Chase Ultimate Reward (UR) points are the currency that Chase uses to reward people who use their cards that are not tied to a specific airline or hotel chain.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points offer some incredible value, and if used right, can actually be more beneficial than credit cards that offer miles with a specific airline because they UR points are extremely flexible.
UR points are in direct competition with American Express Membership Rewards points and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) points.
This series will explain all the facets of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, including ways to earn them, ways to use them, how to transfer them (both between accounts and to partner airlines and hotels), and lastly, the best ways to maximize them.
By the end, you’ll be a Chase Ultimate Rewards pro and you’ll see why they are my preferred frequent flyer currency!
For now, though, let’s start with how to earn UR points. You can love them all you want, but if you don’t have any, they aren’t doing you any good!
The absolute easiest way to earn a huge amount of Ultimate Rewards points at one time is through credit card signups. Luckily, Chase has quite a few good offers out there, so unless you’ve collected them all already, you have some good options to pick from.
Before we start looking at cards, there is one VERY important distinction that you must understand; the difference between “premium” Ultimate Rewards points and “limited” Ultimate Rewards points.
This is an area that quite a few people get confused on, so its time to set the record straight.
Premium Ultimate Rewards points vs. Limited Ultimate Rewards points
“Limited” UR points vs. “Premium” UR points is just as one-sided!
As the name implies, premium UR points are much more valuable than limited UR points. Premium UR points can be used two ways:
To redeem as cash for travel bought through the Chase Ultimate Rewards mall, at a value of 1.2 cents per point.
Limited UR points can only be used as cash for travel bought through the Chase Rewards Mall, at a value of 1.0 cents per point.
And while it is nice that the premium UR points are worth 20% more when redeemed as cash for travel, the MAJOR difference is that premium UR points can be transferred to partners whereas limited UR points cannot be transferred.
This opens up a range of possibilities and usually gives you much better value than simply redeeming them for 1.2 cents per point.
Now, it’s important to know which Chase cards earn you which type of points, as many people often get confused about this.
What Cards Earn Which Type of Points
The following cards earn you “premium” Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which ARE transferable to partners:
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Ink Bold [No longer available]
Chase Ink Plus
The following cards earn you “limited” Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which ARE NOT transferable to partners:
Chase Freedom
Chase Sapphire
Chase Ink Classic
Chase Ink Cash
So does this make cards that offer you limited points worthless?
Luckily, no!
Chase allows you to combine your Ultimate Rewards points by transferring between your accounts, regardless of if they are “limited” or “premium” points.
What this means is that as long as you have one of the cards that earns “premium” points, you can transfer the points you earn on the “limited” cards to “premium” account and VOILA!, those “limited” points are now “premium” points.
Just remember though: You need to have at least ONE “premium” card to transfer the “limited” points to or else they will remain limited points and have very little value.
To recap: Premium UR points are great, limited UR points are not that great. If you have a card that earns limited UR points, get a card that earns you premium points and combine your points in that premium account.
Now that you understand the difference between the two types of UR points, let’s take a look at which cards will earn you what points and how many!
Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Card Signup Bonuses
Below is a list of the cards that earn Chase UR points and the current signup bonus.
Chase Ink Classic: 25,000 “limited” Chase UR points
Chase Ink Cash: 25,000 “limited” Chase UR points
My Recommendations
The Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Ink Bold, and Chase Ink Plus my three favorite credit cards. Yes, they are #1, #2A and #2B in my mind (the Ink Bold and Ink Plus are virtually identical cards). I use them for all of my everyday spending.
Obviously, I highly recommend all three of the cards. The signup bonuses for all three cards are substantial (40k and 50k) and because they earn “premium” Ultimate Rewards points, they are super valuable since they can be transferred to many partners, including my favorites, United and Hyatt!
In addition, all three cards also offer some nice category bonuses for spending, which we’ll discuss in a later post.
The Freedom, which offers 5x points on different rotating categories, is another card to consider. I wouldn’t suggest it right now since the signup bonus is a paltry 10k, but if the bonus gets bumped up to 20k or 30k, then go for it!
