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There have been so many killer mileage run deals like this one or that one as of late that I have no more dates I could possibly book up to take runs (ok a good problem to have). Part of it is due to personal family issues that may require my time next year so I cannot do what I like to do, that is book up 11 months out. So, for now, I am ALL booked up for 2013!
But that brings us to today’s SWAG Saturday question. Most of the time for me in the Midwest I have to look at a positioning flight to some place to get in on the deals and that is fine I can do that. Thanks to Chicago and Milwaukee deals my positioning is a tank of gas. But I have, like my May run out of Phoenix, positioned to my start city by air.
There are several good cards to help you do that. The big 3 are:
The funny thing about these 3 is all of them are “basically” the same idea. The idea is you can use the points to buy ANY airline ticket you want when you want (perfect for a positioning flight when on a mileage run). But each card says they are better than the other.
Barclaycard says the Arrival card is better than Chase Sapphire due to 2x on all spend and offer 10% points back. Chase says Sapphire is better since you get 20% off when redeeming your points for travel and you get 7% back on all earnings each year. US Bank say FlexPerks is better due to needing the least points (only 20,000) to get up to $400 credit.
To win this very nice Steinhausen Impulse dual time zone watch this week, and be the 1st qualifier for next year’s grand prize, that is Silver Medallion Delta status like Jonathan W won Monday (the T&C as always are HERE), all you have to do is this:
☀ Tell me what of the 3 cards above is the best card if you ONLY could pick one (I have all 3 🙂 ).
If you want to tell us why you think your pick is the best that is fine too but not necessary and if you agree or disagree with the perks of the other two cards being better or worse! Have fun – René
▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD
from American Express®
Click here for more information
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Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Chase Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card…just because it is linked to Ultimate Rewards.
Barclay’s Arrival
Sapphire
I would pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Chase sapphire
CSP
Sapphire all the way for me. I like the flexibility of UR points and I love earning 2x points on dining.
I’d go with the Barclaycard Arrival. Less $ to spend to get the bonus miles.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred!
Although I like that with the Arrival, you can redeem points toward taxes/fees, tank of gas, train ticket, etc.
But if only one: CSP.
Us bank flexperks.
I have it. DW has the other two. This one gets me so much more because of the grocery bonus
I would go with the Chase Sapphire – you can’t beat the transfer partners!
Chase Sapphire Preferred, if I had to pick just one.
Wow where do you find such a beautiful watch!
I am Chase fan which I will get sapphire card
Chase Sapphire 7% bonus and lot of x2 bonus on various spend. A go to after my delta cards!
Chase Sapphire
I don’t have any of these cards as of yet, but am looking forward to getting the Chase Sapphire card. I LOVE Chase cards!
Change Sapphire
Chase Sapphire Preferred. I love those URs.
flexperk
Chase Sapphire Preferred — next on my list!
Chase Sapphire Preferred
I like us bank. They have just always had wonderful customer service.
Chase card is the best. Why? It’s the only one of the three I have.
US bank Flex Perks. Only 20k for a ticket and double points for charitable contributions.
I’ve had good customer service from Barclaycard in the past and no experience with the others…
Undoubtedly, the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Sapphire preferred because of the ultimate rewards program
I am all about the Chase Sapphire Preferred!
I like the Chase Sapphire because of the ultimate rewards points.
Chase Sapphire. I’m more likely to use points to take the train to NYC than fly anywhere.
Chase. Their point rewards are second to none.
For mileage run purposes, US Bank. I wouldn’t use Ultimate Rewwrds for a mileage run, although the Sapphire Preferred card is my go-to card.
CSP is the best because it’s not a Barclay or US Bank product.
Chase Sapphire
Usbank. I like the flexibility
the us bank flex card. I have had it since they dropped delta. Was getting 2.5 points at grocery stores but that will end in august.
I love my Chase Sapphire Preferred. I travel abroad a lot and this card has no foreign transaction fees. That is a big plus for me. This is my go to card overseas. I frequently get comments on the cards, the unique weight and feel.
Barclaycard….because Chase is EVIL
Chase Sapphire because I am using it strictly for travel and like the cash back.
Chase Sapphire Preferred – Ultimate Rewards.
Sapphire
Chase
Chase Sapphire Preferred
I agree with the overwhelming favorite so far – Chase Sapphire!
Well, I only have the FlexPerks card… so that has to be my choice for now.
Chase Sapphire Preferred – flexible and valuable points with a bonus – what’s not to love?
Sapphire Preferred – because I have it! 😉
Barclays World Mastercard
Chase Sapphire Preferred because of the flexibility.
Chase Sapphire. 20% is better for me
Chase sapphire would be my choice
Chase sapphire.
The Sapphire Preferred, for the avios option!
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Definitely Sapphire Pfd
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred because of Ultimate Rewards Mall.
Interesting premise. Perhaps a blog entry comparing the overall costs and benefits of the three? In the absence of a direct comparison (that I know of), I’ll go with CSP, because it looks cooler :).
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire is the way to go based on what you posted.
[also]
Place the passenger of the Asiana flight into SFO, and their families, in your thoughts and prayers.
Think the flex perks card is for me next…
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Chase Sapphire Preferred
easy as 1,2,3,. chase sapphire preferred! flexibility, potential earning and 7% dividend!
Chase Sapphire Preferred® – works for me
Chase Sapphire Preferred – got me to Australia in First Class on United for free.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred. The 7% dividend is a nice bonus and pairing it with the Chase Freedom 5x bonus categories make it hard to beat.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
I’d pick the flex perks card out of those three but I like my BA Avios card for positioning I do from STL to ORD or DFW.
