Quote:
Originally Posted by Baltimore Jones
I keep hesitating on applying for a new card for a sign-up bonus because I can't settle on which one is the "best". I missed out on CSR 100K. I would love a simple straight unbiased answer - "X card is the most valuable bonus, and Y and Z are numbers 2-3 when you're done with that".
I have a slight preference against cards where the points would have to be used at say a specific hotel chain. Certainly vacations will come up, but I don't want to be tied to a chain as I may prefer B&Bs, hotels with more local flavor, etc. Still, if the bonus was unambiguously much more valuable I'd consider it.
"the best" depends. It depends if you're over/under 5/24. It depends if you live in a certain area where one airline is more prevelant. It depends if you want a card to clear a bonus, then move on to another? Or if you want one to clear a bonus, then keep as your main card for a while? It depends how much of a minimum spend you can dish out in the time period allotted (3mo-12mo)
Ink @ 80k or 100k if that offer ever shows up
CSR/CSP at 50k
Any high MR bonus
Any high TYP bonus
Any chase airline that makes sense (united, british, sw)
Citi AA, barclays AA, Barclays B6
Citi HH Reserve, Chase Hyatt, Chase Ritz - hotel cards that come with free nights instead of points where you can use the nights at super luxury hotels
The Merrill card was great for a high value bonus but I think it's dead.
If you can get the Ink thats #1 for me
#2 would be based on ancillary benefits - if under 5/24 I'd get either the CSP or SW if you can use it, if not I'd get a AX Plat if you can use the perks, if not I'd get Citi/Barclays AA cards, if not I'd get a good AX everyday bonus as its a great card to just put all your spend on when you're not working on a bonus anyway