Let’s talk about alternatives to the SPG Amex after the massive Marriott devaluation
Sep 13, 2019, 1:12 pm
#691
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,018
I'm still with SPG Amex for now... the extra bonus point at every $25k keeps it my primary card this year. As soon as that promo is over... this card is solely used for Marriott stays and saved just for the free night. If/when a promo appears next year, I may pull it out again. Still remains an excellent card with the spend promo.
As for what I'll use once spend promo is over... likely switch to Hilton Aspire Amex (so still staying with Amex). But may apply for Platinum Amex and use/earn MR. We shall see. Still a few months away from that decision.
As for what I'll use once spend promo is over... likely switch to Hilton Aspire Amex (so still staying with Amex). But may apply for Platinum Amex and use/earn MR. We shall see. Still a few months away from that decision.
Sep 13, 2019, 11:39 pm
#692
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, SPG LTP
Posts: 1,526
I've switched to Chase Ultimate Rewards for all but Marriott spend (Amex). Sapphire Reserve for travel and dining. Freedom for everything else. Prior to all this, it was all SPG Amex. My points balance is going to take a hit once I spend it down, but the freedom has been liberating.
I don't care what the card looks like. My first SPG amex was blue, then there was the burgundy and silver and then purple. Not too sentimental about any of them. Messed up the earnings and I was done.
I've grown to appreciate the non embossed flat cards as they take up less room in my wallet.
I don't care what the card looks like. My first SPG amex was blue, then there was the burgundy and silver and then purple. Not too sentimental about any of them. Messed up the earnings and I was done.
I've grown to appreciate the non embossed flat cards as they take up less room in my wallet.
Sep 14, 2019, 6:47 pm
#693
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,351
I'm still with SPG Amex for now... the extra bonus point at every $25k keeps it my primary card this year. As soon as that promo is over... this card is solely used for Marriott stays and saved just for the free night. If/when a promo appears next year, I may pull it out again. Still remains an excellent card with the spend promo.
As for what I'll use once spend promo is over... likely switch to Hilton Aspire Amex (so still staying with Amex). But may apply for Platinum Amex and use/earn MR. We shall see. Still a few months away from that decision.
As for what I'll use once spend promo is over... likely switch to Hilton Aspire Amex (so still staying with Amex). But may apply for Platinum Amex and use/earn MR. We shall see. Still a few months away from that decision.
Dec 16, 2019, 10:15 pm
#694
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards, SPG Gold, United 1K, Hilton Diamond, Diamond Golden Circle
Posts: 158
What's the go to card to switch to right now? Finding the 35K award basically unusable, and the points not going as far as they used to at all.
Do you just call Amex and ask them to switch you to the card or what's the best procedure?
Do you just call Amex and ask them to switch you to the card or what's the best procedure?
Dec 17, 2019, 12:34 am
#695
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,351
It really depends on your spending pattern. Then you can decide which card to switch to and it may not be an Amex. Also if you want a different card it may be better to sign up for a new one rather than switch (which anyway isn't always possible), because you will get the new card sign up bonus which you wouldn't get if you converted.
Dec 17, 2019, 8:27 am
#696
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,051
The only other card you can switch (product change) the base $95 Bonvoy Amex to is the $450 version since Amex only allows product changes within the same card "family" these days and that's the only other Bonvoy card that Amex has. So if you don't want that card, you'd have to cancel the Bonvoy Amex and sign up for something new (with Amex or elsewhere). Depending how long you've had the Bonvoy/SPG Amex and how many other cards of what ages you have, that may incur some marginal credit score penalty.
Dec 17, 2019, 11:19 am
#697
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
Any bets on whether we will see another spend promo from Amex? I'm betting that transaction volume goes way down after the end of the 25k bonus for $25k spend promo, plus more cancellations due to the AF. But I can't imagine they want to keep paying the equivalent of 3 points/$1 on regular spend.
Dec 17, 2019, 11:50 am
#698
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,897
Any bets on whether we will see another spend promo from Amex? I'm betting that transaction volume goes way down after the end of the 25k bonus for $25k spend promo, plus more cancellations due to the AF. But I can't imagine they want to keep paying the equivalent of 3 points/$1 on regular spend.
Dec 17, 2019, 12:18 pm
#699
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards, SPG Gold, United 1K, Hilton Diamond, Diamond Golden Circle
Posts: 158
The only other card you can switch (product change) the base $95 Bonvoy Amex to is the $450 version since Amex only allows product changes within the same card "family" these days and that's the only other Bonvoy card that Amex has. So if you don't want that card, you'd have to cancel the Bonvoy Amex and sign up for something new (with Amex or elsewhere). Depending how long you've had the Bonvoy/SPG Amex and how many other cards of what ages you have, that may incur some marginal credit score penalty.
Dec 17, 2019, 12:34 pm
#700
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,897
There is a zero fee card, but it is offered by Chase. If you get an upgrade offer from Amex, you could upgrade to the Brilliant for a bonus (anywhere from 75,000 to 125,000 points), and that card comes with a more useful free night. Otherwise cancelling may be your best bet
Dec 17, 2019, 2:56 pm
#701
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM, AS MVPG, SPG PLAT 100
Posts: 1,497
Any bets on whether we will see another spend promo from Amex? I'm betting that transaction volume goes way down after the end of the 25k bonus for $25k spend promo, plus more cancellations due to the AF. But I can't imagine they want to keep paying the equivalent of 3 points/$1 on regular spend.
Dec 17, 2019, 3:54 pm
#702
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Tit, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Carlson Gold, UA*S,
Posts: 1,363
The card will go back in the sock draw after 12/31. I managed to make 75k out of the possible 100k bonus that was up for grabs, so not too bad.
Dec 17, 2019, 10:11 pm
#703
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,351
I managed to get the full 100k by end of last month and immediately stopped spend cold turkey. I hope their data analysis sees this so that we either get future spend bonuses like this or they just increase to 3 points per $ across the board.
Dec 18, 2019, 5:02 pm
#704
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,643
I kept the Amex because I needed the 15 night booster shot to get Plat status. Compared to the Chase Visa, it had marginally better benefits. I dumped my Chase Visa only use the Amex when staying at a Marriott. The 35K cert is something I can use but would not be a big reason to pay the AF.
Dec 18, 2019, 5:06 pm
#705
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,897
I would prefer to see 3x or something similar (maybe after hitting spend thresholds) on the Brilliant - it could be an excellent card (rather than a decent one) with one or two mods