Post: #26

What do you do with the cards once you get the bonus points?

Post: #27

Hung, thanks for the tips.

I'd also add you can use Serve. I'm just activating it now but they've been dicking me around, before I've done any manufactured spending. But when I loaded a CC with a nominal amount, it wasn't billed as a cash advance. If you sign up through Isis on Android I believe you can get a cash bonus.

Post: #28

Anyone know if this kind of point system is active through any Canadian banks/institutions?

Post: #29

(05-12-2014 07:33 PM)BTman Wrote:  Does applying for a lot of credit cards hurt your credit score?

It doesn't, over the long run. General consensus is that each hard pull results in a temporary (3-6 months) decrease in your credit score of about 3-7 points per pull. The key here is that each credit card issuer uses a different credit bureau (in most cases) depending on where you live. The Credit Pulls section of Creditboards.com can tell you what other users are seeing in terms of which bureau each issuer is pulling from.

That said, the general reason most points and miles fans will suggest doing applications on a quarterly or biannual schedule is that by the time you apply again, the temporary effect of the previous hard pulls is lessened. In my first year I applied for about 15 cards spread over 12 months on a quarterly schedule and I as of this moment I have a 734 score from Experian which is about 6 points lower than when it was 18 months ago when I started but that's 17+ cards and close to $100,000 in available credit later.

Post: #30

(05-12-2014 07:35 PM)Menace Wrote:  What do you do with the cards once you get the bonus points?

If they're a card I can use on a day to day basis, I keep it in my wallet. In my wallet right now are:
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Freedom
Barclay Arrival
US Bank Club Carlson
BofA Travelrewards (oldest card so I keep it active every 3-6 months).

If I just got it just for the bonus or the annual perk, than I'll toss it in my dresser and forget about it until the annual fee comes due. At that point I'll decide whether the annual fee is outweighed by the annual perk (free night, free points, ongoing status I can use, etc.) and decide to pay the fee. If it is not, than I'll try and get the credit card company to give me a retention bonus that offsets the fee, and if that doesn't work, I'll cancel the card to avoid the fee.

Post: #31

Why do you need to keep the oldest card active every 3-6 months? Do you think they might close if if you stop using it?

Post: #32

(05-12-2014 07:49 PM)TheFinalEpic Wrote:  Anyone know if this kind of point system is active through any Canadian banks/institutions?

Canadian banks often have their own travel/reward points plans, or if they do combine with another program, it's generally something like Aeroplan so you're still dealing with companies within the country.

Most of the major offerings for miles seen on niche travel miles blogs are unavailable to Canadians unless you're able to get a card from a U.S. institution.

Though some will work cross border, the best rewards come from U.S. based companies.

I don't have the link off top of my head, but there are some blogs that discuss Canadians getting U.S. dept. store credit cards when visiting and building a U.S. based rating that way, then applying for other U.S. rewards cards.

Post: #33

(05-12-2014 07:42 PM)Basil Ransom Wrote:  Hung, thanks for the tips.

I'd also add you can use Serve. I'm just activating it now but they've been dicking me around, before I've done any manufactured spending. But when I loaded a CC with a nominal amount, it wasn't billed as a cash advance. If you sign up through Isis on Android I believe you can get a cash bonus.

TheFinalEpic Wrote:Anyone know if this kind of point system is active through any Canadian banks/institutions?

I know of Serve and there's some advantages to it over Bluebird, just as there's some advantages to Bluebird over Serve, the downside is you can't have both, it's one or the other and I already have Bluebird. I do know that if you have a situation where you can load Serve with a credit card and not get hit with cash advance fees, milk it (it must not be a Citi card).

Canadian Kilometers is a Canadian points and miles site that has links to the best known offers for Canadians (it looks like AmEx cards have some good offers up there). It's not unheard of for truly devoted points and miles junkies to find an address in another country and use it for application purposes and have the card sent somewhere else, but don't ask me how, as I've never done it.

Post: #34

(05-12-2014 10:07 PM)Brodiaga Wrote:  Why do you need to keep the oldest card active every 3-6 months? Do you think they might close if if you stop using it?

Because your average credit age is a major (15% roughly) component of your score depending on the bureau, keeping your oldest card(s) active helps keep your age from cratering when you start applying for cards since they will lower your average age pretty fast. Most banks have a time limit for activity that automatically shuts your card down after so many months/years of inactivity, I just don't want to come up against that limit.

