Originally Posted by
RedSun
Get AmEx Plat for all the travel perks.
Ritz Carlton pays itself. Gives you full PP pass as good as CSR and all the travel benefits CSR offers. A lot more benefits if people stay at Marriott/RC properties. You do not need to work anything to break-even. No Lyft & Doordash craps.
Chase CIP. Almost the same as CSR. But with much cheaper AF and easier to mange.
Citi DC with 2 TY points. Handsomely beats out FU.
If you want cash, BofA Cash Rewards and BofA biz cash rewards give you 3% x 1.75 (if top tiers) 5.25% on some broad category spending. The new Biz Choice Cash card offers that for up to $50,000 travel expenses. 5.25% cold cash on travel or the broad category you so choose.
There are lot more. Go figure.
CSR? Sure you can just carry one card and enjoy whatever you do. But please do not say CSR is the greatest CC. It is not. It is so outdated now.
No matter how you slice it, there is still a lot of effort on those other cards to "break even", with the Platinum being the king of that. While my scenario isn't the same for everyone, my home airport doesn't have a Centurion, but a Priority Pass restaurant. Big swing.
I agree with you on the Ritz card to a degree. I believe if you travel a lot and spend a lot at hotels, the premium hotel cards are a solid value that you likely won't lose on. However, I have an Aspire to complement my CSR, not replace it. Getting one to marginally break even doesn't make it king of the wallet. They have poor everyday spending returns, even in their bonus categories. Their value is to enhance your hotel stays and returns. This is another reason I find the American Express hotel status to be a weak benefit.
CIP is the only Chase card I have canceled in a long time. It is a solid card if you spend a lot of travel and use transfer partners. No dining bonus and 3.75% travel redemption rate through Chase didn't give it a home in my wallet.