American Express Membership Rewards - AMEX Rewards Plus Gold - not the best for me now?

I've had an AMEX account since 1992. I've been doing about $50,000 per year on my AMEX. I am seriously considering switching my business to the new Mastercard branded Diner's Club. Here is my reasoning - can anyone find any faults with it, or a better strategy.

I am not interested in points for the "purchase" of merchandise. I am primarily interested in travel benefits. We have no low far carriers in my market (Des Moines). I use American Airlines nearly exclusively because of the number of flights in and out. I was a TWA guy. United is the other major player, but I just never fly them. I also use Marriott brands almost exclusively. The AMEX card was wonderful for me several years ago, giving me transfer capability to TWA and Marriott. Now, sadly, with AA and Marriott out of the picture, I find that my loyalty is staying with them more so than AMEX. I do not care about "prestige" when it comes to a credit card.

Today I use a Marriott Signature Visa for everywhere that doesn't take AMEX. I am thinking of using the new Diner's Club exclusively, except for Marriott paid stays, then of couse using the Marriott card. I figure that gives me the best deal for transfers into AA and Marriott, but still gives me flexibility should I want to dump a bunch of points into a partner that I don't usually use for some particular reason.

Anyone see a better strategy than this? Or is there any reason to believe that better things are ahead for MR from AMEX?

You might want to consider a SPG Amex. SPG points can be converted 1:1 to AA with a 20% bonus if you xfer 20k points (20kspg->25kAA). I'd guess that you'd have more options than with the Diner's club.

You might want to consider a SPG Amex. SPG points can be converted 1:1 to AA with a 20% bonus if you xfer 20k points (20kspg->25kAA). I'd guess that you'd have more options than with the Diner's club.
That doesn't help me with Marriott though I am assuming?

From last I checked, you can still get travel rewards with Marriott at certain point levels.

From last I checked, you can still get travel rewards with Marriott at certain point levels.
You can go from spg->aa->diner's->mariott - 20kspg->15kmariott.

From last I checked, you can still get travel rewards with Marriott at certain point levels.

Actually there are Marriott certificates that you can order. There's the Flex award that's minimum 17K to redeem which is good for a Friday night, or a Saturday night, or a Sunday night stay. It pays for the room, all room taxes and breakfast for 2 the following morning.

There's the Platinum Anytime award for a minimum of 28K which is the same principle, but it's redeemable for any night of the week.

There's the $100 bonus buck certificate, which is $100 off of a 2 night consecutive stay (limit one per 2 night stay)...that's 10K to redeem.

MR does recommend that you make reservations with Marriott and advise them you want to use the certs. Then call MR to order the certs. They can take up to 10 business days to arrive and there is no way of expediting them since the rewards come directly from Marriott. So order these certs about 3 weeks before you travel. They are good for 15 months.

And Marriott determines if there are blackout dates.

I've had an AMEX account since 1992. I've been doing about $50,000 per year on my AMEX. I am seriously considering switching my business to the new Mastercard branded Diner's Club. Here is my reasoning - can anyone find any faults with it, or a better strategy.

I am not interested in points for the "purchase" of merchandise. I am primarily interested in travel benefits. We have no low far carriers in my market (Des Moines). I use American Airlines nearly exclusively because of the number of flights in and out. I was a TWA guy. United is the other major player, but I just never fly them. I also use Marriott brands almost exclusively. The AMEX card was wonderful for me several years ago, giving me transfer capability to TWA and Marriott. Now, sadly, with AA and Marriott out of the picture, I find that my loyalty is staying with them more so than AMEX. I do not care about "prestige" when it comes to a credit card.

Today I use a Marriott Signature Visa for everywhere that doesn't take AMEX. I am thinking of using the new Diner's Club exclusively, except for Marriott paid stays, then of couse using the Marriott card. I figure that gives me the best deal for transfers into AA and Marriott, but still gives me flexibility should I want to dump a bunch of points into a partner that I don't usually use for some particular reason.

Anyone see a better strategy than this? Or is there any reason to believe that better things are ahead for MR from AMEX?


Have you thought about upgrading your MR program to the Plus level? It's an additional $35 a year to be enrolled. It has the "Your Ticket" feature, which lets you travel on any airline you choose without blackout dates or frequent flier seat restrictions. This way you can use your points to fly on American airlines. As far as Marriott goes, they do have certificates you can redeem.

Hope this helps.

Have you thought about upgrading your MR program to the Plus level? It's an additional $35 a year to be enrolled. It has the "Your Ticket" feature, which lets you travel on any airline you choose without blackout dates or frequent flier seat restrictions. This way you can use your points to fly on American airlines. As far as Marriott goes, they do have certificates you can redeem.

Hope this helps.
You are speaking about a program from AMEX called "Your Ticket?" Is this a US based program? I find nothing about it on their website.

You are speaking about a program from AMEX called "Your Ticket?" Is this a US based program? I find nothing about it on their website.

Actually, it's part of the Membership Rewards. Yes, it's a US based program. If you call 1-800-297-3276 (Membership Rewards phone number) you can talk to an agent about upgrading. It's part of the "Plus" feature of Membership Rewards.

