Points & Miles Archives - Easy Travel Points https://easytravelpoints.com/category/points-miles/ Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:41:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://easytravelpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cropped-ETP-Favicon-32x32.png Points & Miles Archives - Easy Travel Points https://easytravelpoints.com/category/points-miles/ 32 32 Everything You Need To Know About Buying Groups https://easytravelpoints.com/buying-groups/ https://easytravelpoints.com/buying-groups/#comments Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:41:32 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=2520 Buying groups are a great way to earn extra credit card points. While they do take some effort and...

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]]> Buying groups are a great way to earn extra credit card points. While they do take some effort and you need to be organized, they can be very beneficial. I’m going to show you everything you need to know about them and how to use them successfully.

A large buying group warehouse filled with pallets and boxes

I have been using buying groups for several years as part of my points earning strategy. They can especially come in handy when I’m trying to meet the minimum spend requirement for a new card.

Buying groups have some nuance to them, but this simple guide will teach you everything you need to know about buying groups and how to successfully use them.

What Are Buying Groups

Buying groups are companies that purchase various goods from people like you and me and pay them a predetermined rate for those items. These types of transactions require a fair amount of trust because you are basically purchasing these goods with the understanding that you will be paid once the item is delivered to the buying group’s warehouse.

I’ve done business with several of them, and my favorite is The Buying Group. They have been the one group that has consistently paid within a reasonable amount of time. I’ve also had very few issues with deliveries but when I do, they get resolved quickly.

How Do Buying Groups Work

All of the buying groups I’ve worked with have a very similar process. As an example, I will outline the process specifically for The Buying Group.

Sign Up – First, you need to sign up for an account with the respective group. You can sign up for The Buying Group here. At the end of the signup process you’ll be given an ID number, which you’ll need later.

Deals – Once you have an account, you can purchase items the buying group is requesting. On the left side of the dashboard there’s a tab that says “Deals”. Here is a list of all the deals they are currently buying along with the price they’re paying for each item.

Please note that some buying groups will frequently offer prices that are BELOW COST, so you might actually lose money on the purchase. (They do this for various reasons that we won’t go into.) But one big reason that I work with The Buying Group is that they offer a good amount of deals that payout full retail price and sometimes they even pay you a small commission, too. Please ensure you read each deal carefully before making a purchase.

Commitment – If you see an item you’d like to buy, you will need to enter a “commitment”. Simply click on the “Commit” button and enter the number of items you purchased. You can update this number at any time. This allows the buying groups to limit and track how many items are purchased.

Sometimes they’ll cap the number of items they’ll buy, so if the deal is “full”, don’t purchase that item. In all cases, if you send them an item that you don’t have a commitment for, they can refuse to accept the item.

Delivery – Each buying group will have specific addresses you need to have the items sent to. They will always have at least one address in a state that is sales tax exempt. Almost all deals will not pay you for sales tax or shipping costs, so be careful where you ship the item to and what shipping method you use.

Tracking – Once the items ship, the retailer will send you a tracking number. You will need to enter this tracking number into the buying group’s portal so they know which shipment is yours. You will enter this on the “Tracking Management” tab within the dashboard.

In addition, you will need to add your buying group ID number to your shipping address when making your purchase. This is an additional way for them to know which items belong to you. For example, if my buying group ID is 1234, I will enter my name as John Doe 1234 when filling out the shipping address for my purchase.

Receiving – Once the item arrives at the buying group’s warehouse, they will “check in” the item. Once this is done, you will be emailed a receipt showing what they received and how much you were paid. The amount paid for that item will then be added to your account.

Timing – Once an item is delivered to the warehouse, it can take a couple days for it to show in your dashboard as “received”. The timing will vary by group and the time of the year. Peak times like Black Friday can take longer. Another reason I like Buying Group is that they are generally very quick to check things in. My first few orders were checked in the day it arrived. On average though, it typically takes 2-3 days.

Payment – Once you have a balance in your account, you can request an e-check for your balance or an ACH payment. Buying Group typically sends your payment in about a week, but again can vary based on the time of year and the number of deals they’re buying. Once the check is generated, you can print the check from your account and then deposit it into your bank account.

inside of a large buying group warehouse filled with boxes

Stay Organized

If you want to give buying groups a try, my biggest piece of advice is to STAY ORGANIZED. It is critical to keep track of everything you buy and the details of each purchase. The last thing you want to do is send an item to a buying group, forget to track it and then not get paid for the item.

I keep all of this information in a spreadsheet. It’s an easy way to keep track of everything and make sure you get paid appropriately. And if something goes wrong, you’ll have everything at your fingertips to get it resolved.

