Who's ready for the Amazon 20th anniversary sale? [July 15th]

[AznAnarchy99]

I have tons of Chase CC points to burn. Was on Amazon last night looking at what I want to blow them on... I guess I'll hold off another week or so!

I wouldn't use those points on Amazon. They're worth a lot more other places. I made the mistake of burning all my Citi Thank You points on there :|

 

[CraKaJaX]

I wouldn't use those points on Amazon. They're worth a lot more other places. I made the mistake of burning all my Citi Thank You points on there :|

Can you elaborate?

 

[zinfamous]

Looks like here in the South Park thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=37512689&postcount=23

Mod call out, it seems.

well, shit. No wonder I haven't noticed him in P&N frothing over last week's SCOTUS shenanigans.

 

[madoka]

I wouldn't use those points on Amazon. They're worth a lot more other places. I made the mistake of burning all my Citi Thank You points on there :|

Spill the beans man.

I've got $1900 saved up from the Chase Amazon card I haven't used yet. Why shouldn't I use them on Amazon?

 

[CraKaJaX]

Spill the beans man.

I've got $1900 saved up from the Chase Amazon card I haven't used yet. Why shouldn't I use them on Amazon?

Yea, I'm up around $1500 and could easily blow that on Amazon. I thought it was a pretty solid deal considering the only other options I know of to use them is the Chase CC store (which has far less when comparing against Amazon, aside from travel & dining) or using them for your CC balance, which I don't need to do. Am I missing something...? :hmm:

 

[rh71]

if you have so many points and don't use it, wouldn't you be better off with a 2% everything card as cash back like citi double cash card? I'd be tempted to buy random junk knowing I have so much free money I can only spend there.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Yea, I'm up around $1500 and could easily blow that on Amazon. I thought it was a pretty solid deal considering the only other options I know of to use them is the Chase CC store (which has far less when comparing against Amazon, aside from travel & dining) or using them for your CC balance, which I don't need to do. Am I missing something...? :hmm:

I've heard they are good for hotels depending on your card (Chase Sapphire)

But personally, I NEVER use points for spending. It creates unnecessary spending. Have them deposited into your bank account like cash. You will thank me ()

 

[CPA]

BTW, Amazon has their 20% off Amazon Coins sale going on right now. Might want to get them in case their sale includes apps you might want.

 

[Exterous]

Spill the beans man.

I've got $1900 saved up from the Chase Amazon card I haven't used yet. Why shouldn't I use them on Amazon?

Yea, I'm up around $1500 and could easily blow that on Amazon. I thought it was a pretty solid deal considering the only other options I know of to use them is the Chase CC store (which has far less when comparing against Amazon, aside from travel & dining) or using them for your CC balance, which I don't need to do. Am I missing something...? :hmm:

Chase Amazon points are going to be different from the points from different Chase cards so the answer depends on which Chase credit card you are using.

 

[Xonim]

Don't forget that the Discover IT includes Amazon in the 5% rotating categories starting 7/1.

Now, Re: the Chase points.

Let's assume you have $2,000 worth of points on either the Chase Amazon Visa or with Chase Ultimate Rewards (CSP/Freedom/Ink cards). You can either:

A) Use your $2,000 worth of points on Amazon directly and not charge anything to your credit card.

or

B) Put the $2,000 on your Chase Amazon Visa (or Freedom or CSP or Ink) and get points for the purchase -- $60 worth if you're using the Chase Amazon Visa @ 3% back. Then, once your purchase posts, use your existing $2,000 worth of points to redeem as a statement credit through the Chase website.

It's an extra step, but you "make" $60 by going with option B.

FWIW, Ultimate Rewards points are much more valuable by transferring to a partner like Hyatt and redeeming them through their loyalty programs instead. My most recent stays worked out to 2.5 cents per point of value instead of the 1 cent per point you'd get from statement credit. Unless you don't like to travel, I'd explore this option before redeeming for statement credit / Amazon =)

 

[darkewaffle]

Hm. I've been considering updating my PC, looks like I'll keep an eye out for this.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Looks like here in the South Park thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=37512689&postcount=23

Mod call out, it seems.

