Would you be willing to evaluate transfer bonus potential as a show topic? I believe your website already tracks transfer bonuses and that data can be used to create a metric like "transfer bonuses per year" I leverage transfer bonuses or sales as much as possible.
I used a UniPass last year - very useful, especially in the northeast US where you can drive through multiple states in a day. But, it's YMMV. If you'll be driving through NYC often, it might be worth paying the daily flat fee a rental car agency charges because NYC tolls are expensive and frequent. Or, if you'll be renting for several days through multiple small toll amount, UniPass will be better. However, one of the tolls did not trigger the UniPass transponder in (I think) Delaware, so i got billed for that - irritating but still came out ahead. Also, you don't have to keep a $10 minimum balance in the account.
First of the month for 2x anywhere up to 10K points per month (I have plenty of bills I can pay on the first of the month) and/or 6x dining (easy to buy a GC at a restaurant where we get takeout at least once a month) and 3x dining the rest of the month. I'd rather earn 3x dining on this than 3x on a CFU/CSR since this gives me the option to transfer to Chase's best unique partners (Hyatt / United), most of the rest of the Chase partners, and also AA, Turkish, etc. And better yet, if I can hit a few of the big transfer bonuses, that 2x unbonused / 6x dining on the first of the month will quickly become 4x / 12x or better (obviously assuming they keep up the big occasional transfer bonuses, which far eclipse the transfer bonuses offered by any other currency). It won't make sense for everyone, but given the hands down best set of transfer partners and solid ongoing rewards with a pretty small amount of effort (again, remembering to pay a handful of bills on the first of the month each month and/or dining out or buying restaurant GCs on the first of the month is easy enough to me). Again, it's not for everyone, but neither is it all that niche, either, IMO. -Nick
Nick picking AMEX for points transferring is wild. There is definitely a bias because automatic points pooling isnt that valuable. When others like Chase pools it together as a total and you just have to do one step and transfer them to the CSP or CSR. I dont like setting up Authorized users.
Thanks for the great content as always! Michigan foodie here. Any further dets on the Chef and what venue he will ply his trade at? We frequently go to ypsilanti ann arbor to see the young ens at eastern
I believe if you want lounge access Amex is tough to beat. There is an arguement for Chase if flying out of BOS, JFK and LGA with the Sapphire Lounge. I believe I would like Chase's lower annual fee options then dealing with the coupon book.
That's an interesting take. I'd actually say the opposite, but in thinking about why you say Amex is tough to beat I can imagine how the answer to that will really depend on what and where you're flying. My first instinct was that I'd want Chase for Priority Pass restaurant/"experiences" access and specifically I'd want the Ritz card for unlimited guests. On the other hand, if you fly Delta frequently or to/from airports with Centurion, Escape, or Airspace lounges, I could certainly understand why you'd pick Amex. Again, I guess it really just depends on where you travel frequently and which lounge options exist in those places. -Nick
@@nicholasreyes3705if there ever was a competition it’s over. AMEX Plat remains undefeated (premium) travel card. And CSR is an overpriced and glorified Lyft coupon book.
First, select the card on which they are an AU / employee. Then hit "Explore Rewards" under your Membership Rewards total and go to travel/transfer to partners. Once you select the partner (Aeroplan / LifeMiles / ANA / etc) to which you want to transfer points, it'll give you the option to pick which eligible cardholder's (primary / AU) loyalty account you wish to transfer. -Nick
Would your pick of reward programs change if you didn’t have an opportunity to have business cards? What rewards programs is it easiest to accumulate points for people without business cards?
Factoid: you don’t need the Citi Premier card to transfer Thank You points to Choice hotels. I accomplish this while only holding the Citi DoubleCash card. Probably any Citi card that earns Thank You points would suffice.
You guys definitely seem biased against Chase. You ignore (or unbelievably are not aware) that Chase has Southwest as a 1:1 transfer partner. Southwest points can be used on every flight, every day. United+Southwest+Hyatt: Unbeatable. And the Chase portal is the only place where Southwest can be booked directly with Points (at 1.5 cents per point). For those of us in Colorado where United and Southwest dominate at DIA, AMEX is much less useful.
I didn't say they are unaware, just that would be the only explanation other than their ignoring it. Anyway, I'll laugh along with you laughing at me. @@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb
Biggest problem with Chase is 4/24 - my wife just got down to 4/24 after many years and was denied her first application. We'll see the reason if the letter is even correct, maybe I miscounted but I'm pretty sure about it. The issue for us with Amex is because we don't fly international much, Delta is our best transfer. My #1 and #2 would probably be Amex and Barclays since we have had so many MR bonuses converted to Delta points from Amex, and we earn so many American miles and Wyndham points with getting cards from Barclays.
Very interesting topic this week! Loved it! You guys are always killing it! Appreciate y’all!
Bitter sweet. Friday night listen but what about my Saturday morning!!? 😂. Listen again!
Would you be willing to evaluate transfer bonus potential as a show topic? I believe your website already tracks transfer bonuses and that data can be used to create a metric like "transfer bonuses per year"
I leverage transfer bonuses or sales as much as possible.
I have used the KLM app at least twice for trips. No problems, no complaints.
Ooops - wrong video!
I used a UniPass last year - very useful, especially in the northeast US where you can drive through multiple states in a day. But, it's YMMV. If you'll be driving through NYC often, it might be worth paying the daily flat fee a rental car agency charges because NYC tolls are expensive and frequent. Or, if you'll be renting for several days through multiple small toll amount, UniPass will be better.
However, one of the tolls did not trigger the UniPass transponder in (I think) Delaware, so i got billed for that - irritating but still came out ahead. Also, you don't have to keep a $10 minimum balance in the account.
