Trying to understand this whole Travel reward point thing. Help!!!

[Gollum]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Title says it all.    I think I've got the whole cashback card game figured out.   I have gas, restaurant, category, and general spend cards. 

DW and I have hit the age where we can travel some and would like to acquire a couple good travel cards.   But the travel point redemption game is a lot different than the cash back game.  

Just need some help understanding how the whole travel points game works.   I know that not all points are created equal.   If anyone can point me in the right direction on here or is willing to take the time to explain a few things to me I would be most thankful.

We more than likely will travel 2 to 3 times a year.   Already have been going to Vegas about once a year.  But want to start taking some other vacations.  Probably all travel will be within the U.S. for now.  

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You could try googling for

"consumer reports" credit card travel rewards

[Anonymous]

I prefer UR points with Chase. I disagree that points can't have serious domestic value. Since Southwest is a partner you can transfer and get some amazing deals. I also have Amex MR points but find ChaseUchiha easier to earn. I have the CSP, Freedom and Freedom Unlimited.

[UncleB]

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@CreditDunce wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

The company I work for does have a convention every year and we stay in the some ritzy places, so I could make use of the points then to get the most value I guess, thanks for your input. 

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Can someone else comment on this statement?  I would think the OP wouldn't be able to use point transfers and get reimbursed. 

If I was traveling a lot for business, I would probably look into a hotel card (assuming I stayed at the same types of hotels). Then use the points for personal trips.  I would also look at the CSR or BoA TR (with PR bonus) for double dipping reimbursable travel expenses.

Back when I was doing the 'road warrior' thing for Corporate America the company I worked for was rather particular about reimbursements for most expenses over $25.

That being said, I'm sure some employers - especially smaller ones or closely held companies - have more lax reporting or would otherwise make allowances for someone who wanted to use points and get reimbursed by the company.  I doubt it's common, but I also won't doubt anybody's word who claims this is the case for them.

(Even at the Fortune-100 company I worked for, if you were unfortunate enough to lose a receipt and for some reason didn't use your Corporate Amex to pay all still wasn't lost... you could write a detailed explanation of what happened and have your boss sign off on it and you could still get reimbursed... I can imagine a similar process possibly being in place at other companies that might allow for the situation described here.)

If I had my previous job now, I would probably use my own co-branded hotel card to pay as well.  Back then I did get points when I made the reservation using my personal hotel freqent stay number(s) but using the Corporate Amex didn't provide any rewards - in fact the MR program was explicitly prohibited on corporate cards by the HR guide.  Using a personal card would require careful record keeping (see above), and of course turning in vouchers promptly so the reimbursement wouldn't be delayed, but for the extra points using a personal co-branded card could provide it would be worth it. 

[Anonymous]

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@CreditDunce wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

The company I work for does have a convention every year and we stay in the some ritzy places, so I could make use of the points then to get the most value I guess, thanks for your input. 

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Can someone else comment on this statement?  I would think the OP wouldn't be able to use point transfers and get reimbursed. 

If I was traveling a lot for business, I would probably look into a hotel card (assuming I stayed at the same types of hotels). Then use the points for personal trips.  I would also look at the CSR or BoA TR (with PR bonus) for double dipping reimbursable travel expenses.

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I actually own a franchise with a company so we have to pay our own way.  They do provide all the meals and such.  But lodging is on us.  

[nachoslibres]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@CreditDunce wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

The company I work for does have a convention every year and we stay in the some ritzy places, so I could make use of the points then to get the most value I guess, thanks for your input. 

---

Can someone else comment on this statement?  I would think the OP wouldn't be able to use point transfers and get reimbursed. 

If I was traveling a lot for business, I would probably look into a hotel card (assuming I stayed at the same types of hotels). Then use the points for personal trips.  I would also look at the CSR or BoA TR (with PR bonus) for double dipping reimbursable travel expenses.

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I actually own a franchise with a company so we have to pay our own way.  They do provide all the meals and such.  But lodging is on us.  

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I own a franchise too, and I use all my cards for my business expenses, just depends on which ones give me the most value to determine which one I use.  I use a detailed excel spreadsheet where I document every invoice/receipt, the amount, the expense category, and then I reimburse myself from my business every month.  It works well for me, allows me to use both personal and business cards, and would stand up to any IRS audit.

I don't typically use the points I earn for business travel unless I'm really trying to save money or I'm able to get some amazing deals with the points as I can't claim the redemption of points on taxes.