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Message
re: Credit Card Rewards and Points Discussion
Posted on 8/29/16 at 8:57 am to 632627
Posted on 8/29/16 at 8:57 am to 632627
quote:
632627
Personally, I have an entirely different view.
I think AmEx plat is the most BS card past the initial sign-up bonus in the premium card market. $450 for 1x on everything. And you earn 1x of one of the most devalued currencies out there. The fringe benefits? SPG gold and Hilton gold. Hilton gold doesn't mean much. SPG gold is ok but not worth paying $450 for. Centurion lounges are a bit underwhelming. I've been to 3 so far (Dallas, Miami and Vegas) and they are all always wayyy too crowded. I go to lounges so that I can have some peace away from the madness at the gates. Centurion lounges are worse! IMO AA admirals club is much better that comes with the Citi Prestige. As far as the Fine Hotels and Resorts go, if you are staying in these properties it is highly likely you are not worried about $450 a year since you don't want to go through a little effort to not pay full price. Because again, it is easy to get a much better deal on the same hotels through other avenues. No reason to go through amex and pay full price. The only reason to have an AmEx plat apart from getting $400 reimbursements + 100K points for the first year is the false idea of exclusivity and that it looks "cool."
Coming to the Citi Prestige - with the recent nerfs, the only reason to now have this card is if you have a lot of company reimbursed 4 day stays. The 4th night free benefit for new cardholders is not nearly as good as the one that existed until now. Taxes don't get reimbursed anymore. This brings down the 25% off to around 15%. It is not hard to get 15% off through GCs + OTAs + CB portals. Again, not worth paying $450 for (or really $200 after flight reimbursement). Admirals club access is going away and 1.3c/1.6c redemption rate is being dropped to 1.25c.
CSR - CSR really has got it all. 3x points on Travel and Dining of the most valuable points currency out there right now. $300 no headache reimbursement. Great Priority Pass access with guests. 1.5x redemption rate. It seems like Chase is the only bank trying to increase value of their rewards while everyone else is devaluing. A travel hacker/frugal traveler/someone trying to subsidize travel should look no further. Definitely shouldn't look at AmEx Plat, and should only look at Citi Prestige under very specific circumstances.
Basically I'd much rather earn 3x chase points than 1x MR or 3x/2x (travel/Dining) Citi TYP.
Full disclosure: I have both AmEx Plat and Citi Prestige but don't have the CSR. The irony is not lost on me.
This post was edited on 8/29/16 at 9:03 am
3
Posted on 8/29/16 at 9:43 am to AmeriKop45
To my original point, it all depends on one's traveling habits.
I live in Los Angeles and take a bunch of one night trips to Las Vegas and San Diego and have really maximized the fhr program for Amex. I've also used the spg status a few times and gotten some decent upgrades.
Agree that citi's restructuring of the 4th night free hurts the value. However I recently booked a trip to Hawaii using it, and was able to stack 4th night free along with their four seasons relationship perks and got about $500 in value out of it. Also, I have a citi gold checking account so my annual fee is only $350 and there are some extra multipliers on my thank you points.
Again, it really depends on ones travel habits, but I do agree if your favorite hotel and airline is an ultimate rewards partner, csr is your best bet because it's also the best card to accumulate spending.
Edit- another thing that I really like about Amex, and use a lot, is the Amex offers.... I've saved a bunch of money at places I'd frequent anyways. Amex offers isn't exclusive to the platinum card however.
I live in Los Angeles and take a bunch of one night trips to Las Vegas and San Diego and have really maximized the fhr program for Amex. I've also used the spg status a few times and gotten some decent upgrades.
Agree that citi's restructuring of the 4th night free hurts the value. However I recently booked a trip to Hawaii using it, and was able to stack 4th night free along with their four seasons relationship perks and got about $500 in value out of it. Also, I have a citi gold checking account so my annual fee is only $350 and there are some extra multipliers on my thank you points.
Again, it really depends on ones travel habits, but I do agree if your favorite hotel and airline is an ultimate rewards partner, csr is your best bet because it's also the best card to accumulate spending.
Edit- another thing that I really like about Amex, and use a lot, is the Amex offers.... I've saved a bunch of money at places I'd frequent anyways. Amex offers isn't exclusive to the platinum card however.
This post was edited on 8/29/16 at 9:55 am
Posted on 8/29/16 at 9:59 am to 632627
quote:
632627
You're right. Your scenario is very very specific to you. Clearly, you are not too worried about 25% discount vs a 15% discount. Nothing wrong with that. And if you see value in Centurion lounge, that is fine too. Most people do, I think. I just don't see it. Regardless, there is like 5 Centurion lounges. So unless you are frequenting those specific locations, chances are, it would be hard to justify that as a tangible benefit.
