Need Advice on Best Travel Card Strategies

[ndjim75]

Hey gang,

Need some advice on the best strategies for travel benefits utilizing my existing card lineup. Also looking for advice as to where I could add a card or two for other areas I may be missing opportunities.

I have:

Amex Plat, PRG, Hilton Honors Surpass, EDP and Delta Plat

Citi AAdvantage, Hilton Honors and Costco

Cap one Venture.

PenFed Amex Travel

I travel 3 to 4 days a week most months.

Airfare

I use Citi AA for all American Airline flights (3X points plus AA perks)

I use Delta Plat for all Delta Flights (mostly for perks)

I fly Southwest Frequently, but I can’t get in with Chase right now (5/24 and possible blacklist)

It seems as though my best bet for all airlines (other than AA and Delta) would be Penfed at 5X points. This card doesn’t seem to get much discussion on the 5x points. It doesn’t seem like anything else comes close in the value (aside from airline perks etc).

Hotels

I always try to stay at Hilton or Marriotts (I have a Marriott next door to my Home office. It has to be booked through our Corporate Travel site, but I use my own CC.)

What is my best option for Marriott? (Can’t get in with Chase right now, 5/24 plus maybe blacklisted)

Does it make any sense to get Amex SPG for Marriott? If not, seems as though Venture and 2% is my best bet. Any other card suggestions or which card in my line up would provide best value?

Use Amex Surpass at Hiltons

Rental Cars

I generally use Amex Platinum because of the perks with National and Avis, but I am open to suggestions for better value.

I use Citi Costco for all my gas purchases and generally PRG for all restaurants and EDP for incidentals.

I find myself constantly debating on which card to pull to maximize benefits. I am looking for some advice on a more consistent strategy to not only maximizes points, but also trying not to spread them all over and dilute them. When in doubt or don’t really have time to think about it, I will generally pull my PRG.

Just as a data point, total travel expense in the coming year will most likely exceed 100K. All of it is Domestic, so no need to consider international benefits at this point.

FICO 08 EQ 695, EX 698, TU 723. All cards listed above have been acquired in the last 2 years. AAOA is about 2 years.

As always FICO Members, you are and have been an awesome resource and I really appreciate everyone’s help and advice.

Thanks!!

[kdm31091]

I'm not into travel cards per se but I can tell you I've had much better luck and value concentrating my purchases on a few cards vs many. Ending up with tiny bits of rewards on each account is generally useless. So it's wise to pick a program for the long run and stick to it, whether it's cash or a travel program. The gains from making sure every purchase earns top points are generally small to neglible. 

[driftless]

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@kdm31091 wrote:

I'm not into travel cards per se but I can tell you I've had much better luck and value concentrating my purchases on a few cards vs many. Ending up with tiny bits of rewards on each account is generally useless. So it's wise to pick a program for the long run and stick to it, whether it's cash or a travel program. The gains from making sure every purchase earns top points are generally small to neglible. 

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+ 1

[Anonymous]

Have you tried APPing the Ritz card. It has eveything you are looking for. Although it is a JPMorgan Chase card it seems the Ritz plays by different rules.

[Anonymous]

I'll play devil's advocate on the argument that 'its better to not spread your points'. I would rather cash out 5 cards each year with $100 each than to get $30 each month on one ($500 vs $360). If youre in it for the long haul, whats the difference? That said, I dont travel so.. adding those annual fees creates another element that you need to weigh to see if the benefits and perks really offset the annual fees. Everyone is different, use what works for you.. I use each of my cards to maximize cash back.

[kdm31091]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I'll play devil's advocate on the argument that 'its better to not spread your points'. I would rather cash out 5 cards each year with $100 each than to get $30 each month on one ($500 vs $360). If youre in it for the long haul, whats the difference? That said, I dont travel so.. adding those annual fees creates another element that you need to weigh to see if the benefits and perks really offset the annual fees. Everyone is different, use what works for you.. I use each of my cards to maximize cash back.

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I understand your point but most travel programs require a large number of points to actually get anything out of. So if you are spreading thin it may take years to get one plane ticket.

For cash back, it's more of a preference thing, true.

[driftless]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I'll play devil's advocate on the argument that 'its better to not spread your points'. I would rather cash out 5 cards each year with $100 each than to get $30 each month on one ($500 vs $360). If youre in it for the long haul, whats the difference? That said, I dont travel so.. adding those annual fees creates another element that you need to weigh to see if the benefits and perks really offset the annual fees. Everyone is different, use what works for you.. I use each of my cards to maximize cash back.

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As you said, you don't travel. Travel cards are not cash back cards.

[ndjim75]

Thanks for the input KDM and DDC.

KDM, Trying not to dilute points is what I am after. Most of my spend that is not with a specific hotel or airline card is going on PRG. That lines up with me using the EDP for my everyday driver and maximizes MR points.

I was looking for the best solution to cover Marriott Stays and maximize points there. I dont think Ritz or Marriott Reweards are on option with Chase. Is 5/24 in play on both those cards or no? With Marriott aquiring SPG, the SPG card may become an option. I dont see any current benifit there, but was hoping others may chime in if they know something I dont.

Also doesnt leave me a great option for all my Southwest spend as that is also Chase (pretty sure that card IS in the 5/24 rule) Thought the 5x airline points on Penfed was best bet here or again, make make the most sense with 3x on PRG and keep building that MR pile.

Thanks again foe the input

[Anonymous]

Have you tried the Chase prequal site?  Or even better...stepping in a branch and seeing if you are approved?  You might have to open up a checking/savings and move some money to have the best bet with the in-branch attempt.  But you might be able to get beyond the 5/24 that way.  And you can keep checking without a HP.

They have some coupons with cash bonuses if you open up a new savings/checking or business account.  So you can still get a decent APR if you park some money over there while trying to tempt them into letting you in with their cards.

[longtimelurker]

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@ndjim75 wrote:

It seems as though my best bet for all airlines (other than AA and Delta) would be Penfed at 5X points. This card doesn’t seem to get much discussion on the 5x points. It doesn’t seem like anything else comes close in the value (aside from airline perks etc).

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The points are worth approx 0.85 cents per point, so 5x is about 4.25c per $ of travel.    Many would value 3MR/3UR/3TYP as more valuable, although the cards that give those rewards have AF.