New Credit Card Offer

[FUEGO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaudrey +1 I got this one in November, got the $300 travel credit for my holiday travels, and have enough points at 1.5x for 3 trips I am taking this year, easily. I don't play the card game, but this one was too good to pass. I'll easily clear $1500 in travel with it in a year, and then close it out. And, when I wanted specific flights for a trip but didn't see it on their website, I called and their customer service was top-notch.

FYI, you get another $300 travel credit for 2017 if your previous $300 was reimbursed in 2016. It's $300 per CALENDAR year. Their definition of calendar is tricky since the new year starts "first billing cycle that starts in December" or something like that.

I'm working on meeting the $4000 spend requirement (x2 for his and hers cards ) on the Chase Sapphire Reserve right now. I'm booking a ton of inexpensive bus and train tickets in Europe and love seeing the $20, $30, $50, $60 tickets being reimbursed immediately after they post.

[GTFan]

Chase URs are awesome for both Southwest and Hyatt travel. And they have decent redemptions at times for car rentals booked through Chase as well, meaning almost free travel to a lot of places.

[Chuckanut]

Just got my Costco Visa (formely Amex) cash back check.

I will deposit it in a special account whose funds I use to upgrade some travel experiences. Previously, I deposited cash-back from both Discover card (5% on Amazon for quite a while, now 5% on gasoline) and, of course, my fallback card, the Fidelity Visa 2% cash-back card.



It almost seems like 'free' money, but somehow I think we are paying for it, so we might as well use it.

[Sojourner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckanut JIt almost seems like 'free' money, but somehow I think we are paying for it, so we might as well use it.

I'd say anyone who pays for gas with a non-rewards credit card these days is definitely "paying for it", since more and more gas stations seem to be tacking on an extra 3 - 5 cents per gallon for credit purchases. And yes, generally speaking, everyone does pay for these rewards in the form of very slightly higher prices on goods and services, but I'd guess those of us who strive to maximize CC rewards and signup bonuses are coming out far, far ahead of the typical consumer over the long run.

[kaudrey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUEGO FYI, you get another $300 travel credit for 2017 if your previous $300 was reimbursed in 2016. It's $300 per CALENDAR year. Their definition of calendar is tricky since the new year starts "first billing cycle that starts in December" or something like that.

Hi Fuego - yes, I know. It might actually be worth it for that and the Passport Lounge access, plus you still get 3X on dining, which is better than the other cards I have right now. Maybe I'll keep it....

I like that it is so heavy. It's fun to hand it to friends.....

[Amethyst]

How does this work? Have flown so little that I'm unfamiliar with the various privileges and how they are attained. I thought you had to fly a million miles or something.

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Originally Posted by kaudrey It might actually be worth it for... the Passport Lounge access, :

[SecondCor521]

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Originally Posted by Amethyst How does this work? Have flown so little that I'm unfamiliar with the various privileges and how they are attained. I thought you had to fly a million miles or something.

One of the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve is that you can request a membership in something called "Priority Pass Select". They'll send you a membership card, and you can get access to any lounges at http://www.prioritypass.com/select. The access is unlimited, although I think in some or all cases you need to provide a boarding pass for a just-landed or soon-to-depart flight.

This is a benefit of the card and not tied to your status with any particular airline, although as you point out, you can get lounge access that way. Some other cards have similar benefits - I think I've gotten access to United lounges with one of the Chase United Mileage Plus cards. There are probably other ways to do it as well.

[Amethyst]

2C51 - how nice to hear from you!

Thanks for your tip - I just signed us up for Priority Passes.

Amethyst

[calmloki]

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Originally Posted by Amethyst 2C51 - how nice to hear from you! Thanks for your tip - I just signed us up for Priority Passes. Amethyst

BTW, I've read you need to have the physical cards with you when trying to gain lounge access. We got our cards & will try and remember to carry them when next we fly. No idea what lounges are like, but for free....

[SecondCor521]

Quote:

Originally Posted by calmloki BTW, I've read you need to have the physical cards with you when trying to gain lounge access. We got our cards & will try and remember to carry them when next we fly. No idea what lounges are like, but for free....

Yup, you'll need the PP card as well as your boarding passes.

The lounges vary in quality because Priority Pass affiliates themselves with different lounge networks around the world. The one at SEA and DEL are nice; the one in DXB (where I am writing this from) is less so.

But most are better than hanging out at a gate.

(Hi Amethyst!! )

[2good]

If you have at least $100k invested with Bank of America than their free TravelRewards card gives you 2.65% back on all purchases. That is the best all around rewards card I have found.

[ownyourfuture]

Sorry if this has already been addressed, but is there a certain point where cash rewards are taxed ?

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownyourfuture Sorry if this has already been addressed, but is there a certain point where cash rewards are taxed ?

No - it's no considered income, but rather a discount on prices paid.

[gerntz]

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Originally Posted by Travelfreek I like the idea of the Fidelity 2% cash back no fee credit card as a long term solution.

As I read things on Fidelity's site, the 2% doesn't ever start getting paid till there's over an initial $2500/5K points on the account. I read this to mean that first $2500 credit - $50 cash - is never receivable. Do I read that wrong?

[gerntz]

I find the AMEX Blue P worth the $75 annual fee - refunded for first two years - for the 6% groceries & alcohol at the grocery plus 3% on chain restaurants & non-grocery/chain gas pretty worthwhile.

[gerntz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sojourner I'd say anyone who pays for gas with a non-rewards credit card these days is definitely "paying for it", since more and more gas stations seem to be tacking on an extra 3 - 5 cents per gallon for credit purchases.

I'm not seeing the tack on listed by the stations I frequent.

[broadway]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerntz As I read things on Fidelity's site, the 2% doesn't ever start getting paid till there's over an initial $2500/5K points on the account. I read this to mean that first $2500 credit - $50 cash - is never receivable. Do I read that wrong?

You need 5000 in rewards before it is "paid".
For me, the bonus was 15000 points = $150 which along with the 2% from the first month's use I transferred to my Fidelity account.

[broadway]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerntz I'm not seeing the tack on listed by the stations I frequent.

Here in NJ, the gas stations without the convenient stores attached have both a "cash" and "credit" prices. The difference is 10 cents.

The ones near me - Sunoco, Speedway, Wawa, Quickchek, BP don't have the differential.
Valero does.

[gerntz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadway Here in NJ, the gas stations without the convenient stores attached have both a "cash" and "credit" prices. The difference is 10 cents. The ones near me - Sunoco, Speedway, Wawa, Quickchek, BP don't have the differential. Valero does.

OK. Y'all still aren't smart enough to pump your own gas there either, right?

[broadway]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerntz OK. Y'all still aren't smart enough to pump your own gas there either, right?

When I go into Pennsylvania or Delaware, I have to remember to get out of the car and pump my own gas.
Good thing I lived elsewhere before moving here.