topic Re: What cc do you use for airfare in Credit Cards

What cc do you use for airfare

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 05:39:06 GMT

Tis the season, flyin' season. So esteemed MyFicoers, what do you use;

I can use 4 travel portals thanks to CCs; Chase, Cap 1, Citi, and Elan. Only used Chase portal so far, for 200 cheap roundtrip ones to Florida and Chicago(naturally since my limit is still 500) but at times received revised times, once even had to call Chase which I'm loathe to do due to hard of hearing. Dunno if this is a portal issue or airline issue like Spirit. Some say don't use portal for booking, in case of cancelling, etc.

Now, since I have AA MileUp, and also having received Premier Silver status from United;

AA flights; naturally MileUp for x2 miles, the card also has the biggest SL, 7300

Delta; buy gift cards from nearby Vons/Stater Bros supermarket, also using MileUp and earn x2 AA Miles nota bene you won't earn Delta miles booking Economy, so at least you can earn AA miles with it Same goes to SW, those 2 are the only airlines which sells gift cards at those places.

United; Citi CC, select travels 5%! Thinking of taking at least 2 flights this winter, utilizing that Premier Silver status(1 checked bag, priority boarding, etc.)

Spirit; soured on it, dunno I guess CCC as well if I don't need a free carry on.

I could also use Penfed PCR for flat 2% I guess. Oh forgot WF Bilt, x2 travels and x4 on the 1st day of each month! I do have plenty of options..

I heard Amex Plat is best for this kind of purchase, or Amex Gold, but do tell!

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

1LostArk — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 03:24:38 GMT

I would personally never use a travel portal of any kind, I've heard too many horror stories — I'd always book directly with the airline. I don't fly enough to faff about with the airline miles game (and not sure I would even if I did), I just charge any and all airfare to the ol' Platinum, and/or any card I'm trying to get a SUB for.

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

Hansolojr — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 03:34:41 GMT

I use GreenState CU World Mastercard for 5% cash back; redemption starts at $50

You can join the CU for free via American Consumer Council membership...just call GreenState and say you want to join via the ACC

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

wasCB14 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 03:42:49 GMT

I don't spend a whole lot on flights as far as regular CC purchases. By the time I factor in the use of miles earned via SUBs and card spend, 35% back Delta/Amex Business Platinum MR redemptions, companion passes, United Travel bank funds...that's a lot of my airline spend.

But I favor Amex Platinum for 5x MRs and flight-related protections. I get the free checked bag perk from Delta Platinum Amex regardless of the card I use.

I've just added a United Explorer for the 70k SUB and free checked bag when paying with the card. So I'll use that on most United flights. United Travel Bank funds (to earn Schwab/BofA PR statement credits for "airfare extras") are good for something like five years so I guess I'll use those funds on flights where I'm just carrying on and don't need to check a bag.

Making use of available "use it or lose it" statement credits is a good reason to buy airline gift cards...but just accumulating them for 2x AA miles wouldn't be worth the effort, potential for hassle, and loss of protections for me. And keep in mind that CC miles are different from butt-in-seat miles. You'd still earn CC miles booking a Delta flight.

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

markhs777 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 03:57:10 GMT

The one with the miles or credit that allows me to fly without any cash outlay. In other words there are so many variables when it comes to choosing what card to use for airfare.

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 05:12:06 GMT

@1LostArk wrote:
I would personally never use a travel portal of any kind, I've heard too many horror stories — I'd always book directly with the airline. I don't fly enough to faff about with the airline miles game (and not sure I would even if I did), I just charge any and all airfare to the ol' Platinum, and/or any card I'm trying to get a SUB for.

Right, portals and other OTA can cause problems is something happens and you need to make changes. Airlines will tell you that you need to contact the agency that made the booking and sometimes when quick action is needed (I need to book on the flight leaving in 45 mins) that won't work.

Here the US Bank Altitude Reserve can be good, as you can book directly with (some) airlines and then redeem points with Real Time Rewards. (You only earn 3x points rather than 5x booking through their portal, but that's OK)

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 05:52:02 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
I don't spend a whole lot on flights as far as regular CC purchases. By the time I factor in the use of miles earned via SUBs and card spend, 35% back Delta/Amex Business Platinum MR redemptions, companion passes, United Travel bank funds...that's a lot of my airline spend.

