Comments on: In defense of reward-earning credit cards http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/22/in-defense-of-reward-earning-credit-cards/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:21:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Beyond points: Choosing a credit card with which to buy big-ticket items | Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/22/in-defense-of-reward-earning-credit-cards/#comment-33364 Beyond points: Choosing a credit card with which to buy big-ticket items | Upgrade: Travel Better Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:43:40 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2227#comment-33364 [...] a credit card with which to buy big-ticket itemsPosted by: Mark Ashley As much as I am an advocate for point-earning credit cards, sometimes there are more important considerations than your [...] [...] a credit card with which to buy big-ticket itemsPosted by: Mark Ashley As much as I am an advocate for point-earning credit cards, sometimes there are more important considerations than your [...]

]]> By: james http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/22/in-defense-of-reward-earning-credit-cards/#comment-28293 james Sat, 13 Jun 2009 22:50:35 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2227#comment-28293 Credit cards are a must have for traveling. I often rent apartments for my trips and send money via Paypal (through my credit card.) I do a lot of internet shopping, and would never want my debit account, (which is linked to my checking account,) to be spread around so many online retailers. If you use a debit card and are overcharged or have a dispute you CAN get your money back, however it's much easier to facilitate with a credit card, and you're not dealing with accounts that pay your personal bills. I have the UAL miles card. I choose to pay the $60 annual fee, and in return do much of my spending and end up with a free trip about once a year or so. James Van Dellen http://www.futuregringo.com Credit cards are a must have for traveling. I often rent apartments for my trips and send money via Paypal (through my credit card.) I do a lot of internet shopping, and would never want my debit account, (which is linked to my checking account,) to be spread around so many online retailers.

If you use a debit card and are overcharged or have a dispute you CAN get your money back, however it’s much easier to facilitate with a credit card, and you’re not dealing with accounts that pay your personal bills.

I have the UAL miles card. I choose to pay the $60 annual fee, and in return do much of my spending and end up with a free trip about once a year or so.

James Van Dellen
http://www.futuregringo.com

]]> By: sara http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/22/in-defense-of-reward-earning-credit-cards/#comment-28108 sara Wed, 27 May 2009 00:53:52 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2227#comment-28108 i got the chase continental mastercard with a $85 annual fee cuz with it, they will waive the bag fee. Since I travel almost exclusively on Continental (and have YET to attain any status), it really adds up....I should be silver before I have to pay the next annual fee, and I will cancel the card until I lose the status again! i got the chase continental mastercard with a $85 annual fee cuz with it, they will waive the bag fee. Since I travel almost exclusively on Continental (and have YET to attain any status), it really adds up….I should be silver before I have to pay the next annual fee, and I will cancel the card until I lose the status again!

]]> By: Ram http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/22/in-defense-of-reward-earning-credit-cards/#comment-28101 Ram Tue, 26 May 2009 16:08:34 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2227#comment-28101 What about the AMEX Plat Cash Rebate card thru' Costco? Hopefully, you will publish a summary of the feedback with an updated recommendation? Thanks! What about the AMEX Plat Cash Rebate card thru’ Costco?

Hopefully, you will publish a summary of the feedback with an updated recommendation? Thanks!

]]> By: g.twilley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/22/in-defense-of-reward-earning-credit-cards/#comment-28097 g.twilley Mon, 25 May 2009 20:08:19 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2227#comment-28097 I think I've commented about this before, but I have a delta platinum card (we have family in the southeast - and the annual fee is usually less than a plane ticket - which is compensated by the free companion voucher we get every year). Last year, I am certain that I received over $2000 in free flights because of the points we saved by using the card. For places that don't accept AMEX, I uses my Hilton HHonors Visa (I travel a lot for work - usually by car or train - usually staying in Hilton Branded hotels). Sure, I can pay cash or use my debit card - but my bank doesn't pay me to do that - these cards do. Our cash flow / reserves are never exceeded by what we spend, and I agree that it would be foolish to do so. But when AMEX is willing to give me double miles for gas and groceries and meet me mile for dollar on everything else, why wouldn't I use the card??? I think I’ve commented about this before, but I have a delta platinum card (we have family in the southeast – and the annual fee is usually less than a plane ticket – which is compensated by the free companion voucher we get every year). Last year, I am certain that I received over $2000 in free flights because of the points we saved by using the card.

For places that don’t accept AMEX, I uses my Hilton HHonors Visa (I travel a lot for work – usually by car or train – usually staying in Hilton Branded hotels).

Sure, I can pay cash or use my debit card – but my bank doesn’t pay me to do that – these cards do. Our cash flow / reserves are never exceeded by what we spend, and I agree that it would be foolish to do so. But when AMEX is willing to give me double miles for gas and groceries and meet me mile for dollar on everything else, why wouldn’t I use the card???

