Credit card points (maximize)

[Patrick]

Hello, what's the best way to 'maximize' credit card points (best value for AMEX, Chase UR etc)?

[gocurrycracker]

Typically business or 1st class flights and high-end all-inclusive resorts.

Is there a specific scenario you are looking at?

[Patrick]

No, just trying to see what is the best way/time to use them. Like should I be using them through the AMEX/Chase portals or should I be transferring them to a different company/airline/hotel etc.

[gocurrycracker]

If your goal is to get the most $/point, that is typically done by transferring to an airline or hotel.

At best you can get 1.5 cents per point (cpp) through the Chase portal, for example. But by transferring to an airline and booking business or 1st class tickets you can sometimes get 10+ cpp.

One of our best redemptions was business class flights to Paris at 20cpp
https://www.gocurrycracker.com/to-europe-and-back-again/


If your goal is to get the most economy flights or hotel nights per point, sometimes transferring is best / sometimes using the card portal is best.
For airlines, if you book a fare through the card portal you will still earn miles for the flights (no points for award travel)

[Patrick]

Thank you for the advice/info Jeremy!

[gocurrycracker]

My pleasure.

If you have any questions as you work through a redemption, just ask.