Travel as Identity during the Pandemic

A great read for those with a case of wanderlust!

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/travel-used-to-be-my-identity-how-do-i-move-forward

A New Role in February

2021 has already brought a number of changes forward - I'm proud to share that I've started a new role as well.  As of the 1st I've joined Stanford University as Assistant Chief Information Officer for Support Services in the R&DE IT Division.  I'm looking forward to working with several teams in this role to support a number of initiatives and projects supporting R&DE and students.  I'll be working remotely for now due to challenges with the pandemic in CA, though will be making the trek cross-country at some point in the near future.

Chase Bonus Points Promotions through March 2021!

Back in October 2020, Chase was very proactive with bonus points promotions given everything going on with the pandemic.  At the time these seemed to be the best offers for regular spend for the quarter.  

This morning I received several emails with more bonus points offers for spend at gas stations, grocery stores, and drug stores through March 31st - if you have these Chase cards, make sure to sign up via the invite email links.

Hyatt Card: Spend $3000 in combined purchases to receive 5000 Hyatt bonus points through 3/31

United Card: 5x points at Gas/Grocery/Drug Stores on up to $1500 in combined spend through 3/31

IHG Card: 5x points at Gas/Grocery/Drug Stores on up to $1500 in combined spend through 3/31

British Airways Card: 5x points at Gas/Grocery/Drug Stores on up to $1500 in combined spend through 3/31

Marriott Card: 5x points at Gas/Grocery/Drug Stores on up to $1500 in combined spend through 3/31

Cards in my Wallet Right now (2021)

Happy New Year!

2020 was particularly challenging with the pandemic, however, I was still able to do a few card swaps to increase my points balances.  I'm expecting a fairly stable card cache for 2021 given where offers are currently. 

Cards in my Wallet:

Chase Sapphire Reserve - one of the best earning cards with 3x points for travel and 3x for dining

Chase Freedom - Quarterly bonus categories give 5x points and pairs with Sapphire

Chase World of Hyatt - 4x Hyatt points per stay make this one of the best for hotel stays, 2x for restaurant/transit

Chase IHG Rewards Club Select (no longer available) - Platinum Elite status plus free night every cardmember year

Chase United Mileage Plus Select (no longer available) - 3x miles on United purchases plus EQM, 2x gas/grocery/dining + Star Alliance purchases

Chase Biz Plus (replaced with Business Preferred) - 5x points at office supply and phone, 2x on gas station and hotel

Chase Biz Cash - 5x points at office supply and phone, 2x points on gas stations and restaurants

Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless - 6x points at Marriott properties; 2x all other purchases; No Foreign Transaction Fee

Chase British Airways - 3x Avios on BA purchases; 2x on hotels; No Foreign Transaction Fee

Citibank Premier - 3x points on travel including gas stations; 2x on dining/entertainment

Citibank AA Biz Platinum - 2x American Airlines miles on purchases plus free checked bag and priority boarding; 2x on gas stations

Citibank AA Mileup - 2x American Airlines miles on flights, plus 2x miles for grocery purchases

Citibank Double Cash - 2% cash back on all purchases, though the transfer option to Citi ThankYou Points makes this card strong for all non-category spend, No Annual Fee

American Express Hilton card - 7x Hilton points on stays, 5x points dining/gas/grocery, 3x all other purchases, complimentary Silver status, No Annual Fee

American Express Hilton Surpass - 12x Hilton points on stays, 6x points on dining/grocery/gas, 3x points on all other purchases; complimentary Gold status

Discover It card - 5x points/cash on quarterly bonus categories, link to Amazon.com purchases, No Annual Fee

Bank of American Alaska Airlines card - 3x miles on Alaska purchases, $99 companion fare, great travel partner mileage redemption options


Many of these are no annual fee cards though I still value certain cards for the benefits compared to the yearly fee.  

Are there any card must-have's on your list?

Happy New Year!

Happy New year to all!

2020 can be done now - on to a better (and safer) 2021.