topic Re: Would a travel card make sense? in Credit Cards

Would a travel card make sense?

Wrigley2172 — Sun, 02 May 2021 14:01:32 GMT

Happy Sunday everyone

SO and I are considering a trip to Universal Studios in December of this year. I had brought up the idea of opening a card to use towards this trip but neither of us has any experience with point systems so looking for some advice on if it would make sense for us. Wed be flying out of Chicago O'hare and staying 4 nights. I have black stars for both CSP and CSR in my chase app and am getting pre-approved language for Amex cards; other DP'S are:

Ex: 794

Tu/eq: unknown at the moment

20% UTI with most of it being a $3300 balance on my BCU card

Last account was in 10/20 oldest account opened in 08/16

Income: 25k - were both young lol

Thank you in advance!

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

coldfusion — Sun, 02 May 2021 14:21:08 GMT

Do you have any brand loyalty toward an airline or a hotel chain or are you fairly agnostic with price being a big consideration?

As an aside is travel out of O'Hare a necessity or is Midway a reasonable option? (I'm pretty sure Southwest flys into Orlando)

Will you be able to pay off all of the expenses right away or will you have to carry a balance for a few months to pay it off?

Not sure if a travel card is right for you especially if it has a annual fee. The CSR/CSP for example have nice signup bonuses but you need to spend $4K in 3 months to earn them, and if you can't pay in full each month the net gain from the benefits gets devalued. Much like with the AMEX cards using points for travel also means that you have to use one of their travel partners.

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Wrigley2172 — Sun, 02 May 2021 14:29:36 GMT

@coldfusion wrote:
Do you have any brand loyalty toward an airline or a hotel chain or are you fairly agnostic with price being a big consideration?

As an aside is travel out of O'Hare a necessity or is Midway a reasonable option? (I'm pretty sure Southwest flys into Orlando)

Will you be able to pay off all of the expenses right away or will you have to carry a balance for a few months to pay it off?

Not sure if a travel card is right for you especially if it has a annual fee. The CSR/CSP for example have nice signup bonuses but you need to spend $4K in 3 months to earn them, and if you can't pay in full each month the net gain from the benefits gets devalued. Much like with the AMEX cards using points for travel also means that you have to use one of their travel partners.

No brand loyalties to speak of and Midway would be fine. I would pay it all off immeditaly; plan is to use some of the money my grandmother left me as a get away trip and also to celebrate her college graduation. My BCU card is currently on 0% intro offer hence the higher balance other than that i pay off everything monthy

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Wrigley2172 — Sun, 02 May 2021 14:35:16 GMT

@coldfusion wrote:

But i also agree, unsure if the dollars spent for the sub outweigh just paying for the trip outright, which is why i ask!

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sun, 02 May 2021 14:43:23 GMT

Depending on size of the SUB, it can help offset some of the cost, but you'd have to put quite a bit of spend to really make them worth it. If you're just a casual traveler and can't capitalize on the point multipliers, it may not be worth it. A basic example from my own trip plans:

New Orleans marriott: 3 night weekend stay 140k Bonvoy points. Amex Bonvoy sub is 75k with $5k spend. Mix of cash would be $570 + 69k points. Paying cash would be $687. If youre unable to spend enough on the card to earn the remaining balance of 65k points, you could add a transfer partner. The sub on Amex gold or platinum would get you the rest of the way, but you'd have to spend an additional $3-5k to earn it. Plus, you'll also have to pay the annual fees up front for both cards which would be $800 or $1100 depending on which you choose. In my case, I have 100k MRs banked, so apping for Bonvoy will save me $137 if I choose to use them here instead of on flights.

Flights would be a similar dance. You can use card features like TSA pre✓ to offset the annual fee, but there's still the up front costs. Now, some of the gurus here can show you how to squeeze the maximum value out of points and transfer partners. The question will really boil down to can you afford the up front spend and whether there's enough of a long term value to even bother.

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

CommanderCody — Sun, 02 May 2021 15:00:33 GMT

Just a tip, not about credit cards. Consider staying in one of the on site hotels even though they are pricey. Several have significant perks like free unlimited express passes. That's saves about $130 for everyone and can offset the price, we had 3 in the room and basically the room was free. Also they take you to the parks so no parking expenses. We saved a lot and the hotel service was great.

Just our experience.

