Author Topic: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses  (Read 9847 times)

Offline LAXtraveler

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Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« on: December 15, 2011, 12:52:40 PM »
I'm sorry if there is a post on this already, but I couldn't find one specific to this in the search.

After reading on the main site about the trifecta of Chase checking/freedom/SP bonus, I am still trying to piece together the best way to utilize all 3. Since I just picked up the SP, I am now going to try to figure out how to best divide my daily spending between the Freedom and the SP to capture the most amount of points.

Let's assume we're starting fresh with Jan. 1, 2012. From what I see the best rotating category for the Freedom that 1/4 is the Gas. So whenever I fill my tank, I want to do so with my Freedom. (Is that correct?)

What about when I get a cup of coffee during the day or pick up my dry cleaning... SP or Freedom? Same question when using the UR Mall to go shopping... SP or Freedom?

Any tips or a breakdown of people's strategies would be greatly appreciated.

Offline Dan

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2011, 01:04:09 PM »
Everything goes on Freedom except travel, dining, and purchases outside of the US which go on SP.
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Offline LAXtraveler

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2011, 01:05:40 PM »
Everything goes on Freedom except travel, dining, and purchases outside of the US which go on SP.

And as long as my SP is open I can use any and all my UR points to transfer out to airlines or Hyatt?

Offline Dan

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2011, 01:06:17 PM »
And as long as my SP is open I can use any and all my UR points to transfer out to airlines or Hyatt?
Correct.
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Offline LAXtraveler

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2011, 01:08:31 PM »
And just so I understand, the 5% cash back in the rotating categories can also be converted to UR points, right?

Offline Dan

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2011, 01:09:25 PM »
And just so I understand, the 5% cash back in the rotating categories can also be converted to UR points, right?
It's not converted.  They are UR points.
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Offline LAXtraveler

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2011, 01:10:40 PM »
It's not converted.  They are UR points.

OK great. Thanks for the advice. In general (unless trying to get a spending bonus) that means the SPG and Freedom should be my 2 go-to cards?

Offline smurf

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2011, 01:16:27 PM »
Considering the 10 point per transaction bonus even in the SP double categories you're better off using the freedom up to $10

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2011, 01:21:53 PM »
Considering the 10 point per transaction bonus even in the SP double categories you're better off using the freedom up to $10

So if I buy coffee, I should still use the Freedom even though I get 2x on SP, because the Freedom gives me more than 2x?

Offline Dan

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2011, 01:32:02 PM »
So if I buy coffee, I should still use the Freedom even though I get 2x on SP, because the Freedom gives me more than 2x?
Correct, for travel/dining of $10 or less use Freedom for 1.1+10, as it gives more than the 2.07 on SP.
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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #10 on: December 15, 2011, 01:39:39 PM »
Do you get double points on Sapphire for travel purchased out of the country?
"Not all who wander are lost"

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #11 on: December 15, 2011, 01:40:38 PM »
Do you get double points on Sapphire for travel purchased out of the country?
Yes.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline TMaG82

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #12 on: December 20, 2011, 09:22:27 PM »
This is the way that I use my combo and what I've instructed my wife to do.

Freedom
- 5% categories
- Dining under $10 ($11 is the technical break even point but if I tell her that she'll get confused.)
- All purchases that are disposable/perishible.  (Gas, groceries, etc)

Sapphire Preferred
- All travel expenses
- Dining over $10.
- Purchases that the extra protection that Sapphire offers would benefit (electronics, clothing, etc).

I've recently added the Amex Premier Rewards Gold to instruct her to use for gas and groceries into the equation but I'm still trying to decide whether to keep the Amex into my permanent portfolio.

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #13 on: December 21, 2011, 12:15:26 AM »
This is the way that I use my combo and what I've instructed my wife to do.

Freedom
- 5% categories
- Dining under $10 ($11 is the technical break even point but if I tell her that she'll get confused.)
- All purchases that are disposable/perishible.  (Gas, groceries, etc)


Why?

...seems you're missing out on the 7% bonus on those purchases by not putting them on the SP.
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Offline bubbles

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Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #14 on: December 21, 2011, 12:18:52 AM »
Why?

...seems you're missing out on the 7% bonus on those purchases by not putting them on the SP.

He obviously has a chase checking so is getting the 10 points + 10% bonus with the freedom

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #15 on: December 21, 2011, 12:23:23 AM »
He obviously has a chase checking so is getting the 10 points + 10% bonus with the freedom

Doh  :-[

It's been a long day.
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Offline boruch

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #16 on: December 21, 2011, 08:02:43 AM »
When using the Freedom, Does anyone find himself splitting up purchases in multiple transactions? This way you get the extra 10 points per transaction. Last month I believe I had over 200 transactions... It drives my wife crazy when she goes shopping with me...

Offline Nitantnel

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #17 on: December 21, 2011, 08:38:11 AM »
This is the way that I use my combo and what I've instructed my wife to do.

Freedom
- 5% categories
- Dining under $10 ($11 is the technical break even point but if I tell her that she'll get confused.)
- All purchases that are disposable/perishible.  (Gas, groceries, etc)

Sapphire Preferred
- All travel expenses
- Dining over $10.
- Purchases that the extra protection that Sapphire offers would benefit (electronics, clothing, etc).

I've recently added the Amex Premier Rewards Gold to instruct her to use for gas and groceries into the equation but I'm still trying to decide whether to keep the Amex into my permanent portfolio.
When using the Freedom, Does anyone find himself splitting up purchases in multiple transactions? This way you get the extra 10 points per transaction. Last month I believe I had over 200 transactions... It drives my wife crazy when she goes shopping with me...

Let's leave our wives alone...  :)

Offline boruch

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #18 on: December 21, 2011, 09:01:09 AM »
I don't instruct my wife to do anything. she just doesn't like going shopping with me  ;)

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Re: Maximizing Chase Checking/Freedom/SP bonuses
« Reply #19 on: December 21, 2011, 11:39:22 AM »
When using the Freedom, Does anyone find himself splitting up purchases in multiple transactions? This way you get the extra 10 points per transaction. Last month I believe I had over 200 transactions... It drives my wife crazy when she goes shopping with me...

Anyone have an issue where their card was placed on hold due to Chase suspecting possible fraud bec of all the small charges being placed on Freedom?  My card is now frozen and I need to speak to Fraud dept to re-activate.

Any suggestion on what to tell them why I was making so many $1 purchases on my cell phone bill this month?