I'm curious if anyone here uses credit card rewards programs. I personally have two American Airlines credit cards and one Marriott card. The two AA cards get me 1 mile for every $1 spent, and I get extra miles for other purchase promos, like 30 miles per $1 spent at FTD when I send my wife flowers.



I also rack up Marriott points; since I travel for work, paying with the Marriott card gets me points faster and I get 1pt/$1.. as well as one free night stay every year and instant Silver Elite status every year.



I can get 30k, 40k, or 50k miles for signing up for a credit card... and there are tricks and techniques to get approved for 2 cards at once. I've had my 2 AA cards for a few years, thinking about getting more miles and signing up for 2 more cards.

 

Nothing significant on credit cards, just have my 1-5% back on it (Chase).



But I built up Hilton points to reach their Diamond level within 1 year. Their policy allows you to stay at least Gold for life even if you never stay with them again. (You lose one tier after the next calendar year expires, but you can't lose more than 1 tier.)

I'm going to rack up to Platinum Elite on the Intercontinental Hotel Group (Staybridge, Holiday Inn and Express, Crowne Plaza) this year. I only have 3 nights with them, but have enough reservations to build up to Platinum Elite in ONE stay. Yay!

Don't think I've signed up for Marriott, but between Hilton and IHG, I can stay anywhere. My work has me traveling for long periods of time, so I build things up quickly!

Airline miles take way too long to get anywhere or anything free. Plus I fly about 4 different carriers each and every time, so my miles are spread afar.

 

I just covered 6 flights to and from Belize for $404 and 210,000 miles. Regular pricing puts it at $4,800.



I have ~130,000 Marriott points, which will get me a week free in the Caribbean for next year's vacation



I'm considering switching to Hilton, as both my wife and myself stay more frequently at Hilton than anywhere else when we travel for work.

 

I do cash back, it works wonders.



I just buy everything on the card, pay it off before they charge interest, and it's free cash!

 

Except that we tend to spend about 15% more when paying with a credit card as we would paying with cash. Credit cards just don't hurt as much, cash does. That 1% cash back doesn't help you any when you spend 15% more than normal.

 

How am I spending 15% than normal?



If I want it, I buy it. I don't pay more for it. I don't buy stuff I don't want.



I put everything possible on a credit card. The only thing that hits my checking account are random cash withdrawals (usually less than $50/mo.), mortgage payment, car payment, and electric bill - only because they auto draft and charge for CC payments. My cable bill, sprint bill, water bill, auto insurance, gym membership, and every transaction I make regardless of how small. Even the car wash takes CC. I simply pay it off when I receive the bill. I've only paid interest once on a credit card, and that's when I was 17 years old. The first time I saw that interest owed, I said F This and vowed never to pay interest again. If I can't afford it now, I don't buy it (cars excluded).