Tips for a rookie? Looking to open a new CC

[stevemc]

Any general tips and/or links to new credit cards that offer good introductory deals?  I'm making some big holiday purchases within the next month and I was planning to pay almost all cash.  The more I hear about credit card points, though, the less sense this seems to make.  I've got decent credit and a few credit cards, but I've never really looked into/learned about credit card points.  If anyone has any advice or links for an amateur, I'd love to hear/follow 'em. 

In a quick survey of this site, it seems a little overwhelming for a noob, is there a more basic place that I should start?  I'm hoping to start up a meaningful credit card rewards relationship.  Since I'm addicted to slickdeals and love a great deal, I feel like I should have been doing this for the past decade, but better late than never, right?

I would prefer to use points for vacations/travel, are there certain types of cards that should be avoided?  Should I start paying for everything I can with a credit card? 

[sky121]

What type of spending are you doing?
I'd recommend the Chase Sapphire first and start working your way from there.

         Also... how much spending are we talking about?

[Dan]

AMEX Starwood, AMEX Starwood Business, and Chase Sapphire Preferred are excellent cards.

Freedom and Ink Bold are also good cards and are even better if you are a chase checking customer.

[stevemc]

Making a significant purchase for my girlfriend of 5 years (hint, hint), so it'll end up being about about $7500?

Other than that, I'd use it for the typical:  bills, run-of-the-mill purchases, and the like.

[good sam]

Making a significant purchase for my girlfriend of 5 years (hint, hint), so it'll end up being about about $7500?

Other than that, I'd use it for the typical:  bills, run-of-the-mill purchases, and the like.

$7500? I hope she says yes anyway.

[Dan]

Making a significant purchase for my girlfriend of 5 years (hint, hint), so it'll end up being about about $7500?

Other than that, I'd use it for the typical:  bills, run-of-the-mill purchases, and the like.

Congrats!
I would suggest getting a Chase checking account if you don't have one yet (you can get up to $200 for getting one) and signing up for the Ink Bold where you'll get a 50K bonus for spending $5K and 1.2 points per dollar and threshold point bonuses at $25K, $50K, etc that'll bump your earnings to over 1.5 or 1.6 points per dollar.

Then transfer to Continental/United and Hyatt and have a great honeymoon!

[bubbles]

Congrats!
I would suggest getting a Chase checking account if you don't have one yet (you can get up to $200 for getting one) and signing up for the Ink Bold where you'll get a 50K bonus for spending $5K and 1.2 points per dollar and threshold point bonuses at $25K, $50K, etc that'll bump your earnings to over 1.5 or 1.6 points per dollar.

Then transfer to Continental/United and Hyatt and have a great honeymoon!

just realize if he plans on making the purchase within the next 2 or 3 months he won't be getting the 1.2 yet

[Dan]

just realize if he plans on making the purchase within the next 2 or 3 months he won't be getting the 1.2 yet

Converted for me to Chase Exclusives in 1 month.

[AsherO]

Converted for me to Chase Exclusives in 1 month.

It's a bit unclear what's going to happen with those benefits.

[Dan]

It's a bit unclear what's going to happen with those benefits.

Based on?

[AsherO]

Based on?

The recent changes to how they're marketing the IB. They're no longer mentioning the 20% or threshold benefits.

You forgot our discussion in this thread?

[Dan]

The recent changes to how they're marketing the IB. They're no longer mentioning the 20% or threshold benefits.

They never mentioned or marketed the 20%, it was always a "secret program".  Doesn't mean it's going away though.

[bubbles]

They never mentioned or marketed the 20%, it was always a "secret program".  Doesn't mean it's going away though.

It was always on the sheet in the bank. Could be it still is though

[AsherO]

They never mentioned or marketed the 20%, it was always a "secret program".  Doesn't mean it's going away though.

The thresholds used to be marketed and they no longer are.

It was always on the sheet in the bank. Could be it still is though

It isn't, see the thread I just linked to, I even have got a pic.

[Dan]

Just PUTPAC Chase twice.  Both agents said Ink Bold Exclusives with 20%+thresholds isn't going away.
Does it mean anything? No necessarily, but I have yet to hear of any other rumors to make me believe its going away.

A different card in the branch is just because there is a new 5/2/1 offer that they feel may draw more applications, but doesn't prove anything else IMHO.