Let’s talk about alternatives to the SPG Amex after the massive Marriott devaluation
Apr 17, 2018, 3:47 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
Apr 17, 2018, 4:12 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 156
I use CSR for dining + travel. Citi 2% for everything else. I value the 2% cash back card higher than the 1.5 pts per $1 spend card mainly due to the flexibility that I get from having actual cash vs. having to spend the points in some certain program and thus having to worry about devaluation, rule changes, etc.
Apr 17, 2018, 4:37 pm
#34
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 171
Since Marriott lifetime status is no longer tied to points, there isn't a great reason to prioritize those.
Apr 17, 2018, 5:53 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
Thinking outside of the box....
Anyone thinking of Amazon Visa Signature? 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% cash back on restaurants, gas stations, drugstores, and 1% cash back everywhere else. No foreign transaction fee or annual fee (aside from Prime membership).
Not sure if the rewards point have any value, but the website does say you can redeem for travel or gift cards...
Anyone thinking of Amazon Visa Signature? 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% cash back on restaurants, gas stations, drugstores, and 1% cash back everywhere else. No foreign transaction fee or annual fee (aside from Prime membership).
Not sure if the rewards point have any value, but the website does say you can redeem for travel or gift cards...
Apr 17, 2018, 5:55 pm
#38
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta but Washington DC will always be home.
Programs: Marriott LTP, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold, Hyatt Explorist,, Delta Plat,
Posts: 2,070
Current plan is to use Costco Visa for everything BUT Marriott/*wood stays for which I'll use the *woodAmex. (I had been using Costco for Gas/Costco/Restaurants/Non-*wood travel and the *woodAmex for everything else.)
Apr 17, 2018, 6:51 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,762
2% cash back seems like a good option in general. It doesn't have the same "cachet" as spending $300k to "earn" a week at some luxury resort. But 6k can get you quite a lot.
I do think there are some good arbitrage opportunities for point utilization vs. cash, but its harder to justify these days.
I do think there are some good arbitrage opportunities for point utilization vs. cash, but its harder to justify these days.
Apr 17, 2018, 7:04 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,166
I am drowning in Ultimate Rewards and UA miles...but I never have enough Starpoints.
So for my unbonused spend, I might just bite the bullet and keep using it...missing a better alternative.
So for my unbonused spend, I might just bite the bullet and keep using it...missing a better alternative.
Apr 17, 2018, 7:09 pm
#41
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Charlottesville, Va. USA
Posts: 1,749
gpeso8:
I am with you. I am now retired but for many years i owned a small business. I used the amex spg for everything. My major interest is transferring miles to airlines. I am an aa lt plat. That said,I use the spg points to convert to aa miles which I use for j or f tickets on BA, CX,JL or QF. I do have an aa citi card that does give me 1:1. i don't care about cash back or other benefits. I only care about the miles. Is there any alternative amex card or other card that will transfer miles to aa at a greater than 1:1 ratio?
I am with you. I am now retired but for many years i owned a small business. I used the amex spg for everything. My major interest is transferring miles to airlines. I am an aa lt plat. That said,I use the spg points to convert to aa miles which I use for j or f tickets on BA, CX,JL or QF. I do have an aa citi card that does give me 1:1. i don't care about cash back or other benefits. I only care about the miles. Is there any alternative amex card or other card that will transfer miles to aa at a greater than 1:1 ratio?
Apr 17, 2018, 7:28 pm
#42
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,636
Interesting.. we had big spend in our small business and put it into cards with hotel benefits. For the longest time we hit the HH Surpass card, getting Diamond status and enough points at 3x for normal spend that $15K spend was an award night most anywhere. Then HH devaluation and we started to move to SPG where $15K spend on the SPG Amex was a award night in .. a lot of places. Then the SPG-MR union and $15K spend on the same SPG Amex was a night at most MR hotels.
Now I expect the devaluation combined with a) loss of lounge access via SPG Business card and b) reduced Gold benefits that I otherwise get from Amex Plat will send me to put all normal spend on Citi Double Cash, where $15K spend gives me $300 to spend on a room of some sort. I do collect Chase points via mostly dining spend and have a fair amount to use, perhaps for the occasional good redemption at Hyatt. But the game seems mostly over for me. Had a good run, though...
Now I expect the devaluation combined with a) loss of lounge access via SPG Business card and b) reduced Gold benefits that I otherwise get from Amex Plat will send me to put all normal spend on Citi Double Cash, where $15K spend gives me $300 to spend on a room of some sort. I do collect Chase points via mostly dining spend and have a fair amount to use, perhaps for the occasional good redemption at Hyatt. But the game seems mostly over for me. Had a good run, though...
Last edited by xooz; Apr 17, 2018 at 7:30 pm Reason: Clarification
Apr 17, 2018, 7:38 pm
#44
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,523
https://www.spgpromos.com/amexcoming...comingsoon_DEF
Effective August 1, 2018, complimentary access to the Sheraton® Club Lounge will no longer be offered through The Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express.
Effective August 1, 2018, complimentary access to the Sheraton® Club Lounge will no longer be offered through The Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express.