Do you hoard credit card points? (1 Viewer)

[massraider]

I use a lot of these. One card that I think a lot of people are missing out on is the Amex Blue Business card. Not the cash version, the points version. It's 2x Amex MR on all spend. MR points are much more valuable than cash. Points Guy values MR points at around 2c per point so it's almost like 4% back on every day purchases.

A great way to round out all the bonus categories of other cards, imo.

And for when you aren't actively working on a sign-up bonus (SUB).

I'm about to enter a world of business spending and Chase Business cards, and I'm very excited.

 

[Keerock]

For anyone interested in a free $350

$350 360 Checking Bonus Offer | Capital One

Earn a $350 bonus when you open a Capital One 360 Checking account, use promo code, & receive 2 direct deposits each of $250+ within 75 days of opening.

www.capitalone.com

 

[Keerock]

Big fan of this site (didn't want to go through the thread to see if it was already posted):

The Points Guy - Maximize your travel.

Maximize your travel with hands-on travel advice, guides, reviews, deal alerts, and more from The Points Guy. Check out our recommendations so you can travel more often and more comfortably.

thepointsguy.com

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Big fan of this site (didn't want to go through the thread to see if it was already posted):

The Points Guy - Maximize your travel.

Maximize your travel with hands-on travel advice, guides, reviews, deal alerts, and more from The Points Guy. Check out our recommendations so you can travel more often and more comfortably.

thepointsguy.com

that site and nerd wallet are my go to sites for all things credit card related

 

[SFBayDuck]

How do y'all keep track of rewards and perks that are available with each card? Especially those that have an annual fee, as they always seem to have enough benefits to more than offset it - if you take advantage.
I just have airline/hotel cards and a cash back card, but I'm pretty sure I'm missing things since I haven't kept track of what comes with each one - stuff like Disney+ credits, TSA Pre, Global Entry, bonuses for certain categories, etc.

 

[SFBayDuck]

How do y'all keep track of rewards and perks that are available with each card? Especially those that have an annual fee, as they always seem to have enough benefits to more than offset it - if you take advantage.
I just have airline/hotel cards and a cash back card, but I'm pretty sure I'm missing things since I haven't kept track of what comes with each one - stuff like Disney+ credits, TSA Pre, Global Entry, bonuses for certain categories, etc.

I was messing around with Award Wallet tonight, looks pretty cool. Found out I have two $100 credits on Alaska I had forgotten about! But it doesn't sync with United or SW so that doesn't really help that much since it can't give a full picture. It also doesn't seem to capture some of those weird benefits like Uber credits or DoorDash Pass free for a year.

 

[Judge Smails]

Look into the AMEX Marriott Brilliant card if going to do Marriott.

They have a huge bonus now that expires soon.

How many points?

 

[matttyl]

So I’m pretty boring and just have the one credit card with my bank (where I also have my savings and checking). Every 10k in “points” (pretty much $10k on the card, though some things are counted 2x or even 4x) I can redeem for a $100 gift card - which I pretty much always redeem for Amazon since we know we’ll use it quickly. Works out to a few of those each year.

As we don’t really travel much (one family vacation by plane a year, rarely a second flight somewhere for a wedding or something), and don’t do a lot of hotel stays (1-2x a year), so never really looked into this, but anything I should look into that might have a better rewards structure?

 

[McBokonon]

So I’m pretty boring and just have the one credit card with my bank (where I also have my savings and checking). Every 10k in “points” (pretty much $10k on the card, though some things are counted 2x or even 4x) I can redeem for a $100 gift card - which I pretty much always redeem for Amazon since we know we’ll use it quickly. Works out to a few of those each year.

As we don’t really travel much (one family vacation by plane a year, rarely a second flight somewhere for a wedding or something), and don’t do a lot of hotel stays (1-2x a year), so never really looked into this, but anything I should look into that might have a better rewards structure?

