Originally Posted by
Kacee
No you're not missing anything. Sapphire is a better card. The only possible advantage of spend on the Explorer card is the annual bonus. But I think they gave me 10,000 miles for $20,000 in spend last year, which is really kind of pathetic.
10,000 bonus miles for $20,000 spend makes the earning rate of the card 1.5% , if you spend exactly 20,000
That is the earning rate of the $395 / year MP Club Card. Your travel and dinning spend would have to be close to 50% of your annual spend on the Sapphire to reach a 1.5% earning rate.
($10,000 Travel and Dinning Spend + $10,000 general spending = 30,000 UR ( 32,100 after 7% annual dividend )
Also, the MP Explorer Card actually comes with a higher level on the insurance / protection benefits.
For example, the MP Explorer has Roadside Assistance that actually pays for service ( coverage for $50 each time ) , the CSP merely help you call a tow operator
the MP Explorer's Purchase Protection is up to $10,000 / purchase ( Reimbursement for damaged / stolen purchases for 90 days ), the CSP has a $500 / purchase limit
the MP Explorer' price protection allows price-match with non-auction Internet price , the CSP only price-match printed ads. ( e.g. You buy something in a store and you see in 89 days Amazon . com has the same thing for less you can file a claim for the difference if you buy it with the Explorer card )