Just remember that you’ll need either the Sapphire Preferred, Ink Bold, or Ink Plus to turn those “limited” points you earn with the Freedom in to “premium” points.
I’d only recommend applying for the regular Sapphire, Ink Classic, or Ink Cash after you’ve received all the “premium” cards. The signup bonuses are lower, and unless you have a premium card, you’ll be earning limited points.
If you have exhausted all the “premium” options, wow, good for you! Then, it’s time to start thinking about nabbing the 25k signup bonus for the Ink Cash or Ink Classic.
Final Word(s)
Signing up for a Chase credit card (or two…or three) is BY FAR the quickest way to build up your Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
However, when signing up, make sure that you applying for cards that earn “premium” points, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Ink Bold, and Chase Ink Plus.
Since these are all different products, you can earn the signup bonus from each. Opening these three cards would net you a quick 140k Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Talk about a nice jump-start!
Personally, Chase UR points are my favorite frequent flyer currency and the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Ink Bold, and Ink Chase are three of the best cards out there. If you don’t already have them, I would strongly suggest you consider getting one and start earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points now!
What Chase signup bonuses have you snagged? Which ones are you targeting in the future? Let me know in the comments below!
Unfortunately the Chase Ink Bold card is no longer available from Chase.
The information in this post is still relevant when applied to the Chase Ink Plus card, which is almost identical to the Ink Bold.
The Chase Ink Bold is one of my absolute favorite cards, and is a no-brainer for any business owner.
Why?
Here are the top 6 reasons that the Ink Bold has stolen my heart.
But first, the details:
The Details for the Chase Ink Bold
Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $625 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
No interest charges because you pay your balance in full each month.
Earn 5X points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services.
No foreign transaction fees.
Direct access to a live service advisor anytime.
1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs with no transfer fees.
$0 Intro Annual Fee for the first year, then $95.
Click here to apply for the Chase Ink Bold
Why I Love the Chase Ink Bold
Reason #1: 50,000 point signup bonus
With a sign up bonus of 50k points, this is one of the largest available bonus out there.
You’ll get 50k after spending $5,000 in 3 months.
50k points is great in any situation, but its even better when its earning you….
Reason #2: Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
If you are not familiar with Chase Ultimate Rewards points, I suggest you get acquainted quickly because they one of the most valuable currency out there in the frequent flyer world. The Ultimate Guide to Ultimate Rewards will answer all the questions you may have about these awesome points!
These Chase UR point have tremendous value because they can be transferred to a ton of partners, both airlines (United, Southwest, Korean, BA) and hotels (Hyatt, Marriott, Priority Club, Ritz-Carlton).
All of these transfers are at a 1:1 ratio and they all transfer instantly, a huge plus if you have a penchant for waiting until the last minute or need to take advantage of a deal quickly.
My favorite transfer is to United because you’ll never pay a fuel surcharge when using United miles and they are part of Star Alliance, which not only has good award availability but also has partners that fly to anywhere in the world!
Chase points are my personal favorite and I earn them at every possible opportunity. Start earning Chase UR points now and you’ll never look back!
Reason #3: 5x on cellphone, cable, and internet bills
If you’re the .01% of Americans that don’t have either a cellphone, cable, or the internet then this won’t excite you as much as 99.9% of us who do.
I LOVE this perk of the Ink Bold because it’s so easy to do. Simply change your cellphone, cable, and internet bills over to be paid by your Ink Bold card and you’ll automatically receive 5x Chase UR points for every $1 you spend. Set it and forget it!
This is an especially huge score for people who pay for a family cellphone plan with a bunch of phones or have 1,000 cable channels and pay pretty hefty bills each month. When I last lived in the States I was paying about $200 a month between my cellphone, cable, and internet (a fairly normal amount I think).
By putting this spend on the Ink Bold, I’d pull in 1,000 UR points a month, 12,000 a year. All for doing nothing! Free and effortless points? I’ll take that any day!
