Opening new credit card for the bonus (plus airlines question)

[Embee12]

Hi, all. If this is not the correct location, I trust it will be re-routed.

I'm thinking about opening a new credit card in order to get the bonus miles and perks for my Camino travels (which is in October 2022). I have a Jet Blue card, which would indeed get me from SFO to Madrid, but flights seem much more expensive than other airlines, and with very limited flights (because Jet Blue doesn't actually fly to Madrid, so it's another carrier after stopping on the East Coast.)

Perhaps, then, this begs the question about airlines: should I determine which airline I want to use and then get a card? Or get a card that will help me to determine which airline? And the airlines question I guess should is a whole other thread... But I'm writing the credit card one first bc if I'm getting a new card I should do it now so that I can purchase whatever the minimum is to clear in time for me to get points to use for my trip (if that makes sense...).

Thanks!

 

[C clearly]

Gosh, this is not an easy question to answer! The rules around bonus miles, credit card perks, etc., are very complicated and they keep changing. One company might make a great starting offer that is good for new members this week only, and then another company will offer something similar or different, next week. You would need to figure out how many bonus miles you get to start, and how many more you need, and how much money you will need to spend to get to the desired level. Then, possibly taxes and airport charges will need to be paid separately by you. Sometimes you will be surprised that you don't save as much as you expected!

I have decided that it is not worth the savings to devote much effort to finding the best deal, especially for a single big trip. There are usually too many restrictions to the flight choices. I have my preferred airline and collect their points, but there really are not many benefits unless I travel a lot. I have a cash-back credit card so I get no points on it either. But at least I get a small amount of cash back!

 

[BookGirl305]

I cashed in Delta miles for my ticket and the very next morning, the fare went up by 49,000 miles. There is absolutely no way with dynamic pricing that you can be sure how much they are going to charge for the flight. Mine went from 95,000 (which is already high) to 144,000 overnight. A points based card like the Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphires will earn you points that can transfer to multiple airlines, but same scenario on how many miles you need. You could book thru the travel portal of those same cards and use your points, but you're really using Expedia or Priceline and if your flight changes, your refund comes from those online travel agencies vs the airlines directly... you be the judge on that one.

Another alternative could be to 1) do a Google flights search for your dates and put a tracker on it. Do the same for nearby airports that would be worth driving to for a cheap fare or that you could get a cheap flight to) and maybe use a cheap fare finder such as thrifty traveler premium or Scott's cheap flights. I have used every version I have mentioned at one point or another. The stash of Delta points? I fixed my front porch and charged it to the card to get the welcome point bonus. There are lots of options to play around with.

 

[estorildon]

The credit card companies and the airlines are one step ahead of you. Once you apply they have set trap for you.

 

[trecile]

I have a Chase Sapphire card which I use for most purchases, and I transfer my points to United for flights. I've been lucky enough to have enough points for round trip tickets for my Caminos.
I also have to United Explorer card, and when I use it to pay for my tickets - even the small fee when I'm using points I get extra perks like a free checked bag - even if I purchase a "basic economy" ticket, earlier group boarding, 2 lounge passes each year, and it just paid my renewal fee for Global Entry.
Check out The Points Guy website for the best mileage credit cards.

 

[C clearly]

My best points story is that before the ethics committee of the pharmacists association changed the rules, I managed to get 10X miles on Tuesdays at a grocery store chain, for an expensive drug I needed. Even though the drug was paid for my insurance, I very quickly earned a trip to Europe. The only downside was that it was a cancer treatment drug.

 

[Kanga]

I look for a card that will refund all my ATM fees. If it provides good travel insurance, so much the better.

 

[Margaret Butterworth]

I look for a card with no Overseas Transaction Fees. Two and a half years ago, on my last trip overseas, I paid over $250 in such fees. My current credit card (from Westpac, an Australian bank) charges $9 per month for a card with no OT fees. I'm looking forward to some savings at last on my 2022 Camino.

 

[OzAnnie]

I look for a card that will refund all my ATM fees. If it provides good travel insurance, so much the better.