You might just want to go with cash back, then, and there’s better cash back cards than what you probably have (without knowing what it is.) And what you go with will depend on your spending. My personal cash back rotation is:

Venmo Visa (this is my Costco card, basically. Better than the Citi Costco Visa for me because it’s 3% cash back at my highest spend category - in this case grocery/wholesale clubs - and I’m not restricted to only Costco gift redemptions) When I got this it had a crazy sign up bonus that I’m not sure exists anymore.

Then I have Discover It and Chase Freedom Flex that have rotating 5% categories that I’ll use. Right now I’m getting 5% back on gas, Amazon, and Apple Pay.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred - 6% statement credit for groceries and a bunch of streaming services - annual fee for this one so needs to balance out.

I have a few others that get me 3% on one offs I’ll use if they aren’t a rotating 5%. That Chase card is 3% at drug stores, Wells Fargo Autograph 3% rideshare/transit/dining.

I have Wells Fargo Active Cash and PayPal Mastercard as my “everything else” 2% cash back cards.

I have a few more I got sign up bonuses for and 0% intro when I needed to make a major purchase.

 

[-OZ-]

Two questions for the group:

1. We just got a Costco account, what’s the best way to pay there?

2. Trying to decide whether to cancel my Marriott Bonvoy card. $95 annual fee but a free night every year. We use the night when visiting family, which would cost more than $95 but that’s about all the value we get from the card.

My default card is the M1+, 1.5% on everything plus bonus at different places like 10% at dollar general, 5% dominoes, 2.5% Home Depot among others.

Us bank visa gives 5% on utility bills

Verizon gives 4% grocery, 3% restaurants, 2% on Verizon

Amex blue gives 6% on grocery and $7 back on the Disney bundle monthly but has an annual fee

Discover currently has 5% back on gas, rotates

Our usaa Amex gives 5% on gas

Amazon card has 5% back on Amazon

A few others we don’t use, I think the freedom flex occasionally gives 5% back on Walmart

 

[McBokonon]

1. We just got a Costco account, what’s the best way to pay there?

2. Trying to decide whether to cancel my Marriott Bonvoy card. $95 annual fee but a free night every year. We use the night when visiting family, which would cost more than $95 but that’s about all the value we get from the card

1. Just talking Costco, the Venmo Visa will get you 3% if grocery/wholesale/deli/bakery is your highest spend on it. Costco Citi Visa is only 2% at Costco but has other categories. Can only redeem as Costco certificates, though.

2. Sounds like you get more than $95 worth of value, so keep it. Closing cards doesn’t generally help you. If anything, having the available credit helps the utilization component of your FICO.

 

[matttyl]

So I’m pretty boring and just have the one credit card with my bank (where I also have my savings and checking). Every 10k in “points” (pretty much $10k on the card, though some things are counted 2x or even 4x) I can redeem for a $100 gift card - which I pretty much always redeem for Amazon since we know we’ll use it quickly. Works out to a few of those each year.

As we don’t really travel much (one family vacation by plane a year, rarely a second flight somewhere for a wedding or something), and don’t do a lot of hotel stays (1-2x a year), so never really looked into this, but anything I should look into that might have a better rewards structure?

You might just want to go with cash back, then, and there’s better cash back cards than what you probably have (without knowing what it is.) And what you go with will depend on your spending. My personal cash back rotation is:

Venmo Visa (this is my Costco card, basically. Better than the Citi Costco Visa for me because it’s 3% cash back at my highest spend category - in this case grocery/wholesale clubs - and I’m not restricted to only Costco gift redemptions) When I got this it had a crazy sign up bonus that I’m not sure exists anymore.

Then I have Discover It and Chase Freedom Flex that have rotating 5% categories that I’ll use. Right now I’m getting 5% back on gas, Amazon, and Apple Pay.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred - 6% statement credit for groceries and a bunch of streaming services - annual fee for this one so needs to balance out.

I have a few others that get me 3% on one offs I’ll use if they aren’t a rotating 5%. That Chase card is 3% at drug stores, Wells Fargo Autograph 3% rideshare/transit/dining.

I have Wells Fargo Active Cash and PayPal Mastercard as my “everything else” 2% cash back cards.

