MileCards.com December 29, 2015 at 8:13 pm
@Danielle – Unfortunately the language is confusing. We tried calling again and had the agent ask specifically about Marriott and transfers, and after going to a supervisor the answer was ‘yes Marriott is a partner, and a transfer from Marriott counts toward Companion Pass.”

Clearly, some here have heard something different, so if you’re skittish keep calling until you get rep who confirms it’s possible, and have that rep note it in your account.

We have yet to see reports from people who did a Marriott transfer and did not get the points ultimately credited, but of course, things can change any time.

Reply ?

2/15/2016 3:06:59 AM

What exactly is the confusion here?
UR xfers don't count. Marriott xfers do.

2/15/2016 10:58:19 AM

Took everyone's advice, applied for the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Immediate acceptance with a 8k limit. It should pair nicely with the Chase Freedom.

I've been using my Discover IT card almost exclusively the past 8 months or so (mainly since I was able to get the Double points for the next year) but it looks like, atleast through May, it'll be the Sapphire as I work to hit the 4k spending for the bonus. Part of the reason I used the Discover was that I buy almost everything at Sams Club, and up until Feb 1st they didn't accept Visa Credit. Now they do, so I can use my Sapphire.

Hopefully it comes this week, since I've got a decently long shopping list for this weekend. Excited about the fancy-metal card (is it really as nice as they say it is?).

2/16/2016 1:51:43 PM

Yeah but they're a bitch to cut up.

2/16/2016 4:12:48 PM

I'll probably have fun with it and try and melt it or something.

2/16/2016 4:19:03 PM

I saw the post that the chase freedom card points are more valuable, but reading the subsequent posts- holy shit that's complicated and time consuming calculating which ratios work out better with which rewards program.

just got the Capitalone venture, and it's really really simple. 2 points per dollar. every 100 points is worth a buck, and you can either book directly through their site, or retroactively apply points to any travel expense at the same point rate.

i'm willing to sacrifice a possible slight increase in point value for the simplicity of not fucking around with point transfers and all that bullshit.

2/16/2016 4:21:08 PM

Yea that was the other card I was strongly considering, I liked the lower AF. Case does have their own booking portal, which is nice.

One of the reasons I ended up going with the Sapphire card was with the new 5/24 rule Chase is enforcing. Basically if you've applied for credit 5 times in the past 24 months with any company, they will deny you. I'm already at 4, so if I wanted the Sapphire card, I had to get it now or wait another year or so. I actually enjoy the hunt for a cheaper deal, so if I could get more bang for my miles (especially combined with the Freedom), i'll go with it.

The points eraser thing is cool, but I don't see what's the difference in doing that and just using your points towards a statement credit that most rewards card let you do (Discover it, Freedom, Citi ThankYou, etc). Maybe i'm missing something.

2/16/2016 4:31:49 PM

nah, i'm probably missing something, i've only ever had one rewards card before, which i had for almost 20 years, and it wasn't very good.

but when i finally got around to it, i was looking for the most rewards for the least hassle. so that one fit me better, whereas if i got more joy out of fully optimizing rewards/savings, i can definitely see where the chase card is superior.

2/16/2016 4:58:40 PM

Quote :

"just got the Capitalone venture, and it's really really simple. 2 points per dollar. every 100 points is worth a buck, and you can either book directly through their site, or retroactively apply points to any travel expense at the same point rate. "

We're only complicating it because we can. It's really simple in usage.

The main problem with the Capital One Venture card is it's not a real point. You can't transfer it outside of Capital One.

So like if you want to buy a $1200 international flight you need 120,000 Capital One Venture points. Sure it's simple but I could take only 60k (it used to be 50k or 25k each leg but now it's 30k each leg) Chase points and potentially transfer them to United and get the same international flight using two economy saver legs.

So sure if you want to use potentially twice as many points...to me that's a HUGE difference in how many points you have to use.

Quote :

"i'm willing to sacrifice a possible slight increase in point value for the simplicity of not fucking around with point transfers and all that bullshit."

