New Q2 Chase Freedom 5x Category Bonuses

Posted by Noob Master on Apr 1, 2013 in Chase Bank, Freedom, Points, Ultimate Rewards, Uncategorized | 2 comments

Don’t forget to activate your Chase Freedom® Visa card for the new Q2 category bonuses that start today.

The new quarterly categories are restaurants, movie theaters, and Lowes. You will earn 5x per dollar spent in the quarter (up to $1,500 = 7,500 UR points). I don’t have any major home improvement projects going (as long as no one tells Jordan about the Lowes 5x bonus), so my plan is to buy some gift cards if I need additional help to meet the $1,500 maximum.

Yeah, we eat out more than we should, but I think we’ll still need to buy some gift cards for future use or presents.

If the Freedom is your only Chase card, then you will earn 5% cash back, but if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, Ink Bold® Business Card, or Ink Plus® Business Card - you can combine your Freedom points and then have the flexibility to transfer them out to one of the many Ultimate Rewards travel partners. That’s how I prefer to use my Freedom 5x category points.

I just downgraded my Sapphire Preferred to the Freedom a couple weeks ago. Just in enough time to walk into a CVS and buy some Vanilla Reloads before the first quarter ended. (Drugstores was one of the 5x bonuses last quarter. Easy.)

I love the Freedom for the 5x points opportunity it gives me, and because it’s a no annual fee card. I can keep it forever, letting that account age. The Freedom is a good option to start with if you’re looking to build credit history so you can take advantage of other (more lucrative) sign-up bonuses down the road with Chase.

If you already have the Freedom card, then don’t procrastinate! Get to earning that 5x bonus now. I won’t wait to start earning the extra 7,500 Ultimate Rewards points I get each quarter with my Freedom. Yep, I’m addicted to seeing my Ultimate Rewards balance swell.

(Disclosure: I receive a referral credit for the cards mentioned in this post. Thank you for the support if you decide to apply through my links!) 

— Noob Master

A Couple Of Weekend Quick-Hitters

Posted by Noob Master on Mar 3, 2013 in American Express, Delta SkyMiles, Membership Rewards, Miles, Points, Starwood Preferred Guest, Uncategorized | 0 comments

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. I had a nice couple of days in California, highlighted by seeing the LA Lakers and Kobe at the Staples Center. Epic. I hadn’t seen Kobe play live and our seats were pretty good, so I was happy. A little bit.

Anyway, here are a couple of recaps from the rewards week. Enjoy.

Starwood & Delta Crossover Rewards Enrollment Open

Enrollment for Starwood and Deltas Crossover rewards program is now open. Yay. A recap of the bennies are:

Benefits when you fly:

SPG Platinum and Gold members earn 1 Starpoint for every dollar spent on eligible Delta flights. Plus, SPG Platinum members enjoy elite benefits when traveling with Delta, such as priority check-in, Priority Boarding and first checked bag free.

Benefits when you stay:

SkyMiles Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion^® members earn 1 mile for every dollar spent on eligible room rates at over 1,100 Starwood hotels and resorts globally. Plus, SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallion members receive additional SPG benefits at Starwood hotels and resorts — 4 p.m. late checkout, access to the SPG elite check-in line, complimentary in-room Internet access and an upgrade to an enhanced room at check-in, when available.

1,000 Club Carlson Points with Facebook

Fill out this form on Club Carlson’s Facebook page and you will receive 1,000 GoldPoints in 2-3 weeks. Cray cray. You must “like” Club Carlson first if you don’t like them yet.

I did this easy 1,000 point deal for Jordan and myself. That’s winning.

American Express Open Savings Points or Discounts?

You can now choose 4k additional Membership Rewards points or up to 10% discounts on eligible purchases with OPEN savings partners.

The Business Gold Rewards Card(R), Business Platinum Card® from Amex, and Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card all give you access to the Open Savings program.

Some of the best options to earn with American Express Open Savings are with the 5% discount with Hyatt, or up to 10% discount with Office Max. Here’s an example from the American Express website with Hertz on choosing Membership Rewards points or the discount.

Hertz example

Always do the math and weigh out your options when deciding which rewards card to use, and if earning Membership Rewards points or discounts benefit you more.

Freedom Adds Lowes to 5x Categories

Everyone knows the Chase Freedom® MasterCard & Freedom® Visa have rotating 5x quarterly earning opportunities. If you didn’t know, then wake up, or just read this post. 

Chase has added Lowes to quarter 2 5x earning opportunites so if you’re planning any home improvements – there you go. It’s funny, because Jordan is on a painting and home improvement kick. Prefect timing!

There you have it. Some quick-hitters. Have a great rest of your weekend. Noob it up.

[Disclosure: I receive a referral credit for some cards mentioned in this post]

— Noob Master

When My Two Loves Collide: Earning Miles on Valentine’s Day

Posted by Noob Master on Feb 7, 2013 in Miles, Points, Promos, Uncategorized | 2 comments

I love my wife…and I love miles. It’s not a lie, or a secret, so I get excited during Valentine’s Day every year.

I love the miles-earning promos that run during Valentine’s Day. I get to be the hero to my wife, mom, grandma, and 3 sisters by sending them flowers. But, I do get something else in return (besides being a good boy) – miles. Oh, the miles.

To help yourself look good and earn some extra miles – here are some of the hottest Valentine’s Day promotions. Noobilicious.

Southwest – 2,000 Rapid Rewards with Teleflora

You can earn up to 2,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points with Teleflora.

You will earn 1,250 points for all orders up to $49.99 and 250 points for every additional $25 you spend.  Southwest Rapid Rewards points can be stretched out pretty far during one of their frequent fare sales, or if you have the Companion Pass.

US Airways Storefront

If you’re a Barclyard RewardsBoost Member, you will find extra earning benefits through the US Airways Storefront mall. I didn’t find any sexy deals browsing around, but you may something that meets your needs.

United – Earn 30 miles per $1 and bonus 150 miles per order with FTD

You will earn 30x United MileagePlus miles per $1 with FTD during United’s Valentine’s promo. Plus, 150 bonus miles per order. Not too shabby. You can also use your miles to buy flowers, but who wants to do that?

This is the Valentine’s Day promo that I take advantage of every year. I love earning United miles. It’s a sickness, and you can’t beat 30x miles per $1. And for all of you procrastinators (me) out there –  same day delivery is available in most markets. Save the day.

Please allow 6-8 weeks for miles to be posted to your account.

American Airlines – 30x with FTD and other opportunities

FTD and American Airlines have the same 30x points per $1 as United. So, if you prefer AAdvantage miles – you’re in luck. There’s also some minimal earning opportunities through their online portal.

Summary

Don’t forget to check Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal if you’re doing any Valentine’s Day shopping, too. The bonuses there are often better than you will find on the airline’s site.

Also, don’t forget to check to see if any restaurants in the dining network are worthy of a Valentines date.

Some people have reported having issues with FTD crediting them their miles, but I haven’t. Anyway, you should check and make sure you receive the miles you deserve (6-8 weeks).

Be a hero this Valentine’s Day and send your loved ones some flowers or chocolate. Do it for the love…not the miles. Ok, do it for both.

— Noob Master