Maximizing Credit Cards

[Anonymous]

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@ezdoesit wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Still working on this obviously but my plan is to maximize with 3 cards

Dining and possibly travel with the csp to build up a fund of UR points 

Gas, groceries, and possibly travel with the EDP or PRG to build up a fund of Mr points 

All other spend on my SPG card to build up a fund of Starpoints 

I've really gotten into travel recently so those flexible points help. obviously your strategy can change if you're after cash back or you already have status with a particular airline/hotel and want to maximize your benefits with them 

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That is actually a great strategy to put some on all three reward structures.  I would caution that depending on ones spend that while putting on all three is great it might end up being where you spead yourself thin and don't accumulate enough on any one to reap the benefits.

There are some airlines that can be transferred from both MR and UR not sure about SPG.  Like Avios and I think Virgin Atlantic just don't fly with them internationally because their fuel surcharge is ridiculous.

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True, I think in the end I will go with the edp since my spend on gas and groceries is probably lower than my dining and non-category spend 

I usually go for the cheapest possible fare as well and like to use the rewards points to upgrade 

Might have to pare one card down if I'm spreading my spend too thinly

[flawesome]

Sallie mae for gas, groceries, amazon, and books

Fidelity AMEX for just about everything else

Hopefully I'll get a US Bank cash+ card soon to use on dining

As excited as I was to get my Discover it and Chase freedom cards, I don't find that I used them for much. I mostly use them for thier bonus cash back malls these days. I also make use of the BoA bonus rewards mall with my Better Balance rewards card.

[Anonymous]

The best ways to get the most back out of the cards is

a) go for bonus signups, these are going to far outweigh rewards from spending for most

b) For those that wish/can, manufactured spend

For pure spending:

a) for cash back, simply use the card that offers the biggest reward on that particular transaction (providing you will reach minumum redemption thresholds in a reasonable time)

b) For travel, much more complex.  Depending on how you redeem, it may make sense to get an apparently lower reward on a transaction, so that you get points for your next redemption.

And always PIF before the due date, unless you are in a 0% APR period (and probably even then)

[Anonymous]

I use Amex BCP for Gas and Groceries, then I load up my barclays arrival plus with all my recurring bills and other purchases. I put a lot of money through it and end up being able to get a lot of travel expenses covered hrough my Barclay points. Works out nice.

[Anonymous]

I currently only use my Freedom (for the 5x catagory) and the CSP for all others. I have all my bills (insurance, phone, cable, ect) auto payed through the card. Not using a 3rd card since I can combine my points from the Freedom/CSP to one account.

Can't wait for 6 months with the CSP though, need a CLI. Been paying it multiple times a month to keep the UTL below 20%

[barthooper]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I currently only use my Freedom (for the 5x catagory) and the CSP for all others. I have all my bills (insurance, phone, cable, ect) auto payed through the card. Not using a 3rd card since I can combine my points from the Freedom/CSP to one account.

Can't wait for 6 months with the CSP though, need a CLI. Been paying it multiple times a month to keep the UTL below 20%

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For most companies, the UTL comes from the statement balance, not from the high balance during the month. It is either the statement balance or the balance at another time, but this is less common.

[flawesome]

Oh, and I load up a serve account from my fidelity AMEX and pay rent with that for the cash back.