There are 3 levels of MR:
Options which is designed for cardmembers who would like to use their points for certificates or merchandise, opposed to transferring to an airline/hotel partner (because of the 2:1 transfer rate to the partners). This level is the only one available to Optima, Blue, and the Rewards Green or Rewards Gold cards. For corporate cards, the annual fee for MR options is $40.

Basic which is the level of the Preferred rewards green or gold cards, the standard green or gold cards, the Rewards Plus card, and Platinum cards, is designed for cardmembers who want to use points for traveling. It offers a 1:1 transfer rate from MR to the ff/fg partners. For the standard green or gold cards, (including osbn) there's a $40 annual charge for the program. For corporate cards the annual charge is $75.

Plus is the highest level is available automatically to Centurion cardmembers, and is upgradable for those in basic. For personal or business cards, it's a $35 annual fee to upgrade. For corporate cards, it's an annual charge of $75 more (or, a total of $150 yearly). The "Plus" program is designed for cardmembers who would like to use their points with any airline partner they choose without frequent flier seat restrictions, or blackout dates. There is a special division called "Your Ticket" who actually make the reservations for you, using your points. They do have some restrictions such as 7 day advanced reservation, a Saturday night stay, all tickets redeemed for points are for round trip travel, no stopovers, one way tickets or first class tickets can be redeemed for points. They have a certain redemption level for various parts of the world, along with a maximum ticket value. So anything over that max ticket value is the responsibility of the cardmember. For example, flying from DC to LA would cost 35K points and if the ticket is $250, that's good, but if it's over $500, then the difference would be charged to your Amex card. There are agents who actually make the reservations for you. So you just call them (they are open M-F from 8 a.m. to 10 pm eastern) to make reservations using your points.

Hope this helps.

I appreciate your detailed information. I will check into that. However, if it is as you describe, a $250 ticket for 35K points, that is not a very impressive deal. I'd be much better off using a 1:1 program like that in Diner's Club. Certainly the issue of no capacity controls on the ticket is a feature worth "something" but I've not, in general, had a problem with American using miles. I think I've made the right choice moving to DC.

I think you have made the right choice by switching from AmEx to Diners Club. Many prefer AmEx for specific benefits, like lounge access. But I have found from a personal card point of view, the Diners Club MC acceptability, host of benefits, and flexible Club Rewards for me are better than a comparable AmEx charge card.

I appreciate your detailed information. I will check into that. However, if it is as you describe, a $250 ticket for 35K points, that is not a very impressive deal. I'd be much better off using a 1:1 program like that in Diner's Club. Certainly the issue of no capacity controls on the ticket is a feature worth "something" but I've not, in general, had a problem with American using miles. I think I've made the right choice moving to DC.

Well, it's really a matter of convenience. Those who have millions of points (litereally, MILLIONS!!) don't mind the fact that they are using the points, they just like the fact that they don't have to go searching for a frequent flyer seat with the restrictions. There's a travel agent who will do that for him or her.

Well, it's really a matter of convenience. Those who have millions of points (litereally, MILLIONS!!) don't mind the fact that they are using the points, they just like the fact that they don't have to go searching for a frequent flyer seat with the restrictions. There's a travel agent who will do that for him or her.

Is that the only difference between plus and basic MR? Is there any info about MR Plus on the Amex website? Thanks.

Well, it's really a matter of convenience. Those who have millions of points (litereally, MILLIONS!!) don't mind the fact that they are using the points, they just like the fact that they don't have to go searching for a frequent flyer seat with the restrictions. There's a travel agent who will do that for him or her.

I'm a little (or perhaps more than a little) confused. With MR Plus, I get to call up AMEX, and ask them to book me a flight, and I pay for it with points? In your earlier post, you spoke about a maximum $ value and that sounds like you may wind up paying with a combo of points and real $. I have loads of points and want to book BC/FC trips, but I don't want to spend real $ if possible.

Also, just to be clear - do AMEX MR Plus restrict you to their "partner" airlines?

I have loads of points and want to book BC/FC trips, but I don't want to spend real $ if possible.

no stopovers, one way tickets or first class tickets can be redeemed for points.

If it's true that MR Plus "Your Ticket" program only allows economy class tickets using points, then personally I see little value in adding it. I rarely redeem free economy flights.

I have the Rewards Plus Gold Card, but have never heard of the "your ticket" program. I am guessign the Rewards Plus is not the same as MR Plus?

I have the Rewards Plus Gold Card, but have never heard of the "your ticket" program. I am guessign the Rewards Plus is not the same as MR Plus?

Read Jannarama's post:
Plus is the highest level is available automatically to Centurion cardmembers, and is upgradable for those in basic.

You can upgrade to MR+ for $35.

Read Jannarama's post:


You can upgrade to MR+ for $35.

Thanks for your helpful notes. I did read her post and am aware.

I guess I could have worded it differently and said I find it confusing that they market two very similarily named concepts "Rewards Plus" and "Membership Rewards Plus".