Let’s talk about alternatives to the SPG Amex after the massive Marriott devaluation
Aug 23, 2018, 7:24 am
#602
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: SPG Plat; Hyatt Diamond; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 139
Point comparison calculator
Just discovered this site. Preliminary testing it seems accurate. I searched and did not see it discussed anywhere on the forums.
I'll be playing around with the numbers a bit to come up with a new strategy for cards. Site seems pretty comprehensive on point calculations and has a handy comparison tool where you can create different credit card portfolios, mixing and matching cards to determine optimum return.
https://www.thepointcalculator.com
I'll be playing around with the numbers a bit to come up with a new strategy for cards. Site seems pretty comprehensive on point calculations and has a handy comparison tool where you can create different credit card portfolios, mixing and matching cards to determine optimum return.
https://www.thepointcalculator.com
Aug 23, 2018, 4:35 pm
#603
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,193
I just got a 100K bonus offer for upgrading from regular SPG Amex to Luxury if I spend $5000 USD in next 3 months. I took it. Although I deeply dislike the devaluation of the spending, I will still use this card. Amex some years has given me good retention bonuses (this year I think was 10,000 points for spending 10k USD or 15K spend or something like that). Last year gave me something like 15k points for spending $15k USD around September.
I am not sure if these offers are available to all members, but I have spent a fair amount on this card for a decade +, so I think the bonuses more than make up for the lost earning... as long as they keep offering these types of bonuses. I will test for a year or two
The other benefit a lot of people don't talk about is the discount coupon offers - I got $100 off a pair of Allen Edmonds shoes I bought and $5 back from starbucks over summer. Those little deals add up and make up for annual fee on purchases I would have made anyway. I wish they had more and better offers and included ones outside of the US where I spend most of my time, but I probably get $50-$100 USD back annually from them.
I am not sure if these offers are available to all members, but I have spent a fair amount on this card for a decade +, so I think the bonuses more than make up for the lost earning... as long as they keep offering these types of bonuses. I will test for a year or two
The other benefit a lot of people don't talk about is the discount coupon offers - I got $100 off a pair of Allen Edmonds shoes I bought and $5 back from starbucks over summer. Those little deals add up and make up for annual fee on purchases I would have made anyway. I wish they had more and better offers and included ones outside of the US where I spend most of my time, but I probably get $50-$100 USD back annually from them.
Aug 23, 2018, 7:43 pm
#604
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
I liked the SPG card for earning 1 SPG point/dollar on non-category spend. At the new 2 MR/dollar rate... well, it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick but it's not better than certain other cards out there. Including 2% cashback, no-AF cards. I may pick up an SPG Business Amex instead. 4x MR on restaurants, gas, and telecom is tasty as I spend over $1k/month in those categories.
Aug 23, 2018, 10:01 pm
#605
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Former UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 576
I liked the SPG card for earning 1 SPG point/dollar on non-category spend. At the new 2 MR/dollar rate... well, it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick but it's not better than certain other cards out there. Including 2% cashback, no-AF cards. I may pick up an SPG Business Amex instead. 4x MR on restaurants, gas, and telecom is tasty as I spend over $1k/month in those categories.
Non Bonus Spend
SPG 2/3 * 1.25 = .833 miles/dollar
CFU 1.5 miles
CSR conversion to cash via travel portal $0.0225 / dollar spent (1.5 points*1.5)
Restaurant Spend
SPG 4/3 old points * 1.25 mile bonus = 1.666 miles
CSR 3 miles
CSR conversion to cash via travel portal $0.045 / dollar spent (3.0 points*1.5)
Gas & Telecom
SPG 4/3 old points * 1.25 mile bonus = 1.666 miles
CFU 1.5 miles
CSR conversion to cash via travel portal $0.0225 / dollar spent (1.5 points*1.5)
-------------------
Gas (Capped at $25,000)
SPG 4/3 old points * 1.25 mile bonus = 1.666 miles
CIC 3.0 miles
CSR conversion to cash via travel portal $0.045 / dollar spent (3.0 points*1.5)
Telecom
(other 5% bonus categories - office supply stores plus internet, and cable - Combined cap of $25,000/year)
SPG 4/3 old points * 1.25 mile bonus = 1.666 miles
CIC 5.0 miles
CSR conversion to cash via travel portal $0.075 / dollar spent (5.0 points*1.5)
PS I have been trying to justify getting the SPG business card. I am hoping that someone will convince me. The bonus is tempting (33,333 SPG points)
Last edited by Explore SE Asia; Aug 23, 2018 at 10:13 pm
Aug 24, 2018, 7:31 am
#606
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,541
Did I read the the World of Hyatt card will pay you 4x points if you pay apartment rent on your card and that you can cash in your points for miles on a wide range of airlines on a 1:1 basis? If so, this sounds like an amazing card.
