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re: Not real sure there is much everyday benefit to these Amex cards.
Posted on 9/7/20 at 9:18 am to audioaxes1
Posted on 9/7/20 at 9:18 am to audioaxes1
quote:Same here. Blue Cash is the only Amex card I have. It also has 3% cash back at gas stations
Amex blue cash preferred is one of my most used cards (6% cashback at grocery stores
Posted on 9/7/20 at 9:44 am to DiamondDog
quote:
Over past two months we have spent about $8,000 between the cards. The problem is I’m not seeing any value in these rewards points.
I have a Sapphire card that will give me 1:1 points for southwest. 8,000 points could get me a one way flight on Southwest. With Amex, I might get $30 in amazon credits.
I don't understand what your problem is. Have you not researched transfer partners for Amex MR points? Amex is 1:1 for Delta as an example, which is literally the same transfer ratio you gave as your example.
Posted on 9/7/20 at 8:13 pm to DiamondDog
(no message)
This post was edited on 10/26/20 at 2:12 pm
Posted on 9/7/20 at 9:18 pm to DiamondDog
quote:
Sapphire seems like overall the best card to own for rewards. Any others worth owning?
I was going to tell you Barclaycard Arrival Plus but it looks like it’s no longer an option. I get 2x points on all purchases and pay for travel with points
Posted on 9/7/20 at 9:54 pm to Rendevoustavern
With the platinum card, they will give you a plastic “gold” card for free. It’s the same as the platinum card. No different benefits or point structures.
Posted on 9/7/20 at 10:10 pm to DiamondDog
quote:
We use the travel benefits regularly and the lounge access has been worth its weight in gold for me internationally. The everyday points purchases is what I am trying to discuss. What cards do you get for it.
United Mileage Plus because I want free flights to Europe
Posted on 9/7/20 at 10:14 pm to yellowfin
quote:
I was going to tell you Barclaycard Arrival Plus but it looks like it’s no longer an option. I get 2x points on all purchases and pay for travel with points
If you're paying the annual fee, you'd get the better value with Citi Double Cash.
They are both cash back cards at their root.
This post was edited on 9/7/20 at 10:15 pm
Posted on 9/8/20 at 6:29 am to Teddy Ruxpin
I might be moving on from Amex gold. Planning a trip, and Amex point redemptions are more expensive than Chase for flight/hotels by a long shot. This always seems to be the case when I compare too.
I also tried booking a rental car on Amex. That process is a joke. Their website wouldn’t let me use the points, so I asked their online agent for help. She explained the process is that they charge you the rental in full up front, then 48 hours after you turn in your car you call Amex to get a credit. My trip would be a couple months from now, so essentially you float the cost, then they hope you forget to call for credit. Anyone else dealt with that?
I also tried booking a rental car on Amex. That process is a joke. Their website wouldn’t let me use the points, so I asked their online agent for help. She explained the process is that they charge you the rental in full up front, then 48 hours after you turn in your car you call Amex to get a credit. My trip would be a couple months from now, so essentially you float the cost, then they hope you forget to call for credit. Anyone else dealt with that?
Posted on 9/8/20 at 6:40 am to 704Reb
quote:
Amex point redemptions are more expensive than Chase for flight/hotels by a long shot.
You're doing it wrong. Transfer your Amex points to the airline partner and then book the flights. Several airlines even have bonus points at certain times of the year. My wife and I were able to fly Madrid-JFK in business class for 18000 Amex points each. That's a ridiculously good redemption.
Posted on 9/8/20 at 9:47 am to VABuckeye
Right, I know about transfer process. But these flights would be on American and hotel is boutique.
Posted on 9/8/20 at 10:46 am to 704Reb
Yeah, for best redemption you want to use Citi cards to accumulate AA miles.
Outside of partners you're looking at a .01 redemption per point at best.
Outside of partners you're looking at a .01 redemption per point at best.
