Hotel status, Credit Cards, Car Rentals, Bonus Points, etc... what's been "worth" it to you?

[RichieZ]

Depends what you value? I used to do cash back a long time ago and then realized that I wasn't spending enough to really make it worth it. Switched over to points accumulation and spending on aspirational awards (biz class intl and high end hotels). I have basically the entire suite of Chase UR cards minus any sapphire and a few AMEX and brand cards:

• Freedom, Freedom Unlimited, Ink Cash, Ink Cash Unlimited, Ink Biz Preferred (I pick and choose which one gets spend on it for bonus)
• Alaska airlines (for companion pass)
• AMEX plat (just got for 125K sup bonus, will probably keep as benefits pay for itself)
• AMEX hilton no fee (used to have Aspire for Diamond status useful in Asia but downgraded during pandemic)

For me this is all fun, attention to detail/optimization/taking advantage of the system is something that appeals to me. My first job out of university was as a consultant that traveled Mon-Thurs and believe me we got all the benefits/loopholes of travel programs.

Almost all of my points these days come from sign up bonuses and 3X and 5X spend bonus categories, need to churn the Sapphire Preferred again since its been 4+ years (i actually keep a gmail calendar reminder hahah)


Up next we're headed to Ventana Big Sur later this month on Hyatt points via Chase UR transfer:

 

[manlymatt83]

Depends what you value? I used to do cash back a long time ago and then realized that I wasn't spending enough to really make it worth it. Switched over to points accumulation and spending on aspirational awards (biz class intl and high end hotels). I have basically the entire suite of Chase UR cards minus any sapphire and a few AMEX and brand cards:

• Freedom, Freedom Unlimited, Ink Cash, Ink Cash Unlimited (I pick and choose which one gets spend on it for bonus)
• Alaska airlines (for companion pass)
• AMEX plat (just got for 125K sup bonus, will probably keep as benefits pay for itself)
• AMEX hilton no fee (used to have Aspire for Diamond status useful in Asia but downgraded during pandemic)

For me this is all fun, attention to detail/optimization/taking advantage of the system is something that appeals to me. My first job out of university was as a consultant that traveled Mon-Thurs and believe me we got all the benefits/loopholes of travel programs.

Almost all of my points these days come from sign up bonuses and 3X and 5X spend bonus categories, need to churn the Sapphire Preferred again since its been 4+ years (i actually keep a gmail calendar reminder hahah)
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Up next we're headed to Ventana Big Sur later this month on Hyatt points via Chase UR transfer:
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How much time would you say figuring all this out takes you in any given year though? 8 hours? 15? 20?

 

[RichieZ]

How much time would you say figuring all this out takes you in any given year though? 8 hours? 15? 20?

I dunno on the order of 10 hours? But like I said its for fun, I've been a member of flyertalk for 15+ years and read travel blogs everyday as it interests me. I'm fortunate enough that I've done well enough where I could pay for anything that I'm getting for "free" but I enjoy it more because of the fact it is "free"

In the example above that hotel is $2k a night, would I ever pay for it? No way, but I'm glad to be able to experience it as an outcome of a hobby of mine.

How much time do we all spend here on anandtech (admittedly this forum has died over the years) but is that time a waste or does it have value because its a community and you enjoy being part of it?

 

[manlymatt83]

I dunno on the order of 10 hours? But like I said its for fun, I've been a member of flyertalk for 15+ years and read travel blogs everyday as it interests me. I'm fortunate enough that I've done well enough where I could pay for anything that I'm getting for "free" but I enjoy it more because of the fact it is "free"

In the example above that hotel is $2k a night, would I ever pay for it? No way, but I'm glad to be able to experience it as an outcome of a hobby of mine.

How much time do we all spend here on anandtech (admittedly this forum has died over the years) but is that time a waste or does it have value because its a community and you enjoy being part of it?

Definitely wasn't judging and I also love chasing the point values, etc. But as I near 40 I've decided I want to simplify a bit... but the game takes me a lot longer than most (I can spend an entire morning figuring out how to best redeem Delta miles, for example).

