I will eventually write about something other than credit cards ;) But I have done so much reading and percolating today I just want to write out some of my thoughts on what we should try and get next. In a bit, of course, once we have spent the minimum spends on the others. That said we will be buying flights home for Christmas (or after Christmas but December), and we (at least the girls and I) are going to Orlando in December, so these flights would be good to put towards a minimum spend.
Again just to keep in my mind that Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to British Airways Executive Club, Korean Air SKYPASS, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®, United MileagePlus®, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Amtrak Guest Rewards®, Hyatt Gold Passport®, IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®.
Cards that I am considering:
- Southwest cards (Chase)
- Try and get the companion pass if their bonuses hit 50K. Need to get both of them.
- These are synergistic with the Ultimate Rewards but the Ultimate Rewards points can't count towards the companion pass limit.
- 2K EACH in first 3 months (4K total spend) with $69 (Plus) and $99 (Premier) fee not waived first year.
- United MileagePlus Explorer Card (also Chase):
- Currently around: 2K spend in 3 months, $95 fee after first year.
- Andrew has the more basic card of the MileagePlus but he hasn't got the promotion before so he would be eligible for this one. The bonus is currently at 30K but it does go up to 50K (and was there recently). This card gives a free bag for the primary card holder and their traveling companion.
- So there would be some advantage to both of us having this one, since I am traveling a lot alone with the kids. I was worried about not being able to get credit cards until I had built up a history but my aunt and uncle seem to be getting them. I am not sure if they had a financial presence in the US before they moved though (he is American).
- The nice thing is that the baggage coverage can work even if you use points: "Primary Cardmembers are eligible to receive applicable standard checked bag(s) free when they use their miles to book award travel on United-operated flights, as long as they pay for their award ticket taxes and service charges with their qualifying Card and include their MileagePlus account number in their reservation."
- The bag fee coverage only works for United flights; what if you fly a code-share on one leg of the journey?
- SPG Amex (at least it isn't a Chase card, maybe Andrew should have also applied for the Delta AMEX card when it had the high bonus?!?):
- 25K Starpoints bonus with 3K in 3 months. They transfer to a bunch of different airlines 1:1 including: Aeroplan (could be good with points that are still there, although not many left), British Airways (although they are changing to not being 1:1 I was reading), Delta (would work well if all wanted to fly Delta), United (but only at 2:1 so not ideal) and many more found here in a drop-down list.
- Annual fee of $65 after first year.
- Chase Freedom
- No Annual fee. $100 bonus after spending $500 in three months. 5% cash back on alternating categories, 1% back on all other purchase.
- It can also transfer points (instead of just being a cash back card) to the Ultimate Rewards system, because we now have the Chase Preferred card.
- This one also has the 0% APR for 15 months. I suppose we could put more down on the mortgage now, put our spending on this with the 0% and then pay it back with the stocks that are going to be coming. Not a bad idea except for the minimum spends on all these other credit cards ;)
- AMEX Premier Rewards Gold
- See my post here.
Hugs,
Jen
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