Frequent Miler's latest team challenge, Million Mile Madness, is almost done! The last two weeks Greg, Nick, and Stephen competed to earn 1 Million SAS miles by flying 15 airlines. But who completed the challenge with the most Speed, Affordability, and Style?
Secure message regarding card ending in 0504:
My dearest Sapphire Preferred,
I remember when we met, it was love at first sight. Your sleek beauty, your steel resolve, and your giving nature made you irresistible. My fondness for you grew as we travelled the world and dined in fine restaurants. I will always treasure the times we had.
I don’t know a good way to tell you this, but I’ve fallen for another.
I know what you’re thinking, but no it’s not the one who goes by the initials S.P.G. No, my dearest Sapphire, it is your sister Ink Bold.
Ink is not as beautiful or as strong as you. When I first met her I thought she was rather dull — all business. But, over time, I’ve grown to recognize her true qualities and my relationship with her has become more rewarding than I ever dreamed possible.
Can you ever forgive me? I really would like to stay friends. There’s no reason we can’t still visit the mall together from time to time. If you’ll have me, I know that our friendship will pay dividends year after year.
Yours truly,
FM
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
[…] times that the Chase Ink Bold (and its twin the Ink Plus) is my favorite card. I even wrote a secure message to Chase to profess my love. My feelings haven’t […]
[…] Related archive message dated 05/04/2012: Let’s just be friends […]
[…] rewarding, and indestructible Sapphire Preferred card, and then topping even that with the Ink Bold (and Ink Plus, and Ink Classic, and Ink Cash). I love Ultimate Rewards, and I love […]
[…] I’ve fallen in love with two old friends. No, I’m not talking about my true love, Ink Bold, or her equally fantastic twin, Ink Plus. I’m actually talking about two cards that I hold, […]
Mow: I don’t know
Hi FM, do you know if the INK employee cards get the bonus spending category as well??
+1 Cool.
This is the kind of post I like reading on a Friday morning! Good letter!
Be careful with this family. After one suitor attempted one too many cheap moves on their younger sister Freedom, he just happened to go on a deep sea fishing trip with Daddy never to return…
One of thought of caution! PPMs can be great, but if you are new and haven’t applied for many of the Chase cards already that you may want, tt may be easier to apply and get those points first w/o risking losing your Chase points if you are not careful.
Appearance can be deceiving, and I am glad you made the right choice. Great (and creative) post as always. Thanks for the Friday laugh!
Please, please, submit that as a real SM and let us know the reply.
Jonathan: Ooh, I’m tempted! Should I really? Maybe…
Grant Thomas: I think you need to look at how many points are required to earn that big of a dividend. If you take the fair trade value of 1.31 cents then you need to earn 7251 dividend points to break even for the $95 annual fee. You would need to earn just over 100K UR points on the Sapphire Preferred to get 7251 dividend points.
I did some math regarding the Chase Sapphire Preferred annual fee and 7% dividend bonus. The annual fee is $95, so if you divide that by 1.07, you need to accrue at least 8,878 Ultimate Rewards Points each year to break even.
If you divide 8,878 points by 2 pts/$ on restaurants and travel, you need to spend $4,439 per year just on those categories. If you only used it at restaurants, $4,439 / 365 days = $12.16 per day. Throw in some expensive trips and you should easily be able to cover the annual fee.
Are my figures correct?
Sapphire annual fee is due next month. At first, I thought I was going to can it & just keep the InkBold. Then I started having second thoughts…the 7% dividend I will miss, wondered how long the PPM thing will last…So, for now, I will keep Sapphire for a 2nd year. In January 2012 reevaluate the landscape and either decide to can Sapphire or can InkBold when the PPM gravy train finally comes to a stop…
I need to stop pulling out the prepaid amex…So many cards, so many miles/points:-)
LOL! Classic.