Search found 616 matches

by Drew777
Mon Mar 19, 2018 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paging BH Gearheads: Reasonable Net Worth for Exotic
Replies: 153
Views: 16930

Re: Paging BH Gearheads: Reasonable Net Worth for Exotic

Check out Exotic Car Hacks. It is 100% legit. The Facebook group is full of people driving and flipping exotics for a profit or breakeven. I've seen some cases where someone made $20k off of one flip. The key is just waiting it out until you can find one at a low enough price. It's well worth the money for the course and access to the FB group. I couldn't imagine just trying to learn it all on your own. You can literally drive an exotic for free, even after accounting for all expenses involved.
by Drew777
Thu Feb 22, 2018 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bogleheads with $100K+ MSRP cars?
Replies: 146
Views: 24104

Re: Bogleheads with $100K+ MSRP cars?

My car had a $100k+ MSRP, but I bought it used and did not pay anywhere near that price. 2007 BMW M6 manual convertible. I bought it low enough I'll be able to flip it for a profit. I've already had a couple offers over what I paid for it, but I'm holding out a little longer and enjoying it for now.
by Drew777
Fri Feb 16, 2018 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Signed up for American Express - "Premium" car rental insurance
Replies: 56
Views: 13316

Re: Signed up for American Express - "Premium" car rental insurance

FYI Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with primary rental car insurance at no cost.
by Drew777
Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Number at which to stop worrying
Replies: 169
Views: 25993

Re: Number at which to stop worrying

I don't know, maybe I'd slow down at $20 million. Probably not though. To me financial freedom means you can do whatever you want whenever you want without worrying about money. My aspirations of retirement aren't being able to buy a used truck, stay at the Holiday Inn, and take a Royal Caribbean cruise once or twice a year. If you don't have enough cash to withstand any potential disaster or emergency scenario (cancer, expensive lawsuit, etc.) that could come your way with plenty leftover then you don't have enough IMO. Unfortunately no one or almost no one can do whatever they want, whenever they want. One can always find new and more extravagant ways to spend money. When it comes to spending there really is no limit. Actually I think th...
by Drew777
Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Number at which to stop worrying
Replies: 169
Views: 25993

Re: Number at which to stop worrying

I don't know, maybe I'd slow down at $20 million. Probably not though. To me financial freedom means you can do whatever you want whenever you want without worrying about money. My aspirations of retirement aren't being able to buy a used truck, stay at the Holiday Inn, and take a Royal Caribbean cruise once or twice a year. If you don't have enough cash to withstand any potential disaster or emergency scenario (cancer, expensive lawsuit, etc.) that could come your way with plenty leftover then you don't have enough IMO. Unfortunately no one or almost no one can do whatever they want, whenever they want. One can always find new and more extravagant ways to spend money. When it comes to spending there really is no limit. Actually I think th...
by Drew777
Thu Feb 15, 2018 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used car - warranty or no?
Replies: 24
Views: 2784

Re: Used car - warranty or no?

If you're buying a luxury/exotic vehicle known to have expensive repairs then I would recommend getting a warranty. Just do your research and make sure you get a good one. If you're buying a Toyota then don't bother with the warranty. I bought my M6 used, and it already had a warranty. The owner transferred it to me. So far it has paid for an ignition coil that the dealer charged $500 for.
by Drew777
Thu Feb 15, 2018 1:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What big item (>20k) are you saving up for?
Replies: 159
Views: 20050

Re: What big item (>20k) are you saving up for?

