I've never been into all the points/rewards programs, but I did join Starwood (the hotel program), so we try to stay at a Starwood hotel anyplace we travel. Just redeemed some points with a little cash and got two nights of our upcoming trip to Jax almost free. I kinda like it! I'm sure some of y'all have made a science out of this. One friend of mine uses her Amex card for every single thing she buys. She's probably getting deals all over the place. I've just not wanted to fool with the admin part before. It's actually easy to redeem points - with the Starwood program, anyway. I've recently joined USAIR's mileage program, since we use them almost exclusively these days, so I may get something out of that, as long as the program lasts. Those seem to be falling by the wayside pretty rapidly.

 

I'm not a big traveler or spender. I don't use my CC for everyday stuff, though I know many do. Some really know how to play the game, and rack up and use the free mileage credit.

I did join Best Western Rewards, and after our trip to Canada last year we had a one night's stay free, which we used this past fall for a mini get a way.

I have a Chase CC which gives Disney Rewards. I don't plan any Disney trips soon, but a while ago I got a gift certificate for the Disney store and used it to get some things for the grandchildren. I also used the card to pay for our new couch and love seat, thinking that I again could get some clothing or something for the grandkids.

That's the extent of my participating in rewards programs except for local grocery stores, and places like CVS.

 

Why not?

Pretty much anything over $5 goes on my CC. I get a sizeable cash back bonus each year.

You do have to be very disciplined if you use the card for everything. I keep all my receipts and once a week sit down and update my budget.

My wife has a Marriot rewards card. She spends about 3 weeks per year at a Marriot in Stamford, CT for business. We cashed in the points last year for 3 nights in Indianapolis for the MotoGP race. The room rates sky rocketed for race weekend, but Marriot doesn't have blackout dates, so we got a real bargain compared to paying for the room.

 

I got a Visa from Wells Fargo a few months ago that pays 1% on my mortgage so I'm now using that card for everything I can. One percent doesn't sound like much but it adds up - especially given our recent expenditures.

 

I get about $200 back every year from my credit card. I pay no annual fees and no interest because I pay in full each month. (Essentially this money to me is coming out of the profits the credit card companies make from those who do have running balances.)

In the past year I've been sent to Europe three times, and am going two more times before June. So all of a sudden I'm starting to build up a few airline miles, too. But I've never used airline miles for anything, because in the past I was never a frequent enough traveler to avoid having them expire.

 

I think I budget better by putting "X" in the checking account to cover basic expenses like groceries, gas, bills, etc. Cash in the pocket is for dining out and other small purchases. CC is for larger purchases, vacations, etc. It's just what works for me.

 

I think I budget better by putting "X" in the checking account to cover basic expenses like groceries, gas, bills, etc. Cash in the pocket is for dining out and other small purchases. CC is for larger purchases, vacations, etc. It's just what works for me.
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Completely understand. I don't use the CC unless I have the money in the bank. If I make a purchase with the CC, I go home, subtract that purchase from the correct column in the budget, and add it to the CC column. When the bill comes, the $$ to pay it is there.

 

Love my Hess Visa card. I have a Hess station near home, and another right next door to work. I get 3% back on gas purchases at Hess. No games involved either. When the bill comes, they automatically credit the 3%.

 

Marriott Rewards here. I got a big screen TV, mountain bike, pressure washer and a Garmin Nuvi GPS with my points, not to mention several free nights at a hotel when I have traveled for pleasure.

I have a bunch of airline miles, but I have not cashed them in very often.

 

I accumulated a very large number of points on AMEX from my working/traveling days. I used many of them over the last year mainly on gift cards (which were on "sale") to Home Depot for building supplies for my bathroom and a very large Weber gas grill. I am currently using a Chase Sapphire card, and they give cash back, and we have gotten Williams-Sonoma and Barnes and Noble gift cards (also on "sale").
I try to use my card for almost everything I can and the 1 to 5% we get on that and our our card is quite nice.