Posts from Around the Web

Some Nice posts from Around the Web

• $20 Statement Credit when you spend $20 at Amazon with American Express - Targeted - Every Blogger today.
• One example from Doctor of Credit 
• My 90,000 Ultimate Rewards Mistake - Frequent Miler
• Almost happened to me.  I was reminded by the rep as I was cancelling to move over my points before I lose them
• When are more points more valuable than fewer points? - Freequent Flyer
• I love American Express Gift Cards.  I use them to load onto RedBird and in non bonused spend since I can buy significantly more than I am able to liquidate through manufactured spend.  However, I buy them with a Fidelity American Express rather than any of the points earning cards he suggests since I would rather have 2% cashback than the equivalent points. 
• $100 Bonus for Setting Up Schwab Account with $10,000 deposit - Hustler Money Blog via Doctor of Credit
• Schwab is my main account due to their ATM refunds, lack of fees, low maintenance fee and commission free ETFs (SCHB is my favorite) and smartphone deposits of money orders.
• Defending the Sapphire Preferred from its Critics - View from the Wing
• I tend to agree with the "haters" on this one (See "The Devil's Advocate" and "Travel is Free".  I love it for the sign up bonus, but not much else.
• 2x points on restaurants isn't great.  
• Most people don't spend too much on restaurants.  You can also get 5x this quarter from Chase Freedom or Discover.  You can buy restaurant gift cards this quarter to get 5x in later quarters.
• 2x on travel is ok
• You can get 2 cents with Fidelity American Express and it would take a lot of spending to make the miles worth the extra $95 annual fee.
• Transfer partners is great, but...
• You can unlock Ultimate Rewards Transfer partners if you or your spouse has a Sapphire Preferred or an Ink Plus.  Ink plus has the same annual fee, but also has 5x at office supply, cable, phone and internet.  A far better card for the same fee.
• How to Find Manufactured Spending Opportunities by Yourself - Miles to Memories
• I actually think this will probably work very well to reach a spending threshold for a sign up bonus.  Sign up bonuses aren't usually clawed back in my experience, but I'm not positive.  Once the bonus posts you can ask for your refund.  I don't usually like refund techniques, but for some reason this one feels different.  
• No Hotel Status? Get Upgraded Perks with Visa Signature! - Deals We Like
• I've never of this so it was an interesting read.