Best Credit Card
Jan 2, 2007 | 6:32 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lodi, CA
Posts: 592
You are absolutely right but the problem is that TY program is still a new kid in town (relatively speaking) and every now and then you see new changes/enhacements. No body knows what will be the final shape so people will remain skeptical till that time as compared to time tested programs like spg.
Jan 2, 2007 | 6:53 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ivory Towers
Programs: DL Plat, HH Diamond, Diners Club, Citi Chairman, AMEX Plat, Merrill+, SPG Gold, Marriott Slvr
Posts: 328
TY is a good program. However it does not allow for transfers to airline programs. If you are a moderate traveller (say 15-35k) per year on one airline it would be nice to get an extra 40-50k in miles on that airline.
Jan 2, 2007 | 10:21 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ELP
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLAT, Marriott Titanium/LT PLAT
Posts: 4,140
Great anaggie, now you and I are friends I think,
so, I will point this out and you can show me the error of my ways. And I won't be offended, unless you get nasty
I fly DL and AA and never UA. I fly out of ATL primarily international except for MR's domestically. I rarely stay over a Saturday night. I have a DL AX that I regularly manage triple points on. Ok, I'll be honest I have 5 DL AX cards and I rotate based on the one with the triple on it. I deposit all to the same SM#. I can see your point about the travel earning miles but wouldn't I still be earning miles that would need to be used. Yes I have a Chairman and it earns TYP but I just have not been able to break the habit of playing the DL AX Triple game. Oh, I have to spend 25k on each to get 10k MQM's on each every year. Maybe that is the killer, I need that spending to ensure forever Platinum.
so, I will point this out and you can show me the error of my ways. And I won't be offended, unless you get nasty I fly DL and AA and never UA. I fly out of ATL primarily international except for MR's domestically. I rarely stay over a Saturday night. I have a DL AX that I regularly manage triple points on. Ok, I'll be honest I have 5 DL AX cards and I rotate based on the one with the triple on it. I deposit all to the same SM#. I can see your point about the travel earning miles but wouldn't I still be earning miles that would need to be used. Yes I have a Chairman and it earns TYP but I just have not been able to break the habit of playing the DL AX Triple game. Oh, I have to spend 25k on each to get 10k MQM's on each every year. Maybe that is the killer, I need that spending to ensure forever Platinum.
Sine you are getting 3x miles on DL AX card, it is great...but we are comparing the SPG AMEX to the PP ELITE...no triple point available....and you want status....but on your vacations...do you stay SAT nights?
I like your system..though...NICE !!
Jan 2, 2007 | 10:23 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ELP
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLAT, Marriott Titanium/LT PLAT
Posts: 4,140
I like to fly J, but dont want to pay for it...for me TY works best....and if you read my recent thread on the DL page about the new "enhancements" .... I am now pretty going to stick to the TYP...
Jan 3, 2007 | 12:46 am
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4
Thank you every body for great help,as i am a moderate traveler and the elite status is not important for me i will go with the anaggie recommendations and will use citi pp elite for personal and citi pp business ,also i got citi gold account so the annual fee will be waived .again thank you all for great help^
Jan 3, 2007 | 7:13 am
#21
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ivory Towers
Programs: DL Plat, HH Diamond, Diners Club, Citi Chairman, AMEX Plat, Merrill+, SPG Gold, Marriott Slvr
Posts: 328
Thank you every body for great help,as i am a moderate traveler and the elite status is not important for me i will go with the anaggie recommendations and will use citi pp elite for personal and citi pp business ,also i got citi gold account so the annual fee will be waived .again thank you all for great help^
Just a thought.... If you are spending $40-50k per year and only flying 20-40k per year, you will only be able to match half of your purchase points with flight points. This means that you will earn approximately 1.5 points per $ on a PP Business. Consider TY Professional. It earns 3 pts per $ in some spending categories.