Reason #4: 2x on gas
I’ve yet to run in to a person who has said “You know, I just really love paying $4 a gallon for gas.” I know, I know, hard to believe, right?
The truth is, paying that much for gas SUCKS. Unfortunately, we better get used to it.
Most other developed countries have been paying this much and more for years now, and if we are being realistic, it’s obvious that the gas prices in America are never going to go back to anything close to what they were pre-Katrina.
$4/gallon is here to stay.
So you have two options:
Nothing screams sexy like a Prius!
Get a Prius
Get the Ink Bold
While paying $4 a gallon might suck, getting 2x UR points for every $1 you spend at the pump can help ease the pain. You’ll receive 2x for the first $50,000 you spend each year on gas, so unless you’re dropping a grand a week on gas, all your gas spending will net you 2x/$1.
And if you are one of those unfortunate souls spending $50,000 a year in gas, then at least the Ink Bold will net yourself 2 roundtrip business class tickets to Europe just for using your Ink Bold!
Reason # 5: 5x at office supply stores
While this perk is not (quite) as effortless as moving your cellphone, internet, and cable bill over to your Ink Bold it can be still be beneficial for some people.
Many people with their own business need office supplies, and some people drop some major money on them.
Hello 5x!
Also, a lot of people forget that office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot also sell big ticket electronics, like computers and tablets. If you’re going to be buying an item like that (or even better, multiple ones), buy them there and rack up the points!
Reason #6: No foreign transaction fee and no annual fee for the first year
If you don’t already have a card with no foreign transaction fee, you should definitely add one to your wallet. Most credit cards will charge you 3% when you use it overseas, something that can add up very quickly.
Don’t let that vacation put you in the poorhouse!
Getting the Ink Bold solves this problem by charging you just the cost of your purchase, even when you are out of the country.
The Ink Bold also waives the annual fee for the first year, which is icing on the cake!
You’ll have a whole year to decide whether the perks of the card make it worth paying $95 for the second year, which for me is a resounding yes.
Final Word(s)
The Chase Ink Bold is undoubtedly a great card; not only does it have a pretty sweet signup bonus but it also has some killer perks that really allows you to rack up Chase UR points in a hurry with very minimal effort.
I would highly recommend it to anyone as long as they can make the $5,000 minimum spend in 3 months.
Click here to apply for the Chase Ink Bold
Want to profess your undying love for the Ink Bold as well? Have another card that is first in your heart? Haikus, soliliqoys and good old fashioned love letters accepted in the comments below!
[Update: Want the newest stuff? Of course you do! Check out our updated Top 10 Things to do in Siem Reap post from May 2015 that includes a professionally edited 2 minute video by clicking here. ]
1. Angkor Wat
Like this list would start with anything else! Usually the only thing people know about Cambodia and certainly the only reason people venture north to Siem Reap is to see this amazing wonder of the world. And you know what? It’s worth it!
Granted, that is a much easier statement to make if you fly in on Air Asia for $60 from Kuala Lumpur (my recommendation) than if you take the hellacious 10 hour bus ride from Bangkok (not my recommendation), but regardless of how you get there, you’ll be blown away.
I could yarn on and on about Angkor Wat, but they say a picture is worth 1,000 words, so I’ll just give you two suggestions and then let the rest speak for itself.
First, definitely get up to go at sunrise. Yes, its 4:30 am and yes that sounds crazy, but it really does make the experience that much better.
Even if the sunrise itself isn’t so great (like the day we went), being at such a sacred and majestic place that early in the morning is magical.
My second suggestion is to not dilly dally outside of the temple after the sunrise occurs. Before you know it, the temples will be overrun with large (and noisy) Korean and Japanese tour groups, even at this early of an hour.
Sneak in to the temple right after sunrise, before the rest get mobilized, and you’ll have this amazing place all to yourself. Those 15 quiet and peaceful minutes I had alone in the temple were hands down the best part of the trip.
2. Rent a driver for the day
This is usually done by people who are going to see Angkor Wat, but it deserves its own special mention because you aren’t just having a person drive you around, you’re having an experience.
