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Category: Off-Topic & Lounge
By: James Wu
Reply by David Okafor:
STR expenses are PERFECT for credit card rewards because the spend is consistent and high-volume. Here's my card strategy: **Primary cards I use:** 💳 **Chase Sapphire Reserve** — 3x points on travel and dining (I use this for any STR-related travel between properties + vendor meals). Annual fee is $550 but the travel credit, lounge access, and point value make it worthwhile. 💳 **Chase Ink Business Preferred** — 3x points on internet/cable (WiFi across all properties), advertising, and shipping. Use for all your software subscriptions (PriceLabs, Hospitable, Turno, etc.). 💳 **Costco Anywhere Visa** — 4% on gas, 3% on restaurants, 2% on Costco. All my bulk supply runs (paper products, cleaning supplies, linens) go on this card at Costco. **Results from 12 months of STR spending:** - Earned 350,000+ Chase points (~$5,250 in travel value) - Booked 3 free flights and 5 hotel nights for personal travel - Cash back from Costco card: $1,200/year **Key strategies:** 1. Put ALL STR expenses on cards (rent, mortgage, utilities, supplies, software, contractor payments) 2. Open new cards strategically for sign-up bonuses ($500-1,000 each) 3. Use business cards to keep STR expenses separate from personal (better for taxes AND reward optimization) 4. Pay in FULL every month — credit card interest destroys any rewards value **Estimated annual value from credit card optimization: $6,000-8,000** in free travel and cash back. That's basically a free vacation funded entirely by your STR expenses.
Reply by Maria Gonzales:
One tip nobody mentions: FURNISHING a new property is the perfect time to hit credit card sign-up bonuses. When I set up my last property, I spent $15K on furniture and supplies in 3 months. I strategically opened 2 new credit cards with $4K and $5K spend requirements for the sign-up bonuses. I hit both bonuses easily with normal furnishing expenses. Earned: $1,500 in combined sign-up bonuses + ongoing rewards. The property literally paid for my next vacation before a single guest arrived.