Originally Posted by
karloldreyes
Sorry let me rephrase: with regards to travel redemption, using the "pay with points" in UR and MR, the redemption rate is 1.25 and 1 cent per mile, respectively. Therefore, at 2x the points on dining and travel, $3800 annual spend will equal $95 in redemption. Using the same scheme, $3166 on groceries wil lget back the AF on the EP too
$3800 in travel spend on the CSP equals $95 in rewards, if you value Chase points at 1.25 cents. This breaks even, in absolute terms, compared to using no rewards card at all.
However, $3800 in travel spend on the Citi Double Cash card is $76 in rewards, with zero annual fee.
In order for the CSP to be better than just using the Double Cash (or another no-fee 2% card), you would need to spend $19,000/yr.
Similarly, the Arrival+ merely nets you an extra 0.2% over the Double Cash. You would need to put $44,500/yr on that card ($89 / 0.2%) in order to make it better than the Double Cash.
In short, your math is wrong because you are comparing using those cards against using a non-rewards card. Really, you should be comparing them against using the best no-fee card.
Just use Double Cash or another 2% no-fee card instead. Get the bonuses on other cards, and then cancel those other cards and revert to Double Cash.