Post: #35

Amex just introduced a regulation that it's only one bonus per lifetime per member per class of card

Post: #36

(05-12-2014 10:39 PM)calihunter Wrote:  Amex just introduced a regulation that it's only one bonus per lifetime per member per class of card

Yeah, that took a lot of people by surprise since I was planning on laddering the SPG personal and business card every other year. Needless to say I was upset. Now I'm waiting for a good PRG and Platinum offer before I jump in. Chase has been doing that from the beginning though. At least in their case, when they significantly modify their products, they call them a new product and you can get them even if you had the derivative before. Hence, that was why I was able to get the bonus twice on the Sapphire Preferred (Chase saw the Visa and MasterCard versions as separate products).

Post: #37

Quote:There shouldn't be any reason why an InterContinetal does not show up as a qualifying purchase unless it's been 90 days from the charge since that is all the time you have to offset a qualifying purchase.

Weird, it was there today. Nice, very easy to redeem. I spent $185.50 total (incl. tax /fees). I decided to redeem 18,600 miles for the full amount.

Post: #38

(05-09-2014 03:41 PM)HungWeiLo Wrote:  Under this scenario, you need a few things: A place to buy debit gift cards (the ones with a PIN, stay with Visa, they’re all over and easier to use), a Wal-Mart or another store that lets you buy a money order with a debit card, and/or a Bluebird card from America Express (similar process as described below, but you tell the cashier you want load your bluebird card for $499.99 ($500 loads trip an internal control that requires paperwork)). The first method is the most straight forward; buy a gift card (usually in $500 denominations to keep your fees down), assign the gift card a PIN (depending on the type of card you’re using), and buy a money order from Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart charges $.70 per money order, so you’ll buy a $499.30 money order and be on your way. If you’ve followed these instructions, you can now put that $499.30 in your bank account and pay off your card (you’ll need to come up with the other $5.65 but on $60,000 in manufactured spending a year, it’s only about $720). Multiply this process as long as you’re comfortable and you have compliant Wal-Mart employees since it is against Wal-Mart policy to sell money orders on debit gift cards.

Awesome thread man! I just had a question on the bolded part above. Is that to mean in order to use the manufactured spending strategy you outlined, you have to have a "hookup" at Walmart that is willing to override their internal controls?

On another thread, I travel for work every week and have Gold Status with United and Platinum status with Marriott. Is there any way to leverage that to get points/miles above and beyond what has been discussed here so far? For example, I know that getting the United Card as a regular Joe will net you 35,000 points, but a Gold member such as myself will get 50,000. Is it possible to get a status match from other airlines that will enable similar power-ups with their respective cards?

Post: #39

Rekruler, a "hookup" or inside man isn't necessary. It's just against store policy to accept PIN based debit gift cards for reloads and money orders. However, not all employees know the rules and not all employees care, and if the cashier girl behind the counter likes the cut of your jib, your job is easier.

In your scenario, the best bet for getting additional status would be to ask for a status match from Hyatt, SPG, and Hilton since Platinum at Marriott is pretty night and stay intensive. You'll likely get an offer for a status challenge if you don't get the match outright. You may find that Hyatt or SPG, based on how often you stay and where you stay is more lucrative in terms of upgrades, or quality of accommodations. That said, Marriott does have a cool nights and flights type feature that allows you to exchange Marriott points for nights and 50,000 United miles, essentially giving you miles for free (that you can use to get a premium cabin flight) and a discount on a 5-7 night stay.

Post: #40

In regards to manufactured spending, I know it's possible to set up shadow businesses to do it. It gets screwy with taxes however. I personally am not willing to go there, but to each their own. Vanilla reloads don't seem like a sharp ROI on my time due to the meticulous organization needed.

Looking at flyer talk, there are people OBSESSED with this hobby.

I go as far as CC signup bonuses, and using the right cards for the right purchases. If I need, I'll buy miles when they're on sale. For example, USAir is running a killer sale on their miles through May 25. These miles will convert to AA miles shortly down the road. Strictly buying miles when an airline is having a good sale, you can still buy one way transcontinental tickets for ~$1000, a price comfortable for me.

Post: #41

Yeah, the flyertalk and milepoint guys are on a whole other level. I'm not quite there but I do the gift card game when it's logistically convenient. As for the USAir sale, lookout for their 100% transfer bonuses too. Fot about $1,500, you can get 100,000 in your account and 50,000 in another (that you control) which should get you most if not all of a transcontinental business class ticket.

