After two weeks of blog posts, we thought it might be useful to review where we've been and summarize a few key takeaway points from the blog so far.
- Know what 5/24 is, and where you stand. We really cannot emphasize this enough. Chase's rule that they will not open new accounts for those people who have opened more than 5 personal credit cards in the past 24 months (with any issuer), impacts every decision you make when looking to open new cards. Opening new credit cards for sign-up bonuses is the easiest/fastest way to accumulate the most points. And often the only way to accumulate “flexible” points can be transferred to hotel and airline loyalty programs.
- Don't believe the myths about credit cards and award travel. The number one rule is to know your limits. NEVER carry a balance or pay interest. If credit cards aren't right for you, there are still other ways to earn and accumulate points. That being said, if you are responsible with your credit, there is a world of opportunity out there for you, and your credit doesn't have to suffer (really!). Honestly, if you're responsible with your credit and NOT earning valuable rewards, you're overpaying on every dollar you spend.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred v. Chase Sapphire Reserve. Trust us when we say, these cards are where you should start. Understand the differences and choose the one that works best for you.
- Understand the value of points. It's easy to get sidetracked by big offers of thousands of points, but stick to the basics and make sure you know what points are worth before you start accumulating them or signing up for credit cards.
Join the discussion over in our Facebook group, or in the comments below.
