Good morning everyone, I wanted to respond to Frequent Milers’s post (My manufactured spend strategy) and share my own MS strategy. You will probably be surprised by my strategy, maybe inspired, and maybe even disappointed. Let’s get started…
Every Sunday, Staples releases their latest Easy Rebate offers/coupons here. This week, we have more paper on sale and a few smaller deals, like $5 off food and tape.
This afternoon, United Airlines sent out an email announcing their new MileagePlusX app for Apple and Android smartphones. I was interested in seeing how it was possible to earn 2x, 3x, and even 4x using the app, so I tested the app by using it at Office Max, Office Depot, and Panera Bread. Check out their video demo here.
(Hat Tip to a Bay Area friend)
There is currently a targeted promotion from United Airlines where you will earn a $50 electronic certificate if you register for this promo and make a round trip transpacific flight on United Airlines before April 25. To see if you are eligible for the promotion, please click here. Here is how the promotion works:
In this post, I will cover the American Express Platinum $200 airline travel reimbursement credit, the recent $25 statement credit for Staples.com purchases of $100 or more, an American Express Travel AMEX Offer, and my recent Chase Ritz-Carlton airline reimbursement credits. First off, I received 2 $100 statement credits on my American Express Platinum Credit Card for purchasing 2 $100 Southwest Airlines eGift Cards. The process is super easy, both statement credits posted automatically 3 days after the charges posted. This helpful FlyerTalk thread has all the details for every airline that the American Express Platinum Credit Card works with.
Good afternoon everyone, here is part 2 of Random News for today (part 1 from earlier today). My Chase Ritz-Carlton Credit Card statement closed on January 4, so I have some information regarding annual fees and statement credits. There has been a lot of confusion regarding “reimbursable travel expenses” and this lengthy 90+ page FlyerTalk thread has all the details. Basically, if you buy airline gift cards, Chase knows about it now.
The $395 annual fee posted during the first billing period. I was able to purchase 2 $150 Southwest Airlines eGift Cards and get both purchases reimbursed by Chase. One reimbursement is posted as a courtesy credit and the second is posted as a statement credit. As far as I know, Chase will no longer reimburse any Southwest Airlines Gift Cards or eGift Cards. The transactions show up online as “SOUTHWES 5260***” and Chase is able to see the purchase as a gift card. I don’t know why I was able to get both charges reimbursed, it just depends which representative you get. Definitely YMMV situation.
I found it interesting that both Southwest Airlines gift cards earned 2x for airfare and also counted toward my $3,000 minimum spend. I am about $1,000 short of completing my minimum spend.