But I favor Amex Platinum for 5x MRs and flight-related protections. I get the free checked bag perk from Delta Platinum Amex regardless of the card I use.

I've just added a United Explorer for the 70k SUB and free checked bag when paying with the card. So I'll use that on most United flights. United Travel Bank funds (to earn Schwab/BofA PR statement credits for "airfare extras") are good for something like five years so I guess I'll use those funds on flights where I'm just carrying on and don't need to check a bag.

Making use of available "use it or lose it" statement credits is a good reason to buy airline gift cards...but just accumulating them for 2x AA miles wouldn't be worth the effort, potential for hassle, and loss of protections for me. And keep in mind that CC miles are different from butt-in-seat miles. You'd still earn CC miles booking a Delta flight.

pray for me that I get Delta Gold which I apped on Friday, @Anonymous too lol, it'll be great if I don't need to pay for $277 Delta Main Cabin flight for the Tucson birding trip next month(applying stmt credit!) Pyrrhuloxia! Sparrows! etc.!

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

C6 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 12:30:40 GMT

Cap 1 for 5x miles or Greenstate for 5% cashback.

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

BronzeTrader — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 14:03:44 GMT

Buying airfare can have endless choices. Miles, points, cashback, portals etc. You name them.

Travel portals getting popular and may some day replace OTA sites like Empedia. All those big boys like AmEx, Chase, Cap1, Citi. And even the others like BofA, Wells Fargo, US Bank etc have their own travel portals. Most will be happy to book through them other than OTAs.

In general, if you get some favorite airlines that you use often, then build around with that. But you really need to focus on those.

When you get to the airline elite status, then you are not limited by the "portal" thing. You could get on the same day standby, or the same day ticket change. All come at no cost.

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

iced — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 14:51:43 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Tis the season, flyin' season. So esteemed MyFicoers, what do you use;

I can use 4 travel portals thanks to CCs; Chase, Cap 1, Citi, and Elan. Only used Chase portal so far, for 200 cheap roundtrip ones to Florida and Chicago(naturally since my limit is still 500) but at times received revised times, once even had to call Chase which I'm loathe to do due to hard of hearing. Dunno if this is a portal issue or airline issue like Spirit. Some say don't use portal for booking, in case of cancelling, etc.

Now, since I have AA MileUp, and also having received Premier Silver status from United;

AA flights; naturally MileUp for x2 miles, the card also has the biggest SL, 7300

Delta; buy gift cards from nearby Vons/Stater Bros supermarket, also using MileUp and earn x2 AA Miles nota bene you won't earn Delta miles booking Economy, so at least you can earn AA miles with it Same goes to SW, those 2 are the only airlines which sells gift cards at those places.

United; Citi CC, select travels 5%! Thinking of taking at least 2 flights this winter, utilizing that Premier Silver status(1 checked bag, priority boarding, etc.)

Spirit; soured on it, dunno I guess CCC as well if I don't need a free carry on.

I could also use Penfed PCR for flat 2% I guess. Oh forgot WF Bilt, x2 travels and x4 on the 1st day of each month! I do have plenty of options..

I heard Amex Plat is best for this kind of purchase, or Amex Gold, but do tell!

What I use and what will work best for you are going to be two different things since we have vastly different travel habits.

If you're just asking what I use though, American Express Platinum directly via airline website (usually delta.com or united.com). 5x points for airfare and the points are transferable to SkyMiles so it effectively makes each airfare ticket 12-14 miles/dollar for me and 5 miles/dollar for my family members, at least when I'm booking on Delta -- which is most of the time.

The only time I'll use a portal like Expedia/Kayak is if the route is not served by any of my go-to airlines, and even then it's usually to figure out who does fly where I'm going then book with them directly. This is also pretty rare, as the only times I've had to do this are on the odd international regional leg.

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

MrDisco99 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 15:07:09 GMT

From my current lineup... I'd probably book using my CSP on the Chase portal for 5x points and travel protection.

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

Catbird_Seat — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 15:15:06 GMT

Hopper recently annouced an extension to their long-term strategic partnership with Capital One Travel. They're planning to further elevate the travel booking experience for card holders. Could be interesting to see how this plays out since Hopper is fueled by fintech & currently they're the #3 largest OTA in the US.

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

OmarGB9 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:11:54 GMT

Amex Platinum. 5x MR on airfare, and those MRs can be transferred to partners such as Delta.

