Originally Posted by emcampbe

didn’t realize the Amex bonus was targeted.

I have actually used the option to pay charge via Cap1 points before. Expensive trip to London last year, which got more expensive when we had to extend by a couple of days because our 5yo got a stomach bug the day before we were supposed to come home. Too much of a PITA to go to a doc and get forms filled, etc. for insurance. So just easier to use the Cap1 points. Redemptions (with a Marriott hotel) were worse so made out decently. No, not the best value, but definitely a help when I needed it.

only thing about the redemption is it is not like an immediate credit (I’m used to Chase, where any credit is considered a ‘payment’ and reduces the amount owed immediately) - it only goes as a credit on your next statement - so that statement has to close before it applies.