I'm saving up to buy an apartment complex as an investment. Will need much more than $20k though.
by Drew777
Thu Feb 15, 2018 12:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Number at which to stop worrying
Replies: 169
Views: 25993

Re: Number at which to stop worrying

I don't know, maybe I'd slow down at $20 million. Probably not though. To me financial freedom means you can do whatever you want whenever you want without worrying about money. My aspirations of retirement aren't being able to buy a used truck, stay at the Holiday Inn, and take a Royal Caribbean cruise once or twice a year. If you don't have enough cash to withstand any potential disaster or emergency scenario (cancer, expensive lawsuit, etc.) that could come your way with plenty leftover then you don't have enough IMO.
by Drew777
Thu Feb 15, 2018 7:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

In terms of sign up bonuses, I feel like I've kind of hit a wall. I have arbitrarily set a minimum of $500 signup bonus minimum, and have avoided anything over $100 annual fee. This year I did Capital One Venture - $500 Merril Card - $500 BOA Premium - $500 Amegy Business - $1000 I tried one of the chase cards but was rejected because I am over 5/24 - and will likely be for some time, so they are off the table. If I had it to do over again, I would have started with them. I've looked on Dr of credit and didn't see any new ones that meet my above criteria. Any other ideas? $1000 signup bonus is outstanding! I'm just beginning CC churning game, and I found the best card to begin with is Chase Sapphire Preferred for 60,000 ultimate reward poi...
by Drew777
Thu Feb 15, 2018 7:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Friend with extremely high interest credit card debt
Replies: 20
Views: 2301

Re: Friend with extremely high interest credit card debt

She has an income problem, not a debt/spending problem. At $30k a year there's only so much she can save or cut spending. I'd be focusing 100% of my time and effort on increasing my income if I were her.
by Drew777
Mon Feb 05, 2018 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: For BHs who actually like cars - [what car do you drive every day?]
Replies: 280
Views: 29085

Re: For BHs who actually like cars - [what car do you drive every day?]

I have a 2015 Tacoma Double Cab and a 2007 BMW M6 convertible 6 speed.
by Drew777
Fri Dec 22, 2017 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I afford it: Dodge Challenger
Replies: 122
Views: 11711

Re: Can I afford it: Dodge Challenger

Miatas are far and away the most common cars at track days and also the most raced car out there. Plenty of car guys aren’t bored at all. If you want more power, there are plenty of forced induction options or even v8 swap kits. It’s a lot easier to give a light weight car power than to make a big heavy car handle. Well, the fact that they're one of the cheapest track cars out there is a big reason why there you see so many of them... Sure you can make it faster, but there are plenty of cars that are much faster and will beat the Miata on the track every time no matter how good the Miata handles. You can make all the modifications you want to a Miata and it will never beat a stock GT-R. The affordability is certainly a reason why you see l...
by Drew777
Fri Dec 22, 2017 6:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

ImmigrantSaver wrote: Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:41 am
Drew777 wrote: Wed Dec 20, 2017 8:18 am My wife and I have a trip to Australia coming up in a few months. Flying business class both ways and staying in 5 star hotels every night. Paid for all of it with points.

160k AA miles
195k Korean miles
72k Hyatt points
135k Hilton points
1 IHG free night certificate

Taxes on the flights were minimal. I can't remember exactly how much.
That's an impressive mileage accumulated. How do you folks do it? Through spending or bonuses?
Mostly through bonuses. Some referral bonuses for referring others for credit cards. A decent amount of spending, but that probably only made up about 10% of the miles. This didn't come anywhere near emptying my balances though. I tend to hit it pretty hard lol.
by Drew777
Fri Dec 22, 2017 6:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I afford it: Dodge Challenger
Replies: 122
Views: 11711

Re: Can I afford it: Dodge Challenger

You might want to start another thread asking for more cost effective alternatives. I am not a "car guy" but when there have been threads like that before people mentioned cars like like a Miata as being fun to drive and you could buy a new one with a full warranty for a fraction of the cost of the used Challenger. I think most "car guys" would be bored to death by a Miata. Sure, it handles well and is sort of fun driving around corners. But it's nowhere near the same feeling you get when you crank up a car with 500+ horsepower and hit the gas. Yeah, I know, you can't drive 120 mph on the highway, but you can at the track ;) Miatas are far and away the most common cars at track days and also the most raced car out there...
by Drew777
Wed Dec 20, 2017 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

My wife and I have a trip to Australia coming up in a few months. Flying business class both ways and staying in 5 star hotels every night. Paid for all of it with points.