I have a few more I got sign up bonuses for and 0% intro when I needed to make a major purchase.

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated. What card to use will depend on what you’re purchasing in each transaction.

Since wife and I each have one credit card, both with Truist, all our “spending” if there. So food/groceries, gas, pretty much all of our “autopays” (streaming services, water bill, gas bill) seem to be the biggest.

Might be buying a ~$30k+ car in the next few months (able and wanting to pay cash). Shark move to buy with card and then pay off immediately?

 

[McBokonon]

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated

It’s really not. It takes 5 seconds to check for the right card to use and the rotating categories only change every 3 months.

 

[BeTheMatch]

So I’m pretty boring and just have the one credit card with my bank (where I also have my savings and checking). Every 10k in “points” (pretty much $10k on the card, though some things are counted 2x or even 4x) I can redeem for a $100 gift card - which I pretty much always redeem for Amazon since we know we’ll use it quickly. Works out to a few of those each year.

As we don’t really travel much (one family vacation by plane a year, rarely a second flight somewhere for a wedding or something), and don’t do a lot of hotel stays (1-2x a year), so never really looked into this, but anything I should look into that might have a better rewards structure?

You might just want to go with cash back, then, and there’s better cash back cards than what you probably have (without knowing what it is.) And what you go with will depend on your spending. My personal cash back rotation is:

Venmo Visa (this is my Costco card, basically. Better than the Citi Costco Visa for me because it’s 3% cash back at my highest spend category - in this case grocery/wholesale clubs - and I’m not restricted to only Costco gift redemptions) When I got this it had a crazy sign up bonus that I’m not sure exists anymore.

Then I have Discover It and Chase Freedom Flex that have rotating 5% categories that I’ll use. Right now I’m getting 5% back on gas, Amazon, and Apple Pay.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred - 6% statement credit for groceries and a bunch of streaming services - annual fee for this one so needs to balance out.

I have a few others that get me 3% on one offs I’ll use if they aren’t a rotating 5%. That Chase card is 3% at drug stores, Wells Fargo Autograph 3% rideshare/transit/dining.

I have Wells Fargo Active Cash and PayPal Mastercard as my “everything else” 2% cash back cards.

I have a few more I got sign up bonuses for and 0% intro when I needed to make a major purchase.

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated. What card to use will depend on what you’re purchasing in each transaction.

Since wife and I each have one credit card, both with Truist, all our “spending” if there. So food/groceries, gas, pretty much all of our “autopays” (streaming services, water bill, gas bill) seem to be the biggest.

Might be buying a ~$30k+ car in the next few months (able and wanting to pay cash). Shark move to buy with card and then pay off immediately?

Absolutely put as much as they'll let you on a credit card so you get all the points. When I've done that, if I remember correctly, they limited me to putting 10 or 15k on the credit card. I don't know if that varies from dealer to dealer or what.

 

[McBokonon]

So I’m pretty boring and just have the one credit card with my bank (where I also have my savings and checking). Every 10k in “points” (pretty much $10k on the card, though some things are counted 2x or even 4x) I can redeem for a $100 gift card - which I pretty much always redeem for Amazon since we know we’ll use it quickly. Works out to a few of those each year.

As we don’t really travel much (one family vacation by plane a year, rarely a second flight somewhere for a wedding or something), and don’t do a lot of hotel stays (1-2x a year), so never really looked into this, but anything I should look into that might have a better rewards structure?

You might just want to go with cash back, then, and there’s better cash back cards than what you probably have (without knowing what it is.) And what you go with will depend on your spending. My personal cash back rotation is:

Venmo Visa (this is my Costco card, basically. Better than the Citi Costco Visa for me because it’s 3% cash back at my highest spend category - in this case grocery/wholesale clubs - and I’m not restricted to only Costco gift redemptions) When I got this it had a crazy sign up bonus that I’m not sure exists anymore.

