Which Travel Card?

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm gardening for now (after the successful app spree a couple of weeks ago) but planning for future.

Need suggestions from esteemed MYFICOians (I coined the term ) on a good travel card which will give me lots of mileage points. My situation is like this:

1. I travel a lot. Currently Delta Silver, United Mileageplus Silver and JetBlue basic (will be Silver soon). It's been 3 days a week travel of late and don't see that diminishing.

2. Have 12 enquiries in TU, 6 in EQ and 10 in EX. Of these, 4 in TU, 2 in EQ and 3 in EX are completing a year in October 15.

3. Today's FICO is 677 TU, 677EX and 685EQ

4. Have an Amex business charge card but Everyday was rejected this month. Have Amazon Chase card (got this month)

Now, my questions:

1. Which travel card? Delta Amex or United Chase or Capone Venture?

2. How long should I be in garden? My view is till Feb 16 (6 months from recent app'ing)

3. I'm expecting my FICO score to be above 710 at that time. Is that sufficient?

4. Will the enquiries hold it against me?

As I said, it's garden, garden and garden for now...

Thanks to all in advance

[kdm31091]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Well, I'm gardening for now (after the successful app spree a couple of weeks ago) but planning for future.

Need suggestions from esteemed MYFICOians (I coined the term ) on a good travel card which will give me lots of mileage points. My situation is like this:

1. I travel a lot. Currently Delta Silver, United Mileageplus Silver and JetBlue basic (will be Silver soon). It's been 3 days a week travel of late and don't see that diminishing.

2. Have 12 enquiries in TU, 6 in EQ and 10 in EX. Of these, 4 in TU, 2 in EQ and 3 in EX are completing a year in October 15.

3. Today's FICO is 677 TU, 677EX and 685EQ

4. Have an Amex business charge card but Everyday was rejected this month. Have Amazon Chase card (got this month)

Now, my questions:

1. Which travel card? Delta Amex or United Chase or Capone Venture?

2. How long should I be in garden? My view is till Feb 16 (6 months from recent app'ing)

3. I'm expecting my FICO score to be above 710 at that time. Is that sufficient?

4. Will the enquiries hold it against me?

As I said, it's garden, garden and garden for now...

Thanks to all in advance

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Where do you travel? Which airlines and hotels do you like? The Delta or United cards are only really useful when purchasing for their airlines obviously. If you are not super loyal to any one line, a more "generic" travel card like CSP could be a better fit.

The Venture is not a travel card. It is a 2% card with redemption restricted to travel only for the full 2%. There is nothing advantageous about using it for travel vs a plain cash back card. So, if you actually travel a lot, take it off your list as you will benefit more from the actual travel cards.

Inquiries remain on your report for 2 years, not one as you seem to imply. While they carry less weight over time, the fact is they are still there.

[Anonymous]

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@kdm31091 wrote:

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Where do you travel? Which airlines and hotels do you like? The Delta or United cards are only really useful when purchasing for their airlines obviously. If you are not super loyal to any one line, a more "generic" travel card like CSP could be a better fit.

The Venture is not a travel card. It is a 2% card with redemption restricted to travel only for the full 2%. There is nothing advantageous about using it for travel vs a plain cash back card. So, if you actually travel a lot, take it off your list as you will benefit more from the actual travel cards.

Inquiries remain on your report for 2 years, not one as you seem to imply. While they carry less weight over time, the fact is they are still there.

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@kdm31091 - Mostly within US will be the travel. As you might have guessed, I'm not a fan of Delta or United (in fact I hate the United quality). It's just the availability at a given date which matters.The same is true for hotels as well.

Going by your response,  planting more in my garden !

[Anonymous]

I have the CSP, Venture and Arrival +

1. CSP -  I like this card because you can get cash back = to the amount of points you have, gift cards redemtion is 2,500 points for $25 gift card and you the points are worth more when booking for travel on their site (plane, car, hotel) etc

2. Venture - I like this card because you can get cash back = to the amount of points you have ONLY if you use the purchase eraser.  What that means is, if you charge a travel related transaction (rental car, hotel, plane tickeet), you can erase the amount of the purchase using your points.  Example: I bought a hawaii ticket last month for $468 and had 47,000 points.  I use 46,800 points to erase the $468 charge.

3. Arrival + On this card,  you get half the $$ if you request cash back or credit but you get 10% points back from a travel transaction. I booked a rental car from 8/21 to 8/23 and was $66..i use 6,600 points to erase the charge and got 10% points back from those 6,600 i used.

