I was 20 when I opened my first two credit cards. After months of research, reading blogs and tracking myon Credit Karma, I decided to apply for two American Express Starwood cards, one business and one personal. The Starwood site was filled with rich images of hotel pools at sunset and promised free hotel stays. I was drawn to the bonus offer, which was something like spend $2,000 dollars and earn 50,000 Starwood Preferred Guest points.
The U.S. Mint sells some forms of currency, including coins, at cash value with free shipping, ostensibly so that small businesses can put the coins into circulation. I took advantage of this opportunity to "buy" money and hit my new credit card's spending minimum so I could earn the Starwood points to redeem for free hotel stays. Once the box of coins arrived, I deposited them back into my bank account so I could cover the bill.
I've never earned a high income, but I've always made sure to have good credit. Credit scores have always seemed more important than income to loan gatekeepers. With the first two credit cards I opened in 2009, I had a total credit limit of $11,000, despite having no income beyond my minimum wage mailroom work study job.
But this was all in the Before times. I'm writing this from my apartment, wearing a quar uniform of Crocs and chinos you can't see outside the scope of my webcam, unsure when I might feel comfortable getting on an airplane again and worried that when I do, my points might not have retained their value. I've collected them from different airlines and hotels, and I worry they could lose value as the travel industry suffers.
MakeIt The dead end of this article really just deflates...
MakeIt horrible
MakeIt The author lacks perspective. Why would his past travels have been a waste, especially considering he will never travel pre-covid ever again? You’d think Covid made those memories MORE precious, not less.
MakeIt I received a notice of points with the choice to get cash. I received hundreds of dollars. I'll tell my tax preparer that it's a refund.
MakeIt 📈
MakeIt In your 20s and never going to travel again ? Ridiculous