How Many Credit Cards Do You Have?

[Trim]

I often mix & match one-way flights to my advantage.

Largely unrelated, remember my @united meltdown a couple months ago?  Just wrapped up whipping their ass on that whole thing.

[mocat]

in 2012 i earned silver, so i was a silver most of 2013, until i qualified for gold around this time last year. so i will be gold until February 2015. I'm not really sure why it's February, since that will have been about a year and a half as a gold medallion.

this year i flew less than i did in 2013, and only qualified for silver for 2015. after February i will be silver.

i can tell you gold is like 1,000,000x better than silver. a lot more perks.

['taterblast]

in 2012 i earned silver, so i was a silver most of 2013, until i qualified for gold around this time last year. so i will be gold until February 2015. I'm not really sure why it's February, since that will have been about a year and a half as a gold medallion.

this year i flew less than i did in 2013, and only qualified for silver for 2015. after February i will be silver.

i can tell you gold is like 1,000,000x better than silver. a lot more perks.

yeah i feel like silver just lets people know you're not a total commoner, but you're still not even close to elite.

[michigancat]

United Silver pretty much guarantees an Economy Plus upgrade on international flights, but that's about it.

[Spracne]

New to the points game.  I'm going to be spending $3000 in the next 3 months anyway, so what's my best bet for getting some free airfare out of the deal?

[mocat]

in 2012 i earned silver, so i was a silver most of 2013, until i qualified for gold around this time last year. so i will be gold until February 2015. I'm not really sure why it's February, since that will have been about a year and a half as a gold medallion.

this year i flew less than i did in 2013, and only qualified for silver for 2015. after February i will be silver.

i can tell you gold is like 1,000,000x better than silver. a lot more perks.

yeah i feel like silver just lets people know you're not a total commoner, but you're still not even close to elite.

the 100% mileage bonus (as opposed to 25%) is great. for example, just a random MCI-ATL-ORF and back, you will earn like 6000 miles. plus if your employer lets you use your Delta Gold amex to pay for work travel, there's an extra 1000 or so.

[steve dave]

New to the points game.  I'm going to be spending $3000 in the next 3 months anyway, so what's my best bet for getting some free airfare out of the deal?

man, lots of options. there's a 50k AA card, 40k Chase Sapphirre Preferred card (best for overall spend if you are looking to keep it long term), Chase Ink/Ink Bold 50k cards (same points as the Sapphire Preferred but it's a business card), United Explorer 55k card (50k if you don't add another authorized user, this one was just 70k), 40k USAir cards (these will be going away soon with the AA merger), 50k Southwest cards.

I can refer you to the Sapphirre Prefered, United and possibly the SW cards if you want (no benefit at all to you, I just get 5k miles  )

[steve dave]

also, let me know if you want links to any of them

[Spracne]

So why would I get the Sapphire Preferred rather than the Ink/Ink Bold?

[steve dave]

So why would I get the Sapphire Preferred rather than the Ink/Ink Bold?

different spending bonuses. some people don't like carrying a business card for their personal spending.

[michigancat]

also lower minimum spend.

[steve dave]

comparison of the cards

http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2013/01/15/best-of-the-best-which-is-better-chase-sapphire-preferred-or-ink-boldink-plus/

[steve dave]

tl/dnr: get both.

[Spracne]

So, when you book a flight with UR points using their kayak-style tool, can you only use the points for British Airways, Korean Airlines, Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore KrisFlyer?

[michigancat]

So, when you book a flight with UR points using their kayak-style tool, can you only use the points for British Airways, Korean Airlines, Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore KrisFlyer?

no, you actually can't buy SW tickets that way. The airlines you listed will accept UR:Miles transfers at a 1:1 ratio. You can buy tickets from most traditional carriers using 1 point = 1.25 cents through their portal.

[Spracne]

So, when you book a flight with UR points using their kayak-style tool, can you only use the points for British Airways, Korean Airlines, Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore KrisFlyer?

no, you actually can't buy SW tickets that way. The airlines you listed will accept UR:Miles transfers at a 1:1 ratio. You can buy tickets from most traditional carriers using 1 point = 1.25 cents through their portal.

That's good to know.  Looks like the first annual fee is waived for the Sapphire and both Ink cards, correct?

[michigancat]

So, when you book a flight with UR points using their kayak-style tool, can you only use the points for British Airways, Korean Airlines, Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore KrisFlyer?

no, you actually can't buy SW tickets that way. The airlines you listed will accept UR:Miles transfers at a 1:1 ratio. You can buy tickets from most traditional carriers using 1 point = 1.25 cents through their portal.

That's good to know.  Looks like the first annual fee is waived for the Sapphire and both Ink cards, correct?

Yes, the exception is if you opt for the 70k in-person ink bonus. Then the fee isn't waived and you're basically spending $95 for 20k points, which is an excellent deal.

[Spracne]

So, when you book a flight with UR points using their kayak-style tool, can you only use the points for British Airways, Korean Airlines, Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore KrisFlyer?

no, you actually can't buy SW tickets that way. The airlines you listed will accept UR:Miles transfers at a 1:1 ratio. You can buy tickets from most traditional carriers using 1 point = 1.25 cents through their portal.

That's good to know.  Looks like the first annual fee is waived for the Sapphire and both Ink cards, correct?

Yes, the exception is if you opt for the 70k in-person ink bonus. Then the fee isn't waived and you're basically spending $95 for 20k points, which is an excellent deal.

Is that offer still going on?

[Spracne]

Also, these cards can be canceled at any time, right?

[steve dave]

yep, just cancel once they annual fee hits if you don't want it and they will remove the fee

[steve dave]

also, as rusty pointed out, you can book stuff at 1.25 cents per mile for travel but it's not a good redemption at all. you can transfer the points to those other programs and get much more bang for your buck.

[michigancat]

So, when you book a flight with UR points using their kayak-style tool, can you only use the points for British Airways, Korean Airlines, Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore KrisFlyer?

no, you actually can't buy SW tickets that way. The airlines you listed will accept UR:Miles transfers at a 1:1 ratio. You can buy tickets from most traditional carriers using 1 point = 1.25 cents through their portal.

That's good to know.  Looks like the first annual fee is waived for the Sapphire and both Ink cards, correct?

Yes, the exception is if you opt for the 70k in-person ink bonus. Then the fee isn't waived and you're basically spending $95 for 20k points, which is an excellent deal.

Is that offer still going on?

Check with a chase branch

[Spracne]

So, when you book a flight with UR points using their kayak-style tool, can you only use the points for British Airways, Korean Airlines, Southwest, United, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore KrisFlyer?

no, you actually can't buy SW tickets that way. The airlines you listed will accept UR:Miles transfers at a 1:1 ratio. You can buy tickets from most traditional carriers using 1 point = 1.25 cents through their portal.

That's good to know.  Looks like the first annual fee is waived for the Sapphire and both Ink cards, correct?

Yes, the exception is if you opt for the 70k in-person ink bonus. Then the fee isn't waived and you're basically spending $95 for 20k points, which is an excellent deal.

Is that offer still going on?

Check with a chase branch

Explain to me the vetting process for the business card.  Like, just tell them I do freelance work? Do they require a tax ID #?

[steve dave]

yes, no (you can use your ss# as a sole proprietor)

[Mikeyis4dcats]

Also, these cards can be canceled at any time, right?

just make sure that any non-airline or hotel card has had the points used unless you make sure they don't vanish.   Many, like URs disappear when you cancel if not used.