Our driver, Bunthy, was one of the nicest, most genuine human beings you could ever meet, and as he was ferrying us around between the ruins, we not only learned a TON about Angkor Wat itself, but also amazing information about Cambodia, it’s history, it’s current political state, Bunthy’s family, the state of education in Cambodia, a normal lifestyle for a Cambodian person, and any other question I could think to fire off to him.
This interaction is the one major advantage to renting a car for the day (prices usually start at $30, but we talked him down to $25 and then ended up giving him a $5 tip anyway!) rather than a tuk-tuk.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities for renting a tuk-tuk around town, and its definitely something you should experience, but for the day trip around Angkor Wat, you won’t be able to converse or learn near as much from your driver, seeing as you’ll be sitting in the back of a noisy, motorbike drawn carriage.
And if you go in summer, as I did, the A/C alone is worth the extra $7.
Get in touch with my good buddy Bunthy and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed! Call or WhatsApp (855)-12-972-469 or even shoot him an email at bunthyme.bm@gmail.com.
3. Eat a frog
I’m no stranger to eating weird foods, but usually its not as enjoyable as it is comedic. Eating a frog is completely different; it’s delicious!
And not in a “it’s delicious for a really weird food” type way, but in a legitimate “I’d love to have 3 frogs for dinner two times a week” type way. As cliche as it sounds, it tastes like chicken, just juicier and more flavorful.
For $1? Looks like I’ll be flying in the staff from Khmer Family Restaurant to cater my next party. Frogs for everyone!
4. Get a fish massage
While the idea originally started on Khao San Road in Bangkok, it has quickly moved across the border and found a foothold in Siem Reap as well. And, believe it or not, it’s even cheaper here!
$1 will buy you 15 minutes and a free beer, so when you ask me why you should put your feet in a tank full of goldfish, my answer would be “why not?” And if you really need a reason, just believe the men when they tell you your dead skin is feeding the gold fish. It’ll placate the animal love in all of us!
5. Eat dinner in a bathtub
Madam Beergarden Under Construction (yes, that’s its real name) is as famous for its awesome food as it is for its crazy décor, and that’s saying something!
While dining on some of the best and cheapest eats in Siem Reap you can “lounge” in a sawed in half bathtub, among other interesting objects that dot the beergarden.
Whether you come for the food or the atmosphere, you won’t be disappointed!
6. Indulge Yourself on Pub Street
One of the good things about Pub Street and the surrounding areai is that most bars 50 cent draft beers for happy hour. An even better thing: Happy Hour lasts “all day” or “from open to close”, depending on which sign you choose to read!
So no matter what time you decide to prowl Pub Street, a 50 cent draft is never far away. I can’t think of a better way to beat the heat than relaxing a street side pub and having a few drafts for less than $2!
Angkor What is the bar that started it all, but really, you can’t go wrong with any of them (I mentioned beer was 50 cents, right)? Here’s a list and map of most of them. And just in case you get lost, the town has now erected a neon flashing sign to point all foreigners in the right direction!
7. Haggle in the markets
Handbags, t-shirts, bathing suits, or live chickens…whatever your fancy, the street markets of Siem Reap have it all. And while the prices are already low by our standards, it’s fun to engage in a little friendly bargaining!
My typical starting point is half of their first asking price. Just remember, these people could use the extra dollar much more than you, so have fun with it, but don’t push too hard.
8. Stay at a boutique hostel
As more and more tourists flock to Angkor Wat, so do the big hotel chains; there is even a Park Hyatt scheduled to open next year!
But with Cambodia being the 3rd most corrupt country in Asia and the gap between the rich and the poor seismic, why not do a small part in giving back by staying at a locally run guesthouse or boutique hostel? Not only will you get a more authentic experience, but the service will be second to none and the price you’ll pay will probably be half of what you’d pay at a Western-run hotel. It’s a win-win for everyone!
There are plenty in the area, but if you want a recommendation, head to the Golden Mango. Sony and his staff are some of the nicest people in the world, the building and pool are really nice, and the free breakfast is both tasty and filling.
