fayraree

Recently closed my SPG AX and Chase MR Premier. Opened MR Premier Plus right after the bonus went from 100k to 75k. Long story about that, will save for another time, but I might be able to swing the full 100k by spending $5k in 3 months and escalating to the marketing dept (since I did apply before the deadline but at that time my old card hadn't been fully closed on the credit history).

Also opened an SPG biz AX today, and planning to open the Chase biz MR PP (application sent, need to call in to follow up because of the "decision will be mailed in 30 days" message). Will also apply for the SPG Luxury AX between 8/23-8/26 to catch that bonus.

Nice little haul of points (~400k) and achieved LTPP last month...a solid MR showing, if I do say so myself.

Will be closing the SPG biz after 12 months, the MR biz after 6, and the Luxury after whatever time frame the T&C specify (I expect 12 months as well).

My daily use of cards currently (will only change to achieve the minimum spend for the above):
- MR PP: hotel
- United MP Club: airfare
- Chase Amazon Prime: Amazon and Whole Foods purchases only
- CSR: everything else

Mangus

edit due to factual mistake

FlyertalkST

After reviewing the CC landscape, I've decided to go all-in on Chase with the Sapphire Reserve/Ink Bus. Preferred for my regular spending. I'm going to hang onto the SPG Amex (Bus. and Personal) because I think the annual fee will be more than paid for with the free night.

gfunkdave

That's what I did too, though as I don't have a business I got the CFU instead.

Johnny Rocket

Is anyone here still using their SPG Amex's?

This is so sad! I felt like i was cheating on it using my BA Chase or AA Citi.

Does anyone think Amex may rethink it if they see a huge drop off in spend?

That said, the way it is being marketed as earning even more points 2x (even "richer") it is being very cleverly / sneakily described.

JIMCHI

I called and cancelled my card yesterday. They asked why and I explained it was because of the devaluation. Agent tried to tell me my math was wrong and that I wasn't losing anything. He offered me 10,000 Marriott points or waive the annual fee for 1 year but I'm not going to accept 2/3 of a point for every dollar spent outside of Marriott. He cancelled it without further discussion.

UA-NYC

I am still using it because I still want to rack up Marriott points as I am eternally short (compared to URs where I have piles and piles of them).

Though out of principle I am now using the MR Visa more even though it is the same earning.

ESpen36

Yes....for charges at SPG and Marriott properties (earning 6x new points, equivalent to 2x Starpoints, exactly the same as before).

Also great for Boingo (which is available on the SPG cards as well as the Plat card). You are allowed 4 devices per Boingo AMEX plan, so it helps to have multiple cards since we all have so many devices these days! Be sure to download the Hotspot 2.0 Passpoint profile to compatible devices so you can use the secure networks! Btw, Boingo is not just at airports....there are downtown locations in NYC, for example.

Let's hope! If AMEX goes back to 3x new points on everyday, non-category spend, I will go back to putting ALL possible spend on my SPG cards!

I agree. The marketing materials are not being clear that the value of the point currency is decreasing, so 2x earning is actually the equivalent of less earning, not more.

Explore SE Asia

I would probably get the Luxury card if it was 3x on non-categoy spend. Of course, I am only eligible to earn a signup bonus during the 3 day window. 3x would result in much higher utilization and drive the number of cards up dramatically especially since Korean air is no longer a transfer partner of Chase.

KParks

This for sure. Even though I carry a Plat already, I'd do the Luxury if it had the old earning on it (and even if I didn't get a signup bonus.. although presumably I could upgrade my current SPG).

Alas, I think the likelihood of this dream is very low for now. Maybe in a year after they see the dust settle (and presumably see a huge drop in SPG card spending and little activity on the new luxury card).

ESpen36

Definitely! It would absolutely be worth the annual fee (subsidized in part by the hotel credit) if the SPG Luxury card offered 3x earning on non-category, general spend!

Does anyone have any contacts at SPG/Marriott to whom you could pass along this info?

mhdena

mhdena

SPGB and Marriott Biz now earn 4X dining, cell phone, internet, cable, gas, and shipping. With the mileage transfers the same net, the business cards look to be the same if those are the main spend categories.

RedSun

IMO, your title is somehow misleading. All things born and die, everything changes. I do not think there is huge devaluation of the new AmEx SPG card. The new AmEx SPG does not give you 1x SPG, but it gives us the annual reward night that is worth 35,000 MRs. For most people, this is far better than the 1x SPG flat earning. I get about 7 SPG cards in my family and I use only one or two.

The AmEx SPG card change has minimal impact to me. It is a huge de-valuation with the transfer to airline, even with the 25% bonus. It is far better to transfer AmEx MR points to airline. The best way for my SPG use is to transfer to Marriott and the old transfer to Amtrak. Amtrak transfer is dead now.

For the sorely missed 1x SPG flat earning, I get the 1.5 UR Chase Freedom Unlimited. Then I get 2x MR AmEx Blue Business Plus. I do not even use my 2% Fidelity or Citi DC cards.

RedSun

Those are mostly AmEx transfer partners. You would have been much better off earning the AmEx MR points and transfer to the airlines. They are all 1:1 transfers.