Along the lines of staying organized, I would recommend starting slow. Pick a small, inexpensive item to start with. Then go through and learn the entire process. That way, if you make a mistake with a $19 Fire Stick, you won’t lose any sleep while you’re resolving the issue.

What If Something Goes Wrong

I know this all sounds nice and easy. But what if something goes wrong? To date, I have purchased hundreds of items and spent over $100k with buying groups. While infrequent, problems do arise and it can take some time and effort to get things resolved.

If something doesn’t go perfectly, don’t freak out. Keep in mind, all buying groups have a support ticket system where you’ll handle most of these issues.

Here are some of the main issues I’ve run into and how to solve them –

Paid The Wrong Amount – Prices for deals can change from one day to the next. Sometimes when an item is checked in, the wrong amount is paid out. When this happens, I create a ticket with information about the order and it has always been corrected.

Item Not Received – Each group is usually very good about keeping you informed as to their progress of checking in items. But what happens if they say they’ve checked in everything received by a certain day and yours was delivered in that time frame?

I’ve had this happen a couple of times. In all cases, I’ve opened a ticket and sent them the order details, including the item’s serial number if applicable. They will investigate the items and in all cases but one, they have found it and then credited my account.

The one time it wasn’t found, I was able to contact the retailer and they issued me a refund. YMMV with the retailer if this happens to you, but this was my experience.

Damaged Item – Only once has an item I ordered been delivered damaged. When this happened, the buying group contacted me and I processed a return with the retailer. I then emailed them the return shipping label and documents and they sent the item back on my behalf.

Other Buying Groups

I’ve tried out most of the buying groups that are out there and they all follow a very similar process to the one I’ve outlined above. Each buying group has their own pros and cons. Based on my experience, I would recommend the following groups.

Once you get the hang of one buying group and want access to more deals, I would definitely give these others a look.

Maximizing Your Buying Group Spend

In addition to the credit card spend and small commissions, there are other ways to maximize your benefit from buying group purchases. My favorite way is to use shopping portals and cash back portals when making any purchases.

New Card Bonus – Buying groups are a great way to hit the minimum spend requirement on a new card. While I wouldn’t depend on them to meet the requirement, they can definitely make it easier.

TopCashBack – TopCashBack is a fantastic portal to use when buying Amazon devices. These are items buying groups need frequently. When you go thru TopCashBack, they give you 2% cash back on all Amazon devices purchases.

Rakuten – I also like using the Rakuten shopping portal when making purchases from stores other than Amazon. I prefer Rakuten because you can earn AMEX Membership Rewards points instead of cash back.

Final Thoughts

I think buying groups can be a great way to earn extra credit card points. If you are willing to put in the effort and stay organized, they can be a great piece of your points earning strategy. If you decide to give them a shot, I would definitely recommend starting with Buying Group.

As with everything, if you have any questions, just leave me a comment below and I’ll be happy to help.

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]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/buying-groups/feed/ 31 Credit Card Points & Miles Crash Course https://easytravelpoints.com/crash-course/ https://easytravelpoints.com/crash-course/#respond Fri, 04 Jul 2025 23:51:50 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=115481 Are you ready to travel for (almost) free? Here’s the beginner-friendly points and miles crash course you’ve been waiting...

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]]> Are you ready to travel for (almost) free? Here’s the beginner-friendly points and miles crash course you’ve been waiting for.

landscape of Santorini Greece

You can Do it too

If you’ve ever scrolled social media while sitting at home and wondered how that person is always on vacation without a trust fund, we’ve got your answer: it’s points and miles.

No, it’s not magic. Yes, it can be confusing at first. That’s why I created the Points & Miles Crash Course — a no-fluff, beginner-friendly guide to turning your everyday spending into free flights, hotel stays, and the occasional bougie airport lounge experience.

Because here’s the truth: If you’re using a debit card, you’re missing out. Like, big time.

What you’ll Learn

Here’s what you’ll learn (aka how to outsmart the system…legally) in our budget-friendly 3 hour video crash course.

This isn’t some 50-page eBook that collects digital dust in your inbox. This is a practical, easy-to-follow course that walks you through:

  • How to avoid rookie mistakes like using points on toasters instead of travel (please don’t)
  • The best starter credit cards for earning rewards
  • Strategies for ways to earn more points without spending more money
  • The difference between cash back, airline miles, and flexible points — and why that matters
  • Real-life examples of how I book free trips for my family (yes, with 5 kids in tow) and step-by-step guides for earning the points you need and how to redeem them for trips to both Hawaii and Europe

This course was designed for normal people — no spreadsheets, no 3 a.m. award searches, and definitely no math degree required. And the best part, it’s only $19!

Why You need this course

Because if you’re going to spend money anyway (hi, groceries and gas), you might as well get rewarded for it. Whether you’re dreaming of a week in Europe, a beach vacay in Hawaii, or just want to take the sting out of your travel budget — this system works.

