JP Morgan Palladium Card Partners With Harry Winston

The JP Morgan Palladium Card has partnered with Harry Winston.  I found the best direct mail piece ever on my doorstep that has a presentation box and two Harry Winston catalogs.  Also included were an introduction letter and a $1,000 gift certificate for use with the Palladium Card.  This could be one of the best credit card benefits ever, especially if Harry Winston has anything for about $1,000.

This could also be the most expensive list purchase in history.  Chase could have sold their customer names to the partner.  I’m not sure what happened behind the scenes, but I doubt Chase isn’t making money on this with or without incremental sales at Harry Winston.  I’d like to see more of these offers, but not too many and always for high market brands.  Something free should always be included; a percentage discount would just be a bother.

I’m interested to see what comes next and what is the cheapest thing Harry Winston sells.

Update 5/14/12:  I stopped in this week to see what the $1,000 gift card could buy.  There is a $2,000 pen and a $2,300 necklace.  The pieces on display were stunning.  I was willing to spend a few hundred dollars on something, but the gift card didn't make anything less than four digits.  

Still Better Than The Office

My morning started at 3:30 with a call from United EasyUpdate saying my flight was delayed.  The original estimate was 20 minutes.  It turned out to be an hour.  Still, could be worse, I could be in the office.

United Express In Paint From Two Brands Ago

Spirit Brings Low Fares to Denver

Spirit Airlines is launching Denver service to irritate Frontier, the newest ultra low cost carrier.  A benefit to me is Spirit is bringing super low prices on the DEN-ORD route.  The incumbent carriers aren't even close.  I really hope the Southwest Effect happens and United lowers their fares in light of new competition.  If not, $170 savings might get me on a Spirit flight.

Look at that low fare - or  - Look at those two high fares

All this over $198? Really?

There is way too much fuss over Spirit Airlines not refunding a non-refundable fare of $198.  Someone is told by their doctor they are too sick to fly.  Spirit doesn't offer a refund in this instance; a similar policy to many airlines. This person complains to every news station on earth and gets airtime because it is a touching human interest story.  People buy cheap fares with cancellation restrictions are gambling that they will use the ticket.  Customers can always pay  several times more and have a fully refundable ticket.  That's the economic trade off people take.  If you lose, too bad, it's a risk that was knowingly taken.  Spirit is right to stick to their policy and treat everyone the same.

Too much fuss over $198

US Airways Company Store Discount Code

20% off any non-clearance items at the US Airways Company Store with the coupon code MOTHER.  Free shipping on orders over $75 too.  Offer expires May 4th.  Opportunity for some good deals on PacMin models. I've always had great experiences ordering from them.

US Airways Company Store Coupon / Discount Code

Chase Sapphire Credit Card Review

I use a collection of credit cards to maximize rewards from everyday spending.  I have a Citi Forward card because it earns 5% back (in gift card form) on restaurant spending.  I have a gold American Express that earns 3 times points on airfare and the SPG Business Amex that gives me 2 times points on Starwood hotels and Open Savings.  Then I need a card that rewards me for all my other spending.

My standby card is the Fidelity Amex that earns 2% on all purchases and has no annual fee.  My JPMorgan Palladium card earns 2 times points on travel spend, but that is limited to non-SPG hotels since all my other travel spend is taken by other cards.  I decided to try out the Chase Sapphire card with a 50,000 point sign up bonus (now only 40,000).  It earns 2 times points on travel spend and is otherwise uninteresting.  The card is not made out of plastic, but it is not gold so I’m not too impressed.  It’s a decent earner and with a much lower annual fee than the Gold Amex or Palladium Visa; it might be my go to card for airfare spending when my free year with the gold Amex is up.

Ultimate Rewards is Chase’s answer to Membership Rewards.  It has poor redemption value merchandise and 1:1 miles transfers to Chase affiliated airlines and hotels (United, Southwest, BA, Marriott, Priority Club, etc.).  You can also cash out points at $0.01 each.  It is a decent program and occasionally puts all their merchandise on sale to give you better than $0.01 a point in value. Point transfers or cash (if you are unimaginative or cash is king) are the best options.

The Sapphire is an ok card that, thanks to the sign up bonus, is going to be a good earner for me this year.  I’m not sure if I will keep it once the annual fee kicks in.  The Fidelity card is almost too good a value for everyday purchases.  

Helsinki Airport Security Check Innovation

Helsinki Airport is at the forefront of security check designs because they are focusing on the customer experience.  I wish US airports would follow the Finn's lead.  Read more here or watch the video below.