Activate Q3 Bonus Categories for Chase Freedom

Posted on June 16, 2015 by 2btravel

While we’re still wrapping up spending for Q2 categories that include restaurants, you can now register your Chase Freedom card for Q3 bonus categories which include gas stations and Kohl’s department store. When using your Freedom card in bonus categories you’ll receive 5 Ultimate Reward points per dollar spent on up to $1500 in combined purchases. Ulitmate Reward points can be redeemed for 1 cent each or used like cash to redeem for travel through the Ultimate Rewards shopping portal.2015-06-16 Freedom Q3 Bonus Categories

But if you also have a Sapphire Preferred personal card or one of the Ink business cards, all of which carry an annual fee, you can transfer your Ultimate Rewards point to one of several frequent flyer or hotel programs. When Ultimate Rewards are used in this way, it’s possible to get a lot more value than just 1 cent per point.

Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners

Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners

To activate your bonus, look for the email from Chase. Just click on the link and you should see this activation screen. You must activate your account by September 14 to qualify for bonuses for Q3.2015-06-16 Freedom Activation Complete

Categories: Chase, Credit Card Promos, Freedom | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Changes to Membership Rewards

Posted on June 5, 2015 by 2btravel

Membership Rewards LogoMembership Rewards (MR) is the points program from American Express.  MR points can be accumulated via a number of their credit cards including the Premier Rewards Gold Card, Platinum Card®, American Express® Green Card, Blue Sky from American Express®, Amex EveryDaySM Credit Card and Amex EveryDaySM Preferred Credit Card. Some of these cards ean bonus points when shopping at certain merchants.

One of the great things about MR points is that they can be transferred to a number of travel partners including:

  • Aeroplan (Air Canada)
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Alitalia (1000:750)
  • Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific) (1000:750)
  • Delta (1000:750)
  • Etihad (1000:750)
  • Hilton
  • SPG (1000:500)

One of my favorite uses for MRs is transferring them to British Airways as BA Avios are great for short haul trips on American Airlines as they transfer at a 1:1 ratio vs. some of the other ratios we see above.

Unfortunately that’s changing on October 1. Starting on that date the transfer ratio to British Airways (and Iberia, which also uses Avios) will be 250 MRs to 200 Avios, which is a 25% devaluation. While that won’t be a huge hit for short haul trips, it would make a big difference when using Avios for long haul trips, like my upcoming trip to Australia. I didn’t have enough Avios in my account and topped it off with MRs so I’d have enough to make the reservation.

I suppose this is to be expected as we’ve learned that nothing stays the same in the world of points and miles but it’s still disappointing.

Categories: American Express, British Airways, Membership Rewards | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

First Friday = 3x Points or More on Dining

Posted on June 5, 2015 by 2btravel

CSPOnce again it’s the first Friday of the month and that means 3x points on dining when you use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay.  But really, if you don’t have the Chase Freedom card that’s been earning 5x points on dining since April 1st, what are you waiting for?  The Freedom is a no-annual-fee card that’s a terrific complement to the Sapphire Preferred.  And if you don’t have either of these, the Discover cards are offering a 5% bonus on dining for the April-June time frame so that’s a better choice.Chase Freedom

Rewards-earning cards are great…but only if you take advantage of them!

Categories: Credit Card Promos, Discover, Freedom, Sapphire Preferred | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Discover Card Q3 Registration Now Open

Posted on June 1, 2015 by 2btravel

2015-06-01 Discover Q3 RegistrationRegistration is now open for 5% bonus categories for Q3 2015 (July-September) when using your Discover card.

Bonus categories for Q3 are Home Improvement Stores, Department Stores and Amazon.com. You’ll earn a 5% cash bonus for up to $1500 in purchases in this time frame.

Many home improvment and department stores sell gift cards, so here’s a great way to stock up for future purchases. The discount even applies to Amazon e-gift cards!

Log into your Discover account and register today.

Categories: Credit Card Promos, Discover | Tags: | Leave a comment

Today Only, 10% Off Viator Tours

Posted on May 27, 2015 by 2btravel

Viator logoWhen traveling, sometimes it’s fun to fly by the seat of your pants but sometimes you want to have everything lined up ahead of time so that it’s one less thing to worry about. For me, this is especially true about ground transportation to and from the airport.

Many cities have reliable public transportation that extends to the airport, but that can take a long time, depending on the bus/train routes and then there’s the fun of wheeling your luggage through turnstiles and potentially up and down stairs. Taxis and/or Uber are often good alternatives but there’s always the possibility that those can be quite costly.

Especially if I’m arriving very early or very late, I like to rely on the folks at Viator.com. They arrange airport transportation in most major cities around the world and allow you to pay on their website in US dollars.

