American Airlines card or chase sapphire for travel??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have the CSR but everywhere I fly regularly is an AA hub (DFW, Miami, Chicago), so I'm considering getting the AA card as well. We accrue a LOT of points (~300k/year) on Chase, but adding the AA card would get us free baggage + access to the AA lounge when the PP lounges are inaccessible or crowded. Plus we have 4 people in the house and Global Entry has to be renewed every 3 years, so having both would mean we could stagger which card we pay with and cover all four through benefits.
How do you accrue that many points?

Still haven't pulled the trigger but I'm thinking about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the CSR but everywhere I fly regularly is an AA hub (DFW, Miami, Chicago), so I'm considering getting the AA card as well. We accrue a LOT of points (~300k/year) on Chase, but adding the AA card would get us free baggage + access to the AA lounge when the PP lounges are inaccessible or crowded. Plus we have 4 people in the house and Global Entry has to be renewed every 3 years, so having both would mean we could stagger which card we pay with and cover all four through benefits.
How do you accrue that many points?

Still haven't pulled the trigger but I'm thinking about it.

Sorry responded in wrong place. How do you accrue that many points?

[Anonymous]

I have the AA Citi card--just the regular one, not a higher level one--and while it would be nice to get free checked bags on domestic flights, I don't really need that perk (it doesn't provide that for Basic Economy overseas). I guess it guarantees Group 5 boarding, too, which is OK.

The thing I just learned is that the card provides zero travel protection/insurance. That surprised me and will guarantee I'll be looking for a card that offers a better deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the CSR but everywhere I fly regularly is an AA hub (DFW, Miami, Chicago), so I'm considering getting the AA card as well. We accrue a LOT of points (~300k/year) on Chase, but adding the AA card would get us free baggage + access to the AA lounge when the PP lounges are inaccessible or crowded. Plus we have 4 people in the house and Global Entry has to be renewed every 3 years, so having both would mean we could stagger which card we pay with and cover all four through benefits.
How do you accrue that many points?

Still haven't pulled the trigger but I'm thinking about it.

Sorry responded in wrong place. How do you accrue that many points?

We have a Freedom Flex, CSR, and Ink for business. We run every expense we can through a credit card for points purposes. Use the Freedom Flex for most things (1.5 points/$), CSR for travel, restaurants and takeout, and occasional extras (Lyft, Peloton, etc), and combine points across cards. We also volunteer to put things that will be split on our CSR (VRBO with another family, dinner out with a bunch of friends who venmo back their share, etc), just for the points. Spend 12-15k/month on the personal cards, more variable amounts on the Ink (some months $0) and it all adds up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the CSR but everywhere I fly regularly is an AA hub (DFW, Miami, Chicago), so I'm considering getting the AA card as well. We accrue a LOT of points (~300k/year) on Chase, but adding the AA card would get us free baggage + access to the AA lounge when the PP lounges are inaccessible or crowded. Plus we have 4 people in the house and Global Entry has to be renewed every 3 years, so having both would mean we could stagger which card we pay with and cover all four through benefits.
How do you accrue that many points?

Still haven't pulled the trigger but I'm thinking about it.

Sorry responded in wrong place. How do you accrue that many points?

We have a Freedom Flex, CSR, and Ink for business. We run every expense we can through a credit card for points purposes. Use the Freedom Flex for most things (1.5 points/$), CSR for travel, restaurants and takeout, and occasional extras (Lyft, Peloton, etc), and combine points across cards. We also volunteer to put things that will be split on our CSR (VRBO with another family, dinner out with a bunch of friends who venmo back their share, etc), just for the points. Spend 12-15k/month on the personal cards, more variable amounts on the Ink (some months $0) and it all adds up.

Think you mean the Freedom Unlimited in the bolded, if you are getting 1.5x points on everything. The Freedom Flex gives 1x points on everything, and 3x and 5x in targeted categories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the CSR but everywhere I fly regularly is an AA hub (DFW, Miami, Chicago), so I'm considering getting the AA card as well. We accrue a LOT of points (~300k/year) on Chase, but adding the AA card would get us free baggage + access to the AA lounge when the PP lounges are inaccessible or crowded. Plus we have 4 people in the house and Global Entry has to be renewed every 3 years, so having both would mean we could stagger which card we pay with and cover all four through benefits.
How do you accrue that many points?

Still haven't pulled the trigger but I'm thinking about it.

Sorry responded in wrong place. How do you accrue that many points?

We have a Freedom Flex, CSR, and Ink for business. We run every expense we can through a credit card for points purposes. Use the Freedom Flex for most things (1.5 points/$), CSR for travel, restaurants and takeout, and occasional extras (Lyft, Peloton, etc), and combine points across cards. We also volunteer to put things that will be split on our CSR (VRBO with another family, dinner out with a bunch of friends who venmo back their share, etc), just for the points. Spend 12-15k/month on the personal cards, more variable amounts on the Ink (some months $0) and it all adds up.

