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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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I'm 74 and just got my first new credit card (and big bonus) in years — here's why
Buddy Smith and his wife are retired budget travelers who very much enjoy experiencing the natural beauty of the United States and capturing those memories in photos and words that are shared via the Grandpa Points column.
They are happy in a clean and budget-friendly hotel room and can be found packing in backpacks for flights on low cost carriers. In their retirement, miles, points, and reward credit cards have taken them to more destinations across the US and (occasionally) beyond than they ever dreamed possible.
May 24, 2024 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This article was written about a (now-expired) limited-time offer. The original article follows.
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.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
A retiree shares their experience applying for a new travel rewards card after years away from the points and miles hobby.
The article details the straightforward application process and the motivation behind choosing a card with a temporarily elevated bonus.
Key benefits highlighted include flexible travel redemption options, dining rewards, hotel credits and travel protections.
The narrative emphasizes how resuming points-earning strategies can help offset rising travel costs in a post-pandemic environment.
What to consider
Some offers referenced in the article are no longer available.
Earning the full bonus requires meeting a spending threshold within three months of account opening.
Points may have varying values depending on how they are redeemed, with higher value possible through select travel partners per TPG's valuations as of June 2024.
What you'll miss from the article
Personal insights on returning to points and miles strategies after a long hiatus and tips for maximizing travel rewards in retirement.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
A pleasant but persistent voice followed me around for the last couple of weeks, saying, "You really should apply."
It was reminiscent of the scene in "Field of Dreams," where Kevin Costner's character keeps hearing a voice admonishing him to "build it and they will come." After multiple encounters with this persistent suggestion, I decided this 74-year-old had sat on the sidelines long enough — it was time to get back into the game.
I brushed off the dust, shook off the cobwebs, recalled my social security number and pulled my seat up to the computer to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. I was told this increased welcome bonus — 15,000 points higher than normal — wouldn't last much longer.
Getting back into the flow of using a new card to reinfuse my points supply with some life was easy. It was like riding a bike — you quickly remember how once you get going. The online application process was straightforward, uncomplicated, quick and easy. It ended with the outcome I was hoping for: approved (thank you, excellent credit score).
Within minutes, I received an email informing me the new card would arrive in three to five days. I'd then need to charge $4,000 on the card in the first three months. After reaching the spending threshold, I would receive 75,000 bonus points, which can be used at a value of 1.25 cents each toward booking travel via Chase Travel℠. According to TPG's valuations, they can also be worth up to 2.05 cents per point toward travel when used with Chase transfer partners like United and Hyatt.
Here's why I applied for my first new credit card in years and purposefully chose the Sapphire Preferred.
After years of action, years of sitting on the sideline
I can't remember exactly the last time I sought out a new credit card or its bonuses and benefits before applying for the Sapphire Preferred. I do know for certain it was more than four years ago, pre-COVID-19. I hate even writing that phrase, COVID-19. From this point on, I will refer to it only as y.k.w. (you know what).
Before y.k.w., my wife and I had become pretty efficient at the credit card rewards game. We would separately apply for various high-value cards, often with increased bonuses, that fit our travel preferences and lifestyle. At various times, we had airline-specific cards such as those from United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines. We also had a host of hotel cards for such brands as Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton.
We have had as many as 15 cards active at once between the two of us. Depending on whether you're a points and miles beginner or an advanced TPG reader, that may sound like a credit disaster waiting to happen or a modest approach.
THE POINTS GUY
From our very conservative financial background, it represented quite a leap of faith. It was a big departure from a wallet mostly void of credit cards in earlier decades of our lives. As we hit our golden years, it represented a commitment to a dramatic shift in the economic transactions of everyday life.
We were "cash is king" kind of folks and thought charging a purchase was simply voodoo/doodoo economics that meant you were buying something today with the income you hope to generate tomorrow. And, of course, you were paying interest for that "privilege."
Once we got over the shock of charging everything possible and established the routine of paying the total amount due upon receipt of the monthly bill, we became total converts to the world of points and miles. Getting rewarded for the money we were spending anyway — and paying the balance off before it could rack up interest — worked.
Cheap travel became our mantra, so we kept our backpacks ready and our attitudes in the go position.
BUDDY SMITH/THE POINTS GUY
We traveled often — and as retirees, often on short-notice whims. For six to eight action-packed years, we traveled more and spent less than we knew was possible, thanks to points and miles. That was until y.k.w. brought travel to a halt. Planned trips were refunded, and their points and miles were re-deposited.
So our points sat. And they sat.
Our adventures stopped, and our credit card rewards dabbling was more or less suspended as well. We still racked up some points on everyday spending, but why apply for more miles when you are not using the ones you already have? Why acquire a new card with an annual fee when there is no corresponding travel benefit?
Fast forward to now (and you can't fast forward quickly enough to get past y.k.w.).
Travel is back to pre-pandemic levels, but now the prices are even higher — much higher. So, we started again looking for ways to offset the inflated fees and enhanced charges.
The Sapphire Preferred was highly recommended and caught our attention because of several factors, the most significant of which was its limited-time offer of 75,000 bonus points (worth $900 when used for travel redeemed through Chase Travel). In fact, the bonus can potentially be worth up to $1,538, according to the TPG valuation, if you transfer the points to use with its partners.
It also offers 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel, 2 points per dollar on travel booked elsewhere, a $50 annual hotel credit, 3 points per dollar on dining and a 10% anniversary points boost. Other benefits include an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
SWANETTE SMITH/THE POINTS GUY
If those were not enough reasons, my wife will get 10,000 points added to her account as a referral bonus for getting me to apply (cue that persistent voice I referenced earlier).
We're retired and pretty simple people. The card has a $95 fee and a $4,000 spending requirement in the first three months of account opening to earn the 75,000-point bonus. That is a hurdle. However, as luck would have it (if a costly car repair can be considered good fortune), some mechanical work on our vintage car had to be delayed in the shop due to difficulty locating a part.
The bill will now come after my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card arrives. Voila, the car is fixed, the bill has been paid, and the spending requirements are well underway.
I am the proud owner of a once-again-working, blue classic 1964 1/2 Mustang convertible and this heavy, classy blue credit card.
It will add a certain gravitas to my wallet and, more importantly, allow us to pursue more affordable travel and fun in the year ahead. It sounds like a win-win to me.
Maybe a voice will now tell us where to go next. Wait, what was that? Do I hear Crater Lake in Oregon, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway or the northern lights even? Chase Sapphire Preferred, with your rewards so dear, won't you guide our sleigh this year?
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
