Reader Email Sunday: Which Credit Card for Everyday Spending

June 26, 2011

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2 min read

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" Hey Brian,

I am new to this world of working the travel system. I want to get a card
for everyday purchases to start accruing mileage points, which one do you
recommend for your everyday spending and why?

Thank you!
Mel "

TPG: There are a lot of good cards out there, but I do think there is one
clear winner right now - Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

The $95 annual fee is waived for the first year and they are currently
offering 50,000 points (Update: offer is now for 40,000 bonus points at sign-up) if you spend $3,000 within the first three months. Points can be transferred to both airlines (Continental and British Airways) as well as hotels (Hyatt,
Marriott, Priority Club) and Amtrak. Also, you can use the points to
buy tickets on any airline and each point is equal to 1.25 cents. A
$400 flight will cost you 32,000 points (and you'll earn miles on that
flight.). Two other good features are: 1) No foreign transaction fees
(which can save you up to 3% on all spend when you travel outside the
US) and a 7% bonus on all points earned. So if you earn 50,000 points
a year, you'll get a year-end bonus of 3,500 points.

Basically, at a minimum you are getting $625 in value for a card
with no fees for the first year and a bunch of benefits. I believe this
is the best all around offer right now for someone who wants to accrue
valuable and flexible points.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.