Point Collectors Anonymous

[daft009]

Ahem, my name is Daft and I have a problem. I can't stop collecting points...

Where does one draw the line...
Every bill, every transaction, every dollar has the potential to earn points, one way or another.
Even easier when running a business via b2bpay, rewardpay & others, though hefty surcharges of 2.4%+GST for amex.

Where do you guys draw the line and do an EFT instead or just pay cash. Or do you have defined max surcharge you will pay?

Do you feel sad when you make a redemption and your balance reduces?
Yet, at the same time excited as you have another J or F flight coming up?

 

[sjk]

Do you feel sad when you make a redemption and your balance reduces?

No, they’re there to be used. I feel sad when I have a large balance languishing.

 

[Limewood]

Do the same as OP, look for every points opportunity, just used 435 QF FFP of 800 on HKG/JFK/HKG in J x 2. then next year back to Europe.

 

[robtemt]

Where do you guys draw the line and do an EFT instead or just pay cash. Or do you have defined max surcharge you will pay?

Sorry, what is this EFT thing that you speak of?

I go out of my way to shop and spend at business that accept Amex without a surcharge. When forced to pay, as long as Amex MR points don't cost me more than 2 cents, I suck up the fee. But I do cough about it to the merchant, just to try to get them to lower or waive them for Amex.

Ex: The cafe across from my office, doesn't accept Amex, while the one 4 minutes away (and with better coffee) does, without surcharge. I told the owner I wasn't coming back until he accepted Amex. He kind of shrugged. But, I'm the guy that checks with everyone on the team if they want a coffee, so I've taken at least $13 - $25 a day in business from him.

Ex #2: Paid an investment property levy today, and Deft charges 3.3% (Macquarie bank obviously has made no effort to negotiate a better rate with Amex). But at 2 points per dollar, its 1.65 cents per point. I'll eat that, over the 2 cents per point from a 1.5% surcharge by the time I convert the Visa/MC points to KF miles.

Justification for the 2cent threshold is I can buy points from Amex for 2.5c each. So technically, anything under 5% is still better than earning no points and having to buy them if I'm short when its time to book our next Suites flight.

 

[Mattg]

Ahem, my name is Daft and I have a problem. I can't stop collecting points...

Oh, but you can never have too many points!

(OK, I realise I'm probably not helping... )

 

[eric2011]

Every single thing goes on the card from buying a pot of beer ($5.00) at the pub to paying the companies water bill (65K) per quarter. Yes I have a water bill of over quarter million dollars per annum and an electricity bill of nearly 200K

 

[robtemt]

Do you feel sad when you make a redemption and your balance reduces?
Yet, at the same time excited as you have another J or F flight coming up?

Exactly. I don't mind the low balance, while a redeemed trip is coming up (SQ R/F to USA and back in June). BUT when we get back and only have 200K points, we know we cant go anywhere without (GASP!) PAYING!!!!!!

 

[robtemt]

Reversed priorities!

Every single thing goes on the card from buying a pot of beer ($5.00) at the pub to paying the companies water bill (65K) per quarter.

What would the equivalent volume of beer cost?

 

[LadyC]

I definitely have a similar problem! I am in charge of paying all bills in our house and ensuring we maximise points usage.

 

[Basalt]

Yup, I've definitely noticed cash stays in my wallet longer since I first caught the points train. And yup, I can't seem to get off it

 

[JohnK]

I'm a points hoarder but I don't chase every single point possible.

 

[daft009]

when does the hoarding come to an end? or it doesn't? or when is it "enough"?

I seem to be collecting quicker than I can redeem.
so do I just let points accumulate (~100k points/month without any amex surcharge) or do I pay surcharges and accumulate even more approx ~150k points/month)

 

[burmans]

when does the hoarding come to an end? or it doesn't? or when is it "enough"?

I seem to be collecting quicker than I can redeem.
so do I just let points accumulate (~100k points/month without any amex surcharge) or do I pay surcharges and accumulate even more approx ~150k points/month)

I don't think there is ever a point where you have too many points but there are certainly times when you feel relatively flush and don't need to chase every single point.

 

[Denali]

Point Loss Anxiety is real, my husband refused a reward F (went with J instead) so he could keep a stash of points for just in case.

 

[codash1099]

Ahem, my name is Daft and I have a problem. I can't stop collecting points...

Where does one draw the line...

Never seen a line in my life!

 

[get me outta here]

I pay other people's big bills too if I trust them. Helps with the extra point haul. Almost never pay cash. The greengrocer won't let me buy a banana with a cc so I walk to the big shop.

 

[craven morehead]

Ahem, my name is Daft and I have a problem. I can't stop collecting points...

Do you feel sad when you make a redemption and your balance reduces?
Yet, at the same time excited as you have another J or F flight coming up?

1) It appears I have been struck with the same malady
2) I would have to concur with this sentiment vis a vis feeling excited as an effective offset to cashing in points on J & F tickets ..
3) Rarely if ever have more than $10 cash in wallet
4) I definitely don't have the time to redeem flights as quickly as I accumulate points!

 

[tizey]

I've definitely suffered it, but am almost at a point where I've got my bases covered for all the trips I can imagine in the next few years...my annual leave balance cant sustain any more travel (and the savings are hurting, despite flying costing nothing... the rest of the trip hurts!)

I think once I've got enough QF/VFF to cover potential J return trip to Europe in 2022, I'll 'calm' the churn cycle down only for those too good to pass up as there is no point accumulating points for trips I cannot take. That way I've got us covered for trips to China in F, Philippines in J, USA/Japan in J, SE Asia in J and Europe in J across multiple programs to ensure availability during those rascal school holiday peaks!

 

[Limewood]

When Mrs Lime is sitting up the pointed end of the plane long haul or lounge hopping (her favourite pastime) she is as happy as to pay the tidily card fees merchants charge, it's rare moment indeed we ever pay cash.

 

[Basalt]

Point Loss Anxiety is real, my husband refused a reward F (went with J instead) so he could keep a stash of points for just in case.

Been there - got 4 * J rewards for the family from HKG to LHR with BA and there were 4 * F available and I had the spare points but thought, nup, need to keep some points in the piggy bank.