Jan 3, 2007 | 11:47 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ELP
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLAT, Marriott Titanium/LT PLAT
Posts: 4,140
1) How do you prefer to fly for vacations
2) Do you status with airlines
3) What type of tickets do you normally buy/
Jan 4, 2007 | 9:29 am
#24
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ivory Towers
Programs: DL Plat, HH Diamond, Diners Club, Citi Chairman, AMEX Plat, Merrill+, SPG Gold, Marriott Slvr
Posts: 328
High Fee/High Benefits/Unlimited Points:
1. AMEX Centurion - Broadest Airline and Hotel Benefits. High reward rate.
2*. Citi Chairman - High reward rate. HH Gold Status. Priority Pass airline club access. Not available right now.
3*. AMEX Platinum - Normal reward rate. SPG Gold Status. DL/CO/NW airline club access.
4. Carte Blanche - Broadest reward program. Normal reward rate. Benefits do not appear as strong as 1-3.
Moderate Fee/Moderate Benefits/Unlimited Points:
1*. Merrill+ - No Fee. Normal reward rate. AA status match with $20k spend. AA or DL club membership with $50k spend.
2*. AMEX HH - High reward rate. Automatic silver status. Gold status with $20k spend.
3. AMEX SPG - Gold status with $20-30k spend (check the website). 125% point earnings rate when you consider point transfer bonuses.
4. AMEX DL Platinum - High earning rate on select spending categories. Up to 20,000 qualifying miles per year. This will almost guarantee status.
5*. Diners Club - Broadest reward program. Normal reward rate. Primary rental car insurance.
If it is high rate of rewards that you want most. Pick from AMEX Centurion, Citi Chairman, and AMEX SPG. If you want certain status or benefits, pick from the other cards above. If AA is your favorite airline. You should consider AMEX SPG (highest reward rate), Diners or Carte Blanche. They are the only ones that transfer (other than Citi AA MC).
I chose the cards above marked by (*) because:
a. I live near a DL hub. I travel 90% on DL. Citi Chairman and AMEX Platinum give me access to all DL clubs and some other airline clubs.
b. Citi Chairman has a high rewards rate (which I use for gift cards since I have enough airline and hotel points). (The rate is the highest in my opinion among all of these cards. I think that Anaggie will agree.)
c. AMEX HH has an awesome reward rate for Hilton stays. I use Hilton 100 nights a year.
d. Diners Club gives me primary rental car insurance
e. Merrill+ gives me status matching on AA.
I only spend on Citi Chairman, AMEX HH, and Merrill+. The other cards are for benefits only.
Jan 4, 2007 | 10:19 am
#25
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 51,890
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....3&postcount=10
...and even buying airline tickets for companions it would surely be difficult to generate 500,000 flight points per year. I expect the average points per dollar would drop well below two.
dennis
Jan 4, 2007 | 10:39 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA Plat, HH Gold, SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Silver, Amex Plat, GlobalEntry, SW A-List Preferred
Posts: 866
How about this then?
1) buy all plane tickets using Citi PP or Chairman. Spend just enough to match the points from flying (best here is gas/grocery/pharmacy charges)
2) spend 50K using Merrill+ to get AA status match (at 20K actually) and then the AA or DL lounge access
3) spend enough on DL to get max EQM (no personal experience there)
4) put rest on Amex SPG, which has no points limit (I can usually get 3 to 5 cents value per point)
I wish I could put through that many charges through my cards...
1) buy all plane tickets using Citi PP or Chairman. Spend just enough to match the points from flying (best here is gas/grocery/pharmacy charges)
2) spend 50K using Merrill+ to get AA status match (at 20K actually) and then the AA or DL lounge access
3) spend enough on DL to get max EQM (no personal experience there)
4) put rest on Amex SPG, which has no points limit (I can usually get 3 to 5 cents value per point)
I wish I could put through that many charges through my cards...
Jan 4, 2007 | 11:32 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ivory Towers
Programs: DL Plat, HH Diamond, Diners Club, Citi Chairman, AMEX Plat, Merrill+, SPG Gold, Marriott Slvr
Posts: 328
By my calculations this would not hold true for "someone who does not fly for business but only for vacations BUT does spend >$500,000 on credit card". The program doesn't scale up well, as I tried to explain here...