9. Ride in a tuk-tuk
There is no more authentic Southeast Asian experience than riding in a tuk-tuk, an open air wagon pulled by a motorbike that serves as a taxi. For traveling through town, where the roads are congested and lanes are just a suggestion, a tuk-tuk will be just as fast as a regular taxi and easily half the price.
Plus, you’ll get to enjoy all the sites, sounds, and smells that make Siem Reap Siem Reap. And if you’re lucky, you may even witness a fistfight (see 0:33 of video below).
10. Eat a traditional Cambodian meal
Cambodian food certainly doesn’t get the publicity that it’s neighbors do but its delicious in its own right. Some people may even prefer it to Thai food as the flavor is more subdued and its certainly less spicy.
Two of the most popular traditional dishes are amok and lok lak. Amok is fish covered in crushed peanuts, coconut milk, and egg, that is wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed, whereas lok lak is a marinated beef stir fry served with special Cambodian seasoning. Both come with rice, as does most every dish in Cambodia.
There is no better place to try these dishes, and much more, than at Khmer Kitchen, a Cambodian-run restaurant right off of Pub Street that is as cheap as it is delicious. Additionally, you’ll get a pretty good rendition of either one of these dishes at the stalls that line the area around Angkor Wat.
Final Word(s)
While Angkor Wat gets most of the publicity, and justifiably so, there are still many really cool and authentic things to do in Siem Reap. So if you find yourself venturing to northern Cambodia to see this amazing Wonder of the World make sure to try out some of my top 10 to make your trip even that much better!
If you’ve been to Siem Reap, what suggestions do you have? Are there things I’ve left out? I’d love to hear them in the comments below!
And don’t forget to check out our updated list (with a much better, professionally edited video) of the top 10 things to do in Siem Reap.
The Free Flight Primer is a series of posts which will show, step by step, how to earn and then redeem frequent flyer miles.
I’ll be providing links to tools and websites that are helpful, tons of screenshots or video tutorials of various steps that may prove confusing, and of course, my own thoughts and opinions on the process.
I’ll also be providing a real-life case study using an actual client to better illustrate the process.
You’ve picked your destination, found out what airlines fly there, checked availability of flights, and earned your points. Now you’re on the homestretch. The only thing left to do is book your award and pack your suitcase (which I promise won’t be part 8).
Step 1: Determine Whether You Can Book Online
For all airlines, if you are flying “metal”, which means that you are using that airline’s miles and only flying on that airline (for example, you are using AA miles to book flights and flying ONLY on AA and no partner airlines), then you can book online. And while each airline’s booking system is set up a little different, they are for the most part, pretty straight forward. You sign in to your account, search for availability, and click on the tickets. Then you’ll be taken to a screen that shows how many points you have, how many it costs, and what the total out of pocket cost you have to pay is for fees and taxes. After you enter all your personal details and payment details, you are finished.
The problem comes when you are using an airline’s miles but flying on partner airlines (using AA miles but flying Iberia, BA, etc.). Unfortunately, most airlines DO NOT let you book most partners online and you’ll be required to call in and book.
To make it easy for you, I’ve created a chart that breaks down what you can and cannot do online for the five most popular airlines that people in the States have miles with. I’ve also included how much the fee is to book by phone, the phone number to call if you can’t book your ticket online, and if there is a short notice booking fee. Some airlines charge a fee if the date of booking a ticket is within a certain amount of days of your departure (completely lame if you ask me). I’ve also linked below to their page of rules regarding award travel if you want to read more about it (thrilling stuff, let me tell you!).
Case Study: Rob will be using AA miles but flying on Iberia, meaning he will have to call AA to book the travel.
Step 2: Call and Book Your Ticket
If you can’t book online, then you need to call and book your ticket. It doesn’t sound too complicated, and it isn’t usually, but there are a few tips that might help you.
