Originally Posted by
kapstone
Looking for a new credit card and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the following
SPG with 30K sign up
or Platinum Amex with 100K sign up
I dont fly nearly as much as I used to, so the main benefit of the platinum card would be the points (as opposed to lounge access). Main benefit of SPG would be the hotel stays and miles bonus at transfer.
Dont really have any plans to go on a trip or anything any time soon but will plan a vacation to Europe or Hawaii in the next 6-12 months and would like to use miles/points for some or all of the tickets/hotels.
I would use this card for day to day spending, and would likely downgrade the platinum to Gold after a period of time. I am also not someone who likes to get a new credit card every year so this card would be with me for a little while.
Any thoughts? It seems to me the SPG is a better card, but shoudl I just take the 100K amex points and deal with it later?
TYIA
Platinum has a much higher AF, and it's usually not waived first year. Even with the $450 AF on platinum, 100K points - $450 > 30K SPG points. But if you're going to keep it for a long time, the 5K transfer bonus you get and the lower AF (even compared to Amex Gold) would outweigh the sign on differential. Unless you'll be redeeming SPG for SPG stays, in which case you won't get the transfer bonus and it's a tougher call.
Maybe you can sign up for the Platinum and downgrade to SPG before the second AF hits? Unfortunately I don't know if this is possible but maybe someone with experience can weigh in.