I am starting a new job pretty soon that is going to consist of a good bit of international travel. Going to get a new card for business purposes. Anybody have a card that gives great benefit programs or they really like for a certain reason ? Thanks in advance !
OT: Credit Card Rewards Programs
- Thread starter THE Bruce Dickinson
- Start date
Any recurring destination/airline?
I would look for a card to optimize getting me to higher airline status for upgrades and bonus personal travel. Everyone values different things though.
If you want straight cash back, then you'll obviously look elsewhere.
I would look for a card to optimize getting me to higher airline status for upgrades and bonus personal travel. Everyone values different things though.
If you want straight cash back, then you'll obviously look elsewhere.
I have the Hilton HHonors AMEX. You'll earn a lot of Hilton points with it, especially if you're traveling a lot. I know a few others that use that card and swear by it. Check it out.
I'm happy right now, anyway !
Chase FReedom Card
My 19 month old Dell Laptop just up and died on me Feb. 28. And I had a 12 month warranty.
Got to checking into it, and because I, Had purchased with with their card, they picked up a second year of warranty. So, after jumping thru a few hoops...they are buying me a new computer.
Yep, I'm happy... It has other benefits also.
Karl
Chase FReedom Card
My 19 month old Dell Laptop just up and died on me Feb. 28. And I had a 12 month warranty.
Got to checking into it, and because I, Had purchased with with their card, they picked up a second year of warranty. So, after jumping thru a few hoops...they are buying me a new computer.
Yep, I'm happy... It has other benefits also.
Karl
Hyatt card gives you free 2 nights anywhere.
Barclays has the #1 card for travel.
travel cards
Depending on which airline you use I would think you would want their affinity card. If Delta, the AMEX Delta card. We fly a lot and use United more than any other airline so we buy our tix with United. If not flying the only card I use is my Marriott card, charging most things, paying off each month, and I wind up with several free nights each year at a Marriott.
With the United card you get a free domestic trip after spending only 1,000 bucks if I recall.
My son - in - law travels extensively internationally and he loves his AMEX travel card. I wouldn't spit on AMEX if it was on fire, but that's just me.
Make sure whatever card you choose does not charge exchange fees!
Depending on which airline you use I would think you would want their affinity card. If Delta, the AMEX Delta card. We fly a lot and use United more than any other airline so we buy our tix with United. If not flying the only card I use is my Marriott card, charging most things, paying off each month, and I wind up with several free nights each year at a Marriott.
With the United card you get a free domestic trip after spending only 1,000 bucks if I recall.
My son - in - law travels extensively internationally and he loves his AMEX travel card. I wouldn't spit on AMEX if it was on fire, but that's just me.
Make sure whatever card you choose does not charge exchange fees!
I always go cash back. The value of the points are too variable. I've done hotel rewards and flight rewards and always found that when I tried to use the points (either for flight or hotel) around something I already wanted to do, they weren't much help. If I had scheduled my vacations around when I could get good value for the points rather than trying to use the points when I could go on vacation, it would have been better, but I didn't have that kind of flexibility. Cash back is simple and you don't run the risk of them devaluing your points. And it more or less works out the same. Over the course of the year, I usually get enough cash back to pay for two roundtrip flights in the U.S. or Caribbean or 3-5 nights in a hotel, depending on how nice it is. I don't know that I would have done much better on points even if I had been more flexible.
GM Card now has a card where first 5K spent - you get 5% back every year and 2% back after that. Not a bad deal.
https://www.gmcard.com/
https://www.gmcard.com/
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I have the Capital One venture card, which gives you 2% back on all purchases. I love it. You have to spend the rewards on travel (or retroactively apply credits to travel expenses on your statement) which is really easy, and is the same as cash back as far as I'm concerned (I have alot of travel expenses).
There are 2 capital one cards: a non-annual-fee version that gives 1.5% back, and the 2% version I mention above with an annual fee. I've crunched the numbers and seen stated several places (nerdwallet.com, among others) that if you spend above something like $7500 per year, the 2% card is the best deal despite the annual fee. For that matter, is one of the best deals anywhere.
And this last point is a BIG one: No international transaction fees. These can get very pricey with other cards.
Now, all of this only applies if YOU get the rewards somehow, not your company. Someone mentioned it earlier, but your best bet may be an affinity card with the airline you will be travelling the most.
