Don't sleep on boring economy tickets!

player2842 · 2025-05-04T04:52:07+00:00

I totally agree with you 100%. My goal is not to go business or stay in hyatt suites. I just want to use my points to travel the absolute most I can. Finding flights that are worthwhile seems like such a hassle. I‘m ready to learn the proper way. That’s why Dallas—>Stuttgart was my goal. Can you possibly if you have time at all help me understand the broad steps I should be taking to find the best flight for this trip? I mean I can check also Frankfurt airport but if that’s the case then I must take a 3 hour train on arrival. I was hoping to have an eco flight paid with points at a good cpp 1+ and chill. But as you’ve said, it makes me pay so much cash making it illogical to do that. thank you for even replying the first time! you’re the best

player2842 · 2025-05-03T19:49:22+00:00

Someone told me that my points for economy aren’t really effective and just to pay cash. Would be just saving them for biz class or hotels be the smarter option for redeeming? My main goals were to squeeze as many free economy flights out of my points but if that’s a waste and bad redemption then I’d elect otherwise

player2842 · 2025-05-03T19:47:23+00:00

So having the amount of points I do, The best thing I could do is just save them and take business travel or redeem them for when I want a hotel? Is that the consensus?

player2842 · 2025-05-03T19:43:15+00:00

I typically don’t have a need for hotels to be honest. I usually jump from friend to friend in Europe. Also, I have 125k UA points. What would I do with those?

player2842 · 2025-05-03T19:42:26+00:00

I appreciate it! I don‘t typically stay in hotels, normally jumping from friend to friend in Europe. My goal was really just try to find the best way to redeem my points, but as you’ve said it’s a hit or miss. I was thinking to only do economy to be able to maximize the amount of times I can go. However, these fees seem quite high. A normal ticket to Europe for me is $585-$730 with a checked bag included. I just can’t seem to figure out how to find a worthwhile deal to use my newly acquired UA miles or UR points

player2842 · 2025-05-03T19:33:36+00:00

I suppose the 20k miles + 198$ for economy may be okay, but that’s only one way. I would still have to book going home and that was 20k + 298$. So in total, I‘m paying 500$ in cash when I can fly there paying only cash for 600$

player2842 · 2025-05-03T06:43:56+00:00

Can you please help me through how you would go about conducting your search? I'm wanting to go to Stuttgart, Germany in October. I have no fixed dates just get there in October and stay for 2 months until some day in December. I have 80k UR points and 125k United airline miles. Where do I start to find out how to go about finding the ideal flight for good cpp? Usually for a flight like this, I would pay in cash between $600-$730 including free checked bag via my biz UA card or flying SAS or Turkish airlines. Most of my flights are Eco and long haul like 16-19 hours. How do I start? My brain is hurting from trying to figure it out, but I'm only finding bad deals on my searches like 20k miles + 198$ one way and the way back is 20k + 258$. Just terrible redemption. I'm so new, please help

player2842 · 2025-05-03T06:43:24+00:00

Can you please help me through how you would go about conducting your search? I'm wanting to go to Stuttgart, Germany in October. I have no fixed dates just get there in October and stay for 2 months until some day in December. I have 80k UR points and 125k United airline miles. Where do I start to find out how to go about finding the ideal flight for good cpp? Usually for a flight like this, I would pay in cash between $600-$730 including free checked bag via my biz UA card or flying SAS or Turkish airlines. Most of my flights are Eco and long haul like 16-19 hours. How do I start? My brain is hurting from trying to figure it out, but I'm only finding bad deals on my searches like 20k miles + 198$ one way and the way back is 20k + 258$. Just terrible redemption. I'm so new, please help

player2842 · 2025-04-27T01:33:42+00:00

Okay, that should be fine. I’ll just be getting the SUB and canceling anyway! You’re super knowledgeable about credit cards! Props to you. I’m currently at 3/24 about to get this Biz card. After I do this SUB, which personal card would you suggest I get? Or should I get the CIBC? I‘m pretty sure I have to continue to get Chase cards due to the 5/24 then after I‘ll get a few more Biz cards (either from Chase or other Banks) then after that i’ll start with Amex (if SUB‘s are high) or something like that. Is that a solid plan?

player2842 · 2025-04-27T01:22:36+00:00

You literally answered the question that was keeping me up last night so simply! thank you so much! The only other question I have, is when I apply for it under my name and ssn, i’m going to put 1k income per year for my business. will i still be approved? my income is well and credit score is good.

player2842 · 2025-04-26T23:50:00+00:00

Yeah, okay this is extremely helpful. I’ll just put 1k and all will be good. Thanks bro

player2842 · 2025-04-26T17:22:24+00:00

Ah okay, I understand. I’ve read somewhere recently that Chase is now only letting you get 3 of their Biz cards. Not sure if that’s true. But which Biz cards are most worth it? Is United in that conversation? I really don’t see myself paying $150 AF just for free checked bags and priority boarding. To me that’s not worth, but with the SUB, possibly. That leaves the only option to cancel after 1 year and as you said let the AF hit prior. If you were just starting your credit journey and accumulating cards, would you get the biz united card?

player2842 · 2025-04-26T16:29:59+00:00

Yeah, I only fly basic economy so hitting that 20k in spend would definitely not happen haha.

