psychtobe said:cameron2003 said:
Where do you get these numbers? I checked one out, the Universal card. It says this:

"Unless you are participating in a limited-time promotional offer, you will earn one ThankYou® Point for every dollar you spend on purchases (no ThankYou Points are earned on AT&T spend and no other transactions qualify to earn ThankYou Points) "

I doubt the driver's edge is 12, thats probably a promotion. Maybe you can leverage some of that short term, not sure. But long term, you can count on what 1 point per dollar? The best I have seen for a permanant deal with no fees is actually the Expedia card where you get 2 points per dollar for travel book their through website.

I have a Charter Universal Card and earn 5 TYPs per $ at gas, grocery, and drug stores.
Driver's Edge is 6% for the first year on gas plus matching driving miles = 12 TYPs/$1. After the first year... get another Driver's Edge card.
Citi Premier Pass Elite is 1 TYP/$ spent except 2 TYPs on EDPs and transportation/parking. Those are matched by flight points for a total of at least 2 TYP/$1 spent and up to 4 TYP/$1 spent.
Citi Professional is 3 TYP/$ at restaurants and car rentals.

Overall, I earn about 3.1 TYPs per dollar spent. I average 1.8 cents or so per TYP redeemed for travel, for a net of 5.6% Cash Back equivalent.

cameron2003 said:I like to to go Mexico, which is I think 45,000 points? (I checked and it didnt even offer the non-stop United flight I really want) Non-stop United tickets cost about $650. I don't know what these multiple stop flights cost.

Why do all TYP haters like to pick the LEAST competitive flights to try to prove their point? Mexico is not a great use of TYPs (although try going at Christmas time). On the other hand, if I want to fly from Burbank to Buffalo at Christmas you will not find $200 transcons, and TYPs have no blackout dates, advance purchase requirements, Saturday night stay requirements, or other handicaps. It is also excellent value to go to Canada or Alaska (for the same price).

cameron2003 said:So I can get a (lousy) ticket if I spend $22,500 at Expedia (which will take at least a decade for 2 tickets worth).

Sorry it takes you so long to earn reward points. That must be very frustrating for you.

I appreciate the info, but don't understand the defensiveness or implying I'm frustrated. Contrare. I'm merely trying to figure our if these Thank You points work for me. I have 5%, 3% and 2% CashBack cards, and I like to go to Mexico nonstop from San Francisco. I am happy you found a system that works for you. In my case CashBack seems to work better. I don't see it as a battle with winners or losers though. Nor do I see it as frustrated hater people vs. contented happy thank you point users. We all have different priorities and lifestyles. Enjoy your points, truly. From you moniker perhaps you have studied Psychology? Maybe an opportunity to explore why you need to call folks with different perspectives haters and frustrated. Peace to you.

What are people's experiences with booking hotel rooms with TYP through Expedia?

I've looked at some dates for weekend trips and the rates seem to be higher than I would pay directly.
(With a 100 TYP = $1 conversion).

Not sure if it is worth it to keep looking for rooms (I travel to NYC several times a year) or find some other way to convert TYP (I don't fly that often).

breaux124 said:Are there any sites where people trade Thank You points for Gift Cards or other rewards. I know FlyerTalk has a forum for trades but I don't see many people trading TYPs. Or if allowed sell their TYPs?
With the flexibility that TYPs offer for booking flights people should be able to get $0.01-0.02 per point for flights.

Since some people never travel and GC selection has diminished trading TYPs for flights might be a good option (if allowed by the terms and Conditions)

People will trade TYPs on the FT CC. There are those who know what they are worth and get the value and will happily trade - and those who don't know what TYP are. You can get a trade done, though.

rileymartin said:when you close one of the cards that got you TY points do you get to keep those points in your account? won't take a usually clueless CSR's word for it, want to hear from someone who did it.
Points stay with you.

kevinkevinkevin said:The best way to use TY points is the Shell Gas Card. If you get it now, you'll save money when gas prices go up. I just bought 2 $50 cards.

maybe I missed your point but if you have a $50 gas card now, how are you saving money when the price of gas goes up???
when prices goes up, your $50 gas card will be able to buy less gas, cause the per gallon price increased. so how are you saving or gaining with a preloaded gas card at face value??

c3 said:kevinkevinkevin said:The best way to use TY points is the Shell Gas Card. If you get it now, you'll save money when gas prices go up. I just bought 2 $50 cards.

You should take a math/logic class first. Also, using a gas card means missing the opportunity of getting 5%+ credit card rebate.

What's better? Saving 5% or getting your gas for free? When gas prices go up, you'll get more gas because you already bought the gas cards back when gas prices were cheaper.

you'll get more gas because you already bought the gas cards back when gas prices were cheaper.

You're joking right?

Although I have heard reports of gas stations selling gas cards redeemable for a certain volume of gasoline instead of cash, I think 3K is just trying to be funny.

kevinkevinkevin said:c3 said:kevinkevinkevin said:The best way to use TY points is the Shell Gas Card. If you get it now, you'll save money when gas prices go up. I just bought 2 $50 cards.

You should take a math/logic class first. Also, using a gas card means missing the opportunity of getting 5%+ credit card rebate.

What's better? Saving 5% or getting your gas for free? When gas prices go up, you'll get more gas because you already bought the gas cards back when gas prices were cheaper.

That's completely awesome.

Just got my two $50 Shell Gift Cards in the mail...booyah!