Does anyone own BOTH Chase Sapphire Reserve & Amex Platinum?
Apr 9, 2018, 12:48 pm
#3
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Moderator observation
We have had two long threads comparing Sapphire Reserve with Platinum:
2016: How will Amex counter the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card?
2017: AMEX Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
I'm not sure there is much new to say on the topic, until the next refresh of either product.
---------------------------------
My own view is that Sapphire Reserve aligns more closely with Citi Prestige, and (as long as the annual fees are reduced by travel credits) I think there is a good case for holding Platinum plus one of the other two, but generally not all three.
2016: How will Amex counter the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card?
2017: AMEX Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
I'm not sure there is much new to say on the topic, until the next refresh of either product.
---------------------------------
My own view is that Sapphire Reserve aligns more closely with Citi Prestige, and (as long as the annual fees are reduced by travel credits) I think there is a good case for holding Platinum plus one of the other two, but generally not all three.
Apr 9, 2018, 1:11 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
I have both and see them as different products.
- Amex Plat is a benefits card that has 5x on airfare.
- CSR is a points earning card.
Last edited by JHake10; Apr 9, 2018 at 9:54 pm
Apr 9, 2018, 3:16 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SNA
Posts: 410
I also have both and plan to keep them both. For the Sapphire I like the 3X points on travel and dining, and for the Amex I like the Centurion Lounge and FHR. Combined with the annual travel credits on each, those things make it worth it to me. I'm sure that people who enjoy doing such things can find myriad ways to explain that one can get the same benefits cheaper without having both cards, but I don't really feel the need to micromanage my finances to that degree. I find that I get sufficient value from each card that the annual fee is a non-issue.
Apr 9, 2018, 3:27 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,879
I concur. I chose the Citi Prestige to pair with the Platinum.
Apr 9, 2018, 3:32 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,037
RIght - the Amex Platinum is really about the perks, not the spend, with the exception of the 5x on airfare.
The CSR is all about the spend - the only useful perk, to me, is the PriorityPass membership.
The CSR is all about the spend - the only useful perk, to me, is the PriorityPass membership.
Apr 9, 2018, 4:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz PC, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 149
Have both as well as the Ritz. I come out ahead with all 3 every year.
Amex - Perks, FHR, and concierge.
CSR - Daily driver.
Ritz - Infinite $100 savings on airfare.
Amex - Perks, FHR, and concierge.
CSR - Daily driver.
Ritz - Infinite $100 savings on airfare.
Apr 9, 2018, 4:21 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Apr 9, 2018, 4:48 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SEA/NYC/IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 1,921
Wouldn't it make sense to also book hotels via Amex Travel for 5x MRs? Or does that method not accrue hotel points and qualifying nights compared to the Citi Prestige Concierge booking on your behalf?
Apr 9, 2018, 5:03 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
Programs: DL , AC, BA, Hhonors Diamond, IH Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,354
We have had two long threads comparing Sapphire Reserve with Platinum:
2016: How will Amex counter the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card?
2017: AMEX Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
I'm not sure there is much new to say on the topic, until the next refresh of either product.
---------------------------------
My own view is that Sapphire Reserve aligns more closely with Citi Prestige, and (as long as the annual fees are reduced by travel credits) I think there is a good case for holding Platinum plus one of the other two, but generally not all three.
2016: How will Amex counter the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card?
2017: AMEX Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
I'm not sure there is much new to say on the topic, until the next refresh of either product.
---------------------------------
My own view is that Sapphire Reserve aligns more closely with Citi Prestige, and (as long as the annual fees are reduced by travel credits) I think there is a good case for holding Platinum plus one of the other two, but generally not all three.
Apr 9, 2018, 5:07 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,879
A fourth night free via Citi Prestige is much much better than a non-refundable 5x MR booking via Amex Travel.
Apr 9, 2018, 5:39 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SEA/NYC/IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 1,921
Ah, I was under the impression that hotels on Amex Travel are cheaper than the lowest-available bookable rate similar to Amex IAP. (I don't have access to know for sure, so my mistake if that is the case; I appear to be misinformed).