Think you mean the Freedom Unlimited in the bolded, if you are getting 1.5x points on everything. The Freedom Flex gives 1x points on everything, and 3x and 5x in targeted categories.

You're right. Flex was the one that had quarterly categories; I used to have that but DH never really kept track of when to use it or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also everyone knows not to use the portal; you have to transfer the points to a partner. You are doing it fully wrong.

I have Chase Sapphire Reserve and have never had the issue PP mentions. Flights in the portal are the same price as I find via google flights, and then I use my points for 1.5x value. Transferring points to a partner has always seemed like a massive hassle. I’m not saying there aren’t some additional savings to be had by transferring, but you absolutely can get savings by using points on the portal. (Same with hotels; I check prices on hotel websites, then confirm same price on the travel portal and book using points.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never choose the AA card, because then it would impel me to fly American, which I consider to be the worst of the three legacy airlines. But you don't seem to mind this, so maybe it's fine.

Yeah, this is where I am. I do not want to be limited to a single carrier, and I can’t remember the last time I flew AA. I only fly direct and can pretty much always find what I need on United, Southwest, or Alaska for domestic (although it’s not always out of DCA).

So for me, the flexibility of CSR is by far the better option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also everyone knows not to use the portal; you have to transfer the points to a partner. You are doing it fully wrong.

I have Chase Sapphire Reserve and have never had the issue PP mentions. Flights in the portal are the same price as I find via google flights, and then I use my points for 1.5x value. Transferring points to a partner has always seemed like a massive hassle. I’m not saying there aren’t some additional savings to be had by transferring, but you absolutely can get savings by using points on the portal. (Same with hotels; I check prices on hotel websites, then confirm same price on the travel portal and book using points.)

But I’ve heard horror stories of things going bad/not having any recourse bc it’s third party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also everyone knows not to use the portal; you have to transfer the points to a partner. You are doing it fully wrong.

I have Chase Sapphire Reserve and have never had the issue PP mentions. Flights in the portal are the same price as I find via google flights, and then I use my points for 1.5x value. Transferring points to a partner has always seemed like a massive hassle. I’m not saying there aren’t some additional savings to be had by transferring, but you absolutely can get savings by using points on the portal. (Same with hotels; I check prices on hotel websites, then confirm same price on the travel portal and book using points.)

But I’ve heard horror stories of things going bad/not having any recourse bc it’s third party.

Never had that issue, either. You just have to remember to call the Chase travel people if you have an issue. I’ve always found them to be responsive and helpful.

[Anonymous]

Op again-is it better for me to just have husband add me on authorized use as authorized user for his CSR? I didn’t realize he could do that. I’d be missing out on sign on points for it but could still use benefits. Then, I can get the AA card. Is it bad for credit to apply for both at one time. Like the AA card and add on authorized user?

[Anonymous]

I have the AA card and am currently enjoying a free latte and hot breakfast in the Admirals Club at DCA. I got the card for lounge access and free checked baggage since my family travels frequently for long trips with multiple checked bags. Plus: priority boarding.

I can’t imagine flying without it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op again-is it better for me to just have husband add me on authorized use as authorized user for his CSR? I didn’t realize he could do that. I’d be missing out on sign on points for it but could still use benefits. Then, I can get the AA card. Is it bad for credit to apply for both at one time. Like the AA card and add on authorized user?

Get both. Also link your Ink to your CSP because then you can transfer points to travel partners like airlines and hotels for a higher redemption. You can also get more than one Ink for the same business and get that bonus too. There is a lot more to this game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have the AA card and am currently enjoying a free latte and hot breakfast in the Admirals Club at DCA. I got the card for lounge access and free checked baggage since my family travels frequently for long trips with multiple checked bags. Plus: priority boarding.

I can’t imagine flying without it.

If OP won’t use the lounge (we aren’t lounge users) the card with the much lower annual fee does everything else for her and the checked bags for one trip easily make up the annual fee. We never arrive in time to use a lounge, intentionally. We want to roll up and basically board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also everyone knows not to use the portal; you have to transfer the points to a partner. You are doing it fully wrong.

I have Chase Sapphire Reserve and have never had the issue PP mentions. Flights in the portal are the same price as I find via google flights, and then I use my points for 1.5x value. Transferring points to a partner has always seemed like a massive hassle. I’m not saying there aren’t some additional savings to be had by transferring, but you absolutely can get savings by using points on the portal. (Same with hotels; I check prices on hotel websites, then confirm same price on the travel portal and book using points.)

Transferring points to a partner is two clicks, not hard at all. I transfer a lot of points to Hyatt because I stay at one for a week when I visit my parents and it’s a much better deal that way.