point game is one of strategyYou want to choose loyalty programs that generate revenue Types of Awards You can make the most of it and get Affiliated Credit Card Which offer earning rates and benefits that you can maximize to your advantage.
It’s also a good idea to diversify the types of points and miles you earn. This is because reward currencies – whether it Airline Frequent Flyer MilesHotel loyalty points or transferable credit card points – are subject to significant and sudden change (and, in the worst case, devaluation).
However, there are also some good reasons to double down on a particular points program or two.
For example, there may be a Enhanced welcome bonus on credit cards You qualify for it even if you already have another cobranded card with the same program. If you already have a credit card with a program, you may find that you can earn even more or enjoy better features by getting an additional card. same award family,
Just keep in mind that you should think about any loyalty strategy both long-term and short-term and that focusing on a few programs now may mean you’ll need to expand your reach later – or vice versa. .
Here are seven reasons why doubling up on credit cards with points programs might be better than diversifying.
Connected: Better Together: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Credit Card Pairing
GET ADVANCED WELCOME BONUS UNTIL IT LAST
We’ve seen historically high welcome offers on a variety of airlines and hotel cards Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express CardThe Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Cardand this Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card,
In fact, some of these offers have been so good that even if you already have a card with a similar rewards program, you may have considered applying for another to earn extra bonus points for flights or stays.
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An advanced offer is always worth considering, especially if it is the best offer so far.
Connected: Best Current Credit Card Welcome Bonus
You can avoid (some) eligibility rules and exclusions
Most credit card issuers there are strict rules About who is and who is not eligible for specific credit cards. Chase has 5/24 ruleFor example; If most people have opened five or more cards (from any and all issuers, not just Chase) within the last 24 months, it will automatically deny you applications for the new card.
So, let’s say you’re getting close to that number and trying to decide between a few different new credit cards from different issuers. Since other banks’ rules aren’t exactly the same, you might opt for a Chase card before you reach the five-card limit and then apply for products Thereafter from other issuers and other programs.
Supercharge your earnings
It often happens that different credit cards under the same loyalty program earn points or miles at different rates.
For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express Earns 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with or through airlines Amex TravelUp to $500,000 per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar), and on prepaid hotel reservations made through Amex Travel. It earns 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.
On the other end, American Express® Gold Card Earns 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar spent at US supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) Is.
3 points per dollar spent on flights booked with card airlines or Amex Travel, 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other purchases booked through Amex Travel, and 2 points per dollar spent on everything else Dollar earns 1 point. These earning rates come in exchange for a $325 annual fee (see). Rates and Fees,
By having both of these cards, you can dramatically increase your earnings by earning 5 points per dollar spent on eligible flight and hotel bookings with the Amex Platinum and 4 points per dollar spent on eligible US supermarket and restaurant fees with the Amex Gold. Can increase from.
Connected: How to Make Sure You Earn Bonus Points for Grocery Shopping
Open more and better redemption options
With some rewards programs, such as chase the ultimate rewards And Citi Thank You RewardsThere are basic cards that earn simple cashback and more premium cards that earn points that can be transferred to various airline and hotel partner programs.
This is why card pairs are formed like this Chase Freedom Unlimited® with Chase Sapphire Reserve® very powerful. Freedom Unlimited earns 5% cashback on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cashback on dining (including takeout and qualified delivery services) and drugstores, and 1.5% cashback on all other purchases.
If you don’t have a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, those rewards are only good for various cash-back redemptions.
However, if you have a points-earning Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can combine the points earned on it with rewards from Freedom Unlimited and redeem them for Chase Travel at a rate of 1.5 cents (already a value). Can be redeemed for travel through. 50% increase on Freedom), or transfer them to the Ultimate Rewards program 14 airline and hotel partners,
Connected: The power of the Chase trifecta: Sapphire Reserve, Ink Preferred and Freedom Unlimited
profit layers
Just as different cards within the same family can have different earning rates, many also have different perks from one another. So you may want to have one for certain benefits and another for even more.
For example, United Club℠ Infinite Card Earn bonus miles across a variety of categories including United Airlines shopping, travel and dining. As a key benefit, cardholders receive United Club membership and a statement credit of up to $120 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees once every four years.
Despite these benefits, you may also want to unpack United℠ Business CardThe card offers travel day perks similar to United Club Infinite, with a few exceptions, such as free checked bags and priority boarding.
United Business cardholders earn bonus miles gas station and at office supply stores and local transit and commuting shoppingPlus a 5,000-mile anniversary bonus if you also have an individual United credit card. You also get two United Club one-time passes each year that you can use to bring additional travelers with you to United Club.
Travel more with multiple nights or flights
It seems the banks think most people are only interested in single credit card From a particular airline or hotel, so they offer similar benefits across their product range. However, if you’re willing to double down on cards with a specific loyalty scheme, you can get some benefits for even more (almost) free travel.
For example, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex and this Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Both come with annual partner certificate It can be redeemed for a second ticket on the same reservation as the Cardmember for round-trip travel within the United States and select international destinations.
The Delta Amex Platinum companion certificate is good for travel on Main Cabin fares, while the Delta Reserve lets you redeem its companion certificates for Main Cabin, Comfort+, and even First Class.
So if you have both cards, you can expect savings on two trips for yourself and one companion – or, if your family is four (or more), parents can fly up front while the kids fly in coach. Sit down, and you’ll be enjoying about half of your holiday flights.
Looking at hotel-cobranded cards, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card comes with a annual awards night each year of card membership (and a second membership each year you spend $30,000, plus a third membership after you spend $60,000 or more on purchases).
add this to this Hilton Honors Amex Surpass And spend $15,000 on it in a calendar year to earn another free night award that can be used either on the same stay or on another stay.
By taking advantage of benefits that seem to overlap, you can actually add things like companion tickets or anniversary nights to extend the number of trips you want to use them on.
Hilton Aspire Amex Card information is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Connected: The best hotel credit cards that come with an annual free night
Get to elite status faster
In the case of hotel credit cards, in particular, carrying more than one product from the same loyalty program can put a higher level of elite status within reach.
For example, if you have Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card and this Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® CardYou are credited with 15 exclusive nights per year per card for program status. that’s all 30 nights every year – five more than you need middle level gold statusAnd 45 nights away from the elusive Titanium, before you even step foot in a hotel.
Connected: Best credit cards to reach elite status
ground level
When it comes to points and miles, diversifying the number of loyalty programs you participate in is a tried-and-tested strategy that will help you deal with sudden devaluation. However, it may be a good idea to go ahead with one or two individual point programs for a specific time frame.
Doing so allows you to take advantage of any short-term bonuses that arise, enjoy stackable benefits and collect the rewards needed for imminent redemptions even faster. Evaluate your current card lineup and see if there might be an opportunity to double down on one or two programs so you can earn rewards even faster.
Connected: Why are points and miles a bad long-term investment?
Click for Amex Gold rates and fees Here,
