Which travel points program/credit cards do you use?
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Anonymous
| I’ve read on this forum that people use points systems to make traveling affordable. I’ve tried doing research online, reading The Points Guy and the information is overwhelming. I don’t think we travel enough by plane to make mileage cards worth it but I’m wondering about credit cards for hotel perks/points? |
Anonymous
| Sapphire Reserve and Cap One Venture |
Anonymous
| Go to 10x travel on Facebook and take their free online course. It’s an incredible hobby but there’s a pretty big learning curve. Start with a chase sapphire product but wait until the sign up bonus is elevated. Go from there. |
Anonymous
| Chase Sapphire. It’s the best card for travel. |
Anonymous
So how do you accumulate points if it’s not tied to a specific hotel chain or airline? |
Anonymous
Chase points are transferrable to a number of airlines, as well as to Hyatt hotels. The idea is to utilize the best value partner for each specific flight/hotel stay. But it does take some time/work to figure out how to maximize it. May not be worth it for you |
Anonymous
NP, how high do their bonuses go? Over 60,000 points? |
Anonymous
The points for most mileage cards come from the sign up bonus and credit card spending, not air travel. At various points in the last 15 years I’ve had Southwest, JetBlue, and American Airlines credit cards. Rarely do I travel more than once a year. The advantage to me of airline cards over cash back cards is I know I’ll accumulate enough points for my family of 4 to travel for free once a year to pretty much anywhere in the continental US, plus not need to pay for bag fees. |
Anonymous
| Sapphire Reserve (and freedom unlimited to combine) and in IHG rewards card, and multiple airline & hotel loyalty programs. We get free flights every year or two on AA and SW but mostly ise credit card points for redemption. Hotel programs get better rates, some perks like early check in/late check out and free breakfast, and we get a free night every year from the IHG card. |
Anonymous
| Step 1: ignore the Points Guy. It’s just a website to get credit card referrals at this point. |
Anonymous
| We have the Chase United Club Mileage Plus card. I would say the answer probably depends on your spending and travel habits. For us, we can charge work travel and other expenses on our personal card so we are able to accumulate a lot of miles and you get 2x or 3x miles for certain purchases. From DC, United seems to have the most direct flights to the West Coast and Europe so it seemed like the logical choice for an airline card. It’s worked well for us and we have easily paid for the annual fee between free flights and use of the United Club for work and personal travel. |
Anonymous
|
Chase generally has the best credit cards, take a look and pick?
I have United mileage but that’s more of a coincidence than anything else really. But they are good cards. I also like Hilton Honors. |
Anonymous
This. You need Chase Sapphire to start the game, but right now the Chase Business Inks (Cash and Unlimited) have great sign up bonuses and reduced minimum spends, so I might start with those. |
Anonymous
Another Chase United person here. We also have a Chase Marriott card. I generally only use the United card for United flights (including business trips as allowed by my company). Marriott for everything else. We haven't paid for a hotel in nearly two decades (unless we have wanted to for a special occasion or gone somewhere so remote there isn't a Marriott property). Another benefit on the United card is it covers the cost of Global Entry (and renewal). |
Anonymous
I was just going to ask what card United/Marriott loyalists prefer (since it seems the often-recommended Chase Sapphire does not prefer those two brands). |