EOTP Reader – I am Mostly Outside the USA, and Have the CSR, what Else Should I get?
As you know there are a ton of credit cards out there and finding the right one that will benefit you can be very overwhelming. Honestly, having one credit card these days is old fashioned in my opinion. I am into maximizing my return $$ and I believe you should too. A lot people get overwhelmed and frustrated with Rewards weather that is earning them or redeeming them. There is no need to get frustrated, that is why I have put this blog together, but also you have the ability to contact me on my Instagram EyesOnThePoints. Credit Card Companies, Airline Loyalty Programs, Hotel Loyalty Programs, or any Loyalty Program for that Matter for the Most Part Make It Difficult On purpose. But Again, that is why I am here.
Why I Do Not Like Airline Credit Cards or Hotel Credit Cards “For The Most Part”
Hotel Credit Cards or Airline Credit Cards are Not Versatile in comparison to American Express Membership Rewards Credit Cards or Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Cards or Citi Thank You Credit Cards. American Express, Chase, or Citi All have points that are easily transferable to there partners. American Express, Chase, and Citi have contracts (“Partners”) setup with different Airlines and Hotels so that you can Transfer your Accrued American Express Membership Rewards, or Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Citi Thank you Points to these “Partners” Hotels or airlines. If you have a specific Airline Credit Card or Hotel Credit card; For Example, a Marriott Credit Card you will be accruing Marriott Points Only and using those Marriott Points at Marriott hotels only.
Again, With American Express Membership Rewards Credit Cards, or Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Cards, or Citi Thank you Rewards Credit Cards you will be able to transfer to different/ multiple Airlines and Hotels Loyalty Rewards Programs.
My Recommendations To You EOTP Reader Since You Currently Have the Chase Sapphire Reserve and You Mainly Reside Outside the USA. I believe You said you Buy things from USA Stores So I have included a couple of options that are cards that you will only want to use on USA Transactions (Online Is Fine as long as the Merchant Charges You in US Dollar).
I also am not Saying to get all of these Credit Cards I mention below. These are recommendations. Also I tell a lot people to not overly diversify your Points and Miles Loyalty Programs. Stick to a program. For Example, You have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Maximize Those Bonus Categories (3x On Travel and Dining) and Then Maybe get the Chase Freedom Unlimited which will allow you to accrue 1.5x Points on all purchases. I explain Further Below.
OR
If you do want to expand Check the American Express Cards i recommend below as well as the Citi Card i Mention Below. There is not a right or wrong amount of Credit Cards/ Or Loyalty Programs to have; however, you want to maximize in whatever categories you can perform the best in whether that is with 1 credit card or 5 credit cards. Remember to keep Annual Fees Into Consideration; however, there are many ways to offset these annual fees which I talk about below.
Chase Credit Cards
Chase Sapphire Reserve (You Have this Keep It)
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card u have is a great card, very nice job!. The reason I like the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card is because it earns Chase Ultimate Rewards, and as mentioned above Chase Ultimate Rewards Are Very Versatile.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Earning Potential
- (No Foreign Transaction Fees)
- 3X on Travel (Domestic and International) – Gas, hotels, timeshares, Air BnB’s, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, Expedia, Travelocity (other travel agency sites), discount travel sites, campgrounds, trains, buses, taxis, uber, lyft, limousines, ferries, toll bridges, toll roads, highways, parking lots, parking garages
- 3X on Dining (Domestic and International)
- 1x on Everything Else ( This Is where the Cards Below I Talk About Kick In)
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Other Benefits
The Cards has an Annual Fee of $450.00.
How to Offset Your Annual Fee?
With this Credit Card you have a $300.00 Travel Credit. No need to register for this travel credit its automatic. Any of the travel categories mentioned above in the 3X Travel Category will trigger this $300.00 travel credit.
You Need to use this $300.00 travel credit before your December Statement Closes EVERY YEAR. So after your December Statement Closes, your $300.00 Travel Credit Resets.
Global Entry Credit – Since you travel a lot, simply use this card when purchasing global entry and it will automatically credit you. You will need to renew Global Entry every 5 years which if you still have this card, this card will cover that cost. Also, supposedly when you sign up for global entry you will receive TSA Precheck. — I had signed up for TSA Precheck first and then Global Entry so I didn’t get to try this and Can Not Verify if this is 100% True.
Priority Pass Lounge Access
Delayed/ Lost Baggage
Car Rental Insurance
And Much More…..
———————————————————————————————–
Chase Freedom Unlimited (Only Can Be Used for USA Purchases)
This is a No Annual Fee Card and its awesome! What makes this cards so great about this Card is that it earns 1.5x On All Purchases. So anything you would normally only earn 1X points on, you would use this card so that you would earn 1.5X. Since this card is no annual fee there is no reason to ever cancel this card. Holding on to a card for a long time provides age/ history to your credit report and boosts your credit.
