topic Re: travel reward cards in Credit Cards

travel reward cards

GTT — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 05:26:41 GMT

I'm talking about those credit cards which are for a particular carrier, such as BoA travel reward or CSP.

Are those mile points can be transferred to the miles of a partner carrier 1:1? is this the general rule for all this kind of cards?

If that's the case, so those cards which are bound to particular carriers(e.g. Amex Delta) don't have too much advantages from the miles earning point ( of course there might be other benefit, e.g. first checked bag free ).

I just want to know whether 1:1 transfer rate is always true.

Re: travel reward cards

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 05:51:09 GMT

@GTT wrote:
I'm talking about those credit cards which are for a particular carrier, such as BoA travel reward or CSP.
Are those mile points can be transferred to the miles of a partner carrier 1:1? is this the general rule for all this kind of cards?

If that's the case, so those cards which are bound to particular carriers(e.g. Amex Delta) don't have too much advantages from the miles earning point ( of course there might be other benefit, e.g. first checked bag free ).

I just want to know whether 1:1 transfer rate is always true.

Are BofA travel rewards transferable to partners? For the other common cards, CSP/Ink, Amex MR and Amex SPG the ratios can vary with card and partner. but are often around 1:1 (And for things like SPG, if you transfer 20K points, you get a 25% bonus, so the 1:1 becomes 1.25:1)

Apart from things like first checked bag, priority boarding, some airline cards allow you to get points towards status on that airline, which a transfer card may not (depending on the card). More expensive airline cards will also allow better lounge access (e.g. AA now available only with the Citi AA card)

But generally your point is right, that is why people value the transfer cards so much: you don't lose a lot of benefit compared to dedicated cards, and you add a lot of flexibility. But if you always use airline X and hotel Y, it may make more sense to get those cards.

Re: travel reward cards

GTT — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 05:55:37 GMT

thanks. I think UR gets 20% off for ticket.

So which carrier's mile is more valueable? Now I travel more with Delta and I know its point is unvaluable. An international ticket might need 160k miles.

What about others?

Re: travel reward cards

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 08:56:52 GMT

GTT, which airlines choices are available to you? Its best to narrow it down from there. Anyone can tell you which airline miles is most valuable, but if your flight routes are not serviced by that particular airline, then it's pretty pointless.

Re: travel reward cards

PhoenixDown — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 15:40:14 GMT

Everyone I know with the Amex SWP card loves it. Great transfer value and all Lethe love of an Amex.

I personally went with the CSP because I fly only once or twice a year and wanted the flexibility the card offers, esp now when miles and hotel points are being devalued so quickly. If I don't like the conversion rate - I'll put it toward something else.

I am however considering the Citi AA card. Mostly because I want back in with Citi and thank you points suck. I figure pri 1 boarding and the preservation of my miles is a good enough perk

Re: travel reward cards

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 16:32:59 GMT

@PhoenixDown wrote:
Everyone I know with the Amex SWP card loves it. Great transfer value and all Lethe love of an Amex.

I personally went with the CSP because I fly only once or twice a year and wanted the flexibility the card offers, esp now when miles and hotel points are being devalued so quickly. If I don't like the conversion rate - I'll put it toward something else.

I am however considering the Citi AA card. Mostly because I want back in with Citi and thank you points suck. I figure pri 1 boarding and the preservation of my miles is a good enough perk

The AA cards are good for the sign up bonus, and the group1 boarding is also nice. What do you mean by preservation of miles? The 10% on redemption, or keeping miles alive? If the latter, there are cheaper ways, such as using the AA shopping mall once every 18 months!

Re: travel reward cards

jenn_bar — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 16:44:15 GMT

I agree that it would help to know your home airport to let us know the best carriers available to you, but for a base:

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred: transfers 1:1 with Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic, and Korean Air.

2. AMEX SPG: transfers 1:1 with many carriers such as American, Hawaiian, and Delta. Others can be found: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/account/starpoints/transfer/airline_partner_list.html
PS: With this card, for every 20k points you transfer, they add 5k.

Those are my favorite two basic travel transfer CC's that have a lot of versatility.

Re: travel reward cards

GTT — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 16:48:44 GMT

I'm living close to Detroit and travel with Delta the most.

