topic Re: Best cards for points toward travel in Credit Cards

Best cards for points toward travel

disdreamin — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 23:45:25 GMT

My SO and I have been talking about a trip to Japan in a two years and I want to get started accruing points that can be used to help offset the cost of the trip. I've done a bunch of reading and see that there are two primary ecosystems I'm interested in, Chase UR and AmEx MR. I'm actually wondering if it is worthwhile to do both, assuming I open a few new cards in the next couple of years.

Right now I have CFU and just opened a new CSP for the 80k SUB as a start (I've only got like 3k UR as I have never put much spend on the CFU). I'm looking at possibly opening an AmEx gold card in the not-too-distant future, once the Chase card is up and running and the SUB spend nearly complete, and possibly a Platinum card not too long before the trip since the perks of that card will pay off for that year. I'm also eyeing some hotel cards for points toward stays while traveling as well.

Does accruing points in both ecosystems make sense if I can take advantage of decent SUB's and use the points for airfare/upgrades? And would hotel points be worthwhile to offset a few nights here or there while in major cities? I'm also wondering about having my SO try for a card or two in a year for more points, once his new card that was just opened has aged and his report looks a little prettier for having a years history on that card.

I'd love suggestions and links - I've read SO many things about airfare/points that frankly I'm overwhelmed and having a hard time figuring out my best move. We are in the northeast and open to flying out of NY, Philly, Boston or Toronto, and the timing of the trip is flexible, but it would probably be in the summer (not ideal, but it's the easiest time for us to go).

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

notmyrealname23 — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 00:57:35 GMT

@disdreamin wrote:

Does accruing points in both ecosystems make sense if I can take advantage of decent SUB's and use the points for airfare/upgrades? And would hotel points be worthwhile to offset a few nights here or there while in major cities?

It can, but you want award redemptions. With very few exceptions, award miles for upgrades on trans-Atlantic/trans-Pacific flights are a bad deal (the fares required will be expensive and it's just better to get the award redemption flight in the cabin you want to fly in).

You probably want to prioritize any Chase cards (CSP, Hyatt, IHG, United, British Airways)

Go look at Flyertalk. Be cautious of travel bloggers who are hawking credit cards (credit card referrals are how they get paid), but there's good information out there as well (just realize that they're getting paid by credit card companies). There are reddit subreddits out there as well, but I've gotten into trouble posting those links here, and I am not really sure what is allowed/forbidden, so some of this is going to be Googling... good luck!

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

disdreamin — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 01:09:38 GMT

@notmyrealname23 wrote:
@disdreamin wrote:

Does accruing points in both ecosystems make sense if I can take advantage of decent SUB's and use the points for airfare/upgrades? And would hotel points be worthwhile to offset a few nights here or there while in major cities?
It can, but you want award redemptions. With very few exceptions, award miles for upgrades on trans-Atlantic/trans-Pacific flights are a bad deal (the fares required will be expensive and it's just better to get the award redemption flight in the cabin you want to fly in).

You probably want to prioritize any Chase cards (CSP, Hyatt, IHG, United, British Airways)

Go look at Flyertalk. Be cautious of travel bloggers who are hawking credit cards (credit card referrals are how they get paid), but there's good information out there as well (just realize that they're getting paid by credit card companies). There are reddit subreddits out there as well, but I've gotten into trouble posting those links here, and I am not really sure what is allowed/forbidden, so some of this is going to be Googling... good luck!

Many thanks, will go give Flyertalk a try!

I was reading the travel blogger posts and trying to dig through that and parse what was reasonable and what was hyperbole was interesting. I'm thinking the best thing to do is focus on trying to accrue enough points for two business class RT seats. The hard thing is not knowing what two years from now will look like, but I'm just going to move forward with the backup plan of just flying economy and paying cash if I need to. It would really make the trip special if we were able to fly more comfortably though! Thanks again for the suggestion!

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

jcooks — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 17:37:41 GMT

First step determine what airlines are available from your local airport to your destination. Once that's determined, cross reference to what partners each is associated with. Generally you may be able to find flights with either, but from what I researched, Amex has more affiliates for international flights and Chase has more affiliates with domestic flights. I don't believe that going for both ecosystems would be a good idea for this specific trip.

One youtube channel that I found to be very informative is AskSebby (if you can get past his very akward dialogue). Just search how to maximize MR points or something like that on youtube.

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

Remedios — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 18:19:10 GMT

I'd rather ask Tea Leaves and tarot cards than Sebby if accuracy was important.