I’ve personally used points to cover over $100k in airfare, hotel stays and other travel expenses. The best part? Once you understand the basics, the rewards just keep coming. It’s like playing Monopoly, but instead of fake money, you’re earning free vacations.

Who is this course for

  • Total beginners who want to learn the right way to start
  • Busy moms and dads who don’t have time for Reddit deep dives
  • Budget travelers who want luxe experiences without the luxe price tag
  • Anyone who’s tired of watching others travel while they stay home and pay full price for everything

Let’s Be Real…

The points game can feel like trying to learn a new language. Chase Ultimate Rewards? 5/24? Transfer partners? Player 2? If it makes your eyes glaze over, you’re not alone.

But that’s exactly why I made this course. It breaks down everything you actually need to know to start earning travel rewards today — without the overwhelm. And you won’t need to take out a second mortgage to pay for it.

So if you’re ready to stop leaving free travel on the table, click here to enroll in the Points & Miles Crash Course. Your next vacation (and smug airport selfie) is closer than you think.

Let’s turn your everyday spending into epic adventures together — no coupon clipping required. I promise, this will be the best $19 you spend all year!

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]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/crash-course/feed/ 0 Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card https://easytravelpoints.com/csr/ https://easytravelpoints.com/csr/#respond Thu, 21 Nov 2024 16:42:36 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=115435 card_name Learn How To Apply My Take – I think the card_name is perfect for those who travel frequently. This...

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]]>
card_name
card_name
Learn How To Apply

My Take – I think the card_name is perfect for those who travel frequently. This card has a lot of great travel benefits that help make life on the road easier. Plus, the travel credit this card comes with can be used on a lot of things so it should be super easy to use. You’re also able to earn extra points on dining and travel purchases, so if you’re on the road a lot, these points will add up quickly.

Bonus –bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Receive up to an annual $300 credit towards travel purchases each year.  Plus, every 4 years you’ll receive up to a $120 statement credit for either TSA Pre Check, Global Entry or NEXUS fees.  If redeemed for travel through the Chase travel portal, these points are worth $900!  These points can also be transferred to one of Chase’s travel partners. 

You’ll also receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership for participating airport lounges as long as you hold the card. Chase has also started opening Sapphire lounges at a few domestic airports that I really love! And this card will get you and up to 2 guests into these lounges for free.

Annual Fee – annual_fees

Final Thoughts

Don’t let the high annual fee scare you away from the card_name. This card has a lot of fantastic benefits and can be an excellent option for a lot of people.  If you travel frequently, I would definitely recommend this card. With the bonus categories and increased travel benefits, you’ll be able to extract a lot of extra value from this card.

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]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/csr/feed/ 0 Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card https://easytravelpoints.com/ibu/ https://easytravelpoints.com/ibu/#respond Sat, 07 Sep 2024 21:09:52 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=115402 card_name Learn How To Apply My Take – I love this card because it comes with a large welcome bonus...

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]]> card_name
card_name Learn How To Apply

My Take – I love this card because it comes with a large welcome bonus and has no annual fee. And if you want a simple earning structure, this card is perfect for you. I also love that this card is a great compliment to other Chase cards, so it’s easy to get more out of all the points you be earning.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – You can pair this card with another one of Chase’s premium cards in order to redeem these points in other ways like transferring them to one of Chase’s travel partners.  You also earn an unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar you spend with this card.  In addition, cards for employees are free.

This card also comes with some great consumer protection benefits, like extended warranty protection, purchase protection and auto rental collision damage waiver coverage.

Annual Fee – annual_fees

Final Thoughts

There are many different small business cards to choose from but I think the card_name is a great one to have. Not only do you get a large welcome bonus but the card also comes with some really great benefits and perks without having to pay an annual fee. 

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]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/ibu/feed/ 0 Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card https://easytravelpoints.com/venture/ https://easytravelpoints.com/venture/#respond Wed, 24 Jul 2024 04:20:33 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=115374 card_name Learn How To Apply My Take – I like card_name because it comes with a valuable welcome bonus, a...

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]]> card_name
card_name Learn How To Apply

My Take – I like card_name because it comes with a valuable welcome bonus, a low annual fee and is packed with some great benefits. I think everyone should have TSA PreCheck, so why not get it for free?

Plus, there are some very easy ways to use your miles, so redeeming them on a fun vacation should be a breeze. You can transfer your points to one of Capital One’s several airline or hotel partners. Or you can simply redeem them for a statement credit on any travel purchase.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – These points can be redeemed for $750 in travel or the miles can be transferred to one of Capital One’s travel partners.  You’ll receive up to a $100 fee credit for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every 4 years.  There are no foreign transaction fees on purchases made with this card.