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....3&postcount=10
...and even buying airline tickets for companions it would surely be difficult to generate 500,000 flight points per year. I expect the average points per dollar would drop well below two.
dennis
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....3&postcount=10
...and even buying airline tickets for companions it would surely be difficult to generate 500,000 flight points per year. I expect the average points per dollar would drop well below two.
dennis
3 pts (2 pts) - Select spend on grocery, gas, drug and commuter travel
N pts (same) - Thankyou Merchants (which can be substantial)
1 pt (1 pt) - Elsewhere
Plus matching flight points when you do travel.
This is still superior to most of the cards that are listed. The only issues with TY is the lack of point transfers and lack of efficient cash rewards. I looked at merchandise rewards between ML, TY, MR and DC yesterday. TY has increased the available products and the reward prices are better.
Jan 4, 2007 | 7:27 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Alabama / Georgia
Programs: DL, HHonors, AA, US, Aloha Pass, BA, CO, HawaiianMiles, Chairman, Centurion, AXP, MR, MHC Gold
Posts: 3,467
I would choose cards that have unlimited points earning potential. My ranking opinions are below
High Fee/High Benefits/Unlimited Points:
1. AMEX Centurion - Broadest Airline and Hotel Benefits. High reward rate.
2*. Citi Chairman - High reward rate. HH Gold Status. Priority Pass airline club access. Not available right now.
3*. AMEX Platinum - Normal reward rate. SPG Gold Status. DL/CO/NW airline club access.
4. Carte Blanche - Broadest reward program. Normal reward rate. Benefits do not appear as strong as 1-3.
Moderate Fee/Moderate Benefits/Unlimited Points:
1*. Merrill+ - No Fee. Normal reward rate. AA status match with $20k spend. AA or DL club membership with $50k spend.
2*. AMEX HH - High reward rate. Automatic silver status. Gold status with $20k spend.
3. AMEX SPG - Gold status with $20-30k spend (check the website). 125% point earnings rate when you consider point transfer bonuses.
4. AMEX DL Platinum - High earning rate on select spending categories. Up to 20,000 qualifying miles per year. This will almost guarantee status.
5*. Diners Club - Broadest reward program. Normal reward rate. Primary rental car insurance.
If it is high rate of rewards that you want most. Pick from AMEX Centurion, Citi Chairman, and AMEX SPG. If you want certain status or benefits, pick from the other cards above. If AA is your favorite airline. You should consider AMEX SPG (highest reward rate), Diners or Carte Blanche. They are the only ones that transfer (other than Citi AA MC).
I chose the cards above marked by (*) because:
a. I live near a DL hub. I travel 90% on DL. Citi Chairman and AMEX Platinum give me access to all DL clubs and some other airline clubs.
b. Citi Chairman has a high rewards rate (which I use for gift cards since I have enough airline and hotel points). (The rate is the highest in my opinion among all of these cards. I think that Anaggie will agree.)
c. AMEX HH has an awesome reward rate for Hilton stays. I use Hilton 100 nights a year.
d. Diners Club gives me primary rental car insurance
e. Merrill+ gives me status matching on AA.
I only spend on Citi Chairman, AMEX HH, and Merrill+. The other cards are for benefits only.
High Fee/High Benefits/Unlimited Points:
1. AMEX Centurion - Broadest Airline and Hotel Benefits. High reward rate.
2*. Citi Chairman - High reward rate. HH Gold Status. Priority Pass airline club access. Not available right now.
3*. AMEX Platinum - Normal reward rate. SPG Gold Status. DL/CO/NW airline club access.
4. Carte Blanche - Broadest reward program. Normal reward rate. Benefits do not appear as strong as 1-3.
Moderate Fee/Moderate Benefits/Unlimited Points:
1*. Merrill+ - No Fee. Normal reward rate. AA status match with $20k spend. AA or DL club membership with $50k spend.
