I can't find the post now, but did someone say the Ink Cash card accumulates UR points even though it's called a cash back card? If so, could I try for the Ink+ to get the bonus points and downgrade to the Ink Cash before the annual fee is due?
The Ink Cash, Ink Plus, Sapphire Preferred, Freedom and Freedom unlimited all earn ultimate reward points. Only UR points coming out of an Ink Plus or Sapphire preferred can be transferred to use as airline miles. If you downgrade the Ink Plus to the Ink Cash make sure you also have a Sapphire preferred account to transfer your Ink Cash points into if you want to use them for transfers to airline miles.
I opened a Sapphire card a few months ago for the 50K bonus and have been using it in tandem with my Freedom for everything I possibly can. When my statement closes in a couple of weeks, I'll be booking 2 round trip flights to London during Christmas week through Virgin and will only pay the fuel fees, which will go on the Sapphire card to earn 2x points. It's so exciting to game the system that tries to game us!
Will the 50,000 be in your account for use at statement close? I also opened a Sapphire (in mid June) and am working towards the spending requirement. My Orlando flights at Christmas are at least twice what we would pay any other time of year so I was hoping to use Rapid Reward points, gift cards and this Sapphire bonus to book them. But I wasn't sure if the points will be added to my account early enough in the fall to book a Christmas flight?
I can't find the post now, but did someone say the Ink Cash card accumulates UR points even though it's called a cash back card? If so, could I try for the Ink+ to get the bonus points and downgrade to the Ink Cash before the annual fee is due?
I'm so embarassed. United actually got me on that one. I was all set to pay with points, then they explained that the flight would only be $8,000 cash, so I paid with cash instead of the points.For one leg of my trip United kept asking if I would like to buy my ticket for zero points for only $7,995...no, United I would not. Also does that ever work?
I know this has already been answered but yes, you sure can. HOWEVER, you could always do what I did which is cancel the Ink+ and then apply for the Ink Cash and get the bonus points for the Ink Cash. Maybe not the right choice for everyone - but I am very greedy with my points gathering.
I've been watching this for a while and haven't seen/heard of a public offer for waived annual fees for the SW Visas.I'm really considering a SWA card but that $99 annual fee is killing me. Do they ever do promotions where a year of the fee might be waived?
Thank you those who have been posting on this thread. Over the past 5 years or so, I have been pretty randomly signing up for things but not doing a good job of keeping track. Well, as I was trying to figure out the whole transferring points system, I found out that I have more than 100,000 United points--or had, since I just used 60,000 points (plus $200 fees) to book a RT flight to London that would cost about $1500. Not sure if that's a great deal but it was a nice surprise. So I am trying to get a better handle on using rewards points, and I have a few questions:
1. When do airline points tend to expire? I really am not sure how I accumulated the 100,000 United points but I am sure it was not anytime in the past year or two. Probably was 2009 - 2013 when I was flying a lot more. I think with Delta, the points don't expire as long as you accumulate some points within a certain time frame? Maybe United is the same? Just wondering by when I need to use the other 40,000 points.
2. What about Chase UR points expiring? I was planning to transfer UR points to United before I realized I already had United points. But if I keep using the Chase Freedom and Ink plus cards, are the UR points "safe"?
3. A question about Hilton rewards. We will be staying at a Hilton brand hotel in London. I assume I should sign up for the Hilton rewards program. Is it worth trying to get a Hilton credit card to use for payment? We are going for a week at the end of August, so not enough time to get and use a sign-up bonus for this trip, but I think we could earn extra points for paying for the stay? I don't really have a good travel rewards credit card -- we usually use the Capital One because it gives 1.5% rewards plus no foreign transaction fees. On the other hand, I think that hotel rewards expire fairly quickly, and I'm not sure when we will be staying at a Hilton again. Any advice about the best credit card to use to pay for a hotel stay?
Thanks again y'all -- still excited about my almost free flight
UR is probably the easiest credit card rewards you can earn because its got 4 cards that earn it (+1 more in august)1. When do airline points tend to expire? I really am not sure how I accumulated the 100,000 United points but I am sure it was not anytime in the past year or two. Probably was 2009 - 2013 when I was flying a lot more. I think with Delta, the points don't expire as long as you accumulate some points within a certain time frame? Maybe United is the same? Just wondering by when I need to use the other 40,000 points.
UR is probably the easiest credit card rewards you can earn because its got 4 cards that earn it (+1 more in august)
UA is probably the best rewards program to earn. MileagePlus/MileagePlus Dining, you can use these programs to double dip.
Just wanted to add to the UA miles expiration, you should get UA's credit card, i think its 40k for $3k spending? It also helps keep mileage from expiring too. (at least, thats what my friend does)
Thanks for the tips. I am presently trying to get the Sapphire card -- I applied 6 days ago, and the application was not immediately accepted or rejected. I just called the customer service number on the back of my Freedom card to see if I could get an update and all the service person could tell me was that it was still under review. Does anyone know a better number to call to see if I can convince them to approve the application?
After reading this I'm strongly considering applying for an ink plus and then downgrading to an ink cause after a year. I already have a freedom and sapphire. The points on gas, cell phone and Internet would be a big plus. I assume the entire fios bill would count.
I technically have a small business doing nutrition analysis for cookbooks, but I didn't do any last year. We moved I had a new full time job, a small child, etc. but in 2014 I had over 12k in business income on my tax return, I wonder if that would still count. My DH also had 6k in consulting income last year.
The current consensus on Chase UR card and a few of the co-brnaded card applications is not to call reconsideration and to let them process it though. If you have opened 5 or more credit cards with any bank in the last 2 years they will likely deny you. There are tons of data points regarding Chase implementing a 5/24 rule despite excellent credit, income and history of banking with Chase. The current school of thought is to lower you credit lines across your Chase cards before applying for a new one. Best of luck, hope you get the approval!
After reading this I'm strongly considering applying for an ink plus and then downgrading to an ink cause after a year. I already have a freedom and sapphire. The points on gas, cell phone and Internet would be a big plus. I assume the entire fios bill would count.
I technically have a small business doing nutrition analysis for cookbooks, but I didn't do any last year. We moved I had a new full time job, a small child, etc. but in 2014 I had over 12k in business income on my tax return, I wonder if that would still count. My DH also had 6k in consulting income last year.