I can see that if you don't travel much. I do think that travel is where its primary value is from. Priority Pass, Chase Sapphire Lounges, Global Entry, National and Avis status and ability to transfer points to travel partners (Hyatt in particular). Credit cards are meant to be used, so if you are going spend $75K, then you're also going to get $250 shops credit (buy something that the price is essentially fixed like AirPods Pro or similar), IHG Diamond status which also grants you Hertz President's circle. Clearly, the Southwest partnership is an odd duck, but $500 credit and A list probably has some value for many. For me, there are a couple trips a year that Southwest just has the most convenient and plentiful flights (into Las Vegas). And for us, I think it's a nice perk to have the United Club membership included with the JPMR card. Not sure why your banker had the CSR. I was under the impression that one of the perks of being a JPM banker was that they could get the JPMR card.