atooraya

This is not how any of this works. Rewards cards generally are not sought after as cash back cards. Chase Freedom is currently offering 5% cash back from Jan-Mar at Costco, and Amex is offering 10x points on gas. Thats better than your 2% at Costco and 4% on Costco gas "BS." Your four figure check would probably get you about 140,000 points. That would get you round trip first class tickets on Al Nippon from SFO to HKG.

Just because you don't understand how to use the card doesn't make it "games and BS."

Silver02ex

It's probably closer to 200K+ between Chase UR points or Amex MR points. Since I use to get those $1,000+ cash back from Costco. I can take the same spending and earn UR or MR points. Move it to Amex Schwab Platinum, which I can get still get $2,000-$2,500 cash back. However it's more valuable to transfer it to an airline / hotel partner.

Qotsaautopilot

Ok I’ll bite. Which card is this? And do I need to use my card strategically or use it normally as my main spending card? What’s the annual fee?How long do I have to travel on the rewards? And who the heck is going to HKG anymore? I’ll be needing round trip first class tickets for four bc I’m sure no way I’ll be sitting in first while my wife slums it in steerage with the kids.

Silver02ex

You have to know which card is for what category. Personally I have 5 revolving ( Chase Freedom / Flex / Sapphire) also the Amex Gold / Platinum. Yes some have an annual fee of $500 more more, but the credit that you get will pay for itself. Last year Chase offered $300 credits on grocery, and Amex will have random offers, such as the current $180 on PayPal. This is on top of the standard credit (Tavel, airlines fees, Uber / Uber eats, Door Dash credit and so on) to offset the annual fee. I average 2-3 visit to the airport lounges a month from the Priority Pass that I get from the Sapphire or Platinum. If a certain airport doesn't have a lounge, I can use the PP from the Sapphire card and get $28 credit at one of the restaurant at the airport, or $56 if I bring a guest. (In my case, the FO I'm flying with) as long as we have a deadhead, and we have a boarding pass. I've lost track how many times I've gotten free or discounted breakfast at a Hilton property on a trip because of the Hilton Gold status that the Amex card gives me. All those points, I've earn from normal spending, grocery, gas, restaurants and so on. The points you earned (which never expries) you then transfer them to a hotel or airline partner. My family and I are looking at an all inclusive resort in Cabo (one of the Hyatt property) along with air fare, that will be paid by Chase UR or Amex points. I haven't use my Costco Citi in a long time. It's not a hard to figure out if I should keep spending on the Costco Citi and get $1,000 cash back, or have a $5,000 vacation paid for with points that I've earn with the same spending on Chase and Amex. Obviously if you don't see yourself enjoying the lounge, or other perks that those cards gives you, then you probably should stick with the the Costco Citi.

SSlow

I'm not trying to steal your thunder but I just wanted to point out that lounge access is more of a "almost but not quite" benefit during the pandemic. I've been non-revving on EIL and I can't ever seem to find one that is actually open. Also the restaurant benefit is only for the ones that are listed on the PP app/website, and it varies significantly by airport. I'm planning a trip in and out of SAN next week and they don't have anything. This is San Diego we're talking about, not Latrobe PA. No lounge, no restaurant benefit...nada.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/priori...restaurant-us/

Silver02ex

I can still use the $28 at my home airport (which is listed on the PP and the restaurant is open) when I commute out, which is why I have the Sapphire. I'm in LAS all the time, which means I can use the Amex Centurion lounge or the Club at the D gates, which are both open.

atooraya

Wait I’m sorry, you’re upset that while being on a leave and using free benefits, you can’t use the full benefits of a travel credit card?

Qotsaautopilot

I can appreciate this but it’s just too much for me to have to keep track of along with the rest of my life. Low brain capacity probably. I don’t really want to preplan how to find the right restaurant when I decide to eat and I haven’t been in many clubs but the generic clubs have all been kind of meh compared to the ones the airlines run. I also don’t commute and I can see the advantage if one does. Also reserve usually to limit my airport time. The points for flights and vacation is intriguing but I just don’t want to have to know which card to use when and manage five different bills and rewards programs. And what was it 10 years ago or so where Amex just devalued the points on a whim without warning? Just give me cash. Maybe not the most “rewarding” if you use the cash to travel but if you use it on whatever or savings it’s easier.

Silver02ex

You mean like when Costco ended their relationship with Amex about 5 years ago without warning? What if they did the same with Citi / Visa? There goes your 4 figure cash back.

SSlow

Not upset, I just don't agree with the rosy picture that PP has all of these lounges and restaurant credits available for use. It is very limited during COVID.