Then I have Discover It and Chase Freedom Flex that have rotating 5% categories that I’ll use. Right now I’m getting 5% back on gas, Amazon, and Apple Pay.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred - 6% statement credit for groceries and a bunch of streaming services - annual fee for this one so needs to balance out.

I have a few others that get me 3% on one offs I’ll use if they aren’t a rotating 5%. That Chase card is 3% at drug stores, Wells Fargo Autograph 3% rideshare/transit/dining.

I have Wells Fargo Active Cash and PayPal Mastercard as my “everything else” 2% cash back cards.

I have a few more I got sign up bonuses for and 0% intro when I needed to make a major purchase.

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated. What card to use will depend on what you’re purchasing in each transaction.

Since wife and I each have one credit card, both with Truist, all our “spending” if there. So food/groceries, gas, pretty much all of our “autopays” (streaming services, water bill, gas bill) seem to be the biggest.

Might be buying a ~$30k+ car in the next few months (able and wanting to pay cash). Shark move to buy with card and then pay off immediately?

Absolutely put as much as they'll let you on a credit card so you get all the points. When I've done that, if I remember correctly, they limited me to putting 10 or 15k on the credit card. I don't know if that varies from dealer to dealer or what.

I’d also try to open up as many cards with sign up bonuses as I could use for this.

 

[-OZ-]

Might be buying a ~$30k+ car in the next few months (able and wanting to pay cash). Shark move to buy with card and then pay off immediately?

When I've done that, if I remember correctly, they limited me to putting 10 or 15k on the credit card. I don't know if that varies from dealer to dealer or what.

Totally depends on the dealer IIRC.
When I tried they wanted to add a 5% charge. We might have been able to negotiate but keep in mind that financing is one of the key ways the dealer makes money.

 

[-OZ-]

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated

It’s really not. It takes 5 seconds to check for the right card to use and the rotating categories only change every 3 months.

You’re right, but every so often I’ll see that my wife charged something on the wrong card. I need to make her a chart or something.

 

[McBokonon]

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated

It’s really not. It takes 5 seconds to check for the right card to use and the rotating categories only change every 3 months.

You’re right, but every so often I’ll see that my wife charged something on the wrong card. I need to make her a chart or something.

I do keep a Google sheet. I can access that on my phone if I’m out and forget. I also only carry what is in my rotation. The rest are in a drawer. But it’s really just 3-4 that end up in use during a 3 month period, usually.

 

[matttyl]

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated

It’s really not. It takes 5 seconds to check for the right card to use and the rotating categories only change every 3 months.

And more statements and paperwork being sent to house with more things to be sure to pay off each month. I know it’s minor, but I love simplicity

 

[McBokonon]

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated

It’s really not. It takes 5 seconds to check for the right card to use and the rotating categories only change every 3 months.

And more statements and paperwork being sent to house with more things to be sure to pay off each month. I know it’s minor, but I love simplicity

Oh jeez, you’re still on paper statements. The is worse than I thought. I also just use the apps, takes a minute every couple days to check on things. In your case, just get a flat 2% card for whatever you only get 1% from Truist and call it a day.

 

[matttyl]

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated

It’s really not. It takes 5 seconds to check for the right card to use and the rotating categories only change every 3 months.

You’re right, but every so often I’ll see that my wife charged something on the wrong card. I need to make her a chart or something.

This is where I’m at. Explaining to my wife what card to use where is going to get old quick.

 

[Keerock]

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated

It’s really not. It takes 5 seconds to check for the right card to use and the rotating categories only change every 3 months.

You’re right, but every so often I’ll see that my wife charged something on the wrong card. I need to make her a chart or something.

I do keep a Google sheet. I can access that on my phone if I’m out and forget. I also only carry what is in my rotation. The rest are in a drawer. But it’s really just 3-4 that end up in use during a 3 month period, usually.

I use MaxRewards to keep track. If you use the code "ericdf89" you'll get a free month. Well worth it to me.

It has a function where if I'm going to, say, Lowes, I can search in the app for Lowes and it shows any offers on any of my cards. Pretty slick.

