Looking for new credit card
Apr 11, 2011 | 6:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: IL
Programs: HH, Starwood, UA, AA, Delta
Posts: 1
Looking for new credit card
Looking for a new cc besides the citibank cash back card that I currently have. I travel for work and spend about 10 months out of the year between Hilton and Starwood. I pay for all of my hotels on my cc and am looking at something that is going to maximize my rewards. Trying to decide whether or not to go with a airline miles card or a hotel and also looking between an amex and the chase sapphire. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Apr 11, 2011 | 7:30 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: UA 2P, HY Diamond
Posts: 232
Since you stay at SPG and Hilton, why not get their affiliated cards: SPG Amex and HHonors Surpass Amex? You get a lot of hotel points (and HHonors Gold), and the SPG points also give you the option of transferring to many airline programs, just to hedge your future needs between free flights and free nights.
Apr 14, 2011 | 7:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: AA 1M, Delta Platinum, SPG Gold, IHG Platinum Amb
Posts: 48
I'd go with the SPG American Express. You can transfer SPG points to American miles 1:1. Plus, when you transfer 20k points, you get 25% bonus miles, so a 20k point transfer gets you 25k miles.
If you spend $30,000 a year on the card, you get SPG gold status. Also, you can book 2 nights at any SPG property (Sheraton, Westin, W, and others) and get the 3rd night free. You book that through the Amex site once you have an account. And you get 2 stays and 5 nights credit toward elite qualifying status every year.
More info: http://www201.americanexpress.com/sb...G_Google_B_SPG
I have both the AA Citibank Visa and SPG American Express. If you apply for the Amex, please private message me and I'll send you a link. I think I get 5k points for referring you!
If you spend $30,000 a year on the card, you get SPG gold status. Also, you can book 2 nights at any SPG property (Sheraton, Westin, W, and others) and get the 3rd night free. You book that through the Amex site once you have an account. And you get 2 stays and 5 nights credit toward elite qualifying status every year.
More info: http://www201.americanexpress.com/sb...G_Google_B_SPG
I have both the AA Citibank Visa and SPG American Express. If you apply for the Amex, please private message me and I'll send you a link. I think I get 5k points for referring you!
Apr 19, 2011 | 9:20 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 47
Also, I think your second point is only partially correct under the current terms: 5 nights are credited but 2 stays are not - that might have changed recently?
Lastly, has the current offer (10k after first purchase + 15k for $15k within 6 months) been around for while and is it likely to change soon? New to the US system, I am afraid that I cannot assess if this is a good opportunity to join or not. Thanks!
Apr 20, 2011 | 3:44 pm
#6
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
SPG is good, but, in addition, IMHO, now is a good time to apply for the Chase Continental card (which should soon become a UAL card due to the merger). There is a good bonus and no fee for the first year.
Since the card will be disappearing it is now or never.
Since the card will be disappearing it is now or never.