Annual Fee – annual_fees

Final Thoughts

The card_name is a fantastic option for just about everyone.  Whether you’re just learning how to redeem your miles or you’ve traveled the world for free, this card will help you go more places. 

When you consider the huge welcome bonus, low annual fee and the Precheck credit, there’s really no risk to trying this card out for a year.  Capital One is really making this decision a whole lot easier.If you’d like to read more about this card, I have written an extensive review of the card here.

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]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/venture/feed/ 0 Best Credit Card Offers For Students https://easytravelpoints.com/best-credit-card-offers-for-students/ https://easytravelpoints.com/best-credit-card-offers-for-students/#respond Wed, 26 Jun 2024 20:52:41 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=115341 Making the decision to get your first credit card is a significant one. This will be one of the...

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]]> Making the decision to get your first credit card is a significant one. This will be one of the first steps you take on your financial journey. It will help you begin to establish a credit history and lay a foundation to help you with future financial decisions. Let me help you narrow down the choice to a few options that I think are worth considering.

someone holding a credit card while typing on a laptop

Recently, my oldest son wanted to get his first credit card. So, the two of us sat down, had a conversation about credit, then reviewed several of the options out there. Since that day, I’ve had several friends ask me which card I would recommend for their kids to get as their first credit card.

I’ve decided to put all of my “fatherly advice” and my recommendations into this post. I’m sure there are countless others in this same situation so I hope you find this helpful.

Credit Card Ground Rules

Making the decision to open your first credit card is an important one. If used wisely, this can help you establish your credit and get better rates in the future on auto and home loans. However, if you use a credit card incorrectly, it can make your life more difficult. With that said, here’s my advice to you if this will be your first credit card.

Pay In Full – Pay your credit card balance in full EVERY month. In my opinion, credit cards are for convenience and security. This is NOT free money to go buy something you can’t afford. If you aren’t able to pay your balance in full each month, STOP using your credit card!

Pay On Time – One of the biggest things that can affect your credit score is paying your bill late. Set up autopay, email/text alerts or any other system you can come up with to pay your bill on time. Don’t ruin your credit score because you’re forgetful.

Get Help – If you ever find yourself getting behind on your bills, get help. I don’t mean, just ask people for money. I mean, talk to a friend, parent or someone else you trust who is GOOD with money and ask them for advice. Don’t let a bad situation snowball into a terrible situation because you were too embarrassed to ask for help.

With all that said, here are my recommendations for your first card.

card_name

My Take – This is the card that I ultimately recommended my son get. This card is geared towards students, so the probability you’ll get approved is higher even though you likely don’t have any credit history.

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – I really like this card because it comes with a small bonus, no annual fee and bonus earning categories on things students typically purchase. Plus, you can earn an unlimited 3% cash back on things like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart), and 1% on all other purchases. It also doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.

Annual Fee – annual_fees

card_name

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – This card is very similar to the one above. This is also a credit card that is designed for students with no annual fee. There aren’t a lot of frills but that’s not what should be driving this decision.

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – I like this card as well because it comes with a small bonus and no annual fee. You’ll earn a flat 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases. I also love that this card doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees if you’re traveling abroad.

Annual Fee – annual_fees

card_name

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – This card is not specifically marketed as a “student” card but it is for those who are trying to build their credit. In case you are declined by Capital One, I wanted to give you another option with a different bank. I love Chase for their travel rewards cards, so starting and maintaining a good relationship with Chase is never a bad thing in my book.

On the Chase website, it does say that if you have at least $250 in any Chase checking or savings account, it can increase your chances of being approved for the card. So if you already have an account with them, this could be a good option for you.

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – I like this card as well because it comes with a small bonus and no annual fee. You’ll earn a flat 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases.

Annual Fee – annual_fees

card_name

Learn How To Apply

Final Thoughts

I just wanted to wish you the best as you begin your financial journey. Remember, credit cards can be a very useful tool if used correctly. Take time your time and go slow. And if you have any questions along the way, leave me a comment below and I’d be happy to answer them.

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]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/best-credit-card-offers-for-students/feed/ 0 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card https://easytravelpoints.com/csp/ https://easytravelpoints.com/csp/#respond Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:21:05 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=115311 card_name Learn How To Apply My Take – While the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card isn’t co-branded with a specific airline, you can transfer...

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]]>
card_name
card_name
Learn How To Apply

My Take – While the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card isn’t co-branded with a specific airline, you can transfer the points earned with this card to several airlines and hotels.  With the flexibility this card provides, it’s my top choice for the best travel credit card for beginners. 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is my favorite starter card. If you’re just starting out, I would recommend you start with this card 95% of the time. The points are easy and straightforward to redeem so it makes that first award redemption as easy as it gets.

