I have decided there is only one credit card you really need

Off-Ramp
81

It’s simply not worth it to me to keep up with multiple cards and categories to eek out a few extra bucks. I put everything on the CC if possible, but very little of my overall monthly spending is in the typical high% categories, like gas and groceries.

Regarding travel, I did so much air travel for work for three decades, that I avoid airports nowadays. Plus all the restrictions on points/miles makes booking a huge hassle. When I do fly, I just buy my ticket. Nice and simple. I got upgrades if I want drinks and a bigger seat.

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82

Plus all the restrictions on points/miles makes booking a huge hassle. When I do fly, I just buy my ticket. Nice and simple. I got upgrades if I want drinks and a bigger seat.

I think it depends on what you value really. Yes Award travel is insanely complex and a hassle but I also get to fly First Class to Japan without paying ~$15,000. IMO the hassle is worth it.

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83

Yeah miles maximization is usually on premium seats internationally,.

But Chase points are redeemable with a 50% bump if you have Sapphire Reserve for the cash price on an airfare for more mundane travels like coach tickets within in the US

Of course it’s always about what works for you.

84

You just spelled out why only one card. What you’re doing is a lot of work and a lot of time.

Sure you got a few extra percentage points out of doing this but at what cost? Also now you have different cards with different point programs. Now you gotta figure out which points are best to use for a particular travel. You might not have enough points with one card because you’re splitting it up across the different programs. You gotta keep track of bonus categories etc etc etc.

Not for you, because I get it, you like this and that’s fine. But for the average person it’s not worth it in my opinion as I spelled out in my original post.

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Simon Cowell Wow GIF by America's Got Talent

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86

Again, it’s whatever works for you and what you enjoy. This is something that clearly a few of us enjoy like we enjoy hacking cars.

I think the overall point is that many leave money on the table they could grab if they wanted to with the way they use credit cards. For some there’s diminishing returns for the energy expended and for others it’s fun.

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87

And thank god, we get to reap the rewards for that. In addition to all the people paying insane interest rates and being stuck in a circle of never ending CC debt.

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88

I am in the later category.

OP is right about his point for majority but for the few who like doing this, its very satisfying and rewarding. I mean, spreading out on a lie flat for $0 + fees is worth the hassle for the determined. Sure, the fun may wear out at some point (or not) and at that point, I will switch sides.

89

Yes. And there’s a clear parallel to lease hacking. Some buyers overpay and we don’t.

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90

The only card I want is the one that pays me $$$ upfront.

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There is also $65-200 off on round-trips for AARP (anyone can join for $16/year)

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92

I actually think the average person is probably scared of credit cards and has no concept of credit building or how credit cards work. They’re primarily using cash/debit and cashing paychecks at Walmarts and WUs every Friday. Self-proclaimed “savvy” average persons are paying fees and using apps to get paid 2 days earlier, while worrying about whether their bank has overdraft protections.

If you’re collecting 2% cash back on a credit card, you’re likely ahead of the average person when it comes to earning rewards on spending.

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93

ive found it to be pretty consistent. they become real hard asses in retentions once they see you got an offer last year.

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Na, there was a hard rule yes, 13 months between retention offers. That has changed now. I have been tracking this stuff for a long time.

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95

you’re not the only one sparky. you have any online evidence of this to point to?

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I am speaking from my experience as somebody who tracks it and is constantly opening and closing these cards. Obviously we discuss this on our private discord and telegram lol but I aint posting that. It’s not like AMEX is openly making a PR statement saying “oh it’s not 13 months anymore”. You are free to try it yourself.

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i meant more like a doctor of credit or frequent miler post. don’t worry i’m not going to send the feds to raid your private group.

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98

Na this is way too YMMV for DoC and FM to post about. Either way DoC will keep his mouth shut about stuff that needs to survive.

99

To each their own but I wouldn’t characterize getting $10-15k out of 100k points vs getting $1k (face or “cash” value) as “a few percentage points”. 100k points in Etihad F from JFK-AUH-MLE for example, or a RT in lie flat business to europe using AirFrance or Lifemiles…

I focus mainly on Amex and Chase points (with some Marriott/Hyatt/AA points). There are quite clear trends once you learn the landscape, that avoid you having to spend infinite time on booking and searching. There are only 3 big global alliances, and they broadly cover my routes (mostly Europe-North America): OW, *A, and Delta/FlyingBlue.

Once I know where I’m going, I broadly know which ~3 websites to search, and it doesn’t take all that much time. So when i’ve got 100k pts and I’m redeeming for a 10k RT in business lie flat through AirFrance, that’s a lot better than the $1k cash value those same points would have gotten me. Plenty of examples of this… Flown Emirates ATH-NYC in J, flown AF and LH with layovers from NYC-OTP in J, flown SQ NYC-FRA in J, etc… It used to be a hobby, much like leasehacking, but just have less time to travel now

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First line I wrote about why I made my statement:

Unless you fly business or higher…