American Express Membership Rewards - Ameriprise Amex Gold or SPG Amex?

I've had an Amex Gold Charge Card for a couple of years now. I don't use it, but there's no annual fee through my Ameriprise relationship; they seem to wave the fee so I just keep the card in reserve. Since I don't use it, I have not signed up for Membership Rewards which would incur a $40 fee for my spouse's linked card.

I've been lurking on these forums for a while and have been thinking about applying for the SPG Amex Credit Card and moving my travel expenses away from my Diners Club Charge Card.

I'm a little hazy on the comparison between Membership Rewards and the points from the SPG card, is it enough to make the jump? I'm not quite sure how to compare these head to head.

Here is the math, assuming you convert to airline miles:

$20,000 = 20,000 Club Rewards = 20,000 airline miles (Transfer fee $19)
$20,000 = 20,000 Membership Rewards = 20,000 airline miles (Transfer fee varies)
$20,000 = 20,000 Starpoints = 25,000 airline miles (No transfer fee)

Diners Club Rewards accumulate at Citi, and there are 20 airline partners...

https://www.citibank.com/dinersus/jsp/clubrewards/catalog/english/certificate_list.jsp?category=c50a9ad0&subcategory=fc79feb6

...and also seven hotel partners...

https://www.citibank.com/dinersus/jsp/clubrewards/catalog/english/certificate_list.jsp?category=4ef15629&subcategory=e350b05d

Note that Diners offers a recurring bonus on transfers to British Airways 20,000:30,000


Membership Rewards accumulate at American Express and there are 17 airline partners...

http://www.membershiprewards.com/catalog/search/Default.aspx?category=Frequent%20Flyer%20Programs&endeca_url=zone%3dBasic%2b-%2bTravel%2b-%2bNavigation%2b-%2bBullets%2bD%26rule%3dBasic%2b-%2bTravel%2b-%2bNavigation%2b-%2bBullets%2bD%2b-%2bFrequent%2bFlyer%2bPrograms%26style%3dBasic%2b-%2bTravel%2b-%2bNavigation%2b-%2bBullets%2bD%26is_recognized%3dfalse&sortKey=Brand&sortDir=ASC

...and also four hotel partners...

http://www.membershiprewards.com/catalog/search/?category=Frequent%20Guest%20Programs&endeca_url=zone%3dBasic%2b-%2bTravel%2b-%2bNavigation%2b-%2bBullets%2bD%26rule%3dBasic%2b-%2bTravel%2b-%2bNavigation%2b-%2bBullets%2bD%2b-%2bFrequent%2bGuest%2bPrograms%26style%3dBasic%2b-%2bTravel%2b-%2bNavigation%2b-%2bBullets%2bD%26is_recognized%3dfalse


Starpoints accumulate at Starwood and there are 30 airline partners...

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/starpoints/transfer/airline_partner_list.html

Note that the Starwood transfer ratio is only 20,000 : 12,500 to CO and UA.

Comparing Diners to the other two you should also factor in the wider acceptance of Mastercard verus American Express. The benefits provided by Diners Club are better than those offered with the SPG credit card, but if you already use Diners you will know if you actually utilize the concierge or insurance features.

Mia,

What a fantastic post. I've been lurking for a while and have much respect for your insight. It helps to see this less as a card question and more as a rewards program comparison.

It looks like the standard Membership Rewards from Amex is the weakest offering for me - it is less widely accepted than Mastercard and no bonus for stays at Starwood hotels.

Starpoints look more fungible with other partners and programs than Diners Club does, plus there's that nice bonus.

I think I'll cancel my freebie Amex, get the SPG card, and keep my Diners as backup where the SPG Amex is not accepted.

Thanks so much, mia!!

... Membership Rewards from Amex is the weakest offering for me - it is less widely accepted than Mastercard and no bonus for stays at Starwood hotels.

This is true of the Fidelity American Express cards, but there is one card, Rewards Plus Gold, that does offer a bonus for transactions at Membership Rewards transfer partner airlines and hotel chains, including Starwood. During the first 12 months you earn 2 points per dollar with those partners, 1.5 points per dollar thereafter. (Centurion may offer a similar incentive, I do not know.)

In addition, all Membership Rewards cards offer these advantages versus Starwood...

1 bonus point per dollar for airline tickets purchased on americanexpress.com
1:1 transfers to Continental Airlines
Instantaneous transfers to several partner programs

Your individual pattern of spending and redemptions determines which card returns more airline miles.

...there is one card, Rewards Plus Gold, that does offer a bonus for transactions at Membership Rewards transfer partner airlines and hotel chains, including Starwood. During the first 12 months you earn 2 points per dollar with those partners, 1.5 points per dollar thereafter...

The Rewards Plus Gold card does sound better than the standard Membership Rewards, but if I were to go with MR instead of Starpoints, I would probably stick with my free Ameriprise Gold card. :D

...if I were to go with MR instead of Starpoints, I would probably stick with my free Ameriprise Gold card.

Understood, but others who read this exchange will have different circumstances and I think it's useful to identify Membership Rewards' advantages.