Chase Sapphire is the best. I love Chase
Chase Saphire
If I could only have one, it would be the Chase Sapphire Preferred. When I switched my CSP Visa to a Freedom Visa so that I could get the CSP MC, and I didn’t have it for almost 2 weeks, I felt so lost within it!!
Chase Sapphire.
Chase Sapphire Preferred, of course !
Chase Sapphire is the best because it has the UR program behind it. Points that can only be redeemed in network, through preferred providers, will never match the redemption value available to flex programs.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire
If I could only choose one card, it would definitely be the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Why? Simple, you get a 40,000 points sign-up bonus. That’s roughly $500.00,two flights, or 4 years of no yearly fee.
In contrast, the Barclay Arrival requires excellent credit and the US Bank FlexPerks has a 2% Foreign Transaction fee for each foreign purchase or foreign ATM withdrawal.
So if you (like myself) have an average to good credit score, enjoy international travel, and use credit cards on a regular basis, go with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Being a rebel
I find myself saying visa signature. They have
An incredible concierge support system and
Through a securities firm signature card
I accrued many many “free” MQM flights
But the extraordinary thing they did a while back
Via cloak and dagger manipulation is
Get me tickets to the incredibly secure
Rolling Stones concert at the Beacon
Theatre in NYC when “shine a light”
Was being filmed. I did not make the cut 🙁
But had to sign a waiver after being
Interviewed for the film
Quite content with my Chase Sapphire Pref. card.
No foreign trans. fees has made it my first choice.
Deff chase Sapphire. Great transfers! Thanks
Chase Sapphire Preferred because I like the flexibility and bonus categories.
Chase Sapphire. Partner transfers!
Chase Sapphire Preferred, it’s my go to card! Especially on Fridays for dining 🙂
Chase Sapphire Preferred as I could upgrade from an existing Chase card….or get the Sapphire Preferred and keep both!!!
Chase
Definitely part of the majority here, just got the Chase Sapphire.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Flex perks if the tickets are priced right.
if only 1, Barclaycard Arrival because you can still earn UR with INK bold.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire Preferred!!!
Chase SP
Can’t beat points & cash for rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred is my choice.
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Easiest to deal with IMO
Chase Sapphire Preferred – no foreign transaction fees does it for me … and I love the reaction when you hand a merchant the card – it’s so thick … it always makes an impression!
Chase Sapphire because of the Ultimate rewards mall as well as transfers to United and Hyatt.
Chase Sapphire is my preferred card.
I would pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Sapphire…… no foreign fees, 7% annual back, plus Ultimate Rewards value. Definitely the best. Oooops……almost forgot to say it is a Chase card. That is also a big plus!!!!!
Chase Sapphire because it looks and feels so cool!
Chase sapphire
CSP it’s one of the best out there.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Sapphire is by far the best, their UR points can be racked up and distributed so easily.
Chase sapphire.
Chase Sapphire. Points transfer readily>
Having just been denied the Barclay Arrival card, I have a “sour grapes” attitude to all things Barclay now. My choice would be the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
Chase Sapphire Preferred, for the Ultimate Rewards points.
I just recommended the Chase Sapphire card to my sister who travels multiple airlines. No Foreign fees & annual cash back.
I believe the Chase Sapphire
I’d choose the chase sapphire preferred
US Bank Flexperks – I like the other non-flight deals they offer with it, like a good deal on access to a local event.
Chase card!
Barclays because I like the bank
I liked U S Bank when they were affiliated with NWA….
Chase Sapphire Preferred
FlexPerks or Chase
Us bank is good for me since I bank there and have two cards I get some “perks” on loans and deals from time to time!
Chase Sapphire Preferred – great benefits and x2 rewards for restaurants, my biggest spending category.
Chase Sapphire preferred is obviously the best, but I’d never use it to book flights directly! 22,000 points transferred to Hyatt for a night at the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome is MUCH more valuable than $275 towards a flight (especially when you get upgraded to the Imperial Suite!!).
Chase Sapphire
Chase
Chase Sapphire Preferred because you can transfer to UA, Hyatt, etc.
Flexperks Visa for the triple points on charitable contributions and the ability to get a ticket valued up to $400 for 20K points.
Barclayscard!
Chase sapphire preferred
Chase hands down (for me anyways). A friend has the US Bank card and seems to be content with it.
I do not have any of these cards – will follow what Rene recommends
Chase Sapphire Preferred for the transfer options!
Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best. I use in Europe as my Credit Card. No foreign transaction fees. (PS I’m in Europe now using the card).
Barclays because they gave me a card when the other ones would not. I have not used it to buy tickets yet as I fly delta every where and use my Suntrust Debit card until one day Amex will forgive me for my youthful digressions. Mainly will be used to reposition at a 25% miles discount to fly US Air and soon to be AA. will possibly look to switch to AA through a one time challenge if Delta keeps taking a way perks. Will be Platinum in 6000 miles goal is 124000 miles so I can carry over 49000 mile next year. I just fly for fun no biz trips. Hawaii, San Juan, Italy, Istanbul, SFO, Alaska, so far this year with Greece, and Israel coming up.
Chase Sapphire!
Barclay card will not issue Radisson Visa to me which I give up Barclay family
I love Chase Sapphire card
Chase Sapphire because it has more flexibility to transfer directly to points programs.
Chase Sapphire Preferred for sure!
Barclays Card as it gives 2% on all Purchases
I would say the Sapphire Preferred, It has double points at the two areas I spend the most in, Dinning and Travel.