Chiefs Frequent Flyer Mile Programs & Airfare Sites?

Couch-Potato · 02-20-2019, 06:11 PM

So I may be taking a job in which I will travel significantly within the US. To those of you that travel a significant amount, do you have a preferred Airline for Frequent Flyer Miles? Credit Card? Airfare Website?

Thank you for any guidance you can offer!

KCUnited · 02-20-2019, 06:27 PM

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card. I like Southwest for a variety of reasons, especially flying in and out of Chicago. Their companion pass is a great perk which essentially flies a companion for free for the remainder of the year you've earned it in plus the following year.

The Points Guy is a good resource.

**TribalElder** · 02-20-2019, 06:33 PM

Company credit card

Discuss Thrower · 02-20-2019, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card. I like Southwest for a variety of reasons, especially flying in and out of Chicago. Their companion pass is a great perk which essentially flies a companion for free for the remainder of the year you've earned it in plus the following year.

The Points Guy is a good resource.

As a RR card holder, I'd recommend getting a Chase Sapphire or Barclaycar Arrival Plus if you're credit score is high enough.

**DaFace** · 02-20-2019, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

As a RR card holder, I'd recommend getting a Chase Sapphire or Barclaycar Arrival Plus if you're credit score is high enough.

Chase Sapphire Reserve has a huge annual fee on the surface ($450), but you get $300 back on your first $300 of travel purchases, so it's really only $150. And for that, you get great rates on miles that can be transferred to a ton of different airlines. Plus, you get a Priority Pass, which gets you into lounges all over the place. Plus, the trip insurance stuff is good enough that you'll never need to think about rental car insurance, and if your trip gets delayed, things are covered. Plus, you get $100 toward Global Entry/TSA Precheck (though that's only a one-time deal).

It's a hell of a card if the fee doesn't scare you.

**DaFace** · 02-20-2019, 07:16 PM

With regard to the "best airline" or whatever, it really just depends on what routes you'll be traveling. Where's your home airport? Who has the most direct routes from there? Assuming you're not already at a hub airport, who gets you the easiest access to hubs?

It's much more about picking the airline that's convenient for you and then being (reasonably) loyal to them than about whose program is "best" completely objectively.

As for searching, Google Flights (though you still have to do Southwest separately).

**DaFace** · 02-20-2019, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribalElder

Company credit card

Unless you force you to use it, that's a horrible idea. They get to keep all of the rewards.

Discuss Thrower · 02-20-2019, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

With regard to the "best airline" or whatever, it really just depends on what routes you'll be traveling. Where's your home airport? Who has the most direct routes from there? Assuming you're not already at a hub airport, who gets you the easiest access to hubs?

It's much more about picking the airline that's convenient for you and then being (reasonably) loyal to them than about whose program is "best" completely objectively.

As for searching, Google Flights (though you still have to do Southwest separately).

Adding to this, how you're reimbursed for the travel matters a bit too. A Cerner guy I know said he racked up enough points for a Companion Pass (free ticket for one person for a year with the purchase of one ticket) fairly quickly because he was sent by the company on short notice, which typically means SWA's cheapest fares are sold out and he'd have to buy their A List tickets which have a pretty good reward point bonus vs their 'Wanna Get Away' fares.

**TribalElder** · 02-20-2019, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Unless you force you to use it, that's a horrible idea. They get to keep all of the rewards.

They also float all the costs while you wait for reimbursement

If you are running up thousands it can be a pain in the ass. You are right though

**2112** · 02-20-2019, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

With regard to the "best airline" or whatever, it really just depends on what routes you'll be traveling. Where's your home airport? Who has the most direct routes from there? Assuming you're not already at a hub airport, who gets you the easiest access to hubs?

It's much more about picking the airline that's convenient for you and then being (reasonably) loyal to them than about whose program is "best" completely objectively.

As for searching, Google Flights (though you still have to do Southwest separately).

This is good advice. Also I would get tsa pre check if you can. Your frequent flyer cc May credit the $85 cost for it. (Mine did)

POND_OF_RED · 02-20-2019, 07:52 PM

If you’re going to be staying in hotels a lot I’d recommend a cash back site like TopCashback. I am forced to use the company card, but I use this website and it’s basically like getting paid around 10 bucks every time you stay at a hotel. Easiest money you’ll ever make. Cashbackmonitor.com will show you which cashback site is best for your purchases/stays.

