Looking to compare different "chariman" cards and the like
 

Hi,
I keep on hearing about all these chairman cards (citi bank, amex) and the like.

Where can I find a list comparing the different cards? I am trying to find out which one is the best for me (if any)?

I fly quite abit, usually on American airlines (if that makes a difference ).

Thanks

There are two Chairman cards, both issued by Citi.

The original uses Mastercard network to process transactions, and Citi is no longer accepting applications.

The replacement uses American Express network, and Citi is not yet accepting applications, but if you have an original Chairman card, a Citi Private Bank account or a Smith Barney brokerage account you may receive an invitation to apply.

It depends on :

1. Airline Club access
2. High reward rate (i.e. points per $ and value of points)
3. Reward types
4. Hotel benefits
5. Concierge
6. Spending level

On #1,
- Chairman ($500 per year) offers an unlimited user version of Priority Pass which does not seem to help too much for AA travellers
- Merrill+ (no annual fee) offers a AA Club membership with $50k in spending
- Citi Platinum AMEX ($99 per year; first year free) offers a pay per use version of Priority Pass

On #2,
- Citi Platinum AMEX offers 3+ points per $ for the first 2 years
- Citi Chairman AMEX offers effectively 2 points per $ for someone that buys plane tickets on the card
- Merrill+ offers 1 point per $

On #3,
- Merrill+ only offers transfers to British Airways
- The Citi cards do not offer transfers to Airline or Hotel programs
- All of these cards offer a decent selection of hotel rewards, merchandise, and airline ticket rewards (but not point transfers)

On #4,
- Citi Chairman and Citi Platinum AMEX offer premium hotel discounts
- Citi Chairman provided Hilton Gold Status
- Merrill+ offers some premium hotel discounts

On #5,
- Citi Chairman AMEX supposedly offers an excellent concierge
- Merrill+ offers a concierge that is okay
- Citi Platinum AMEX does not offer a concierge

On #6,
- Citi Chairman AMEX and Merrill+ are unlimited in terms of points per year
- Citi Platinum AMEX is limited to 150,000 points per year


IMHO

- Pick Merrill+ if you can spend 50,000 per year to get the AA Club membership
- Pick Citi Platinum AMEX as a back up. It comes with free monthly credit reports and the pay as you go Priority Pass which gets you in to most DL/CO/NW clubs when you cannot get into the AA Club
- Alternately consider American Express Platinum and Diners Club if you are interested in Point Transfers or other benefits of these cards.