160k AA miles
195k Korean miles
72k Hyatt points
135k Hilton points
1 IHG free night certificate

Taxes on the flights were minimal. I can't remember exactly how much.
by Drew777
Wed Dec 20, 2017 7:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I afford it: Dodge Challenger
Replies: 122
Views: 11711

Re: Can I afford it: Dodge Challenger

You might want to start another thread asking for more cost effective alternatives. I am not a "car guy" but when there have been threads like that before people mentioned cars like like a Miata as being fun to drive and you could buy a new one with a full warranty for a fraction of the cost of the used Challenger. I think most "car guys" would be bored to death by a Miata. Sure, it handles well and is sort of fun driving around corners. But it's nowhere near the same feeling you get when you crank up a car with 500+ horsepower and hit the gas. Yeah, I know, you can't drive 120 mph on the highway, but you can at the track ;) Miatas are far and away the most common cars at track days and also the most raced car out there...
by Drew777
Tue Dec 19, 2017 1:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I afford it: Dodge Challenger
Replies: 122
Views: 11711

Re: Can I afford it: Dodge Challenger

Watty wrote: Tue Dec 19, 2017 1:06 pm You might want to start another thread asking for more cost effective alternatives.

I am not a "car guy" but when there have been threads like that before people mentioned cars like like a Miata as being fun to drive and you could buy a new one with a full warranty for a fraction of the cost of the used Challenger.
I think most "car guys" would be bored to death by a Miata. Sure, it handles well and is sort of fun driving around corners. But it's nowhere near the same feeling you get when you crank up a car with 500+ horsepower and hit the gas. Yeah, I know, you can't drive 120 mph on the highway, but you can at the track ;)
by Drew777
Tue Dec 19, 2017 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I afford it: Dodge Challenger
Replies: 122
Views: 11711

Re: Can I afford it: Dodge Challenger

If you're a car guy why not learn to flip them? That way you can drive them for a while, make a profit, and switch it up every 6 months or so.
by Drew777
Tue Dec 19, 2017 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Breaking the seal" on more expensive travel
Replies: 38
Views: 5666

Re: "Breaking the seal" on more expensive travel

Thanks to travel hacking I fly business class, stay in 5 star hotels for free, and am starting to accumulate more points/miles than I have time to use. Maybe I will have to start flying first class before long.
by Drew777
Fri Nov 03, 2017 8:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me understand the Used Car Dealership perspective
Replies: 29
Views: 4652

Re: Help me understand the Used Car Dealership perspective

I've identified the next used car I'd like to purchase, Outback 2015-2016, Premium trim with Eyesight under 45k miles. These cars seem to come up every couple weeks at dealerships within a 200 mile radius. Timeframe for purchase is next 1-3 months. There local ones at Subaru dealerships seem to go fast if they are competitively priced. There is the exact model, trim, options and mileage version at a local GM dealership. It's been on the lot since March. Test drive is great except they have a window decal covering the Eyesight camera so it looks like eyesight is non-functional. If you peel back decal, it works great (drove it without sales guy). Dealership has a crappy website, they never respond to emails or web inquiries and no price list...
by Drew777
Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: what is your weekly workout routine?
Replies: 123
Views: 16476

Re: what is your weekly workout routine?

Lifting 4 days a week:
Day 1: Legs
Day 2: Chest/Triceps
Day 3: Back/Biceps
Day 4: Shoulders/Traps

I also do 40 minutes cardio of 5 days a week.
by Drew777
Fri Oct 20, 2017 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