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full This welcome bonus is higher than it usually is, so this really is a phenomenal offer!

Highlights – These points can easily be redeemed through the Chase travel portal.  If you want to unlock more value, you can also transfer the points to one of several airlines and take advantage of some of the redemption sweet spots like this for flying to Hawaii. Each anniversary year you’ll also earn a $50 statement credit on a hotel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.

This card also offers great travel delay insurance that covers a lot of those unexpected events that come up while traveling. You also get free primary rental car insurance and extended warranty coverage when you use the card.

Annual Fee – $95 (not waived during the first year). In my opinion, this is a very reasonable annual fee when you consider the welcome bonus and all of the free benefits that come with just having the card.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion, this card_name is perfect for anyone who is looking to get started in the points hobby.  I think Chase Ultimate Rewards points are the most valuable and easiest to use of any card issuer.  If you are just starting to earn travel rewards points, you should strongly consider having this card in your wallet.

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]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/csp/feed/ 0 The Best Credit Card Offers Right Now https://easytravelpoints.com/best-credit-card-offers/ https://easytravelpoints.com/best-credit-card-offers/#comments Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=640 Credit card companies routinely change the bonuses they offer you to sign up for a new card.  I get...

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]]> Credit card companies routinely change the bonuses they offer you to sign up for a new card.  I get it, you have a lot going on in your life and you don’t have time to track each offer you see.  Don’t worry, let Easy Travel Points do the work for you.  I will update this page with all of the best credit card offers currently available to everyone.

several different credit cards in two parallel lines

All you need to do is bookmark this page and you will have all of the best credit card offers at your fingertips anytime you need them.  Without further ado, here are my favorite options right now.

card_name

My Take – While the card_name isn’t co-branded with a specific airline, you can transfer the points earned with this card to several airlines.  With the flexibility this card provides, it’s my top choice for the best airline credit card.  You can read why this is the card I recommend most often here.

The card_name is my favorite starter card. If you’re just starting out, I would recommend you start with this card 99% of the time. The points are easy to redeem so it makes that first award redemption a slam dunk.

Welcome Bonus – bonus_miles_full This welcome bonus is higher than it usually is, so this really is a phenomenal offer!

Highlights – These points can easily be redeem through the book through the Chase travel portal.  If you want to unlock more value, you can also transfer the points to one of several airlines and take advantage of some of the redemption sweet spots like this for flying to Hawaii.  This card also offers great travel insurance that covers a lot of those unexpected events that come up while traveling.

Annual Fee – $95 (not waived during the first year)

card_name

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – Capital One recently launched a brand new premium card with a great offer. With the recent improvement of their redemption ratio, and the addition of some great travel partners like Turkish Airline’s Miles & Smiles, the card_name definitely warrants some serious consideration.

This card comes with some solid benefits like lounge access and Hertz elite status that I use all the time. For anyone who is a frequent traveler, you should definitely give this card a closer look.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Get up to a $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel. Cardmembers will also get get a Priority Pass membership and access to Capital One lounges. You also get complimentary access to Hertz President’s Circle which allows you to skip the line and pick your car. Plus, get up to a $120 credit towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. On top of all of that, you’ll 2x miles on all other purchases.

Annual Fee – $395 (not waived during the first year)

card_name

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – I love this card because it comes with a large welcome bonus and no annual fee. Plus, it has a few great bonus categories that can help you earn points quickly. I also love this card because it pairs great with other Chase cards, so it’s easy to get more out of the points you earn.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – This business card earns 5% back on the first $25,000 spent on combined purchases at office supply stores and internet, phone and cable companies each anniversary year. Plus, earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined restaurant and gas station purchases each anniversary year.

Annual Fee – $0

card_name

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – I like this card because it comes with a valuable welcome bonus, a low annual fee and is packed with some great benefits. I think everyone should have TSA PreCheck, so why not get it for free? Plus, there are some very easy ways to use your miles, so redeeming them on a fun vacation should be a breeze.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – These points can be redeemed for $750 in travel or the miles can be transferred to one of Capital One’s travel partners.  You’ll receive up to a $120 fee credit for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every 4 years.  There are no foreign transaction fees on purchases made with this card.

Annual Fee – $95 (not waived during the first year)

card_name

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – I love this card because it comes with a large welcome bonus and no annual fee. And if you want a simple earning structure, this card is perfect for you. I also love that this card pairs great with other Chase cards, so it’s easy to get more out of all the points you be earning.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – This business card earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases made with the card. The cash back is awarded using Ultimate Rewards points. If you have one of Chase’s premium cards, you can combine all of your Chase points together to unlock even more value.

