I have both CSR and Amex Plat right now. Got the plat last year, after the refresh. I’ve had CSR since the beginning.

both give me value in different ways. Hard to completely even out the AF for CSR, but bring it down low enough where it makes sense. I was actually considering dropping it late last year, but got a retention so will re-evaluate then.

between the credits and offers, I’ve basically gone more than even with Amex annual fee, and that doesn’t include things that doesnt attach a specific value, like lounge access. I’m in SFO and don’t value the Centurion access itself so much - I travel with family, and the crowding (ie…waiting to get in) is truly an issue, and next year, once guest access is dropped, will make it a non-starter since family includes young kids, and I can’t add an AU for them to get them in. Also not going to spend anywhere near 75K. However, one value for me is with Plaza Premium access, since I travel to YYZ, and to a lesser extent, YVR, which means access in those places. Used to get that via PP on CSR, but when they dropped out of that last year, and with the additional offsets Amex offers now, decided to get the plat. Will evaluate at renewal time this year. lounge is not about the Centurion per say, for me, it’s a nice bonus now when we can use it, but the additional lounge access I can’t get with CSR.

YMMV, everyone’s situation is different, and so whether or not a premium travel card, or multiple, and which ones, makes sense is going to be a different answer. For me, I can bring down the AF costs enough by using the perks, so It makes sense for me, at least for now. If I lived in DFw, or traveled there often. VentureX might make more sense. Would never pay >$1K for these cards if I couldn’t mostly moot out these fees with benefits. Lounge access is nice, for sure, but just not worth those huge amounts if I can’t net them out with useable benefits.