beehappy wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:16 pm Thanks for all the helpful responses to my prior question. I have another one: thinking of getting Delta platinum card which comes with 10k qualifying miles to help me make the next Skymiles level. Delta says that miles are credited 6-8 weeks after minimum spend. If I want the MQMs to be counted as part of my 2017 MQMs, do I need to make sure they're credited in 2017, or do I just need to make sure I meet the min spend in 2017? In other words, if I'm 10k miles short of Gold status and I spend the $3k in 2017, but Delta doesn't credit till 2018, do they still pull me to Gold?
The MQM would need to actually be credited to your Delta frequent flyer account in 2017.
by Drew777
Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Personally I value UR around 2.2 cpp. I typically transfer to Hyatt or Flying Blue and am usually able to redeem around that value. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but that's been about the average for me. I have transferred to Southwest once or twice just to top off the amount needed for a flight, and of course that's closer to 1.5 cpp. Most people probably don't value them that much, but I think 1.5 cpp is extremely low if you're using transfer partners. I can "sell" UR for close to 1.5 cpp so that's the minimum cash value for me. Of course that requires knowing people who would pay you to book flights/hotels for them, but I have no shortage of those.
by Drew777
Fri Jul 21, 2017 1:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Thanks! Thats freaking genius lol Is there anything else we can buy like that to max out rewards? I recalled long time ago people would max out by buying ibonds but now they charge a fee to purchase via credit card so thats over... just wondering if there was any other ways to get more rewards ? :sharebeer There are tons of way, it's called manufactured spending. There aren't a lot of easy widely known methods right now, you'd have to do a lot of research and probably get in some private groups with people in the know who share deals to figure a lot of it out. But there are people doing 6 figures a month worth of manufactured spending. It takes time to learn and develop relationships, you can't just join a forum and expect them to give you...
by Drew777
Mon Jul 17, 2017 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

ddurrett896 wrote:
sharpjm wrote:
Drew777 wrote:For an all around cashback card you're better off with the Alliant Visa Signature card than a 2% cashback card if you spend more than $11,800 a year. It's 3% cashback on all purchases the first year and 2.5% after that. There is a $59 annual fee, but it's waived the first year.
+1 very under-rated card for those who wish to just grab a single card and forget about it. I think most folks can/do spend $1k a month to make it better than the benchmark 2% cards. Also has no FTF.
Very interested in this. The features on the website say it's for those who spend $50,000+ each year. I spend maybe half that - is that a problem?
No, there is nothing that actually enforces that in practice.
by Drew777
Fri Jul 14, 2017 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendations...Italy
Replies: 29
Views: 3455

Re: Recommendations...Italy

If tours are your thing that's fine, but I would much rather do it on my own. I prefer having the freedom to what I want when I want and not be stuck to just hitting up all of the typical tourist attractions. My sister's family did just do a tour of Europe with a few stops in Italy, and they did enjoy it. I think you could do the same thing much cheaper on your own though. The only place I've been in Italy is Milan, which I wouldn't really recommend going out of your way to see. I am planning a trip back to Italy next year and plan on visiting Rome, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast. I'm leaning towards 4 nights in Rome, 2 in Florence, and 2 at the Amalfi Coast. As far as the weather in Italy, I wouldn't say summers are that bad really. But I ...
by Drew777
Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

For an all around cashback card you're better off with the Alliant Visa Signature card than a 2% cashback card if you spend more than $11,800 a year. It's 3% cashback on all purchases the first year and 2.5% after that. There is a $59 annual fee, but it's waived the first year.
by Drew777
Thu Jul 13, 2017 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Want job helping others in Finance, any ideas?
Replies: 14
Views: 2703

Re: Want job helping others in Finance, any ideas?

You could just start doing and not worry so much about making it a career right off the bat. Give away free financial advice via social media. If you're good enough the money will come later once you've built a significant following. If you're willing to put in the time (years) and effort daily you could do well.
by Drew777
Mon Jul 10, 2017 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing/Economics Book Recommendations
Replies: 7
Views: 1246

Re: Investing/Economics Book Recommendations

In relation to the rise of automated investing I would recommend Flash Boys by Michael Lewis.

