I love the game Points and thousands, I even have a drawer of socks Credit cards full To prove it. However, it could be surprised to discover that many of them do not win points and miles.
That is because I am also a great admirer of the cash return.
My Credit card strategy presents a healthy mixture of Travel rewards cards and Cash return cards. However, a cash return letter plays a fundamental role in my general letter strategy: the Apple cardwhich is my request for Nonbonus spending.
Here is why this letter plays a crucial role in my strategy.
The information for the Apple card has been collected independently by the type of points. The details of the card on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
My current card configuration
Here is my current daily card configuration and what purpose is each card:
This configuration prioritizes gain transferable rewards. The two cards that I constantly reach in my wallet and I see most of my daily expense are the Amex Gold and Chase Sapphire, since they earn incredibly valuable Membership Rewards Points and Final rewards points that me transfer to partners For maximum value.
The Amex Gold Wins:
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- 4 points per dollar spent on dinners in restaurants worldwide, at up to $ 50,000 per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar)
- 4 points per dollar spent on American supermarkets, up to $ 25,000 per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar)
- 3 points per dollar spent on reserved flights directly from the airline or through Amextravel.com
Meanwhile, the Chase Sapphire Prefereted wins:
- 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (until September 2027)
- 3 points per dollar spent on dinners
- 2 points per dollar spent on trips, which Chase Defines widely
From time to time I buy flights on this card instead of my amoex gold due to the impressive suite travel protection. The preferred sapphire also serves as my backup dining card in places that do not accept Amex.
It is also important to keep in mind that I can concentrate all my expenses on my favorite sapphire when I am low at persecution points, Despite being able to win more points using a different card.
In addition, I turn Capital One Cash Rewards ced ced rewards of rewards and Capital One Ventureone Rewards CED Credit In the mixture when I want to recover more effective. With this duoI also have the option of Convert the cash to capital a mile.
I have more cards than those mentioned above, but many of them only use, only to keep them open to maintain my credit history and Credit use For a healthy Credit score.
I also have cards that I use only for specific advantages, such as me Delta Skymiles ® Gold American Express card For a Free Checked bag and the Takeoff15 benefit or the Main visa (see rates and rates) For 5% return in Amazon’s purchases.
Related: 5 reasons to keep a credit card with a recoil in your wallet
How cash refund plays a role in my points and mile strategy
Many times throughout the year, I am rich in points and poor cash. When this is the case, pivot and concentrate only in obtaining cash return. The reimbursement of the cash offers me flexibility that the points and thousands cannot. In addition, cash reimbursement is easier for me to redeem, since I tend to get analysis paralysis And normally do not redeem my points and miles unless you find a redemption that matches or overcomes TPG’s valuation of main currencies and miles.
Around the holidays, I tend to concentrate on getting cash return, which I can then use to buy gifts for friends and family.
You may wonder why I do not concentrate on earning points and turn them to return the money. Most credit card points do not become a effective relationship in a 1: 1 ratio. For example, amex points are only worth 0.6 cents each when they are redeemed by cash.
Related: The pros and cons of the backward cards
Why the Apple card is my request
The Apple card is my card to catch everything because it earns at least 2% cash refund in all purchases made through Apple Pay.
Although I usually use my Preferred sapphire and AMEX GOLD For most of my expense, the Apple card comes into play when my Amex Gold and Sapphire only won 1 point per dollar spent in Nonbonus categories or when I want to increase my cash return driver.
It covers all my other expenses, such as pharmacy purchases, invoices and Utilities Or any expense that does not fit a bonus category.
In addition, I do not have to physically carry this card in my wallet since the refund of 2% in cash is only in Apple Pay purchases. Today, almost all merchants accept Apple Pay (Wink Wink, looking at you, Walmart), so I never have to worry about this payment method being rejected.
In the rare case, the merchant does not accept Apple Pay, I will only use my Capital One Ventureone To earn 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases.
Related: Your full guide for Apple Pay
Even better, cash refund accumulates daily instead of at the end of its billing cycle such as most other cards. Cash refund is known as “daily effective” and is deposited daily in its Apple Cash account. You can use this cash to make purchases or deposit it in a bank account.
Winning points and miles is the basis of my credit card strategy, but cash return rewards also play an integral role. If you want to branch and diversify your credit card rewards, add a cash return card to your wallet. There are tons of excellent options available, many of which do not charge annual rates.
Related: 4 reasons to get the Apple card