Post: #42

If you're looking for what airlines align with each other and what CC's connect with each alliance here is the best visualization of it:

http://thepointsguy.com/2014/05/an-updat...ner-lists/

This chart is accurate as of today.

FWIW thepointsguy is the best blog to figuring all this stuff out. Viewfromthewing is the most connected points blogger with the best analysis of the airline industry.

Other blogs may hit on niches or specific info you're looking for, but there isn't much that isn't covered by these two guys.

Post: #43

Great post, I'm for ~10 years accumulating miles and points and get reward flights and hotel stays, I do it only in the normal way, not using credit cards or other hacks.
For the credit cards, is it just for American / Canadian citizens? Are there any restrictions?
For example Lufthansa Miles and More offer a credit card which gives only few thousands miles and also a condition that if you will not use the card those miles would be deducted / other fine.

Post: #44

(05-12-2014 11:32 AM)heavy Wrote:  I signed up for the Barclay Arrival card in January. I got the 40,000 bonus points, I'm around 56k now. The only travel I've done was staying at the Intercontinental in downtown Chicago. It doesn't show up as a qualifying redeemable purchase. (ideally you spend $ on air or hotel and after the fact you redeem the points for money toward your balance)

I would like to fly somewhere soon, but since I've never used credit card or airline miles, I have a concern, probably unwarranted, that my travel will not be qualifying. Any comments are appreciated.

I signed up with the same card 2-3 months ago. Already racked up
10-15K in expenses on it. I redeemed successfully on priceline.

You might want to contact their support....I was told that they credit airline purchases and the major travel sites.

Good luck.

Post: #45

*Gets centurion card*

All problems in the world solved.

Post: #46

Great topic from OP. Don't know if this is kosher to offer this on this thread, but I think it's relevant and not a thread-jack.

As mentioned before, I run a concierge service that keys people in to obtaining the most advantageous miles and points needed to go where they want. For instance, certain miles are better to get to Asia and Europe as opposed to the Middle East, South America, etc. Certain hotel chains have a huge footprint (Hilton, Priority Club) while others are more boutique (Hyatt, Starwood).

You tell me where you want to go, and I'll teach you how to fly there and spend at least 4 nights in hotels for free minus any taxes and card membership fees (typically less than $300). Just in 2013, I flew to Singapore, Korea (2x), Thailand, Hong Kong, Philippines and Panama all in first class or business on miles. That being said, I'm not going to do it for you: you have to put work in, but I'll give you all the tools to make it happen.

No charge for forum members: I'll stop taking requests by the end of May.

PM if you're interested. I'll try to take on as many as are interested if you're serious about this: Please no looky-loos: all of the information is out there, I just make it very easy by compiling it all into a one-stop shop. I will have the right to pick and choose whoever I want to work with (it's free after all) and it'll be first come first served, although I'll probably bump up senior and/or high contributing members.

Requirements:

- US resident with established credit score of 700+ (720+ would be preferable) This will ding your credit short term (2-5 points per card) but the score will always bounce back in a month or two. I've signed up for 80+ cards and my score is still 780. There's also a trick I know to minimize these dings that I'll share with you.

- Some sort of job or source of income: otherwise you won't be able to sign up for these cards and get the signup bonuses.

- Willingness to think/do things outside the box. All of the stuff I advise is 100% legal, but some of it is unorthodox. Shouldn't be a problem for this demographic, but still, giving you the heads up.

Post: #47

HWL - do you use ExpertFlyer or Award Nexus? Do you find them worthwhile? Seems EP might be very good for me, as I have a fair number of miles, but mostly I am booking tickets for cash and accumulating rewards, rather than spending them.

Post: #48

G, I've heard nothing but good things about ExpertFlyer and I know a lot of the heavy hitters in the points and miles blog community swear by it. I haven't had a reason to use it yet as all of my travel has been available through the airlines website for the points i'm using and I haven't had to search and talk directly to an agent for flights that are available but not showing online. I would go for it though.

Post: #49

ExpertFlyer is only viable if you are willing to do a lot of research and lots of planning. It's mostly used in the FF community for the enthusiasts that want to try to experience every first class product of different airlines. If you just want to get from A-B Awardtravlr or Awardnexus is fine.

Post: #50

The citi AAdvantage Executive has a 100,000 mile promotion right now for $10k spent in the first 3 months but it is $450 annual fee, it has club access etc meant to compete w Amex platinum. If u can meet the spend or manufacture spend, $450 for 100k miles is a decent deal. I just got it and figure it is $450 for a business class ticket to the EU. Just a heads up.