All current holders of Citi prestige are grandfathered into the old rules until September next year.
Also - for most, if not all, UR are easiest to use. Unless you redeem on Delta a lot, which can be ok value at very limited times. Most people are not going to redeem through ANA AFAIK. Which is the only valuable partner missing at UR. The other good ones - Flying Blue and KrisFlyer are partners of all 3.
This post was edited on 8/29/16 at 10:02 am
Posted on 8/29/16 at 10:09 am to AmeriKop45
What do you recommend we do with the Citi Prestige? The recent nerf has it in the desk drawer for me. I'm going to use the 3 free rounds of golf this month and then probably won't use it again.
My anniversary date isn't until next March. Should I just wait and then downgrade before the fee?
My anniversary date isn't until next March. Should I just wait and then downgrade before the fee?
Posted on 8/29/16 at 10:11 am to Azazello
just applied for the CSR and was approved immediately. My only question now is, what do I do with the CSP card? I already have a Chase Freedom.
Posted on 8/29/16 at 10:15 am to geauxcats10
Get rid of regular sapphire and use freedom for all spend excluding travel and dining and anything else that gets 2 or 3x with the reserve card.
Posted on 8/29/16 at 10:16 am to 632627
quote:
Get rid of regular sapphire
Do I cancel it? or just leave it open.
Posted on 8/29/16 at 10:20 am to geauxcats10
Transfer the credit line and cancel so you don't get hit with annual fee
Posted on 8/29/16 at 10:24 am to geauxcats10
quote:
geauxcats10
You can downgrade to 2nd Freedom (yes you will get 5x rotating cats on each) or to the Freedom Unlimited. No AF, and 1.5x on all spend. Good for non bonus spend. If you are able to, add in the Ink+ and you would have the Chase Quadfecta!
quote:
Azazello
Again, Prestige benefits are good until next year september. So I would use it until then or until AF hits, whichever comes first. There is definitely no reason to cancel before you make use of the $250 credit in 2017, which is per calendar year (not card membership year). Also remember, Citi TYP earned from a cancelled card only last for 60 days after cancellation. So plan accordingly. My favorite use of Citi TYP is to use it @ 1.3c/1.6c on revenue tickets when award flights aren't available.
This post was edited on 8/29/16 at 10:27 am
Posted on 8/29/16 at 11:08 am to AmeriKop45
quote:
I think AmEx plat is the most BS card past the initial sign-up bonus in the premium card market. $450 for 1x on everything. And you earn 1x of one of the most devalued currencies out there. The fringe benefits? SPG gold and Hilton gold. Hilton gold doesn't mean much. SPG gold is ok but not worth paying $450 for. Centurion lounges are a bit underwhelming. I've been to 3 so far (Dallas, Miami and Vegas) and they are all always wayyy too crowded. I go to lounges so that I can have some peace away from the madness at the gates. Centurion lounges are worse! IMO AA admirals club is much better that comes with the Citi Prestige. As far as the Fine Hotels and Resorts go, if you are staying in these properties it is highly likely you are not worried about $450 a year since you don't want to go through a little effort to not pay full price. Because again, it is easy to get a much better deal on the same hotels through other avenues. No reason to go through amex and pay full price. The only reason to have an AmEx plat apart from getting $400 reimbursements + 100K points for the first year is the false idea of exclusivity and that it looks "cool."
$450- $200 ecerts = $250 annual fee
I completely disagree about the Centurion Lounges, the one at LGA (my home airport) is always fantastic. As someone who flies DL solo for work, the skyclub access brings huge value.
quote:
CSR - CSR really has got it all. 3x points on Travel and Dining of the most valuable points currency out there right now. $300 no headache reimbursement. Great Priority Pass access with guests.
How can you knock centurion lounges but then say priority pass is great? I guess we will agree to disagree on which lounges we prefer.
You cannot quantify the "fringe" benefits the amex plat offers. For example, this year I got early access to Hamilton Tickets due to the card. How do I put a price on that?
Also, right now the amex plat is running 2x MR on all purchases through 10/31
I am not saying that CSR isn't a great card just disagree with a lot of your points on the amex plat. It isn't as easy to quantify as other cards, spg gold, hertz gold etc etc. I do agree it shouldn't be your daily spender unless there is a MR bonus happening like right now. The 3x for CSR is hard (if not impossible) to beat
This post was edited on 8/29/16 at 11:20 am
Posted on 8/29/16 at 11:19 am to burgeman
quote:
grab right now? Me and the wife were discussing getting a credit card for travel, the perks on the CSR look like the best so far. Should we bth apply and get double the points?
As you can see, everyone has a different opinion on these travel cards. My best advice is to look at the airports, airlines and hotels you will be using the most and see what program is best for you.