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 18:45:36 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
I'd rather ask Tea Leaves and tarot cards than Sebby if accuracy was important.

Really? I would guess that Sebby is at least 20% accurate, whereas, IME, tarot and tea leaves are more like 17%. But maybe it depends on the reader.

Oh, wait, was that the hyperbole stuff I was reading about?

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

jcooks — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 19:08:51 GMT

I really thought he wasn't that bad, just really dislike how he sounds.

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

Remedios — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 19:23:29 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Remedios wrote:
I'd rather ask Tea Leaves and tarot cards than Sebby if accuracy was important.
Really? I would guess that Sebby is at least 20% accurate, whereas, IME, tarot and tea leaves are more like 17%. But maybe it depends on the reader.

Oh, wait, was that the hyperbole stuff I was reading about?

Depends on tea, I guess. One gets what one pays for.

I'm frugal, so I take them out of the little bag, whereas you probably sip on Yellow Gold Tea Buds.

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

K-in-Boston — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 19:39:27 GMT

@jcooks wrote:
I really thought he wasn't that bad, just really dislike how he sounds.

He has made a lot of authoritative-sounding statements and writings that were completely misinformed. I haven't watched his videos, but a few blog articles I can recall:

"Chase Marriott cards can't be product changed to other Marriott cards. Here is my referral link." - Except for the numerous current and other cards not offered to new applicants that they could be changed to.

"If you an authorized user on Chase Sapphire Preferred you are not eligible for a SUB if you apply. Here is my referral link." LOLWUT?

"You can obtain Delta Diamond status without even flying by getting both the personal and business versions of the Delta Platinum and Reserve cards to get all of the MQM bonuses. Here is my referral link." Great, except Amex and Delta's terms only allow for one Platinum and/or one Reserve card, either business or personal, to receive Miles Boost (now called Status Boost without the bonus SkyMiles bit with more opportunities to get MQMs at higher spending) so thanks to Sebby you just dropped like $110,000 in spending on the wrong cards and unless you had some extra MQMs earned the old fashioned way, congrats on your Platinum Medallion status!

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

notmyrealname23 — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 20:53:40 GMT

@jcooks wrote:
Amex has more affiliates for international flights and Chase has more affiliates with domestic flights.

This is probably not a big deal unless one simply MUST book some awards on Southwest. United can be booked on any Star Alliance partner. American and Alaska can be booked on any oneworld partner. Delta can be booked on any SkyTeam partner. Jet Blue allows transfers from AMEX, Chase and Citi. The exception is Southwest, which is Chase only

Frankly if OP can get more transferrable points into a program by using both AMEX and Chase (for that matter, Citibank as well), and potential card overlap in terms of # of annual fees vs. efficient spend (CSP/Citi Premier/AMEX Platinum/Gold, etc.) is simply the cost of an extra few hundred in annual fees for a year, versus not having to pay four or five figures for a business class ticket, there's very little downside, in my opinion (especially if there's downgrade paths to no annual fee cards, which is very much the case with Citi and Chase, less so with AMEX). The end state of "these are the cards I want to keep long term" does not have to be the initial state of "I'm going to load up on as many points as I can for my spend".

It's going to be important to manage Chase 5/24 as well as target cards that are "I think I would like this as a long term keeper" vs. "I'm getting this for a sign up bonus". Also, AMEX can get a little miffed/unwilling to issue SUBs if they think you're fickle. This is a good reason to mix in other cards and issuers into the mix if the goal is some mega-trip.

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

TampaBAY86 — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 20:56:53 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
@jcooks wrote:
I really thought he wasn't that bad, just really dislike how he sounds.
He has made a lot of authoritative-sounding statements and writings that were completely misinformed. I haven't watched his videos, but a few blog articles I can recall:

"Chase Marriott cards can't be product changed to other Marriott cards. Here is my referral link." - Except for the numerous current and other cards not offered to new applicants that they could be changed to.

"If you an authorized user on Chase Sapphire Preferred you are not eligible for a SUB if you apply. Here is my referral link." LOLWUT?

"You can obtain Delta Diamond status without even flying by getting both the personal and business versions of the Delta Platinum and Reserve cards to get all of the MQM bonuses. Here is my referral link." Great, except Amex and Delta's terms only allow for one Platinum and/or one Reserve card, either business or personal, to receive Miles Boost (now called Status Boost without the bonus SkyMiles bit with more opportunities to get MQMs at higher spending) so thanks to Sebby you just dropped like $110,000 in spending on the wrong cards and unless you had some extra MQMs earned the old fashioned way, congrats on your Platinum Medallion status!

