Teach me about travel credit card points

[Stew Crew]

Delta Reserve Amex has a $650 annual fee but can pay for itself if you use the benefits:

• 15 passes per year to SkyMiles lounge; unlimited if you spend $75K/year on the card
• 1 free companion ticket per year, including first class tickets.
• Up to $20/month in credits for using Uber or Lyft
• Up to $20/month in credits for dining at restaurants on Resy reservation network.
• Up to $100 credit (either every year or every other year) for Global Entry or TSA pre-check costs.
• Free checked bags and priority boarding.

We use the companion ticket every year. That has averaged about $500/year
We get the $20 Resy credit every month.
My daughter uses Uber. We usually get at least $10 back per month.

 

[Excalibur]

Annual fee is being raised to $795. Now is a good time to apply as you’ll get the benefits that come with the increased fee but won’t have to pay that fee for a year.

Is that still only a rumor at this point?

 

[husky429]

CSR has that. I need to renew my global entry and will be taking advantage.

You don't like being screamed at by customs agents in Newark? I thought that wsa part of the thrill of travel

 

[DaveHuskiesFan]

Is that still only a rumor at this point?

Hasn’t been confirmed by Chase but safe to say it’s happening.

 

[husky429]

Congrats bud! Did we know this or is this your first mention of it? Sorry, I tend to bounce around, skim threads and skip some so I may have missed it.

I've mentioned it in some DMs, idk about the main board. I've already been yelling "D1" into my wife's stomach to help.

 

[willie99]

I used to be a cash guy. Now I'm a points whore. Never pay for flights and several free nights per year at luxury hotels.

Jetblue and Marriott Bonvoy

PS: Once you're locked into a program, it's hard to leave. So choose your credit card wisely

 

[Flipside]

CSR has that. I need to renew my global entry and will be taking advantage.

just renewed last week - they said it might take 6+ months ... approved in 36hrs

 

[StllH8L8ner]

I used to be a cash guy. Now I'm a points whore. Never pay for flights and several free nights per year at luxury hotels.

Jetblue and Marriott Bonvoy

PS: Once you're locked into a program, it's hard to leave. So choose your credit card wisely

Same here, Bonvoy is solid. I was all in on Jetblue bc I flew out of NYC/White Plains a lot so I accumulated a ton of points. Fast forward to now living outside of Philly and guess which airline barely has any flights out of there? I switched to the AAdvantage card now and it’s been pretty easy to accumulate points quickly.

 

[Excalibur]

Hasn’t been confirmed by Chase but safe to say it’s happening.

I think the increase is absolutely happening. The related benefit changes still seem like rumor to me. The guy who posted on Reddit deleted his post.

 

[Lafayette]

I think the increase is absolutely happening. The related benefit changes still seem like rumor to me. The guy who posted on Reddit deleted his post.

I work there - will inquire.

Meanwhile I think the best hotel chain for redemptions is World of Hyatt and Bonvoy. I think for being in North NJ, Newark is good for United (hub), and American (Term A which is usually less hassle).