Before I dive into what is (intentionally) a controversial topic, I just want to take a second to welcome all our new readers who found us through Doctor of Credit. We’re super excited to have you, and hopefully you’ll find that we have an interesting thing or two to share. And of course, I’d be remiss to thank all of our existing, long-time readers (dad, I’m talking to you) for supporting us and valuing our voices. As we close in on the anniversary of our starting the blog, I couldn’t be happier with how it has turned out, and I know Esther and Michael feel the same way. We’ve managed to break some deals, share some different perspectives on hacking, tell some funny stories, and extend our hobby with our friends in family. What more could we want?
Tag: Ultimate Rewards
Is 5x Ultimate Rewards at CardCash dead?
I’ve been using CardCash over the last year or so to buy discounted gift cards while also getting 5x Ultimate Rewards through my Chase Ink card. CardCash, whether paid through PayPal or paid directly, would code as Utilities and earn 5x Ultimate Rewards with Chase Ink.
From recent datapoints from people I know, as well as my own personal datapoints, it seems like on 6/16, CardCash has started to code as Recreation instead and only earn 1x Ultimate Rewards points.
Getting to Europe using your transferable point currencies
As a follow up to the guide on how to get to Asia using your transferable points, Adam from The Jet Set Blog commented that he also had a comprehensive guide for Europe. He’s also planning to add guides for each major region, so I’d give him a follow.
I’ve got some reading to do! And now that I will have 100k extra MR points, Alitalia is looking like an increasingly attractive option for business redemptions.
Comprehensive guide on how to get to Asia from the US using URs, MRs, and TYPs
I stumbled upon a very nice and comprehensive guide on how to effectively use your Chase UR, Amex MR, and Citi TYP to redeem for flight awards to Asia the other day. Given that I love travelling to Asia, this was perfect.
What Adam at the Jet Set Blog has compiled is a guide on the cost of awards from North America to Asia as well as details on how to book for every single airline transfer partner for each program. I haven’t found a guide this comprehensive before, and certainly not for the 3 major programs (excluding SPG). I personally got a lot of value out of the Membership Rewards part, as I hadn’t yet figured out what to do with the 50k I received for my PRG as well as the upcoming 100k from the Platinum card I just applied for.
A theoretical travel hacker walks into a bar….
A theoretical physicist walks into a bar….
Oh wait, that’s not right. In theoretical physics, everything happens inside a perfect vacuum.
No, I don’t expect you to have taken college physics (or even high school physics, for that matter) to get something out of this post. All you need to know is this: in physics, a perfect vacuum is a space that doesn’t have any external forces or influences so that when you do some sort of calculation (say, how far a meteor will travel in a given amount of time), you don’t have to take into account things like friction, gravity, or air resistance. That is to say, you can calculate without making any other considerations.
Increased bonuses on the Chase Ink Cash and Ink Plus Cards
Update on referral links, 9/22: I’m no longer able to generate referral links for the Ink Plus on Chase Refer A Friend. It’s possible those who are able to may see the increased bonus.
Increased signup bonuses are now available for the Chase Ink Cash and Ink Plus cards. The offers are:
Chase Ink Cash
Get $300 cash back (actually 30,000 Ultimate Rewards Points) when you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. This card has no annual fee.