2018 US Open Tennis Championships & Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day

On by NateRWaters Posted in Being There, New YorkTagged , , , , ,
The official logo the US Open.

The 2020 US Open Tennis Championships are in jeopardy due to the uncertainties of Covid-19. New York City had become the epicenter for the virus within the United States with only recent signs of improvement. After approval from Andrew Cuomo, the USTA wants to proceed with the largest tennis tournament in the Western Hemisphere. However, several players have come forward expressing their concerns with playing the event this year. The grand slam occurs every year in late August, which leaves little time to finalize a decision.

As much as the world wants tennis back, the safety of the fans, players, staff, and the city as a whole is, and should always be, the top priority. Until we have a firm grip on the situation and a clear understanding of this virus, I fully understand the postponement or cancellations of any tennis events in the foreseeable future. While I wait for the tennis world to at least shift towards the direction of normality, I am left with the memory of my personal experience at the 2018 US Open.

As an avid tennis player and overall fan of the sport, it’s always been a dream of mine to attend each of the four majors and witness tennis at its highest level. I was living in Annapolis, Maryland in 2018, which is the closest I have lived to one of the biggest stages in tennis. The US Open is in Flushing, Queens, NY, a mere 4-hour drive from Annapolis. This would be the best opportunity to attend my first slam. I just needed to figure out the cheapest way to do so.

Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day

As fans of the sport may already know, the US Open kicks off every year with Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day, the world’s largest single-day tennis event. This day showcases the joy and fulfillment tennis can bring to children of all ages. The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is open to anyone for this free event and the grounds quickly fill with future tennis players and their families.

An event of this magnitude needs the help of countless volunteers, which is where I come in. I applied to be a volunteer a few months prior and was appropriately assigned to Court 6 for the “Chase Challenge”. This challenge, sponsored by Chase, catered primarily to the youngest of attendees and introduced fundamental racket skills and hand-eye coordination. Sharing my passion for this sport to children from all over the world was truly a surreal experience and one I will not soon forget.

Team of volunteers for the "Chase Challenge" on Court 6. One of many courts set up with tennis oriented games and challenges.
Court 6 – Chase Challenge – Our group photo before the gates opened!

The games and activities of the day all lead up to a rather underwhelming, yet nationally televised, concert event in Arthur Ashe Stadium. This concert requires a paid ticket, but luckily I received comped tickets for myself and a guest. This concert is your chance catch a glimpse of some of the greatest stars in tennis. Here, they participate in challenges and games with aspiring tennis prodigies competing for various prizes including scholarships, fundraising donations, etc. All in all, the festival offers a great chance to visit the tennis grounds admission-free; however, unless you are bringing children, it’s fairly limiting for adults. Although the concert was mediocre, the overall festival is exactly the high-energy, get-pumped, event necessary to kick off one of the greatest tournaments in tennis!

Getting There (and back)

The drive to New York City from Annapolis was about a 3.5 hour trip using toll roads. You can bypass a majority of the tolls; however, skipping them would end up adding about an extra hour or two. Not to mention, it adds the inconvenience of navigating through the narrow roads of Maryland/Delaware farmland. I drove up with my girlfriend, but she had to leave early so I opted to take an Amtrak home. I booked a one-way ticket back from New York Penn Station to the BWI Rail Station for ~3,000 Amtrak points. Amtrak points are worth roughly 2.5 cents per point, so this ticket would have cost around $65-70.

Staying There

My mom and sister were flying into LaGuardia Airport that night and we all agreed to meet at our hotel. One of the many negatives of driving to New York City is the cost of overnight parking. It is nearly impossible to find free hotel parking on Manhattan. Fees of $25+/night are enough to steer me away. For that reason, I booked us at the Hyatt Place in Secaucus, New Jersey. This property offers free parking, a breakfast buffet, and a convenient location for the low price of 8,000 Hyatt points a night.

Hyatt has quickly become of my favorite options to redeem Chase Ultimate Reward points. Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio from Chase to Hyatt, and Hyatt points redeem at a flat-rate based on the property category. This means the number of points needed are not dependent on the going rate. This is ideal for any high-occupancy nights, such as the opening weekend of the US Open in New York City.

Lake in Central Park where you can rent remote controlled model sailboats.
Conservatory Water in Central Park – You can watch model remote sailboats in this pond, or rent one of your own.

It’s easy and affordable navigating through New York City from Hyatt Place Secaucus. There is a New Jersey bus route that picks up and drops off across the street from the hotel that runs every 20 minutes until about 1 AM on weekdays and even later on weekends. It costs $4.25 for a one-way ticket ($8.50 for round trip), and drops off at Port Authority Terminal in Manhattan. From there, you have access to New York’s extensive subway system.

Once my girlfriend headed back to Maryland, we no longer had to worry about finding overnight parking for a car. We moved hotels to another Hyatt Place, this time in Queens, New York. The Hyatt Place Flushing/LaGuardia Airport is just one mile from the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. This property also offers a free airport shuttle to LaGuardia, which we used for my mom and sister’s return flight. Hyatt Place Flushing/Laguardia required a bit more points a night than Secaucus; however, at 12,000 Hyatt points, it was still a remarkable redemption for its location and amenities. Just a 5-min walk from the second largest Chinatown in NYC, numerous Asian restaurants, and a large shopping center that included a Target, there is access to anything you may need nearby.

