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

[eticketplease]

Honestly, they could double their annual fees and I'd still come out way ahead. I have Delta, UA, and AA. A typical month, two+ round trip flights. Easily 25 round trips a years. I check luggage. So 50 one-way flights x $35/$40 = $1,750+. Versus the $285 ($95x3) to have those three cards which I have almost entirely for the luggage discount and early boarding.

The previous discussion was about the CSP raising the fee from $95.
That card doesn't have any airline credits or free bags but does provide delay and baggage insurance.

 

[PolyRob]

I might go for the Strata Premier at some point (I think the Strata Elite looks awful - don't know what they were thinking with that one). The AA transfer is great (been waiting for that for forever with Citi) and the bonus categories on the Premier are pretty good. The downside if you are playing the status game is that they wouldn't count as AA Loyalty Points. That said, there isn't a lot of benefit to status with AA anymore beyond the Platinum level, so I may well consider using my AA cards until I reach Platinum, and then shifting spend over to a Strata Premier (if I decide to get it).

I like the categories on the Premier for everyday spend and the new transfer power is nice. Losing the points redemption bonus is what really hurt this card. Luckily I also have a Double Cash so I can still get 1:1 cash if it comes to that.

I am keeping the WF Autograph as an option if I eventually downgrade. I was always cautious of my 5/24 status for Chase, but I am unsure of how these new dynamic approvals will play into that. I may be inclined to get some more personal cards. I have the WF Signify Business which is 2x on everything and also had 0% APR the 12 months.

 

[PolyRob]

Yes it is Coupon Card Friday!! lol

Since I don't use my delta card other than for the credits and don't utilize the Resy credit very often I try and stack my Lyft ones in the same statement i.e with a statement date of the 15th I'll buy $25 lyft cash on the 20th and the 1st and then only have to pay $30 for a month and then wait instead of just paying $15 every month.

That's nice you double dip it!

I hate leaving money on the table, but sometimes I have to with these cards. The current CSR $10 Doordash credit for non-restaurant orders always drives me nuts. I can never seem to come out ahead unless I find a great coupon code or something so it goes unused A LOT

 

[VGCgroupie]

Honestly, they could double their annual fees and I'd still come out way ahead. I have Delta, UA, and AA. A typical month, two+ round trip flights. Easily 25 round trips a years. I check luggage. So 50 one-way flights x $35/$40 = $1,750+. Versus the $285 ($95x3) to have those three cards which I have almost entirely for the luggage discount and early boarding.

How does the Sapphire Preferred help you with luggage fees?

 

[PolyRob]

Honestly, they could double their annual fees and I'd still come out way ahead. I have Delta, UA, and AA. A typical month, two+ round trip flights. Easily 25 round trips a years. I check luggage. So 50 one-way flights x $35/$40 = $1,750+. Versus the $285 ($95x3) to have those three cards which I have almost entirely for the luggage discount and early boarding.

The airline cards are definitely still valuable, but the premium travel cards are getting harder to justify past the initial year/bonus for me.

The previous discussion was about the CSP raising the fee from $95.
That card doesn't have any airline credits or free bags but does provide delay and baggage insurance.

I am still really torn on the Sapphire changes. I think I may keep my CSR for one year then it will most likely become a Chase Freedom

 

[eticketplease]

That's nice you double dip it!

I hate leaving money on the table, but sometimes I have to with these cards. The current CSR $10 Doordash credit for non-restaurant orders always drives me nuts. I can never seem to come out ahead unless I find a great coupon code or something so it goes unused A LOT

Yup much more difficult than when we had the instacart ones.

I have convenience stores that I can do pick up from to avoid fees so I will get a couple of cases of water or 12 packs of soda.
Certainly not cheaper than if I bought it at the grocery stores but is some value.

 

[badeacon]

Yes it is Coupon Card Friday!! lol

Since I don't use my delta card other than for the credits and don't utilize the Resy credit very often I try and stack my Lyft ones in the same statement i.e with a statement date of the 15th I'll buy $25 lyft cash on the 20th and the 1st and then only have to pay $30 for a month and then wait instead of just paying $15 every month.

So one can use the Delta CC ride share monthly credit by buying cash for Lyft or Uber? I did not know this. That would be tremendous benefit to me as have personal and business Delta Platinum and wife has personal Platinum.

 

[eticketplease]

So one can use the Delta CC ride share monthly credit by buying cash for Lyft or Uber? I did not know this. That would be tremendous benefit to me as have personal and business Delta Platinum and wife has personal Platinum.

Yup it's how we roll into MK from BWV or OKW. Use them exclusively for Minnie Van's

 

[davidhr]

So one can use the Delta CC ride share monthly credit by buying cash for Lyft or Uber? I did not know this. That would be tremendous benefit to me as have personal and business Delta Platinum and wife has personal Platinum.

I’m pretty sure it only works for Lyft

 

[eticketplease]

I’m pretty sure it only works for Lyft

Yes, that is correct only for Lyft

 

[PolyRob]

Yup much more difficult than when we had the instacart ones.

I have convenience stores that I can do pick up from to avoid fees so I will get a couple of cases of water or 12 packs of soda.
Certainly not cheaper than if I bought it at the grocery stores but is some value.

I've done 7/11 like that, but water is honestly something I never tried. I've had soda cancelled, but I should try water this month. Thanks for the idea!