 

[massraider]

You’re right, but every so often I’ll see that my wife charged something on the wrong card. I need to make her a chart or something.

A specific note on the phone, with an alphabetical list of stuff you buy.

 

[matttyl]

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated

It’s really not. It takes 5 seconds to check for the right card to use and the rotating categories only change every 3 months.

And more statements and paperwork being sent to house with more things to be sure to pay off each month. I know it’s minor, but I love simplicity

Oh jeez, you’re still on paper statements. The is worse than I thought. I also just use the apps, takes a minute every couple days to check on things. In your case, just get a flat 2% card for whatever you only get 1% from Truist and call it a day.

Sorry, not “paper statements”, mean that once you sign up they’ll send you more stuff in mail to sign up for. And I’ll look at each additional monthly statement to make sure it’s all correct. Right now it’s the one statement I look at, with multiple cards I’ll have multiple statements to look over each month.

 

[McBokonon]

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated

It’s really not. It takes 5 seconds to check for the right card to use and the rotating categories only change every 3 months.

And more statements and paperwork being sent to house with more things to be sure to pay off each month. I know it’s minor, but I love simplicity

Oh jeez, you’re still on paper statements. The is worse than I thought. I also just use the apps, takes a minute every couple days to check on things. In your case, just get a flat 2% card for whatever you only get 1% from Truist and call it a day.

Sorry, not “paper statements”, mean that once you sign up they’ll send you more stuff in mail to sign up for. And I’ll look at each additional monthly statement to make sure it’s all correct. Right now it’s the one statement I look at, with multiple cards I’ll have multiple statements to look over each month.

Ok. Then get a 2% like I said because to really take advantage of tier structures you’ll have to put in a little effort. It’s not worth it to everyone, I get it. I pay money for people to fix stuff and other convenience when it would be cheaper to do it myself whereas others will just put in the effort for those things.

 

[gianmarco]

Look into the AMEX Marriott Brilliant card if going to do Marriott.

They have a huge bonus now that expires soon.

How many points?

150,000K with a chance for another 50K.

The bonus is normally for 95K.

ETA -- Looks like the promotion is over. It's back to 95K.

 

[-OZ-]

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated

It’s really not. It takes 5 seconds to check for the right card to use and the rotating categories only change every 3 months.

You’re right, but every so often I’ll see that my wife charged something on the wrong card. I need to make her a chart or something.

I do keep a Google sheet. I can access that on my phone if I’m out and forget. I also only carry what is in my rotation. The rest are in a drawer. But it’s really just 3-4 that end up in use during a 3 month period, usually.

I use MaxRewards to keep track. If you use the code "ericdf89" you'll get a free month. Well worth it to me.

It has a function where if I'm going to, say, Lowes, I can search in the app for Lowes and it shows any offers on any of my cards. Pretty slick.

I like the idea but how much? I’m really not big on adding subscriptions.

 

[Keerock]

Thanks for the response, but just seems so cumbersome and complicated

It’s really not. It takes 5 seconds to check for the right card to use and the rotating categories only change every 3 months.

You’re right, but every so often I’ll see that my wife charged something on the wrong card. I need to make her a chart or something.

I do keep a Google sheet. I can access that on my phone if I’m out and forget. I also only carry what is in my rotation. The rest are in a drawer. But it’s really just 3-4 that end up in use during a 3 month period, usually.

I use MaxRewards to keep track. If you use the code "ericdf89" you'll get a free month. Well worth it to me.

It has a function where if I'm going to, say, Lowes, I can search in the app for Lowes and it shows any offers on any of my cards. Pretty slick.

I like the idea but how much? I’m really not big on adding subscriptions.

$5/month. After a free month, and loving it, I got a 50% off annual subscription deal somewhere.

 

[Buckna]

Big fan of this site (didn't want to go through the thread to see if it was already posted):

The Points Guy - Maximize your travel.