Due to its convenience, the going nightly rate at the time of our stay was around $260-$300. This gave me a redemption value around ~2.3 cents per point, which was much higher than the average value based on The Points Guy’s current valuation of 1.7 cents per point. I use Brain Kelly’s valuation charts whenever I can to compare my own ‘redemptions’, ensuring I’m getting maximum value.

Screenshot from Google Maps showing the distance and walking time from Hyatt Place Flushing to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
A 20-25 minute walk from the Hyatt Place Flushing to the US Open was about as cheap and easy as they come! There are subway stations in front of the tennis center and near the hotel if you get too tired from the all-day tennis festival.

Being There

The US Open is such a phenomenal experience, regardless if you are a follower of tennis. I did my own research when it came to the logistics and finding the cheapest way to attend the tournament; however, I referred to The Road to 4.5 Tennis’ guide for tips on buying tickets and other useful information. With annual updates, the information should still be relevant for next year’s US Open. At the very least, it should provide some expectations so I recommend checking it out when planning your own trip.

I attended the slam on the first two days of the tournament, which I would absolutely recommend to any first-timers. It is such an active environment and each court just emits a feeling of hope and high aspirations as hundreds of professional athletes compete for a shot at the championship. The energy is so contagious, which is great because bouncing and fast-walking from court to court can take a lot out of anyone over the course of a day, let alone two.

Billie Jean King signing autographs for fans to promote her Adidas tennis shoe deal.
One of the GOATs (Greatest of All Time) of tennis, Billie Jean King, signing autographs and meeting with fans.

Luckily, for fellow travel hackers, there were lounges designated for specific credit card holders. Both Chase and American Express had lounges for their loyal consumers. Chase’s lounge required a reservation, which I was able to secure for myself and a guest. Their lounge offered an air-conditioned room with all the ice cold drinks and fresh snacks you could ask for. There were also TVs throughout the lounge airing all the US Open coverage so there is no tennis to miss! The American Express lounge had a similar set-up, but only required checking in at the door, rather than a reservation. Both lounges were saving graces when it came to resting and hiding from the relentless sun. The American Express center even had meet-and-greets with some of the greatest players to ever set foot in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Venus Williams meeting with and taking pictures with fans as part of the American Express Center lounge.
2-Time Singles US Open Champion and former World No.1 Venus Williams

Get to the “Point”

Attending the US Open, or any tennis grand slam is certainly not something I’d ever define as cheap or budget-friendly; however, the experience is one to be cherished forever, especially for fans of the sport. There are ways to alleviate the financial burden and utilize some of that travel-hacking fancy footwork we love so much. I never did feel like I was missing out on an experience for fear of breaking my budget. A little flexibility and patience can go a long way when planning trips around a headlining event. Hopefully, you will find some value in these tips when making your own tennis-inspired trip to New York next August.

The Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It is now often associated with the US Open and sits across from the tennis center.
The famous Unisphere fountain in Flushing Meadows Corona Park is often seen in cutaways during the television broadcasts of the US Open. Built for the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

Feel free to share your own grand slam or tennis experiences, I’d love to hear them!

Soaring on the Amtrak Texas Eagle

On by NateRWaters Posted in Amtrak, Getting There, TrainsTagged , , , , , , ,
The Amtrak Texas Eagle approaching the Maricopa station Eastbound.

“There’s something about the sound of a train that’s very romantic and nostalgic and hopeful.“

– Paul Simon

Reflecting upon my first cross country trip via train, Amtrak’s Texas Eagle has a special place in my heart. What would have taken a plane 3.5-hours, took the train 2.5-days. Nonetheless, that train chugged me across more than half of the United States, and back, from Maricopa, Arizona to Chicago, Illinois, in one piece, and for that I am grateful!

Ever since my first Amtrak experience on the Pacific Surfliner, the rail has always been my preferred method for domestic travel. This modest 3-hour trek carries you along California’s coastline from Anaheim to San Diego. It was the perfect introduction to the opportunities to be had aboard an Amtrak train. Inspiration strikes from all sides watching the variety of landscapes pass by. It elicits a feeling that blends nostalgia with freedom, paying homage to those who helped build this nation.

Until now, I had only taken day trips on Amtrak. The longest of those day trips being an 8-hour ride from Vancouver, BC to Portland, OR. However, the thought of taking a cross-country Amtrak trip had always lingered in my mind. When I found out I needed to be in Cincinnati for a wedding, I pounced on the opportunity to bring this idea to life. I had plenty of Amtrak points saved in the bank. The majority of these points came from the sign-up bonus for the Amtrak World MasterCard. I booked the trip on the Texas Eagle line by paying cash for the departing leg, and points for the return trip. It cost $117 to travel from Maricopa to Chicago, and 5,037 Amtrak Rewards points to return.

Day 1 (Morning): All Aboard the Texas Eagle

An authentic California Zephyr dome car at the Maricopa, AZ station. A walk-up ramp beside the carriage allows visitors to look inside.
The famous dome car of the historic California Zephyr at the Maricopa station. The California Zephyr was a pre-Amtrak rail that ran from Los Angeles to Chicago. Since this picture was taken, the carriage has been relocated within Maricopa.