These are the only two guys I can listen to talk about this topic without feeling like they’re douchebags or humble bragging
Chase aldo has Southwest. Amex has popup jail. Both things weren't mentioned.
I guess I don't understand the Bilt excitement. Besides rent, how else do you use it?
First of the month for 2x anywhere up to 10K points per month (I have plenty of bills I can pay on the first of the month) and/or 6x dining (easy to buy a GC at a restaurant where we get takeout at least once a month) and 3x dining the rest of the month. I'd rather earn 3x dining on this than 3x on a CFU/CSR since this gives me the option to transfer to Chase's best unique partners (Hyatt / United), most of the rest of the Chase partners, and also AA, Turkish, etc. And better yet, if I can hit a few of the big transfer bonuses, that 2x unbonused / 6x dining on the first of the month will quickly become 4x / 12x or better (obviously assuming they keep up the big occasional transfer bonuses, which far eclipse the transfer bonuses offered by any other currency). It won't make sense for everyone, but given the hands down best set of transfer partners and solid ongoing rewards with a pretty small amount of effort (again, remembering to pay a handful of bills on the first of the month each month and/or dining out or buying restaurant GCs on the first of the month is easy enough to me). Again, it's not for everyone, but neither is it all that niche, either, IMO.
-Nick
Nick picking AMEX for points transferring is wild. There is definitely a bias because automatic points pooling isnt that valuable. When others like Chase pools it together as a total and you just have to do one step and transfer them to the CSP or CSR. I dont like setting up Authorized users.
Thanks for the great content as always! Michigan foodie here. Any further dets on the Chef and what venue he will ply his trade at? We frequently go to ypsilanti ann arbor to see the young ens at eastern
BILT! Rent day promotions!?!
Transfer at 150%?
Whaddaya think??
I have a referrall for the Delta Gold card. I get 15,000 miles for the referral and my “friend “ gets 80,000 miles for $6,000 spend.
Greg was talking about the business version -- though I think those also came back on Friday (after we'd recorded).
@@nicholasreyes3705 it is the business version. I forgot to specify that
I believe if you want lounge access Amex is tough to beat. There is an arguement for Chase if flying out of BOS, JFK and LGA with the Sapphire Lounge. I believe I would like Chase's lower annual fee options then dealing with the coupon book.
That's an interesting take. I'd actually say the opposite, but in thinking about why you say Amex is tough to beat I can imagine how the answer to that will really depend on what and where you're flying. My first instinct was that I'd want Chase for Priority Pass restaurant/"experiences" access and specifically I'd want the Ritz card for unlimited guests. On the other hand, if you fly Delta frequently or to/from airports with Centurion, Escape, or Airspace lounges, I could certainly understand why you'd pick Amex. Again, I guess it really just depends on where you travel frequently and which lounge options exist in those places.
-Nick
@@nicholasreyes3705 I am also looking at Chase Ritz Carlton.
@@nicholasreyes3705if there ever was a competition it’s over. AMEX Plat remains undefeated (premium) travel card. And CSR is an overpriced and glorified Lyft coupon book.
Oh is this posted early? That’s nice.
We've been posting them on Fridays for the past couple of weeks -- trying to give you a head start on your weekend :-).
@@nicholasreyes3705 Ohhh very cool. Thanks to the tips from your Podcast I had been in South East Asia the last couple of weeks and hadn't noticed LOL
How do you go about transferring points from AMEX to let’s say an eligible authorized user to their loyalty program such as Aeroplan
First, select the card on which they are an AU / employee. Then hit "Explore Rewards" under your Membership Rewards total and go to travel/transfer to partners. Once you select the partner (Aeroplan / LifeMiles / ANA / etc) to which you want to transfer points, it'll give you the option to pick which eligible cardholder's (primary / AU) loyalty account you wish to transfer.
-Nick
Would your pick of reward programs change if you didn’t have an opportunity to have business cards? What rewards programs is it easiest to accumulate points for people without business cards?
Honestly, I've never really thought about it that way because business credit cards are so easy to get.
-Nick
Factoid: you don’t need the Citi Premier card to transfer Thank You points to Choice hotels. I accomplish this while only holding the Citi DoubleCash card. Probably any Citi card that earns Thank You points would suffice.
You guys definitely seem biased against Chase. You ignore (or unbelievably are not aware) that Chase has Southwest as a 1:1 transfer partner. Southwest points can be used on every flight, every day. United+Southwest+Hyatt: Unbeatable.
And the Chase portal is the only place where Southwest can be booked directly with Points (at 1.5 cents per point).
For those of us in Colorado where United and Southwest dominate at DIA, AMEX is much less useful.
Hilarious you think Greg or Nick are unaware. They've literally forgotten more about miles and points than you'll ever know.
Southwest and United are mid.
What does "mid" mean?@@iGimmie
@@pikeviewer7002means average at best basically
I didn't say they are unaware, just that would be the only explanation other than their ignoring it. Anyway, I'll laugh along with you laughing at me. @@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb
When Chase gets Lifemiles it will be over!
AA is taking a cue from the cruise lines.
Biggest problem with Chase is 4/24 - my wife just got down to 4/24 after many years and was denied her first application. We'll see the reason if the letter is even correct, maybe I miscounted but I'm pretty sure about it. The issue for us with Amex is because we don't fly international much, Delta is our best transfer. My #1 and #2 would probably be Amex and Barclays since we have had so many MR bonuses converted to Delta points from Amex, and we earn so many American miles and Wyndham points with getting cards from Barclays.
Delta is junk
@@yurig2530but their lounges are nice.
I like to think im first even when im not!
Second
Fifth.
First by far