@Kanga
Are you getting refund on ATM fees incurred overseas also?
Which one do you use and how does the refund occur?
Sounds good if we can find something like that in Oz . I keep reading on the forum about the lucky US pilgrims with the Charles ? Schwab card that covers this and have been very envious.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I look for a card that will refund all my ATM fees. If it provides good travel insurance, so much the better.

The plain old Charles Schwab ATM card refunds all ATM fees.

 

[williamlittig]

Hi, all. If this is not the correct location, I trust it will be re-routed.

I'm thinking about opening a new credit card in order to get the bonus miles and perks for my Camino travels (which is in October 2022). I have a Jet Blue card, which would indeed get me from SFO to Madrid, but flights seem much more expensive than other airlines, and with very limited flights (because Jet Blue doesn't actually fly to Madrid, so it's another carrier after stopping on the East Coast.)

Perhaps, then, this begs the question about airlines: should I determine which airline I want to use and then get a card? Or get a card that will help me to determine which airline? And the airlines question I guess should is a whole other thread... But I'm writing the credit card one first bc if I'm getting a new card I should do it now so that I can purchase whatever the minimum is to clear in time for me to get points to use for my trip (if that makes sense...).

Thanks!
Michelle

Look at American Airlines Aviator card. $99. and any small purchase will get you there. THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT. Just a suggestion.

 

[Steven Dwyer]

I am a big fan of using airline credit card bonuses to earn free tickets.

I would suggest taking a look at the redemption guidelines for each airline to select the one that works best for your October 2022 Camino. I usually find that the fees and taxes are minimal. A notorious exception was London connection on a British Airways flight, but it was easy enough to find a different routing to avoid the high fee.

Over the years I have signed up for a credit card with each of the three major airlines in the US in order to get the signup bonus points. Being able to cash in points for a one way ticket was especially helpful as several times I took a TransAtlantic cruise to return. I also one time booked a flight the day before an international trip which would have been way out of my budget, but was able to use reduced miles. Another advantage is that the change or cancellation fee was only $50 to $100 the couple of times that I need to do that.

I usually cancel the card after 1 year to avoid the reoccurring annual fee. About three years after cancelling I started receiving new offers from each airline. Yes, they did once again give me the signup bonuses.

 

[trecile]

The plain old Charles Schwab ATM card refunds all ATM fees.

Unfortunately not available to @Kanga and others in Australia or other countries outside the US.

 

[pjacobi]

I use Chase Sapphire card and convert the points directly to a cash credit to apply to the balance.

Points are just a gimmick with too many restrictions on when and how they can be used.

You can't go wrong with cash to pay the balance!


-Paul

 

[Sharonih]

Really it’s dependent on how much you use your card and your county of origin. Also if the card you use is accepted in the country you travel to. Also factor in if to get the perk you have to pay an annual fee or spend X amount of dollars. As I normally travel the world I have as specific card I just use while I am traveling and another type I use at home.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Unfortunately not available to @Kanga and others in Australia or other countries outside the US.

That surprises me as they are International and an online bank.
Google says:
"Charles Schwab has made the decision to close their Australian office. However, Charles Schwab will continue to serve their Australian customers through the US based broker-dealer Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. and their US based international teams," a spokesperson told local news outlet Financial Standard."

 

[gloria lowe]

I use a Charles Schwab card as a debit card for no fees. My credit card is an American Airlines miles card and all 6 on my trips have been free and 1st class. Very easy to get miles.

 

[Embee12]

Thanks, everyone. Really helpful information! Especially about the foreign transaction fees, which I did not know about... I'd like to hear more about preferred airlines, too - don't know if people look for lowest fares or try to stick with the one(s) they feel have good service - but maybe that should be another thread? Let me know. Thanks.

 

[Embee12]

I use a Charles Schwab card as a debit card for no fees. My credit card is an American Airlines miles card and all 6 on my trips have been free and 1st class. Very easy to get miles.

Good to know. Do you like using American Airlines? Thanks.