The train arrived in Maricopa nearly 45-minutes late from its scheduled time of 5:45 a.m. This did not surprise me because the rail sees its fair share of traffic from passenger trains and freight trains. I have taken enough trips on Amtrak to learn that sharing the railroad takes a great amount of coordination! Want to know what was surprising? The fact that the Maricopa station is still in operation despite the amount of street traffic it causes.

We all know what it’s like to be stuck at a railroad crossing while a train passes by. The bells are ringing, the train’s flying by, and we count the carriages as they pass. Now, imagine getting stuck at a railroad crossing for up to 30-minutes while a train loads and unloads its passengers. This was the case at the Maricopa Station. A lot of factors contributed to this mess of a system.

Maricopa Station pinpointed on Google Maps. The rails intersect the busiest road in Maricopa.
The tracks intersect the busiest road in Maricopa.

First, the station platform is too small to service the entire length of the train. Therefore, the train must make four separate stops in order to load and unload bags and passengers. Secondly, the tracks intersect the busiest highways in Maricopa, which happens to also be one of the only major roads going through the city. Third, Maricopa is primarily a residential community. A large amount of its residents commute to either Phoenix or Chandler, meaning a lot of drivers are on the road. And finally, Amtrak does not travel directly through Phoenix. Maricopa happens to be its closest Amtrak connection. Thus, you have this tiny station within a relatively small city, blocking that city’s busiest highway, all the while servicing the population of the fifth largest city in the country. I can only imagine what a perfect storm this is in the eyes of a transportation planner.

The good news is that the issue has been addressed and, as far as I know, there is a proposed solution! You can read more about it here. So, after a 25-minute boarding process, I was eastbound on the Texas Eagle.

Maricopa, AZ station sign at the Amtrak station.
The Maricopa Station is the closest station to Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix is the largest city without an Amtrak station.

The Texas Eagle is one of Amtrak’s longest routes and runs from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL. It generally follows the path of the I-10 between California and Texas, before changing directions in San Antonio where it starts heading northeast towards Chicago.

The route map of the Amtrak Texas Eagle. Showing all stops between Los Angeles and Chicago.
The route map of the Texas Eagle marking each of its stops. Notice the large amount of stops between San Antonio and Chicago.

Day 1 (Afternoon): I’m Prada You

If you are heading eastbound on this route, get familiar with seeing a lot of desert throughout the first leg of the trip. There is no shortage of it. You will also get some up-close glimpses of Mexico as the train makes its stop in El Paso. Between El Paso and San Antonio, this route will climb as high as 4,700 feet taking you through the mountainous cities of Marfa and Alpine. Marfa is definitely a city I would like to revisit. It boasts a thriving minimalist art scene, including the famous, out-of-place, Prada installation built in the middle of the desert. Many major movie productions have also been filmed in Marfa, such as Giant (1960), There Will Be Blood (2007), No Country for Old Men (2007), and many more.

Art installation in Marfa, Texas of a Prada store.
“prada marfa” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by pandabrand

Day 1 (Night): Texas Eagle or Sunset Limited?

The Texas Eagle glides through a few more small towns before arriving in San Antonio, the primary layover of this route. Depending upon which type of ticket you purchased, you may have to step off the train during this layover. If you booked your ride on the route’s 421 or 422 trains, then you can remain in your seat during the San Antonio layover. Otherwise, your ticket will be the 21 or 22 trains, which shares with the Sunset Limited’s route (Los Angeles to New Orleans). This means you will have to step off the train while they add and take away carriages.

Depending which direction you are traveling, the Texas Eagle will either split with the Sunset Limited or join it. If you are in a carriage that is shared between the two lines, you are out of luck and will have to transfer carriages. I was lucky enough to have booked the 422 Texas Eagle en route to Chicago. Unfortunately, I had less flexibility booking my return trip, and was forced to book a mixed itinerary on the 21 Texas Eagle and the 1 Sunset Limited. This meant my night in San Antonio was spent standing beside the train with my carry-on bags for 2-hours waiting for the switch to take place.

Grounded US Government blimp used for surveillance of the US-Mexico border.
An aerostat operated by the US Customs and Border Protection. These aircraft are part of the Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) whose mission is to provide surveillance of the US-Mexico border. Just one of the many views aboard the Texas Eagle.

Day 2 (All Day): Texas Flexing

Texas is big. Very big. Whether you are traveling through or over Texas, it’s safe to say that nearly half of your trip will be crossing the Lone Star State. The Texas Eagle is no exception. Nearly a day and a half of the 2.5-day trip was spent in Texas. I thought our journey was nearly at its halfway point as we departed San Antonio the morning of Day 2. Texas had other ideas.

My trip happened to coincide with a month-long renovation project. This renovation created detours that started in Austin and took the Texas Eagle through central Texas, skipping over some major stops such as Dallas, and Fort Worth. To some, this might have been an inconvenience, but to train enthusiasts (ME!), it presented an opportunity to discover part of the rail system unfamiliar with passenger trains, and rack up some coveted and uncharted miles.

Day 2 (Night): Arkansas in the Dark

After sleeping through the entire state of Arkansas (they definitely drew the losing hand when Amtrak created their schedule for the Texas Eagle) and much of Southern Missouri, I woke up in St. Louis, MO in, what was now, the morning of Day 3. St. Louis is a major stop for the Texas Eagle, so we had an hour layover before departing.