I was thinking of CSP but it seems it doesn't partner with Delta.

Re: travel reward cards

jenn_bar — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 16:51:28 GMT

I would probably look into the AMEX SPG then or the PRG (higher annual fee FYI). They both transfer 1:1 with Delta.

That way, if you need to fly other carriers, you have the option to transfer and are not stuck with just Delta if you were to get the Skymiles card. In general, Skymiles are not too valuable, so it's always nice to have options to transfer your points elsewhere if the need comes up.

And again, that 5k bonus after transferring every 20k points becomes very valuable, especially with Delta!

Re: travel reward cards

GTT — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 16:53:42 GMT

I know that I can transfer point from Chase freedom to CSP. Can I do the same for Amex? I have Amex BCE but not sure they allow point trasnfer between cards

Re: travel reward cards

jenn_bar — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 16:55:32 GMT

@GTT wrote:
I know that I can transfer point from Chase freedom to CSP. Can I do the same for Amex? I have Amex BCE but not sure they allow point trasnfer between cards

No. The BCE is a strictly cashback card. They do not earn SPG points as does the SPG card.

Re: travel reward cards

GTT — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 17:03:44 GMT

So if I have access to both AA and Delta, then it seems CSP is better as it gets more miles considering the discount on point redemption and annual dividend and additional 10% on checking account?

Re: travel reward cards

GTT — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 17:08:55 GMT

Does SPG work only for purchase SPG products?

Re: travel reward cards

jenn_bar — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 17:08:55 GMT

@GTT wrote:
So if I have access to both AA and Delta, then it seems CSP is better as it gets more miles considering the discount on point redemption and annual dividend and additional 10% on checking account?

The CSP does not transfer 1:1 to either of those, so I think I'm lost as to your question.

I believe that we were referring to the Citi AAdvantage Card in regards to AA on the first page.

The CSP and Freedom can be a very valuable combo; however, unfortunately not for AA and Delta.

Re: travel reward cards

jenn_bar — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 17:10:14 GMT

@GTT wrote:
Does SPG work only for purchase SPG products?

No, SPG is not a product as it is a hotel brand (such as Hyatt/Marriott).

You can use it anywhere AMEX is accepted and it gives you starpoints (like Chase UR points), which then can be transferred to the various carriers on that link I posted earlier.

You can also use it for stays at SPG hotels.

Re: travel reward cards

GTT — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 17:13:13 GMT

My bad, I meant using CSP for United and SPG for Delta.

But I think you don't earn SPG points unless you purchase SPG products, not like CSP, you earn 2points for any travel which is more flexible.

Re: travel reward cards

GTT — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 17:14:50 GMT

SPG gives even 5 points for stays in other hotels, e.g. Marriott, or any flights with any carrier?

Re: travel reward cards

jenn_bar — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 17:20:20 GMT

@GTT wrote:
My bad, I meant using CSP for United and SPG for Delta.
But I think you don't earn SPG points unless you purchase SPG products, not like CSP, you earn 2points for any travel which is more flexible.

Oh okay, I see what you mean. No, SPG does not give additional points for "travel" as does the CSP.

You would be right in regards to CSP-United and SPG-Delta. I have both and use my CSP for SW/UA and SPG for AA.

It really comes down to your preference and what you will use them for. In general, SPG is great for AA/Delta, as well as international air carriers. CSP is limited in that aspect, but it makes up for it in other aspects.

UR points are really easy to come by (especially with having a Freedom too), but it doesn't matter much if you can't use them for what you need. That goes for any card. I can have 1 million Delta points, but if I don't have a place to fly with Delta, then they're useless.

Re: travel reward cards

GTT — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 17:22:36 GMT

Do I get 4* points by using SPG on AA or Delta?

Re: travel reward cards

jenn_bar — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 17:24:39 GMT

@GTT wrote:
Do I get 4* points by using SPG on AA or Delta?

No, there are no additional points except for stays at SPG resorts/hotels.

Are you comfortable with a high annual fee after the first year?

The AMEX PRG has a hefty AF after the first year ($175), but you get 3x points on flights, 2x on groceries/gas, so the points add up fast as the CSP does. They transfer 1:1 with Delta and others.