ritz-Carlton, BOA Air France/KLM, and BOA Virgin Atlantic cards are in my plans.

All of that works for me, but as mentioned several times, what works for you is likely drastically different.

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

Aim_High — Sun, 10 May 2020 00:57:21 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
... I am heavily invested in Amex with Business Platinum, Platinum, Gold, 2x Delta Reserve, 2x Delta Platinum, Delta Platinum Business, and a Marriott card in the household. If you counted up $3795 of annual fees paid to Amex, you missed the $175 AU fee on Platinum! ... All of that works for me, but as mentioned several times, what works for you is likely drastically different.

Ouch! Double Ouch, even!!

Definitely would not work for me but glad it does for some!

But my business travel is not paid out-of-pocket so completely different scenario.

Enjoy all those points, K!

Re: What are some of your go-to travel cards?

imaximous — Sun, 10 May 2020 20:44:06 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
<not trolling I swear>Since I live in a Delta hub (BOS) with lots of other SkyTeam airlines operating here, SkyMiles is hands-down the best frequent flyer program</not trolling>, and I stay exclusively in Marriott properties, I am heavily invested in Amex with Business Platinum, Platinum, Gold, 2x Delta Reserve, 2x Delta Platinum, Delta Platinum Business, and a Marriott card in the household. If you counted up $3795 of annual fees paid to Amex, you missed the $175 AU fee on Platinum!

I also have the Chase trifecta (Sapphire Reserve, Freedom, and Freedom Unlimited), Citi Premier, US Bank Altitude Reserve, BOA Premium Rewards and Travel Rewards, and FNBO China Airlines Gold card. Chase Ritz-Carlton, BOA Air France/KLM, and BOA Virgin Atlantic cards are in my plans.

All of that works for me, but as mentioned several times, what works for you is likely drastically different.

@K-in-Boston Curious as to how you're planning to use Air France/KLM and Virgin Atlantic credit cards.

I'd been thinking about the Virgin Atlantic card a few months ago when they had an elevated SUB, but ended up not pulling the trigger because I wasn't too convinced that I'd be using it after getting the SUB.