As far as economics I would recommend:

Road to Serfdom by Friedrich Hayek
Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedman
Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
by Drew777
Mon Jul 03, 2017 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

It depends on whether or not the offer has the 24 month language restricting you to one bonus per 24 months on any personal AA card. If not, then she can receive both offers. You'll have to read the fine print. None of the 65k offers have the 24 month language, or so I've read. Also beware d0gerz you can't sign up for both offers within 8 days of each other, citi will only approve one card per 8 days and 2 cards per 60 days. Have read the terms and can't find the 24 month language anywhere. Well, at least in the mailer, don't know if that'll change if I go online to the application. Thanks for the tip about the one card per 8 days. What if I try to apply using one of the codes and my wife the other? Is that possible? Yes, anyone can use an...
by Drew777
Thu Jun 29, 2017 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

While you're worried about getting shutdown there are people out there who have already earned 7 figures of points this month alone. Sure, you can be shutdown doing relatively low volume, but no risk no reward. Lots of people are able to push it to the extreme, maybe get shutdown here and there, but it's rarely permanent anyway. And they've gained so much in the process, who cares?
by Drew777
Thu Jun 29, 2017 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Vinh at Miles Per Day writes this week about being shutdown completely or nearly completely by Capital One bank...accounts and cards it seems. Shutdowns are a frequent theme on his blog and I believe Cap One is not his first trip to being shutdown by a major bank. At what point should one be concerned in this era of continuous consolidation? I am risk averse by nature, so this is something I try to avoid. Short of paying interest, or net loss fees, lol - I attempt to be the kind of customer they don't take pause to notice. Are you concerned about shutdowns? I know Vinh pretty well, he's been doing this for decades despite countless shutdowns. He has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon. There are ALWAYS more opportunities. I'm the co...
by Drew777
Thu Jun 29, 2017 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Luxury Car
Replies: 109
Views: 15510

Re: Luxury Car

I recently went to Speed Vegas and drove an Audi R8 around the track. Got up to 119 on the half mile straightaway. Navigating the turns at high speeds even more fun. It was probably the most fun I've ever had in my life. I only wish I had paid for an even faster car. If I could afford it I wouldn't hesitate to spend around $250k on a supercar and take it to the track on a regular basis. Hopefully one day I'll be able to. My new dream car is a Ferrari 488 GTB. Tracking R8 risky - warning, some bad language at the end: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=vir+audi+r8+crash&view=detail&mid=F6DF6ACED1F398BD15D4F6DF6ACED1F398BD15D4&FORM=VIRE&PC=MOZW Tracking anything is "risky". I'm fine with the risk. Heck, anything t...
by Drew777
Thu Jun 29, 2017 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Luxury Car
Replies: 109
Views: 15510

Re: Luxury Car

I recently went to Speed Vegas and drove an Audi R8 around the track. Got up to 119 on the half mile straightaway. Navigating the turns at high speeds even more fun. It was probably the most fun I've ever had in my life. I only wish I had paid for an even faster car. If I could afford it I wouldn't hesitate to spend around $250k on a supercar and take it to the track on a regular basis. Hopefully one day I'll be able to. My new dream car is a Ferrari 488 GTB.
by Drew777
Mon Jun 26, 2017 11:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

A week or so ago my wife received a mailer from Citi/AA for the AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard offer for 65,000 miles after $4k in spending within the first 4 months. Today she received another mailer from Citi. The offer is identical to the previous one but they have different invitation numbers. Can she apply for both? It depends on whether or not the offer has the 24 month language restricting you to one bonus per 24 months on any personal AA card. If not, then she can receive both offers. You'll have to read the fine print. Exactly, there have been cards that one could duplicate over and over almost indefinitely. Some companies have closed that loophole more or less effectively. The most powerful salvo in that direction is the A...
by Drew777
Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

d0gerz wrote:A week or so ago my wife received a mailer from Citi/AA for the AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard offer for 65,000 miles after $4k in spending within the first 4 months.

Today she received another mailer from Citi. The offer is identical to the previous one but they have different invitation numbers.