**Bwana** · 02-20-2019, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Unless you force you to use it, that's a horrible idea. They get to keep all of the rewards.

Exactly

**DaFace** · 02-20-2019, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribalElder

They also float all the costs while you wait for reimbursement

If you are running up thousands it can be a pain in the ass. You are right though

Yeah, just depends on your goals I suppose. I'm personally more than happy to float it for a bit to get the benefits, but if that'll ever cause you to be in a cash pinch, it can obviously be problemmatic.

IowaHawkeyeChief · 02-20-2019, 08:22 PM

Where is your home base? I have been a top tier flyer on United and Delta. I have been with Delta the last 8 years and have had very few delays and good service. I don't miss O'Hare and it's delays... They also have excellent clubs in most airports if you pay for club use. I use a Company Credit card, but do use a Delta Card for other purchases as their top cards come with a companion fare and is worth the high annual fee. I am a lifetime Platinum with Marriott and feel it has gotten even better with the merger of SPG and the new Bonvoy rewards program. So many choices for stays and all categories all over the world for personal travel to use points. You can also use points to purchase airline miles and nights in a package. '

**Bwana** · 02-20-2019, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Yeah, just depends on your goals I suppose. I'm personally more than happy to float it for a bit to get the benefits, but if that'll ever cause you to be in a cash pinch, it can obviously be problemmatic.

I have around 3.5k that I earned at Cabela's sitting there right now from using my own card for business and getting reimbursed last year. I also have a shit load of airline miles by going that direction.

Hotel points are the same way. I once worked for a prick that was so tight and shady, he tried using his card to book my hotel stays, so he could keep the points. When I would get to the hotel, I would just change the stay to my account so I could get the credit. He was also slow for reimbursement as well. I finally had to go tell the douche, "Hey, I'm not a bank, I need you to reimburse me quicker."

02-20-2019, 06:11 PM
Couch-Potato MVP Join Date: Jan 2015 Casino cash: $3343065	Frequent Flyer Mile Programs & Airfare Sites? So I may be taking a job in which I will travel significantly within the US. To those of you that travel a significant amount, do you have a preferred Airline for Frequent Flyer Miles? Credit Card? Airfare Website? Thank you for any guidance you can offer!
Posts: 5,957

02-20-2019, 06:27 PM	#2
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $2378244	Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card. I like Southwest for a variety of reasons, especially flying in and out of Chicago. Their companion pass is a great perk which essentially flies a companion for free for the remainder of the year you've earned it in plus the following year. The Points Guy is a good resource.
Posts: 33,870

02-20-2019, 06:33 PM	#3
TribalElder Arrowhead Trail of Tears Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: KansasCity Casino cash: $2480441	Company credit card
Posts: 29,111

02-20-2019, 07:16 PM	#6
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2116899	With regard to the "best airline" or whatever, it really just depends on what routes you'll be traveling. Where's your home airport? Who has the most direct routes from there? Assuming you're not already at a hub airport, who gets you the easiest access to hubs? It's much more about picking the airline that's convenient for you and then being (reasonably) loyal to them than about whose program is "best" completely objectively. As for searching, Google Flights (though you still have to do Southwest separately).
Posts: 51,715

02-20-2019, 07:52 PM	#11
POND_OF_RED The talking stonehead Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Blue Springs, MO Casino cash: $1863146	If you’re going to be staying in hotels a lot I’d recommend a cash back site like TopCashback. I am forced to use the company card, but I use this website and it’s basically like getting paid around 10 bucks every time you stay at a hotel. Easiest money you’ll ever make. Cashbackmonitor.com will show you which cashback site is best for your purchases/stays. Last edited by POND_OF_RED; 02-20-2019 at 07:57 PM..
Posts: 5,687

02-20-2019, 08:22 PM	#14
IowaHawkeyeChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2016 Casino cash: $2870400	Where is your home base? I have been a top tier flyer on United and Delta. I have been with Delta the last 8 years and have had very few delays and good service. I don't miss O'Hare and it's delays... They also have excellent clubs in most airports if you pay for club use. I use a Company Credit card, but do use a Delta Card for other purchases as their top cards come with a companion fare and is worth the high annual fee. I am a lifetime Platinum with Marriott and feel it has gotten even better with the merger of SPG and the new Bonvoy rewards program. So many choices for stays and all categories all over the world for personal travel to use points. You can also use points to purchase airline miles and nights in a package. ' __________________ Chiefs are my favorite football team of all time!
Posts: 26,486