Simplicity versus optimizing rewards - Amex Platinum/Gold, CSR/CFU, etc
Long-time lurker, recent poster, have always found FT an excellent resource. As with the recent CSR versus Amex Platinum thread in which I posted here in this subforum, I wanted to ask for some good FT input as to what you'd all do in my situation, as the crew here in general seems to have more of an unbiased and well-rounded view of all this versus some other places online.
I have the Platinum, Gold, CSR, CFU, and some other much more aged and disused/inapplicable accounts that mostly just bolster my FICO these days. Of those, I use the Platinum for things where there is no bonus category applicable (understanding I'm missing out on the 1.5x of the CFU, versus Amex's customer service reputation) or for hotels/flights; Gold for groceries/dining; CSR for everything else or where Amex isn't accepted.
I like optimizing things in life in general, yet enjoy keeping things simple. Always a balance. That's the same reason why the "coupon book" approach of the Amex Platinum gets a bit annoying and also why the CSR doesn't.
Short version is that I:
- Occasionally travel for pleasure, never for work (3-6 times/year, year depending), using Global Entry for years though haven't been international in far too long;
- Like lounge access when I do, if available;
- Typically go business/first when I do, Delta when able, but no actual airline loyalty;
- Will use FHR/LHR programs for hotel bookings when feasible;
- Dine out reasonably frequently, use food delivery services, and enjoy things like Shipt and Walmart+ since Amex added that;
- Like not thinking about insurance/purchase/travel protections, and instead just having them by default.
I also:
- Keep Hulu around (now Amex's recent streaming addition) and HBO Max (which I could add to Hulu, thus presumably cover both through Amex and have both for cheap);
- Can utilize the $200/year hotel credit from Amex, and/or the $300/year travel credit from CSR;
- Can use the Uber credit;
- Like the Visa Infinite Concierge's email availability, though quality is hit or miss, as Amex's service has been lately.
I'm indifferent towards:
- Clear -- signed up, haven't yet completed on-site enrollment, as my home airport(s) don't use Clear yet;
- Amex airline credit, as I haven't even always maxed this out;
- Amex Offers, which I feel like I'm trying to find ways to spend as opposed to spending organically in a majority of cases.
I don't care about:
- Equinox or SoulCycle, having already used the CSR Peloton promotions;
- Saks credits, which I've used to just to use.
I'm on retention terms to keep bonus points for both the Platinum and Gold through December 2022 and March 2023, respectively.
All that being said...
1. Keep the Platinum since what I would use meets or exceeds the $695 AF with even a single applicable hotel booking ($240 "digital entertainment" + $200 hotel credit + $200 Uber/Eats + $155 Walmart+, totaling $795, not to mention the math behind any of the other benefits), close the Gold in March, and go with a Platinum/CSR "simplified" approach?
2. Close the Platinum and Gold and use the CSR exclusively, use the Visa Infinite Shipt promo for a few years instead, and use the mental bandwidth on other things?
3. Something else entirely? Thinking I'd rather stick in the Amex or Chase ecosystems and not get into Capital One with the Venture X. Looked at the Citi Prestige until it was discontinued.
Thanks in advance.