Originally Posted by
gudugan
This is not a correct valuation, you have to take into account opportunity cost. Let's say you spend $15k in Marriott annually and $15k in food annually.
For Marriott spend you could spend it on an Amex Green at 3x MR or 5.1% return at 1.7cpp so $765. If you spend it on a Bevy you get 6x Marriott or 4.2% return at 0.7cpp so $630.
For food on the Amex green you get 3x MR or 5.1% so another $765. If you spend it on a Bevy you get 4x Marriott or 2.8% so $420.
Even if you count the Bevy as a $0 card with the FNC then you're still coming out $480 - $150 AF ahead on the Green, ignoring all of the Green credits. Same calculation applies to the Gold.
I mean, okay, but you're assuming that I want to earn MR and value MR at the rate you stated. Frankly, I have a stash of MR that I've been unable to use as international airlines seem to have the most opaque and non-user-friendly reward booking schemes I've seen. I even tried to book some Iberia flights with an MR transfer yesterday, but found out I can't because I have a 9-digit Iberia number, and Amex only takes 8 digits. I also can't transfer Avios to Iberia unless I wait 3 months. At least with Marriott points, I can use them easily...