Barclay Arrival+ versus Chase Sapphire Preferred
Mar 5, 2015, 9:01 pm
#46
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,978
I like Hyatt though, because they have reasonable award chart.
Mar 5, 2015, 9:58 pm
#47
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Ritz-Carlton Gold, Hyatt Plat, AAdvantage Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 135
the 45k signup => 1 top tier night + 1 mid tier night or 3x mid tier nights
csp travel dollars 15000 => 1 top tier night or 2 mid tier nights at 30000 pts
csp travel dollars 7500 => 1 mid tier nights at 15000 pts
marriott:
the 45k sign up => 1 top tier night
csp travel dollars 15000 => 1 mid tier at 30000 pts
csp travel dollars 7500 => 1 low tier night at 15000 pts
added value: 5th night free, 7 night + miles package
hhonors:
the 50k sign up => a possible top tier night at 75000 pts
citi premier travel dollars 15000 => just short of a possible top tier night at 68000 points
citi premier travel dollars 7500 => 1 mid tier night
added value : 5th night free
and the other thing I hate about hilton's program that makes hard for me to call reasonable is that so many properties are high tier that is an absolute rarity to get basic value out of even 30000 pts in the program while hyatts 30000 pts is top tier. So while that card makes it tolerable to earn hilton pts there are few other venues to earn the pts easily while hyatt pts can get you value pretty easily no matter how you earn them. And marriott's program isn't getting much better, but the chart is much more reasonable with the top tier at 45k pts. And there are more hiltons which is the main reason im even hilton silver, but its easy enough to find a marriott near a hilton in most areas and easier to find an affordable reward stay with marriott than with a hilton in most areas I've been to.
Last edited by TReckoner; Mar 6, 2015 at 12:03 am
Mar 6, 2015, 7:58 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,685
and the other thing I hate about hilton's program that makes hard for me to call reasonable is that so many properties are high tier that is an absolute rarity to get basic value out of even 30000 pts in the program while hyatts 30000 pts is top tier. So while that card makes it tolerable to earn hilton pts there are few other venues to earn the pts easily while hyatt pts can get you value pretty easily no matter how you earn them. And marriott's program isn't getting much better, but the chart is much more reasonable with the top tier at 45k pts. And there are more hiltons which is the main reason im even hilton silver, but its easy enough to find a marriott near a hilton in most areas and easier to find an affordable reward stay with marriott than with a hilton in most areas I've been to.
As always, I understand every person's situation differs, therefore YMMV.
Last edited by eajusa; Mar 6, 2015 at 11:27 am
Mar 6, 2015, 5:33 pm
#49
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Ritz-Carlton Gold, Hyatt Plat, AAdvantage Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 135
I have much better results when I use the points and cash offer. Yesterday, I had reservations for three stays totaling $1400. I replaced these reservations with cash and points and saved $782. The points I used costs me 2 cents each; since I received 51K points for $2K spend on Prestige and bought 61.2K points for $400. The 112,200 points replaced the $782 I saved. BTW each of the reservations made are at Cat 7 properties. I also am saving $159 plus tax on another reservation with my annual free night certificate.
As always, I understand every person's situation differs, therefore YMMV.
As always, I understand every person's situation differs, therefore YMMV.
If so I really don't see how you don't see anything to be desired from that compared to the using a Hyatt redemption to save $600+ from its welcome bonus.
By the numbers at its lowest value redeeming the csp for hyatt points :
$450 value > $382, your savings at Hilton on 3 stays, - $105 annual fee difference less the airline credit.
And I'm not sure how the free night certificate factors into that and what it's good for and whether that came with your prestige.
I also don't think CSP is intended to compete with the prestige anyways as the annual fees are in different ballparks.
Mar 6, 2015, 6:05 pm
#50
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,685
Hehe, I knew you would have something to say about this eaj. Are you saying you spent $400 with your welcome bonus to save a net $382 on 3 stays?
If so I really don't see how you don't see anything to be desired from that compared to the using a Hyatt redemption to save $600+ from its welcome bonus.
By the numbers at its lowest value redeeming the csp for hyatt points :
$450 value > $382, your savings at Hilton on 3 stays, - $105 annual fee difference less the airline credit.
And I'm not sure how the free night certificate factors into that and what it's good for and whether that came with your prestige.
I also don't think CSP is intended to compete with the prestige anyways as the annual fees are in different ballparks.
If so I really don't see how you don't see anything to be desired from that compared to the using a Hyatt redemption to save $600+ from its welcome bonus.
By the numbers at its lowest value redeeming the csp for hyatt points :
$450 value > $382, your savings at Hilton on 3 stays, - $105 annual fee difference less the airline credit.
And I'm not sure how the free night certificate factors into that and what it's good for and whether that came with your prestige.
I also don't think CSP is intended to compete with the prestige anyways as the annual fees are in different ballparks.
May 12, 2015, 9:10 pm
#51
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 111
Great discussion. I am currently debating this same "which card" issue. Planning on traveling and buying via bulk using a TA. Total about 20k. I think in my case the CSP makes the most sense as the large purchase is all travel related. Right?
Also, should I open another CSP for my DH as well? Perhaps we can split the fees and earn twice the signup bonus. Not sure if I would want to keep both moving forward after a year. Can points/rewards from one CSP be transferred to another?
Also, should I open another CSP for my DH as well? Perhaps we can split the fees and earn twice the signup bonus. Not sure if I would want to keep both moving forward after a year. Can points/rewards from one CSP be transferred to another?
May 12, 2015, 9:53 pm
#52
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, IC Plat Amb, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,299
Great discussion. I am currently debating this same "which card" issue. Planning on traveling and buying via bulk using a TA. Total about 20k. I think in my case the CSP makes the most sense as the large purchase is all travel related. Right?
