Alternatives to AMEX?
#1
Original Poster




Join Date: May 2007
Location: Former TWA Hub
Programs: Covid Diamond , WNRewards, Motel Rewards, etc.
Posts: 75
Alternatives to AMEX?
I have just had it up to here with AMEX with their lack of service and their unwillingness to treat our firm as a business.
But I like the fungible nature of the Membership Rewards. I just hated paying for the privilege of redeeming points.
So instead of looking for another deal, I would like you to tell me what Business Credit Card program out there has the "best" deal for Small Business.
Figure 10-40K in purchases per year.
Looking for a program that will let me link with other airline and hotel programs.
Or one that has a good Travel network of its own.
Thanks in advance.
But I like the fungible nature of the Membership Rewards. I just hated paying for the privilege of redeeming points.
So instead of looking for another deal, I would like you to tell me what Business Credit Card program out there has the "best" deal for Small Business.
Figure 10-40K in purchases per year.
Looking for a program that will let me link with other airline and hotel programs.
Or one that has a good Travel network of its own.
Thanks in advance.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: DL GM, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 12,171
Amex is really the only choice when it comes to linking up with other airlines, etc.
Citi TYP business card is an option, but the program had been gutted.
Bank Atlantic offers a decent cash back card. As does Chase (Not as good as Bank Atlantic).
With the consolidation of banks, the pickins are getting slim...
Citi TYP business card is an option, but the program had been gutted.
Bank Atlantic offers a decent cash back card. As does Chase (Not as good as Bank Atlantic).
With the consolidation of banks, the pickins are getting slim...
#3
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 10,005
You could also look into a cash-back product. The cash could then be used by you for any travel needs.
You don't mention the type of business, but if you drive alot, then a gas card might be helpful.
Here is a link that lists lots of small business cards from various banks. You can search by reward type.
You don't mention the type of business, but if you drive alot, then a gas card might be helpful.
Here is a link that lists lots of small business cards from various banks. You can search by reward type.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: DL GM, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 12,171
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 26,113
If you only use miles for coach flights, then one of the "fake miles" cards may work for you. But they're useless if you use miles mostly for int'l premium cabin flights.
Which leaves only hotel cards. Since most hotel programs allow you to transfer into a variety of airlines, a hotel card would give you only one hotel (thus not the same flexibility on hotels as Amex MR or Diners Club), but would actually give you a wider variety of airlines than either Amex MR or DIners Club alone (since they have only slight overlap on airlines).
If you don't mind an Amex that's not MR, the best would be the SPG Amex from Starwood, as it earns 1.0 to 1.25 miles per dollar. $45 annual fee (waived first year).
If you want an MC/Visa, the best from a miles earning perspective might be the WyndhamRewards MC, because it earns almost 1 mile per dollar (while most other hotel cards earn closer to half a mile per dollar). The upside of this (and most other hotel MC/Visa cards) is no annual fee.
Most hotel cards from "nicer" hotel programs, other than SPG, earn fairly few points except when you use them at the hotels themselves. That's why they only get you 0.5 miles per dollar at best. WyndhamRewards gets you more miles only because they have an unusually rich hotel-points-to-airline-miles conversion chart. (WyndhamRewards is mostly a collection of cheapo motel chains like DaysInn and Super 8 so redemption for hotel nights in that program may not be your cup of tea. I mention it only because it's the best value in an MC/Visa I know of earning "fungible" miles if you don't want Amex MR and don't already have Diners Club.)




