The long wait is over! I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve!

That was a long road, but I have finally reached the destination! Yesterday my shiny, new Chase Sapphire Reserve card arrived via UPS! Earlier this week I applied for and was instantly approved for what is perhaps the most popular points and miles card on the market. My excitement level was higher than normal given that I have been waiting to get this card since its debut in September 2016. The card has a $450 annual fee but great benefits. The question begging to be answered is simple: “Is the card worth such a high fee?”

Credit Cards, Points and MilesDerek CookMay 4, 2018Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5/24 Rule, credit card rewards, credit cards

Evaluating my credit card portfolio - American Express

Since my pursuit of points and miles has resulted in many open credit card accounts, I recently began a top-to-bottom review of my overall credit card portfolio. In today's entry in the series covering this review, I will consider the American Express card products I hold.

Credit CardsDerek CookMarch 15, 2018credit cards, American Express Business Platinum Card, American Express Company, American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles Card, American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Card, points and miles, Amex EveryDay Preferred Cad, credit card rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Express Starwood Preferred Guest credit card, Sheraton, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors

Citi Prestige updates, targeted offer

Citi announced changes to the Cit Prestige Card that took effect on July 23. Most of the changes are fairly minor and carry neither value nor detriment to me. Citi also has a targeted offer for adding an authorized user to the account, but I find little compelling about this promotion.

Credit Cards, Points and MilesDerek CookJuly 24, 2017credit card rewards, Citibank, Citi Prestige Card, credit cards, Citi ThankYou Points, points and miles, promotions, ThankYou Premier Card

Deciding on my next points and miles credit card

Recently, I signed up for the American Express Starwood Business Card and am close to earning the full signup bonus. So I am in search of my next points and miles card. At the moment, there are some attractive offers from American Express and Citibank.

Credit Cards, Points and MilesDerek CookJune 16, 2017American Express Membership Rewards, American Express Company, credit cards, credit card rewards, Delta SkyMiles, Citibank, Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, American Airlines

American Express Business Platinum Card Enhancements

Last week, American Express announced new benefits for the personal American Express Platinum Card along with a $100 increase in the annual fee to $550. At the time, nothing was said about similar updates to the business version of the card, the American Express Business Platinum Card. That changed on Monday.

Credit CardsDerek CookMarch 8, 2017American Express Platinum Card, American Express Business Platinum Card, American Express Company, credit cards, credit card rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Priority Pass, Hilton Honors

Unboxing the American Express OPEN Enhanced Business Platinum Card

Through January 25, 2017, American Express OPEN is offering up to 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points on the Enhanced Business Platinum Card. Combined with the excellent perks the card offers, I decided to apply two weeks ago and was instantly approved. My card was delivered within a week and I wanted to document the unboxing of my latest points-and-miles credit card.

Credit Cards, Points and MilesDerek CookDecember 28, 2016American Express Membership Rewards, American Express Enhanced Business Platinum Card, points and miles, flexible points currencies, credit cards, credit card rewards, airport lounges, Starwood Preferred Guest

Barclay AAdvantage Aviator vs. Citi/AAdvantage Platinum: Which to keep?

With the annual fee due on both my Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red MasterCard and Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card later this month, I need to evaluate which of the two cards - if either - I will keep.

Credit Cards, Loyalty Programs, Points and Miles, PopularDerek CookFebruary 9, 2016Barclaycard, Citibank, Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard, US Airways, AAdvantage Aviator Red MasterCard, AAdvantage miles, credit cards, credit card rewards

Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red MasterCard offering 15,000 bonus AAdvantage miles

Barclaycard is offering 15,000 AAdvantage bonus miles by spending $500 per month on the AAdvantage Aviator Red MasterCard from February through April.

Credit Cards, Points and MilesDerek CookJanuary 28, 2016AAdvantage miles, AAdvantage Aviator Red MasterCard, Barclaycard, promotions, points and miles, credit cards, credit card rewards, Citi Prestige Card, Citi ThankYou Premier Card, Amex EveryDay Preferred Card

My thoughts on points, miles and reward travel

The active pursuit of travel reward points and miles is not new. I have recently dove in myself and I wanted to share my journey into this - as some call it - "hobby."

Points and MilesDerek CookApril 28, 2015credit card rewards, American Airlines, Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard, US Airways, AAdvantage miles, Barclaycard, AAdvantage Aviator Red MasterCard, Million Mile Secrets, points and miles, Chase IHG Rewards Mastercard, One Mile at a Time

Unboxing the Citi Prestige Card

I have long watched videos and seen pictures online of the unboxing of various products, generally consumer electronics. I never thought I would unbox a credit card.

Credit Cards, PopularDerek CookApril 20, 2015Citibank, Citi Prestige Card, credit card rewards, unboxing, points and miles, ThankYou Premier Card, Citi ThankYou Points