 

[RichieZ]

Definitely wasn't judging and I also love chasing the point values, etc. But as I near 40 I've decided I want to simplify a bit... but the game takes me a lot longer than most (I can spend an entire morning figuring out how to best redeem Delta miles, for example).

That's totally fair. Dunno if you've seen it but there's actually an entire cottage industry that helps you use your points/miles for trips lol

EX:

PointsPros – Making Your Dream Trip a Reality

pointspros.com

 

[Exterous]

It's not a bad idea - the only exception to having plat/CSR cards is for things like airline lounges if you're the type that finds yourself in them many many times a year. I also am becoming more and more annoyed with the restrictions they are starting to impose for things like airline incident credits - and I'm just getting more annoyed with how many hoops we have to jump through to use all the benefits with stupid ones like the new "entertainment credit" and the stupid $50 Saks 5th credit.


You should also continue to churn though - Every 2 years or so getting $800 - $1,000 sign-up bonuses still is a no-brainer win though.

Chase UR consumer cards and Amex have longer restrictions (7 years per Amex family (Gold vs Platinum vs Green) and 4 years for CSR+CSP)

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Chase UR consumer cards and Amex have longer restrictions (7 years per Amex family (Gold vs Platinum vs Green) and 4 years for CSR+CSP)

I know but there are plenty of others in the meantime, the BOA Premium, USBank has one, Barclay Arrival, etc.. etc... plenty of other things to fill the gaps between those.

 

[ponyo]

I am glad I live within 30-40 minutes of 3 international airports and one is a SW hub (BWI) and one is a United hub (IAD). I'm not sure what hub the other is (DCA) if any. I can usually get to where I want to go via Southwest, but I also have like 100k United points right now. When I had the Sapphire Reserve with the huge CUR sign on bonuses I ended up transferring it to United so I could get their good deals from that United hub.

I opened SW card this year for the companion pass and I still haven't used the companion once yet. Actually, I've never flown SW. And I don't know if I will be able to use the companion pass before it expires at the end of Feb next year. All the domestic places have stupid rental car fees right now so I don't really want to fly anywhere in the US. And SW really only flies to US, Mexico, Costa Rica, and couple Caribbean islands. So If I fly SW, it would be to Costa Rica or Aruba, but I'm so sick of beach vacations at the moment. I'm in Cancun again, and I'm just going through the motion and only here because I wanted to treat my sister and nephews.

 

[bbhaag]

I opened SW card this year for the companion pass and I still haven't used the companion once yet. Actually, I've never flown SW. And I don't know if I will be able to use the companion pass before it expires at the end of Feb next year. All the domestic places have stupid rental car fees right now so I don't really want to fly anywhere in the US. And SW really only flies to US, Mexico, Costa Rica, and couple Caribbean islands. So If I fly SW, it would be to Costa Rica or Aruba, but I'm so sick of beach vacations at the moment. I'm in Cancun again, and I'm just going through the motion and only here because I wanted to treat my sister and nephews.

I feel your pain bro...there are only so many Pina Coladas and Margaritas you can drink while burying your toes in the sand or seeing one more sunset over the water.......before you just have had enough.

 

[manlymatt83]

That's totally fair. Dunno if you've seen it but there's actually an entire cottage industry that helps you use your points/miles for trips lol

EX:

PointsPros – Making Your Dream Trip a Reality

pointspros.com

Oh, wow! That's amazing. I'll check it out.

 

[bbhaag]

Oh, wow! That's amazing. I'll check it out.

Heh....

https://imgur.com/fH5uGAV

 

[manlymatt83]

Heh....

https://imgur.com/fH5uGAV

 

[purbeast0]

I opened SW card this year for the companion pass and I still haven't used the companion once yet. Actually, I've never flown SW. And I don't know if I will be able to use the companion pass before it expires at the end of Feb next year. All the domestic places have stupid rental car fees right now so I don't really want to fly anywhere in the US. And SW really only flies to US, Mexico, Costa Rica, and couple Caribbean islands. So If I fly SW, it would be to Costa Rica or Aruba, but I'm so sick of beach vacations at the moment. I'm in Cancun again, and I'm just going through the motion and only here because I wanted to treat my sister and nephews.

If you picked up a hobby like diving you would never get bored of going to the islands.

