Maximizing Points (credit card/travel, etc.) Thread

LionNYC said:
And typically the ID check line is the longest wait of the security line. For Delta Medallion (Gold and above, and equivalent status for other airlines) you get a priority ID check line. But CLEAR has it's own line where you check yourself and get escorted through the ID checker.

I've only used it once in the airport and I honestly could have just used the regular line since it wasn't more than three people. But at Yankee Stadium is was a life saver. Waiting on that long security line, then waiting to get my ticket scanned, then waiting to get a table to eat at Legends.

Trust me, it's worth it if you fly more than 5 times a year and attend games at Yankee Stadium.

Domestically, Precheck + CLEAR is amazinggggg
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Yeah, I may need to check that out, because they randomly give Precheck to so many damn people now (especially non-frequent travelers) that it can become irritating and the ID-check lines become long. I'm flying out of EWR next Wednesday so will be keeping an eye out for how the CLEAR is integrated in.

Several years ago, if you had Platinum or above on United, they covered your GlobalEntry fee so I got in on that just before that stopped running that deal. Guarantees PreCheck every time which is huge, but if you're coming back from an international flight, you skip potentially horrendous lines, which is massive if you're connecting.
 
SoupInNYC said:
Yeah, I may need to check that out, because they randomly give Precheck to so many damn people now (especially non-frequent travelers) that it can become irritating and the ID-check lines become long. I'm flying out of EWR next Wednesday so will be keeping an eye out for how the CLEAR is integrated in.

Several years ago, if you had Platinum or above on United, they covered your GlobalEntry fee so I got in on that just before that stopped running that deal. Guarantees PreCheck every time which is huge, but if you're coming back from an international flight, you skip potentially horrendous lines, which is massive if you're connecting.
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My main airline is Delta and they've invested in the CLEAR program so it's all their JFK-LGA-EWR terminals.
 
LionNYC said:
My main airline is Delta and they've invested in the CLEAR program so it's all their JFK-LGA-EWR terminals.
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Yeah, I fly United, so its possible they haven't integrated it in. I haven't noticed any CLEAR signs or anything, but its possible I've just missed them as I'm not looking for them and I'm pretty automated/zombie-like up through security that I really don't notice much of anything.
 
CLEAR is far from everywhere. Check where they are present. It's not much worth it unless you fly Delta, or regularly use certain airports where Delta is present and there is a single point of entry for check-in and security. Look beyond the simple Airport list. CLEAR is partly owned by Delta, and exists few places where Delta is not present, and is not even in every location where Delta is. At LAG it is only Terminals C and D.
LionNYC said:
My main airline is Delta and they've invested in the CLEAR program so it's all their JFK-LGA-EWR terminals.
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At JFK CLEAR is only in Terminal 2, even though Delta also uses 4. I don't think either Delta or CLEAR are in Newark at all.
 
mgarbowski said:
CLEAR is far from everywhere. Check where they are present. It's not much worth it unless you fly Delta, or regularly use certain airports where Delta is present and there is a single point of entry for check-in and security. Look beyond the simple Airport list. CLEAR is partly owned by Delta, and exists few places where Delta is not present, and is not even in every location where Delta is. At LAG it is only Terminals C and D.


At JFK CLEAR is only in Terminal 2, even though Delta also uses 4. I don't think either Delta or CLEAR are in Newark at all.
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Damn, you're right. LGA Terminals C and D. JFK Terminal 2. No Newark. It's a thing that Delta is pushing for people get CLEAR and fly Delta.

https://www.clearme.com/cities/new_york

Still, don't the Yankee Stadium benefit undervalue. If you like to get into the stadium early or are running late to the game, it's gold.
 
LionNYC said:
Still, don't the Yankee Stadium benefit undervalue. If you like to get into the stadium early or are running late to the game, it's gold.
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Word. I always avoided it as I didn't really find it necessary. My wife signed up for it and I went through with her. Already pretty quick became instantaneous. Not bad.
 
413Blue said:
Gotta have the Chase trifecta.
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I'm not sure I want this anymore. I have the Freedom and was going to go for the trifecta but then Amex upped the ante on the Gold card and I think I want the Platinum over the CSP/CSR. I would only do one or the other so I haven't pulled the trigger yet.
 
roxfontaine said:
I'm not sure I want this anymore. I have the Freedom and was going to go for the trifecta but then Amex upped the ante on the Gold card and I think I want the Platinum over the CSP/CSR. I would only do one or the other so I haven't pulled the trigger yet.
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The Platinum is good for status and some perks, but has terrible reward earnings capabilities, so combining it with the new Gold makes sense.
Myself, I mostly keep the Platinum for almost sentimental reasons. Back in the day, you could not apply for Platinum. You had to get an AmEx Green card, move up to Gold, then wait for an invite to Platinum, and it had no comparable competition. Credit card rewards barely existed, and the whole industry was different. Now I rarely take it out of my wallet.
 
mgarbowski said:
The Platinum is good for status and some perks, but has terrible reward earnings capabilities, so combining it with the new Gold makes sense.
Myself, I mostly keep the Platinum for almost sentimental reasons. Back in the day, you could not apply for Platinum. You had to get an AmEx Green card, move up to Gold, then wait for an invite to Platinum, and it had no comparable competition. Credit card rewards barely existed, and the whole industry was different. Now I rarely take it out of my wallet.
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Card "personalities" are so varied now. It will be interesting to see how Chase responds to the Amex Gold.
 
Thread super relevant.

NYCfc fans be like:
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roxfontaine said:
I'm not sure I want this anymore. I have the Freedom and was going to go for the trifecta but then Amex upped the ante on the Gold card and I think I want the Platinum over the CSP/CSR. I would only do one or the other so I haven't pulled the trigger yet.
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Yea it's not what it used to be. Still good, but they made some modifications which devalued it a good bit, while others stepped up their games.
 
mgarbowski said:
The Platinum is good for status and some perks, but has terrible reward earnings capabilities, so combining it with the new Gold makes sense.
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Platinum is worth it for the benefits - if you travel significantly and maximize the various beneifits (airline reimbursement, Uber, saks credit) it basically offsets the fee. I travel delta a lot so the lounges are worth it. The actual point earn and redemption is crap.

For pure point earn and burn, Chase is the way to go - Freedom UL for everyday spend and Reserve for travel/dining with all points moved over to the reserve for travel redemption. The annual fee is effectively $150 after the travel credit and if you spend any significant amount you’ll make that back and then some with reward redemption.
 
Anybody need or want a Delta Amex? Referral offer right now is SOLID. 50k miles for 1k minimum spend and 12.5k for me.
 
AmEx really wants me to get the new Gold Card. I just got an email with the special $50k points bonus. I don't really need the card for rewards earning, which I do on another card I'm happy with, and I have the same benefits elsewhere also. But I'm thinking about getting it, making sure I max out the credits to reduce the fee, and then drop it after a year.
 
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