I’m thinking about getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card before heading off to MBA this fall. It’s a steep annual fee but think I’ll be doing a fair amount of travel. CSR holders - pros/cons? Any additional considerations you’d advise? MBA students - what was your credit card/points strategy for school?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Why would you spend $500 on a credit card when you have zero income? Are you gonna go hang out in the lounge by yourself when none of your friends have access and are hanging at the gate like average travelers?
I really see no benefit to the card, other than I guess lounge access, so no idea why you would spend that much.

like

The math to break even straightforward.

At the end of the day, a $250 annual fee isn’t going to make or break your finances, so just go with the Reserve.

like

I had it and so did a ton of my MBA classmates - plenty of times I’d go out for dinner and everyone would put out that card at the end of the meal. I more than got my money’s worth of annual fees with the travel insurance alone (with so many trips there’s a good chance you’ll get sick or something will happen) and then on top of that saved a decent bit of money on occasions where I used points to book things. All in all the card and the benefits dovetail nicely with the business school lifestyle and you can get a lot of value out of it, especially considering the $300 credit balances out for much of the annual fee

likehelpful

Appreciate your input Mck1! This is really helpful

This is a math question. Calculate your personal expected spending in each category and thus your expected points earnings, and also add up the value of any additional card benefits that you expect to use. If these total to more than the annual fee, then it's worth it. (If there are any other cards you're considering, it's also worth doing this exercise with those to see which card would be the most valuable for you.)

smarthelpful

I recently applied and got the CSR, the 300 travel credit drops the fee + doordash credits / membership with the Lyft pink membership takes up a big portion of that 250 remainder. If you plan to spend a lot on travel and food (which are the 3x point categories) then get it. otherwise, you should look at a card that focuses less on travel / food and more on cash back on everyday purchases. (Amex preferred is a good one i think with 6% on groceries). there are some youtube vids that can show you how to optimally use your cards! hope this helps and good luck!

helpful

It’s very helpful, thank you M1! That’s a great point about YouTube videos, I’ll have to look some up

like

I bought the chase reserve card when I got into consulting and absolutely loved it because of all the travel. Now that I’m going to an MBA program I’ll probably cancel it as I won’t be doing enough travel for the points needed to justify the fees over other cards. How much travel do you really think you’ll be doing as an MBA? A few trips will not make the cars worth it IMO.

Related Posts

Hi Everyone.

Is post graduation (CSE Pg Couse/MBA) required to grow a person's career as SAP Consultant?

I am confused.
Pls explain with real time examples if any.

Thanks in advance.

like

If you could buy a house in nyc, would you pick west village, Williamsburg, ues, uws, or Astoria?

like

Has anyone in management consulting taken Day 1 CPT program after an MBA? What school / program did you go for, and were you able to convert to h1b successfully?

like

Anyone know a good estate lawyer? I'm young but recently saw a family friend pass away and leave nothing in place. Makes me nervous and I'd rather have something.

like

I was one of the first people to get a CSR when it first came out - can I downgrade to a CSP and get the CSP bonus? Or how do I take advantage of the 100k CSP signup bonus?

like

Hi All,

My H1B is set to expire in Aug 2022, my employer is filing my extension, assuming I will get it till aug 2025 and I need to go to stamping.Parent is sick, needs to undergo a surgery. I want to go to India, to be with her during this time. My question here is if I go for visa stamping will I get stamping till Aug 2022 or aug 2025?
If I get stamping till Aug 2025, Can I come back before aug 2022 without any issue?
If I get stamping till Aug 2022, will there be any issues at port of entry

like

L'Oréal Hello Fishes! Looking for a contact or referral in the below firms. Kindly help me in my job quest. Mastercard, Unilever , Visa , Google , Stripe, Paypal , Nike, Adidas, Apple, Netflix Amazon, Walmart, Ogilvy, Fractal, Meesho, Kearney, L'Oréal , Mindtree, Udaan, Thoughtworks, Swiggy Any help here will be appreciated. Thanks!

like

I'm at a career juncture and have decided on a career in anti-money laundering as my new path. I'm also highly interested in additional education to further my career and am eyeing graduate school. Which is best? A law degree or a master's in international relations? Those are where my interests lie. I keep reading that JDs are valued in compliance but am wondering if a different graduate program is better for my goals. I already plan to obtain the CAMS certification. Thank you!

like

What are M7 MBB recruiting timelines ? Considering applying right now to MBB, but if I get rejected I’m going to do an MBA, will I be blacklisted from applying for summer internships if I get rejected this fall ?