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Wrigley2172 — Sun, 02 May 2021 15:55:16 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
Depending on size of the SUB, it can help offset some of the cost, but you'd have to put quite a bit of spend to really make them worth it. If you're just a casual traveler and can't capitalize on the point multipliers, it may not be worth it. A basic example from my own trip plans:

New Orleans marriott: 3 night weekend stay 140k Bonvoy points. Amex Bonvoy sub is 75k with $5k spend. Mix of cash would be $570 + 69k points. Paying cash would be $687. If youre unable to spend enough on the card to earn the remaining balance of 65k points, you could add a transfer partner. The sub on Amex gold or platinum would get you the rest of the way, but you'd have to spend an additional $3-5k to earn it. Plus, you'll also have to pay the annual fees up front for both cards which would be $800 or $1100 depending on which you choose. In my case, I have 100k MRs banked, so apping for Bonvoy will save me $137 if I choose to use them here instead of on flights.

Flights would be a similar dance. You can use card features like TSA pre✓ to offset the annual fee, but there's still the up front costs. Now, some of the gurus here can show you how to squeeze the maximum value out of points and transfer partners. The question will really boil down to can you afford the up front spend and whether there's enough of a long term value to even bother.

I appreciate the example, I think for us the points will likely be used on the flight as booking through the onsite hotels give a decent package with park passes and so forth as @CommanderCody said. Im wondering if something like the CSP would work if i did choose a card or would it would it not be worth it for just the one trip with no real steady travel planned moving forward

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Wrigley2172 — Sun, 02 May 2021 15:56:48 GMT

@CommanderCody wrote:
Just a tip, not about credit cards. Consider staying in one of the on site hotels even though they are pricey. Several have significant perks like free unlimited express passes. That's saves about $130 for everyone and can offset the price, we had 3 in the room and basically the room was free. Also they take you to the parks so no parking expenses. We saved a lot and the hotel service was great.

Just our experience.

I was just looking at the park packages this morning amd thought they were a pretty reasonable deal especially this far in advance. Appreciate the input! Still not 100% on the trip but itd be really nice to take one

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sun, 02 May 2021 16:04:19 GMT

@Wrigley2172 wrote:
@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
Depending on size of the SUB, it can help offset some of the cost, but you'd have to put quite a bit of spend to really make them worth it. If you're just a casual traveler and can't capitalize on the point multipliers, it may not be worth it. A basic example from my own trip plans:

New Orleans marriott: 3 night weekend stay 140k Bonvoy points. Amex Bonvoy sub is 75k with $5k spend. Mix of cash would be $570 + 69k points. Paying cash would be $687. If youre unable to spend enough on the card to earn the remaining balance of 65k points, you could add a transfer partner. The sub on Amex gold or platinum would get you the rest of the way, but you'd have to spend an additional $3-5k to earn it. Plus, you'll also have to pay the annual fees up front for both cards which would be $800 or $1100 depending on which you choose. In my case, I have 100k MRs banked, so apping for Bonvoy will save me $137 if I choose to use them here instead of on flights.

Flights would be a similar dance. You can use card features like TSA pre✓ to offset the annual fee, but there's still the up front costs. Now, some of the gurus here can show you how to squeeze the maximum value out of points and transfer partners. The question will really boil down to can you afford the up front spend and whether there's enough of a long term value to even bother.
I appreciate the example, I think for us the points will likely be used on the flight as booking through the onsite hotels give a decent package with park passes and so forth as @CommanderCody said. Im wondering if something like the CSP would work if i did choose a card or would it would it not be worth it for just the one trip with no real steady travel planned moving forward

The only thing you can do is crunch the numbers and see if the savings outweigh the AF. Personally, I don't think they will for a trip like that, but if one of the experts comes in here and shows how you can squeeze every last cent out of the points, it might be. Good luck with it.

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Aim_High — Mon, 03 May 2021 02:10:49 GMT

I would agree with some of the advice upthread, @Wrigley2172, that an AF travel card like CSP or CSR may not really be a good longer-term fit with your lifestyle, travel habits, and spending. Regardless of meeting the SUB spend (which is an important question in and of itself), it appears that you are an infrequent and casual traveler. There are some great no-AF general-purpose (or no-AF travel cards) that might be more useful to you overall.