Can she apply for both?
It depends on whether or not the offer has the 24 month language restricting you to one bonus per 24 months on any personal AA card. If not, then she can receive both offers. You'll have to read the fine print.
by Drew777
Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

At a certain point worrying over redemptions values and how many cents per point you're getting is meaningless. I'm easily earning miles faster than I can spend them. Whenever I want to book an international flight I always have plenty of miles in various programs, so I just go ahead and book business class. I used to think I could never justify that when I started travel hacking, but I didn't realize how much I would build up my point balances. Now it's just trivial, it doesn't matter what the cent per point value is or whether I would pay the cash price. When points are easily acquired the analysis doesn't work the same way. You can't say the 100,000 miles I earned from a signup bonus would be worth $2k if I spent $100k on a 2% cashback ...
by Drew777
Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Do you still have to give them code BAABZX or did they just allow you to apply? I have heard mixed data points. I have even heard one person who called and was told Bank of America doesn't offer the card anymore, which is completely incorrect. I did not have to give the code to the agent. I just said the offer I wanted to apply for. He asked how I had heard about it, and I said from a friend. I will try this tonight. How do you redeem 50K points for 2 $500 plane tickets? Thanks. 25,000 points gets you one ticket up to $500. Doesn't matter if the ticket is $1 or $500 it will be 25,000 points. Anything over $500 and you'll get 1 cent per point. So $500 would be the optimal amount. If you fly frequently it's best to try to get close. Thank yo...
by Drew777
Fri Jun 23, 2017 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

There's not much literature on the subject, unfortunately. Doctor of Credit has written about it, though. This is one of the best cards available though you have to call these days to get it. Much better redemptions available than $500 credit: you can get two $500 plane tickets. Yes you can churn it. My second one is in the mail now. Do you still have to give them code BAABZX or did they just allow you to apply? I have heard mixed data points. I have even heard one person who called and was told Bank of America doesn't offer the card anymore, which is completely incorrect. I did not have to give the code to the agent. I just said the offer I wanted to apply for. He asked how I had heard about it, and I said from a friend. I will try this t...
by Drew777
Fri Jun 23, 2017 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

It's a miles and points high quality problem to have. Do I spend my 60,000 URs for this redemption or just pay the cash price and hoard the points for a better redemption? It's a lot harder when it is MRs or URs since they are so flexible. With hotel points or carrier-specific points, it's easy since those tend to devalue. It depends how you fly. If you are content with cheap economy fares, finding over 2 cpp isn't as easy, especially since cash prices have been pretty reasonable lately. If you fly Business/First, then finding that rate is much easier, but the issue is that for me, I don't value a first class ticket at $2,000 or whatever it is going for, so the cents per point don't matter as much to me. <snip> The enemy of the good redemp...
by Drew777
Fri Jun 23, 2017 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Treating your mileage balances as a savings account is a bad idea. In general you should expect airlines to devalue their award chart almost yearly. Maybe not every airline will devalue every year, but you never know when the next one is coming, and it's often a huge devaluation. The optimal strategy is to earn and burn as quickly as possible. If you don't have plans to use them within a year then I would go ahead and use them. I think this is true in general, but I was looking over a record of some of my miles redemptions going back over five or six years and it seems that the value of the redemptions I was able to make has remained fairly constant. At least there is no obvious downward trend. But my calculation includes both inflation in...
by Drew777
Fri Jun 23, 2017 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

At a certain point worrying over redemptions values and how many cents per point you're getting is meaningless. I'm easily earning miles faster than I can spend them. Whenever I want to book an international flight I always have plenty of miles in various programs, so I just go ahead and book business class. I used to think I could never justify that when I started travel hacking, but I didn't realize how much I would build up my point balances. Now it's just trivial, it doesn't matter what the cent per point value is or whether I would pay the cash price. When points are easily acquired the analysis doesn't work the same way. You can't say the 100,000 miles I earned from a signup bonus would be worth $2k if I spent $100k on a 2% cashback c...
by Drew777
Fri Jun 23, 2017 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

I am finding that often purchasing tickets through their online portal with points is a great deal (1.5 UR pts/S with no restrictions or added surcharges) compared with buying tickets with airline miles. I have found the same, but this is not true for all flights. In many cases, Chase travel seems to be adding surcharges to flights compared to the best price I can find elsewhere. But this is even more so for hotel rooms, where availability for some hotels can be quite limited or non-existent, in addition. And I have had zero luck getting Chase concierge to match prices or find other availability - I'm told what's on the portal is all they can book, and the only price they have is what's listed. So, I'm not quite valuing the UR points at 1....
by Drew777
Fri Jun 23, 2017 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