The Gateway Arch with the St. Louis, Missouri skyline in the background. Taken from the Texas Eagle.
Keep an eye out for the Gateway Arch! You can get some great views of St. Louis’ famous landmark from the Texas Eagle.

Day 3 (Morning/Day): Get Your Kicks

Now, I do not want to rush this part of the journey, but it’s a relatively smooth and uneventful ride from St. Louis to Chicago. And believe me, that’s a good thing! The train follows the world-famous Route 66 for this entire leg of the trip, giving a peek into Midwest life. Small towns sprawl every few miles throughout the route, complete with farms and grassy fields to fill in the gaps. This pattern repeats itself several times with a few bigger stops in between. After familiarizing myself with this pattern, we were suddenly reaching the outskirts of the Windy City itself, Chicago. As soon as it came into view, I turned my attention towards the city skyline, primarily the Willis Tower. It stole my focus as the train meandered through the urban jungle and into Union Station. I had arrived.

It had been quite the journey and such a unique experience. Taking Amtrak across such a long distance may not have been the most practical option. But I would be a liar if I said it did not have its benefits. If your goal is to get from Point A to Point B in the quickest, most efficient, way possible, then I cannot recommend you take the train. However, if flexibility is on your side and you have a firm belief that “the journey is greater than the destination”, then there is much joy to be found aboard a train.

Amtrak Guest Rewards World Mastercard credit card.
I used my Amtrak MasterCard to buy my ticket to Chicago. I used points earned from the card’s sign-up bonus on the return trip.

Know Before You Go: Texas Eagle 101

Would I do it again? Absolutely! But not without following the guidelines below. Follow these tips to ensure your experience aboard the Texas Eagle is a pleasurable one:

  • Book the 421/422 only trains when buying your tickets. This will avoid any inconveniences during layovers.
  • Only check in the bags that you do not need for the entire duration of your trip. Once you check in your bags, you will not have access to them until your final destination.
  • Bring a charger for whatever devices you anticipate on using. There are outlets all throughout the train, including your seat!
  • There is no Wi-Fi access on the Texas Eagle, so I recommend downloading movies, music, or any other media prior to your trip.
  • Bring a blanket and a sweatshirt, even if it’s summertime! The Amtrak can get pretty cold at night and it’s not always possible to avoid the cold air blowing from the vents.
  • Bring lots and lots of snacks! You can bring food aboard the Amtrak and I cannot stress it enough. People even bring coolers as part of their carry-on baggage and fill it with drinks, sandwiches, and all sorts of goodies. Otherwise, prepare to empty your wallet on overpriced microwaveable food at the cafe car, or overpriced adequate food at the dining car.
    • Beef Jerky, Granola Bars, Nuts, Cookies/Crackers, Tuna Pouches, Candy, Gum, Apples/Oranges are all great options.
  • I spend nearly all my time in the Observation Car. There are outlets, plenty of space to stretch, a cafe downstairs, a bathroom downstairs, and floor to ceiling windows that more than justify your decision to take the train. I would only be in my reserved coach seat to sleep, otherwise, you would find me in the Observation Car.
  • There are no showers unless you book a room. Keep your cosmetics easily accessible. Brushing your teeth goes a long way in feeling fresh and comfortable. Applying deodorant will ensure your fellow passengers are comfortable too!
  • There are fountains throughout the train where you can access drinkable water and tiny cups; however, I would suggest bringing a reusable bottle that you can carry around the train. You can always ask the cafe attendant for a cup of ice if you need it.
  • The conductors will periodically check and re-scan your ticket. Either keep it handy, or take a picture of it on your phone (including the barcode) if you are prone to losing things.
  • If you have an Amtrak Guest Rewards co-branded credit card, be sure to use it when making any Amtrak purchases. The World MasterCard will earn you 3X points for every dollar you spend on Amtrak. Its no-annual fee counterpart, the Platinum MasterCard will earn you 2X.
    • Otherwise, Chase does categorize Amtrak purchases as “Travel”. So, using one of Chase’s Sapphire cards for Amtrak purchases earns up to 3X the amount of Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Chase Freedom or Freedom Unlimited?

On by NateRWaters Posted in Chase, Credit CardsTagged , , , , , ,
The Chase Freedom and Freedom Unlimited credit cards.

Part of being an experienced travel hacker is knowing which credit cards deserve a place in your wallet. When it comes to general spending, cashback cards are vital in guaranteeing you are getting the best deals. Chase happens to offer two fantastic cashback cards, the Chase Freedom and the Chase Freedom Unlimited. While they are similar in name (and design), they are distinct in function. And it is important to understand how they work in order to determine which card works best for you.

Chase Freedom

Primary Function: The Chase Freedom offers a bonus 5% cashback when spending on quarterly rotational categories. This means that a new spending category will offer 5% cashback every three months. For example, from July 1st to September 30th 2020, Chase Freedom cardholders will get 5% cashback at Whole Foods Market and Amazon.com purchases. This is a very attractive bonus category considering the range of products offered on Amazon. The up-to-date category schedule can be found on the Chase Freedom Calendar.