2*. AMEX HH - High reward rate. Automatic silver status. Gold status with $20k spend.
3. AMEX SPG - Gold status with $20-30k spend (check the website). 125% point earnings rate when you consider point transfer bonuses.
4. AMEX DL Platinum - High earning rate on select spending categories. Up to 20,000 qualifying miles per year. This will almost guarantee status.
5*. Diners Club - Broadest reward program. Normal reward rate. Primary rental car insurance.
If it is high rate of rewards that you want most. Pick from AMEX Centurion, Citi Chairman, and AMEX SPG. If you want certain status or benefits, pick from the other cards above. If AA is your favorite airline. You should consider AMEX SPG (highest reward rate), Diners or Carte Blanche. They are the only ones that transfer (other than Citi AA MC).
I chose the cards above marked by (*) because:
a. I live near a DL hub. I travel 90% on DL. Citi Chairman and AMEX Platinum give me access to all DL clubs and some other airline clubs.
b. Citi Chairman has a high rewards rate (which I use for gift cards since I have enough airline and hotel points). (The rate is the highest in my opinion among all of these cards. I think that Anaggie will agree.)
c. AMEX HH has an awesome reward rate for Hilton stays. I use Hilton 100 nights a year.
d. Diners Club gives me primary rental car insurance
e. Merrill+ gives me status matching on AA.
I only spend on Citi Chairman, AMEX HH, and Merrill+. The other cards are for benefits only.
Jan 5, 2007 | 10:14 am
#29
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ivory Towers
Programs: DL Plat, HH Diamond, Diners Club, Citi Chairman, AMEX Plat, Merrill+, SPG Gold, Marriott Slvr
Posts: 328
awake at midnight, you should be ashamed of yourself. You just recommended Amex Centurion and Citi Chairman, both of which you know he can not apply for. Especially the Chairman which there is no way he is going to get one, he will get his hopes and get all frustrated and disappointed. You might even be responsible for clinical depression, loss of appetite, divorce and unemployment.
Jan 5, 2007 | 12:32 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Marriott - Titanium, AA - Lifetime Gold
Posts: 343
Thanks for the advise but I still have some questions....
Why the TY points when they are 1:$1? If it is merchandise or cash you would want then it's a better deal with Fidelity Cash Rewards or AMEX Blue Cash as they pay 1 1/2% cash. The merchandise exchange rate for points looks like it is 1% or less. And the cash back cards have NO limit.
If it is 3 pts per $1 then the Chase Business card gives 3% cash back on Restaurants, Gas, Office Supplies, and Home Improvements.
Even Starwood Amex seems better for airline tickets as they give you the 25% bonus.
If it is Airline Club membership with the Merrill+ you want then the cash back cards still beat it as Merrill+ is a 1:$1 in points and the merchandise and cash exchange rate seems to be at 1% or less. That extra 1/2% would pay for the club access at over $50,000 spend.
I understand that the Citi PP Elite is great BUT that is if you fly alot and can match up the miles with the spend. But I don't fly.
Even if I could get Chairman card why is it better.
Please advise?
Why the TY points when they are 1:$1? If it is merchandise or cash you would want then it's a better deal with Fidelity Cash Rewards or AMEX Blue Cash as they pay 1 1/2% cash. The merchandise exchange rate for points looks like it is 1% or less. And the cash back cards have NO limit.
If it is 3 pts per $1 then the Chase Business card gives 3% cash back on Restaurants, Gas, Office Supplies, and Home Improvements.
Even Starwood Amex seems better for airline tickets as they give you the 25% bonus.
If it is Airline Club membership with the Merrill+ you want then the cash back cards still beat it as Merrill+ is a 1:$1 in points and the merchandise and cash exchange rate seems to be at 1% or less. That extra 1/2% would pay for the club access at over $50,000 spend.
I understand that the Citi PP Elite is great BUT that is if you fly alot and can match up the miles with the spend. But I don't fly.
Even if I could get Chairman card why is it better.
Please advise?