^^^ DYING lol

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

disdreamin — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 22:11:00 GMT

@notmyrealname23 wrote:
@jcooks wrote:
Amex has more affiliates for international flights and Chase has more affiliates with domestic flights.

This is probably not a big deal unless one simply MUST book some awards on Southwest. United can be booked on any Star Alliance partner. American and Alaska can be booked on any oneworld partner. Delta can be booked on any SkyTeam partner. Jet Blue allows transfers from AMEX, Chase and Citi. The exception is Southwest, which is Chase only

Frankly if OP can get more transferrable points into a program by using both AMEX and Chase (for that matter, Citibank as well), and potential card overlap in terms of # of annual fees vs. efficient spend (CSP/Citi Premier/AMEX Platinum/Gold, etc.) is simply the cost of an extra few hundred in annual fees for a year, versus not having to pay four or five figures for a business class ticket, there's very little downside, in my opinion (especially if there's downgrade paths to no annual fee cards, which is very much the case with Citi and Chase, less so with AMEX). The end state of "these are the cards I want to keep long term" does not have to be the initial state of "I'm going to load up on as many points as I can for my spend".

It's going to be important to manage Chase 5/24 as well as target cards that are "I think I would like this as a long term keeper" vs. "I'm getting this for a sign up bonus". Also, AMEX can get a little miffed/unwilling to issue SUBs if they think you're fickle. This is a good reason to mix in other cards and issuers into the mix if the goal is some mega-trip.

I definitely have my eye on the Chase 5/24 thing (right now I'm 1/24 with CSP as the 1) - my plan is one AmEx in a few months and then probably a card that targets potentially useful hotels for a night or two during our stay. For SO I'm thinking AmEx then CSP if that one goes okay (SO is also 1/24 but the new/only CC - other that AU cards - is with a CU).

As far as overlap, I'm trying to keep an eye on that but we are also flexible about airport location, so anything in the northeast area is fair game: Boston, NYC, Philly, Toronto, and any smaller cities in between. I think that helps in case a particular partnership changes in the next 12-18 months and we need to rethink the rough plan. Since I am targeting business class tickets, I'm willing to plunk down a fair amount for annual fees and if travel ever returns to normal-ish I'll be happy to retain at least one travel card long-term that offers good protections such a rental car coverage, trip interruption coverage, etc.

Definitely not going whole-hog churning, but the plane tix especially seem to be a sweet spot for international travel. If the hotels and whatnot don't work out, that's fine. I am thinking 2 additional cards for me, 2 for SO plus whatever organic spend brings us in the next ~16 months (assuming we use the cards we end up with wisely to optimize points).

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

notmyrealname23 — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 06:12:21 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
@jcooks wrote:
I really thought he wasn't that bad, just really dislike how he sounds.
He has made a lot of authoritative-sounding statements and writings that were completely misinformed. I haven't watched his videos, but a few blog articles I can recall:

"Chase Marriott cards can't be product changed to other Marriott cards. Here is my referral link." - Except for the numerous current and other cards not offered to new applicants that they could be changed to.

"If you an authorized user on Chase Sapphire Preferred you are not eligible for a SUB if you apply. Here is my referral link." LOLWUT?

"You can obtain Delta Diamond status without even flying by getting both the personal and business versions of the Delta Platinum and Reserve cards to get all of the MQM bonuses. Here is my referral link." Great, except Amex and Delta's terms only allow for one Platinum and/or one Reserve card, either business or personal, to receive Miles Boost (now called Status Boost without the bonus SkyMiles bit with more opportunities to get MQMs at higher spending) so thanks to Sebby you just dropped like $110,000 in spending on the wrong cards and unless you had some extra MQMs earned the old fashioned way, congrats on your Platinum Medallion status!

So I just saw his new video for an airline card in a program I'm kinda sorta familiar with but not really interested in (oh, and I can read) and he majorly goofed the card benefits (no, you need elite status for award upgrades, it says it right in the terms, and this program actually gives you access to extra economy award space if you hold the card, that's actually an important point you missed).

D'oh! (Cringe)

Sigh. Got any recommendations for bloggers/vloggers who don't goof like this?