It is important to note that these bonus categories must be activated every quarter! You can activate the bonus through your Chase account online, or by entering the required information here.

Unfortunately, you can only earn the 5% bonus cashback on up to $1,500 of spending. Any additional bonus category spending over $1,500 or any other non-bonus spending will earn a flat unlimited 1% cashback. As a result, assuming you max out the bonus, you will earn a minimum of $75 cashback every quarter. Not bad, especially considering many of the quarterly categories are necessary spending, i.e. gas, groceries, etc. The unlimited non-bonus cashback rate of 1% is not as competitive as other cashback cards on the market; however, the true prize lies within the 5% bonus categories.

Screenshot showing the quarter Jan-Mar 2018 bonus categories that offer 5% cashback. Purchases at gas stations, internet/cable/phone services, and mobile payment apps all earn 5% cashback.
Earn up to $75 cashback per quarter when making purchases that fall under the bonus categories.

Keep in mind this card is subject to the Chase 5/24 rule, which you can read more about here. Unfortunately, it also has foreign transaction fees, so keep that in mind if you are an avid international traveler!

Additional Perks:

  • $200 Sign-up bonus after spending $500 within the first three months of opening the account.
  • No annual fee.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers.
  • Rewards do not expire.
  • Part of the Ultimate Rewards family, meaning you can take the 5% as cashback or as Ultimate Rewards.
  • Rewards can be used on the Chase Travel Portal at a 1:1 ratio.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great standard cashback card that is even more valuable when combined with other Chase Ultimate Rewards earning credit cards.

Primary Function: The Chase Freedom Unlimited was introduced as a simplified, user-friendly cashback card. There are no bonus categories. No cap on spending. And no need to activate every quarter. It is simply a cashback card that earns an unlimited 1.5% cashback on all spending. Therefore, this card is perfect for those with varying spending habits. It is also a good match for those not wanting to constantly keep track of which card to pull out when making purchases. The 1.5% flat cashback rate is nowhere close to the 5% of the Chase Freedom; however, the appeal to this card is the ability to earn this rate regardless of the purchase.

Unfortunately, like the Chase Freedom, this card is also subject to the 5/24 Rule and carries foreign transaction fees.

Additional Perks:

  • $200 Sign-up bonus after spending $500 within the first three months of opening the account.
  • No annual fee.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers.
  • Rewards do not expire.
  • Part of the Ultimate Rewards family.
  • Rewards can be used on the Chase Travel Portal at a 1:1 ratio.

Welcome to the Chase Ultimate Rewards Family

The rewards earned on these cards can be in the form of points or cashback. These points are Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR), one of the most valued reward points out there. Additionally, the points earned through the Chase Freedom cards are worth more when paired with one of Chase’s premium travel cards. For example, when you pair this card with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you unlock the ability to transfer points to Chase’s travel partners. You can also book directly through the Chase Travel Portal where your points can be worth up to 1.5 cents each. The Points Guy, an absolute guru when it comes to credit card points, currently values Chase UR points at 2.0 cents per point!

5 UR * 2.0 cents/pt = 10 cents per point. For every dollar spent on a 5% bonus category, you can earn about 10 cents towards travel!

1.5 UR * 2.0 cents/point = 3 cents per point. For every dollar spent on the Freedom Unlimited, you can earn about 3 cents towards travel!

All that being said, who says you can’t have both? These cards are not necessarily rivals, as they are so often portrayed, but rather complements. Combine the two Freedom cards with a premium Chase travel card and you unlock a triple threat of UR earning potential. The flexibility of Chase UR points is unparalleled. Just be sure to use the highest-earning card for a given purchase to further maximize the benefits and rewards.

Three credit cards, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Freedom, and the Chase Freedom Unlimited, stacked atop one another.
The Chase Ultimate Rewards Triple Threat: Combine these three Chase cards for maximum Ultimate Rewards earning potential!

Get to the “Point”

In short, the Chase Freedom and the Chase Freedom Unlimited are two great options for anyone looking for a competitive cashback card. The Chase Freedom earns a capped 5% cashback bonus on quarterly rotational category purchases. The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns an unlimited flat 1.5%. If you do not mind the extra mindfulness every quarter, the Chase Freedom is a good match. On the other hand, if you value ease and simplicity, the Freedom Unlimited is the alternate, no-fuss option.

That being said, you can always apply for both cards and maximize your rewards on all purchases. Pair them with one of the premium Chase travel cards and the points earned become much more valuable. Just keep in mind that both of these cards are subject to Chase’s 5/24 Rule.

With two great options available, it’s hard to go wrong on your choice. As always, pick the route that best aligns with your travel and spending habits and continue maximizing those deals!

Chase Sapphire: Preferred or Reserve?

On by NateRWaters Posted in Chase, Credit CardsTagged , , , , , , , ,

Casual travel has become increasingly popular these last few years. It seems that travelers prefer the convenience of booking through third-party sites, rather than sticking with one particular rewards program. There is nothing wrong with remaining loyal to a specific airline or hotel, as there are numerous benefits to brand loyalty. However, we often forgo cheaper alternatives by limiting ourselves to a particular program. Economics 101 teaches us that a competitive market’s greatest beneficiary is the consumer. So we must be flexible in order to fully reap those benefits! Flexibility is essential to becoming a successful budget traveler. Chase offers two of the top products when it comes to great value and flexibility, the Sapphire Preferred and the Sapphire Reserve.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best travel credit cards out there.

