See our Advertiser Disclosure here.
Last week, I wrote what I assumed would be a non-controversial post about how I got the Amex pop-up box when I applied for the Amex Green Card. I was surprised because I am at 3/24 and haven’t gotten a new credit card in almost a year.
Apparently, I struck a nerve with a few readers who sounded off in the comment section. One reader said that Amex and all banks should ban me for life. Another reader said that people who max out promotions and try to game the system are greedy.
I don’t agree with the implied notion that only people with heavy business travel (butt in seat) and/or high spending on credit cards deserve all the miles and points and the rest of us are tricksters. Why do some think that earning miles via business travel is more noble? In most cases it’s the corporations, not individuals, who are paying the big bucks and letting business travelers keep the miles as a perk.
What is Gaming the System?
The thing is, even miles and points hobbyists can’t agree on what is considered “gaming the system.” How much annual spend do you need to put on cards? How many cards is too many? Which promotions are ok to maximize? What promotions should remain “secret”? There is no rule book. Some hobbyists are willing to put in more time/effort/risk to earn miles and points based on promotions, re-selling (Ebay business, for example) or manufactured spending.
Back when I started getting more invested in this miles and points hobby, the rules were different. Bloggers used to apply for dozens of new credit cards every year in three-month rounds. It was crazy! But it was also very lucrative for some.
Now, bank approvals are more difficult. But, hobbyists still have avenues to maximize miles and points with current cards and travel (see this great post from Miles to Memories for ideas).
Regardless, there are so many ways (legal ways!) to earn miles and points. I do what I’m comfortable with, which is earning the majority of miles and points from credit card bonuses and ongoing spending. The idea that hobbyists don’t deserve those miles and points sounds snobby and elitist to me.
Final Thoughts
I plan to keep earning miles and points through sign-up bonuses when I can. Sorry, not sorry if you think that I or other hobbyists don’t deserve the rewards. Enjoy your travels!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VARIOUS CREDIT CARDS AND AVAILABLE SIGN-UP BONUSES
Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
First of all the term “hobbyist” is pretty stupid. Secondly, glad I struck a nerve (I was one that took you to task). I traveled heavily for 35 years to earn the points and lifetime status I have. Also, I have no problem with getting sign up bonuses if you plan to use the card. Personally, I spend between $150,000-$200,000 a year on credit cards (retired and financially set so yeah I spend a lot – get over it). I do use the bonus categories to my benefit but that based on my actual spend.
Those that game the system (and you know who you are) by constantly getting and cancelling cards, running through gift cards to max points then reselling them (you know that wasn’t what was intended) and taking other steps to max out points or miles without actually traveling or base spending are almost criminal IMHO. The travel companies and card vendors didn’t intend the cards to be used this way and I’m SO GLAD they are taking people to task, tightening up application criteria and restricting how many cards you can have.
Good for them – not get over yourself. Hopefully all the repetitive blogs that simply shill the same cards and churn useless articles will go out of business and that will cut down on some of the activity!!
Your moralizing is pretty laughable.
Banks are trying everything under the law (and sometimes outside of the law) to maximize their profits off of consumers.
So consumers have every right (and I would say expectation) to maximize their finances off of banks, using any means under the law and under the account rules established by the banks, themselves.
It’s a free and voluntary exchange.
If you aren’t making the banks money – they certainly have every right to cancel your account (or change their rules to block a “loophole”). If banks aren’t making consumers money, the consumer similarly has every right to cancel their accounts.
@ the brain – Not sure why you even bother reading here?! Sure sounds like you’ve got better things to do. Why do you even care what we’re doing with credit cards?
Who deserves all the miles and points? Me. All me. 🙂
@projectx HA!
Everybody draws the line somewhere. I am guilty of getting a new card and after meeting minimum spend and receiving the bonus, send it straight to the sock drawer. On the other hand, I never got involved in MS, reselling, etc. Way too much work! Won’t judge those who do, though.
Live and let live 😊
By the way, my husband applied for the new Chase Freedom Flex (through your link) and got approved instantly a few days ago 👍🏻
@Angie Thanks for using our links! We appreciate your support. 🙂
Don’t you dare apologize for your actions. You did nothing illegal or unethical. I’m amazed at the ones that cry foul and jump to the defense of the banks. The largest buildings in every city sit on the most expensive piece of land and in every case these belong to the banks. These are the last people that need protection. They put credit cards in the hands of people just hoping that we fall behind or are late with a payment. If that happens they charge an interest rate that Uncle Louie down at the pool hall would be embarrassed by. But wait…they also charge a late fee just to make sure. They show their compassion though by allowing us to pay a small portion of what we owe so we can ‘catch up’. The only thing the reduced payment accomplishes is to guarantee we stay in debt and continue to pay that exorbitant interest rate for the next 24 years. But wait, they also charge the merchant a percentage for the business we bring, the money we spend. They are good at marketing and pay people a lot of money to reel us in as customers. They are very good at what they do and make a lot of money by controlling the process of the trillion dollar business of the points and miles industry. In short, they make it work to the benefit of their bottom line. It is our job to make the system work to our benefit. We do this not by cheating the system but by learning how to play the game and that’s where you and other bloggers come into play. It is invaluable to have access to the knowledge you and others possess. So keep doing what you do and thank you for doing it.
@Lenny Thanks for your thoughts! Very true.
There’s a lot of grey area. Is gaming the same as fraud? Was applying for multiple BOA Alaska cards the same day acceptable? The Citi 3 browser trick? How about booking the Cathay first class mistake fare?
From what I’ve seen, people who complain about gaming come in a two basic flavors: the ones who draw within the lines and are annoyed that other people don’t or people who absolutely game the system and don’t want others to do the same. While I’m not a huge fan of either, at least the first group tends to be consistent in their outlook. The second just want everything for themselves. That said, I think that we can all live without the judgment here.
I think we all have different comfort levels in terms of what ‘gaming the system’ is in our hobby. I agree with you that it sounds elitist for people to think some deserve points whereas some do not…. when the reality is if the banks are letting us have the points, then we deserve the points! However, I do think people in our hobby sound entitled whenever they complain a bank rejected their credit card application. We all know the overall plan is to do the spend, get the points, and then close the card.
@Joey You’re absolutely right about hobbyists sounding entitled at times as well.