I keep finding lots of bennies by digging into some of these programs. thought I'd share.
Starwood American Express:
Fee free first year, get 10K points (booked Sheraton Indonesia rooms using 1000pts+$25, or 3-4000 pts for Le Meridien and added $30 to upgrade to oceanfront suite) I don't use the card much and I pay it off at once, so I got almost free rooms!
I accrue frequent flier miles whenever possible--we've been able to fly standby as far as Korea and Japan, and added RT confirmed seats to exotic destinations like Thailand and Bali for small fee+ miles (25K for coach, 30 for biz).
My account was almost bankrupt, but I got the NW visa card ( I have to spend a min $750/yr)and will convert their one-time signing bonus to Delta after the merger, got DL AMex for hubby for his first-time bonus 25K. I use Skymilesshopping.com (most us airlines have an equiv program) and rent cars, etc and have recouped almost 50k in a few months. I use the Amex card for groceries and gas and get double miles, too. The ticket value of our Asia trips is over $30,000 (not that I'd even consider spending that!!) But what a nice way to travel--those tkts included the use of the airport business lounges--good food, free internet, bevs, showers and comfy place to wait out the hours.
We're taking a free cruise this spring, from using NCL card years ago. We get interline deal for best balcony stateroom and apply GC's like cash payment for all cruise fare(all we pay is bar tab).
Carlsson Group Hotels has goldpointsplus program (TGIFriday's, Radisson, Country Inns, etc and a visa card, too. Get it use it once, take the free room pts and move on. So many companies have these "perks".
I recommend canceling the cards after a short period--if you have lousy credit, none of this may work for you--I just happen to be older and have paid all my bills for a thousand years.
Discount is good; Free is better.
Anyone else have similar to share?
