Since a good chunk of this hobby is driven by credit cards, with both their routine spending and sign-up bonuses, I want to be open about my patterns and credit card applications.
I do this for several reasons:
- I want to share that as a blogger, I’m no different than you as a reader. I apply for the same credit cards, and recommend you apply for the same ones, too, when they’re decent.
- I want to share what’s possible using credit cards, and my routine for applying for them and when. You may find something useful in my strategy, or perhaps discerning opinion that would come in handy for myself and other readers.
With this latest round of credit card applications in May, I applied for three cards and was approved for all three.
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card
I applied for this card with a 25,000 Alaska Airlines MileagePlan miles bonus after approval. The card also came with a $100 statement credit after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months of card membership. The annual fee is $75 and is not waived, though by spending $1,000 on the card, I was able to essentially make $25 off of this approval. Because of this, I consider this application a gain and “no annual fee.” Along with this card, I receive a $99 economy class companion pass anywhere Alaska flies, which is nice, too.
Miles to Memories has more on the link to this offer here.
Fidelity® Investment Rewards® American Express® Card
This card is one that I’ve been meaning to get for awhile but haven’t seem to have done it for whatever reason. This card is a no annual fee card that earns 2% back on all purchases, which is earned via reward points saved into a Fidelity account. These points are flexible as far as how you want to use them – you can deposit them for saving into a Fidelity account (watch it grow!), or use them as cash back on any purchases you make. Eligible Fidelity accounts include a Fidelity® Cash Management Account, Brokerage account, Fidelity-managed 529 account or a Retirement account. Most likely, I’ll use the 2% as cash back to cover travel purchases. After spending $500 within 3 months, I was able to earn a $50 statement credit, which I’ll use to cover the cost of an upcoming Hyatt Cash and Points stay. It’s worth noting that you’re only able to use the points in your account once you’ve accumulated 5,000 and in 5,000 increments. So, once you get $50 in cash back, you can use it. I’ll be primarily using this credit card to fund my American Express Serve account where I can add $1,000 a month, fee free, in increments of $200.
Citi ThankYou Premier Card
This is a no annual fee (first year only). The earn rate on this card is pretty cool as well, where you’ll earn 3x the points on spending at car rental agencies, gas stations, commuter transportation, taxi/limousines, passenger railways, cruise lines, bridge and road tolls, parking lots/garages, campgrounds and trailer parks, time shares, bus lines, motor home/RV Rental, and boat rentals. This card has no foreign transaction fees, and you’ll earn a 25% bonus through redemptions via their online portal. While the card has no annual fee the first year, you’ll be hit with a $95 fee the second year, at which point I plan to re-avaluate if I really need this card or not.
There you have it folks! My latest round of credit card applications, what I was applied for, and why I applied for them. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about these cards in the comments below, should you have them.
Jamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler.
“This no annual fee (first year only) card has a recent sign-up bonus of 50,000 points, which, in it’s simplest form, is good for $500 in travel bookings or gift cards.” Actually, when redeemed for travel each point is worth 1.25 cents towards airfare, or 1.6 towards airfare on American Airlines. So the value is at least $625.
Yup, you’re right. I said $500 “in its simplest” form to indicate if you were redeem it for the lowest amount possible, that’s what you would get. Of course you can get more value out of it as you indicated.
In reference to loading Serve with the Fidelity card, there won’t be any cash advance fees??? Doesn’t amex charge them within their own network? (ie. amex to Serve?)
Not on this particular card. This card has it show up as a purchase.
I still get a kick every time bank of america approves me and my wife for another alaska airline credit cards even though we both have 1-2 exiting cards with them.. which we only put minimal amount to get the bonus miles and cancel eventually.
Should have picked up the Amex PRG too with 50k MR, $100 airline credit and no fee till year 2 to round things out.
I’ve already had that card for a few years. It’s my primary spending card.