In addition to ground transportation, they have a number of tours that you can pre-arrange before your trip so you’ll be able to skip the line at many attractions and go straight to the will-call window.

Today only, Viator.com is offering a 10% discount on their tours. Just go to their website and you should see the discount on the checkout page.

Categories: Ground Transportation, Tours | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

First Friday Is Here Again

Posted on April 30, 2015 by 2btravel

CSPTomorrow is the first Friday of the month so by now you know that means 3x points on dining with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.  But like I mentioned last month, it’s not the best option this quarter if you want to earn Ultimate Rewards points as the Chase Freedom card will get you 5x points this quarter – provided you’ve registered for the promotion.  And for those who prefer cash back, the Discover cards are earning 5% back on dining from April through June.Chase Freedom

If you only have the Sapphire Preferred, it only makes sense to apply for the Freedom card too.  There’s no annual fee so it’s one you can keep forever and as long as you have the Sapphire Preferred or one of the Ink business cards you can pool the Ultimate Rewards points and transfer them to your favorite frequent flyer or hotel program.

Categories: Chase, Credit Card Promos, Credit Cards, Freedom, Sapphire Preferred | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Free 1000 AAdvantage Miles

Posted on April 29, 2015 by 2btravel

2015-04-29 Free American MilesAmerican Airlines is offering 1000 free AAdvantage miles and an entry in a sweepstakes to earn two first class tickets anywhere they fly.  All that is required is that you watch six short videos extolling the virtues of the AAdvantage program.  You’ll earn 150 miles for each video and a bonus 100 miles if you view all of them.   Check your inbox for an email from American, click on the link and start earning miles!

Categories: American Airlines | Tags: | Leave a comment

Not a Southwest Rapids Reward Member? Sign up now for free!

Posted on April 29, 2015 by 2btravel

2015-04-29 Southwest Refer A Friend
Recently Southwest Airlines sent out an email allowing members to refer others and earn free Rapid Rewards points for doing so.  If you allow me to refer you to the program, I’ll get 500 points for doing so and you’ll get 250 points to kick off your account.  I can earn up to 2,000 points this way.  There is no charge to sign up but do be sure to use the same name as is on your government-issued ID so that there’s no confusion when you fly Southwest and have to go through airport security!

If you’d like to sign up, just shoot me an email at 2btraveling@gmail.com and we’ll get you on your way with 250 points.

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Earn United Miles for Donating to Nepal Relief

Posted on April 27, 2015 by 2btravel

I just received an email from United stating I can earn miles for donating to the Red Cross in support of their relief efforts in Nepal:

2015-04-27 UA Red Cross

You can click on the offer to enlarge it but the highlights are:

  • 250 miles for a donation of $50-$99 USD
  • 500 miles for a donation of $100-$249 USD
  • 1000 miles for a donation of $250 or more

Donations must be received between now and 11:59 pm Central Time on 15 May 2015.

If you haven’t found a way to help out yet, here’s an easy way and you can earn miles in the process.

Categories: Star Alliance, United | Tags: | Leave a comment

New Benefits for American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card

Posted on April 23, 2015 by 2btravel

PremierRewardsGoldCardAmerican Express has several cards that earn Membership Rewards (MR) points. These are a great currency that can be transferred to multiple frequent flyer programs at a 1:1 ratio. Those programs include Aeroplan (Air Canada), British Airways Executive Club, Altitalia MilleMiglia and Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific). MRs can also be transferred to the Delta Skymiles and Ethiad Guest programs at a ratio of 1000 MRs to 750 miles.

The Amex Premier Rewards Gold Card is a charge card, meaning the whole balance is due each month, but it can offer terrific value if used strategically. Currently the card earns:

  • 3 points per dollar for flights booked directly with the airline
  • 2 points per dollar at US gas stations and supermarkets
  • 1 point per dollar on all other purchases

Starting June 1, 2015 the card’s benefits will expand to include:

  • 2 points per dollar at US restaurants
  • No foreign transactions fees
  • A $100 credit per calendar year on qualifying airline charges including incidental fees like baggage fees, itinerary fees, in-flight food and airport lounge day passes that are charged by the airline to the card

Cardholders will also now have access to a team of travel professionals to assist with travel needs. This can be great for items that points and miles won’t allow you to arrange for yourself.  Note that the annual fee is $175 after the first year.

These new benefits are nice though I’m disappointed that the 2x points at restaurants is only for US restaurants. If I wanted to take this card overseas that would be a category I’d definitely use but if it’s not going to earn me 2x points I have other cards that will.

If you already have this card you’ll see more details on your March 2015 statement.

If you don’t have this card, you can apply HERE. Be sure to check the card match tool to see if you can get a better offer.

Categories: American Express, Premier Rewards Gold Card | Tags: , | Leave a comment

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