For example, if you have black star offers on CSP/CSR, Chase would likely approve you for their other cards. Both the Freedom and Freedom Flex come with a $200 SUB right now for spending only $500 in the first three months. They both also give you a 5% return on travel if you book it through the Chase UR portal and 3% on dining and drugstores, all uncapped. The Freedom Unlimited would give you 1.5% on everything (although you have that with your BCU card.) The Freedom would give you only 1% on everything but you'd earn 5% on the quarterly rotating categories, up to $1500. Either of those Chase cards seem a better overall fit to me.

Another useful travel card, if you could qualify for Navy FCU, membership is the Flagship Rewards. I wouldn't apply for it as a first card since some members have been denied without more relationship, but the card pays 2% on everything and 3% on travel with a $49 AF, half the price of the CSP AF and possibly more useful to you day-to-day with the 2% overall uncategorized and uncapped return.

Or another option would be to just upgrade to one of the many no-AF 2% to 3% cards, all uncapped and uncategorized. They aren't "travel cards" and may not offer SUBs but the longer term rewards in your case might outweigh the value of a travel card SUB. Short list would include the AOD FCU Visa Signature (3%), Citi Double Cash, Synchrony PayPal Mastercard, or PenFed Power Cash Rewards. See this thread for more suggestions:

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/2-3-Cashback-CB-Credit-Card-CC-List/td-p/6197473

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Wrigley2172 — Mon, 03 May 2021 15:05:00 GMT

@Aim_High wrote:
I would agree with some of the advice upthread, @Wrigley2172, that an AF travel card like CSP or CSR may not really be a good longer-term fit with your lifestyle, travel habits, and spending.   Regardless of meeting the SUB spend (which is an important question in and of itself), it appears that you are an infrequent and casual traveler.    There are some great no-AF general-purpose (or no-AF travel cards) that might be more useful to you overall.

For example, if you have black star offers on CSP/CSR, Chase would likely approve you for their other cards. Both the Freedom and Freedom Flex come with a $200 SUB right now for spending only $500 in the first three months.   They both also give you a 5% return on travel if you book it through the Chase UR portal and 3% on dining and drugstores, all uncapped.    The Freedom Unlimited would give you 1.5% on everything (although you have that with your BCU card.) The Freedom would give you only 1% on everything but you'd earn 5% on the quarterly rotating categories, up to $1500. Either of those Chase cards seem a better overall fit to me.

Another useful travel card, if you could qualify for Navy FCU, membership is the Flagship Rewards. I wouldn't apply for it as a first card since some members have been denied without more relationship, but the card pays 2% on everything and 3% on travel with a $49 AF, half the price of the CSP AF and possibly more useful to you day-to-day with the 2% overall uncategorized and uncapped return.

Or another option would be to just upgrade to one of the many no-AF 2% to 3% cards, all uncapped and uncategorized.   They aren't "travel cards" and may not offer SUBs but the longer term rewards in your case might outweigh the value of a travel card SUB. Short list would include the AOD FCU Visa Signature (3%), Citi Double Cash, Synchrony PayPal Mastercard, or PenFed Power Cash Rewards.    See this thread for more suggestions:
https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/2-3-Cashback-CB-Credit-Card-CC-List/td-p/6197473

@Aim_High

I appreciate the response and apologize for my late reply. I think after running some numbers the advice given here is for the best, the rewards do not outweigh the money spent. The freedom cards as you say i think make the most sense for me at the moment; i like flex more than the unlimited at the moment. Id like to add a mastercard to my lineup and some extra 5% categories would be nice as well as the 3% dining which is a big spend area im still yet to have covered.

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Anonymous — Wed, 05 May 2021 22:09:48 GMT

I would also recommend the Freedom cards as that would be 5% back if using their portal for booking the trip whicuh would add to the points eaned from the SUB, which then could simply be applied as a credit. Not the best return but when comapred to AF's of the two Sapphire products you could possibly come out ahead if those perks don't apply to you.

Other products to look into might be cards that have transit or entertainment categories.

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Wrigley2172 — Wed, 05 May 2021 22:38:49 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I would also recommend the Freedom cards as that would be 5% back if using their portal for booking the trip whicuh would add to the points eaned from the SUB, which then could simply be applied as a credit. Not the best return but when comapred to AF's of the two Sapphire products you could possibly come out ahead if those perks don't apply to you.

