Credit Card Rewards Programs/travel-hacking?

[Dweezil]

Just going on the cards in my wallet you would want to compare standard programs and promotions. Discover for example gives you 3 months each year where you get 5% back at gas stations and Chase gives the same offer but they don't overlap. If you work it right you can maximize what your getting from the companies and if you put some thought into redeeming them you can put together something really nice.

Don't forget about bonuses for purchases if you shop online for travel or other items. Research is your friend since not everyone uses the same programs.

 

[OttoGraf]

All leads go on a Citibank double cash reward card with no interest. You earn 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay and I have about $100-150 from the last five months using it. Might not be the best program but I consider that house money

That's the one I just took out. It's definitely the best for all around cash back based on my research.

Now I wonder if I could have done better doing one of the bonus travel points one.

I also found one that does straight 5% for gas which is pretty good.

 

[Agentguy5]

Any of you all use a credit cards reward program for your expenses?

I have an American Airlines Advantage card. When you sign up, they give you like 50,000 miles. Did a trip in October to La and only paid $85 for the round trip ticket!

I should have enough miles in about 2 months to do the same for the Wife and myself to go to Vegas or NY City for that same $85 per ticket

We did a lot of research on cards and the reason I chose that one was because it seemed to be the best. My wife uses the Chase Freedom that is listed below.

Best Rewards Credit Cards of 2015 - NerdWallet

 

[HoosierLife]

So do they still blackout dates for flying with these type of deals?

The only time I would fly is around Thanksgiving.

So I assume Chase, my bank lol, would have something like this.

This is he first year where my expenses would have added up to anything.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I have an American Airlines Advantage card. When you sign up, they give you like 50,000 miles. Did a trip in October to La and only paid $85 for the round trip ticket! I should have enough miles in about 2 months to do the same for the Wife and myself to go to Vegas or NY City for that same $85 per ticket We did a lot of research on cards and the reason I chose that one was because it seemed to be the best. My wife uses the Chase Freedom that is listed below. Best Rewards Credit Cards of 2015 - NerdWallet

Chase Freedom here too... Your wife has good taste... in credit cards at least.... LOL... Couldn't resist the joke.

 

[Agentguy5]

So do they still blackout dates for flying with these type of deals?

The only time I would fly is around Thanksgiving.

So I assume Chase, my bank lol, would have something like this.

This is he first year where my expenses would have added up to anything.

With American, the mileage usage is different based on the day of the week and holiday period that you are traveling.

Sat might cost 50,000 miles as Mon might only be 25,000

 

[BobbyR]

Why not the citi double rewards ? 2 % total cash back if you pay it off monthly . No hassle of worrying about gas this qtr and groceries next qtr.

 

[HoosierLife]

So Chase has a Saphire card. 1:1 $ to points plus 50,000 point bonus for something small like $4000 spent in 3 months.

Is there a Website that shows what a flight would cost in points?

Seems like if you just put business expenses on there and racked up 50-100k in points that that would be better than just getting a flat 1-2%.

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Well Chase says a $625 flight would cost 50,000 points. As an example.

 

[sleavitt]

One of the best sites out there is The Points Guy I picked up 2 British Airways cards a couple of years ago that had a minimal spend with a bonus of 100K miles per card. I turned that into 2 business class tickets to Moscow. His site of full of great info and deals on cards.

I've been using 2 different Amex cards for a number of years. I have both the platinum and premier rewards gold.

The gold gives me 3x the points on gas and groceries. Somehow my home heating oil is treated as gas so that's a nice little bonus at the end of our winters.

The platinum gives us lounge access at just about any airport in the world. You get gold status at both Sheraton and Hilton. $200 in airline credit to use at any 1 airline per year. Plus a few other benefits. Amex also pays for your Global Entry and TSA pre fees. This card isn't cheap (450) but I break even on it every year.

Everything goes on the Amex. Groceries, gas, booze, utilities, insurance.

 

[Birdman300]

I would caution new agents reading this. Most of the agents that posted here are very high producers and only use the credit cards for the sole purpose of getting the points/rewards. Most (if not all) of them have more than enough cash in their bank to pay the balance monthly. Exercise caution with credit cards new agents. Just my 2 cents.