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

FormerCollegeDJ — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 15:07:51 GMT

I don't think this was mentioned yet (surprisingly), but my general understanding is Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards are best used for airline flights (especially international or long distance domestic, i.e. Alaska/Hawaii flights) and not for hotel redemptions. (As was already noted, American Express has a broader range of international airline partners, particularly with non-European based airlines, and may be a better bet for flight reward point transfers/redemptions, though both American Express and Chase have multiple airline partners with the three major airline alliances that have American, Delta, and United as members.) Most hotel rewards programs have point values below 1 cent/point, so direct transfers to hotel partners are generally a poor idea. The one exception is transfers to Hyatt, which generally has reward program point values in the 1.5 to 1.6 cents/point range. Only Chase is a Hyatt partner, so if you want to use credit card issuer rewards programs for the hotels end of travel, your best bet is to use Chase UR on Hyatt properties.

In general, your best bet with hotels is get hotel-branded credit cards for your preferred chains. Some of the low annual fee (<$100) hotel cards, such as Chase's Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott cards, offer annual free nights at many hotels in the chain. In terms of international footprint, Marriott (both a Chase and Amex partner) has the most international properties followed I believe by Hilton (an Amex partner).

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

Citylights18 — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 04:26:12 GMT

I think multiple ecosystems are fine because its about total points. You can transfer points from AMEX, Citi and Chase all into Jet Blue and combine them if you want.

In my wallet right now I'm carrying a Chase Freedom Flex (3x dine, 3x drugstore, 5x gas this quarter) and then a World of Hyatt for non-category spend. I use my AMEX Green primarily for uber eats with the idea of flowing my points to hilton when they offer transfer bonuses. Since uber eats is $10 dollars a month, $120 a year it basically pays for my annual fee. I also have a CSP which I use to move my chase points around to travel partners or Hyatt.

Hyatt I earned globalist this year. As a globalist I had a $60 dollar a day bill credit for breakfast so its generous enough to cover two people as my largest bill with tip wasn't even $40. That is a substantial perk. I had 6 nights free between points/certificates and then also two free flights on Southwest round trip with points I moved to SWA on a transfer bonus offer. Overall I got $3300 dollars worth of free travel on points out of this trip.

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

Loquat — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 17:45:20 GMT

Just chiming in to say that one should really take note of their airline/transfer partner of choice because as of late I'm starting to find that award space is getting harder to find that it already was. American is drying up its space a lot however I seem to find space very easy via their web special...but one has to have AA miles to take advantage of such.

Sucky part about AA is that they're a transfer partner of no one and I believe Marriott allows for a less than stellar transfer rate to them. Shy of being a rev pax or spending on their card, AA miles are some of the hardest miles to earn and unfortunately for me, they dominate in my area.

I'm also starting to see a little bit of such as I look for space on Delta via Virgin.

All of this is constantly changing but something one should definitely consider when starting with a new ecosystem.

Re: Best cards for points toward travel

disdreamin — Sun, 02 May 2021 20:37:39 GMT

@Loquat wrote:
Just chiming in to say that one should really take note of their airline/transfer partner of choice because as of late I'm starting to find that award space is getting harder to find that it already was. American is drying up its space a lot however I seem to find space very easy via their web special...but one has to have AA miles to take advantage of such.

Sucky part about AA is that they're a transfer partner of no one and I believe Marriott allows for a less than stellar transfer rate to them. Shy of being a rev pax or spending on their card, AA miles are some of the hardest miles to earn and unfortunately for me, they dominate in my area.

I'm also starting to see a little bit of such as I look for space on Delta via Virgin.

All of this is constantly changing but something one should definitely consider when starting with a new ecosystem.

Sorry to be so long getting back on these replies, thank you for sharing thoughts!

As far as the travel, it's international business class tickets to Japan that I am eyeing. The nice thing is that I will have a great deal of flexibility with departure points (anywhere from DC/NYC/Boston/Toronto and all cities in between) so I think that should work in my favor when I go to book. I tried cross-referencing the airline partners but that might be difficult. However, doing outbound one way on one airline and return on the other may work and is something I'm willing to do as long as there isn't an issue with booking that way when the time comes. The downside is that I'll need two tickets on the same flights which is where things definitely get sticky.

For now I'm working on the SUB for CSP and will apply for an AmEx card in 6 months or so as long as things with my CRs are stable. That will give me time to accrue some points in both ecosystems before needing to purchase the tickets (I'm looking 2+ years out for the travel, which is why anything about partner airlines is a rough approximation only lol). Thanks again for the comments and suggestions, much appreciated