Always have your itinerary figured out before you call: Use the skills you learned in Parts 3, 4, and 5 to find flight availability. Write down all the information for the itinerary you want or keep the window open on your computer when you call. Don’t assume the rep on the other line will find you the right or best flight. Don’t waste all your hard work by failing to be prepared and then finding out later you are on a different flight from the one you originally wanted.
Ask to have the phone fee waived: Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t. I always just mention that I couldn’t book the ticket online because they don’t allow you to book partners online or else I would have. If you sound knowledgeable and prepared, making the job easier for the rep, there will be a better chance you get the fee waived. Of course, being nice helps as well. Hey, it never hurts to ask.
Ask to put the ticket on hold: If you have any doubts at all (about the dates, about the flight numbers, about the passenger names) then ask to put the ticket on hold and get everything in order. This guarantees you have the tickets if you want them but doesn’t lock you in to anything at the moment. Each airline has different rules, but AA will hold your ticket for 5 days. Just remember to call back before the hold is up and actually book your tickets or they will be released and you’ll be out of luck. Also, remember to write down your tracking number somewhere safe and save yourself a lot of headaches later.
After booking your ticket, you should be all set, which brings us to an end of the Free Flight Primer. I hope that you’ve found the information easy to understand and valuable. Based on your comments and emails, I’d consider it a success. If you have any other questions, suggestions for future video tutorials and guides or if the Free Flight Primer has helped you book an award ticket, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
The Free Flight Primer is a series of posts which will show, step by step, how to earn and then redeem frequent flyer miles.
I’ll be providing links to tools and websites that are helpful, tons of screenshots or video tutorials of various steps that may prove confusing, and of course, my own thoughts and opinions on the process.
I’ll also be providing a real-life case study using an actual client to better illustrate the process.
Parts 1-5 have focused on picking a destination and finding availability to that destination. Now, it’s time to shift our focus and actually begin getting you the miles you need to fly for free. If you’ve been following the Free Flight Primer and already have a stockpile of miles, great! But for most newbies, building up your miles balance is a crucial step. Let’s jump right in.
Step 1: Determine How Many Miles You Need
You did this back in Part 1, so I’ll just recap it quickly. If you want to re-read the full version, go here and scroll down to Step 3. The best place to start is milez.biz, which will give you the amount of points needed to fly to your destination across almost all airlines. Consider the following:
What airlines did you find availability on in Parts 3-5?
How many people are flying?
What cabin class do you want to fly?
Case Study: Remember Rob, our case study? He’s looking to fly from New York to Rome in late September. We found good award availability with OneWorld for the dates he wants, he is flying with his wife, and they are looking to fly economy. By looking at milez.biz or at the AA award chart we know that it will cost him 60k roundtrip per person, so he needs 120k AA miles.
Step 2: Determine What Credit Cards Will Get You Your Miles
Credit card signups are far and away the best way to earn miles quickly. There are other ways to pad your balance (which we will discuss later) but to get your free flights, you’ll need to apply for a credit card or two (or three, or four…). So now the question becomes which one?
If you are completely new to the game, I’d recommend you read my Tips For Picking the Right Card page, which gives you a simplified, general overview of what to look for in a credit card. On top of those considerations, we now must also look at our specific scenario and what airlines we are looking to fly.
Two basic recommendations:
1. If you are looking to fly OneWorld, by far the best sign up bonus available is the Citi/AAdvantage cards.
2. If you are looking to fly Star Alliance, there are a few Chase cards that make sense for you. Since Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to United, the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Ink Bold [No longer available], and Chase Ink Plus are all good options.
In addition, the Chase United Explorer card is another good option.
Case Study: Rob is flying OneWorld, so he needs 120k AA miles. He already has 38k in his AA account, meaning that an extra 100k would put him over the 120k mark we need for him to fly to Europe and back.
Step 3: Apply for the card(s) and start making the minimum spend.
After getting approved for the card, every card has some requirement to meet before you get the miles in your account. For some cards, this is simply “after first purchase” meaning that you can buy one thing, no matter what, and you’ll get the miles.
