Let's Talk Credit Cards

[eric]

First, if you don't use a credit card for absolutely every single purchase you can, you're making a huge mistake. Even if it is just a penny per purchase, it is superior to nothing per purchase.

Now, with that being said, what credit cars do you guys use, or recommend? I'm currently using the combo of the Chase Freedom card with the Chase Sapphire Preferred for the bonuses. That 40,000 point bonus bought me half a ticket to Europe right from the start

[Winchester]

So, thread not about Taxi's...

I use the Chase Amazon card, decent point system and more recently I've started doing my Amazon purchases with the Amazon Store Credit Card (not a credit card) but it gives me 5% back on all Amazon purchases. I buy a lot of shit from Amazon.

I like the point system on the Chase card, basically it gives me 1,2 or 3% back on all purchases and the easiest way to redeem them is using the points towards Amazon purchases.

It's the only card I have, but I've thought about getting a American Express Costco card so I have a backup so as not to be stuck somewhere if one of them gets hacked.

[foadi]

I only have a secured credit card with Chase. Have awful credit so wouldn't be able to get a real credit card. What card you guys recommend if I want to build up my credit? I wanna get really good credit and then max out all my accounts and disappear. Unfortunately I don't have the patience for this, but it's been a long time dream of mine. Also what type of stuff effects credit? Like I skipped out on a $2500 car rental bill earlier this year, will that type of stuff screw up my credit?

[eric]

[foadi]

[Stratego]

I got the AMEX business platinum. 150k bonus after spending $20k in 90 days.

I wonder how I can get the AMEX black card.

[eric]

AMEX sends me offers all the time for those kind of cards. I liked AMEX for awhile, but, well, now they're a competitor.

[Kane]

I've got a BOFA Americard and an Amazon Chase card like Winchester. 3% back on all amazon purchases and a point system that can be used towards all items on amazon. Why the f**k not? I have an ungodly amount of rewards points on my bofa, I've never bothered to check it.

[Saz]

Eric is finally catching on!! Hooray!! I did a thread like this a few years back and everyone seemed scared of the idea of using credit cards.

The most effective way to do this is to churn and burn them. Open them up, put all your spending on them to hit the bonus, then close the card and do it with a new one.

Right now I'm working on a Citi American Airlines Executive card. 20k spend for 150k miles. Offer is from a few months ago might no longer be valid.

Last few turns I did:
Citi American Airlines - 50k miles - 3k spend
Chase Marriott - 80k points - 3k Spend
Amex Hilton - 50k points - 1k spend
2 Chase Southwest cards - 50k miles each - 2k spend and 3k spend
Barclays Lufthansa card - 50k miles
Barclays US Airways - 35k miles - 1k spend (these will be merging into AA miles soon)
US Bank Club Carlson - 85k points - 2.5k spend

My planned next cards are:
Chase British Airlines - 50k miles
Carclays Frontier - 40k miles
Bank of America Asiania Airlines - 38k miles

Some extra perks: When you hit 110,000 miles on southwest in a calendar year, you get a free companion pass for that year and the following (meaning every ticket you buy your get a second of the same itinerary free). You get 100,000 points through the card and then just buy the 10,000 more and you are there. Do it in January of 2015 and the pass is valid until Dec 2016. And southwest flights are like 4k one way so 110,000 points is a ton of flights. Great for domestic.

Miles are the greatest thing ever. I stay in fancy hotels wherever I travel and fly first class on long trips and I never pay a dime. Probably saved me 3-5K just in the last few months in Asia. All for spending I would do anyway. Plus your credit score will be perfect if you have 10+ lines of credit up to $100,000.

[Spider]

We use the chase Amazon cards as well. Got a $100 amazon credit just for signing up iirc. Free books every month.