Not necessarily trying to game the system. I just don't want to lose out on the credit since we're at the end of the year and I won't be doing any sort of traveling around the holidays. I only app'd now because the boards were saying to hurry to still get this year's benefit. Now that I'm here, I want to be able to get it and put it aside until I am able to travel, which is definitely my goal. Hence the travel cards.
Don't mind me. I spoon-feed and often look for the same. If you don't know, ask those that do. Hence the ask. LOL
@Anonymous wrote:Spoon-feeding is fine, I try to write in a way that can spoon feed data for others! No issue with it.
Your issue with the travel credit is exactly why I didn't app this year! I ran the numbers backwards and forwards and just couldn't find a way to maximize the 2 months remaining in the year. My next big travel spend month is March, so I plan on apping probably in March, but my math tells me the next best time for me to app is in September 2018! So I may wait til then, too.
To be honest, the "get the travel credit this year" makes no sense to me if you plan to use the card for many years. If you plot it out, you will end up with the same amount of annual travel credits over many years regardless of when you app/spend them. You aren't getting an extra travel credit, you're just getting it earlier. Don't believe the hype, people who are bad at math think it's a bonus to get it early, but it's all the same over the lifetime of the card, unless you plan to cancel the card before the first annual fee... That's the only way to "lose out" on an extra year travel credit -- if you only pay 1 year AF.
Thanks for the dialog. I appreciate you, as always.
So, yeah. The platinum card that I have is through Ameriprise with no AF so, I only plan to keep that for a year. This will give me time to try the card on for size so that, if I do decide to keep a platinum card, I'll app the one from Amex to get the bonus points. By then, I want to have the credits for this card for both years, the credits on the new card and qualify for the bonus points. I'll also have the bonus point for PRC for this year, with no AF, as well.
I can work the spend for points with no problem. I just need to figure out how to grab this years credits to add to the pot. I want to go to Italy next year. I've been hitting all my goals so far. I seriously expect to hit this one too. I SO deserve it.
I meant to come back and share my update. I was able to purchase gift cards for American Airlines in $100 incriments. I heard $100 or less will be reimbursed. Over $100 and you won't get the credit. So, I purchased 2 $100 cards on my Platinum and a $100 card on PRG. I did receive reimbursement for all within 2 days of gift card purchases posting to my account.
I'll be doing the same in January for a total of $600 in airline gift cards during this first year that I have no AF on either card. Not bad..
Now to verify if I'll be able to do the same with Delta. Anyone with experience, please share. Thanks.
Delta eCertificates (not physical cards) of $50 are reported to be reimbursed. You can purchase multiple $50 ones on the same order; they will be charged individually.
@K-in-Boston wrote:Delta eCertificates (not physical cards) of $50 are reported to be reimbursed. You can purchase multiple $50 ones on the same order; they will be charged individually.
Thanks for the info.