Also, should I open another CSP for my DH as well? Perhaps we can split the fees and earn twice the signup bonus. Not sure if I would want to keep both moving forward after a year. Can points/rewards from one CSP be transferred to another?
Also, should I open another CSP for my DH as well? Perhaps we can split the fees and earn twice the signup bonus. Not sure if I would want to keep both moving forward after a year. Can points/rewards from one CSP be transferred to another?
Same thing with costumer service. CSP 1 second delay between calling and talking to a live rep. A+ takes several minutes.
Visa signature hotels > World elite hotels (more variety).
I value 1 UR point at 2cents. So its almost the same as using an Arrival + except that if you pay for travel related expenses or restaurants you could get twice or even triple the value. Also 2cents is just a fixed amount because I dont use my UR points unless I find value of at least 3 cents. I use it for avios short haul flights, SQ flights to Japan and Hyatt nights... There are even more ways to use them that I have not discover yet.
Another example:
Flight from MIA to CCS = $1,200
CSP= 20,000 UR points or Avios
A+= 120,000 Miles
A+ is plain cash that is never going to be more valuable.
Yes apply for 2 cards.
May 12, 2015, 10:23 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 111
I can now say that the CSP is a clear winner... I spent almost the same on both cards. With the Arrival I got 180,000 miles. Enough for $2,000. With the CSP I got 180,000 UR points, which I transfered to hyatt and I got 6 nights in a hotel of a total of $8,500...
Same thing with costumer service. CSP 1 second delay between calling and talking to a live rep. A+ takes several minutes.
Visa signature hotels > World elite hotels (more variety).
I value 1 UR point at 2cents. So its almost the same as using an Arrival + except that if you pay for travel related expenses or restaurants you could get twice or even triple the value. Also 2cents is just a fixed amount because I dont use my UR points unless I find value of at least 3 cents. I use it for avios short haul flights, SQ flights to Japan and Hyatt nights... There are even more ways to use them that I have not discover yet.
Another example:
Flight from MIA to CCS = $1,200
CSP= 20,000 UR points or Avios
A+= 120,000 Miles
A+ is plain cash that is never going to be more valuable.
Yes apply for 2 cards.
Same thing with costumer service. CSP 1 second delay between calling and talking to a live rep. A+ takes several minutes.
Visa signature hotels > World elite hotels (more variety).
I value 1 UR point at 2cents. So its almost the same as using an Arrival + except that if you pay for travel related expenses or restaurants you could get twice or even triple the value. Also 2cents is just a fixed amount because I dont use my UR points unless I find value of at least 3 cents. I use it for avios short haul flights, SQ flights to Japan and Hyatt nights... There are even more ways to use them that I have not discover yet.
Another example:
Flight from MIA to CCS = $1,200
CSP= 20,000 UR points or Avios
A+= 120,000 Miles
A+ is plain cash that is never going to be more valuable.
Yes apply for 2 cards.
Glad to see I can get usage for short hauls as well. We do miami quite a bit from the northeast - looks like CSP will come in handy.
Will be applying for both of us for sure. You know which credit bureau chase pulls the reports from?
May 13, 2015, 8:04 am
#55
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 825
I can now say that the CSP is a clear winner... I spent almost the same on both cards. With the Arrival I got 180,000 miles. Enough for $2,000. With the CSP I got 180,000 UR points, which I transfered to hyatt and I got 6 nights in a hotel of a total of $8,500...
Same thing with costumer service. CSP 1 second delay between calling and talking to a live rep. A+ takes several minutes.
Visa signature hotels > World elite hotels (more variety).
I value 1 UR point at 2cents. So its almost the same as using an Arrival + except that if you pay for travel related expenses or restaurants you could get twice or even triple the value. Also 2cents is just a fixed amount because I dont use my UR points unless I find value of at least 3 cents. I use it for avios short haul flights, SQ flights to Japan and Hyatt nights... There are even more ways to use them that I have not discover yet.
Another example:
Flight from MIA to CCS = $1,200
CSP= 20,000 UR points or Avios
A+= 120,000 Miles
A+ is plain cash that is never going to be more valuable.
Yes apply for 2 cards.
Same thing with costumer service. CSP 1 second delay between calling and talking to a live rep. A+ takes several minutes.
Visa signature hotels > World elite hotels (more variety).
I value 1 UR point at 2cents. So its almost the same as using an Arrival + except that if you pay for travel related expenses or restaurants you could get twice or even triple the value. Also 2cents is just a fixed amount because I dont use my UR points unless I find value of at least 3 cents. I use it for avios short haul flights, SQ flights to Japan and Hyatt nights... There are even more ways to use them that I have not discover yet.
Another example:
Flight from MIA to CCS = $1,200
CSP= 20,000 UR points or Avios
A+= 120,000 Miles
A+ is plain cash that is never going to be more valuable.
Yes apply for 2 cards.
The arrival gives 2points per dollar anywhere, while CSP only gives the 2points for restaurants and "travel"
May 13, 2015, 7:15 pm
#56
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, IC Plat Amb, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,299
May 13, 2015, 7:41 pm
#58
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, IC Plat Amb, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,299
May 13, 2015, 7:59 pm
#59
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,685
I like my three Chase cards, but never had a card with access to UR mall. I like Barclays mall, found it better than the now defunct Amex MR mall and the Word points mall at BOA. I suppose the only way to compare UR mall to Barclays is to ask a friend who has UR mall access to show me. I could always pick up another Chase next year after my EX CR recovers from the latest apporama.