I didn't see you mention it yet, but if you haven't been to Grand Cayman, I highly recommend it. SW flies there. Same with Turks and Caicos. Both places are fantastic, with GC getting the slight nod.

I'd be sick of Cancun too if I were in your shoes. That place is only really fun to go party with a group of people. The actual beaches there are kinda "meh" when you've been to nicer beaches on the reg. I don't think I'll ever go back to Cancun again unless it's with a big group of people just to primarily party, and only for like 3-4 days.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

BoA is the worst bank in the world. Never use BoA.


I don't fly or travel, so those are out.

If I can get a sign up bonus without a lot of hurdles, I go that way. I don't spend enough per year to make the % rebates worthwhile, so I don't pay much attention to them.

Those with excess miles or points, look around. Some programs will let you convert them to other types of points or cashback rebates.

 

[Captante]

As much fun as "free" airline tickets, hotel rooms, meals etc can be once in a while when you actually have the chance to use them, as evidenced by this thread a LOT of travel "rewards" that get earned simply expire unused for many reasons.

When you get right down to it, the only "points" programs I've joined that I consistently still use is Dunkin points for free coffee. (this is due to it being close to effortless)

May not have been all that profitable $-wise BUT after 7 years worth of freebee's def worth it.

 

[JEDI]

As much fun as "free" airline tickets, hotel rooms, meals etc can be once in a while when you actually have the chance to use them, as evidenced by this thread a LOT of travel "rewards" that get earned simply expire unused for many reasons.

When you get right down to it, the only "points" programs I've joined that I consistently still use is Dunkin points for free coffee. (this is due to it being close to effortless)

May not have been all that profitable $-wise BUT after 7 years worth of freebee's def worth it.

McD just changed to a Rewards points club.
redeem x points for items. ($1 spent = 1 point)

they got rid of their coffee club for this.
used to be buy 5 coffee on app, get 6th free
small coffee = $1 so $5 = 1 free coffee item

now it's like $15 spent = 1 coffee item

 

[purbeast0]

As much fun as "free" airline tickets, hotel rooms, meals etc can be once in a while when you actually have the chance to use them, as evidenced by this thread a LOT of travel "rewards" that get earned simply expire unused for many reasons.

When you get right down to it, the only "points" programs I've joined that I consistently still use is Dunkin points for free coffee. (this is due to it being close to effortless)

May not have been all that profitable $-wise BUT after 7 years worth of freebee's def worth it.

Not sure who you are referring to about them expiring and going wasted. I didn't see anyone in here mentioning that. Most points never expire. I know SW used to after like 2 years, if you didn't use any of your account in the past 2 years, but not sure if that still happens or not.

 

[Exterous]

As much fun as "free" airline tickets, hotel rooms, meals etc can be once in a while when you actually have the chance to use them, as evidenced by this thread a LOT of travel "rewards" that get earned simply expire unused for many reasons.

When you get right down to it, the only "points" programs I've joined that I consistently still use is Dunkin points for free coffee. (this is due to it being close to effortless)

May not have been all that profitable $-wise BUT after 7 years worth of freebee's def worth it.

Southwest, United, JetBlue and Delta miles don't expire. International average is 36 months. AA bucks the trend in a negative way (of course) at 18 months. Hotels are usually 12 or 24 months (pandemic aside) but, IMO, its relatively easy to get a single hotel stay to extend your point balance at a chain compared to an airline.

I realize that not everyone can or wants to be flexible in travel destination but I disagree with your "once in a while" as a blanket statement. Sure if you want to travel on that one specific flight to one specific destination and stay at one specific hotel you are probably going to be disappointed but there are a ton of great options if you add just a little bit of flexibility and\or planning. With my wife being a teacher we travel during the crazy peak travel dates and I can still make miles and points work for those trips (Although it does mean I can't do any of the crazier travel itineraries I want to do)

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Southwest, United, JetBlue and Delta miles don't expire. International average is 36 months. AA bucks the trend in a negative way (of course) at 18 months. Hotels are usually 12 or 24 months (pandemic aside) but, IMO, its relatively easy to get a single hotel stay to extend your point balance at a chain compared to an airline.