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

805orbust — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 10:01:33 GMT

Yup... +1 on the Amex Platinum. Flying so much (well, pre-pandemic) you could never tell which airline I'd use. Mostly United, then AA, sometimes JetBlue, and even Spirit at times. 5x MR is easy, PLUS you rack up the miles with the airlines rewards program at the same time. Easy peasy. I'd go insane trying to keep up any other way, and I've got free flights/rooms/parking spaces all over the place.

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

5KRunner — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 15:30:01 GMT

Here are the cards I'll use for airfare in order of preference:

1) AmEx Delta SkyMiles Platinum: 3x SkyMiles per dollar on flights booked directly with Delta, plus first checked bag free; my home airport is a major Delta hub

2) BoA Air France KLM WEMC: 3x Flying Blue miles per dollar on flights booked with Air France, KLM and other SkyTeam airlines; the SUB on this card gave me Silver elite status with airlines participating in the Flying Blue program

3) AmEx Gold: 3x MR per dollar on flights; will use whenever I'm not flying with SkyTeam

4) Wells Fargo Autograph: 3% cash back on flights; will only use as a backup to the 3 payment methods listed above in case they fail for any reason

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

dacv01 — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 19:36:52 GMT

@markhs777 wrote:
The one with the miles or credit that allows me to fly without any cash outlay. In other words there are so many variables when it comes to choosing what card to use for airfare.

Well said- OP I have a variety of cards that I use for Travel, but yes it depends on the situation. Anything work related I was using my Amex Gold, for my personal travel I have recently used AA Advantage as well as my Platinum and Marriot Bonvoy card. What you should do is determine the most "bang for your buck" and if you fly a preffered airline- I will say from one HORRIBLE experience I will never use a travel portal again, I always book direct. Good luck!

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

TheRedHat — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 22:50:54 GMT

For airfare? AMEX Platinum! 5x points per dollar spent (or 3 percent cashback for transaction redemptions at 0.6 cents per point) can't be beat!

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

wasCB14 — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 23:19:39 GMT

@TheRedHat wrote:
For airfare? AMEX Platinum! 5x points per dollar spent (or 3 percent cashback for transaction redemptions at 0.6 cents per point) can't be beat!

5x MRs is great when used for travel, but there are ways to beat 3% cash back on airline spend.

1. Schwab Platinum cobrand Schwab deposits: 5.5% I think

2. BofA Premium Rewards Platinum Honors: 3.5%

3. I think there are some options with Altitude Reserve

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 23:54:16 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
@TheRedHat wrote:
For airfare? AMEX Platinum! 5x points per dollar spent (or 3 percent cashback for transaction redemptions at 0.6 cents per point) can't be beat!
5x MRs is great when used for travel, but there are ways to beat 3% cash back on airline spend.

1. Schwab Platinum cobrand Schwab deposits: 5.5% I think
2. BofA Premium Rewards Platinum Honors: 3.5%
3. I think there are some options with Altitude Reserve

Yes, Altitude Reserve will give you 4.5% cashback using Real Time Rewards (or redeeming through the portal, but then you lose points for the purchase plus the other problems with not booking directly) But... unlike Amex Plat, you cannot transfer the points to an airline, so only good for cashback.

Re: What cc do you use for airfare

simplynoir — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 00:11:15 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@wasCB14 wrote:
@TheRedHat wrote:
For airfare? AMEX Platinum! 5x points per dollar spent (or 3 percent cashback for transaction redemptions at 0.6 cents per point) can't be beat!
5x MRs is great when used for travel, but there are ways to beat 3% cash back on airline spend.

1. Schwab Platinum cobrand Schwab deposits: 5.5% I think
2. BofA Premium Rewards Platinum Honors: 3.5%
3. I think there are some options with Altitude Reserve
Yes, Altitude Reserve will give you 4.5% cashback using Real Time Rewards (or redeeming through the portal, but then you lose points for the purchase plus the other problems with not booking directly) But... unlike Amex Plat, you cannot transfer the points to an airline, so only good for cashback.

Yeah, the good news with using US Bank's RTRs for redemptions is the ease of use and flat rate you get which is pretty nice. Using an AMEX Platinum for airfare purchases is my go to just for options of whether to use them for transfers to other partners or redeem through Schwab Platinum for easy cash. But atm I have a glute of AR points so paying 4.5% for a flight as soon as the text comes in is good enough for me once you meet the minimum redemptions