IMO, the winner FOR ME would be the CSP...Gift card redemtion and flexible miles

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I have the CSP, Venture and Arrival +

1. CSP -  I like this card because you can get cash back = to the amount of points you have, gift cards redemtion is 2,500 points for $25 gift card and you the points are worth more when booking for travel on their site (plane, car, hotel) etc

2. Venture - I like this card because you can get cash back = to the amount of points you have ONLY if you use the purchase eraser.  What that means is, if you charge a travel related transaction (rental car, hotel, plane tickeet), you can erase the amount of the purchase using your points.  Example: I bought a hawaii ticket last month for $468 and had 47,000 points.  I use 46,800 points to erase the $468 charge.

3. Arrival + On this card,  you get half the $$ if you request cash back or credit but you get 10% points back from a travel transaction. I booked a rental car from 8/21 to 8/23 and was $66..i use 6,600 points to erase the charge and got 10% points back from those 6,600 i used.

IMO, the winner FOR ME would be the CSP...Gift card redemtion and flexible miles

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The Venture offers the same 2,500 point redemption for a $25 gift card doesn't it?  

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

I have the CSP, Venture and Arrival +

1. CSP -  I like this card because you can get cash back = to the amount of points you have, gift cards redemtion is 2,500 points for $25 gift card and you the points are worth more when booking for travel on their site (plane, car, hotel) etc

2. Venture - I like this card because you can get cash back = to the amount of points you have ONLY if you use the purchase eraser.  What that means is, if you charge a travel related transaction (rental car, hotel, plane tickeet), you can erase the amount of the purchase using your points.  Example: I bought a hawaii ticket last month for $468 and had 47,000 points.  I use 46,800 points to erase the $468 charge.

3. Arrival + On this card,  you get half the $$ if you request cash back or credit but you get 10% points back from a travel transaction. I booked a rental car from 8/21 to 8/23 and was $66..i use 6,600 points to erase the charge and got 10% points back from those 6,600 i used.

IMO, the winner FOR ME would be the CSP...Gift card redemtion and flexible miles

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The Venture offers the same 2,500 point redemption for a $25 gift card doesn't it?  

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Yes, you can get cards for 2500 $25 or 5000 for $50 and some for 10000 $100

[kdm31091]

CSP is probably the best option if you want a "real" travel card and aren't loyal to any specific brand. Arrival and Venture are not "travel" cards they are cashback cards with clever marketing.

Paying $95 for the CSP is basically the same as $89 for Arrival+ but the CSP is much more flexible and the points can be worth a lot more if used with transfers etc.

I will say to be careful as far as using CSP to book travel through their site. You do get a "20% discount" but the general opinion is that the site is more expensive than other options....20% off of a bad deal is still a bad deal if you can get a better price elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the CSP tips. When I come out of garden, will apply.

Probably next app spree will be targeted - Travel cards only. Will update this forum next year.

[Anonymous]

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@kdm31091 wrote:

CSP is probably the best option if you want a "real" travel card and aren't loyal to any specific brand. Arrival and Venture are not "travel" cards they are cashback cards with clever marketing.

Paying $95 for the CSP is basically the same as $89 for Arrival+ but the CSP is much more flexible and the points can be worth a lot more if used with transfers etc.

I will say to be careful as far as using CSP to book travel through their site. You do get a "20% discount" but the general opinion is that the site is more expensive than other options....20% off of a bad deal is still a bad deal if you can get a better price elsewhere.

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That is true and the travel deals are a bit pricey.  I still havent decided what to do with the 45000 miles i have. I did redeemed 7500 for 3 jc penney cards last night since my mom mention she wants to go there and shop for curtains for her room and bedding...she will be happy about that 

As far as the arrival +, i think it's still a good card (a least for me), spend $300 on any travel expense and use 30000 to pay for it.  I dont like that the gift cards are 5000 ponts for a $25 card.

[Anonymous]

The CSP is a great card and flexible if you are not brand loyal.  You should also look into Citi AAdvantage line for American Airlines.  Being that you said you are not a fan of United or Delta, American Airlines should be looked at.  Right now and assuming when you are ready, there will be some good sign up bonuses as well.  There are some good hotel cards also if you are loyal to a specific chain.  The rate you are traveling, an airline card and a hotel card if you are brand loyal could be very beneficial.