Maximize your travel with hands-on travel advice, guides, reviews, deal alerts, and more from The Points Guy. Check out our recommendations so you can travel more often and more comfortably.

thepointsguy.com

that site and nerd wallet are my go to sites for all things credit card related

TPG is a good starter site for people new to points or those that want to keep it casual. Just be aware the site is built to sell people credit cards and not necessarily recommend the best options for you individually. They notoriously over-inflate the value of points and various perks in their “estimates.” (To say nothing of what a massive creepo the main TPG guy is.)

If you want to go deeper down the rabbit hole, there are much better options out there though that don’t shill for the cc companies. Nerdwallet I rarely use but have heard is good, i’d recommend Dr of Credit, Flyertalk, or the reddit subgroup dedicated to churning. There are lots of others that people would recommend too I’m sure.

 

[massraider]

It’s not worth it to everyone, I get it.

Yep. I think a lot of people are fine with getting a set percentage back, and forgetting about it. It's not interesting. Totally fine, and this is MOST people.

I'm a travel junkie, and not too much I like more than getting a free flight, then paying for an upgrade at the gate. $300 for a first class flight to Barcelona is kind of great. Getting a $100 dining/spa credit per room at a bunch of hotels because I paid with AMEX is awesome.

Just looking into how to save money on gas. I have friends that complain when gas goes up 10 cents a gallon, and I ask them what programs they use to save on gas, and they tell me they cannot be bothered. Okkaaaaayy, Guy on Instagram 4 Hours a Day.

We always get a lot of activity in the 'I cannot believe what things cost' threads, but there's like 6 guys who post in this thread.

 

[massraider]

TPG is a good starter site for people new to points or those that want to keep it casual. Just be aware the site is built to sell people credit cards and not necessarily recommend the best options for you individually. They notoriously over-inflate the value of points and various perks in their “estimates.” (To say nothing of what a massive creepo the main TPG guy is.)

The Churning and Award Travel Reddits are where people can go as well. You don't need to read one post. They have Wkis set up, with more info than 90% of people could ever want.

 

[Instinctive]

TPG is a good starter site for people new to points or those that want to keep it casual. Just be aware the site is built to sell people credit cards and not necessarily recommend the best options for you individually. They notoriously over-inflate the value of points and various perks in their “estimates.” (To say nothing of what a massive creepo the main TPG guy is.)

The Churning and Award Travel Reddits are where people can go as well. You don't need to read one post. They have Wkis set up, with more info than 90% of people could ever want.

Second this rec

 

[-OZ-]

Looks like I’m getting another credit card
5% gas and restaurants, 3% wholesale clubs (also grocery but won’t use it for that), 1.5% everything else.
I’d consider the Wells Fargo 2% but this seems better for us.
Local credit union, conveniently the one son #2 works at.

 

[culdeus]

You all make this too complicated. Cycle between inks and NLL ABx offers. If you need NLLs shoot a PM.

Every so often sprinkle in a 5/24 slot. Free money is still there. Category spend is for casuals that hate money.

 

[Nugget]

Looks like I’m getting another credit card
5% gas and restaurants, 3% wholesale clubs (also grocery but won’t use it for that), 1.5% everything else.
I’d consider the Wells Fargo 2% but this seems better for us.
Local credit union, conveniently the one son #2 works at.

5% restaurants all the time is nice. My standard restaurant card is 4%, but currently one of the others bumped restaurants to 5% for August/September. Congrats on getting kids working.

 

[Desert_Power]

1. We just got a Costco account, what’s the best way to pay there?

2. Trying to decide whether to cancel my Marriott Bonvoy card. $95 annual fee but a free night every year. We use the night when visiting family, which would cost more than $95 but that’s about all the value we get from the card.

1. I use fee-free Visa Gift Cards I typically pick up for 5x Ultimate Rewards or 3.5% on the BofA Customized Cash
2. Most hotel cards are this way. Maybe worth churning when there is a better sign up bonus.

