Disclaimer
This is the monthly quarterly post on how many points I collected in the previous quarter. This is NOT a brag and moan post. This was the impetus of this entire blog; so I could track how many miles and points I earn in a year. Some of you may do a lot less than this; some may do a lot more. Do what you feel is comfortable. Don’t overextend yourself just so you get similar numbers or whatnot.
Remember cashback numbers are also gross, not net. I’ve also updated the year to date view.
Here’s a link to 2016 Q1.
Recap
Last quarter, I hit UR pretty hard and got subsequently banned from Chase. Also got the axe from Comenity Virgin America. Then there was the Wells Fargo warning letter. Whew. Rough quarter indeed. In this game, you have to learn to adapt to changes. So when one avenue closes, you have to find another avenue. That’s why you see a high SPG number (all from 1X MS.)
As for reselling, I’ve pretty much stopped. Will probably pick up again in Q4. My private label idea was great, but I never got around to finding a shipping company, so I’ve put that on hold for now.
Going forward in Q3, I’ll still heavily MS for SPG and cashback since I have a healthy balance of airline miles already. I’ll stop Hilton (well maybe after I spend $40K to get Diamond for next year since I won’t have Hyatt Diamond next year.) My UR numbers should be low in Q3; I’ve been hitting TYP pretty hard, but may slow down (not sure what to do with that many TYP to be honest.)
Also, I’ve decided to remove my cashback numbers. I can’t think of a reason to post to them, so I’ve removed.
| AIR | 36,251 | Portal | Spend |
| Alaska | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| American | 8,201 | 2,502 | 5,699 |
| British Airways | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Delta | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Southwest | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| United | 636 | 636 | 0 |
| Virgin America | 27,414 | 0 | 27,414 |
| HOTEL | 202,471 | Portal | Spend |
| Hilton | 80,100 | 80,100 | |
| Starwoods | 122,371 | 122,371 | |
| BANK | 189,051 | Portal | Spend |
| AMEX MR | 4,984 | 4,984 | |
| Chase UR | 120,986 | 22,803 | 98,184 |
| Citi TYP | 63,080 | 63,080 | |
Hi Vinh, care to share which DB card you use? Citi DC, OBC, other?
You mean cashback? I use my Sparks
Yeah thanks, I was thinking Double Cash as I was typing Cash Back. Need more coffee…
For SPG points – are you doing MS via VGCs or via re-selling?
I am also curious if you pay your SPG credit card bills with MO, even from time to time?
I am into SPG points at the moment, so really interested to hear more about SPG MS strategy
1. VGCs
2. I don’t. My CU takes MOs just fine so why add unnecessary risk
3. I’ve written about the trick before. Search for it.
Always impressed with the haul and motivates me to do more. I’m curious about the SPG points. At 1X MS are you doing 40k a month in GC to MO or do you have an alternate route you are using? Keep up the good work.
In the post he said SPG was all 1X.
Yeah I saw that. My question was more about the means he was using to do the 1X. Is it all GC spend or other stuff?
I’ll just put it as – yes, it was all MS.
What is your thinking on SPG points before the merger? Will you go to Marriott at 2 to 1 or would you transfer to airlines? I stopped collecting them and decided to start using them up.
I’d just xfer them to airlines. I haven’t even looked at Marriott’s loyalty program to be honest, so we’d probably stay at Hiltons or Hyatts at that point.
Did you use your wife’s cards to earn the UR or is this left over from before being banned?
I always liked seeing the cash back just so I could dream of doing that much haha.
With all of the changes to the Prestige and Citi pulling all of their sign up bonuses and then adding the new rules I dumped all of my TY points. Will still get the occasional AA card and Hilton card from them but I don’t have much use for TY anymore…they were starting to become my favorite bank and then went to the curb in about 2 months haha.
Some wife and some left over.
I initially was going to post the cashback number but decided to delete. If you email me, I’ll let you know in private.
Cool thanks!