Need a little advice
Apr 3, 2012 | 10:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,080
Need a little advice
My BofA Aeroplan CC is going away (Aeroplan is no longer a BofA partner), so I'm in the market for a new card. I spend roughly $1,500-2,000/month. Here's what I'm looking for:
--No foreign transaction fees
--Points
Pretty simple right? That's why I'm having trouble...since that's about 100+ card options. Here are a few more details:
--I have an offer for a Marriott Rewards card with 70k bonus points
--I have an offer for a DL Amex (can't remember exact details, but it's slightly better than the offer posted on dl.com...I think 10 or 15K MQMs)
I don't care that much about lounge access, but I do want a good points card. Annual fee is fine, but given that I don't spend too much on my CC, it needs to be worth it. Suggestions?
--No foreign transaction fees
--Points
Pretty simple right? That's why I'm having trouble...since that's about 100+ card options. Here are a few more details:
--I have an offer for a Marriott Rewards card with 70k bonus points
--I have an offer for a DL Amex (can't remember exact details, but it's slightly better than the offer posted on dl.com...I think 10 or 15K MQMs)
I don't care that much about lounge access, but I do want a good points card. Annual fee is fine, but given that I don't spend too much on my CC, it needs to be worth it. Suggestions?
Apr 3, 2012 | 10:57 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 425
The Marriott visa is good for the bonus, but terrible for every day spend. It will take you a long time to earn a free night at 1 point per dollar, though it does offer a free category 1-5 night every year to make it worth the annual fee.
If you still have a lot of Aeroplan miles and you want to top off your account, I'd research the Fidelity Amex which earns 2% per dollar and transfers to Aeroplan. Otherwise, I'd recommend the SPG Amex as a great all-around card. You can redeem for free nights, Cash + Points, or transfer to American or Delta (20,000 SPG= 25,000 AA or Delta miles).
Edited to add: I just noticed you wanted a no foreign transaction fee card. My favorite card for that is the Chase Sapphire Preferred, but check this thread for more options. The Delta Gold Amex has foreign transaction fees.
If you still have a lot of Aeroplan miles and you want to top off your account, I'd research the Fidelity Amex which earns 2% per dollar and transfers to Aeroplan. Otherwise, I'd recommend the SPG Amex as a great all-around card. You can redeem for free nights, Cash + Points, or transfer to American or Delta (20,000 SPG= 25,000 AA or Delta miles).
Edited to add: I just noticed you wanted a no foreign transaction fee card. My favorite card for that is the Chase Sapphire Preferred, but check this thread for more options. The Delta Gold Amex has foreign transaction fees.
Last edited by birdseye; Apr 4, 2012 at 8:10 am Reason: Poor reading skills.
Apr 5, 2012 | 7:30 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,080
Thanks. I guess my follow would be how much do people value no foreign transaction fees versus other benefits? Meaning, I'm sure this benefit comes at the expense of another. I probably spend somewhere around US$1500-3000 OUS in a given year. That's $45-90 in fees using a 3% fee. Given that, should I care about this benefit or just look for the best points card regardless of whether it has foreign transaction fees?
Apr 5, 2012 | 9:49 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: HSV
Programs: HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 880
I guess it's my day to be a total shill for this card:
The Travelocity AMEX.
* Each point is worth $0.02, which makes them on the higher end of value.
* Earn 1pt/$ on normal purchases.
* Earn 2pts/$ on a selected category (ex: restaurants)
* Earn 5pts/$ on Travelocity.com purchases
The points are used on future Travelocity.com purchases (except cruises). You can redeem using part cash and part points (ex: $450 airline ticket is 20k pts and $50).
The bottom line on that is a 2% travel rebate on all purchases, a 4% rebate on a select category, and a 10% rebate on Travelocity purchases.
There is an annual fee, but it's nothing outrageous (IIRC).
(Once upon a time there was a version of the card that offered 2pts on all purchases and 4pts on Travelocity -- a 4% rebate on everything and 8% on travel. That card was amazing.)
One final note... this AMEX is issued by Barclay's, not American Express, so the customer service is definitely a step down from what you might have had with previous AMEX cards.
The Travelocity AMEX.
* Each point is worth $0.02, which makes them on the higher end of value.
* Earn 1pt/$ on normal purchases.
* Earn 2pts/$ on a selected category (ex: restaurants)
* Earn 5pts/$ on Travelocity.com purchases
The points are used on future Travelocity.com purchases (except cruises). You can redeem using part cash and part points (ex: $450 airline ticket is 20k pts and $50).
The bottom line on that is a 2% travel rebate on all purchases, a 4% rebate on a select category, and a 10% rebate on Travelocity purchases.
There is an annual fee, but it's nothing outrageous (IIRC).
(Once upon a time there was a version of the card that offered 2pts on all purchases and 4pts on Travelocity -- a 4% rebate on everything and 8% on travel. That card was amazing.)
One final note... this AMEX is issued by Barclay's, not American Express, so the customer service is definitely a step down from what you might have had with previous AMEX cards.