AmEx losing the battle for big spenders?
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Feb 12, 2015, 12:16 pm
#33
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This is kind of the point, though. I think that the Everyday is one of the best free cards out there; maybe the best. But Amex seems to be gaining ground on the low end and losing it on the high end. For the people who are only going to carry one $400 - $500 card in their wallets, I don't see the Plat as being a good choice right now for most people.
Feb 12, 2015, 12:25 pm
#36
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2. You are allowed to buy other stuff with the card too.
Feb 12, 2015, 12:33 pm
#37
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Feb 12, 2015, 12:46 pm
#38
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As do Diners Club, HSBC, Starwood. My point is that none of these programs have compensated us for BAEC's devaluation, and I would not expect them to do so, but some dude's post suggested that a partner devaluation lowered the value of his American Express card. I think it lowers it only if other cards behave differently.
Transferability is nice, but the point is that Amex MR program is no longer the best value.
Even within Amex's own line-up, the SPG card has better earning rates and transfer partners. While Flyertalkers may be aware of the other options at Amex, I don't know any big spender using that card.
Feb 12, 2015, 12:47 pm
#39
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On a more practical note, I have only come across one merchant who accepts CCs but not Amex (a small corner store in my building). I'm sure that there are more, but it is not particularly widespread.
Feb 12, 2015, 1:22 pm
#41
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Feb 12, 2015, 2:03 pm
#42
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American Express introduced a free card which allows transfers to airline and hotel partners. Chase and Citi have not matched this.
American Express is building its own network of airport lounges. I do not see Chase or Citi or Bank of America doing anything similar.
American Express is offering free Boingo and (some) free GoGo internet access. Chase, Citi, Bank of America, anyone?
American Express is building its own network of airport lounges. I do not see Chase or Citi or Bank of America doing anything similar.
American Express is offering free Boingo and (some) free GoGo internet access. Chase, Citi, Bank of America, anyone?
The Centurion lounges a response to the deterioration of benefits Platinum card holders paid a premium for. So while nice (minus the DFW bathrooms and general overcrowding), they in effect serve less people than what the Admiral's Club footprint provided by quite a large margin. We are not privy to the details of the negotiations (maybe AA had an exclusivity clause w/ Citi where AMEX could've handed over the keys to the company and AA would not have renewed their contract), but it doesn't feel like the replacement benefit suits the losses.
And Boingo isn't really useful to those who have 4G data plans, which I'm guessing is the majority of their Platinum cardholders. Public Wifi is almost always slower than most 4G plans (except Sprint), it seems like another missed mark here. Perhaps if GoGo in flight access were offered to everyone, you could consider it a perk. In it's current state (flight segments only, which means you have to burn however many "free" logins as you have flight segments), it is ticking a box rather than being a real benefit.
Also, I wasn't offered the 25k bonus for keeping the PRG, though I'm still eligible to receive the 15k bonus for 2015. We'll see what happens at the end of the year.
Feb 12, 2015, 2:07 pm
#43
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I can say with confidence that your local grocery store is not the only merchant in the US to accept Amex.
On a more practical note, I have only come across one merchant who accepts CCs but not Amex (a small corner store in my building). I'm sure that there are more, but it is not particularly widespread.
On a more practical note, I have only come across one merchant who accepts CCs but not Amex (a small corner store in my building). I'm sure that there are more, but it is not particularly widespread.
What are you gonna do when AMEX says: you now must do 60 transactions per month to get the 20%. How about 100 transactions? 1000?
If AMEX would give 5x MR on the free EveryDay Card I would apply. Or if the signup bonus increases to 20,000 MR.
Last edited by Dieuwer; Feb 12, 2015 at 2:17 pm Reason: Edit: try to be nicer
Feb 12, 2015, 2:41 pm
#44
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5x MR is crazy. You will never get that. MR are worth a lot. 5x MR is worth about 8 - 10% back.
Feb 12, 2015, 2:48 pm
#45
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Chase issues cards which earn 5 points per dollar. To me it is the most appealing aspect of Ultimate Rewards.
Citi used to issue 5X cards. The cards are all discontinued, but many of us still have them. I doubt they will last long, because the points are more valuable than they were when those cards were issued.
American Express Everyday Preferred comes close. 3X at supermarkets, with a 50% bonus for 30 transactions in a month. In this case, the bonus applies to the category bonus, effectively 4.5 points per dollar at supermarkets, BUT capped at $6,000 per year.
Citi used to issue 5X cards. The cards are all discontinued, but many of us still have them. I doubt they will last long, because the points are more valuable than they were when those cards were issued.
American Express Everyday Preferred comes close. 3X at supermarkets, with a 50% bonus for 30 transactions in a month. In this case, the bonus applies to the category bonus, effectively 4.5 points per dollar at supermarkets, BUT capped at $6,000 per year.