Ahh, good points I should have mentioned! I have had a Starwood card for over 10 years-- way back when it was Sheraton and that ugly grey-- but I have stopped using it as I rarely redeem miles for international flights or hotels, which means my value is less than 2% usually. So I have that card, the Amex Platinum for travel benefits, and the Costco personal and work for personal and work expenses (IMHO the cash back % is much better value than any miles card out there, with no rules). I have the BoA Accolades for free from BoA, and am trying it out. I guess that makes 5 amex, I need to fix that... yikes.

What I need is a MC/VISA that has benefits so I can 1) replace my Amex Platinum and/or Accolades, 2) have a card that is a non-amex backup, 3) ideally better for forex fees, 4) has purchase protection, value, etc. I would like good rewards-- or cash-- but that is really secondary since I am only talking about $15,000 of spending a year. I don't mind an annual fee if I get value.

I am considering the new BoA Premier card (which is the Accolades non-Amex companion) or the HSBC premier card. Both have crummy rewards but good benefits.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Should have gotten the Chairman MC, would have been much easier.