quote:

Originally posted by Pyker:
I've had the Delta Platinum for about 5 years. As posted above, the free companion voucher pretty much covers the annual fee. I fly to the UK every year or so (Kung Flu permitting) and I normally have enough miles built up to get some upgrades. I also use it to book flights for my family when they're coming over to visit - and get them to reimburse me - so I get the triple miles that way too.

With the voucher, do you have any problems redeeming it? How far in advance do you book it?

I had an Alaska Airlines annual voucher as part of their platinum card, and it was a PIA to use. Every time I wanted to use it, I would have to route up to Seattle, then onto wherever my destination was.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:

quote:

Originally posted by Pyker:
I've had the Delta Platinum for about 5 years. As posted above, the free companion voucher pretty much covers the annual fee. I fly to the UK every year or so (Kung Flu permitting) and I normally have enough miles built up to get some upgrades. I also use it to book flights for my family when they're coming over to visit - and get them to reimburse me - so I get the triple miles that way too.

With the voucher, do you have any problems redeeming it? How far in advance do you book it?

I had an Alaska Airlines annual voucher as part of their platinum card, and it was a PIA to use. Every time I wanted to use it, I would have to route up to Seattle, then onto wherever my destination was.

It appears there are some blackouts on it, predominantly Saturday flights I think, and possibly some routes - although I'm not absolutely sure. I believe they only have so many seats allocated for vouchers on popular flights, and if they're gone, you're SOL. I've only been turned down once, MSP - RSW this year, and that was because the voucher seats had all been claimed.

I have recently become interested in playing the CC travel game and although I’m more or less retired we do plan on traveling quite a bit this year going forward.

I recently found out that Capitol One has come out with a new premium travel card called Venture X. They are offering a 100,000 mile sign up bonus after spending $10K in the first 6 months and they have a great shopping portal that gives you additional discounts. For instance, I just bought a set of Michelin Pilot Sport tires for my Spyder and saved over $75 on the purchase. They also give you a $300 travel credit which I already used staying in a hotel in Palm Beach recently.

The annual fee is $395 but I’ve already got more than that back on discounts and have managed to accumulate almost 150K miles in just the first 3 months.

There are a lot of reviews about this on YouTube.

I have 3 AMEX I use depending on what I’m purchasing, obviously I use the Platinum for all travel, cars, and hotels as it’s basically 10% back.

AMEX waves the fee for active duty so I’m gonna take full advantage for the foreseeable future.

The good thing about the AMEX cards is their no questions asked refund, not sure if other cards do this but if someone agrees to accept AMEX I shop with no worries.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
- Update -

Guys I went with the Amex Delta Skymiles Platinum. I like the companion ticket; we fly to Chicago every year for GF’s b’day and that’s just an hour flight.

I “think” I saw that you also get priority boarding on Delta flights with this card…that alone is almost worth the price of admission to me.

Again, thanks for all of the discussion! I am glad I did not pick the one with the huge fees that I really would not have gotten any value out of.

Boy they don’t mess around… I just got an alert from UPS that my card will arrive tomorrow.(Tuesday)

That’s mighty fast turnaround.

Another proponent of Chase Sapphire Reserve over the Amex premium card.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
- Update -

Guys I went with the Amex Delta Skymiles Platinum. I like the companion ticket; we fly to Chicago every year for GF’s b’day and that’s just an hour flight.

I “think” I saw that you also get priority boarding on Delta flights with this card…that alone is almost worth the price of admission to me.

Again, thanks for all of the discussion! I am glad I did not pick the one with the huge fees that I really would not have gotten any value out of.

Boy they don’t mess around… I just got an alert from UPS that my card will arrive tomorrow.(Tuesday)

That’s mighty fast turnaround.

No baggage fee either

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
Boy they don’t mess around… I just got an alert from UPS that my card will arrive tomorrow.(Tuesday)

That’s mighty fast turnaround.

Oh, they want you using that card ASAP

Make sure you hit whatever minimum they've got so you get that sign-up bonus.

When I got my CSR, I had two business trips that I expensed and a purchased new couch within the first month.

If you ever lose a card, or get your card hacked, they'll overnight you a replacement too.

AMEX has good customer service. Actually, so does Chase. Honestly, people complain about the big banks all the time, but I get great service from the big banks I use. Caveat: I don't use BofA, so that may be the reason I have such good experiences with my banks.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGnified:
^^^ 100%

And if you fly frequently, you’ve probably already got yourself set up.

Thank God I don’t have to fly commercial anymore. I wouldn’t make it through this bullshit.

I have the Sapphire Reserve because I fly United and have been GS or 1K for the last decade. With the $300 annual credit, Global Entry Fee (well every 5 years), and Priority Club, it pays for itself pretty quickly.

I also have a United Mileage Plus Explorer card because it give you access to better options on award flights, and a Hilton Amex because it keeps you at Gold status. The annual fees on those are less than $100 a year.

Pick an airline, pick a hotel, and get the associated cards. Sapphire or Platinum are really for frequent travelers, especially international travel.

Costco visa is hard to beat. 3% on restaurants, travel and etc. 4% on gas, 2% on costco and 1% on everything else.

I vote NO but with an asterisk. It’s like gift cards in my mind. I’ve told my kids if they get a gift card from me it will be a bill with the store written in sharpie on it. Same as this. I don’t want points or miles or green stamps. Cash back. Find the best rate you can and take the money and spend it on whatever you want to.

Run the numbers. I get 2.5% cash back on everything. If you get more miles that you actually would have bought anyway, well there your answer. Math rarely lies but I think starting in a 700 dollar hole can’t be good.

^^ It's not about the points it's about the perks you get for having the card (not how much you use it). If you travel a lot you get points from airline flights and hotel stays, not from cards. With card points you will spend $25K on charges to get enough points for a single domestic trip. Again, these are cards for frequent travelers, not average people. And "frequent travel" does not mean two or three leisure trips in a year to Cancun and wherever.

In 2019 I flew to Asia and back 4 times in business class, and put 90 days in hotels. Peak years I was 1/2 time international travel - 8 business class round trip to Asia. Trust me, it's nice to be Global Services on United (invitation only status), Diamond in Hilton, and Platinum in Marriott.