Other products to look into might be cards that have transit or entertainment categories.

Appreciate the response. My largest spent i dont have covered above 1.5% is dining followed by electronic purchases on steam and so forth. Marvel was actually going to be one of my next cards but theyve cancelled that so im SOL there lol. savor one may an option as well but idk if im willing to roll the cap1 dice like @Anonymous

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Anonymous — Wed, 05 May 2021 22:49:58 GMT

@Wrigley2172 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I would also recommend the Freedom cards as that would be 5% back if using their portal for booking the trip whicuh would add to the points eaned from the SUB, which then could simply be applied as a credit. Not the best return but when comapred to AF's of the two Sapphire products you could possibly come out ahead if those perks don't apply to you.

Other products to look into might be cards that have transit or entertainment categories.

Appreciate the response. My largest spent i dont have covered above 1.5% is dining followed by electronic purchases on steam and so forth. Marvel was actually going to be one of my next cards but theyve cancelled that so im SOL there lol. savor one may an option as well but idk if im willing to roll the cap1 dice like @Anonymous

SavorOne doesn't cover digital entertainment unfortunately, just dining and "get out of the house and do something" entertainment. Assuming I get approved for the Elan Max Cash, I'm going to test the entertainment category to see if it covers digital entertainment or not. You might check the BBVA ClearPoints if you want a dining card. 3X on a category of your choice, 2X on a second category and no triple pull unlike Capital One plus they have been doing lots of targeted spend offers although who knows if those will continue under PNC.

https://online.bbvausa.com/apply/credit-card-prequal

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Anonymous — Wed, 05 May 2021 23:42:22 GMT

@Wrigley2172 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I would also recommend the Freedom cards as that would be 5% back if using their portal for booking the trip whicuh would add to the points eaned from the SUB, which then could simply be applied as a credit. Not the best return but when comapred to AF's of the two Sapphire products you could possibly come out ahead if those perks don't apply to you.

Other products to look into might be cards that have transit or entertainment categories.

Appreciate the response. My largest spent i dont have covered above 1.5% is dining followed by electronic purchases on steam and so forth. Marvel was actually going to be one of my next cards but theyve cancelled that so im SOL there lol. savor one may an option as well but idk if im willing to roll the cap1 dice like @Anonymous

@Wrigley2172 you might want to look into the Altitude GO. Kind of skimmed the thread so if its been mentioned already please ignore this. Food delivery is actually my largest spend so its on my radar.

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Wrigley2172 — Thu, 06 May 2021 02:48:18 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Wrigley2172 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I would also recommend the Freedom cards as that would be 5% back if using their portal for booking the trip whicuh would add to the points eaned from the SUB, which then could simply be applied as a credit. Not the best return but when comapred to AF's of the two Sapphire products you could possibly come out ahead if those perks don't apply to you.

Other products to look into might be cards that have transit or entertainment categories.

Appreciate the response. My largest spent i dont have covered above 1.5% is dining followed by electronic purchases on steam and so forth. Marvel was actually going to be one of my next cards but theyve cancelled that so im SOL there lol. savor one may an option as well but idk if im willing to roll the cap1 dice like @Anonymous
SavorOne doesn't cover digital entertainment unfortunately, just dining and "get out of the house and do something" entertainment. Assuming I get approved for the Elan Max Cash, I'm going to test the entertainment category to see if it covers digital entertainment or not. You might check the BBVA ClearPoints if you want a dining card. 3X on a category of your choice, 2X on a second category and no triple pull unlike Capital One plus they have been doing lots of targeted spend offers although who knows if those will continue under PNC.

https://online.bbvausa.com/apply/credit-card-prequal

I know your general feelings on sync but i was even considering venmo 🤷‍♂️ or going off your suggestion of bbva and going for pnc cash rewards lol. So many cards and so little time, i think freedom flex will probably be my next one but who knows. I wish i qualified for navy fed but sadly no.

Edit: filled out the pre-qual for clear points and was declined for insufficient history. Bummer

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Wrigley2172 — Thu, 06 May 2021 02:43:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Wrigley2172 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I would also recommend the Freedom cards as that would be 5% back if using their portal for booking the trip whicuh would add to the points eaned from the SUB, which then could simply be applied as a credit. Not the best return but when comapred to AF's of the two Sapphire products you could possibly come out ahead if those perks don't apply to you.