 

[Keerock]

Just got an email that my stupid Natural Gas provider will no longer accept CCs (Debit or Credit) for payment without a 3% charge. Really gonna piss me off if this is the wave of the future

 

[BeTheMatch]

Just got an email that my stupid Natural Gas provider will no longer accept CCs (Debit or Credit) for payment without a 3% charge. Really gonna piss me off if this is the wave of the future

I see that everywhere

 

[bcat01]

Just got an email that my stupid Natural Gas provider will no longer accept CCs (Debit or Credit) for payment without a 3% charge. Really gonna piss me off if this is the wave of the future

All of my utilities do this.

 

[shuke]

I keep hearing radio ads about this. FYI.

 

[Keerock]

I keep hearing radio ads about this. FYI.

I've "written" my congress-people... although I doubt that matters... they do what they want, not what we want

 

[Buckna]

I keep hearing radio ads about this. FYI.

I've "written" my congress-people... although I doubt that matters... they do what they want, not what we want

True enough, the Senators pushing it are in the pocket of giant retailers. They try to argue reducing the interchange fees will reduce prices in stores but its B.S. and it didn’t happen when they passed it for debit cards. The retailers are just tired of the banks taking a swipe fee out of their sales and they want that 3% back. All it will do is kill credit card rewards and won’t have any real effect on prices for consumers.

 

[ex-ghost]

Big fan of this site (didn't want to go through the thread to see if it was already posted):

The Points Guy - Maximize your travel.

Maximize your travel with hands-on travel advice, guides, reviews, deal alerts, and more from The Points Guy. Check out our recommendations so you can travel more often and more comfortably.

thepointsguy.com

that site and nerd wallet are my go to sites for all things credit card related

TPG is a good starter site for people new to points or those that want to keep it casual. Just be aware the site is built to sell people credit cards and not necessarily recommend the best options for you individually. They notoriously over-inflate the value of points and various perks in their “estimates.” (To say nothing of what a massive creepo the main TPG guy is.)

If you want to go deeper down the rabbit hole, there are much better options out there though that don’t shill for the cc companies. Nerdwallet I rarely use but have heard is good, i’d recommend Dr of Credit, Flyertalk, or the reddit subgroup dedicated to churning. There are lots of others that people would recommend too I’m sure.

Doctor of Credit is my go to site. No guy shilling his cards for money and a great site for bank bonuses. Have fun going down that rabbit hole. I’ve made $30k over the past 5 years doing that and I say I am in the middle tier of that game.

 

[massraider]

The retailers are just tired of the banks taking a swipe fee out of their sales and they want that 3% back. All it will do is kill credit card rewards and won’t have any real effect on prices for consumers.

The retailers and such are using it as an excuse for another revenue stream.

 

[culdeus]

Utilities don't pay anywhere near 3%. This is just a money grab

 

[Keerock]

AmEx Platinum Changes Announced:

Amex increases Platinum authorized user fee, changes digital entertainment credit - The Points Guy

American Express is raising the cost of additional users on Platinum cards by more than 230%.

thepointsguy.com

 

[Zigg]

Just got my first high end card, the platinum Amex in Canada. It will arrive shortly. Travelling a lot in the next couple years so the sign up bonus(big spend but will be ok) and lounge access make it a good time.

Plan on keeping it for two years and switch to Bonvoy Brilliant when my American credit has more history. I’m a Marriott employee and the card makes a ton of sense for me. I’ll get the no annual fee Chase Bonvoy card when I get an ITIN, then the Brilliant two years later.

 

[Buckna]

I know a few people expressed interest in the 5 free Marriott certificates offer. Looks like it is back available as a public offer.

Word to the wise, make sure you have a plan to use the nights before they expire, these hotels bank on people signing up and never using the certs

 

[culdeus]

I know a few people expressed interest in the 5 free Marriott certificates offer. Looks like it is back available as a public offer.

Word to the wise, make sure you have a plan to use the nights before they expire, these hotels bank on people signing up and never using the certs

Just sell them if you can't use them.

 

[coopersdad]

Just got an email that my stupid Natural Gas provider will no longer accept CCs (Debit or Credit) for payment without a 3% charge. Really gonna piss me off if this is the wave of the future

Son's school did the same this year w/ tuition.