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| Help me maximize travel points/rewards | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 29 2017, 04:47 PM (53 Views) | |
| George K | Dec 29 2017, 04:47 PM Post #1 |
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Finally
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OK, I need some help cyphering this out. Being the guy who's always looking to save a buck or three, I look at rewards programs for travel, specifically Amtrak travel, because SWMBO won't fly. Considering the 20 long-distance (overnight) trips I've taken in the last three years, I've paid, out of pocket, for only three. Everything else has been free. Currently, I have the Amtrak Bank of America Mastercard. It awards one point per dollar spent on anything; basically $1.00 per $100 spent. I put EVERYTHING on that card - cable, phone, cellphone, groceries. You name it, it goes on that card. In addition to that, I can shop through their portal which multiplies the reward (for example, if I buy toilet paper through Jet.com, I get two points per dollar PLUS the one point for using the card itself). So, what's a point worth? If i were to buy points, I'd pay about 2.82¢ per point. Looking at it another way, I get about 3.54 points per dollar. Seems to me that continuing to use that card gives me the most bang for the buck. Another credit card will only give 1 point per dollar, but that point only worth a penny, as opposed to 2.8¢ for the Amtrak card. That's any other card that offers 1% - Discover, Chase, etc. Even Capitol One is 2% for spending - the Amtrak Card is probably better. The only place I think it might be worth using a different credit card is Amazon Prime, where their VISA earns 5% on Prime purchases. A $100 purchase will give me $5 back, which I can use to purchase about 18 points. Am I missing something? |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| Mikhailoh | Dec 29 2017, 04:56 PM Post #2 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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You are very similar to me. I use the Amex Delta Skymiles card similarly and the Amazon Prime. Sounds like you have a handle on it. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| George K | Dec 29 2017, 04:59 PM Post #3 |
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Finally
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Basically, keep using the Bank of America Amtrak Guest Rewards Card is the most bang for the buck, right? No other card will match that. Amazon, at 5% for Prime Purchases comes close... |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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