There are 2 capital one cards: a non-annual-fee version that gives 1.5% back, and the 2% version I mention above with an annual fee. I've crunched the numbers and seen stated several places (nerdwallet.com, among others) that if you spend above something like $7500 per year, the 2% card is the best deal despite the annual fee. For that matter, is one of the best deals anywhere.
And this last point is a BIG one: No international transaction fees. These can get very pricey with other cards.
Now, all of this only applies if YOU get the rewards somehow, not your company. Someone mentioned it earlier, but your best bet may be an affinity card with the airline you will be travelling the most.
As far as travel rewards cards, varying opinions but they say two are at the top for multi airline: Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Preferred. Both have their good benefits. Amex tends to be more about luxury travel and if you fly the associated airlines a lot it can be good. Chase Sapphire Prefferred is a more true travel rewards card but is associated with many airlines (happens to be opposite ones of the Amex). Amex has a pretty hefty annual fee too but lots of benefits of membership. Your choice.
ETA: Amex Platinum is also a charge card and not a credit card. You can apply for rolling balance on certain purchases but I wouldn't recommend it since the interest is higher than a regular credit card.
ETA: Amex Platinum is also a charge card and not a credit card. You can apply for rolling balance on certain purchases but I wouldn't recommend it since the interest is higher than a regular credit card.
I have a Southwest Card and Hilton, but I travel constantly. Hotel points seem to hold less value to me. Even as a Diamond Member, it takes about 10 nights to get a free night. Airlines, once established in their flyer program, typically build faster and carry more weight.
We just built a house. I paid for new furniture, fridge, and other misc items basically all on SW points. Probably saved myself $3K or $4K. Plus I have a companion pass on SW. Pretty sweet. I can bring someone with me on any flight for free. We've gone to Puerto Rico, Key West, and Denver in the last year or so using it.
We just built a house. I paid for new furniture, fridge, and other misc items basically all on SW points. Probably saved myself $3K or $4K. Plus I have a companion pass on SW. Pretty sweet. I can bring someone with me on any flight for free. We've gone to Puerto Rico, Key West, and Denver in the last year or so using it.
The one I have is probably not what you're looking for, but I'll tell you about it anyway. It's a Visa Platinum from Redstone Federal Credit Union. No annual fee, and you get 2% back every January on every purchase, which is more than you can earn on a savings account these days. I use it for practically everything and it's accepted just about everywhere, unlike AmEx and Discover.
Go with your preferred airline Credit Card
If you're going on international flights or even long domestics flights I would get the Credit Card that coincides with the preffered airline.
A.) You'll rack up miles and gain elite status
B.) Airlines usually partner with Hotels (Delta=Hilton) so you'll get extra points/miles for your stay
C.) I don't care who you are...once you start traveling a lot then first class means a lot more...especially if you're like me and over 6'4" with an efficient liver.
D.) Once you gain status most airlines will honor a spouse ticket for pretty damn cheap.
Also most airlines are about to re-structure their mileage program to take into account the price of someones ticket.
So a lot of the time I'll buy a ticket for business to go from Anchorage to Houston/New Orleans about 3 days before the flight. So my ticket usually cost around 2500-3k... I'll get 3x the price of the ticket for mileage credits along with the actual mileage of the flight. That's pretty much a free coach ticket for me later on down the road and I'll get upgraded based on status.
I would go with the Amex Preferred or Gold/Platinum.
I reccommend if you're interested in the Airline Status game then you go here..
[URL]http://boardingarea.com/viewfromthewing/[/url]
If you're going on international flights or even long domestics flights I would get the Credit Card that coincides with the preffered airline.
A.) You'll rack up miles and gain elite status
B.) Airlines usually partner with Hotels (Delta=Hilton) so you'll get extra points/miles for your stay
C.) I don't care who you are...once you start traveling a lot then first class means a lot more...especially if you're like me and over 6'4" with an efficient liver.
D.) Once you gain status most airlines will honor a spouse ticket for pretty damn cheap.
Also most airlines are about to re-structure their mileage program to take into account the price of someones ticket.
So a lot of the time I'll buy a ticket for business to go from Anchorage to Houston/New Orleans about 3 days before the flight. So my ticket usually cost around 2500-3k... I'll get 3x the price of the ticket for mileage credits along with the actual mileage of the flight. That's pretty much a free coach ticket for me later on down the road and I'll get upgraded based on status.