Annual Fee – $0

card_name

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – I think this card is perfect for those road warriors out there. This card has a lot of great travel benefits that help make life on the road easier. Plus, the travel credit this card comes with can be used on a lot of things so it should be super easy to use. You’re also able to earn extra points on dining and travel purchases, so if you’re on the road a lot, these points will add up quickly.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Receive up to an annual $300 credit towards travel purchases each year.  Plus, every 4 years you’ll receive up to a $120 statement credit for either TSA Pre Check, Global Entry or NEXUS fees.  If redeemed for travel through the Chase travel portal, these points are worth $900!  These points can also be transferred to one of Chase’s travel partners.  You’ll also receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership for participating airport lounges as long as you hold the card.

Annual Fee – $550 (not waived during the first year)

card_name

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – This card is a simple and easy to use card for everyday spending that has no annual fee. If you’re looking for a cash back card, I think this is an excellent option. I’ve had the card for years and use it all the time.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – This card is one of my favorites for everyday spending that isn’t part of a bonus category. This card is a great companion to use with other Chase cards.

Annual Fee – $0

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Learn How To Apply

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My Take – I think this card is excellent if you love American Express Membership Rewards® points. What I love most about this card is the ability to earn extra points at U.S. supermarkets. Having a large family, I earn a lot of points with this card.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full Terms apply. I love that American Express is giving you twice the normal amount of time to hit the spending threshold to qualify for the bonus!

Highlights – You will earn 4x Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants (limited to the first $50,000 in purchases). You will also earn 4x points on purchases made at U.S. supermarkets (limited to the first $25,000 in purchases). This card also comes with annual dining credits, enrollment required, and airline fee credits. You can read my full review of the American Express Gold card here.

Annual Fee – annual_fees See rates and fees.

card_name

Learn How To Apply

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My Take – I think this card is perfect for those who love staying at IHG hotels. This card comes with a great welcome bonus and you get a free award night each year. This award night you get each year easily offsets the cost of paying the annual fee, in my opinion. Add in the complimentary elite status and this one becomes an easy decision for IHG loyalists.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – You’ll earn a free award night after each card anniversary year at eligible properties.  This card also comes with up to a $120 statement credit on TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Nexus application fees.  You’ll also earn 26 points per dollar spent at IHG hotels.  Plus, you get complimentary IHG platinum elite status with this card.

Annual Fee – $99 (not waived during the first year)

card_name

Learn How To Apply

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My Take – I think the Bilt Mastercard is a great option for those who pay rent. Living expenses are typically our highest expense each month and normally you can’t earn any points paying your rent without being charged a fee. This is a great way to earn a lot of points for expenses you already incur.

Plus, in my opinion, Bilt has the best list of transfer partners than any other bank out there. There are so many great options that you can really get some amazing redemptions for your hard earned points. Plus, with monthly “Rent Day” promotions (see below), there is a lot of value you can get from this card.

Bonus – This card does not offer a welcome bonus for new cardmembers.

Highlights – bonus_miles_full. Plus, on the first of every month is “Rent Day” and they offer some great promotions on that day. Some of the past promotions have included higher than normal transfer bonuses to some of their amazing travel partners. Plus, on the first of every month, you number of points you earn on each qualifying purchase is doubled.

card_name

Learn How To Apply

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My Take – This card is another great option if you love American Express and you travel a lot. The travel perks that come with this card are top-notch, in my opinion. Yes, the annual fee is higher than most, but the benefits you get can easily offset the cost. Add in the welcome bonus you can earn and I think this is a great option for those who travel a lot.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full Terms apply.

Highlights – You’ll receive an annual credit of up to $200 towards baggage fees on one airline of your choice.  Access to Global Lounge Collection airport lounges throughout the world.  Receive an annual credit of up to $100 for purchases made at Saks Fifth Avenue (enrollment in the offer is required).  Receive up to a $120 credit every 4.5 years for the TSA PreCheck® application fee (when applying through a TSA official enrollment provider) and every 4 years for the Global Entry application fee.

Annual Fee – $695 See rates and fees.

card_name

Learn How To Apply

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My Take – This is a great card for those who love to fly Southwest Airlines. Especially if you’re traveling as a family. The thing I love most about Southwest’s programs, is the points are super easy to use. As long as there’s an open seat on the flight, you can book it with your miles. So when you’re traveling as a family, you don’t need to worry about trying to find enough award seats for everyone.

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Earn 2x on Southwest purchases, internet, cable and phone purchases. Earn 3,000 bonus points each anniversary year. Plus get 2 free Early Bird check-ins each year.

Annual Fee – $69 (not waived during the first year)

card_name

Learn How To Apply

card_name

My Take – The card_name is a great card for those who fly Air Canada frequently or those who like to redeem their Aeroplan miles to fly on other Star Alliance airlines. There are some great redemption options that are available on their partner airlines. For example, I recently booked a Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to Houston in business class for 87,500 miles plus fees!