I recently was let go (in lieu of accepting my two weeks) and I should have received my March expense check by the end of April per the employment agreement (submitted the report April 1, let go before mid April). I have emailed HR but haven't heard anything. I've got a feeling someone at the top is putting a hold on it.

How do I get my money from them? It's a few hundred dollars

Sorry if this isn't the right bowl for this question - I've checked a few.

like

Anyone from Deloitte knows if the firm sponsors EMBA partially or fully? Also, what support firm provides for weekend / Friday classes?

like

Is ethereum the new Bitcoin? Do you invest in it? Why/why not?

like

Is exp hiring easier than through college/mba? I assume there might be less competition but more self selection and less spots

like

Do we have any generic certification policy at HCL for upskilling.

Not talking about project specific or where RM needs to approve, as this tech (cloud) is something I want to learn, not part of my day to day work.

like

Hello! I have a panel interview tomorrow with MBA for an EA role. Would anyone have any input on the company or prep ideas please?

like

To the lender counsel that forgot to mention they needed original signature pages for a deal that closed early this year and decided to chase and harass me a day before thanksgiving and a day after thanksgiving multiple times. F*ck you. I don’t know what is driving your lack of courtesy but I have represented the same bank before and know their usual original signature requirement.

like

I recently joined citi. I have been given choice for to select superannuation as 13% of BS or 12500/- monthly or zero.

This is one time selection and not reversible.

I am already investing 1.5 lakh in 80C through SIP and EPF.

I need more detail about superannuation and is it beneficial or not?

Also is there any retirement age in IT field 🤔 (or in citi)?

like

This means my GC is approved right?! Sounds like I’ll receive approval notice soon, but when does the actual GC come through? Also, any guidance on when might my parents be able to travel here? (they are in UK and subject to travel ban, exempt for citizens and GC holders).

Filed I-140 and I-485 in Dec 2019, biometrics in Feb 2020, RFE in Nov 2020, approved March 2021 (15 mos). Nebraska SC. EB-1C from UK.

Post Photo
likeuplifting

Hi everyone!

Wanted to know if Amex uses a lot of proprietary softwares/ processes which have no value outside of Amex?

like

More Posts

Recommendations for best suits in Dubai? Good quality but not 10k either.

like

Job offers. Got an offer from Parker hannifin within 2 weeks of application. Still going through interview process with Rockwell automation, 3 interviews and over a month. Operation manager said I will be hearing from Hr soon on next steps. Leverage offer with Parker or take the job?

likehelpful

In discussions to make a lateral move. Is there any way I can negotiate higher pay outside the fixed bands? Higher annual bonus, signing bonus? I assume chances are low but worth trying.

like

I already sent my scores to Sloan through ETS but decided to not submit scores. I see a “delete” option in the app- will that ensure adcoms doesn’t know that I ever sent in a score?

like

Why does Jimmy Johnson have a bronze CLIO Award? And why is it as prominently displayed as the Lombardi Trophy?

Post Photo
likefunny

How many days does TCS takes for TR round results

like

I’ve got 8 years experience, work at a small, hot creative agency in NYC and will be promoted to CD soon. I’m not irreplaceable since no one truly is, but I’m a high value employee responsible for a good proportion of the agency’s marquee creative work and some important new business wins. I’m at $165k now, what should I ask for with my promotion?

likehelpful

Flat refusing to look at me

Post Photo
likefunny

Hi All-
Need a suggestion. H1 maxing out in sept 2021.
Got a job offer from small consulting firm (<200 people) and they are ready to file my GC from day1. About to resign in next couple of weeks once I receive my h1 approval.
But Deloitte sent a notification that they are restarting Perm process. Currently with Deloitte - nothing has been filed. They have the JD and all the documents from my side but haven’t filed pwd yet. Stay or move out .?

