FREE TRAVEL for fellowship and job interviews

Messages:
2
Joined:
07/11/2018

Our friends at ophthoquestions asked me to post this.

I was just in NYC last weekend sightseeing and remember being a poor starving resident when I lived there.  I remember walking past all the $50/ entree restaurants and wondering "who the hell can afford to eat there?"  (Now a $50 meal is a rounding error for me, although a treat; I still try to eat on the cheap).  I remember being pissed when my favorite Mexican place raised the price of their burritos from $7.50 to $8.  I remember being stressed about paying for travel for fellowship and job interviews.

Guess what, there's a solution:  to apply for credit cards for the opening bonuses.

First of all, you should start off with a cash back card.  The citi double cash or fidelity investments each give 2% back.

When I was a resident I didn't have $100,000- but if your parents do in a Bank of America/ Merrill Edge account they're platinum honors.  Meaning if they can add you as a user on their Bank of America premium card, you get 2.625% back on all purchases and 3.5% on restaurants and travel!

The four additional cards I recommend residents get are the:
Chase sapphire card- 50,000 points (worth $625 on flights/ hotels booked through the chase portal) after spending $3000 in three months

Citi Premier Card- 50,000 points (worth $625 on flights/ hotels booked through their portal) after spending $4000 in three months.  This card also gives you 3 points on travel and gas (3.75% back), 2 points on dining out (2.5% back).

US Bank flex perks AMEX- 30,000 points for spending $2000.  Get this second year.  Then, during your third year get the US Bank Altitude reserve (to get the altitude you have to be a US bank existing customer). Earn 50,000 points for spending $4500 in three months.  Combine the points for 80,000 total- worth $1200 in travel.  You can use their portal or even easier text to redeem.
Comine all four of the above for $2450 in free travel.  

And having more cards gives you better payment history and lower utilization which INCREASES your credit score.  Just don't make frivolous or unnecessary purchases to meet the minimum spend.  If you have trouble meeting the minimum spend, prepay your cell phone or utility bills, buy gift cards to your favorite supermarkets, gas stations or restaurants, or charge your estimated taxes online (google IRS charge estimated taxes credit cards).  Or pay your parents' estimated taxes.

Final hint:  if the potential employer who is interviewing you reimburses for travel, flights and hotels booked with these cards have receipts to submit for reimbursement :)

You're welcome.  If you liked this advice, please PM me for a referral link for the Chase sapphire preferred.  Better yet, get involved in advocacy and support our profession.
www.solobuildingblogs.com
#1 07/11/2018 at 04:29 AM
Messages:
1
Joined:
06/18/2012

Louisiana
solobuildingblogs
Our friends at ophthoquestions asked me to post this.

I was just in NYC last weekend sightseeing and remember being a poor starving resident when I lived there.  I remember walking past all the $50/ entree restaurants and wondering "who the hell can afford to eat there?"  (Now a $50 meal is a rounding error for me, although a treat; I still try to eat on the cheap).  I remember being pissed when my favorite Mexican place raised the price of their burritos from $7.50 to $8.  I remember being stressed about paying for travel for fellowship and job interviews.

Guess what, there's a solution:  to apply for credit cards for the opening bonuses.

First of all, you should start off with a cash back card.  The citi double cash or fidelity investments each give 2% back.

When I was a resident I didn't have $100,000- but if your parents do in a Bank of America/ Merrill Edge account they're platinum honors.  Meaning if they can add you as a user on their Bank of America premium card, you get 2.625% back on all purchases and 3.5% on restaurants and travel!

The four additional cards I recommend residents get are the:
Chase sapphire card- 50,000 points (worth $625 on flights/ hotels booked through the chase portal) after spending $3000 in three months

Citi Premier Card- 50,000 points (worth $625 on flights/ hotels booked through their portal) after spending $4000 in three months.  This card also gives you 3 points on travel and gas (3.75% back), 2 points on dining out (2.5% back).

US Bank flex perks AMEX- 30,000 points for spending $2000.  Get this second year.  Then, during your third year get the US Bank Altitude reserve (to get the altitude you have to be a US bank existing customer). Earn 50,000 points for spending $4500 in three months.  Combine the points for 80,000 total- worth $1200 in travel.  You can use their portal or even easier text to redeem.
Comine all four of the above for $2450 in free travel.  

And having more cards gives you better payment history and lower utilization which INCREASES your credit score.  Just don't make frivolous or unnecessary purchases to meet the minimum spend.  If you have trouble meeting the minimum spend, prepay your cell phone or utility bills, buy gift cards to your favorite supermarkets, gas stations or restaurants, or charge your estimated taxes online (google IRS charge estimated taxes credit cards).  Or pay your parents' estimated taxes.

Final hint:  if the potential employer who is interviewing you reimburses for travel, flights and hotels booked with these cards have receipts to submit for reimbursement :)

You're welcome.  If you liked this advice, please PM me for a referral link for the Chase sapphire preferred.  Better yet, get involved in advocacy and support our profession.
Why would you incur at 2% credit card processing fee to pay your taxes online with a credit card?  I don't know of any credit card giving u over 2% cash back on purchases.  Fidelity rewards only gives 2% back unlimited.  
#2 09/26/2018 at 02:36 PM
Guest
Anonymous

Many credit cards give 5% cash back on items in rotating categories (e.g. Discover).
#3 09/26/2018 at 08:11 PM
Messages:
2
Joined:
07/11/2018

Quick way to meet minimum spend is to pay taxes. I own my ophtho practice so can run lots through cards but those employed can run their taxes. 

Bank of America platinum rewards with $100k on deposit- get 2.625% back which is 0.75% arbitrage/ profit
Hilton Amex cards- spend $15,000 get free weekend night and 30,000 points. Total value of $400-500 offsets $285 fees. 

World of Hyatt card- spend $10,000 get 10,000 hyatt points plus free category 1-4 night. Worth $400 for 187. Can go on and on...
www.solobuildingblogs.com
#4 09/27/2018 at 09:01 AM
Ldurlei
Ldurlei
Messages:
3
Joined:
01/05/2019

Warsaw
I would recommend all of you to earn more, than to think about expenses.

This is how my life looks.
https://twitter.com/LDurlei
#5 01/05/2019 at 01:35 PM
Messages:
5
Joined:
12/25/2018

LA
Ldurlei, I totally agree with you. It is better to earn more and not think about spending.
#6 03/17/2019 at 09:09 AM
Wizard of OQ
Creator of Worlds
Messages:
71
Joined:
08/09/2011

jimjimmy44
Ldurlei, I totally agree with you. It is better to earn more and not think about spending.
Hmmm, I would concentrate on both:  i.e. increase your cash flows and be reasonable with your expenses.  The problem for most new attendings is that you think you can proportionately increase your spending in-line with your increase in salary.  IMHO, it's best to save as much as possible during your first 5 years out, so that you can build a solid base from which your money tree can grow itself.  Cheers!
#7 03/19/2019 at 01:00 AM
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