Bonus – bonus_miles_full

Highlights – Earn 3x points on every dollar spent when you use this card at grocery stores, restaurants and purchases made directly with Air Canada. Plus, you can earn a bonus 500 points for every $2,000 you spend on this card in a calendar month (limited to 1,500 bonus miles per month).

Annual Fee – annual_fees

card_name

Learn How To Apply

Final Thoughts

There are other offers out there but in my opinion, these are the best credit card offers on the market.  I know there’s not a single credit card that’s perfect for everyone.  If you have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or email me with a specific question.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, See Rates and Fees.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® From American Express, See Rates and Fees.

The post The Best Credit Card Offers Right Now appeared first on Easy Travel Points.

]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/best-credit-card-offers/feed/ 2 Capital One Venture X Credit Card Review https://easytravelpoints.com/capital-one-venture-x-review/ https://easytravelpoints.com/capital-one-venture-x-review/#respond Tue, 23 May 2023 01:56:00 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=114668 The card_name is one of my favorite travel rewards cards. This card comes with several great benefits, the miles...

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]]> The card_name is one of my favorite travel rewards cards. This card comes with several great benefits, the miles are easy to redeem and the annual fee is very reasonable. This is why the card is one of my favorites to recommend to most people.

Capital One branch store front

In 2021, Capital One stepped into the premium travel card space when it launched the card_name. This card directly competes with card_name and the card_name. In my opinion, it’s definitely giving both of these cards a run for their money.

Welcome Bonus

Currently, the card_name comes with a solid welcome bonus. bonus_miles_full

These miles can be worth $750 if you redeem them for travel directly through Capital One. However, these miles can be worth significantly more if you transfer them to one of Capital One’s travel partners. I’ll list our the transfer partners down below.

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Annual Fee

This card comes with a $395 annual fee. This is significantly less than other premium rewards cards and comes with comparable benefits. Like all cards with annual fees, you should be getting more in benefits than the cost of the fee. So let’s get into the benefits.

Venture X Benefits

This card_name comes with some fantastic benefits. This isn’t a comprehensive list but here are several of my favorite benefits.

Travel Credit – You will get up to $300 in statement credits each year for travel booked directly with Capital One Travel. In my opinion, getting the full $300 credit is super easy to do.

Anniversary Bonus – Starting on your first card anniversary, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles each year. If you use these miles as a statement credit, their worth $100.

Lounge Access – With this card, you’ll get a free Priority Pass membership to airport lounges around the world and Capital One lounges. This give access for both you and 2 guests. of all the lounges I’ve visited, the Capital One lounge in DFW is by far my favorite!

Hertz Status – You’ll get free Hertz President’s Club status just by having the card. I love this benefit! When you rent with Hertz, you can pick any car from the President’s Circle row when you rent a midsize car or above. Plus, you can skip the rental counter and go straight to your car which can save so much time!

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck – You get up to a $120 statement credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

Cell Phone Protection – If you pay your monthly wireless phone bill with your card_name, you’re eligible for up to $800 in coverage per claim with a maximum of two claims and $1,600 per 12-month period. There is a $50 deductible applies per occurrence.

There are other free benefits, like trip delay insurance, primary car rental insurance and extended warranty coverage and others as well.

Earning More Miles

Earning more miles with the card is pretty straightforward. You can earn more miles with the card_name in the following ways:

10X – You’ll earn 10 times the miles on every dollar you spend on hotels and car rentals when booked directly with Capital One Travel.

5X – You’ll also earn 5 times the miles on all airfare purchases made directly with Capital One Travel.

2X – Finally, you’ll earn 2x miles on all other purchases you make with the card.

Redeeming Your Miles

Transferring Miles – Capital One has several fantastic travel partners you can transfer your miles to. Typically, this is the best way to get the most value out of your miles.

Statement Credits – You can also redeem your miles to offset travel purchases via statement credits. You can offset any purchase the codes as travel using your miles at a rate of 1 cent per point. This is a simple way to redeem your miles.

Future Travel – You can book travel directly with Capital One Travel and use your miles to pay for it. Again, you can redeem your points at a flat 1 cent per point for this as well.

Gift Cards – You can redeem your miles for a variety of gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point.

Cash Back – If you want straight cash back, you can request it at a rate of 0.5 cents per point. Please don’t do this. If you want the cash, just get a bunch of gift cards to stores where you shop.

