@Lain @SouthFayetteFan
No CIP here, sounds crazy right? DH just dropped to 4/24 in January or maybe December, and since I was still neck deep in SPG biz spend I didn't bother looking into his next card until now.
I remember when I got my SPG biz it wouldn't let me use it to pay Toyota. I never tried doctoring the recipient name, think that would be risky with AMEX? I'm a worrier. My Marriott Visa went through just fine.
I'm thinking that "worst case" scenario would be putting it all through CIP... do you mind checking my math? $15k total is $375 in fees, but would earn 45k points plus the 80k sign up points = 125k UR points, worth $1875 when transferred to one of our CSRs. Did I miss anything?
I could even sit on the last $5k of it until I'd be eligible for a CIP... DH refers me (20k) plus I get bonus points, we'd be at 225k or $3375... It's a 0% loan so no extra costs with that.
Just be aware that auto payments through Plastiq with Amex are hit or miss.
And you and DH don’t have a CIP?! Have DH apply for the CIP! 80k UR for $5k MSR. Put at least some of your auto payment on the CIP using Plastiq to hit the MSR, earn that big signup bonus. The payment amount and transaction fee should earn 3x UR, which more than negates the 2.5% fee. After that, it’s up to you whether you want to use the balance of your car loan to hit MSRs on other cards for bonuses, or pay the rest using CIP for 3x UR.
A quick tip - I'd pick a currency and express your Marriott and SPG points combined as one or the other, lol. I usually go the Marriott route because it makes me feel more awesome!
Shhh, that would make it too easy haha! I was just going down my award wallet account and didn't even think of it
If you're talking about spending $15k...then you're looking for big MSRs probably...have you considered entering the world of AMEX Membership Rewards (MRs)? You could (each) look to get the Business Gold Rewards & Blue Business Plus cards (or go real big with a Business Platinum). None of these cards will affect you or your husband's 5/24 status. I know that not many of us here are well versed in MRs (I claim to be the king of the Schwab Cashout)...I'd imagine
@calypso726 has some understanding of the travel partners based on her area of expertise. On the personal card front, you could look to get Arrival Plus and/or BofA Premium Rewards cards if you aren't worried about your 5/24 status anymore...but you'll be back to 4/24 in 6 months sooooo that's a tough call.
EDIT: I also like
@Lain's suggestion of getting a CIP for your husband!
I've been leaning towards getting under 5/24 got a CIP for myself, plus maybe a cobranded card that falls under it. Biz cards are tempting for that
I've thought about MRs, need to do some reading. I was going to awhile back, and then the SPG biz bonus went up. I'd like to get one Freedom between the two of us for the rotating categories, so I might downgrade my CSR after I get GE. I used
@wendow's trick to get a second one in DH's name for myself. He won't use a card in my name, he's a bigger worrier than I am.
Southwest RR won’t help you get to Europe, so depending where you live I would consider either a United card or Delta. I am not familiar with United, but I know our flight to Maui was on one of the big jets that had just returned from Amsterdam and in it economy was bearable because it was 2 seats, 3 in middle, other 2 on side. There are a lot of Delta non stops to Europe too. You could get both Delta business cards right now with the added bonus and that wouldn’t impact your status with Chase and add 150,000 skymiles.
If you needed more skymiles you could always convert some of the SPG (easy to do and gives you a 5,000 bonus for every 20k).
I have not delved into Membership Rewards so I can’t speak to that (something to look forward to I guess). I have read though that if you convert those to airline miles you do have to pay a minor excise tax. If you could get the 100,000 offer might work well though.
I need to do some reading on MR points. We live near Denver. SW is almost always the best deal/times for us, so it's been really nice to have the points and CP with them the last year or so, that's why I'd like to get it for DH for future domestic travel. Beyond them for flight points I'm
haha! I think Denver's a United hub... I'll have to look into it because I've never paid it any mind. I am liking the idea of business cards especially for myself so I could get maybe CIP around the end of the year.