AMEX increasing annual fees while minimizing rewards
May 19, 2019, 11:35 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 605
AMEX increasing annual fees while minimizing rewards
With the increase of annual fees across just about every card, do you think AMEX is really providing a rewarding service when compared to the fees they now charge? In terms of rewards, it's coming to bare that JPM is providing a more rewarding experience than AMEX. I did enjoy the SPG card and it's rewards, but Marriott is slowly killing their Bonvoy program after the SPG acquisition. Hilton has promise though, I just use the no-fee one. I am trying to justify the AMEX fees and relative rewards, but I am not seeing it. Perhaps, if I travelled more I'd see it with points. I think I have 2 million or so AMEX Pts.. It's one of the reasons why I prefer cash back.
May 19, 2019, 3:46 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Charleston, SC
Programs: SPG/Marriot Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 412
I like what AMEX is doing honestly. They’ve enhanced the Gold and BCP, and they’ve given you incentives to use the cards instead of just getting the bonus and putting them away. Chase hasn’t made any changes since the CSR was launched.
The SPG changes were not really in AMEXs control, so you can blame them for that
The SPG changes were not really in AMEXs control, so you can blame them for that
May 19, 2019, 4:01 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
It just depends on what you want to redeem for.
May 19, 2019, 4:36 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
I like what AMEX is doing honestly. They’ve enhanced the Gold and BCP, and they’ve given you incentives to use the cards instead of just getting the bonus and putting them away. Chase hasn’t made any changes since the CSR was launched.
The SPG changes were not really in AMEXs control, so you can blame them for that
The SPG changes were not really in AMEXs control, so you can blame them for that
They increased the annual fee, gave a supposed restaurant bonus that doesn't actually worse in practice (many "restaurants" aren't coding for the 4x, and it is only in the US). And they have tremendously hard to use airline credits.
You're missing what Citi has done with their cards. 5x on citi prestige for food.
May 19, 2019, 4:38 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 605
I've not bought a flight with cash or points in awhile. Last time I booked a flight, it was SPGFlights a few years ago. I sometimes stay at a four or five star hotel. That was usually Hilton or SPG, now prob. going to be Hilton as the points to earning ratio is lower and the earning power is higher. I do sometimes use the Marriott points for their experiences, that is about it. I miss the SPG card though. It's a shame Marriott had to buy SPG. They really ruined a good brand. I remember, under SPG, the tickets to the Knicks and Rangers were basically on the floor. Now, they are in a skybox. 
May 19, 2019, 4:41 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 605
I disagree about the Gold. Gold is now useless, given extra benefits to platinum, including earning. Why would anyone get the gold card?
They increased the annual fee, gave a supposed restaurant bonus that doesn't actually worse in practice (many "restaurants" aren't coding for the 4x, and it is only in the US). And they have tremendously hard to use airline credits.
You're missing what Citi has done with their cards. 5x on citi prestige for food.
They increased the annual fee, gave a supposed restaurant bonus that doesn't actually worse in practice (many "restaurants" aren't coding for the 4x, and it is only in the US). And they have tremendously hard to use airline credits.
You're missing what Citi has done with their cards. 5x on citi prestige for food.
Sorry, I think AMEX dropped the ball on the revamped Gold and Platinum cards. Less value and more cost. I do not have this issue with my JPM Reserve Card.
May 19, 2019, 5:00 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Charleston, SC
Programs: SPG/Marriot Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 412
I disagree about the Gold. Gold is now useless, given extra benefits to platinum, including earning. Why would anyone get the gold card?
They increased the annual fee, gave a supposed restaurant bonus that doesn't actually worse in practice (many "restaurants" aren't coding for the 4x, and it is only in the US). And they have tremendously hard to use airline credits.
You're missing what Citi has done with their cards. 5x on citi prestige for food.
They increased the annual fee, gave a supposed restaurant bonus that doesn't actually worse in practice (many "restaurants" aren't coding for the 4x, and it is only in the US). And they have tremendously hard to use airline credits.
You're missing what Citi has done with their cards. 5x on citi prestige for food.
Citis transfer partners are useless for me, so that’s a nonstarter. As someone who flies mainly delta, I’m fairly loyal to MR points.
May 19, 2019, 5:37 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
i really have not had an issue with coding aside from maybe 1-2 places a month. So for me, having dining give me 4x points over 2x is excellent for me. The old PRG was a fairly useless card because it didn’t really out earn any other card in terms of benefits.
Citis transfer partners are useless for me, so that’s a nonstarter. As someone who flies mainly delta, I’m fairly loyal to MR points.
Citis transfer partners are useless for me, so that’s a nonstarter. As someone who flies mainly delta, I’m fairly loyal to MR points.
AMEX just drops the ball on ease of use. You shouldn't have any issues with coding, 1-2 places a month is too much.
May 19, 2019, 6:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: BGI | MIA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro | Hyatt Globalist | HH Diamond | SPG Gold
Posts: 316
The new Gold card is a winner in my book.
easy credits to use and the 4X on dining/groceries is pretty nice. Only once in 3 years have I ever had any coding issues with Amex and restaurants.
easy credits to use and the 4X on dining/groceries is pretty nice. Only once in 3 years have I ever had any coding issues with Amex and restaurants.
May 19, 2019, 6:20 pm
#10
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
May 19, 2019, 8:27 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,194
I'm with you on this. Never have had a coding issue for dining or groceries, and the 4x on groceries makes Amazon purchases 4x. I don't use the GrubHub credit every month but it's just gravy on top when I do.
May 19, 2019, 10:19 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
May 19, 2019, 10:49 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Yup. I find AMEX points way more valuable than UR due to the flexibility. Recently used them to upgrade EK J to F. Can't beat that.
And Platinum Travel Services (FHR and IAP) is awesome. Plat card is really valuable for premium travel. Additionally, the AMEX offers can be quite rewarding . . . I was in the market for new Rimowa - now I'll get 15k MR for that.
I'm also getting kind of tired of Chase hosing me on forex transactions.
And Platinum Travel Services (FHR and IAP) is awesome. Plat card is really valuable for premium travel. Additionally, the AMEX offers can be quite rewarding . . . I was in the market for new Rimowa - now I'll get 15k MR for that.
I'm also getting kind of tired of Chase hosing me on forex transactions.