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 ThankYouŽ 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.
psychtobe said: No, the Universal Card switched to its current crappy version about 18 months ago. I'm a "charter member" (proudly says so on my card ) which thus far has meant I've kept its awesome benefits: 5x TYPs on all EDPs.
tolamapS, your point is well taken yet has been made by many people over the years:
IF ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS FLY LA TO NYC ON SATURDAYS AND TUESDAYS WITH SATURDAY NIGHT STAYS AND 4 WEEKS OF ADVANCE NOTICE THEN TYPS FOR FIXED POINT TRAVEL ARE NOT FOR YOU.
But if you might someday have to fly from Portland to Key West, or Burbank to Buffalo, or San Diego to Kalispell, or Laredo to Anchorage, and you might have to do it with only 10 days' notice, and it might be at Christmas or Thanksgiving - then strongly consider whether TYPs might be a valuable currency to have.
I have the following currencies available at this time; each has its uses, its advantages and disadvantages:
150k TYPS 100k Cap One No Hassle Miles 400k Northwest miles 100k American miles 60k United miles $1400 in airline vouchers 60k Starpoints 40k Marriott points 20k Hilton points and a $100 Morton's gift certificate, just for good measure.
Of all these currencies, I get the most use out of my TYPs and find they consistently return the most value per dollar spent. YMMV.
Psychotobe, too bad the Universal card is extinct now. btw those are some impressive numbers...how did you get some many Northwest miles??? I do beat you in Hilton points though with 50K. Ha!
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).
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)
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??
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is indicative of why we have financial problems in America.
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 $50 cards.
You should take a math/logic class first. Also, using a gas card means missing the opportunity of getting 5%+ credit card rebate.
What's better? Saving 5% or getting your gas for free? When gas prices go up, you'll get more gas because you already bought the gas cards back when gas prices were cheaper.
I really hope you didn't think that out when you typed that.
Does anyone ever try to ask for a student loan check for someone else? I have a family member who has a student loan with Sallie Mae. I can pay for his loan and then he can give me a check.
Recently used 60k points(fixed point option) for San Francisco to Birmingham, UK RT. Basic fare was 1190$+tax, so almost 2cents(or 2%) return-not bad at all!
lnair said: Recently used 60k points(fixed point option) for San Francisco to Birmingham, UK RT. Basic fare was 1190$+tax, so almost 2cents(or 2%) return-not bad at all!
I wouldn't necessarily say its 2% return. Unless you spent $60,000 to attain those 60,000 TYP. There are cards out there where you can earn >1 point/$. I have the Citi Chairman card that gives me 3 TYP/$ on select spend + an extra 3 TYP matched via flight points for up to 6 TYP/$. If I spent $10,000 in all select spend categories, I'd get 60,000 TYP (if I flew 30k miles). So in my situation, it'd be $1190 +tax ~ 12%++ return.
It was mentioned earlier, but the Lands End Gift Cards are only 90,000 TY points per $100.00 Card. I had heard that you could use the Lands End cards at Sears for anything you want there. I wasn't sure if I could trust that, especially after a Sears Customer Service person told me that it could only be used for clothing. So I tried it out today, and was able to buy some tools on my Lands End Gift Card.
This is really great, because they also have Sears Gift Cards for the full 100,00 TY Points per $100.00 card. Now I'll stock up and have some on hand for when the super deals come along.
mrlandlord said: Lands End =Sears =Kmart. So 9000 typ =$100 LE card usable at all 3 places. Better than buying the Sears or the Kmart cards for 10000typ.
Do you think I can use this Lands' End GC to buy the Sears GC in-store?
yayawoo said: mrlandlord said: Lands End =Sears =Kmart. So 9000 typ =$100 LE card usable at all 3 places. Better than buying the Sears or the Kmart cards for 10000typ.
Do you think I can use this Lands' End GC to buy the Sears GC in-store?Why would you buy a Sears GC when you can use the Lands End GC as if it were a Sears GC
jatan1986 said: yayawoo said: mrlandlord said: Lands End =Sears =Kmart. So 9000 typ =$100 LE card usable at all 3 places. Better than buying the Sears or the Kmart cards for 10000typ.
Do you think I can use this Lands' End GC to buy the Sears GC in-store?Why would you buy a Sears GC when you can use the Lands End GC as if it were a Sears GC
Because I might not use it in the near future and store policy can be changed anytime they want. I don't shop any Land's End item.
Where can I use the Lands EndŽ Gift Card? You can use the plastic Gift Card for purchasesat LandsEnd.com, with a phone order, and in Lands' EndŽ, SearsŽ and KmartŽ retail stores. The E-Gift Card may beused the same as a plastic gift card (please present a printed version for purchases at Lands EndŽ, SearsŽ, and KmartŽ retail stores.
So in reality the Lands' End gift card is really a three-store gift card that is on sale at TY Network now. Lands' End has been owned by Sears since 1963, I don't think it's going anywhere. I am in for one.
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.
I think it would be a good idea if we could redeem TY points for, say, a 10 Gallon Gas Card for 5,000 points.
Yes, my mistake. Lands' End has been in business since 1963, but they weren't bought by Sears until 2002. Sears acquired them for $1.9 billion in cash.
MrVietnam said: Yes, my mistake. Lands' End has been in business since 1963, but they weren't bought by Sears until 2002. Sears acquired them for $1.9 billion in cash. Is there any chance Sears might be headed for bankruptcy? I know for sure that if I personally were to buy Land's End for $1.9 billion in cash, I would be bankrupt.
In any case, I think I'm going to gamble and convert all my TYP's to Land's End GC's, even if it might take me years to use them. Because, I'm going to consolidate all my Citi cards into one card, and worry that I might somehow lose my TYP's in the process.
got this email from CustomerService@thankyou.citibank.com:
"Due to a system error, your online ThankYou Member Account statement did not reflect the appropriate expiration date for some of your ThankYou Points. To correct this error, we have changed the expiration date of these points. Our records indicate that none of these impacted points will expire in 2008. In addition, we have reviewed your online ThankYou Member Account statement to ensure that all of your ThankYou Points are associated with the appropriate expiration dates, as specified in your sponsor account materials."
Most points are from having a Citibank acct. 10k are from opening a citibank thankyou points creditcard.
ShakuniMama said: AFAIK there was no expiration date. I couldn't even figure out how to check the expiration dates of my TY points from my six sponsor accounts. Anyone?
They all have expiration dates, but most are out far enough that we never run into them.
Login to your ThankYou account. Under "My Account", click on "Statement". There will be a line that says "Expiring Points: 0 within 90 days View": the "View" will be a link, so click on this to see a list of your expiration dates listed by sponsor account.
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