Sapphires Are Forever

Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) offers an invaluable combination of lucrative point earnings with flexible redemption opportunities. To fully take advantage of this rewards program, I would start off by signing up for one of the Chase Sapphire cards. The two Sapphire cards are the Sapphire Preferred and the Sapphire Reserve. The Preferred has an annual fee of $95 and the Reserve has a $450 annual fee. These may seem like steep fees, but each card comes with numerous travel perks that can greatly offset their cost.

Once you have at least one of the two Sapphire cards, you can transfer your UR points to various travel partners. This is usually at a fair 1:1 rate, although the rate varies between programs. There are many travel partners to transfer your points to. This includes Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MilagePlus, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, as well as some hotel brands such as IHG, Marriott, and my personal favorite transfer partner, Hyatt. Once you transfer your points to one of these programs, their value is entirely dependent on how you use them. I rarely fly first-class or business, therefore I receive the best value of my points transferring to programs such as Hyatt or Southwest Airlines.

NOTE:

The Chase Ink Business Preferred also unlocks the ability to earn UR points and redeem them via travel partners; however, this article will focus solely on the top consumer cards, i.e., the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Chase Ultimate Rewards travel partners available to transfer points with a Sapphire Preferred or Reserve credit card.
Reward programs of Chase’s travel partners that your UR points can be transferred to.

You can still get some great value of your points without transferring them to other brands. If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can book travel directly through Chase’s travel portal. This locks your points in at a value of 1.25 cents/point, e.g., 10,000 UR points = $125 in travel when booking through Chase. The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers the same option; however, your points have a value of 1.5 cents/point, e.g., 10,000 UR points = $150. Although not recommended, using your points for cashback is an option, as well as redeeming them for gift cards; however, that will only net you 1 cent per point.

Sapphire Preferred
  • The current sign-up bonus for the Sapphire Preferred is 60,000 UR points after spending $4,000 within 3 months of opening the account. The Sapphire Preferred grants 25% more value when booking travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
  • The Sapphire Preferred earns 2 x UR points on travel or dining expenses. It is important to note that Chase is very lenient on what they consider travel/dining, which is definitely a bonus! Any other categorical transaction will net you 1 x UR point/$.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Additional perks including buyer protections, rental car insurance, extended warranties, etc.
Sapphire Reserve
  • The current sign-up bonus for the Sapphire Reserve is 50,000 UR points after spending $4,000 within 3 months of opening the account. The Sapphire Reserve grants 50% more value when booking travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
  • The Reserve has an earning rate 3 x UR points for every dollar spent on travel/dining. 1 x UR point per dollar spent on all other transactions.
  • $300 travel credit reimbursement every year. Each anniversary year, you can have up to $300 reimbursed when using your card for travel purchases. This brings the card’s base cost down to $150, assuming you travel $300 worth a year.
    • $450 – $300 travel credit = $150.
  • $100 credit reimbursement when applying for Global Entry or TSA Pre, once every 4 years.
    • Tip: Make sure to apply for Global Entry when taking advantage of this perk. The $100 fully covers the application fee and you will get BOTH Global Entry and TSA Pre for 5 years. If you apply for TSA Pre, you will get a reimbursement of $85 to cover the application fee; however, it does NOT include Global Entry. You would have to apply separately for Global Entry and pay $100 out-of-pocket for the application fee.
  • Priority Pass Select Membership – Unlimited access to over 900 airport lounges. As a perk from Chase, your guests can tag along with you for free! Free drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, and lounging!
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Visa Infinite – Here is a great article detailing the perks of the Visa Infinite program.
    • Car Rental Perks – Enroll in the rewards programs of Avis, National, and Silvercar, and use your Sapphire Reserve card for bookings to get upgrades and discounts.
    • The Luxury Hotel Collection – Receive room upgrades when using your Visa Infinite card for bookings.
  • Additional perks including buyer protections, rental car insurance, extended warranties, etc.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a little more investment than the Preferred, but it makes up for its cost with numerous travel benefits.

Get to the “Point”

As you can see, each card makes its own case. Both cards carry annual fees. The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a fee of $95, which seems to be the industry standard for a competitive travel card. It offers great perks and can justify a place in almost anyone’s wallet. On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Reserve boasts an intimidating annual fee of $450; however, the Sapphire Reserve is a premier travel card that offers plenty of value to help offset its price.

So, which of the two is most beneficial to you? That all depends on how often you travel and how you redeem your points. You really cannot go wrong with either of the above cards, as both provide great value. My best advice is try to understand your travel habits and financial state and analyze which of the two cards best complements your lifestyle.

NOTE:

There are a few additional Chase credit cards that are primarily cashback cards. Generally, they are above average standalone cashback cards. But when paired with one of the Sapphire cards listed above, they become eligible UR-earning cards. With the right combination of cards and proper utilization, you can maximize your earnings and have a powerful combination of UR-earning potential!

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, or if you want any of my personal recommendations!

The Chase 5/24 Rule: Does It Apply To You?

On by NateRWaters Posted in Chase, Credit CardsTagged , , , , , ,
Four credit cards fanned out sticking out of a pocket.

