Originally Posted by
J.Edward
Always good to know, but I generally prefer the charge card products based upon my spend. BBP does kick back 2x on the first 50k, and that's nothing to dismiss. However for heavy users, this is generally not realistic.
1. You're constrained by the "official" credit limit (and yes, I know a charge card does not equal unlimited purchasing power). For users, particularly business users, their monthly spend may be 3x or more the highest credit limit. FWIW last month by Biz AX bill was north of $60k, which is ~2x larger than my highest credit limit (with Chase, in this case).
As per terms of BBP you can exceed your limit, but you will need to pay it off. So no difference from Biz Plat here.
2. Moving beyond the published credit limit constraint...2x earnings on the first 50k? That sounds good. What does one do for the remaining eleven months (or 51 weeks) left in the year once the $50k threshold is crossed? For heavy users, there's something to be said for the simplicity of having a few go-to cards offering a broad, year-round benefit.
If you exceed $50k you can move onto EDP or Chase FU, both with unlimited 1.5x
Yes, Y redemptions are limited to the selected airline. Front cabin redemptions are not and the rebate will apply to any airline, assuming you can buy the ticket through AX. Considering how premium fares are quite reasonable to purchase outright, this can easily net 50k - or 500k if one is high redeemer - of bonus MR points.
Yes, you're right about J/F, but for Y it's a limitation, which also comes with the limitation of $200 reimbursement. I prefer to use my $200 with WN, but I won't buy WN fare with 35% off via Amex. I want those selections to be at least separate, or completely removed. This is a serious limitation IMO.
Remember the QR sale ex US to SIN a few years ago? ~1.9k r/t in business or ~190,000 MR points with ~66,000 kicked back for a net cost of 62k each way for confirmed J plus whatever you earned to AA/QR/BA/etc.
Point is one r/t $2k redemption in the front cabin can easily exceed an annual 50k kicker.
Good if you can find those prices on the dates you want.
People can value [anything] at [any] amount. But cash is genuine coin of the realm and presents a universal value. FT is filled with pages of people arguing how an SPG/UR/MR/etc. point is worth more/less than a SPG/UR/MR/etc. point with little universal conclusions. But a dollar is a dollar is a dollar.
Schwab opens the door to the best generic, broad approach MR cash-out option. Are the more lucrative earning/cash options on the first $x,xxx spend from AX? Probably. Do I have the time or inclination to chase them 50k increments a time? No. Don't get me wrong, I will manage spend to an extent but there comes a point where the time required and financial complexity exceeds the returns.
C'mon! There is Alliant Cashback CC which earns unlimited 2.5% cashback with $59 AF, and first year is 3% with no AF. Why would I use BBP + Schwab Platinum combination and pay $150, and be limited to $50k instead of this? Or maybe 2% cashback card be even better than this? To break even $150 vs 2% card you will need to spend $30k per year, while Alliant card will break even against 2% card at $11800. You can also, like I do, use Altitude Reserve with Samsung Pay and earn unlimited 4.5% cashback on all in-person and in-app transactions with effective AF of $75. Try beating that with your Schwab/BBP combination!
Again value is relative here. Nothing against the top-notch buffet values in LAS but my preference as of recent has been steak/sushi. For this I'd prefer a sit down formal experience. As an example, last time I was in LAS at the Delano I got $60 of in-house room service comp and $100 of F&B credit (so $160 total) from a ~$140 out the door rate. Had a nice dinner at Jean Georges and two tasty room service burgers (one for lunch, one for breakfast the next day
)
I'd prefer to go to Bellagio/Paris/Whatever for breakfast, and for lunch or dinner I'd go for Sterling Brunch at Bally's or Bellagio again. There are so many choices with food in LV, and they are very affordable.