SUB chasing - point accumulation

[drave199]

So I just wanted to get some advice from those of you who are nifty with taking advantage of point accumulation and SUB. I currently have the Amex Gold and a couple of cash back cards. I pretty much exclusively use my Gold and BCP cards and my chase freedom and BofA dont ever get used except at costco. I don't travel really ever but not to say I would in the future. I always see people using there points for their vacations and what not and Im thinking, how in the heck? My MR points right now are only at 65k which to me doesnt seem like a lot. But I've read on here some guy had over 40 CCs and valued his accumulated points around $80k. I obviously don't asspire to be at that level but if you could give some pointers on where to start to accumulate points for future endevours? Where to start? Having cards over multiple platforms a good idea (i.e. amex and chase)? Right now I am pre-approved for the CSP and SL of 10k but I dont think I would use it much since the Gold is more benifical and I dont travel but the SUB would give me a start I suppose. AF kind of sucks.

As far as SUB chasing, is that a real thing and is it smart? Obviously I don't necessarily want to add a bunch of new credit cards but maybe 1 or 2 more to get started. The other thing is that I have a couple large purchases happening soon (2-4k) that would cover spending requirements on SUB. I guess it doesn't make sense to get a card that I have no use for but for instance, the amex green card has a SUB of 45k right now and I could get that in one transaction and add to me MR point balance. Although the $150 AF but I would plan on canceling it when renewal hits as I really have no use for it otherwise.

I guess if you read between the lines you hopefully understand my question. I guess it gets down to this; Advice on if its smart to sign up for cards for SUB if the perks aren't something I'd utilize? Tips on how to get started at saving points for future events when I dont really travel now? Cards to target? Good idea to add hotel or airline CC at some point for transferring points?

[Anonymous]

Some ways to rack up reward points:

Referals to friends and relatives

Join Rakuten and choose Membership Rewards for your payback.

Get an Amex EveryDay Rewards card - no annual fee and you'll get a sign-up bonus. 

[MrCreditInternational]

I think Amex delta cards aren't bad at all, especially the platinum and reserve with their free annual companion tickets.

Also the Hilton cards have good SUBs (see the Hilton surpass, it gives you access to 10 Priority Pass lounges and it's only 99$ a year). Make sure you find a good sub tho (try incognito or referral link).

Otherwise, consider maybe BofA premium rewards, CSP, or maybe Citi premier.

[blindambition]

You can also add legit authorized users to accrue points.

I don't suggest SUB chasing with current financial climate. Chase, Barclays, Amex have become very hawkish over the months.

[Anonymous]

I'm not into SUB chasing, but I have been able to travel with the help of a couple of SUBs. Nevertheless, I recognize that someone of my lower spending habits/ability has to exercise some patience to pay for trips with rewards points. I accepted that as part of the territory when I apped for the cards.

For example, the first card I ever had that included a SUB was my Amex EveryDay. The SUB was 10k MR points for $1k spend, and I easily got it as I applied a few weeks before a major planned purchase that I put on the card. However, it took me more than 2 years to then get my MR point balance up enough to where I could pay for an overseas flight with the points. Most of this was regular spending that I was tracking to make sure I was not spending more than I would otherwise, and some of it was taking advantage of various Amex Offers that increased my usual earning potenital.

[Anonymous]

The CSP or Citi Premier SUB should get you well on your way to a nice point accumulation start. 

[drave199]

So would you say that getting the Amex green just for the SUB might not be a good move since I really have no use for it otherwise? I would literally hit the spending limit for the SUB in one transaction. Do the points stay if I did do this but cancel the card before the AF comes back up?

Im really tempted to do the CSP to get into the chase points but I cant fathom paying the AF after the first year when my GC is better for my spending habits. I had a 70k bonus offer a few months back to.

[Anonymous]

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@drave199 wrote:

So would you say that getting the Amex green just for the SUB might not be a good move since I really have no use for it otherwise? I would literally hit the spending limit for the SUB in one transaction. Do the points stay if I did do this but cancel the card before the AF comes back up?

Im really tempted to do the CSP to get into the chase points but I cant fathom paying the AF after the first year when my GC is better for my spending habits. I had a 70k bonus offer a few months back to.

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If you have another MR card (like your gold) then points from the green will stay once you cancel.   The issue is to prevent you looking like a sub chaser which may prevent you from getting more SUBs from Amex.  

[drave199]

Makes sense. The only cards i would see myself getting from them in the future is an airline or hotel card. Or possibly upgrading to the Platnum but this is down the road for sure

[Anonymous]

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@drave199 wrote:

Makes sense. The only cards i would see myself getting from them in the future is an airline or hotel card. Or possibly upgrading to the Platnum but this is down the road for sure

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You could go for the Delta Gold with a 60k SUB for $2k spend. No AF the first year. Downgrade to the no AF Delta Blue after the first year. Or go for the no AF Hilton Honors card with 100k Hilton points for $1k spend in incognito mode.