How to best utilize my Discover and AMEX BCE?

[GettingBetter2015]

I just received my Discover It and AMEX BCE this week and I want to reap the rewards and use the cards in the best way possible. Hubby travels some for work and has a trip coming up this week, so I added him as AU on both accounts to help take advantage of these offers. His work actually started making him book his own airfare, so I had him put the purchase on the Discover because we hadn't got the AMEX in the mail yet. His work will reimburse us next week for the cost. I told him that when he's in Orlando next week, I want him to put all his reimbursable expenses on these cards so that we get usage and are able to pay them back off quickly. Is there anything else we should be doing? They are smaller limit cards of $1000 each, so I really want to get the best usage out of them to possibly help with a good CLI after the accounts have aged a bit. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

[OmarGB9]

Sounds like you're doing everything right to me!

[GettingBetter2015]

Should I let any of the airfare balance report on the Discover or would it look better to pay it off when we get the reimbursement check?

I'm anxiously waiting for the Home Improvement stores cash back bonus with the Discover because we already get 10% off with my dad's military discount, so the extra 5% could make for a nice discount at Lowe's/Home Depot.

[OmarGB9]

Doesn't matter. Personal preference really. Either way Discover can see your usage/payment patterns.

Unless you're trying to maximize scores, in which case you would want only one of your cards reporting a 1-9% balance and all others at zero. Doesn't have to be the Discover reporting the small balance though.

[Open123]

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@GettingBetter2015 wrote:
I just received my Discover It and AMEX BCE this week and I want to reap the rewards and use the cards in the best way possible. Hubby travels some for work and has a trip coming up this week, so I added him as AU on both accounts to help take advantage of these offers. His work actually started making him book his own airfare, so I had him put the purchase on the Discover because we hadn't got the AMEX in the mail yet. His work will reimburse us next week for the cost. I told him that when he's in Orlando next week, I want him to put all his reimbursable expenses on these cards so that we get usage and are able to pay them back off quickly. Is there anything else we should be doing? They are smaller limit cards of $1000 each, so I really want to get the best usage out of them to possibly help with a good CLI after the accounts have aged a bit. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

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This is really great!

During my former Corp days, though I had to fly UA, I had accumulated Millions of MileagePlus miles on reimbursed air travel (flights, hotels, dining and entertainment).  So, make the most of it!

When you have time, you should examine different ways to maximize and leverage the reimbursed travel expenses with cards yielding the best value. 

[GettingBetter2015]

I really want an airline card, but AMEX denied me the Delta sky miles card, I'll wait for six months to apply again that way I'll have established credit history with them. If I knew of a card I could easily get that offers airline miles, I'd take advantage of it especially if it meant we could get a couple flights out of it. As a family of 6, airfare can get expensive!

[Open123]

Which Airline do you prefer or is most convenient for you?

[GettingBetter2015]

Hubby prefers American because they don't fly through Chicago as often (or so he says), I have no specific preference, but I did enjoy my Southwest flights. Delta wasn't bad either...

[Open123]

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@GettingBetter2015 wrote:
Hubby prefers American because they don't fly through Chicago as often (or so he says), I have no specific preference, but I did enjoy my Southwest flights. Delta wasn't bad either...

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I'd suggest the following:

1.  Delta - Utilize Amex's MR cards and the Cobranded one.  Amex has one bonus per lifetime, so ONLY apply when the sign-up bonus appears higher than normal.  For instance, app for the PRG when it's at least 50K MR bonus, Delta 50K Miles, and EDs at 30K.  Eventually, you can merge MRs with your Delta Miles transferring them when there's a bonus. 

2.  AA - Post devaluation, their programs isn't nearly the value as it had been, especially for premium cabin int'l flights.  If you prefer AA, then you'd have to look towards Citi offerings. 

3.  Southwest - Combination of Chase's Cobranded and UR cards can yield excellent results.

Regardless, to start, I'd suggest choosing one program rather than several.  Later on, as you earn more miles, you can expand into a 2nd and 3rd.

Good luck!

[GettingBetter2015]

How long do you think I should wait to reapply for the Delta, they just declined me Monday? I know at least 30 days from decline, but I was thinking at least three months but more likely 6 months to give my BCE time to show them I use it responsibly. Three months is earliest only because DH has a trip to Las Vegas coming up at the end of June that I'd love for him to use a Delta card to book the flight and hotel to meet the spend bonus.