Let’s talk about alternatives to the SPG Amex after the massive Marriott devaluation
Aug 1, 2018, 8:54 pm
#496
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: +61
Programs: SQ*PPS, QF-WP1 & LTG, VA-Gold, Marriott*LTT, Hilton*Gold, Accor*Platinum
Posts: 5,735
I think I'll keep the grand-fathered SPG Amex over the Chase Marriott for 3 reasons
- Boingo
- Shoprunner
- Pride
Last edited by shuuy; Aug 1, 2018 at 8:57 pm Reason: added pride
Aug 2, 2018, 6:28 am
#497
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
Email from Amex yesterday reminding of the changes mentioned that some posting of points for the SPG Amex will be delayed this month, so I'd bet that anyone whose statement closes before the 18th will have their points held back and credited after the 18th once the transition from Starpoints to new points has taken place.
Aug 2, 2018, 7:55 am
#498
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott LTPP, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,079
Chase gutting the travel and purchase protection benefits on the Marriott Card didn't really help the case in keeping that card either - cancelled it a couple days ago in favor of the SPG Amex (for Marriott/SPG spend only).
Last edited by phltraveler; Aug 2, 2018 at 10:17 am
Aug 2, 2018, 10:05 am
#499
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Aug 2, 2018, 10:28 am
#500
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: West Coast, U.S.A.
Programs: Bonvoy LT Titanium; UA Silver
Posts: 75
We are going with the "keep it simple" strategy:
- CSR for travel (except Stariott/Marriwood stays) and restaurants and for wherever the Am Ex card is not accepted
- Grand-fathered SPG Amex for Stariott/Marriwood stays and everyday spend to earn whatever Stariott/Marriwood points we can since we frequently stay at Starwood hotels due our Starwood LTP status. Will be LTPP in new program.
Did receive a targeted promotion offer for the Chase United Club card, 1st year free, which is attractive for its United Club access. Though appears that the Chase United Club card is not competitive with CSR because the Chase United Club does not appear to have a travel insurance benefit.
- CSR for travel (except Stariott/Marriwood stays) and restaurants and for wherever the Am Ex card is not accepted
- Grand-fathered SPG Amex for Stariott/Marriwood stays and everyday spend to earn whatever Stariott/Marriwood points we can since we frequently stay at Starwood hotels due our Starwood LTP status. Will be LTPP in new program.
Did receive a targeted promotion offer for the Chase United Club card, 1st year free, which is attractive for its United Club access. Though appears that the Chase United Club card is not competitive with CSR because the Chase United Club does not appear to have a travel insurance benefit.
Aug 2, 2018, 10:37 am
#501
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
We are going with the "keep it simple" strategy:
- CSR for travel (except Stariott/Marriwood stays) and restaurants and for wherever the Am Ex card is not accepted
- Grand-fathered SPG Amex for Stariott/Marriwood stays and everyday spend to earn whatever Stariott/Marriwood points we can since we frequently stay at Starwood hotels due our Starwood LTP status. Will be LTPP in new program.
- CSR for travel (except Stariott/Marriwood stays) and restaurants and for wherever the Am Ex card is not accepted
- Grand-fathered SPG Amex for Stariott/Marriwood stays and everyday spend to earn whatever Stariott/Marriwood points we can since we frequently stay at Starwood hotels due our Starwood LTP status. Will be LTPP in new program.
Aug 2, 2018, 10:50 am
#502
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,745
My husband has a SPG AMEX biz card. We've pulled all spend from it. He got a targeted AMEX biz blue card offer that gives 20K signup bonus after $5K spend and 2x points on the first 50K spend. I'm not as fond of Membership reward points as I am of SPG points, but the 2x benefit makes the card more interesting.
Aug 2, 2018, 11:39 pm
#503
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
What about for OVERSEAS general, non-category spend? Which of the non-FTF cards? Would you use SPG card (2x new Marriott points), Amex Plat (1x MR), CSR (1x UR), or something else? (Sadly, the Freedom Unlimited has FTF, so that extra 3% would negate the value of the 1.5x UR earned.)
For the record, the values are pretty close....:
- 2x new Marriott points are worth about 1.8 cents (0.9 each)
- 1x AMEX MR points are worth 1.9 cents each
- 1x Chase UR points are worth 2.1 cents each
(according to TPG August valuations)
For the record, the values are pretty close....:
- 2x new Marriott points are worth about 1.8 cents (0.9 each)
- 1x AMEX MR points are worth 1.9 cents each
- 1x Chase UR points are worth 2.1 cents each
(according to TPG August valuations)
Last edited by ESpen36; Aug 2, 2018 at 11:44 pm
Aug 3, 2018, 1:18 am
#504
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Former UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 576
What about for OVERSEAS general, non-category spend? Which of the non-FTF cards? Would you use SPG card (2x new Marriott points), Amex Plat (1x MR), CSR (1x UR), or something else? (Sadly, the Freedom Unlimited has FTF, so that extra 3% would negate the value of the 1.5x UR earned.)