For other cards, you must spend a certain amount in a certain time frame (i.e. $2,500 in 3 months). IF YOU DON’T HIT THE MINIMUM SPEND, YOU WON’T GET THE MILES. Always, always make sure you can hit the minimum spend.
Since you have already found the flights you want, the sooner you make the minimum spend, the sooner the miles post to your account. The sooner the miles post to your account, the sooner you can use them to book your flight.
See the pattern? The sooner, the better. Every day you wait is another day that the flights you wanted could be snatched up, so while I don’t advocate going out and spending just to spend, if your travel is coming up fairly soon, then I’d suggest making the spend as quickly as you feasibly, and responsibly, can.
Morals of the story:
1. Plan ahead if possible. It is going to be very difficult to go from 0 miles in March to booking a 100k worth of flights for travel in May. Not impossible, but difficult. Even if you do make the minimum spend and your miles post quickly, the award space that close to the travel date will most likely be gone.
2. If you do find yourself in the above situation and are under the gun to get miles, be flexible with your dates. Something may not be open on the Saturday that you want to leave, but it might be available on Tuesday. Make sure to check all options.
Case study: Rob’s wife applied for both the Citi/AA Visa and Citi/AA Amex using the two browser trick (now dead). She was instantly approved for both. She has met the minimum spend on the Visa and is now working on the minimum spend on the AmEx.
Step 4 (if necessary): Transfer the Points
For some cards, the miles you earn will go directly to your account with that airline (for example, the Citi/AAdvantage card earns you American Airlines miles). For other cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred. you’ll need to transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to the airline of your choosing (such as United). This can be done online and if you are transferring Chase or American Express points, the transfers are instant (the only exception to this is if you are transferring AmEx to ANA, in which case it usually takes 48 hours). If you a transferring Starwoods points, be aware that they can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks.
Case study: Rob and his wife will not need to transfer points, since they are earning AA miles using the Citi/AAdvantage cards and will also be redeeming AA miles for their tickets.
Step 5: Earn Miles Through Ways Other Than Sign Up Bonuses
While signup bonuses will give you the bulk of your points, you can also pad your mileage balances in a variety of other methods. This is especially helpful when a signup bonus leaves you a few thousand points shy of the amount you need for an award ticket. For example, let’s say you sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the 50k signup bonus but you need 60k for your roundtrip ticket to Europe. If you are smart, you could end up with these 10k just by meeting your minimum spend.
Shopping Portals
The easiest way is to use shopping portals. I document why you should use them in this post and then show you how to use my personal favorite, the Chase Ultimate Rewards Mall, here. To highlight our above example, if you went through the Chase UR Mall and spent $350 at Groupon, which was running a 30 points/$1 promotion, you’d already have your extra 10k.
I’ve harped on it continuously in other posts, but if you aren’t using shopping portals than you should start considering it, at least for the online purchases you already make.
“Regular” Spending
Each card, in addition to a sign up bonus, will offer some sort of mileage earning for using it. For most cards, it is 1 point/$1 spent, although some offer special bonus categories where they’ll give you 2 points/$1 or even 5 points/$1 spent. For the Chase Sapphire, you’ll get 2x points on travel and dining, meaning that if you used it only these two categories to make your minimum spend of $3,000, you’d end up with an additional 6k points above your sign up bonus.
If you only have one card, it makes sense to use it in lieu of cash as much as possible. You’ll be earning miles and not paying anything extra. If you have more than one card, start being cognizant of which cards give bonuses in what categories and tailor your usage accordingly.
Case study: After the sign up bonus, Rob will have enough AA miles to make his trip. The AA cards only offer 1/$1 for all categories, so after meeting the minimum spend, he’ll have an extra 5k AA miles in his arsenal.
Step 6: Sign up for Award Wallet to Track Your Points
The more involved you get in this game, the more confusing it can get to remember what points you have with what airlines. Why not use a free product that does all hard work for you? Award Wallet will store your account balances for all types of airlines and hotels (except AA, which has blocked Award Wallet) and will update automatically once you set it up. I can’t think of a single good reason not to use it, and recommend it to everyone I know.
