Let’s talk about alternatives to the SPG Amex after the massive Marriott devaluation
May 3, 2018, 8:34 am
#271
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,785
If you just want the credit card with the 2.6-3.5% cashback, couldn't you simply open a Merrill IRA and roll $100k into it? It looks like that would put you into the Platinum Honors level, right? (Well, maybe throw $110k in there to make sure your avg daily balance never dips below $100k.)
May 3, 2018, 9:02 am
#272
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
You're making a good case to keep the card. Pay $95, get a 35k award night. Since you actually stay at Marriotts and presumably would use the award night *somewhere*, that's a no-brainer.
But...it's not yet a case for spending a single non-hotel dollar on this card. You've already got the award night even if you spend $0. So why run any general-spend through this card if there's a better option?
But...it's not yet a case for spending a single non-hotel dollar on this card. You've already got the award night even if you spend $0. So why run any general-spend through this card if there's a better option?
May 3, 2018, 1:04 pm
#273
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 470
Because he was aiming for the $600 bonus. With $100K initial deposit, he will only get $250. Also I noticed that he is self employed. If he does not have the Chase Business Ink Preferred yet, I would go for that first. The signup bonus is 80,000 UR points and to me that's better than $1200 cash that he would have to move a lot of assets and 3 months to get. And if his business is internet related, much of his business spending would be 3x UR points with the Ink Preferred.
May 3, 2018, 1:09 pm
#274
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,574
Couldn't one move the 80k UR to Hyatt and achieve $1600 without trying too hard? (Disclaimer: I'm not a Chase/UR expert at all.) I mean, that implies you stay in hotels from time to time, but seems reasonable for this audience.
May 3, 2018, 1:14 pm
#275
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Charleston, SC
Programs: SPG/Marriot Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 412
You're making a good case to keep the card. Pay $95, get a 35k award night. Since you actually stay at Marriotts and presumably would use the award night *somewhere*, that's a no-brainer.
But...it's not yet a case for spending a single non-hotel dollar on this card. You've already got the award night even if you spend $0. So why run any general-spend through this card if there's a better option?
But...it's not yet a case for spending a single non-hotel dollar on this card. You've already got the award night even if you spend $0. So why run any general-spend through this card if there's a better option?
May 3, 2018, 3:09 pm
#276
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 48
I was sort of in the same mindset, but figured I'd try to get to the 30k near August, so at least we get SPG Gold status all next year. I am going to miss that benefit a lot as we've always been really lucky with some really nice upgrades. Even if I have to spend past 8/1, hopefully it won't be too much after that.
May 3, 2018, 3:13 pm
#277
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 470
I'm no UR expert either. But, in the past, I've only transferred them to United and Southwest. For my flying habits, I think it would be fairly tough to get much more than $1200 for 80K UR points. I will be lifetime Plat in the new SPG program. So, Hyatt points are a little less desirable for me.
May 3, 2018, 4:03 pm
#278
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MSY
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA Plat, VS Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 2,531
I had been using SPG as my primary spend card for over ten years, but switched travel spend to CSR fairly recently.
I'll keep SPG, the free night covers the $95 AF and it's handy for things like Amex Offers (not as good recently as in years past though). As earned platinum and lifetime gold, the spend/stay bonuses don't really affect me. I'd seriously consider upgrading to the $450 card if it got both unlimited PP and centurion lounge access - one thing I don't have now.
But if I'm going to pay $450 for a card and only get PP, I'll stick with CSR. So far the reward redemption at 4.5% on travel and restaurants has been unbeatable and service has been fantastic. And I'll admit it, for me the metal card has a bit of a cool factor to it.
I'll keep SPG, the free night covers the $95 AF and it's handy for things like Amex Offers (not as good recently as in years past though). As earned platinum and lifetime gold, the spend/stay bonuses don't really affect me. I'd seriously consider upgrading to the $450 card if it got both unlimited PP and centurion lounge access - one thing I don't have now.
But if I'm going to pay $450 for a card and only get PP, I'll stick with CSR. So far the reward redemption at 4.5% on travel and restaurants has been unbeatable and service has been fantastic. And I'll admit it, for me the metal card has a bit of a cool factor to it.
May 3, 2018, 5:47 pm
#279
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
You're making a good case to keep the card. Pay $95, get a 35k award night. Since you actually stay at Marriotts and presumably would use the award night *somewhere*, that's a no-brainer.
But...it's not yet a case for spending a single non-hotel dollar on this card. You've already got the award night even if you spend $0. So why run any general-spend through this card if there's a better option?
But...it's not yet a case for spending a single non-hotel dollar on this card. You've already got the award night even if you spend $0. So why run any general-spend through this card if there's a better option?
I agree that there are better earners out there, though I'll still use AMEX for rental car transactions as even my VISA Signature and MC World Elite cards, which have similar benefits, never seem to be as easy to deal with. I rent frequently since I don't own a car (live in BKK,) and come back to the US a few times a year as well as the trips around Thailand where we use one.
May 3, 2018, 8:09 pm
#280
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: Starwood, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 56
Update: Just got the card in the mail, and all of the materials promote 1.5% cash back, not 3%. I called support before I even activated the card. They claim that the materials are wrong, I'm set up at 3%, and they're going to mail me a letter confirming that. I'm going to activate the card, because even if they send me a letter there's now way I can confirmed 1.5% v 3.0% until I actually use it.
Needless to say, my first experience has not been positive. We'll see how it goes from here.
Needless to say, my first experience has not been positive. We'll see how it goes from here.
I made one purchase, and waited to see what it looked like when it cleared. It's coded as 1.5% on all purchased, and "Bonus 1.5% on all purchases", for a total of 3%. I assume the Bonus part will stop after a year. It looks like despite everything saying 1.5%, I am in fact getting 3% back. YMMV of course, but as it stands now, I'm good.
Just wanted to let everyone know, since my understanding is that I wasn't the only one to go through the 3% signup process and end up on a landing page that said 1.5%
May 4, 2018, 9:07 am
#282
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Westchester Co, NY or Rio Grande Valley, TX or ???
Programs: BAEC G, WN A-, Hyatt G, HH G, MAR T, Hz PC, was [UA2P, FL A+Elite, BD G]
Posts: 2,271
See the post above yours - lots of folks got "1.5%" info when receiving the card but are in fact receiving 3%. You can call to make sure and/or buy something and see if you only get 1.5% or if you get 1.5% + 1.5% bonus.
May 4, 2018, 9:52 am
#283
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,574
I don't like paying AF's either, which is why any $450 card I carry has to have a benefit that brings that cost down easily - without me having to really work for it. Citi Prestige and this SPG Amex would pass the test, as my regular travels often involve MR/SPG incidental spend and Citi counts any travel on any airline as a valid expense. Hilton's $450 card does not, unless the airline gift card route is proven and reliable (which I haven't really looked into yet).
May 4, 2018, 1:45 pm
#284
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,945
80k UR are worth a minimum of $1200 in travel if one has the CSR ($1000 with CSP). Personally, I have done as well $.03/pt in coach and $.015-$.02 is not unusual. I know some premium class international travel can be a great value.
May 4, 2018, 2:07 pm
#285
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,574
I don't regularly buy international premium with my own money (although I definitely redeem those awards!). Occasionally get between 2-3 cpm in coach, U.S./Canada transborder sometimes yields that. I merely chose Hyatt because I can typically get 2 cpp there on pretty simple/short stays without trying too hard. Marriott is more about the long slog to the top Travel Packages, whereas Hyatt is nice hotels for short weekend stays in expensive markets...