mega-noob here --

Have a regular visa 1% cash rewards card (which I'm beginning to suspect is garbage) and an Amex BoFA accolades card, with a decent amount (? 100k+ points) of rewards accumulated. I pay off my balances in full every month.

Haven't applied, but I'm assuming I'd qualify for an amex platinum, based on my income + credit score, although i'm pretty young (29).

Should I be applying for that or for another card? I'm feeling like I am seriously missing out on some rewards. I have an established banking relationship with the issuing bank for both cards, but I travel (2x a month, lots of hotel stays) and generally spend a bunch, so I feel like I am not capitalizing on my situation.

My wife, who earns the same amount, has slightly worse credit, and fewer assets to her name, just got approved for a chase sapphire approved with a credit limit literally 4x my amex, so I'm starting to think I can upgrade.

Thanks, and apologies if this isn't the right forum.

Well you're right about that 1% being garbage. Average is 1.5% with good being 2% and others having up to 6% on rotating categories.
Entering into the points game is not for everyone for many reasons. Some it won't be worth the time to get the rewards and others don't want the points they'd rather have the cash. 2% cashback on 50,000$ spending may be more worth it for you while 50,000$ in spending under certain points rewards programs would give someone like myself more options to get what I want out of it.

I wouldn't go right for the Amex Platinum unless you'll be using the benefits. The platinum can have a large signup bonus but earning rates are typically lower than the Premier Rewards Gold card. I personally have the Amex Everyday & PRG cards and after having the Green card. The PRG card works rather well for me as almost 95% of my spending is airline related, grocery or dining which all earn in the bonus categories under the PRG card program. Throw in the 200$ over 2 years in airline fee and no first year annual fee it can be seen as very attractive whereas the Platinum does not have the waived fee.

Chase's program with the CSP that your wife already has it a very popular card for travelers. Bonuses and usage of points tend to be seen as attractive to people that play the points game.

Think of what you want out of the card, what it will take to get there and then compare it to getting cash instead. If you do venture into the points game be sure to consider which airline you'll be redeeming through and on which can be two different things.

The credit card forums here on FT have a lot of info in the WIKIs to get you started. The amount of info can be intimidating and frustrating. Come up with a plan and come back to ask for people's opinions. You'll get a lot of them.

Welcome, soverign0.

As one starting point, there is this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...scription.html

Also, worth taking a look at this (with its "5/24 rule" restrictions on getting cards from Chase):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chase...5-present.html

Welcome to FT.

Your call.

As AMEX Platinum does not waive AF, the key is you must be able to utilize the benefits provided by the card and justify the AF.

Undoubtedly yes.


Not necessary, as:

1. If your travel is business-related, your company policies may prevent you from capitalizing on your situation.

2. Credit card spending only supplements your earning. As you have traveled enough, you should know that earning directly earns you the most points.

Your CL has no bearing on reward earned.

Thanks for the replies.

Couple of follow ups:

Is there any reason to hold and use more than one Amex at a time?

For overall use, with a focus on using rewards for travel, is the PRG or CSP better?

I'm ditching the visa for sure. I'm trying to figure out 1) if it's worth ditching the accolades card too (sounds like what I have is watered down from what it used to be) 2) if it's worth getting both the PRG and the CSP

My company books travel using my cards, so I gain all of the rewards doing that.

I'm not trying to really play the points game, I'm just making sure I'm maximizing my options.

As far as airlines and hotels go, I typically get the lowest fare at random times, so unfortunately committing to a single loyalty program is really not good for me.

Don't ditch your reward visa just yet. If it doesn't have an annual fee keep it around to keep your average account age up. Just switch usage.
Ultimate Rewards (Chase), in general, are valued slightly more than Membership Rewards (Amex) but value is in the eye of the beholder. I like the MR program and the ways I can use it. I keep the two Amex cards as I had the Amex Everyday Card before I went into the charge card venue and keep it as a backup card. I think this year I have put maybe 500$ on it meanwhile putting over 20,000$ on my PRG.
As you generally go with the lowest fare it would seem like a good idea to look into the Alaska Airlines program as they network with many airlines (not United, Jetblue or SW domestically) but would allow you to collect miles on AA, DL, AS and soon VX domestically & many international airlines

Try a triad, one airline card, one hotel card, and one general travel card. If you fly and stay for the most part, you might try an Amex triad: Delta, SPG or Hilton, and Plat or PRG. A Chase triad might include UA or SW, Marriott or Hyatt, and Sapphire. Citi offers AA, Hilton, and Prestige. If you cruise and do other travel often maybe a Barclays Arrival or BOA Travel Rewards. Take your time and do enough research before taking those HP on your credit reports.

Yes, if one of them is a co-branded card.

PRG is a little bit better, but not significant.

Hopefully when you mean ditching, you don't mean canceling the card.


Try to if you can. You are missing out a lot if you don't do that.

For example, consider joining the FF program of the airline that flies the most from your closest airport.