@Anonymous wrote:
@kdm31091 wrote:
The thing I don't get is that I routinely see people talking about points getting them free flights, etc which is very true, but it seems people ignore the fact that travel still costs money. Even with a flight being paid for, there's plenty of expenses on a trip. So while travel (or cash back) credit cards can help offset the cost, ultimately, it's still usually expensive to take trips! I think some people get caught up in the points and wind up purposely taking extra trips which could kind of defeat the original purpose (i.e. to save money). Just have to be careful like with anything else.Agreed! But realistically, a lot of people use the sign up bonuses then the cards are either a motivator to spend more $ or they are not used at all! There are those who frequently travel for work, or those who can afford to travel, those who make it a priority to travel - these are the people who benefit most from these cards. Not the every day Joe who goes on 1 family vacation a year (re the sign up bonus use).
When I get a card, I don't get it for the sign up bonus - I get it if it has a purpose outside the bonus as well.
As shown above ..... For the $99 AF you get 5,000 points each year and one trip to BOS from NYC area is 3,600 points
For one way ticket for the same general week is $65. If you have luggage its $35 or $25 more for Blue Plus seats which includes a checked bag included in the fare. So for $90 you get a checked bag and ticket.
so even if you fly once a year to Boston from NYC for $5 dollars more you get those benefits and it is the better deal if you travel with one other person or 2 more.
Just because You don't see the value in points doesn't make it useless ..... Group 1 boarding with a free checked bag for up to 4 people is easily worth the $95 AF for my Citi AAdvantage plat card.
Plus with the 2X points on either card for dining and shopping is a good deal.... Lets assume you only shop groceries and never dine out ever. Lets assume you spend $100 a week on groceries. That is 10,400 points annually which can easily get you a round trip to Boston from NYC. Add the 5,000 bonus that is 15,400 points per year. Now lets say you spend ummm $100 a month on dining out. That is 2400 points per year. Add that on top of the 15,400 you now have 17,800 points per year. You can actually fly for free back and forth a few times depending on when you go plus the $5 dollar fee.
@kdm31091 wrote:
The thing I don't get is that I routinely see people talking about points getting them free flights, etc which is very true, but it seems people ignore the fact that travel still costs money. Even with a flight being paid for, there's plenty of expenses on a trip. So while travel (or cash back) credit cards can help offset the cost, ultimately, it's still usually expensive to take trips! I think some people get caught up in the points and wind up purposely taking extra trips which could kind of defeat the original purpose (i.e. to save money). Just have to be careful like with anything else.
I went to LA for a week and between the Car rental, Plane and hotel it was at least over $1,800 dollars. I right now have like 90,000 points with Hilton and 54,000 points with AA. Ignoring the fees to use the AA points I could fly to LA first class and back for free and have enough points for 2-3 nights depending on what hotel i decide to go. So lets say I stay for the week I would bascially have to spend only on car rental, food,and 2-3 nights at a hotel plus etc.
One more point with Airline cards..... I know with American Airlines points will expire after 18 months of no activity be it from a flight, bought points or added points like from a Credit card. Having a Citi AAdvantage card and even buying gum with it would keep all the points you have already active.
@Open123 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:When I get a card, I don't get it for the sign up bonus - I get it if it has a purpose outside the bonus as well.
For me, it depends on the bonus. To wit: Citi AA's 100K bonus; Venture 100K points match; Amex Plat 100K+ bonus; Citi Prestige 100K bonus. Unless one can't spare the HP or new account, who cares what happens next year outside of the bonus?
+1
If I have to spend $3,000 in three months which I would of anyways why not get the bonus.... With my 50,000 points with AA and 90,000 with Hilton I get a cheap vacation for spending around $4,750 dollars in three months.
@Open123 wrote:
@Closingracer99 wrote:
@Open123 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:When I get a card, I don't get it for the sign up bonus - I get it if it has a purpose outside the bonus as well.
For me, it depends on the bonus. To wit: Citi AA's 100K bonus; Venture 100K points match; Amex Plat 100K+ bonus; Citi Prestige 100K bonus. Unless one can't spare the HP or new account, who cares what happens next year outside of the bonus?
+1
If I have to spend $3,000 in three months which I would of anyways why not get the bonus.... With my 50,000 points with AA and 90,000 with Hilton I get a cheap vacation for spending around $4,750 dollars in three months.
Right, precisely.
We're not talking about harvesting $50 or $100 cash bonuses here, but points at or in excess of 100K, which often is equivalent to $1,500 - $2,000 in travel rewards assuming one travles and redeems prudently.
Even to a person who doesn't travel and only wishes to save (maximize roe), these rewards can easily be redeemed for cash par value. So, just two of these offers of 200K would require $100,000 on a 2% card to earn. Does this seem like an efficient allocation of resources to anyone?
So, to some, the price of an HP and new account is must be north of $1,000.
Even at 50,000 is fine. Round trip Business class with AA going to NYC to LA costs 48,000 points total which is basically first class for most flights and that is easily worth the $95 AF I have on my card. The trip would of costed me $1,000 for one way easily and then some.
Curious Can I app for another Citi AA card and get it's bonus as well or its only one time with one card?