My Cashback Strategy can't be beat can it?

[jdbkiang]

Couple suggestions would be too use CIC for t-mobile, as 5 UR’s is probably worth more than 5% CB, and then consider maximizing UR and MR’s.

Unlike many others, I think having a healthy mix of cash back and points is fine (even though I only aim for points), but it would still be a waste not to try to maximize the points that you do earn.

[Anonymous]

---

@jdbkiang wrote:
Couple suggestions would be too use CIC for t-mobile, as 5 UR’s is probably worth more than 5% CB, and then consider maximizing UR and MR’s.

Unlike many others, I think having a healthy mix of cash back and points is fine (even though I only aim for points), but it would still be a waste not to try to maximize the points that you do earn.

---

+1!

My strategy consist of like 80% cash back to 20% points. For the points, I definitely only use those cards for travel only purchases. All other purchases, I prioritize cashback. I only carry 3 cards with me for simplicity: Fidelity, Cap 1 Savor and Citi TY Premiere. I do however try to maximize 5%+ opportunities though. Anything else makes it more complicated that I even care to want to manage.

[Anonymous]

My goal is to average 5% cashback across all spending. I average about 7-8k of CC spending per month so that is almost $5k per year in rewards. I am starting to travel more so I am looking for a good Hotel & Airfare card where points don’t expire. Any suggestions? Preferably something with no annual fee or one that easily I can make up with a hotel night for example.

[Anonymous]

Should I try and go after MR or UR as well or is that a waste since mostly I am earning cashback.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have suggestions on US bank PLOC? or Citi Thank you Premier (loving the SUB)

[Anonymous]

It depends how you plan on using TY points. If you utilize its partners, then that card could be really valuable to you. If not, you’re looking at a fixed rate of 1.25c a point when booking through portal.

Me personally I got the Citi TY premier card with no intentions to use its partners. It just depends on if you really want to maximize the value of them. I myself am content with getting 1.25c a point as I will likely use it only as a backup option. I also love the bonus categories on the card as I feel the categories are very good. I mean gas is even considered travel on the card. I don’t know many travel cards that do that.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Mr Suave that is good to know. How do you use the 1.25 point redemption?

[Anonymous]

---

@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks Mr Suave that is good to know. How do you use the 1.25 point redemption?

---

When you book travel on the citi portal, all points are worth a flat 1.25c. In other words, you use the points by booking through the portal. Obviously, if you utilize their transfer partners you can get much more value out of them. I personally value simplicity so that would just be too complicated for me to even want to deal with. 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I have a question about your BBR I currently have 2 B of A accounts and I don’t use either really. One is the Cash Rewards $40k limit and the other is the Americard $20k limit. My other cards get better rewards than both of these so I was thinking about combining and PC to the BBR you have. Do you get good rewards or 0% offers with that BBR card? Do you recommend I switch1 or both to the BBR as I cannot apply new for it?

[Anonymous]

Same here. I don't have the attention span to juggle that many cards. I think maybe I can handle adding 3 more cards. As Dirty Harry said, "a man's got to know his limitations."
Great job figuring all this out, OP.