Questions and Answers

Hi Lucky,

After reading your blog, I’ve signed up for three cards: The CTP, CSP, and Citi Double Cash.

I’ve met my min spend on the CTP and CSP, so this question is purely about maximing value. I’ve booked a Royal Carribean Cruise through Chase (which got me 3x points).

Now, I’m a few days away from my cruise, and I have to pick a credit card to link to a SeaPass account. All my purchases, whether dining, shopping, excursions, etc, will end up on this SeaPass account and one bill at the end. I’ve spent hours calling Chase, Citi, and Royal Carribean to ask under what billing category this bill will be. Will it be dining? Travel? Other? Nobody seems to know.

Will it be 3x points on CSP because the cruise was booked through chase? I had two CSRs at Chase give me different answers. Will it be 3x points on CTP because all travel is 3 points on the CTP? Should I just go with the Citi Double Cash to make sure I’m getting 2x, and avoid getting screwed on categories?

Help! What card should I use?

Thanks a lot!

I would use the Premier (better to specify btw, Citi has three cards that I know of that shorten to CTP). It provides you with better overall bonuses as opposed to the CSP for all qualified spend. I’d rather take that upside and the chance that a charge or two might not qualify than go for the 2%.