HUGE increase in point value. Also transfers are super easy. You basically connect a Marriott, Southwest, United, etc account to your Chase account and then from there on out it's easy transfers. No fuss. Couple clicks.

[Edited on February 16, 2016 at 5:16 PM. Reason : s]

2/16/2016 5:14:18 PM

Not only that but if you completely take transferring points out of the equation then you can still book directly through Chase's website and get 20% off the 100 points = $1 conversion. So a $1000 flight is only 80k points. That's still a better deal than the Capital One Venture card where 100k points gets you a $1000 flight.

2/16/2016 6:02:59 PM

Yeah, dropped 320,000 points for $15,000 in flghts for NYE. Would have only gotten $3,200 worth if it was capital one pts.

2/17/2016 12:42:10 AM

Score!

2/17/2016 9:54:25 AM

Quote :

"So like if you want to buy a $1200 international flight you need 120,000 Capital One Venture points. Sure it's simple but I could take only 60k (it used to be 50k or 25k each leg but now it's 30k each leg) Chase points and potentially transfer them to United and get the same international flight using two economy saver legs. "

However, when you consider the 2 points per dollar with Venture vs 1 point/$ with Chase, it's a wash there, it looks like the net benefit is more like 20% unless i'm missing something else.

Here's what I was comparing with

[Edited on February 17, 2016 at 3:10 PM. Reason : .]

2/17/2016 3:08:04 PM

Yeah but if you're getting only 1 point per dollar with Chase you're doing something wrong. If I use the Chase Freedom card I'm getting 5 points per dollar on certain categories (gas/train this quarter, groceries next). That paired with the Sapphire card where I get 2 points per dollar on dining and travel. So looking at my point earnings every month I'm usually getting 2 points/$1 minimum. More often more than that.

Although keep in mind the Chase Freedom card has a $500/month spending cap for that 5% so the most I get per month from the Freedom is 2,500 points. When I max that out I switch to the Sapphire or other card. I still usually get more than 2 points/$1 each month though.

So yeah to your point if you use your Chase cards wrong and only get 1 point/$1 then it's a wash with the Capital One card but don't do that.

--So I guess if you ONLY had the Chase Sapphire card and never used it for dining or travel then you'd only be getting 1 point/$1 and your point would be valid but assuming 50% of your spend is on dining and travel then you're getting 1.5 points/$1 and those points have a higher cash value than Capital One Venture points. Adding in like the Freedom card just makes that per dollar earn even better.

[Edited on February 17, 2016 at 3:53 PM. Reason : s]

2/17/2016 3:39:35 PM

Ah, I don't travel nearly as much as you do, and when I do, I have to use my no-rewards corporate Amex anyway.

That said, where the chase card might be more beneficial is transferring to say, AAdvantage points. I probably only fly about 20k miles a year, so it takes a while to build up enough to get a free flight, but the ability to transfer points would boost the miles i'm already earning more rapidly.

2/17/2016 4:29:54 PM

Yeah completely agreed. I guess the theme of this thread is each person has very different needs and what cards you use highly depend on what you spend your money on. I get to use my personal credit cards for work and put a lot of dining and travel on them so the Chase Preferred card (paired with the Freedom card) is a great choice.

As far as transferring outside of Chase you are limited and AA Isn't one of them.

http://milecards.com/2210/chase-sapphire-preferred-airline-transfer-partners/

Although there are workarounds to say use them toward a Delta flight (explained in the article).

You can transfer to British, Southwest, and United which is nice. Then Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG.

--I stay at Marriott and usually fly United so it works great for me.

[Edited on February 17, 2016 at 4:47 PM. Reason : s]

2/17/2016 4:46:24 PM

Was traveling for work and expensing stuff to my personal card last year which was baller.

I do rotating chase categories for 5% each quarter, plus my chase ink gives me 5% on cable, cell phone, and internet.