One of the most important elements of travel hacking is understanding the rules and policies of the many different banks. Chase has some of the most rewarding credit cards in the industry. With extremely competitive travel cards, excellent cashback cards, and a variety of co-branded cards, it is no doubt why their cards are among the most sought out by travel enthusiasts. Chase is also ahead of the game when it comes to travel hacking and are aware of the practice known as “churning“. Therefore, in an effort to prevent churning, Chase implemented what has become known as the 5/24 Rule.

5/24: The Unofficial Policy

If you are relatively new to travel hacking, you may not have seen this phrase floating around yet. Get familiar with it. Not only will it become second nature to you, but you will think of it whenever you apply for a future credit card. Simply put, if you have opened 5 or more credit accounts within the last 24 months (5/24), Chase will automatically deny new applications for the majority of their products. For the most part, this policy disregards credit score, banking relationship, income, and other typical factors that go into a credit card application. Either you are eligible for a product, or not. This policy gives Chase some protection from handing out sign-up bonuses without the promise of a consumer paying a recurring annual fee. It was a major game-changer in the industry with immediate effects.

Many people missed out on the deal of a lifetime when Chase first introduced the Sapphire Reserve in 2016. There was a slim window of about four months to double-up on the card’s $300 annual travel credit by earning it both in 2016 and 2017. The card had a sign-up bonus of 100,000 Chase Ultimate Reward points (worth over $2,000 in travel) for about six months. The 5/24 rule prevented many people from even having a shot at getting the Sapphire Reserve. Consumers were forced to wait however long it took them to get below the 5/24. But before they even had a shot at applying, Chase lowered the sign-up bonus to 50,000 UR points.

Stack of credit cards fanned out.
It’s important to know which cards fall under this rule before opening new accounts.

Any Wiggle Room?

Like almost anything in life, there are exceptions to the Chase 5/24 rule. There are certain accounts you can open that will not contribute to your 5/24 total. And there are certain Chase credit cards that you can still successfully apply for despite being over the 5/24 limit.

The following will not contribute towards your 5 account limit:

  • Business credit cards that are issued through another bank; Chase business card will count towards the limit.
  • Store cards limited to only a single store and are not issued by a bank, but through the store itself.
  • Cards that you are only an added authorized user; this has shown variable results, but there are cases where a quick call to the Chase Reconsideration Line makes the difference.

Chase Private Clients have been able to forgo the rule and successfully apply for new cards despite being over 5/24. Targeted mailers given specific invitation codes have been able to bypass the rule, as well as in-branch pre-approvals. The wiggle room definitely exists, but it seems to be a “your experience may differ” type of scenario.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best travel credit cards out there. It also happens to be subject to the 5/24 Rule.

Additional Options

Fortunately, there are Chase products still available to those who are above 5/24. Generally, they include cards that do not earn Chase Ultimate Reward points. Among them include:

It is important to know the distinction that while these cards are obtainable despite being above the 5/24 rule, they will still contribute towards your 5/24, meaning opening them will make it more difficult to successfully apply for, let’s say, the Chase Sapphire Preferred. For example, if you have applied to 7 cards within the last 24 months, you are still eligible to open up the Hyatt Credit Card. However, if approved, you will now be at 8/24. Contrarily, if you are under the 5/24 rule, it is extremely important to consider the order in which you apply for future cards. Apply for the Chase cards you want that adhere to the 5/24 rule before opening any other credit card account.

The Chase Freedom and Freedom Unlimited credit cards.
Both Chase Freedom variations are subject to the 5/24 Rule. These are cards that should be prioritized before opening other accounts.

Get to the “Point”

Chase has tightened its restrictions and is more likely to deny an application to one of its products if you have opened 5 or more credit accounts within the last 24 months. If you are one of the lucky ones that currently lie below 5/24, then I suggest prioritizing your Chase credit cards. Decide which ones you can do without and which ones are must-haves. If the must-haves are restricted by 5/24, apply for them first.

If you are among the “unfortunates”, consider the above exceptions and pick a game-plan. You can wait until you drop below 5/24, or continue your course of action, applying for either non-Chase products or the Chase cards excluded from this policy. In the end, a quick call to the Chase Reconsideration Line never hurts: 1-888-270-2127.

Nobody wants to miss out on great travel rewards! While the 5/24 Rule may be inconvenient, understanding it can reduce its negative impact. This is why it is important to read and learn as much as possible before diving headfirst into travel hacking. Learning these policies may be challenging at first; however, once mastered, you can improve your travel strategies and ensure you are maximizing the rewards!

Wyndham Rewards: Putting Your Points to Work

On by NateRWaters Posted in Hotels, Staying There, WyndhamTagged , , , , , ,
Wyndham Rewards Logo

One question I often hear is, “Which hotel brand offers the best rewards program?”. It’s a valid question; however, its answer depends on what you value most when traveling. I happen to be a thrifty traveler who thrives on stretching a dollar. Hence, the self-proclaimed name, The Penny Pilgrim. I want to see and experience as much as I can for as little as possible. Rather than spend 70% of my budget on hotels, there are times when I prefer to spend just enough for the bare minimum of a room. Don’t get me wrong. I owe some of my most memorable experiences to ocean-view suites, swim-up bars, and other 5-star amenities. It’s a simple trade-off, and it’s entirely based upon YOUR style of travel! But if your goal is to stretch that dollar, then Wyndham Rewards may be just the program, offering flexibility and amazing value!

