Originally Posted by
David_Copperfield
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.
This holds moot if you are comparing against Amex Plat. Both have GE, PP, travel partners and car rental status. Basically, all the CSR has over the Plat is the Sapphire Lounge, which I have never used and honestly it seems like I never will. Every airport they're in I either wouldn't fly through or I have access to another lounge through flying J/F or a club membership. All the other perks, including the 75k perks are pretty useless as well. Hotel status doesn't really matter since I just book the suite I want. SWA status is worthless since I can't imagine flying them. The UC membership is nice, but realistically I'd never fly United outside of Polaris so this also doesn't matter.
I think the JPMR/CSR are both really only useful if you travel "on a budget." If you regularly fly J/F and just pay for the accomodation you want, these perks are meaningless. AMEX does a much better job of offering perks to these travelers. FHR offers real value for no effort. IAP offers real cash savings to a frequent J/F flyer. AMEX Plat offers more points when booking airfare direct.