Hypothetical MS scenario/question

[moe8555]

I'm looking for advice about the best route to take for maximizing MS benefits in a hypothetical situation.

Let's say the only 2 possible MS methods you had at your disposal were the following (can be combined):

1. The ability to MS up to $4600 a month at a flat fee of 0.8%.  No additional fees or liquidity issues.  You make the charges, get the cash without the need for any additional antics, end of story.  The merchant category would be categorized as "pharmacy/drug store."

2. Same exact situation as #1, except the fee would be 1% and max $3900.  There may be a way to double-triple the limit, but this is unverified.  The merchant category would be "supermarket."

Final consideration: this would be outside the US (i.e. no FX fee cards are preferred).  Also, costs associated with repatriating the money to the US are negligible and need not be a factor.

What card(s) would best maximize the value of the above MS opportunities in light of the fees?  It's easy to just say go with a 2% cashback card and make money, but I'm thinking the ability to accrue airline miles/rewards points would be more valuable.  The cashback after fees wouldn't be anything to write home about.

Right now I have the SPG card up high in my list because of the point liquidity and the 5,000 point bonus per 20k.  But I wonder if this will still be around in the long term considering the Marriott merger.

I'd love to hear what you would do in this situation!

[jsk173]

I don't do MS at all, but $4,600 per month outside the U.S. coded as "pharmacy" seems like it would raise a red flag sooner rather than later, while $4,000 to $12,000 per month at foreign grocery stories would probably also raise a red flag sooner or later. Those simply aren't charges that one would expect to see on a personal card month after month, especially without substantial other travel-related charges. (At most if not all U.S. banks, credit cards aren't issued to, or intended for, people who actually live abroad.)

[SPLP]

I don't do MS at all, but $4,600 per month outside the U.S. coded as "pharmacy" seems like it would raise a red flag sooner rather than later, while $4,000 to $12,000 per month at foreign grocery stories would probably also raise a red flag sooner or later. Those simply aren't charges that one would expect to see on a personal card month after month, especially without substantial other travel-related charges. (At most if not all U.S. banks, credit cards aren't issued to, or intended for, people who actually live abroad.)

I have no idea how OP  will do the spend -but-- I use  American credit cards ( all banks )all the time in Europe and have spent large sums with no problem for past 30 years

would be interested to know how will do his spending as MS ( I  can be PM)

[jsk173]

I have no idea how OP  will do the spend -but-- I use  American credit cards ( all banks )all the time in Europe and have spent large sums with no problem for past 30 years

would be interested to know how will do his spending as MS ( I  can be PM)

You spend a recurring $4,600/month or up to $12,000/month in one non-travel category for months or years at a time?

[SPLP]

i will repeat
" I use  American credit cards ( all banks )all the time in Europe and have spent large sums with no problem for past 30 year"-

why does it have to be travel related ?

[JTZ]

i will repeat
" I use  American credit cards ( all banks )all the time in Europe and have spent large sums with no problem for past 30 year"-

The problem is "large sums" mean different amounts to different people. Large to me might be 1k/mo and another person 100k+/mo.

[emjee]

Did this deserve it's own thread ? 😞 . More and more this place is reaching new lows

[moe8555]

Did this deserve it's own thread ? 😞 . More and more this place is reaching new lows

Can you point me to a relevant existing thread?  This isn't exactly a run-of-the-mill scenario... 

[Emkay]

More and more this place is reaching new lows

like the overreacting of members when they think everything belongs in one thread?

[David Smith]

like the overreacting of members when they think everything belongs in one thread?

The place is starting to look like Reddit.

[Emkay]

The place is starting to look like Reddit.

Yup. Full of crotchety, snappy, irascible, fedora wearing supervisors.

[aygart]

Can you point me to a relevant existing thread?  This isn't exactly a run-of-the-mill scenario... 

which is why maybe the title should be more descriptive.

[mmgfarb]

Did this deserve it's own thread ? . More and more this place is reaching new lows

like the overreacting of members when they think everything belongs in one thread?

The place is starting to look like Reddit.

While I agree with the sentiment that there have been an inordinate amount of new threads created lately and I'm as annoyed as the rest is you, in this particular case I'm with Emkay.

[TimT]

Large to me might be 1k/mo

say what ??

[moe8555]

Now that we've discussed:

1) The feasibility of carrying out the MS without getting "caught;"
2) The need for opening a new thread for this topic (or lack thereof);
3) How the forum is becoming like Reddit;
4) What constitutes a "large amount;" and
5) Who identifies with who's sentiments about this thread

Can someone please actually give me some pertinent advice?! 

[username]

Do both.

[JTZ]

say what ??

כמה נפלו גיבורים...

[mmgfarb]

[aygart]

Now that we've discussed:

1) The feasibility of carrying out the MS without getting "caught;"
2) The need for opening a new thread for this topic (or lack thereof);
3) How the forum is becoming like Reddit;
4) What constitutes a "large amount;" and
5) Who identifies with who's sentiments about this thread

Can someone please actually give me some pertinent advice?! 

Having an accurate title will help the ones who can help find you as well as prevent complaints from those who can't or won't and the thread is an annoyance to them.

[JTZ]

Now that we've discussed:

1) The feasibility of carrying out the MS without getting "caught;"
2) The need for opening a new thread for this topic (or lack thereof);
3) How the forum is becoming like Reddit;
4) What constitutes a "large amount;" and
5) Who identifies with who's sentiments about this thread

Can someone please actually give me some pertinent advice?! 

Narrow it down to a short question and I will be more than happy to answer.