Other products to look into might be cards that have transit or entertainment categories.

Appreciate the response. My largest spent i dont have covered above 1.5% is dining followed by electronic purchases on steam and so forth. Marvel was actually going to be one of my next cards but theyve cancelled that so im SOL there lol. savor one may an option as well but idk if im willing to roll the cap1 dice like @Anonymous
@Wrigley2172 you might want to look into the Altitude GO. Kind of skimmed the thread so if its been mentioned already please ignore this. Food delivery is actually my largest spend so its on my radar.

Also a great suggestion! Unsure if im fit for USB at the moment though but could give it a shot im technically 1/12 right now

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Anonymous — Thu, 06 May 2021 03:25:22 GMT

@Wrigley2172 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Wrigley2172 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I would also recommend the Freedom cards as that would be 5% back if using their portal for booking the trip whicuh would add to the points eaned from the SUB, which then could simply be applied as a credit. Not the best return but when comapred to AF's of the two Sapphire products you could possibly come out ahead if those perks don't apply to you.

Other products to look into might be cards that have transit or entertainment categories.

Appreciate the response. My largest spent i dont have covered above 1.5% is dining followed by electronic purchases on steam and so forth. Marvel was actually going to be one of my next cards but theyve cancelled that so im SOL there lol. savor one may an option as well but idk if im willing to roll the cap1 dice like @Anonymous
SavorOne doesn't cover digital entertainment unfortunately, just dining and "get out of the house and do something" entertainment. Assuming I get approved for the Elan Max Cash, I'm going to test the entertainment category to see if it covers digital entertainment or not. You might check the BBVA ClearPoints if you want a dining card. 3X on a category of your choice, 2X on a second category and no triple pull unlike Capital One plus they have been doing lots of targeted spend offers although who knows if those will continue under PNC.

https://online.bbvausa.com/apply/credit-card-prequal
I know your general feelings on sync but i was even considering venmo 🤷‍♂️ or going off your suggestion of bbva and going for pnc cash rewards lol. So many cards and so little time, i think freedom flex will probably be my next one but who knows. I wish i qualified for navy fed but sadly no.

Edit: filled out the pre-qual for clear points and was declined for insufficient history. Bummer

I don't actually have a problem with Sync, they're just risky if you have a lot of exposure. My most used card is my Amazon Store Card.

Bummer about the prequal, sorry to hear it.

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Anonymous — Thu, 06 May 2021 03:26:18 GMT

@Wrigley2172 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Wrigley2172 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I would also recommend the Freedom cards as that would be 5% back if using their portal for booking the trip whicuh would add to the points eaned from the SUB, which then could simply be applied as a credit. Not the best return but when comapred to AF's of the two Sapphire products you could possibly come out ahead if those perks don't apply to you.

Other products to look into might be cards that have transit or entertainment categories.

Appreciate the response. My largest spent i dont have covered above 1.5% is dining followed by electronic purchases on steam and so forth. Marvel was actually going to be one of my next cards but theyve cancelled that so im SOL there lol. savor one may an option as well but idk if im willing to roll the cap1 dice like @Anonymous
@Wrigley2172 you might want to look into the Altitude GO. Kind of skimmed the thread so if its been mentioned already please ignore this. Food delivery is actually my largest spend so its on my radar.

Also a great suggestion! Unsure if im fit for USB at the moment though but could give it a shot im technically 1/12 right now

Would probably wait til 0/12 for best chances of you can.

Re: Would a travel card make sense?

Anonymous — Thu, 06 May 2021 17:12:41 GMT

Unfortunately I don't think there is a one card fits all, it's either heavy on tier A with only 1category and light on category B with 2-3 categories that you may or may not use. I've found that in order to maximize each category I need to split it between a few products, 1 card for strictly dining Gold, 1 card BCP for streaming/grocery/gas/etc. and a 3rd for all general out of category spend typically my Citi DC at 2%.

I'm not really familiar with "electronic" purchases such as Steam or how it codes, such as streaming, entertainment or online purchases.

Since my second largest spend besides grocery is dining that's my second highest earner at 4% while grocery/streaming is 6%, the other stuff is so low that I just let it fall where it may.

Too bad about USB-GO being so strict at 0/12 seems a bit harsh. lol Although that could certainly be a good replacement for my Gold to avoid the AF.