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Help me maximize travel points/rewards
Topic Started: Dec 29 2017, 04:47 PM (53 Views)
George K
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Finally
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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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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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George K
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Finally
Mikhailoh
Dec 29 2017, 04:56 PM
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.
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...
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
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
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