]]> By: Bob Cooney http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/22/in-defense-of-reward-earning-credit-cards/#comment-28075 Bob Cooney Sun, 24 May 2009 17:07:47 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2227#comment-28075 I just got a Chase Mileage Plus Debit card. 1 mile per dollar spent, no debt, no interest rates. 15,000 bonus miles for signup. $65 annual fee. I use my debit for bill pay and groceries, so I spend at least $4000 a month on it. That's 50k miles a year for $65. I just got a Chase Mileage Plus Debit card. 1 mile per dollar spent, no debt, no interest rates. 15,000 bonus miles for signup. $65 annual fee. I use my debit for bill pay and groceries, so I spend at least $4000 a month on it. That’s 50k miles a year for $65.

]]> By: Jean - OurExplorer Tour Guide http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/22/in-defense-of-reward-earning-credit-cards/#comment-28073 Jean - OurExplorer Tour Guide Sun, 24 May 2009 13:08:40 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2227#comment-28073 Rewards is something nice to have, but not something to go for without reasonable expense. I think it like cream on coffee, extra free but can't replace your original needs. If one can play smart to enjoy the benefits, why not? Rewards is something nice to have, but not something to go for without reasonable expense. I think it like cream on coffee, extra free but can’t replace your original needs. If one can play smart to enjoy the benefits, why not?

]]> By: Reader http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/22/in-defense-of-reward-earning-credit-cards/#comment-28062 Reader Sat, 23 May 2009 04:23:31 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2227#comment-28062 You should look into the Schwab credit card - 2% rebate with no cap and no forex fees You should look into the Schwab credit card – 2% rebate with no cap and no forex fees

]]> By: Ben Reierson http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/22/in-defense-of-reward-earning-credit-cards/#comment-28047 Ben Reierson Fri, 22 May 2009 17:57:51 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2227#comment-28047 I'm completely with you. If you're paying off your cards each month, why wouldn't you want to take advantage of all the great rewards cards out there? And if people are sucker enough to build up debt at 8-20% interest just to get some reward that amounts to 2%, then they're probably sucker enough to lose that money elsewhere. Why punish everyone else? I've traveled a lot for business in the past and when you're spending over $50k/year on cards, those rewards can be like a second income! For personal stuff, I still use my Discover card whenever I can. I like the simplicity of the cash back and I've had it forever. I also have their Gas card. I use the Marriott Rewards Signature card at hotels and places that don't take discover. I have an American Express Bluesky card for Costco and other travel expenses that I don't have a specific card for. The signup bonus on that card amounted to something like $300 in cash! I still have a Northwest Visa and a United Visa, but those are hard to justify if you aren't flying A LOT. I NEVER use my debit card. I just don't understand why people would do that if they could just be paying off a credit card and collecting rewards at the same time. I’m completely with you. If you’re paying off your cards each month, why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of all the great rewards cards out there? And if people are sucker enough to build up debt at 8-20% interest just to get some reward that amounts to 2%, then they’re probably sucker enough to lose that money elsewhere. Why punish everyone else?

I’ve traveled a lot for business in the past and when you’re spending over $50k/year on cards, those rewards can be like a second income! For personal stuff, I still use my Discover card whenever I can. I like the simplicity of the cash back and I’ve had it forever. I also have their Gas card. I use the Marriott Rewards Signature card at hotels and places that don’t take discover. I have an American Express Bluesky card for Costco and other travel expenses that I don’t have a specific card for. The signup bonus on that card amounted to something like $300 in cash! I still have a Northwest Visa and a United Visa, but those are hard to justify if you aren’t flying A LOT.

I NEVER use my debit card. I just don’t understand why people would do that if they could just be paying off a credit card and collecting rewards at the same time.

]]> By: Diane http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/22/in-defense-of-reward-earning-credit-cards/#comment-28046 Diane Fri, 22 May 2009 16:04:32 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2227#comment-28046 In my wallet are the following credit cards: Disney Visa and Marriott Rewards Visa. I used to love the Disney Visa as the rewards just added up, but that changed a year or so ago and I hate the card. If you don't watch your rewards, you start to loose them monthly. Keeping this one until I cash out the rewards on a trip to Disneyworld. My hubby and I use our credit wisely and we pay off our credit cards monthly. In my wallet are the following credit cards: Disney Visa and Marriott Rewards Visa. I used to love the Disney Visa as the rewards just added up, but that changed a year or so ago and I hate the card. If you don’t watch your rewards, you start to loose them monthly. Keeping this one until I cash out the rewards on a trip to Disneyworld.

My hubby and I use our credit wisely and we pay off our credit cards monthly.

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