Originally Posted by
MrMosby
Up until recently I've been really focusing on spend using my SPG card, and my Ritz-Carlton rewards card. The SPG points have great value, and I stay at Marriott a ton.
However, with all of the recent devaluations in programs (SPG excluded), a complete change of strategy for earning sky miles, and the introduction of new cards like the American Express Everyday does it make sense to really simplify how we approach rewards.
Right now my gut is saying something like this beginning to look like a decent strategy
CSP - Dining, Travel, Entertainment
Freedom - 5% Categories
Discover IT- 5% Categories
Amex Everyday/Amex BCP (Travel/Non-Travel) - Gas & Groceries
Amex Platinum - Travel Perks (if needed)
You don't have to worry about reward tiers disappearing (maybe transfer partners will change but odds are you will always be able to redeem UR and MR for a minimum of 1 cent per point) or changing. You have a lot more flexibility, etc. You also only have to worry about tracking 3 types of points at that point, but you miss out on potential BIG bonuses with hotel chains (not so much airlines anymore), but for a lot of people maximizing the rewards on everyday spend might make up for it.
Thoughts?
I like having MR in my miles/points portfolio, but I prefer being diversified over many programs..their transfer partners are not that great and cannot be transferred to AA or UA. I would never put spend on a Marriott/Ritz card as there are way better cards to put spend on. The SPG is a very solid card, but I would rething the Marriott spending for anything other than Marriott stays. I will stick with tracking my numerous accounts and be able to have all my options available when needed.