Capital One Transfer Partners

All miles transfer at a 1:1 ratio with the respective partners, with the exceptions noted below. You can transfer the miles you earn with the card_name to the following travel partners:

  • Aeromexico Club Premier – Miles transfer instantly
  • Air Canada Aeroplan – Miles transfer instantly
  • Air France/KLM Flying Blue – Miles transfer instantly
  • Avianca LifeMiles – Miles transfer instantly
  • Accor Live Limitless (2:1) – Miles transfer in 1 day
  • British Airways – Miles transfer instantly
  • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles – Miles transfer in 5 days
  • Choice Privileges – TBD Transfer Time
  • Emirates Skywards – Miles transfer instantly
  • Etihad Guest – Miles transfer within 24 hours
  • Eva Infinity MileageLands (2:1.5) – Miles transfer within 36 hours
  • Finnair Plus – Miles transfer instantly
  • Qantas Frequent Flyer – Miles transfer within 24 hours
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer – Miles transfer within 36 hours
  • Tap Portugal – Miles transfer instantly
  • Turkish Airlines – Miles transfer instantly
  • Virgin Atlantic Red – Miles transfer instantly
  • Wyndham Rewards – Miles transfer instantly

Some of my favorite ways to use my Capital One miles are to transfer to Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles program to take advantage of their sweet spots. I also like us British Airways for flights to Mexico and nonstop domestic routes.

Final Thoughts

The card_name is one of my favorite travel rewards cards. In fact, both my wife and I have this card in our wallets. I think the benefits are top-tier and easy to use. I think most people can easily get enough value out of this card to make it worth paying the annual fee each year. If you don’t have this card, I would strongly recommend you taking a closer look to see if it’s right for you.

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]]> https://easytravelpoints.com/capital-one-venture-x-review/feed/ 0 Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Review https://easytravelpoints.com/chase-ink-business-cash-review/ https://easytravelpoints.com/chase-ink-business-cash-review/#comments Tue, 23 May 2023 01:09:00 +0000 https://easytravelpoints.com/?p=2229 The card_name is one of my favorite business cards to earn points for travel. It has a great bonus...

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]]> The card_name is one of my favorite business cards to earn points for travel. It has a great bonus and earning points is straightforward and easy to do. With one key feature of this card, the points can really add up quick.

someone holding the Chase Ink Business Cash credit card

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points. So when they have a business card that comes with a large welcome bonus and no annual fee, you get my attention. Besides, if own a business, or have a side hustle, I always recommend having a business card to keep your expenses separate.

In order to open a Chase business card, you have to be under 5/24. In a nutshell, that means you can only have applied for fewer than 4 personal credit cards within the past 24 months. Otherwise, Chase will automatically decline you. If you want more information on this, read this article I wrote about Chase’s 5/24 rule.

The Welcome Bonus

New card_name cardmembers can earn a fantastic welcome bonus. bonus_miles_full This bonus is paid in Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This is a fantastic bonus for a card that doesn’t have an annual fee.

If you liked that, keep reading and I’ll show you how to make these points worth even more.

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Earning Points

Earning points is pretty simple with the card_name. On most purchases, you’ll earn 1 Ultimate Rewards point for every dollar spent. However, the card comes with a couple bonus categories that let you earn points faster.

You’ll earn 2x points on purchases made at gas stations and restaurants. These bonus points are limited to the first $25k in combined purchases made each anniversary year in these categories. Plus, you will earn 5x points on all purchases made at office supply stores and on internet, phone and cable services. The bonus is also limited to a combined $25k in purchases for these categories each anniversary year.

Using Your Points

The card_name is marketed as a cash back card. The cash back earned on this card is given to in the form of Ultimate Rewards points. If you only have this card, you can only redeem those points for cash.

However, one great feature of the Ultimate Rewards program is that Chase gives you the ability to combine all of your points into one account. By doing that, you can now transfer your points to one of Chase’s travel partners so you can get even more value out of them! That’s why I always recommend having one of Chase’s premium cards in your wallet.

One of my favorite Chase transfer partners is Hyatt. We have used our points to to stay at the Ventana Big Sur that typically costs over $2k per night. We’ve also used our Chase points to fly our family to Hawaii! By moving your points to a premium card, you can easily get more value out of your points.

Other Benefits

The card_name comes with a couple other benefits that I like; primary car rental insurance and extended warranty coverage.

Car Rental Insurance – By paying for your entire rental car with this card, you get primary collision damage waiver coverage. Simply decline the collision insurance when renting your car. Here’s a great article from One Mile at a Time about the CDW coverage that comes with Ink business cards.

Extended Warranty – On eligible purchases, you can extended the US manufacturer’s warranty coverage by one additional year simply by paying for the item with this card. I’ve used this coverage multiple times over the years and has saved me a lot of money.

Final Thoughts

The card_name is a fantastic card and you should really consider adding it to your wallet. With no annual fee, a large welcome bonus and great bonus earning categories, this card is one of my favorites. I typically earn the most points each year using this card.

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