Simplicity versus optimizing rewards - Amex Platinum/Gold, CSR/CFU, etc
May 24, 2022, 9:43 am
#46
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,973
I have a ridiculous number of cards, have trimmed some, but need to trim more. I thought some time back that if I truly wanted to simplify, I would have an AMEX Plat for lounges/benefits, and a Citi Premier/DoubleCash combination for non airfare spending. One downside to that is if you like cruises. My gf likes (and I am her willing accomplice) to go on cruises about twice a year that each involve about $10K in total spend, but the Citi Premier treats cruises as 1x. I dislike leaving that many points on the table.
When I first had this thought, the Venture X had not been refreshed. The refreshed Venture X could substitute for both Citi cards in my original scheme, or if I could live without Delta lounge access and a few other benefits, it could replace the Platinum as well! It would give up some travel and restaurant points, but gain ultra simplicity, and cut fee expenses way back.
In truth, I am too greedy and eager to “beat the system” to cut back that far, but I really don’t need as many cards as I have. In trimming back, I will keep a hotel card that gives status and free nights for the two main hotel chains I use (Hilton and IHG), and a card like the CSR or Amex Green that gives 3x on all travel, including cruises. The Hilton Aspire card gives generous credits for resorts and airline fees as is commonly discussed, and I find the Diamond status especially useful when I arrive early in the day after a transatlantic flight and am hoping to be let into my hotel room at 10:30 AM.
When I first had this thought, the Venture X had not been refreshed. The refreshed Venture X could substitute for both Citi cards in my original scheme, or if I could live without Delta lounge access and a few other benefits, it could replace the Platinum as well! It would give up some travel and restaurant points, but gain ultra simplicity, and cut fee expenses way back.
In truth, I am too greedy and eager to “beat the system” to cut back that far, but I really don’t need as many cards as I have. In trimming back, I will keep a hotel card that gives status and free nights for the two main hotel chains I use (Hilton and IHG), and a card like the CSR or Amex Green that gives 3x on all travel, including cruises. The Hilton Aspire card gives generous credits for resorts and airline fees as is commonly discussed, and I find the Diamond status especially useful when I arrive early in the day after a transatlantic flight and am hoping to be let into my hotel room at 10:30 AM.
May 24, 2022, 10:19 am
#47
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,973
May 26, 2022, 10:23 am
#49
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,023
Amex Personal Plat for Air not purchased via Amex travel. Also larger ticket items so I get to the spend threshold for guest access to Centurion lounge in 2023
Amex Business Plat for Air purchased on Amex travel and MR Pay with Points and points rebate as well as 5x at Home Depot and Best Buy. Will use this tru the end of the year to get to MR points goal.
Discover for their 5% rebate categories (Currently gas) next quarter Restaurants
Costco Visa for Costco purchases
Amex Hilton for Hilton Stays and points accrual.
AA Citi Visa will be my goto card for everything else so as to get to EXP status
Amex Business Plat for Air purchased on Amex travel and MR Pay with Points and points rebate as well as 5x at Home Depot and Best Buy. Will use this tru the end of the year to get to MR points goal.
Discover for their 5% rebate categories (Currently gas) next quarter Restaurants
Costco Visa for Costco purchases
Amex Hilton for Hilton Stays and points accrual.
AA Citi Visa will be my goto card for everything else so as to get to EXP status