topic Re: First Luxury CC? in Credit Cards

First Luxury CC?

rebuilder2017 — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:59:52 GMT

What were everyone's first Luxury credit cards? I'm looking to get one since my score has flourished but not sure which one I'm after, even though i float around 780-800 on my reports Chase has reluctantly denied past card requests due to many moons ago stiffing them on an IHG card. Would love to hear who prefers what Luxury Cards?

Re: First Luxury CC?

FicoMike0 — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 22:20:02 GMT

If you're talking cards that offer the luxury of paying them a fee, I'm reluctant. I'm looking at us b reserve, trying to figure if I would use enough bennies in order to offset the $400 af. This card pays a large sub for not too much spend.

Re: First Luxury CC?

ptatohed — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 23:25:42 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:
If you're talking cards that offer the luxury of paying them a fee, I'm reluctant. I'm looking at us b reserve, trying to figure if I would use enough bennies in order to offset the $400 af. This card pays a large sub for not too much spend.

I hate AFs and I hate being committed to 'credits' necessary to mitigate those high AFs. But I will say that the USB Altitude Reserve has to be one of the easiest organic spend cards to move the $400 AF to at least $75 after an easy to meet $325 credit. $75 is still too high for me but it beats $400! lol

OP, what are you looking for? What is a 'luxury card' to you? It sounds like you want a luxury card just because your scores are up? I would recommend only applying for cards you really want/need, I wouldn't apply 'just because'.

Re: First Luxury CC?

swankytiger — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:14:54 GMT

I mean AMEX gives Plats out like candy.

I am closing mine because i cant justify it as I only use the $200 airline credits.

The Hilton Aspire I am keeping because it pays for itself with the $200 flight credits and Free Night.

I am going to upgrade to a United Club card because i lean Star Alliance and tend to fly united domestically.

Re: First Luxury CC?

redpat — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:43:15 GMT

OP, do some research first on all the different travel cards and see if any fit your needs.

Luxury comes at a cost, high AFs and higher spend in order to benefit from points or point transfer partners and a lot of travel for things to work.

Hmm, looking for lounge access????

Re: First Luxury CC?

CorpCrMgr1 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:46:12 GMT

@rebuilder2017 I won't pay a AF. Wouldn't get my money back.

@ptatohed I thought I was the only one that disliked AF?

Re: First Luxury CC?

FicoMike0 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 02:00:24 GMT

@ptatohed I just got the connect for the $500 sub. It's $95 waived, supposed to drop entirely in September. After I make the sub spend, I am eyeing the reserve, again, nice sub, little higher spend. Both pay for global entry, which has been recomended to me. I'm thinking I could do myself and dw with the two. That's good for 5 years. I would for sure pc the reserve before af again, probably for cash+. Might pc the connect too, lol. Would they allow two cash+?

Right now I'm looking for a good checking sub. Chiti offers $300. Then I'd have to consider their cards too.

I need a new hobby.

Anyone read a good book to recommend? I'm on library wait for a couple of new ones. That's another hobby, library eCards. I have 16. When I'm not hacking credit scores, I hack library cards. Furthest I've gotten is Newcastle Region Library, New South Wales. Au and uk libraries are English, but not a big selection. Couple of the best are Miami-Dade and Los Angeles. I think they have big budgets and few citizens who read, especially english,lol.

Re: First Luxury CC?

Wu-Credit — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 02:52:59 GMT

@CorpCrMgr1 wrote:

@ptatohed I thought I was the only one that disliked AF?

Nope. Add me to that group.

The Surpass is the first card I'll be paying an AF ever for. The Delta Gold was an upgrade offer. We will see if these change my mind.

Re: First Luxury CC?

FlaDude — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 03:00:00 GMT

@Wu-Credit wrote:
Nope. Add me to that group.

The Surpass is the first card I'll be paying an AF ever for. The Delta Gold was an upgrade offer. We will see if these change my mind.

Both of these have recently gone from sub $100 AF to $150, and Surpass has lost Priority Pass lounge access. I'm closing or downgrading both before for the AF hits.

Re: First Luxury CC?

redpat — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 03:36:33 GMT

Enough with the AF hating, back to OP.

Re: First Luxury CC?

Shooting-For-800 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 04:24:54 GMT

Amex Platinum 20 years ago.