Route 66 Mural on a Ramada Inn in Kingman, Arizona
Ramada Inn Route 66 – Kingman, AZ

Note: The majority of properties under the Wyndham brand are budget motels/hotels, however they do offer a handful of luxury and resort properties, as well as 3–4 star hotels.

Earning Wyndham Rewards

It’s easy to earn Wyndham Rewards points and you can reap the benefits of your earnings almost immediately. Wyndham points are primarily earned through property stays, or through one of their co-branded credit cards. Generally, a paid stay will earn you 10 points per dollar spent, before taxes and fees. For example, $132/night for one night will net you 1,320 points. Very straightforward.

What makes this program even more appealing to budget travelers is Wyndham’s “Go Get ‘Em” feature. This rounds up the points you earn to 1,000 for any paid rate less than $100. For example, a $70 room will earn you 700 points, plus an additional 300 points to bring you to 1,000. In other words, you will never earn less than 1,000 points when staying at a Wyndham property. This is a phenomenal deal, considering that it is fairly common to find rates as low as $40 at Wyndham properties.

Standard earning: 1,320 points earned on a $132 room rate.

1,320 points / $132 = 10 points earned per dollar

Go Get ‘Em: 1,000 points earned on a $45 room rate.

1,000 points / $45 = 22.22 points earned per dollar

As you can see, your dollar is worth more when utilizing Wyndham’s Go Get ‘Em program, twice as much in this particular example.

There are usually seasonal promotions offered through Wyndham Rewards that can make earning points even easier. I suggest keeping an eye on their website and mobile app to see how you can register for these promos. Many offers are also targeted to members through Wyndham Rewards promo emails, so subscribe to their mailing list for more opportunities.

Redeeming Wyndham Rewards

You can maximize the value of your Wyndham Rewards points even further depending on how you redeem them. Below is a breakdown of your two best options for redeeming points.

Go Fast

Some Wyndham hotels offer a “Go Fast” option, which uses a combination of points and cash to book your stay. Through this program, you would spend 3,000 points to bring the rate of a hotel down to as low as $35, not including taxes and fees. The cash amount needed will vary depending on the hotel ($35, $45, $55, etc.), and not all hotels participate in this program, so it is important to verify if the hotel you are booking offers this option. This program is especially valuable during peak season or during a popular local event, when rates temporarily skyrocket.

An example of how I used this option: I was booking a Days Inn near Miami for two nights on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (12/31 – 1/2). Miami is one of the top destinations in the United States for New Year festivities and it is common for hotel rates to double or even triple. Excluding taxes, the cash rate for my stay would have been $138/night. It’s pretty rare to find a Days Inn worth over $100/night. New Year’s or not, I would not be spending that much to stay at a Days Inn. Luckily, this hotel offered the Go Fast option and I was able to complete my stay for about $79 (2 nights at $35/night plus taxes), and 6,000 Wyndham points. Overall, my Wyndham points saved me over $200.

$138 * 2 = $276 – ($35 * 2) = $206 / (3,000*2) = .03433 or 3.43 cents per point.

I would have paid more than $276 for my stay, thus saving over $200. Excluding taxes and fees, I ended up getting a value of about 3.4 cents per point, an extremely competitive rate compared to other rewards programs.

Note: You will NOT earn points from the cash used on a Go Fast redemption.

Go Free

Another option offered by many Wyndham properties is to “Go Free”. As the name suggests, the Go Free program allows your points to be used for a completely free stay at a participating Wyndham property. Regardless of the hotel or what brand, the cost for a free night will always be 15,000 points. Since it is a flat-rate redemption, I only recommend using this option when booking one of Wyndham’s premium properties. Some good options may include the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, The Mills House, and The Hotel Galvez and Spa.

Let’s say you want to book a night at The Mills House in historic Downtown Charleston, South Carolina and the nightly rate is $199. Apply the same math we used earlier and we can calculate the value of each of our points.

$199/15,000 = .01326 or 1.33 cents per point.

As you can see, it may not be as lucrative as the Go Fast example provided; however, this is still a relatively decent value for points when comparing to other programs. Since this option always requires a flat rate of 15,000 points, your value will increase with higher nightly rates. There are premium Wyndham properties out there that can have nightly rates of up to $450/night. Those are the stays that truly maximize your value when using the Go Free option.

Street view of the Mills House in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Mills House – Charleston, SC
(CC By 2.0) By Ron Cogswell

Get to the “Point”

The Wyndham brand may not carry the same luster as some of its counterparts, but their rewards program has proven to offer strong value, especially for travelers on a budget. The earning opportunities for Wyndham Rewards points are plentiful with relatively competitive rates. The real treasure lies within the redeeming potential of those points. With their Go Fast and Go Free options, the value of one’s points are completely dependent upon how/when they use them, leaving plenty of power in the hands of the consumers.

There are numerous programs to work with when it comes to hotel rewards! What may work best for one traveler, may not work for another. Find your ideal style of travel and align it with the best fitting rewards program and start earning and burning those points.

Feel free to share your own thoughts and experiences of Wyndham Rewards below!