I realize that not everyone can or wants to be flexible in travel destination but I disagree with your "once in a while" as a blanket statement. Sure if you want to travel on that one specific flight to one specific destination and stay at one specific hotel you are probably going to be disappointed but there are a ton of great options if you add just a little bit of flexibility and\or planning. With my wife being a teacher we travel during the crazy peak travel dates and I can still make miles and points work for those trips (Although it does mean I can't do any of the crazier travel itineraries I want to do)

It's valid though that it does require effort..... Effort to research and apply for new cards with the best deals.... effort to track your spending to make sure it reaches sign-on bonus thresholds.....efforts to ensure your miles/hotel points dont expire..... effort to remain under 5/24 when applying.... effort to keep, track, and pay all of the cards on-time. It's easy and simple for me and you, but majority of folks cant wrap their heads around having more than 1-2 cards.

Most people don't go through the effort of doing their own (non-complex) tax returns and get ripped off there... so yeah....

 

[Captante]

Southwest, United, JetBlue and Delta miles don't expire. International average is 36 months. AA bucks the trend in a negative way (of course) at 18 months. Hotels are usually 12 or 24 months (pandemic aside) but, IMO, its relatively easy to get a single hotel stay to extend your point balance at a chain compared to an airline.

I realize that not everyone can or wants to be flexible in travel destination but I disagree with your "once in a while" as a blanket statement. Sure if you want to travel on that one specific flight to one specific destination and stay at one specific hotel you are probably going to be disappointed but there are a ton of great options if you add just a little bit of flexibility and\or planning. With my wife being a teacher we travel during the crazy peak travel dates and I can still make miles and points work for those trips (Although it does mean I can't do any of the crazier travel itineraries I want to do)

To be fair I did say "a lot" of points expire prior to being used not "all of them"!




*(also my post was at intended to be mildly sarcastic)

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

McD just changed to a Rewards points club.

Tractor Supply did something similar. In the past, each store or or web purchase counted as a 'visit'. So many visits per quarter earned a certain bonus regardless of the amount of each purchase. You could spend $100 or less in a quarter and earn something. Then they went to a points system where points are based on amount of purchase. Now it takes something like a thousand dollars in purchases to earn much.

 

[Captante]

Not sure who you are referring to about them expiring and going wasted. I didn't see anyone in here mentioning that. Most points never expire. I know SW used to after like 2 years, if you didn't use any of your account in the past 2 years, but not sure if that still happens or not.

Thought I saw a couple post where people mention losing out on "perks" of some kind which expired but it may have been posted someplace else. (also that comment was not meant to be taken 100% seriously lol)

 

[Captante]

Tractor Supply did something similar. In the past, each store or or web purchase counted as a 'visit'. So many visits per quarter earned a certain bonus regardless of the amount of each purchase. You could spend $100 or less in a quarter and earn something. Then they went to a points system where points are based on amount of purchase. Now it takes something like a thousand dollars in purchases to earn much.

McDonalds essentially ruined their "app" that they want everyone to use with the $hitty "rewards" BS.





I used to get a McDog-burger's breakfast at least once a week but since they upgraded/ruined it I've literally uninstalled the app from my phone and never eat there anymore.

On the bright side at least as a result I don't eat ANY of McDonalds processed garbage-food anymore thanks to their "brilliant" marketing. (BK destroyed their value menu as well ... about to delete their app too)

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

For those who have excess points they may not use, there are way to convert at least some programs:

Amazon.com: Credit & Payment Cards

Online shopping from a great selection at Credit & Payment Cards Store.

www.amazon.com

 

[Torn Mind]

McDonalds essentially ruined their "app" that they want everyone to use with the $hitty "rewards" BS.





I used to get a McDog-burger's breakfast at least once a week but since they upgraded/ruined it I've literally uninstalled the app from my phone and never eat there anymore.

On the bright side at least as a result I don't eat ANY of McDonalds processed garbage-food anymore thanks to their "brilliant" marketing. (BK destroyed their value menu as well ... about to delete their app too)

I still grab a McDouble if I need something quick(maybe once a month)...but I tell them to not give me a bun or ketchup because of my dental damage and because starches equals heaven's manna for those abscess-causing bacteria. .