Good. He was one rude guy. Literally.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Don't forget that the Discover IT includes Amazon in the 5% rotating categories starting 7/1.

Now, Re: the Chase points.

Let's assume you have $2,000 worth of points on either the Chase Amazon Visa or with Chase Ultimate Rewards (CSP/Freedom/Ink cards). You can either:

A) Use your $2,000 worth of points on Amazon directly and not charge anything to your credit card.

or

B) Put the $2,000 on your Chase Amazon Visa (or Freedom or CSP or Ink) and get points for the purchase -- $60 worth if you're using the Chase Amazon Visa @ 3% back. Then, once your purchase posts, use your existing $2,000 worth of points to redeem as a statement credit through the Chase website.

It's an extra step, but you "make" $60 by going with option B.

FWIW, Ultimate Rewards points are much more valuable by transferring to a partner like Hyatt and redeeming them through their loyalty programs instead. My most recent stays worked out to 2.5 cents per point of value instead of the 1 cent per point you'd get from statement credit. Unless you don't like to travel, I'd explore this option before redeeming for statement credit / Amazon =)

Yuppers. Doing anything with points other than converting to cash is absolutely stupid (*most times)

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

can you buy gift cards with the amazon points? they sell gift cards for retail, restaurants, etc.

 

[notposting]

Hope there is a good deal on the latest or next to latest Kindle, want to get my wife a new one, her OG Kindle has seen a lot of use and I hate the little LED light case I got her years ago now.

Make sure to check Slickdeals when you're looking. Got a new HD7 around Black Friday around $80 with sales and CC promo. But it was also paired with a Prime discounted year, and something else discounted, either of which you could save or redeem for more. Those people are crazy over there, lol. I would have been happy with a sale hahaha.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Don't forget that the Discover IT includes Amazon in the 5% rotating categories starting 7/1.

Now, Re: the Chase points.

Let's assume you have $2,000 worth of points on either the Chase Amazon Visa or with Chase Ultimate Rewards (CSP/Freedom/Ink cards). You can either:

A) Use your $2,000 worth of points on Amazon directly and not charge anything to your credit card.

or

B) Put the $2,000 on your Chase Amazon Visa (or Freedom or CSP or Ink) and get points for the purchase -- $60 worth if you're using the Chase Amazon Visa @ 3% back. Then, once your purchase posts, use your existing $2,000 worth of points to redeem as a statement credit through the Chase website.

It's an extra step, but you "make" $60 by going with option B.

FWIW, Ultimate Rewards points are much more valuable by transferring to a partner like Hyatt and redeeming them through their loyalty programs instead. My most recent stays worked out to 2.5 cents per point of value instead of the 1 cent per point you'd get from statement credit. Unless you don't like to travel, I'd explore this option before redeeming for statement credit / Amazon =)

Not a bad idea, never thought of that. I personally have a Freedom account that collects 5% on Amazon certain months of the year (1% on off-months). I might sign up for the Amazon card as well.... I order way too much shit on that website. 3% back year-round seems like a good deal, especially with this sale coming up.... :hmm:

 

[Exterous]

Yuppers. Doing anything with points other than converting to cash is absolutely stupid (*most times)

'most' is going to depend on how much you travel. If you travel then using UR rewards points for cash instead of the many far more valuable travel options is a terrible idea.

 

[Xonim]

Not a bad idea, never thought of that. I personally have a Freedom account that collects 5% on Amazon certain months of the year (1% on off-months). I might sign up for the Amazon card as well.... I order way too much shit on that website. 3% back year-round seems like a good deal, especially with this sale coming up.... :hmm:

The Sallie Mae Mastercard is actually better. That's 5% on "bookstores" up to $750 per month and 5% on gas/groceries up to $250/mo each. Stuff sold by Amazon codes as a bookstore for now.

That being said, I already had the Amazon Visa from 2007ish so I just use that and then stock up on stuff during the 5% quarters on the Freedom / Discover IT.

 

[Exterous]

Let's assume you have $2,000 worth of points on either the Chase Amazon Visa or with Chase Ultimate Rewards (CSP/Freedom/Ink cards).