I would go with the Amex Preferred or Gold/Platinum.
I reccommend if you're interested in the Airline Status game then you go here..
[URL]http://boardingarea.com/viewfromthewing/[/url]
I was getting excited about that until I realized that's cash towards a new vehicle, not actual cash back.
But pretty good if you're intending to buy a GM vehicle.
But pretty good if you're intending to buy a GM vehicle.
+1 have had a Redstone card forever and they just deposit cash in my savings account every January. I try to buy everything on it.
Spark Business Visa. 2% cash back on everything. It does have a $59 (I think) annual fee, though free the first year. I put everything on this one (probably well over $50,000 a year), so the cashback is good. Better than free hotels, air miles, etc.
If I recall Costco has a decent Amex for cash back if you happen to shop with them. Believe you get a membership included with that annual fee.
I have 2 cards personally:
1. Citi Forward - no annual fee, when I got it it was 5% reward on entertainment/restaurants/fast food/bars. Thank you reward network on travel roughly = $0.01 / point, and that's all I use it on and there are no blackouts. So it's like 5% cash back on those purchases, 3% on others. This is my everyday card as I spend too much money on food/drink.
2. Amex Delta Platinum - was $150 annual fee, now about to be $195. I fly Delta, so free bags and a free companion ticket a year make it worth its while. I also use this for big time purchases or if I'm somewhere sketchy (if I need to dispute) as I've found Platinum service to be very nice. Oh and if you find yourself in coach you will get 20% off in flight purchases and a warmer greeting from the FA.
I pay off both of these every month. I imagine Citi hates me because the Forward seems to good to be true. Or maybe I just spend too much on those categories. Card rewards play a significant role in reducing my annual travel budget.
I have 2 cards personally:
1. Citi Forward - no annual fee, when I got it it was 5% reward on entertainment/restaurants/fast food/bars. Thank you reward network on travel roughly = $0.01 / point, and that's all I use it on and there are no blackouts. So it's like 5% cash back on those purchases, 3% on others. This is my everyday card as I spend too much money on food/drink.
2. Amex Delta Platinum - was $150 annual fee, now about to be $195. I fly Delta, so free bags and a free companion ticket a year make it worth its while. I also use this for big time purchases or if I'm somewhere sketchy (if I need to dispute) as I've found Platinum service to be very nice. Oh and if you find yourself in coach you will get 20% off in flight purchases and a warmer greeting from the FA.
I pay off both of these every month. I imagine Citi hates me because the Forward seems to good to be true. Or maybe I just spend too much on those categories. Card rewards play a significant role in reducing my annual travel budget.
2nd the Hilton Honors but mine is a Citi VISA Hilton Honors. It will also convert airline points to HHonors points so if you fly a lot you can convert those to hotel points if that flips your skirt. Since its all Hilton hotels you can use the points at any Hilton, Hampton Inn, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, etc etc. Its like 5 points if you use it at a Hilton brand and 3 if you are buying gas, groceries, etc etc.
My advice for a traveler is get the card for the airline you are going to fly the most. I have the Delta Platinum AMEX, and when I flew Delta, it was perfect. You essentially buy lounge benefits at a discount with the annual fee, get 15K QUALIFYING miles when you spend 30K (or 30K for $60K) on the card (can bump you status level), and it is an upgrade tie-breaker. You also get a free companion flight once a year.
AMEX customer service is awesome, and I've used their concierge to get into Michelin star restaurants on short notice. They really can find things for you.
The Delta lounge is great for international travel where you may have several long layovers. You can go in, drop your stuff, snack, get tanked, and drop a deuce without having to pay extra or deal with the airport general population.
Now that Memphis if f-ing up my business flights with the Delta dehub, I'm trying to be a good corporate citizen so I'm flying mostly US scAir, which makes me want to open the emergency door and jump out almost every time. I think their employees have given up.
Get an Airline credit card or a AMEX.
My wife and I have the AMEX Delta.
We have flown to Italy, California, Washington, and Colorado multiple times for $10 each.
My wife and I have the AMEX Delta.
We have flown to Italy, California, Washington, and Colorado multiple times for $10 each.