like

How is Black Taxi doing? Is it growing? Does it have many paying clients? I haven't seen any work or heard much.

like
like

Anyone do contract work? Experience with wealth counsel is a plus! Thanks!

like

How is IT M&A different from any other system implementation/integration?

like

Looking for honest opinions: would you trust career advice from someone who doesn’t necessarily have a background in career coaching but has always been “that friend” that everyone calls for career advice, resumes, salary negotiations etc?
I have a long background in management and have been very successful in climbing the ladder but I would love to start career coaching on the side. Any feedback is helpful!

likeuplifting
like

What do you eat the night before and morning of a race? (5k distance)

like

Anyone know market pay for Tampa (excluding the Holland Knight/Foley outliers)? I'm a 4th year looking for a range.

like

I am so nauseous and have been eating straight carbs for over a week now.. Any healthy lunch/breakfast ideas that would be easy on my stomach?

like

Any news on Drive to Survive Season 3?

like

Hi. People Manager here. I've been one for 12 years now and I encourage my team to not be "yes" people. At this time, it feels like my manager wants me and my team to be yes people for her. How do I deal with this? I've never been a yes person and I don't preach this to my reports. I don't know what to do. Help?

Additional Posts in Consulting

I get nightmares about printing on clients sites.... ::shivers::

like

Would you rather get an MBA from any program of your choosing (all loans) or guaranteed 130K/year, 40 hours a week until you retire (no chance for raises/bonuses)?

like

Best consulting firms to work for that will allow 100% remote work indefinitely regardless of what clients do?

like

Had a shitty Monday with southwest-Rescheduled my flight after not being able to print my boarding pass via app, customer care & airport self service 😪

Are companies looking to hire more minorities and people who identify as LGBTQ+? I saw a post about a job listing for a Big 4 and it said it had a strong preference for people who identify as LGBTQ+ or a minority racial group. Does this mean they have a higher chance of getting the job? Not trying to start any political debates, I’m just generally curious.

like

Slow speakers drive me nuts. Slow speakers with animation in their slides make me want to bang my head in the wall.

like

The crushing despair upon learning last minute that you have to be at the client site for kickoff on Monday when you were planning to be on holiday. So much for my tan.

like

Any good books recommendation on effective client communication/business writing?

like

Looking for some book recommendations :)

like

I want to transition to working abroad. Im a data scientist. Any advice on finding recruiters or companies looking for international work? Hoping for Dubai, Japan, China, or Europe

like

Any recs for CIPM study books?

like

May be this is off the topic..
One of my friend who is a doctor & is an international med graduate. He passed his United States Medical Licensing Exams with above average scores. He has applied fr the match last yr & was nt able to match. Match process costs around USD10k; this year he is applying again after borrowing funds frm different sources bt he is under tremendous pressure to get match. I feel his pain as he has studied for 10+ yrs and is struggling to match nw. I m nt sure hw I can help

like

Thinking about asking for a raise. Anyone successfully done this midyear? Should I walk if I don't get it? Haven't seen a raise in two years, even though significantly increased responsibilities.

like

Discussion post: I feel almost all consulting firms are the same. Mbb, big 4 etc. if you are paid enough there is probably less wlb. If there is good wlb there is not much money. Can you single out a company that you can confidently say pays very well and also has good wlb and also has good opportunities etc.?

like

🐠 Fam - What’s a good whiteboard solution for my home office? What do you use and from where do I get it? Thanks!

like

Best consulting firms to target for Supply Chain & Operations Strategy apart from MBB after graduating from MIT SCM

like

Sunday is like the last glimpse of Venice prisoners used to have on the Bridge of Sighs before being taken down to their cells.

like

I really want to understand (without any ideological bias) if what is happening in the US is a big deal or not. National security breaches, media bashing, etc. Feels surreal. Is this normal?

like

Any ACN analysts been to the new St. Charles training? Describe it in 5 words or less and if you can't then just describe it

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal