Ways to maximize savings when purchasing direct DVC contract.. (credit card rewards etc)

[PolyRob]

Has anyone tried using the USBank Business Altitude Connect on a direct DVC purchase? It codes 4x "travel" up to 150k annually.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Has anyone tried using the USBank Business Altitude Connect on a direct DVC purchase? It codes 4x "travel" up to 150k annually.

I would need to look it up again but I’m pretty this one there was a big caveat to get the 4x and DVC wouldn’t qualify. I will update if I’m correct

 

[PolyRob]

I would need to look it up again but I’m pretty this one there was a big caveat to get the 4x and DVC wouldn’t qualify. I will update if I’m correct

Thanks! I just opened one because it has a nice bonus and was thinking it could be useful to me if it coded 4x

I searched and the Altitude Reserve had a lot of praise, but it's not taking applications anymore. USBank is new for me.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thanks! I just opened one because it has a nice bonus and was thinking it could be useful to me if it coded 4x

I searched and the Altitude Reserve had a lot of praise, but it's not taking applications anymore. USBank is new for me.

Okay when I got back home I looked at it was the Reserve that had strange requirements for earning.

The connect looks easy enough to earn but the 4x travel is limited to only the first 1k per quarter.

 

[PolyRob]

Okay when I got back home I looked at it was the Reserve that had strange requirements for earning.

The connect looks easy enough to earn but the 4x travel is limited to only the first 1k per quarter.

Thank you! I THINK it may have changed... for the better?!



IMPORTANT CHANGE: Effective April 14, 2025, you will earn three (3) additional Points for each $1 on the first $150,000 spent during each account calendar year on combined eligible Net Purchases made directly with merchants that are classified as a travel category transaction (such as purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, car rentals, taxicabs, limousines, passenger trains and cruise line companies) and for purchases made with merchants classified as a gas station or electric vehicle charging station excluding wholesale clubs and discount stores/supercenters such as Target and Walmart. After $150,000 is spent on combined purchases during the calendar year in these categories, you will earn 1 Point for each $1 spent, with no maximum. You will earn one (1) additional Point for every $1 in eligible Net Purchases during each billing cycle for any merchant classified as a restaurant, fast-food restaurant or bar, and cellphone provider, with no maximum

I feel like I need a direct contract to test it out

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thank you! I THINK it may have changed... for the better?!

View attachment 961740

IMPORTANT CHANGE: Effective April 14, 2025, you will earn three (3) additional Points for each $1 on the first $150,000 spent during each account calendar year on combined eligible Net Purchases made directly with merchants that are classified as a travel category transaction (such as purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, car rentals, taxicabs, limousines, passenger trains and cruise line companies) and for purchases made with merchants classified as a gas station or electric vehicle charging station excluding wholesale clubs and discount stores/supercenters such as Target and Walmart. After $150,000 is spent on combined purchases during the calendar year in these categories, you will earn 1 Point for each $1 spent, with no maximum. You will earn one (1) additional Point for every $1 in eligible Net Purchases during each billing cycle for any merchant classified as a restaurant, fast-food restaurant or bar, and cellphone provider, with no maximum

I feel like I need a direct contract to test it out

ahh I see I had looked at the personal card. This is extra tempting for a direct purchase 4x earn is the best Ive seen. And if you could get the $0 fee pay over time that would be pretty great.

 

[PolyRob]

ahh I see I had looked at the personal card. This is extra tempting for a direct purchase 4x earn is the best Ive seen. And if you could get the $0 fee pay over time that would be pretty great.

Yes!!! Exciting to have this new card as an option.

 

[supercarrie]

Yes!!! Exciting to have this new card as an option.

How do US Bank points work compared to Chase?

With Chase, I can use them in their portal at 1.5 cents each, effectively getting 4.5% back, or transfer them to partners and get a far higher value if used strategically.

If US Bank is only 1:1, why wouldn't you go with Chase? Is there an advantage I'm not considering?

 

[PolyRob]

How do US Bank points work compared to Chase?

With Chase, I can use them in their portal at 1.5 cents each, effectively getting 4.5% back, or transfer them to partners and get a far higher value if used strategically.

If US Bank is only 1:1, why wouldn't you go with Chase? Is there an advantage I'm not considering?

I honestly have no idea. This is my first ever US Bank card

I could do Chase, but it hasn't approved me for an Ink in awhile and I currently hold a CSR that I don't want to necessarily downgrade. Booking for travel at 1.5x is great, but sometimes I just want to cash out to get some money back. I like draining with PYB at 1.25x, but if I buy PVB I would want to spread it across a few banks. US Bank gives 180 days to hit the minimum spend so I could possibly do a 6k payment, hit the 60k bonus, and earn 24k points in 4x spend which is $840 cashed out 1:1. Not too bad.

 

[VGCgroupie]

How do US Bank points work compared to Chase?

With Chase, I can use them in their portal at 1.5 cents each, effectively getting 4.5% back, or transfer them to partners and get a far higher value if used strategically.

If US Bank is only 1:1, why wouldn't you go with Chase? Is there an advantage I'm not considering?

Im not familiar w/ US Bank redemption options, but it seems like they don't have transfer options. There is a some debate if you really get 4.5% value out of Chase since often the portal costs more than booking directly with airlines. The US Bank card would be a good option due to sign up bonus if you have exhausted your options w/ Chase biz and Amex.

 

[supercarrie]

Im not familiar w/ US Bank redemption options, but it seems like they don't have transfer options. There is a some debate if you really get 4.5% value out of Chase since often the portal costs more than booking directly with airlines. The US Bank card would be a good option due to sign up bonus if you have exhausted your options w/ Chase biz and Amex.

Interesting! I book somewhat regularly with the portal (despite all the advice not to do so) and have found the prices identical for the flights I take. AMEX’s portal, on the other hand, frequently has higher fares.

I am going to count myself lucky on that front.

And totally agree re Chase and AMEX. If you have exhausted those, you have to get creative and this seems like a good alternative.