Over the past 12 months, Citi has made several major changes to their credit card portfolio. The surprising thing is the inconsistent nature of these changes. While some of them add significant value to the cards, others cut the legs off the cards in regards to their usefulness in any serious traveler’s wallet.
Looking at the timeline of the changes will possibly give you a case of whiplash. Here’s a summary of the changes announced by Citi:
I’m not a gambler. I guess that’s why I’m not a fan of going to Las Vegas. On the other hand, I’ll gladly earn fewer rewards points for a purchase if the card provides better insurance coverage. I guess I’m willing to pay to limit my downside exposure but I don’t want to take risks for a large return.
That’s why I’m totally happy about spending $19 extra for coverage that I didn’t have to use on a recent trip.
Continue reading “I’ve Never Been Happier About Spending $19 For A Service I Didn’t Use”
Chase offers two personal credit cards that are marketed to those who want to earn travel rewards. There’s the Sapphire Preferred, which is great for those getting into the points and miles world, offering transferrable points to both airline and hotel programs and bonus points for travel and dining expenses. The newer Sapphire Reserve is the luxury card for the Ultimate Rewards program. It has a higher annual fee but offers additional benefits than the Preferred.
When I wrote that I was considering getting rid of all my premium cards, the one that people seemed to be the most attached to was the Sapphire Reserve. They pointed out the reasons it’s worth paying the extra money over the Preferred, some of which I was aware of and some that I wasn’t.
So I decided to take a closer look at the two cards and see where they are the same and where they differ. Only then could I really know if the extra money for the Reserve is worth it.
Continue reading “Should You Get The Chase Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred?”
What do you think of when you hear the phrase premium credit card. Exclusivity? Luxury? Benefits? Perks? For a while, these cards offered all of these.
The grand daddy of the premium card is the American Express Centurion card. A card that’s so exclusive AMEX has to invite you and no one knows the requirements to get said invitation. What we do know is that the card has a $7,500 initiation fee and a $2,500 annual fee. Since I occasionally run a cash register for my day job, I’ve held a few of these cards over the years. It’s wasn’t nearly as exciting as I hoped.
Personally, I’m not at that level. However, I was able to get a base level of premium card from all the major banks. American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve and Citi Prestige. So why have I reached the point where I’m considering not holding any of these cards?
Here’s the reason:
Continue reading “Why I’m Considering Ditching All Of Our Premium Credit Cards”
The vast majority of people flying on U.S.-based airlines have no idea of what their rights are as airline passengers. In fact, according to Air Help, about 90% of people who fly don’t know what is and isn’t due them when their flights are delayed or cancelled, when they’re bumped, their luggage is delayed or lost, etc. So in case it happens to you and the airline is less than helpful, here’s the Readers’ Digest Condensed Version:
Continue reading “Airline Passengers’ Rights – What You Need To Know”
