Why it pays to use your credit card for everything

Note to self: Keep charging.

I know this advice seems counter-intuitive whilst we are in the midst of a nationwide credit crunch, but hear me out on this one. I have recently become an MVP member on an airline mileage plan. I may fly more frequently than an average person, but not enough to warrant the title of MVP. So how did I earn this prestige? Two words: Mileage Visa.

In order to be deemed MVP, you have to maintain a certain balance of miles on the year and I just happened to gain those miles not through flights, but through dollars spent (thank you, kitchen remodel). A public service announcement for the kids: make sure you only charge things that you have the money for. Little Ms. Notetaker does not condone living outside of your means. But if your means include using your mileage credit card for everything you buy then by all means do it!

Why? Because when you are an MVP, you get unlimited free upgrades to first class. FIRST CLASS!

I’m typing this post from the comforts of my oversized seat that reclines farther than those in the main cabin, sipping on a FREE bloody Mary in an actual glass glass (little known fact about me, I will always select bloody Mary mix as my drink on the flight, I love spicy tomato juice! But the fact that I get to make it a cocktail for FREE in first class, well that’s just the cat’s pajamas), and wiping off the residue of FREE gourmet chips and salsa. On my flight out, I forgot about the upgrade option and was forced to buy a “picnic snack” for $5 and believe me, it was not anything to write a blog post about.

The sad thing about sitting in first class—at least for me—is that I immediately take on an attitude of entitlement. Of course I get to board the plane first, of course I have someone to keep bringing me free food and drinks, of course we have our own special bathroom. But as we were preparing to take off I thought to myself, hmmm they should make sure our luggage is the first off the plane.
Ack! I should not let the mileage visa go so quickly to my head—but believe me it’s not going to prevent me from charging. In fact, right this second I’m going to recline my seat, sip on my cocktail, and reflect on how I can be a more compassionate MVP—yeah, and MVP with a heart. That’s the ticket.