My family is in a single-digit countdown to our trip to Europe. Several people have commented to us about how lucky we are to be going (and flying in business class seats to boot!)
Yes, we are certainly lucky. However, we don’t always get the best deals when it comes to miles and points credit card offers and shortcuts.
The Lucky and the Not As Lucky
Certainly, my husband and I have scored some great deals with credit card sign-ups and promotions over the years. These include some deals that were only available for a limited time:
- 100k sign-up bonus on Chase Sapphire Reserve
- 100k sign-up bonus on Capital One Venture X (X2)
- Hyatt Diamond status upgrade through Twitter in 2015
- 5 nights at Andaz Costa Rica for 15k points per night/room
However, we don’t always score the highest/best deals:
- We signed up for the BoA Air France card when the bonus was 50k last year. Now it’s 70k.
- We got Citi Premier cards when the bonus was 50k. Now the bonus is 80k, and we were both denied after applying yesterday.
- I passed on a 25% transfer bonus from Chase to Air France last month, but I wound up booking flights at the “full price” a few weeks later. Ugh.
What Matters Most
So in this hobby, you win some and you lose some. But overall, I’m still winning. The point is, I’m DOING SOMETHING. I took the leap years ago to open a new credit card, and I continued. I keep reading to find deals and jump on them when I can.
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. So why not take a shot?
Experienced miles and points hobbyists, what are some of the biggest wins you’ve had?
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
I don’t think I’ve ever snagged a “super” deal in this hobby. Always a few minutes too late! Well, Hyatt Diamond via match may qualify, I suppose. Oh, and that overwater bungalow in Bora Bora for 60k IHG points. Most of my redemptions are not sexy, and that’s ok. I know that cumulatively we have saved a boatload of money on travel we would otherwise pay cash for.
@Leana Definitely the overwater bungalow in Bora Bora!!
I forgot to mention two others: my wife and I did the Iberia promotion a few years ago where you booked the domestic flights for $350 to get 90K Avios each and I got two work colleagues in on the Hong Kong Airlines mistake fare $520 RT Business Class LAX-PVG round trip (They forgot a zero, but ended up honoring it, and went out of business soon after).
If it’s not too personal, any further information on the Citi Premier denials? I was considering applying for one soon and cancelling/downgrading my current Premier card after acceptance. If you expected acceptance but got denied I’m wondering if I should do anything specific before applying.
@Lynn and @Christian People are reporting a more difficult time getting approved for the Citi Premier compared to other Citi cards. I hadn’t applied for a Citi card in several years, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. My husband and I are both at around 5/24, but the reason for being declined was too many recent inquiries. I believe Leana has tried for this card too without recent success. I wish I had better/more information to share on who gets approved and why.
Is it harder to get approved with Citi bank now?
@Lynn It does seem to be harder, though as always, YMMV
“BoA Air France card when the bonus was 50k last year. Now it’s 70k.” Me, too. The rep I called to ask if they would give me the current offer suggested I apply again for the same card. Sounded so daft that I haven’t, but I keep looking at those XPs and thinking AF status.
Iberia Business for 24K one way from Chicago or NYC after the 40% transfer Bonus is about as good as you can do these days but my BEST was ANA first class from Houston to Narita round-trip for 115K Virgin Atlantic points after the 30% bonus. The flights retailed for $44K for two people and I paid $167.12 in fees.
@Chris Those are some great deals!!
Al Maha 48k/night (after 5th night free) post SPG/Marriott merger, then an 80k refund due to what were, admittedly, minor service issues, making it 32k/night. Concorde for 80k Avios one way. And, even now, Iberia for 34k one way biz class
Nice!!