I was in awe when I opened the box.

Now I don't even have one. LoL.

Re: First Luxury CC?

coldfusion — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 12:19:28 GMT

@rebuilder2017 wrote:
What were everyone's first Luxury credit cards? I'm looking to get one since my score has flourished but not sure which one I'm after, even though i float around 780-800 on my reports Chase has reluctantly denied past card requests due to many moons ago stiffing them on an IHG card. Would love to hear who prefers what Luxury Cards?

Are there specific benefits you can or want to leverage from this card, ar is it mostly about wanting to enjoy a sense of accomplishment at being able to be approved for such a card? (not that the sense of accomplishment should be viewed as a negative, but if that's the primary rationale it could affect suggestions)

Re: First Luxury CC?

rebuilder2017 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:09:39 GMT

Honestly both, i know that sounds bad. I'm looking for mainly a daily user with added benefits. I currently rotate the WF Autograph card and my IHG Premier as we vacation at a specific resort but the lust of that specific resort is waning. BUT, I'm too keen on the AF's especially not AMEX Plat, couldn't solidify paying that AF for those perks. We travel quite often but usually not air fare so likely wouldn't be beneficial. I have a Citi Custom Cash which i utilize monthly up to the $500 cap. I guess it'd be mainly for Gas, Hotels, Dining, Groceries... I typically utilize credit cards during the month to accumulate points and pay off at end of month. Also just looking to add 1 more solid card before i go into gardening for a while.

Re: First Luxury CC?

coldfusion — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:12:57 GMT

Having a sense of pride in being able to get approved for good cards doesn't sound bad. As for a card the Citi Premier, perhaps. Still with a $95 AF.

You're already invested in the TYP ecosystem with your Double Cash and Custom Cash cards and the Premier earns 3x TYP/$ on supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and airfare. Custom Cash for the most appropriate 5% category in each month, Premier for the 3% categories and foreign spend (card has no FTF) and Double Cash for unstructured spend and you can even cash out via ACH transfer to your favorite bank's checking account at a penny a TYP. Not unlike having a CSP-centric Chase trifecta.

Re: First Luxury CC?

CYBERSAM — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:35:26 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
@FicoMike0 wrote:
If you're talking cards that offer the luxury of paying them a fee, I'm reluctant. I'm looking at us b reserve, trying to figure if I would use enough bennies in order to offset the $400 af. This card pays a large sub for not too much spend.
I hate AFs and I hate being committed to 'credits' necessary to mitigate those high AFs. But I will say that the USB Altitude Reserve has to be one of the easiest organic spend cards to move the $400 AF to at least $75 after an easy to meet $325 credit. $75 is still too high for me but it beats $400! lol

OP, what are you looking for? What is a 'luxury card' to you? It sounds like you want a luxury card just because your scores are up? I would recommend only applying for cards you really want/need, I wouldn't apply 'just because'.

USB AR is a must have. Having it for 3 months now, it has travel perks, rental insurance coverage etc... Not to mention 3% on Apple pay. With all the small deals that they offer, it already paid for $75 AF.

Another card that I like is Chase Amazon Prime. They continue to offer spending deals that are very good quarterly. This quarter is 5% on Gas, Food... Also they are one of the easiest cards to get from Chase now!

Re: First Luxury CC?

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 22:30:43 GMT

@CYBERSAM wrote:
USB AR is a must have. Having it for 3 months now, it has travel perks, rental insurance coverage etc... Not to mention 3% on Apple pay. With all the small deals that they offer, it already paid for $75 AF.

Well, 4.5% when redeemed for travel. (And on Android as well!)

Re: First Luxury CC?

NoHardLimits — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 23:50:49 GMT

My very first luxury card was an Amex Gold card in the 1980's. Why not the Platinum? Because it didn't exist yet!

If I were just getting started today, the USBAR would best fit my needs. The USBAR rewards points are easy to earn and redeem without having to book my travel through the bank's travel portal. However, I am one of those people who can also make the Amex Platinum worth my while. The Amex Platinum carries a hefty fee, but judicious use of the coupon book credits can offset that fee and then some.

Re: First Luxury CC?

Shooting-For-800 — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 02:48:09 GMT

What about Amex Gold?
Seems to cover the normal bases plus some travel.