Author Topic: Looking for help finding a new credit card--travel!  (Read 3483 times)

PARedbeard

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Looking for help finding a new credit card--travel!
« on: January 29, 2016, 08:59:04 AM »
Hello All,
It looks like my wife and I will be making a few large purchases this year in a short period of time, This is a rarity, so I'd like to be able to use the fact that we will be spending the money to lock-in some sweet credit card deals. My wife and I already have cash back cards (we never carry a balance, of course), so I think now is a good time to get a travel-oriented card.

Here are the details and desires:
--spending 3-4k within 90 days. This spending can happen anytime this year, so if anyone knows of a better deal during a certain time of year, let me know!
--Benefits on air, rail, and/or hotels
--No annual fee (though I am open to one if there is a sweet deal)
--Ideally no foreign transaction fees, though this is flexible
-- Long-lasting points. The bulk of our travel is US-based at the moment, but when my wife leaves graduate school we plan to travel and, potentially live, abroad.

I've done some looking online, and here is my shortlist so far, in no particular order:
1. Barclay Arrival (no annual fee kind). I looked at the Arrival Plus, but I didn't see the upsell, as we would rarely if ever use the perks.
2. Barclay Choice Privilege
3. Chase Marriott Rewards
4. Chase Sapphire Preferred Rewards

So, here are my questions: Does anyone have experience with these cards? If so, which one can you recommend? Also, do you know of any other travel cards out there that I should look into instead?

Luck12

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Re: Looking for help finding a new credit card--travel!
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2016, 09:59:51 AM »
Citi Thank You Premier is another one.  Out of ones you listed, CSP is the best IMO. 

PARedbeard

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Re: Looking for help finding a new credit card--travel!
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2016, 10:04:52 AM »
Thanks, Luck! I'll take a look at the Citi Card.

PatronWizard11

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Re: Looking for help finding a new credit card--travel!
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2016, 10:15:12 AM »
I love CC's and talking about them and helping people decide on some to choose. I accumulated 1 million miles/points last year with my wife from credit card bonuses. We've taken 2 small vacations paid for my brothers 2 flights to Rome for Honey moon and going to Hawaii in March for 8 night’s $6k vacation All for free. Plus we have enough points to take 2 more similar vacations as of right now.

Chase Sapphire Prefered
&
Starwood Prefered Guest Card

Both of these cards have an AF but are waived year one. You may decide to close them before they hit or call to ask them to remove the fee (sometimes they will and sometimes they don’t)

--Ideally no foreign transaction fees, though this is flexible
Both have no transaction fees and have chip/pin technology

-- Long-lasting points. The bulk of our travel is US-based at the moment, but when my wife leaves graduate school we plan to travel and, potentially live, abroad.
These are the two most valuable reward points in the game right now. SPG is valued slightly more than Chase Ultimate Rewards and they do not expire like most airline/hotel points. that is why i stay away from hotel cards unless I have a plan for a vacation and it requires a hotel card to complete the goal. no point in stashing them, since they expire and can devalue before you even have a chance to use them.

Random thoughts:

I’ve also got the Barclay but the thing about that card is the points are only redeemable for travel purchases. Instead of the flexibility of UR and SPG points that transfer to MANY hotel and airlines 1:1 transfer.

SPG is awesome because every 20k you transfer to an airline, they give your 5k free

AND they have book 4 nights (can be with points or cash) and you get the 5th night free.

They are also being bought by Marriot and this card will not live past the Merger, so it's better to grab it now while it's still alive
 
If I were you and have spend throughout the year, I would get at least 3-4 cc’s per year, each person (if you have the spend to meet the bonuses). It is a myth that getting CC’s hurt your credit. Since we pays ours off every month, our credit scores/FICO are very high and have never been declined for a card.

tj

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Re: Looking for help finding a new credit card--travel!
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2016, 10:43:10 AM »
Quote
1. Barclay Arrival (no annual fee kind). I looked at the Arrival Plus, but I didn't see the upsell, as we would rarely if ever use the perks.

Significantly higher sign up bonus? Just downgrade to the standard card before the first year is up. Absolutely no reason to apply for the lower tier card.

Jeremy E.

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Re: Looking for help finding a new credit card--travel!
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2016, 10:45:03 AM »
For traveling to Vegas, the 2 cards that worked best for me are my Southwest chase cards that gave me free flights to vegas and my wyndham rewards barclaycard that gave me free hotel stay.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!