Originally Posted by
PiperAtGatesofDawn
You're talking about a very very very specific sweet spot redemption. As soon as you step outside the 5-10 super super premium hotels the whole equation falls flat. Now you may have wanted to and then done this and so it has worked out for you. But that's not for everybody.
Here's how I see it: 100k MR points = 50k airline miles. I conservatively value airline miles at Re.1. So they're charging me 70K and giving me 50k in return (there are some more benefits but this is the main one). And yes I may get Rs. 2/mile during redemption but that's not how I'd do the valuation. There's worse value for taking 40k Taj Vouchers for 70k upfront fees.
Secondly the earning rate... 1.25% domestic and 3.75 international at the same valuation is terrible. More so for such a premium card.
Thirdly the 15X MR on hotel bookings is a time limited promotion not a feature on the card. And Amex has been doing plenty of promotions in the last 2-3 months (which is good). Including accelerators for paying school fees and insurance and what not. But these are promotions. So if you have hotels to book during this limited period you get benefits. If you don't you're back at getting the measly 1.25% rewards on hotel bookings.
Fourth The card costs $1000!!! That's an insane amount of fees for very limited value. Which other country does Amex charge such insane fees and then give you so little!
Citi Prestige on the other hand: 20k fees = 10k miles + 10k Taj. So you've made your money back. 4% rewards in India & 8% international. No other accelerators though.
Bottom line... would I pay 3.5x Citi fees in the hopes that some promotions come up along the way. No I wouldn't.
As i said. There is no right card or wrong card. What works for you doesnt work for me.
Also there are so many other benefits with amex plat that u are not aware about. U get shangri-la Jade. Status match that to Taj and u get inner circle gold. Last time i checked, citi gives u inner circle silver. Further, with shangri la jade, u get star alliance gold after just doing 3 flights - for a a frequent flier, this is a superb benefit.
Then there is the Itc culinare, i think if u buy the program separately, it is 15k. The best part is, any dining on fridays, u get 33% of the invoice back as points. 1 ITC point= 1.25 marriott point.
Plus u have the taste of platinum dining program. They either give u a bottle of wine/glass of wine/or free dessert at multiple locations. All you have to do is book a table through them. Note that there is no minimum spend. Even if u go out once a month, and assume it is a cheap bottle of wine @
1K per bottle, that is 12k per year.
My point being, yes the card is worth $1000, but it doesnt; take a genius to milk 3 times the value from the card.
Cheers!!