Originally Posted by
exigence
Though usually a fan of simplicity, I carried both the Amex Platinum and CSR for quite some time. Last year, the CSR was closed, and a JP Morgan Reserve was opened - as most here know, functionally a CSR with even better support, a different/better concierge service with Aspire, a hidden tradeline, and which includes United Club.
As is, I have been using the Platinum for virtually everything not better covered by the JPMR (e.g., dining spend). I did have some interest in Centurion Card consideration and unlocking guest lounge access along the way, but from what I know about the former, it's unlikely my spend will consistently get to those kinds of levels. I do not currently have an "in" with that otherwise.
Current use pattern:
1. Amex Platinum for airfare with airlines, hotels, and essentially all miscellaneous and non-dining spend, using offers when available, FHR, and Centurion lounges;
2. JPMR for dining, United Club, and where Amex isn't accepted.
Considering moving to:
1. Amex Platinum for maybe FHR, maybe direct airline charges, and for credited charges (e.g., Hulu), but otherwise not using;
2. JPMR for everything, including taking my chances and trying the travel portal for airline bookings (because 5x points there also), and using the Concierge for hotel bookings to utilize their Virtuoso partnerships they advertise -- in which case am unsure if the 10x portal bonus multiplier applies there, though assume may not as presumably isn't done via portal (3x for travel instead).
General thoughts:
- I can't say I love the "coupon book" model of the Platinum;
- I'm aware of the Citi Strata rumors as a potential future competitor;
- I do like and utilize FHR, but the JPMR Concierge has also more heavily leaned into its Virtuoso partnerships with often equal benefits at properties, going by advertised benefits;
- I use Hulu and Walmart+; however, there is currently the Instacart promo with JPM/Chase, and I don't use Equinox;
- Delta (Amex) and United (JPM/Chase) are my primary airlines;
- While Amex tends to still do reasonably well support-wise, there is also the consideration that even the Amex "service" is not always what it once was;
Appreciate any general FT insight and thoughts.
Concur with the latter strategy, I use JPMR for all air travel due to stellar travel insurance including medical evacuation. Also there is requirement to buy RT (you can buy one-way) no hassle if you pay with miles and charge the taxes, etc.
That said JPMR just shot itself in the foot by eliminating PP restaurants as of July 1. This is a huge minus particularly on the West Coast where there are zero Chase lounges and few convenient PP lounge options. A while back I did a valuation of the benefit for each card which I reprint below, along with my valuations. Obviously YMMV depending on lounge usage, warranty claims, etc.
JPM Reserve Card benefits include:- $300 travel credit
- Priority Pass (with 2 guests) ($60 -based on 3 visits)
- United Club (with guests) ($80- based on 4 visits)
- Lyft Pink (15% off) ($30)
- DoorDash ($60)
- Instacart ($0 - half price)
- 3x points on travel/dining ([email protected]= $60)
- Primary automobile Rental CDW (<$75k -file w/60 days) ($1000 every 10 years= $100)
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance (<$10k/trip due to weather, terrorism, or illness/injury of self or family -file w/20 days) ($100)
- Emergency Evacuation and Transportation Coverage (<$100k incl family on 5-60 day trip) (save $70/trip= $140)
- Baggage Delay (<$100/day/pp for 5 days for emergency purchase of clothes/toiletries if bag delay 6+ hours - file w/20 days)
- Trip Delay Reimbursement (up to $500/tix for lodging, meals, uber, etc. on overnight or 6+ hour delay) - file w/20 days) - mechanical & weather covered
- Lost Luggage Reimbursement (<$3,000pp - file w/20 days)
- Roadside Assistance (tow, jumpstart, tire, gas) (up to $50 per incident/4x yr)
- Hotel Burglary Insurance (up to $1,000)
- Travel Accident Insurance (up to $1,000,000)
- Global Entry Credit ($100 every 4 years = $25)
- Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage (<$2500 incl family on 5-60 day trip, may be subject to $50 deductible)
- Travel and Emergency Assistance (arranging for money transfers, emergency translation services, legal referrals, etc. while traveling)
- Purchase Protection <120 days damage/theft (up to $10k/50k-yr) ($100)
- Return Protection (for eligible returns not accepted by the retailer w/90 days <$500/$1,000yr)
- Price Protection (advert w/90-days <$500/$2,500/yr - file w/21 days)
- Ticket Protection (for unused, non-refundable ticketed events that cannot be attended due to covered reasons, up to $500 per event ticket, $2,000 per event, and $4,000 annually)
- Visa Warranty Manager Service (up to one additional year of coverage for purchases with a U.S. manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less) ($100 every year = $50)
- Add-on fee waiver (late fees, over-limit fees, cash advance check fees, and return payment fees are waived)
- No foreign transaction fees ($0 - don’t use card overseas)
JPM Reserve Total Value: $ v. $550 AF
Amex Plat benefits include:
- $200 travel credits toward airline fees ($200)
- $200 hotel credits on FHR hotel bookings ($200)
- $15/mo uber eats credits ($200)
- 4 hour grace period on Hertz rental returns
- Amex Lounge ($100- based on 5 visits)
- Escape/DL Lounge ($50 - based on 5 visits)
- Clear credit - ($179)
- Streaming credit - ($240)
- Saks credit - ($100)
- Global Entry Credit - use 2022 ($100)
- Amex FHR Hotels - (free breakfast, etc) ??
- 5x points on airfare ($0 - no travel ins. except RT)
- Travel Insurance for Delayed/Lost Luggage, Evacuation coverage etc. ($0)
- Purchase Protection <120 days damage/theft (up to $10k/50k-yr) ($100)
- Return Protection (for eligible returns not accepted by the retailer w/90 days <$500/$1,000yr)
Amex Plat Total Value: $ v. $695 AF