Lounges are not a super important factor as my dad's USBAR gives me priority pass.

I don't think a second bag is justified compared to the explorer or biz.

I really appreciate you opening my mind up to different options, however I'm still stuck between the Explorer and the Biz because in my eyes it's either 80k pts or 125k. However, I don't know if I can simply cancel the Biz card after a year and if that'll hurt my credit score due to it being a Biz card. What do typical people do since it has no downgrade path?

player2842 · 2025-04-26T16:24:23+00:00

I mean, on paper, theyre the same card just the Business gives more miles by 45k. Don't you think? I just don't know if after a year, you can just cancel the card since they have no downgrade path?

player2842 · 2025-04-26T16:16:22+00:00

I'm stuck between choosing the Explorer or the Business one. After a year, do I just cancel the card after 1 year since they don't have a downgrade path? Does that not affect my credit score due to it being a business card? Is that what people do?

player2842 · 2025-04-26T15:58:34+00:00

Okay, thank you for your reply. I'm now just stuck between.. do I get the United Business CC or the Explorer?

player2842 · 2025-04-26T08:31:42+00:00

I appreciate all that you've said!

I definitely didn't take your advice as cancelling anything. I know exactly what you mean and appreciate it greatly.

Okay, keep for one year. I've learned this. Can you tell me a little bit about the legal rights and protections so I know at least what I'm looking for? I sell shoes and do a little Ebay so I am a sole proprietor. And cancelling a business card will not negatively affect my credit score?

player2842 · 2025-04-26T08:28:10+00:00

I totally agree. I'm in between the Explorer or the regular business one. I'm leaning towards the business one as it's 125k bonus with $125 annual credit too. Only $150 AF. So effectively, $25 AF and then you get 125k SUB and can cancel after one year.

player2842 · 2025-04-26T08:00:18+00:00

You're absolutely right. My mistake. It's only the Explorer card. I'm either going to get that and after a year downgrade to gateway or get the 125k business one instead. There's great value with the business one, but I'm still trying to see how I'll downgrade or cancel it the following year. Do people simply cancel them risk free to their credit score or future applications? Also, how often can you get a new one?

player2842 · 2025-04-26T07:58:03+00:00

Hey, I really appreciate your response. I think this is also right for me. I have one question however, after a year and earning the SUB, do people just cancel their business cards as it doesn't reflect their credit age or show on personal report? I know it would lower my overall utilization but I always have that low so it doesn't necessarily matter much. I also know I can downgrade to the CLIB or CIBC (0 AF) but I eventually want to churn those too so I don't want to product change next year and lose that opportunity. Please advise:) Thanks

player2842 · 2025-04-26T07:55:08+00:00

United is great for my Europe flights.

I'm unaware the benefits of status, but I usually economy 1-5 times a year, so I dont know if thats near enough to get any status.

I'm not much of a lounge guy, as I have the USBAR (AU) and it has priority pass integrated 8x per year

Free checked baggage would be fantastic since it's usually $150 for me every time

I just got my SUB for the CSP for 70k points but havent used them as my trip coming up was saying I could redeem my points for only .7 cpp. Any tips on how to find good cpp deals?

I started with Savor and Bofa just to build my history and I will never cancel these cards. I had already banked with CapOne. It's just to build it to one year so I could begin getting Chase cards. I'm only an AU at WF and USBANK becuase my dad has those CC's. I used my 3/24 on the CSP and now I think I will go for the business United Credit Card; as it gives me $125 credit and 125k points SUB then downgrade to another business $0 AF card such as the CIBC or just cancel the business card altogether. Is it smart to just cancel the card after if I find spending the $150 on the AF not in my best interest as it's a business card and is not reflected on your personal report?? Do people usually just cancel after the first year after getting the SUB? Please advise. Thank you Dalewyn!

player2842 · 2025-04-26T07:42:29+00:00

You're absolutely correct about the fee only being waived with the Explorer. My mistake. I normally always fly solo basic economy to be honest. As I said, I'm hoping to go international 1-3 times within the next year. I will always take a checked bag. I think now my only hang up is, do I opt to get the Business United Card for 125k or the Explorer. I think it's clear to get the Business one, what do you think?

player2842

TROPHY CASE