I also tend to bounce from card to card, so I'll take a big sign up bonuses over a measly 40k capital one points.

Citi and AMEX points also give you a wider range of transfer partners.

2/17/2016 7:38:20 PM

Quote :

"Citi and AMEX points also give you a wider range of transfer partners."

Than Chase?

Amex:

http://catalogue.membershiprewards.ca/l2Category.mtw?categoryName=ca_frequent_traveller_participants

Has British, Delta, Hilton and Starwood (be interesting to see how they deal with the Marriott merger).

Citi doesn't have many at all. No major US airlines.

https://www.thankyou.com/partnerProgramsListing.jspx

I'd still take Chase with Southwest, United, Virgin, British, Marriott/Ritz, Hyatt, and IHG. Amtrak is on there as well which might be useful if you live in the northeast.

2/18/2016 12:18:09 PM

Found out I can take my SPG points and send to Southwest, my marriott for southwest.

So right now I have 104K Marriot which would get me 30K (so going to save to get 140 so I can get 50K southwest,

I will get what I spend and my Southwest so I SHOULD have a companion sometime this year and all of next!!!!

2/19/2016 5:06:42 AM

Quote :

"Than Chase?"

No, in addition to Chase.

2/19/2016 9:44:58 PM

Question about adding authorized users. Recently got the CSP, and they have a bonus 5,000 points for adding an authorized user and making a purchase. Can I just add a person, buy something, wait for the points to posts, and then delete the authorized user/destroy the card?

Are there any possible downsides or negative effects to me or the person i'd add?

2/29/2016 4:25:04 PM

Yes you can and no there are not. Just don't actually give it to that person if you're worried about it, make the spend yourself

3/1/2016 2:19:33 PM

Yea they wouldn't touch the card.

3/1/2016 6:17:49 PM

Has anyone used the Chase travel service? I keep doing searches there but everything costs more than I can get through online sellers even when the discount is included

3/1/2016 8:19:15 PM

I got a good deal on a hotel through AMEX's portal, but that's the only time I've used one b/c of the reason you stated.

3/1/2016 10:09:33 PM

You don't even have to get a person the card, but just add someone and they give you the 5K in points.

I decided to help someone I know and added then to all my stuff since they have no credit, kinda like I will do for my kid on one credit card when they turn 16. Already got the points and didn't even make a purchase, just adding it worked.

3/2/2016 12:26:50 AM

i don't think getting someone a card with their name on it impacts their credit, it's still just your account, correct?

3/2/2016 9:25:18 AM

You might think it doesn't and they tell you, but it does. I got my mother to 684 and she has no credit at all after hating on having a credit card for years. Wanted to see how and what we could get her too so it is a project for ole skaterjaws! =)

3/3/2016 3:24:20 AM

yeah, it helps the authorized user assuming there's a good payment history and low utilization.

3/3/2016 8:12:34 AM

yup! It definitely is something I want to do for my kids someday!

3/4/2016 12:43:10 AM

If anyone is going to take advantage of the 35K SPG AmEx offer please allow me to refer you. You still get the full points bonus and I get a 5K bonus. PM your email address if interested.

3/4/2016 9:02:14 AM

I saw a post on slickdeals where some people were freaking out about the current Chase Freedom going away, and Chase introducing a Freedom Unlimited card with CB 1.5% on everything, no rotating categories. Not sure I get what the difference is on this and their Double Rewards card.

Just saw this artcile on NerdWallet specifying that it's not going away, this is going to be an additional card.
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-cards/chase-offers-flat-rate-cash-back-freedom-unlimited/

3/4/2016 1:04:02 PM

Looks like another wave of Bluebird/Serve closures is upon us. Anyone still left?

3/4/2016 4:24:09 PM

Damnit, when did the AMEX SPG have that offer? I need points for companion pass. DAMNIT!

3/4/2016 9:38:53 PM

shit I didn't know the SPG was at 35k. I just got it a few months ago at 25.

