"Shill Post" for Chase Reserve Credit Card
Despite having half a dozen credit cards - This is the one I've used most often while abroad
I’m going to try to keep this short. There are already millions of articles about credit cards - Most of them are from massive corporate websites that just give you a list of benefits. I’m sharing my personal experience and explaining why I dropped my other cards and now use this one everywhere I go.
***The whole intent of this post is to promote the card, encourage you to click my referral link, and help me earn a couple of thousand free points. You’re not obligated to do anything though. But if you’re in the market for a new card, I hope you'll consider giving the referral bonus to me instead of one of those corporate accounts.
If you're in the market for a credit card that you can use abroad without any issues, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Why? You can earn 60,000 bonus points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve
.Chase Sapphire Reserve Referral Link
Massive sign-up bonus - 60k points + the points you gain from spending to hit the limit. This can't really be beaten. Yeah, the bonus has been bigger in the past, but in this economy, we aren't going to see 100K point bonuses anymore.
Better Points and Rewards
I used to have an Amex Platinum Card - Anytime you used points, they would jack up the cost of things. You were limited to airlines, and your points could really only be used for overpriced flights, cars, and hotels. Chase doesn't jack up the point cost, AND you can use the points to book events, tours, etc., as well. I have used the points to rent ATVs, Jet Skis, take a hot air balloon ride over the pyramid of Teotihuacan, etc. Instead of hoarding the points, I'll use them to buy tickets to events as travel.
No Foreign Transactions
Credit cards love to nickel and dime you with fees. ATM and airport rates in the country often suck. At least with the Chase Reserve, I know I'm getting a proper exchange rate on stuff I buy, and everyone in the world takes Visa.
Global Entry / TSA Precheck
100 percent worth it if you travel - Global Entry is $100 a year, lasting for 5 years. * I suggest getting Global Entry and not TSA Precheck because Global Entry functions as Precheck. I travel often, and instead of waiting in long customs lines, I spend minutes tops going through customs.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Referral Link
Annual Travel Credit
The fee for the card is $550. But you get a $300 travel credit, and they are very lenient on what "travel" is. It counts for everything from flights, Uber, to parking fees. That essentially lowers the cost to $250 a year for the card.
Other Benefits I've Used
Travel protections - Emergency flight cancellations.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance - My flight got canceled, and I got stuck in the airport.
Baggage Delay Insurance - This happened a long time ago. I sent Amazon receipts of things in my bag, and Chase paid for it all because the airline first delayed, then lost my bag.
Purchase protection - This works internationally - Chase refunded an iPhone that broke. It took them a month, but they did it.
Priority Pass Lounges - These come in clutch for free food and drinks.
Is it worth it?
Let's say you only spend the $300 travel credit. Your fee is $250 a year. If you travel (flights, Uber, Lyft, hotel, parking fees, and going out anywhere), you essentially need to spend $8,650 a year to break even. Less if you're booking hotels and travel through the Chase portal.
I’ve had zero problems with the card. I use as many benefits as possible. Customer service is surprisingly good. If I could find a negative to tell you about I would.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Referral Link
Even more shilling: The card is made of metal, so you don't have to worry about it getting all messed up. It looks pretty cool. If you happen to lose it while abroad, they'll ship you a new one very quickly. Somehow, they managed to get me a new card while I was in Mexico in just 2 days.
Here are some more card stats
Chase Sapphire Reserve
10 points per $1 spent on Chase Dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards®.
10 points per $1 spent on hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Ultimate Rewards®.
5 points per $1 spent on air travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®.
3 points per $1 spent on travel and dining not booked with Chase.
1 point per $1 spent on other purchases.
Even more shilling: The card is made of metal, so you don't have to worry about it getting all messed up. It looks pretty cool. If you happen to lose it while abroad, they'll ship you a new one very quickly. Somehow, they managed to get me a new card while I was in Mexico in just 2 days.
Like I said, I’m just shilling this hoping you don’t give the referral points to one of those Points Guys .
Chase Sapphire Reserve Referral Link
** At some point in the future Im gonna do a article on my favorite bank. Watch out.
Even if you don’t click the links above - Read my other articles like this one/