>>2833206
What are you being offered? Tbh, at $500, you've probably burnt more time in labour making this post than the return you would've gotten from (((credit card deals)))

>>2833212
>What are you being offered
Just Capital One's VentureOne; 1.25 miles per dollar, each mile can be redeemed up to 1.6 cents depending on the airline

>>2833206
Probably not, unless there’s a big sign-up bonus alongside whatever points/miles you’re offered for your modest spending. The bonuses are often at least theoretically big enough for a couple of domestic (US) flights or at least half of a R/T international flight. Or they might support some upgrades, although I feel like most rewards programs are increasingly demanding both points and cash for upgrades unless you’re a genuine frequent flier with status, which if you travel on a shoestring you are obviously not… meaningful status is mostly the province of people whose jobs send them on a lot of long-hauls in business class nowadays. (I briefly got status with an alliance only after something like a dozen transcontinental flights in coach inside of a year, which was a fluke).

Anyway, varies by airline, time of year, lots of other factors, but international awards tickets might cost 80K R/T. Do the math on whatever mileage the card is offering you, remember that miles/points/etc. may expire, don’t forget that awards flights are often harder to book, and you can calculate for yourself whether you will ever get anything out of it.

>>2833206
As long as you pay it off every month
As long as the card has a low or no yearly fee
As long as you are willing to ensure that the use of a CC does not cause 1-5% fee like most utilities/rent/etc charge on it
As long as you are okay with only using the selected airlines at the selected prices the card offers
As long as you travel realistically more than once a year to get that "free" trip otherwise you're better with a 3.75% APY savings on chime
Yes

>>2833221
That's kinda a shit one, Delta or AAdvantage give some heafty bonuses up front+free carry on/checked bag+priority boarding and sometimes they just will bump you up in class free.

there's no way it's better than a HYSA if you're not some rich guy traveling 4-5 times a year

>>2833206
Airline points are bullshit. Unless you fly often for work, spend $75k annually on an airline card, or constantly churn it is impossible to organically earn enough points for good redemptions. And even then you'll have to compete for award bookings against everyone else who has the same idea.
>B-but I bought a $5k business class ticket for only $1k worth of points!
Yeah, and how much money did you spend to earn those points? Without a sign-up bonus how many years would it have taken you?

Airlines make more money by selling points than by transporting passengers. That should tell you all you need to know.

>>2833625
This is a midwit view. If you’re able to generate miles through your normal organic spend they’re outstanding off value.

t. Just booked two round trip J tickets from DC to Auckland.

>>2833629
>t. Just booked two round trip J tickets from DC to Auckland.
How'd you go about maximizing your value/mile?

>>2833659
Maximizing earning or spending?

>>2833206
You will 100% waste more money chasing points than if you just ignore them.

>>2833659
Depends on the card, some cards offer 2x or 3x points if you shop in specific gas stations, stores, etc.

Honestly points are a nice to have for me and used for emergencies or if I can't find a cheap flight I just dip into the points for those hard times of year things (think xmas/nye/national holidays).

Best use of airline cards these days is getting lounge access which pays for itself with the free food+comfortable resting areas and some even having showers. Free checked bag and cheaper upgrades to class and possibly the extended option of refunds/changes without excessive fee's. Getting a card because you get a "free" flight once a year often isn't worth it because the cards with good point rewards have a yearly fee.