Originally Posted by
friedablass
To me the difference in redeeming for travel at 1.5 vs 1.25 is what makes the CSR more valuable. The net difference between the annual fees after the $300 CSR travel credit is $155 which I definitely cover (and more) with the increased value in redemptions.
Also 10x on Lyft rides, some of which are to and from airports and can cost between $70 and $100, is quite valuable to me as well.
I guess for some, it might work out.
In my case, I don't use any travel portals. I book direct, so there is no benefit there. My C1X gives me all the access and more. I have never taken a rideshare in my life and have no plans to ever do so. I prefer to drive myself. I hate the Uber coupon book with AXP as I hate all these coupon book benefits. Give me a benefit of value, not one that I have to spend money at some place I have no desire to spend. You can offer those if you like as a business but don't think it increases the value of your card as it doesn't. I currently have to try to remember to spend $25 on AXBB, $15 on Uber Eats, and $10 on AT&T. Those are not benefits, just money left on the table if not used, and I hate them with a passion. Yet I still redeem them. They do it because it costs them nothing to offer those to cardholders, they actually make money from offering those to cardholders in the form of advertising dollars.