American Express Membership Rewards - AmEx Membership Rewards Points Program vs. DL AmEx Skymiles Program

I am about to try a small business gold rewards card, which my AmEx rep suggests I link to a no-annual-fee Optima personal card, to "pool" the MR points. I think that's a good idea. But I have a Delta-branded AmEx card, which has the annual fee paid until 2008, so I wanted to keep that, too. The AmEx rep told me that wasn't a good idea because (1) she could just transfer the existing account number from the DL card to the Optima card, so I wouldn't have to notify merchants...(which is good)...and (2) that she's have to "pull" two credit checks...(which doesn't really create a problem, as far as I can see.) So...I thought I should keep the two cards...(1) because the DL-branded AmEx is already paid...(2) they still give double points for "everyday spending"...and (3) I want to compare the two rewards programs. (I use my miles ONLY for international business-class tickets to Rome, usually on DL or Alitalia...and it has become a PAIN to get nonstop tickets, no matter which reward program I use...Citi Rewards or Delta)...and I wanted to see if the AmEx MR program is any easier.

Any advice, comments about something I'm not thinking about?

I am about to try a small business gold rewards card, which my AmEx rep suggests I link to a no-annual-fee Optima personal card, to "pool" the MR points. I think that's a good idea. But I have a Delta-branded AmEx card, which has the annual fee paid until 2008, so I wanted to keep that, too. The AmEx rep told me that wasn't a good idea because (1) she could just transfer the existing account number from the DL card to the Optima card, so I wouldn't have to notify merchants...(which is good)...and (2) that she's have to "pull" two credit checks...(which doesn't really create a problem, as far as I can see.) So...I thought I should keep the two cards...(1) because the DL-branded AmEx is already paid...(2) they still give double points for "everyday spending"...and (3) I want to compare the two rewards programs. (I use my miles ONLY for international business-class tickets to Rome, usually on DL or Alitalia...and it has become a PAIN to get nonstop tickets, no matter which reward program I use...Citi Rewards or Delta)...and I wanted to see if the AmEx MR program is any easier.

Any advice, comments about something I'm not thinking about?


I just switched my spending from AMEX Platinum, Citi Chairman TY, and AMEX HH to AMEX Delta Platinum because:

1. 2:1 miles at hardware/home improvement stores
2. Up to 20,000 qualifying miles per year (25,000 gives you status). This also counts toward your lifetime status with Delta
3. If you have an AMEX Green, AMEX Gold or AMEX Platinum you get a discount on the Delta Platinum AMEX
4. I live near a Delta hub

On the side of caution:

a. Delta's financial situation adds some risk the the SkyMiles program

Anyway, I redeem miles on Delta all the time. No problems except that on occasion I have to book the SkyChoice tickets sometimes or take awkward times.

MR can make it easier for you on your redemption. You get a lot more choices of airlines on which you can redeem points; you're no longer limited to DL and its SkyTeam partners. That being said, no other carriers offer the route non-stop, so you're going to be connecting anyways.

S.

I have a Delta-branded AmEx card, which has the annual fee paid until 2008, so I wanted to keep that, too. The AmEx rep told me that wasn't a good idea...

Do you use the Delta card for personal or for business spending? I would not give the annual fee much weight in the decision because I expect American Express will prorata refund it if you are changing to other American Express products.

It's not clear how you think Membership Rewards might improve the availability of nonstop business class airline tickets to Rome. Membership Rewards points are typically converted to airline miles which are then indistinguishable from any other miles.

If you do try Membership Rewards, in lieu of a generic Optima card for personal spending I would consider The Nest credit card...

http://www201.americanexpress.com/apply/Fmacfservlet?csi=60/0/b/3/2116102300/207121305410/0/n&from=0&mgmID=undefined

This card is targetted at newlywed couples, but is available to anyone, carries no annual fee, there is a 5,000 point first use bonus, and if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year there is a 10,000 point bonus. Note that this card participates in Membership Rewards Options, but earns standard Membership Rewards points if linked to an American Express charge card that participates in the full Membership Rewards program. The Nest card has a distinctive appearance which I like, but others will disagree.

dennis

fyi, if you decide to go with the Amex Gold Business card AND you sign up with promo/RSVP code 2TAX AND make an online tax payment with that new Amex Gold Biz card, you will get a $200 credit on your bill.

http://tinyurl.com/2ns7kx

Terms and Conditions:
Bonus $200 savings applies to payments made with Official Payments Corp. between 11/01/2006 and 02/28/2007 on a new Business Gold Rewards Card, and will appear as a statement credit on your Card Account. Tax payment must be made on Card Account after new Card is activated. The maximum discount available is $200 per Card Account. Federal business taxpayers can deduct the fee as a business expense. Note: Federal tax deposit payments cannot be paid through this service. This service is also available for federal personal individual income taxes and other state personal and business taxes and fees in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MN, MS, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, VA, WA, WI, WV and DC. Check with your card issuer for reward points, miles, and money back terms, conditions and eligibility.

Thanks to all for the advice...I have just found these nonstop flights to be increasingly difficult to get (unavailable) with my DL mileage points, and I hoped that AmEx might have more options thru the MR program.

Where is info on 20,000 Q miles?

I just switched my spending from AMEX Platinum, Citi Chairman TY, and AMEX HH to AMEX Delta Platinum because:

1. 2:1 miles at hardware/home improvement stores
2. Up to 20,000 qualifying miles per year (25,000 gives you status). This also counts toward your lifetime status with Delta
3. If you have an AMEX Green, AMEX Gold or AMEX Platinum you get a discount on the Delta Platinum AMEX
4. I live near a Delta hub

On the side of caution:

a. Delta's financial situation adds some risk the the SkyMiles program

Anyway, I redeem miles on Delta all the time. No problems except that on occasion I have to book the SkyChoice tickets sometimes or take awkward times.

Where is info on 20,000 Q miles?

Look under all SkyMiles benefits on the DL Platinum AMEX page...

http://www.americanexpress.com/delta