I got a ton of responses to yesterday’s post. I’m going to answer a bunch of them here, but will email everyone back. Emails usually get answered within a day, but I might need the weekend to get to everyone. Ok, here we go…
From reader Dan:
You don’t need to change anything. Your blog is as simple and low-BS as it gets.
MileNerd answer:
I like you.
From reader Shana:
Since you asked for questions, I have a few that I’ve been wondering as a newbie. First, what are your thoughts on annual fees? Do any of the cards that you keep regularly or periodically have them? I never apply to cards that don’t waive the annual fee, even with a large bonus. But lately, I’ve been wondering if I’m missing the boat.
Second, I’m confused by business cards vs regular cards. Can you get a business card even if you don’t have a business?
Third, any advice on maximizing points with hotel stays?
MileNerd answer:
- Yes, I pay a lot of annual fees for the first year. But I tend to close a lot of cards. I always wait 6 months and close them before the 1-year mark. I do keep a few open beyond a year, and that’s mostly because of annual free nights. Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott are worth keeping open for a lot of people. Your free night is usually going to save you more than your fee would cost (unless you stay in dumps). There are other options like Barclays Arrival, Starwood, Hilton Reserve (for gold status), or Ink (if you spend a lot at office stores). For me, it’s pretty much hotel cards beyond Year 1.
- Yes. You can use your social as your Tax ID. I do stay away from US Bank for business cards, because they have been more of a pain for me.
- Sure, the promos help. Stay on their email lists, blah blah blah. But mainly, pick a chain and get top-level status if you can. Preferably Starwood or Hyatt. Their points are worth the most (by far) to me. The Hyatt Diamond Challenge and Starwood Platinum Challenge can get you to that top level in a hurry.
From reader Jeremy:
I really enjoy that your blog seems mostly dedicated to letting us know of what deals are currently available for earning miles, but I’d love to see some recommendations from you for great award redemptions and trip planning. For example, something like what would be needed to plan a trip to London in the off-peak season or a trip to Hawaii. You could include which airlines are the best for that, and what hotels as well. A comprehensive overview of what someone’s goals should be if they want to plan a trip to XX location. Just a thought! Keep up the good work my friend.
MileNerd answer:
This is a pretty damn good point. Does anyone feel like writing a comprehensive guide like this? I’d be happy to post it here and link to your website or business. I think it would be a win-win for all. If not, I’ll have to put a little work into this. But, yeah, it’s a good idea and very possible.
From reader Carlos:
I have a son who works part time and is still in college. He is trying to get into this and asked what is the minimum salary you need and how many credit cards can you get with that minimum salary.
MileNerd answer:
I remember when I was in college. Yup, I ate fast food every day, skipped classes, and was an overall dumbass. Your son seems more advanced than I was, but this question would still make me nervous. Are you comfortable with him getting into the creditgame at a young age? Can he pay off balances? Will he remember to make payments on time? If he’s exceptionally mature (which it sounds like), the same idea applies as it does for everyone else. To get ahead in this game, you have to stretch your limits, get comfortable trying things that might be against the “rules,” and take chances. He has a shorter credit history, so he’ll have a little more of a challenge. He should take his time, get some no-annual fee cards he can keep open forever, and learn at his own pace. Or he can go beyond MY limits for him and possibly do well for himself. Remember, if he does make up a salary, just be careful with American Express and their financial reviews.
From reader James:
#1: So I’ve accumulated 8,000,000 ultimate rewards points and half a million dollars using your advice, and still I’m not happy. Of course, I live under a rock and have no friends…LOL!
# 2: A comments section?
MileNerd answer:
Can I have some of your points? I’ll be your friend. As far as comments, I just don’t want them here. I know it’s one of my many quirks, but I think it’s best to keep comments disabled. Some of the comment guys are seriously annoying, and I like avoiding jerks. Everyone who emails me is cool, it stays more personal, and it works well for me. Maybe I’ll add the comment feature one day, but I’m not ready for it yet.
From reader John:
Hey There,
Here is my burning question…
I keep reading various places about earning or MS’ing points/miles AND earning $$. I do all of our daily spend on Chase cards, Starwood Amex, and AA Citi, and I use those cards for MS’ing. But I am unclear on how to earn money while also earning points.
Currently I either buy Simon’s, VR’s, or VGC, at costs of $5.90 to $9.90 per 1000 points. If I use a cashback card, I don’t earn points. If I use a points card, I don’t earn cashback. I guess I need a “connect the dots” on how to earn both. Thanks-in-advance.
MileNerd answer:
It sounds like you’re doing well, John. My question is why not use both types of cards? Wouldn’t you want to be “flush” in both currencies? Yes, there are promos where you make money for free points, like the $200 Visa gift cards from Staples. But, as often is the case, you had to take advantage of that one quickly. I think you’re on top of things, just take more advantage of short-term promos.
From reader Tim:
I love what you do here. Do you think you have influenced other bloggers? I read over 20 blogs every day and I can see some of your influence.
MileNerd answer:
Yeah, I think I’ve had a little bit of an influence. I see more humor out there now…I came along when these blogs were all written like newspaper articles. People have gotten less PC now. I see more funny pictures too. Little things like that. And definitely more people willing to “bring the drama” after my many rants were written. Speaking of which…
From reader Julie:
When is your next rant??????????????????????
MileNerd answer:
Sorry. I don’t plan them and can’t really predict my ranting. It happens when I’m boiling over about something and NEED to get it out. It’s always just a release for me. I just don’t feel like ranting right now. But…
From reader Ken:
Do you hate all bloggers?
MileNerd answer:
Haha! That one made me laugh out loud. Believe it or not, there are quite a few people I like. Shrewd Travel and Will Run For Miles are good friends, LL World Tour is amazing, Travel Summary is an awesome guy, obviously TravelBloggerBuzz and I have a lot of respect for each other, MilesAbound and I had a few nice interactions, and on and on. That being said, yes there are quite a few bloggers who are completely unlikable. I’ve mentioned Torsten in the past, and actually thought about him today for the first time in months. He finally had his first decent post via this Flyertalk deal. With someone like that, I don’t know if I like them less as a writer or as a person. Scott from MileValue is another one I don’t think much of. His once-great blog is a shell of itself, and I stopped speaking to him months ago. But, you know as much as some people want me to rant, they don’t even really understand why it appeals to them…
It’s not about hate. Being an angry blogger or a negative comment-writer is incredibly annoying. If you’re angry all the time, you’re basically just having temper tantrums like a child. There’s a guy on Twitter who criticizes blogs pretty much on a daily basis. THEN WHY DO YOU STILL READ BLOGS?? These people have no understanding of themselves or how they operate. It’s all one volume and it’s boring. What they’re saying isn’t REALLY what they’re trying to say. Of course, a cookie-cutter, opinion-less blog is just as bad. My niche comes from 4 traits: (1) I have the ability to be very real, unlike most of these weirdos, (2) I can articulate my thoughts, (3) I actually care about people, and (4) I’m an interesting writer. My rants only work because of that combination of factors. I can’t fake the rants…can’t manufacture them…and can’t plan them out. They only work because they’re real. Most other bloggers don’t know a thing about real.
From reader Jennifer:
Can you please explain manufactured spending in a sentence or 2?
MileNerd answer:
Visa gift cards are pin-enabed, meaning you can use them as debit cards. You can cash out a debit card.
Question from Brandon:
What do you think of the private forums that keep popping up?
MileNerd answer:
They have some serious challenges. Most of them will fail. I’ve seen it many times. If you do have some clever/unique stuff and want to find a good community, let’s talk.
