Star Alliance - Aeroplan, Avianca Lifemiles, Singapore, Turkish (Eva and TAP less useful)
OW - BA -and so on to Iberia, Qatar, Aer Lingus (Qantas, Finnair Cathay less useful)
Sky- Air France (and aeromexico less useful)
Emirates, Etihad and Virgin
Hotels Choice and Wyndham (and Accor in EU)
For most of the above they are cheapest choice per $ spend - a BA mile from 1 Chase card is more expensive than a BA Avios from Cap 1; same with Amex unless all your spend with Chase / Amex is in bonus categories
What is not covered are AA, UA, AS, DL, WN and B6 but at times saver awards are available on some of these also via partners (less and less so though)
Personally I use
Amex for Airfare 5X; Groceries 4x;
Chase Ink cash for office and cell phones at 5X, Sapphire travel at 3x
Rest - ALL unbonused spend goes on Cap 1 - Even then I wonder
- is the 1x extra on Sapphire worth the 95$ fee - I have to cross 9500$ spend in that category each year
Originally Posted by
TTT103
This card has received a lot of attention in the last year because of it being new, and because many travel bloggers receive commissions on the referral links. I have the card, but it does not necessarily have a place in my wallet. I do use the C1 portal to book airfare, but that’s about it. I think you really need to look at C1’s transfer partners. If you value them, then the card may make sense. For me, I much prefer Chase’s transfer partners, but that’s just me.
Yes, as you pointed out you do receive the Priority Pass restaurants, whereas you don’t with your American Express platinum card. However, there are also some nice perks, including the Centurion lounges with the platinum card. If you don’t value the transfer partners, the VX is really little more than a 2% rebate card, which you can get with the no fee Citi double cash card. If you rent quite a few cars, the VX comes with primary car rental insurance, which is a big one for me, but I also receive with my City National bank crystal card. If you travel quite frequently, take a look at the Priority Pass Netwerk, as it is fairly limited domesticity. Because of this, I also maintain an admirals club membership.
Yes, between the $300 annual credit and 10,000/$100 annual renewal bonus, it ends up being a cost neutral card, but that’s not necessarily a reason to get it.