Posted on 9/8/20 at 11:31 am to DiamondDog
I'm a cash-is-king person so all my cards are cashback. It results in about $2,500/yr in cash in my pocket.
6% Cards:
- Amex Blue Cash for groceries
5% cards:
- Discover rotating categories
- PenFed VISA for Gasoline
- Amazon store card for amazon purchases
3% card:
- Citi Costco for restaurants/travel
2.5% card
- USAA VISA for all other purchases
6% Cards:
- Amex Blue Cash for groceries
5% cards:
- Discover rotating categories
- PenFed VISA for Gasoline
- Amazon store card for amazon purchases
3% card:
- Citi Costco for restaurants/travel
2.5% card
- USAA VISA for all other purchases
Posted on 9/8/20 at 1:11 pm to DiamondDog
As another poster mentioned, the value in Amex points is typically in international business or first class travel.
If you search for "best use of Amex points" you will find some great deals. For instance, I believe one is a first class flight in one of Emirates' private rooms for under 100,000 points, which is absurd value.
That being said, if you have no need for upgraded international travel I agree Amex points don't go far otherwise. I've flown open-jaw to Japan and back from Manila on under 50,000 CSR points. The redemption rate on the CSR is unmatched for travel right now.
If you search for "best use of Amex points" you will find some great deals. For instance, I believe one is a first class flight in one of Emirates' private rooms for under 100,000 points, which is absurd value.
That being said, if you have no need for upgraded international travel I agree Amex points don't go far otherwise. I've flown open-jaw to Japan and back from Manila on under 50,000 CSR points. The redemption rate on the CSR is unmatched for travel right now.
Posted on 9/8/20 at 4:38 pm to Me Bite
I don’t use my cards for building wealth. That’s a dumb quote because the premise is idiotic that it is anything more beyond a service.
The points are lagniappe. Like I said, the Amex benefits are on point under normal circumstances if you’re traveling. They’ve been the most seamless thus far. I don’t think I’ll ever get a ton of points only spending $50-70,000 per year. Maybe that’s enough for one international flight per year? Maybe not.
The points are lagniappe. Like I said, the Amex benefits are on point under normal circumstances if you’re traveling. They’ve been the most seamless thus far. I don’t think I’ll ever get a ton of points only spending $50-70,000 per year. Maybe that’s enough for one international flight per year? Maybe not.
This post was edited on 9/8/20 at 4:39 pm
Posted on 9/9/20 at 6:18 am to DiamondDog
I don’t think it’s been mentioned, but Amex offers is a nice perk, and the offers I get on my platinum card are infinitely better than the ones offered on my chase sapphire.
The Amex offers this year have been even better as they’ve implemented benefits to offset the travel perks that have been rendered mostly useless by the pandemic.
The Amex offers this year have been even better as they’ve implemented benefits to offset the travel perks that have been rendered mostly useless by the pandemic.
Posted on 9/9/20 at 6:40 am to notsince98
I have pretty much that same lineup, +/- some of the rotating category ones.
If you didn't know, the Amazon Chase card has a promo going for 4% back on everything until February. So it's replaced my usaa 2.5 card until then.
Used to have the Uber Visa card that was 4% on travel and dining until they nuked that benefit. Can't find a replacement I really like
If you didn't know, the Amazon Chase card has a promo going for 4% back on everything until February. So it's replaced my usaa 2.5 card until then.
Used to have the Uber Visa card that was 4% on travel and dining until they nuked that benefit. Can't find a replacement I really like
Posted on 9/9/20 at 9:33 am to BACONisMEATcandy
I have the CSP and even then I’m having a hard time figuring out if it’s worth having since I already have a freedom unlimited. Sapphire is only good for points transfer. Benefits wise, the freedom unlimited tops it
Posted on 9/9/20 at 10:53 am to 632627
Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts is one of the best benefits of the card, if you like nice hotels, early check in, late check out, room upgrades, resort credits, and daily breakfast. And airline partners are great.
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