 

[Embee12]

Look at American Airlines Aviator card. $99. and any small purchase will get you there. THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT. Just a suggestion.

Do you like flying American Airlines to Spain?

 

[Embee12]

I use Chase Sapphire card and convert the points directly to a cash credit to apply to the balance.

Points are just a gimmick with too many restrictions on when and how they can be used.

You can't go wrong with cash to pay the balance!


-Paul

Good tip! Yes, navigating the points system is tedious. Chase Sapphire seems fairly versatile and gets good reviews.

 

[Marbe2]

I have a simple Chase Explorer card which teams up with United airlines. I purchase just about everything with it so points accumulate quickly. Gas, restaurants, food, rentals, online puchases. Freebies, include 2 entrances to their United Clubs at airports per year, reimbursement for Global entry renewal ($100 value), collision damages car coverage. priority boarding (after business/1st class board) and noconversion fee.

My decision to get this card is based upon the most convenient non-stop flights at my home airport. My priority is to get to the closest airport and fly direct! Therefore United fits the bill.

The $95 yearly card fee is more than paid for by the perks.

I forgot to add a free checked bag as one of the perks.

 

[trecile]

Thanks, everyone. Really helpful information! Especially about the foreign transaction fees, which I did not know about... I'd like to hear more about preferred airlines, too - don't know if people look for lowest fares or try to stick with the one(s) they feel have good service - but maybe that should be another thread? Let me know. Thanks.

Because of where I live United Airlines usually has the best routing for me, and the points that I earn from my Chase Sapphire card transfer one to one to United. Other airlines don't give me as much for my points. Have you check out The Points Guy site? There is usually an analysis of the best cards for earning travel points.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Have you check out The Points Guy site? There is usually an analysis of the best cards for earning travel points.

My oldest son and his wife travel for six months of the year and have a successful travel blog. He loves "The Points Guy" and has used many tips that have served him well on their travels.

 

[gloria lowe]

Good to know. Do you like using American Airlines? Thanks.

I do like them because they have so many flights out of Phoenix. Their credit card has no foreign transactions fee which saves money.

 

[williamlittig]

Do you like flying American Airlines to Spain?

We live in Utah and flew through Dallas all went smoothly 15 hrs.

 

[Kev&Kath]

Read an article on this topic only this morning. Seems rather complicated in process...but might be of interest.

JACI STEPHEN: How to always fly First Class - for LESS than coach!

I haven't flown coach for years. I'm always in the luxury of those front row business and first seats, toying with a glass of fizz after a delicious time in the private business lounge.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Marbe2]

Ultimately, from your preferred airport, what is your preferred airline choices?
I take United. Its east coast hub at EWR has non-stop flights to Europe, Asia, and many other places. find an airline that youcan travel non stop where you want to fly and then chose a card that works well for that airline.

 

[hawkeyepierce]

I used points to get to my camino. I've been churning credit cards for over a decade and have burned through about 3 million airline miles and hotel points.

I redeemed 57k American Airlines miles for a flight from Denver to London via Dallas and 68k United miles for a flight from Frankfurt back to Denver. Both in business class. I also used some free night certificates from Marriott in Leon. The camino is a great use for miles if you have flexibility and are traveling solo, both of which were true for me. Even easier if you're flying coach.

Happy to answer any questions about what us miles/points enthusiasts call "the game".

 

[trecile]

With the exception of 2019 when I walked two Caminos, I have bought all my Camino flights with points. I haven't splurged for a business class seat like @hawkeyepierce - yet.

 

[C clearly]

Seems rather complicated in process.

Yes. As retired people, we now buy so few things that it is hard to accumulate the points to make this worth the effort. So we just use cards with no fees, no points, and a bit of cash back.

 

[goldie from aus]

@Kanga
Are you getting refund on ATM fees incurred overseas also?
Which one do you use and how does the refund occur?
Sounds good if we can find something like that in Oz . I keep reading on the forum about the lucky US pilgrims with the Charles ? Schwab card that covers this and have been very envious.