I am finding that often purchasing tickets through their online portal with points is a great deal (1.5 UR pts/S with no restrictions or added surcharges) compared with buying tickets with airline miles. I have found the same, but this is not true for all flights. In many cases, Chase travel seems to be adding surcharges to flights compared to the best price I can find elsewhere. But this is even more so for hotel rooms, where availability for some hotels can be quite limited or non-existent, in addition. And I have had zero luck getting Chase concierge to match prices or find other availability - I'm told what's on the portal is all they can book, and the only price they have is what's listed. So, I'm not quite valuing the UR points at 1....
by Drew777
Wed Jun 07, 2017 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What do you guys do on the side?
Replies: 299
Views: 39546

Re: What do you guys do on the side?

I sell discounted gift cards in bulk on the side. I've made about $19k after expenses (building a website, loss on bad cards, etc.) and have sold about $1.2 million in the last 6 months. It's not something that's easy to start up though. Is there a site? or Ebay/something else? There are, but that's not how I'm selling. You're not going to get good enough rates to breakeven selling on any of the gift card sites in low volume. I'm actually more interested as a buyer. I'm looking for Home Depot gift cards. I bought primarily from GiftCardRescue for years before it was shut down. I have been using Cardpool past year or 2 and eBay here and there. I haven't signed up for Raise. I like the guarantee and the customer service aspects of Cardpool b...
by Drew777
Tue Jun 06, 2017 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What do you guys do on the side?
Replies: 299
Views: 39546

Re: What do you guys do on the side?

fareastwarriors wrote:
Drew777 wrote:I sell discounted gift cards in bulk on the side. I've made about $19k after expenses (building a website, loss on bad cards, etc.) and have sold about $1.2 million in the last 6 months. It's not something that's easy to start up though.
Is there a site? or Ebay/something else?
There are, but that's not how I'm selling. You're not going to get good enough rates to breakeven selling on any of the gift card sites in low volume.
by Drew777
Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What do you guys do on the side?
Replies: 299
Views: 39546

Re: What do you guys do on the side?

I sell discounted gift cards in bulk on the side. I've made about $19k after expenses (building a website, loss on bad cards, etc.) and have sold about $1.2 million in the last 6 months. It's not something that's easy to start up though.
by Drew777
Thu May 25, 2017 9:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Andymoler58 wrote:I churn em and burn em. I have no loyalty to any credit card company.

I've racked up over 3k in rewards so far this year and it's financing my trip to Europe this summer.

I think i've been blacklisted for new cards but it was worth it.
I doubt you've been blacklisted, you may just need to cool off from new inquiries for a little bit. I know plenty of people who have been doing it for over a decade and are still going strong.
by Drew777
Tue May 16, 2017 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Hello Bogleheads, I have about 200,000 points accrued on Chase Sapphire Reserve and 150,000 accrued on American Express Platinum. I know of sites such as thepointsguy.com and read the articles about how he takes lavish vacations using points. Is there a website you guys would direct me to for absolute beginners that would best familiarize me with how to best use my points. I'd really love if I were able to use my points to pay for a Hawaii vacation but I don't know the most efficient way to go about doing so. Really appreciate any website referrals that are great for beginners. Thank you! ATD awardhacker.com for flight options. Select MR and UR under Frequent Flyer Programs. awardmapper.com for hotel options. I would just select Hyatt beca...
by Drew777
Sun May 07, 2017 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421663

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Hello Bogleheads, I have about 200,000 points accrued on Chase Sapphire Reserve and 150,000 accrued on American Express Platinum. I know of sites such as thepointsguy.com and read the articles about how he takes lavish vacations using points. Is there a website you guys would direct me to for absolute beginners that would best familiarize me with how to best use my points. I'd really love if I were able to use my points to pay for a Hawaii vacation but I don't know the most efficient way to go about doing so. Really appreciate any website referrals that are great for beginners. Thank you! ATD awardhacker.com for flight options. Select MR and UR under Frequent Flyer Programs. awardmapper.com for hotel options. I would just select Hyatt beca...