3/5/2016 8:27:29 AM

if you're near a delta airport, the delta reserve amex is pretty good. $450/yr but I can go in the sky lounge whenever I'm at the airport, always priority, and the reciprocity with SPG kinda makes the SPG card a less flexible version of it.

3/5/2016 9:58:57 AM

Haven't been snagged by the serve police yet, but didn't need to use it last quarter either. I'll probably buy a bunch of cards to load up on it at once knowing account closure is imminent.

Managed to snag the governors suite our last night in PR for 15K pts

"Our one of a kind governors suite offers panoramic Atlantic Coast, pool and resort views. This 2100 square
feet Suite is sleekly designed with vibrant decor that exudes a contemporary Puerto Rican ambiance with thoughtful indigenous touches. The suite features 2 bedrooms, a living and dining room, 2 full oversized bathrooms and master bath, wrap-around balcony and modern comforts including complimentary Wi-Fi."

3/9/2016 8:56:49 PM

^^ plz explain the last part

^and how'd you manage to score that??!

[Edited on March 9, 2016 at 11:41 PM. Reason : Well done]

3/9/2016 11:40:07 PM

http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/earning-airline-hotel-reciprocal-elite-status-for-2015/
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2013/02/07/starwooddelta-news-even-bigger-than-we-thought-benefits-and-earning-goes-both-ways/

Wyndham made every single hotel room 15K points last year and they were giving away 45K with their cc.

3/12/2016 11:13:31 AM

Wife and I are looking for a card for everyday purchases.

We already have a Target Redcard that we get 5% back on at Target. Which is probably 60% of our weekly purchases. But we're looking for a good card for all the other everyday purchases. Grocery stores (harris teeter, kroger, etc.), gas stations, restaurants. The occasional hotel/airfare...

Recommendations?

3/12/2016 1:33:27 PM

Earn 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%); 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations; 3% Cash Back at select U.S. department stores; and 1% Cash Back on other purchases.

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/blue-cash-preferred

and chase for rotating categories

https://creditcards.chase.com/freedom

[Edited on March 12, 2016 at 2:26 PM. Reason : ]

3/12/2016 2:25:27 PM

Ahhh, NICE. Thanks!

That looks to be exactly what I'm looking for. Anyone know of anything better?

[Edited on March 12, 2016 at 2:51 PM. Reason : .]

3/12/2016 2:50:07 PM

Depends, do you have a preferred hotel or airline?

3/12/2016 3:08:50 PM

Not really. We dont travel much outside of my business travel, and even then they make us use different airlines/hotels depending on price.

Although I do tend to stay at more Hiltons and fly American the most. Have about 60K miles with American right now

[Edited on March 12, 2016 at 4:32 PM. Reason : .]

3/12/2016 4:28:36 PM

Chase just announced an update to their 2nd quarter rotating categories for the Freedom card.

It's not only grocery stores (as previously announced), but now also includes Wholesale Clubs, such as Sams Club and BJs (not including gas). This is amazing for me, as I do almost all my shopping at Sams Club. Effective April 1st Sams now accepts Visa Credit Cards!

This should work out very nicely when combined with my CSP.


https://creditcards.chase.com/freedom/calendarreminder
http://help.samsclub.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1551/~/accepted-payment-methods

3/16/2016 2:57:11 PM

Latest churn approved for

Chase Hyatt 2 free night
Citi 75k Hilton pts
BOA Alaskan airlines biz

3/17/2016 2:46:14 PM

What do you mean by that? Like you got approved to cancel those cards?

3/17/2016 4:36:33 PM

I applied and got approved for those cards.

3/17/2016 11:52:14 PM

Yeah but churn means attrition or you cancelled.

3/18/2016 9:48:44 AM

Quote :

"Put simply, credit card churning works like this: you find several credit cards that offer a reward you're interested in – say, airline miles – and a sign-up bonus. You apply for all of those cards, and once you receive them, you spend enough to get the bonus miles."

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=credit+card+churn

3/18/2016 6:21:48 PM