For the record, the values are pretty close....:
- 2x new Marriott points are worth about 1.8 cents (0.9 each)
- 1x AMEX MR points are worth 1.9 cents each
- 1x Chase UR points are worth 2.1 cents each
(according to TPG August valuations)
For the record, the values are pretty close....:
- 2x new Marriott points are worth about 1.8 cents (0.9 each)
- 1x AMEX MR points are worth 1.9 cents each
- 1x Chase UR points are worth 2.1 cents each
(according to TPG August valuations)
I am considering moving an IRA (greater than 100k) over to Bank of America. I can then get 2.625 cents per dollar spent on the Bank of America Premium Rewards card.
If you have been redeeming SPG points for Alaska miles, you could use the Alaska card (1.8 cents per mile). This would be better than the .833 miles earned via Marriott points.
PS There are brokerage bonus's for moving $ over to Merrill/Bank of America.
Aug 3, 2018, 11:28 am
#505
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: stl
Programs: AA LT Plat/8.1mm now with 1350 miles left in my account and proud of it.. SPG LT Titanium.
Posts: 3,079
I just got my August 2 statement which had some big items on it and I have a hard time comprehending that next month it will be under a $100 until I change some monthly subscriptions over. I am curious as to what others think about the number of overall SPG Amex users who will more or less go to zero. Just those of us on Flyertalk or a bigger group out of the general population of cardholders. This can't be pleasant for Amex.
When I saw the recent email and realized that the business card has some bonus spend it kinda pissed me off because I might have stayed with the card if that had applied to the personal card.
When I saw the recent email and realized that the business card has some bonus spend it kinda pissed me off because I might have stayed with the card if that had applied to the personal card.
Aug 3, 2018, 11:38 am
#506
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
My husband has a SPG AMEX biz card. We've pulled all spend from it. He got a targeted AMEX biz blue card offer that gives 20K signup bonus after $5K spend and 2x points on the first 50K spend. I'm not as fond of Membership reward points as I am of SPG points, but the 2x benefit makes the card more interesting.
End of an era
Aug 3, 2018, 1:34 pm
#507
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: PHL
Posts: 656
I just pulled my well-worn SPG Amex from my wallet as I won't use it for everyday spend anymore. Likely moving it all to Citi double cash, except for restaurants (Chase sapphire) or office/phone/cable (Chase Ink). I realized that I likely won't even use it for SPG/Marriott spend since these days I'm more likely to use my Citi Prestige for the fourth night free benefit for personal stays, and my work stays now have to go on my corporate Amex. Sad to see it go.
Aug 3, 2018, 5:35 pm
#508
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: ua mm, aa plat, starriott LTPP, ihg plat, hh gold.
Posts: 13,017
I just pulled my well-worn SPG Amex from my wallet as I won't use it for everyday spend anymore. Likely moving it all to Citi double cash, except for restaurants (Chase sapphire) or office/phone/cable (Chase Ink). I realized that I likely won't even use it for SPG/Marriott spend since these days I'm more likely to use my Citi Prestige for the fourth night free benefit for personal stays, and my work stays now have to go on my corporate Amex. Sad to see it go.
also, i'm trying to figure out what the best way is to get starriott points going forward...guess we'll be paying cash for holiday hotel stays rather than using points. meh.
Aug 5, 2018, 3:53 pm
#509
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: SoCal, CA
Programs: AA 1MM GO, SW A-List
Posts: 53
Is there a case to keep using the SPG business for the bonus spend on restaurants, gas, cell/phone, and shipping?
They are running a 100k bonus (higher than the Marriott Business card equivalent) til 10/31. So maybe a play there.
I’ve been spg personal since ‘99 and as much as I hate it can’t seem to justify keeping it in the wallet. It’s my oldest credit history so keeping it around and the hotel stay should cover it.
Still like to accumulate hotel points so looking at the SPG business card to see if that could work and keep earning points via their bonus categories only (mainly dining and gas).
Thoughts?
They are running a 100k bonus (higher than the Marriott Business card equivalent) til 10/31. So maybe a play there.
I’ve been spg personal since ‘99 and as much as I hate it can’t seem to justify keeping it in the wallet. It’s my oldest credit history so keeping it around and the hotel stay should cover it.
Still like to accumulate hotel points so looking at the SPG business card to see if that could work and keep earning points via their bonus categories only (mainly dining and gas).
Thoughts?
Aug 5, 2018, 6:36 pm
#510
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Former UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 576
Is there a case to keep using the SPG business for the bonus spend on restaurants, gas, cell/phone, and shipping?
They are running a 100k bonus (higher than the Marriott Business card equivalent) til 10/31. So maybe a play there.
I’ve been spg personal since ‘99 and as much as I hate it can’t seem to justify keeping it in the wallet. It’s my oldest credit history so keeping it around and the hotel stay should cover it.
Still like to accumulate hotel points so looking at the SPG business card to see if that could work and keep earning points via their bonus categories only (mainly dining and gas).
Thoughts?
They are running a 100k bonus (higher than the Marriott Business card equivalent) til 10/31. So maybe a play there.
I’ve been spg personal since ‘99 and as much as I hate it can’t seem to justify keeping it in the wallet. It’s my oldest credit history so keeping it around and the hotel stay should cover it.
Still like to accumulate hotel points so looking at the SPG business card to see if that could work and keep earning points via their bonus categories only (mainly dining and gas).
Thoughts?
I think earning the Starwood/Marriott bonus is worth pursuing. Given the reduced potential to earn Starwoood/Marriott points via credit card spend, the bonus becomes more valuable.
PS I am not an expert on business cards. I hope someone else can give you more feedback.