One thing that nobody is disputing is the csr introductory offer is the best in history. $600 in travel reimbursement and potentially 100k in UR points all for the first annual fee. Whether you keep the card beyond that is up to you.
Posted on 8/29/16 at 11:51 am to hiltacular
quote:
How can you knock centurion lounges but then say priority pass is great? I guess we will agree to disagree on which lounges we prefer.
Simple. There are over 900 priority pass lounges compared to 5 Centurion Lounges. And you can bring unlimited guests to Priority Pass lounges with CSR. You'd pay $30 for each guest at Centurion or any other lounge with Plat. 2x MR bonus is targeted. Even then, I'd happily take 1.5 or even 1 UR over 2 MR. No question. (you can always get 1.5x with FU).
As far as experiences are concerned, this doesn't apply to most people. How many times have you made use of this? Once? How many times have you paid the Plat AF? Can you justify the use per $250 you are spending on the AF? Sure there are other things like concierge, limo service etc. All talk no content kinda things as far as I'm concerned. For someone who has a lot of exposure to almost every card, I can tell you, there are most benefits most people will never use. Card issuers themselves agree that they add most of these "benefits" just as fillers to make their product stand out, and most people will never use them.
If you know how to work the e-certs, sure you can get it down to $250. But not everyone knows how to do this. And sooner or later, that loophole is going to be closed as well.
Simply put, and I reiterate, if your sole purpose is to subsidize travel or travel for free, AmEx plat is not a card you should have.
Another point - most people don't have multiple $450 AF cards. So it is a matter of one or the other for most people. The CSR blows its competition out of the water. AmEx lost at its own game a while ago. Even Citi TYP are so much more useful than MRs now. Obviously, UR and Starpoints are right up there as the best by far.
This post was edited on 8/29/16 at 11:54 am
Posted on 8/29/16 at 12:05 pm to hiltacular
quote:
As someone who flies DL solo for work, the skyclub access brings huge value.
quote:
It isn't as easy to quantify as other cards, spg gold, hertz gold etc etc.
You are confusing what is good for you specifically with what is valuable to your average person.
The average person on here trying to bank CC rewards don't have a ton of value for those benefits/ could have more value from CSR fring benefits than AMEXPlat
This post was edited on 8/29/16 at 12:18 pm
Posted on 8/29/16 at 12:51 pm to AmeriKop45
Just got instant approval for Reserve. Will likely downgrade Preferred to regular Freedom before next annual free. Then will have Reserve, FU, ink plus and Freedom.
Now that my Ink plus bonus has posted, didn't someone say you could downgrade to ink cash and still get same category bonus plus CUR to pool? Not sure I'll get max benefits out of the ink long term.
Now that my Ink plus bonus has posted, didn't someone say you could downgrade to ink cash and still get same category bonus plus CUR to pool? Not sure I'll get max benefits out of the ink long term.
Posted on 8/29/16 at 1:02 pm to metallica81788
Yes you can
This post was edited on 8/29/16 at 1:03 pm
Posted on 8/29/16 at 2:04 pm to metallica81788
quote:
Now that my Ink plus bonus has posted,
Got to wait until you'vehad the card for 12 months I believe. They will refund your next AF if done in the first 30 (60 days upon request)
Posted on 8/29/16 at 2:09 pm to AmeriKop45
quote:
Priority Pass access
Is there a fee associated with this or do you show up at a Priority Pass lounge and present the card?
Posted on 8/29/16 at 2:17 pm to Waffle House
quote:
Is there a fee associated with this or do you show up at a Priority Pass lounge and present the card?
You have to activate it and they send you the credentials to get in the lounge for you + guests.
If you show up waving your card, they won't let you in
Posted on 8/29/16 at 2:24 pm to GenesChin
Ha sorry I should have clarified. Previously I have received a Priority Pass card when I have signed up for CCs but there was still a fee associated with using them. I was wondering it the one with CSR was free entry.
Posted on 8/29/16 at 2:24 pm to Waffle House
They'll send you a Priority Pass Select card that you will need every time. Alternatively, write down your membership number somewhere on your phone. That is what you really need to gain entry. If you forget it, call chase and request them to give you your PP membership number.
With some memberships you pay a fee to use the lounge. With most these days you don't. With AmEx plat, you get in free but guests pay $30. With Citi Prestige or CSR, you and upto 3 guests get in free. AmEx beat to the punch again with its sub-par product
With some memberships you pay a fee to use the lounge. With most these days you don't. With AmEx plat, you get in free but guests pay $30. With Citi Prestige or CSR, you and upto 3 guests get in free. AmEx beat to the punch again with its sub-par product
This post was edited on 8/29/16 at 2:27 pm
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