I think here in Aus your best bet is Ing - "The first 5 times you're charged fees to withdraw cash at an ATM each month per account - here or overseas - we'll rebate it including the ATM operator fee."

 

[Kanga]

I think here in Aus your best bet is Ing - "The first 5 times you're charged fees to withdraw cash at an ATM each month per account - here or overseas - we'll rebate it including the ATM operator fee."

Yes, that is what I use. ING refund the 5 x a month ATM fees direct into my account (overseas or in Australia). No international transaction fees for overseas or online purchases. In Europe I withdraw in Euros and never let the machine do the exchange - because ING apply the standard VISA daily rate, which is as good as it gets.

There are a few catches - you have to make 5 settled purchases a month using the card (but it can be as small as a cup of coffee - I "pay wave" them), and you have to deposit a regular amount of $1,000 into the account each month from an external source.

(Edited to add - there may be other banks that do the same thing. Also you may not necessarily be getting the best interest rate and this is a debit card, not a credit card, so you have to keep enough money in it to cover your purchases/withdrawals).

 

[Marbe2]

Read an article on this topic only this morning. Seems rather complicated in process...but might be of interest.

JACI STEPHEN: How to always fly First Class - for LESS than coach!

I haven't flown coach for years. I'm always in the luxury of those front row business and first seats, toying with a glass of fizz after a delicious time in the private business lounge.

www.dailymail.co.uk

To quote the author
“ My miles cost me nothing, because every month I make sure I accumulate enough on my credit and charge cards through qualifying purchases for another Upper Class flight.”

Unless you are really a frequent flyer, or fly for business, it is really difficult to accumulate enough points to take a business flight year, entirely on points on a carrier e.g., United, without additional cash.

We are soon to fly to MAD fro EWR. . Current upgrade from Economy (not basic) one way is circa $1800 above one’s economy fare.. If you are a United mileage plus member, the use of points helps but it is still going to cost you. The current waiting list business fare is 20,000points + an additional $550 (one way) above your economy ticket cost. So say you paid $600 for your economy fare,then you would be paying, round trip $1700 and 40,000 points for a business seat if you make it from the wait list to the business seat. While definitely cheaper than the normal ticket price, it is still substantially more than the economy circa $600 fare!

 

[hawkeyepierce]

In general, upgrading with points is a bad deal compared to redeeming points for business class outright.

 

[trecile]

Unless you are really a frequent flyer, or fly for business, it is really difficult to accumulate enough points to take a business flight year, entirely on points on a carrier e.g., United, without additional cash.

I agree. I skimmed through the article, but collecting points by flying a lot isn't exactly free!

The points that I use to buy my economy class ticket are mostly earned because I use my Chase Sapphire card to pay for as many of my regular purchases as possible. I like the Chase card because the points transfer 1:1 to my United account, or I can transfer them to other programs.

 

[witsendwv]

We arrived in Madrid yesterday with a new Capital One no transaction fee card, linked to a checking account with a no transaction fee debit card. We tried them both just to see that they were working. No problem, excellent conversion rates, and since we are going to be in Spain for six weeks I can pay the credit card from the checking acct. while I am here. (Using a VPN of course) 🥾

 

[Marbe2]

In general, upgrading with points is a bad deal compared to redeeming points for business class outright.

I think it depends upon when you redeem them! And not too many of us have 135,000-150,00O points to fly business class one way to MAD. Those were the points required when I booked my ticket. At that time a RT ticket was almost $7,000 so using points was better than using cash.

 

[Craig L]

I got a United credit card… charged $3,000 in the first 4 months (didn’t go into debt, just paid gas, insurance, utilities, etc and immediately paid it off) and got 75,000 free miles. I booked my round trip ticket for late April 2023 from Los Angeles to Paris… 66,000 miles. Free trip.

My daughter is joining me in Sarria for the last week. She did the exact same thing… free trip. My wife and son are meeting us in SdC at the end and they did the same thing. All 4 flights booked… all flights free.