American Express Membership Rewards - SPG, Blue Sky, or Blue Cash?

Hi everyone,

I'd really appreciate your help with this, since I've done a lot of research and still haven't come to a decision.

I currently have a Chase Freedom, but I want to start traveling internationally more often, so I thought I should upgrade my card.

I plan on taking at least two international vacations a year, and I pay off my credit card balance in full every month, so the only thing that matters to me is the most miles for the money. (I also don't care about hotel benefits or anything since I like staying at hostels and other non-traditional establishments.)

Based on my research, it seems like the following:

- Blue Sky gets me $600 off if I spend $45k.
- Starwood gets me 50k miles if I spend $40k, which seems to amount to a ticket worth around $1200 using an ANA flight to Japan as an example.
- Blue Cash (given how much I spend on groceries and such) gets me about $588 cash if I spend $40k.

Given my buying patterns, it seems like Blue Cash is definitely better than Blue Sky, leaving me with either Blue Cash or Starwood.

Starwood definitely grants more for the money, but the question is whether the ease of Blue Cash is worth it, since I get to make all travel arrangements myself. I've heard that airlines are cracking down on frequent flyer programs, so they're getting worse and worse.

As such, do you think it's worth the hassle, red tape, and blackout dates for the extra Starwood miles, or should I stick with Blue Cash?

Thanks very much for any advice you can give me!

Michael

Welcome to Flyertalk. Is $40-45,000 the amount you expect to spend annually on the card? Are there specific airlines you are likely to fly? Do you fly economy or in a higher class?

Hi Mia,

Thanks for the quick response!

I don't really care about the airline, as long as it's safe and reputable. And I always fly economy.

I expect to spend about $18k-$20k a year on the card.

Thanks!

Instead of a card issued by American Express, I would suggest you look at the Citi Platinum American Express card. The charges are processed through the American Express network, but the card is issued and serviced by Citibank.

https://www.citicards.com/cards/wv/cardDetail.do?screenID=927

This card participates in Citi's ThankYou rewards program, and is extensively discussed in the Other Credit Cards section of Flyertalk, see this thread to start...

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=721401

For the first two years the card earns 3 points per dollar (5 points at supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations). You should earn 60,000+ points per year in addition to the 15,000 point activation bonus. Points are worth $0.01 each if redeemed for merchandise or using the online air booking tool. However, there is also a telephone-only Fixed Flight option where points are worth up to $0.02 each in economy class.

For example, an economy rountrip from USA to Asia requires 80,000 points. You can fly any airline that is bookable through Expedia, and the ticket value cap is $1,600. This will be a regular mileage earning ticket, not an "award" ticket. To learn more, start here...

https://www.thankyou.com/faq.jspx

...expand the Travel Rewards topic and read everything.

Caveats:

1. Citi can change the redemption rates at any time. While this is true of all programs the risk is greater here because it would affect redemptions on all airlines simultaneously.

2. There is no annual fee the first year, then $125. This is more than the other cards you are considering, but there are some additional benefits which you may find useful (such as three free lounge visits per year), and you will only pay it once because you will not want to keep the card after the 3 points per dollar offer expires.

3. This card alone will not qualify you to use the Fixed Flight redemption option, but in the thread linked above you will learn how a free Expedia account linked to your ThankYou Network account can work around this.

If you have questions about the card I suggest you post them in the other thread, but pretty much all common questions are covered already.

Thanks, Mia - that looks like the best deal!

I think I'll get that card for now, and in two years check back with you guys for the next best one :)