However, you Can Only use this Card on Purchases in US DOLLARS. Because if you use it on Foreign Transactions you will be charged a Foreign Transaction Fee and you do not want that.
———————————————————————————————–
Now On to American Express Credit Cards
I know you Mentioned you Fly A lot and pay cash and you that Like the American Express Platinum Card. Let me kind of give you a run down on this card. First, This Card is not an everyday Card. Meaning you do not want use this on everyday purchases because the only bonus category on this Card is 5x On Flights Booked Directly with Airlines. Everything Else is only 1x and 1x is no good. Remember you want to maximize.
Earning Potential
- 5x On Flights (Book Directly with Airlines) – Meaning you can book on www.united.com or www.delta.com or www.americanairlines.com or any other airlines website and get 5X American Express Membership Rewards Points Back. That is a Great Return if your spending a lot with Airlines.
- 5X On AmexTravel.com (Prepaid Hotel Bookings)
This Card Annual fee is $550.00.
How to Offset the Annual Fee?
$200.00 Airline Credit ( Baggage Fees, In Flight Services, In flight Food, In Flight Drink, or there is a Gift Card Hack Which I can Show you how to use, which will allow you to use these Gift Cards for Airline tickets).
$15.00 Per Month Uber Credit x 12 Months = $180.00 – If you use it every month.
Global Entry / Tsa Precheck ( If you already used it on your Chase Sapphire, use this credit for a friend, family member).
Priority Pass Lounge Access / American Express Centurion lounge Access / Delta Sky Club Access
Automatic Hilton Gold Status (FREE BREAKFAST AT MOST IF NOT ALL HILTON PROPERTIES – THIS IS VERY VALUABLE TO ME – You Can Check Hilton Elite Status Benefits Here.
Marriott Gold Elite – This Is Not Super Valuable to Me – Because Breakfast is Not Included (LOOKING AT YOU MARRIOTT) You Can Check Marriott Elite Status Benefits Here.
Automatic Marriott Gold Elite Status
Delayed/ Lost Baggage
Car Rental Insurance
And Much more…..
———————————————————————————————–
American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card
This is a No Annual Fee Card and it is awesome! What is so great about this Card is that it earns 2X On All Purchases up to $50,000 Per Year. After $50,000.00 is spent, your purchases will receive 1x on further purchases. So anything you would normally only earn 1X points on, you would use this card so that you would earn 2X Points. Since this card is no annual fee there is no reason to ever cancel this card. Holding on to a card for a long time provides age/ history to your credit report and boosts your credit.
However, you Can Only use this Card on Purchases in US DOLLARS. Because if you use it on Foreign Transactions you will be charged a Foreign Transaction Fee and you do not want that.
Now on to a New / Refreshed Citi Card
Citi Prestige Credit Card (Thank you Rewards)
There is a new Citi Card Coming out Early January 2019 called The Citi Prestige. Technically Citi Discontinued this card a few months ago and they are re-releasing it. Its more of a REFRESH than A New Card; However, I am Very Excited about it. Lets Talk about It.
Citi Prestige – Thank You Rewards/ Points Earning Rates Potential
- 5x On Dining
- 5x On Airfare
- 3x On Hotels
- 3x On Cruise Lines
- 1x On Everything Else
- 4TH NIGHT FREE AT ANY HOTEL WORLDWIDE – 2X Per Year (Depending How You Use This, This Could Save you Thousands)
- Cell Phone Protection Plan When You Pay Your Cell Phone Bill With The Citi Prestige (Supposedly Starting May 2019)
Citi Prestige Annual Fee $495.00
- Offset this Annual Fee with $250.00 in Travel Credit Which Will Be Automatically Credited in Any Travel Category. Example Travel Categories: hotels, timeshares, Air BnB’s, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, Expedia, Travelocity (other travel agency sites), discount travel sites, campgrounds, trains, buses, taxis, uber, lyft, limousines, ferries, toll bridges, toll roads, highways, parking lots, parking garages)
- Global Entry / TSA Precheck Credit
- Priority Pass Lounge Access (This Allows You To Use Certain Lounges in Airports Around the World)
- Rental Car Insurance
- Deny the Car Rental Insurance and Put it On Your Citi Prestige Card which offers primary car rental coverage outside the USA, and secondary coverage in the USA. This benefit covers up to $100,000 towards the cost of repairs/damage or the cash value of the vehicle, whichever is less. This also only covers rentals of up to thirty one days in a row (Consecutively).
- Primary insurance simply put allows you to file your claim directly through the credit card’s policy, regardless of other insurance policies you have on the vehicle.
- Secondary insurance simply put allows you to file your claim directly with the credit card’s policy after you have filed it with your auto insurance policy that you currently carry (Most peoples Own Car Insurance Policy Will Cover Rental Cars – Check With Your Auto Insurance Company); so this will only covers things not covered by the primary insurance that you carry, like the deductible or any excess amount