🤔 How much money did YOU save this year by using credit card points? 👉🏼 Update: It turns out you do get 1 cpp for statement credit redemptions on the Amex Amazon Prime Business card, so that’s how I’ll be redeeming my Amazon rewards from here on out!
@@SpencerJohnsonOfficial glad you have the perspective of that being what it is all about not about the redemption value as much. Don't want to waste your points but at the same time, a free trip is still better than a paid one. I am heading to Florida, Utah, Idaho, North Dakota, and Montana this year and nice knowing airfare and hotels will likely be at no cost unless I mix in an Airbnb stay which will still be a 5x point earner for me
@@412foto Heck yeah dude, that's awesome! All I really care about is making memories with my loved ones that I may not have been able to otherwise if I had to use cash, so the cpp value matters a lot less in that case. It's good to hear you think the same!
I'd make sure to check all of the resources you can! I'd start with Google Flights, see what options you'll likely be flying with, and then go to each airline website listed on Google Flights to find the best cash price vs. points cost. You'll also want to be sure to check travel portals if you have a card like the Sapphire Preferred that gives you a boost there. Once you know the best option, you'll either transfer directly to that partner or utilize the portal, whichever works best! Of course, it's a really laborious task depending on how deep you wanna go, but that's the rough outline.
Your mileage may vary, but so far I haven't had any issues. The one thing you mentioned that I haven't tried is getting status honored since I don't have status with any hotel (other than Marriott). However, you're able to link your rewards number to the booking and that's how I earn points and qualifying nights for the stay so I'd assume your status is still honored. Again, YMMV though.
I just heard today that Marriott “quietly” devalued their points based on some property valuations so your annual free night award with the Bountiful won’t go as far in 2025. Unfortunately, I was looking to get that card this year but I’m not sure it’s worth it now.
Unfortunately that's kinda par for the course these days with every hotel chain it seems... It could still very well be worth it but it depends on your situation.
Out of curiosity, did you compare the prices of your flights booked through the Chase travel portal and compare it to booking direct with the airline the way you did with the IHG hotel? Great video! That 1.5 CPP through the travel portal has been really nice for my family when we want to book a rental. We've found the prices in the portal, at least for cars, to be around the same price as booking direct with rental company
Absolutely!! I always do that before any booking. Luckily I’ve almost always found the same price in both places, but every once in a while there can be a discrepancy. Thanks so much for watching and sharing your experiences too!
But how do you accrue all these points? For your AUS>SBP trip (48k points), aren't we talking like at least $15,000 of card spend to earn those points? Or did you simply use points from referrals? All these CC channels talk about all the benefits of free travel from cards but they almost never mentions the many thousands of dollars you have to spend to build a bank of points to use. Thoughts?
Feel free to check out my video from the week prior where I break down all the numbers for you! It's a combo of referrals, welcome offers, and natural spend. For the general card user, welcome offers are really the only way to earn enough points to travel like I did last year.
🤔 How much money did YOU save this year by using credit card points?
👉🏼 Update: It turns out you do get 1 cpp for statement credit redemptions on the Amex Amazon Prime Business card, so that’s how I’ll be redeeming my Amazon rewards from here on out!
wow gotta love those free travels. UR pts are really powerful even at 1.25 with the CSP.
That's absolutely right! It all depends on your personal goals and travel habits.
I agree and works the best for traveling
Gotta love getting some great values and experiences with points! Huge benefit of the game we play!
Ain’t that the truth!! Thanks for watching as always!
Thanks for the info + video!
Thanks so much for watching my man!
What a refreshing and inspiring video!
I appreciate that Bob! Thanks for being here as always!
great recap of the year and your points usage... I redeemed right at a million last year!
Let’s go, that’s awesome man! Thanks for being here so early btw 🥉
i can always get you the hookup on nashville hockey tickets if you ever come back! hope you had a great time
Heck yeah, I'll have to remember that!
great year of travel!!
Agreed!! Many great memories were made.
@@SpencerJohnsonOfficial glad you have the perspective of that being what it is all about not about the redemption value as much. Don't want to waste your points but at the same time, a free trip is still better than a paid one. I am heading to Florida, Utah, Idaho, North Dakota, and Montana this year and nice knowing airfare and hotels will likely be at no cost unless I mix in an Airbnb stay which will still be a 5x point earner for me
@@412foto Heck yeah dude, that's awesome! All I really care about is making memories with my loved ones that I may not have been able to otherwise if I had to use cash, so the cpp value matters a lot less in that case. It's good to hear you think the same!
Do you have any suggestions on booking a direct flight from phoenix to Cancun?
I'd make sure to check all of the resources you can! I'd start with Google Flights, see what options you'll likely be flying with, and then go to each airline website listed on Google Flights to find the best cash price vs. points cost. You'll also want to be sure to check travel portals if you have a card like the Sapphire Preferred that gives you a boost there. Once you know the best option, you'll either transfer directly to that partner or utilize the portal, whichever works best! Of course, it's a really laborious task depending on how deep you wanna go, but that's the rough outline.
I thought when booking through Chase portal, you don't get the qualifying nights stays for example, marriott and you can't use your status?
Your mileage may vary, but so far I haven't had any issues. The one thing you mentioned that I haven't tried is getting status honored since I don't have status with any hotel (other than Marriott). However, you're able to link your rewards number to the booking and that's how I earn points and qualifying nights for the stay so I'd assume your status is still honored. Again, YMMV though.
@SpencerJohnsonOfficial got it, thank you for letting me know!
Book with Hawaian Airlines and intertransfer points to alaska can make best value
I just did that for a trip I'm taking this week! Super great redemption I'll be sharing down the line.
I just heard today that Marriott “quietly” devalued their points based on some property valuations so your annual free night award with the Bountiful won’t go as far in 2025. Unfortunately, I was looking to get that card this year but I’m not sure it’s worth it now.
Unfortunately that's kinda par for the course these days with every hotel chain it seems... It could still very well be worth it but it depends on your situation.
Out of curiosity, did you compare the prices of your flights booked through the Chase travel portal and compare it to booking direct with the airline the way you did with the IHG hotel? Great video! That 1.5 CPP through the travel portal has been really nice for my family when we want to book a rental. We've found the prices in the portal, at least for cars, to be around the same price as booking direct with rental company
Absolutely!! I always do that before any booking. Luckily I’ve almost always found the same price in both places, but every once in a while there can be a discrepancy. Thanks so much for watching and sharing your experiences too!
But how do you accrue all these points? For your AUS>SBP trip (48k points), aren't we talking like at least $15,000 of card spend to earn those points? Or did you simply use points from referrals? All these CC channels talk about all the benefits of free travel from cards but they almost never mentions the many thousands of dollars you have to spend to build a bank of points to use. Thoughts?
Feel free to check out my video from the week prior where I break down all the numbers for you! It's a combo of referrals, welcome offers, and natural spend. For the general card user, welcome offers are really the only way to earn enough points to travel like I did last year.
Hyatt as you know already you normally get 2 cents.
I love the value Hyatt consistently provides. Hard to beat on the hotel side!
Nice AMEX joke. Still watching, but I'm assuming it'll be a good joke. Hope you recover soon mate.
Haha I’m glad you appreciated the joke. It’s all good!!
😊
The goat 👑
2nd
Thanks so much brotha! 🥈
When you were talking, you look like Captain Kirk in his yellow uniform I’m sorry that’s all I kept on seeing
I'll take that! This is one of my favorite sweatshirts for sure.