I had to look up the UR Amazon value to figure out how many UR that is. 200,000. With that many points I think there is a pretty good option C:
Travel pretty much anywhere. That's enough points to get you to any region that United or BA (and therefore AA\US) flies to AND at least a couple of hotel nights. Like round trip to Australia\London\Paris\Hawaii and a couple of hotel nights for $200-300 total type of travel

 

[purbeast0]

someone please link to these credit cards that i can use and rack up enough points to go to australia round trip kthxbye!

 

[Exterous]

someone please link to these credit cards that i can use and rack up enough points to go to australia round trip kthxbye!

https://creditcards.chase.com/sapphire
https://creditcards.chase.com/ink-business-credit-cards
(If anyone actually wants to sign up for the Sapphire Preferred and be nice and wait for the referral email PM me and I can get a referral bonus but I put the non referral links up.)

I booked 2 RT tickets to Australia earlier this year with points from these cards

 

[purbeast0]

https://creditcards.chase.com/sapphire
https://creditcards.chase.com/ink-business-credit-cards
(If anyone actually wants to sign up for the Sapphire Preferred and be nice and wait for the referral email PM me and I can get a referral bonus but I put the non referral links up.)

I booked 2 RT tickets to Australia earlier this year with points from these cards

cool thanks, if i sign up for that i'll let you know. i was also looking at the capital one venture card. it has 2x points for all purchases which seems better than most, and only has $59 annual fee vs about $95 for most

 

[mizzou]

Spill the beans man.

I've got $1900 saved up from the Chase Amazon card I haven't used yet. Why shouldn't I use them on Amazon?

similar situation >

 

[Xonim]

CapOne is not worth it, there are so many better ways to get more travel. To play the game, the AF is irrelevant because it's generally waived the first year and you will (or at least, you should) cancel or downgrade before it comes due the 2nd year.

Not sure how interested you are, but spend some time on www.reddit.com/r/churning to find out more on how to play the CC rewards game. Getting to Australia for free is tricky, but certainly possible -- you can check www.reddit.com/r/awardtravel for help with that. Flyertalk could be helpful too.

Off the top of my head, options would be to chase AA miles to redeem on Qantas flights (I think from either LAX or DFW). United should be an option somehow too (probably out of SFO) but I've never really looked into it.

When signing up for CC's to get bonuses, have you and your SO sign up separately to get more miles.

For AA miles:
Citi AA Exec 50k after $5k/3 mo spend ($450 AF NOT waived)
Citi AA Plat -- wait for 50k after $3k/3 mo spend ($95 AF waived)
Citi AA Gold 25k after $750/3 mo spend ($50 AF waived)
AmEx Starwood Preferred Guest 25k after $3k/3 mo ($95 AF waived)
**Transfer 20k SPG to AA and get 5k bonus (20kSPG=25kAA)

For United miles:
Chase Freedom -- wait for $200/20k after $500 / 3 mo spend (no AF)
Chase CSP -- 40k after $4k / 3 mo spend ($95 AF waived)
Chase United MileagePlus Explorer -- wait for 50k after $3k/3 mo spend ($95 AF waived)
**Then transfer the points from your Freedom to the CSP and then from the CSP to your United account.
**If you go this route, start with the Freedom, after a couple months do the CSP, then the United. Chase has very recently tightened their approval standards on UR-earning cards.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I can't play that whole churning game of manufactured spending.

Fuck that. Trying to manage gift cards, the balances on each, possible fraud on each gift card, etc.. etc.. It's not worth it. I'd rather just play the game and when I check-out at the grocery store, pull out my wallet with cards and find the label I affixed that has the highest % for grocery stores.

Now what I can do is churn different credit cards for sign-on bonus'. I'm at a point where I'm not worried about my credit rating being high, so I'm applying for cards like crazy. I plan to either downgrade or close any accounts that want an annual fee.

I just signed on for 2 southwest cards and got 110k miles total for sign-ons - giving me a free companion pass with Southwest for all of 2015 and all of 2016.