Aug 26, 2018, 1:03 am
#607
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: +61
Programs: SQ*PPS, QF-WP1 & LTG, VA-Gold, Marriott*LTT, Hilton*Gold, Accor*Platinum
Posts: 5,735
When it says "effective August 26" is that now (i.e., after midnight Eastern Time), or do I still have a chance to get in on the deal last minute? 
Aug 26, 2018, 6:24 am
#608
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 107
I'm new to Chase, so if I get a CFU, I can combine these in one account and effectively get 2.25 cents (1.5 X1.5) for non-bonus spend?
I have had SPG business for both my work and my wife's consulting practice, so I will continue to bonus spend on these. Still prefer SPG properties and I will continue to need points for hotel stays....
Aug 27, 2018, 7:43 am
#609
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 542
I just got a 100K bonus offer for upgrading from regular SPG Amex to Luxury if I spend $5000 USD in next 3 months. I took it. Although I deeply dislike the devaluation of the spending, I will still use this card. Amex some years has given me good retention bonuses (this year I think was 10,000 points for spending 10k USD or 15K spend or something like that). Last year gave me something like 15k points for spending $15k USD around September.
I am not sure if these offers are available to all members, but I have spent a fair amount on this card for a decade +, so I think the bonuses more than make up for the lost earning... as long as they keep offering these types of bonuses. I will test for a year or two
The other benefit a lot of people don't talk about is the discount coupon offers - I got $100 off a pair of Allen Edmonds shoes I bought and $5 back from starbucks over summer. Those little deals add up and make up for annual fee on purchases I would have made anyway. I wish they had more and better offers and included ones outside of the US where I spend most of my time, but I probably get $50-$100 USD back annually from them.
I am not sure if these offers are available to all members, but I have spent a fair amount on this card for a decade +, so I think the bonuses more than make up for the lost earning... as long as they keep offering these types of bonuses. I will test for a year or two
The other benefit a lot of people don't talk about is the discount coupon offers - I got $100 off a pair of Allen Edmonds shoes I bought and $5 back from starbucks over summer. Those little deals add up and make up for annual fee on purchases I would have made anyway. I wish they had more and better offers and included ones outside of the US where I spend most of my time, but I probably get $50-$100 USD back annually from them.
Aug 27, 2018, 8:00 am
#610
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 107
Can't blame you, and I don't think you are missing out on anything. If it wasn't for the 100K bonus and automatic platinum upgrade, I would have cancelled. I have all the benefits (and more) with other cards.
Aug 27, 2018, 10:48 am
#611
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 304
SPG/Marriott points are extremely flexible. I prefer SPG/Marriott airline partners to Chase's partners. However, the combination of Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) and Chase Freedom Unlimited (CFU) is hard to beat. The SPG business will beat the combination in the Gas and Telecom area. You could add a third card the no fee Chase Ink Business Cash (CIC) to get 3 points on gas and 5 points on telecom.
Aug 27, 2018, 11:19 am
#612
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: SPG, AA, UAL, Hyatt, Amex Plat
Posts: 38
Yeah you can spend on the new Luxury Amex to get there but that is a decent amount of spend and the opportunity cost of it is high (compared to that spend on a CSR/FU combo).
Aug 27, 2018, 12:31 pm
#613
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 107
My anniversary date is in October
Aug 27, 2018, 4:55 pm
#614
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,193
I got offer spend $300 get $60 USD back by mid October if stay US Marriott we Amex offers. I wish this extended ibternationally (will miss current SPG offer on this too) but great benefit if you can use
Aug 27, 2018, 8:33 pm
#615
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum-2 MM Starwood Plat,Delta DM
Posts: 975
Great analysis. Cash is king, and getting at least 1.5 cents per dollar (CSR) in a form that is like cash for travel purposes is hard to beat. Personally, I travel mostly for leisure, and except for a few guilty pleasures (flying first class to Europe with Aadvantage miles) I'm looking for the cheapest flights for my family of four. The way that airline awards are now, I never do better than 1.5 cents with award travel for economy.
I'm new to Chase, so if I get a CFU, I can combine these in one account and effectively get 2.25 cents (1.5 X1.5) for non-bonus spend?
I have had SPG business for both my work and my wife's consulting practice, so I will continue to bonus spend on these. Still prefer SPG properties and I will continue to need points for hotel stays....
I'm new to Chase, so if I get a CFU, I can combine these in one account and effectively get 2.25 cents (1.5 X1.5) for non-bonus spend?
I have had SPG business for both my work and my wife's consulting practice, so I will continue to bonus spend on these. Still prefer SPG properties and I will continue to need points for hotel stays....