Let’s talk about alternatives to the SPG Amex after the massive Marriott devaluation
#589
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 107
Well, even Forbes thinks it's a "devaluation":
Marriott Set To Slash Earnings On The Popular Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card
Marriott Set To Slash Earnings On The Popular Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card
#590
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
Is anyone going to continue using the SPG Business for cell phone bill and gas stations? (4x new points) Or better to switch everything over to Chase except SPG/Marriott spend?
#591
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,170
I think there's a better card out there for gas but drawing a blank on it...
#592
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: BAGold; AA3MMPlat; UA1MMGold; FBGold; MarriottAmb; AccorPlat; HHGold; ICPlatAmb; HyattDiscoverist
Posts: 4,378
I just received the offer. I am glad to have it, but as I had not received it when other posters did, I assumed I would not get it, and put a VERY large non-bonus charge on CSR earlier today, so am a bit annoyed at the timing.
#594
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 50
no offer
#595
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
I have lost track and have a question.
I will be putting a 13,000 bill on a CC shortly.
I have the following options:
SPG Amex personal
Marriott Rewards Personal
Ritz Carlton Elite (450)
Which one or ones would get me the most Marriott points?
I will be putting a 13,000 bill on a CC shortly.
I have the following options:
SPG Amex personal
Marriott Rewards Personal
Ritz Carlton Elite (450)
Which one or ones would get me the most Marriott points?
#597
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic 3, Amtrak Select
Posts: 966
Sapphire Reserve + Freedom Unlimited if you like Ultimate Rewards or Amex EDP + Plat if you like Membership Rewards... and for just hotel focused folk, WOH Visa or Amex Hilton
#598
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: SPG, AA, UAL, Hyatt, Amex Plat
Posts: 38
Ultimate Rewards transfer (usually instantaneously) 1:1 to Hyatt Points and the CSR will earn 3x on travel and restaurants (obviously better than the 2x on the Hyatt Card on just airline and restaurants -- except at Hyatt properties where the Hyatt card does get 4x) while the Freedom Unlimited gets you 1.5x UR points on everything else (where the Hyatt is just 1 point per dollar).
EDIT: Forgot the gym membership category on the Hyatt Card... paying 2x so put that there instead of the Freedom Unlimited.
#599
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, SPG LTP
Posts: 1,526
With all the website drama, I hadn't checked this thread for a few days. I come back to a 5th grade debate about whose dad would win in a fight.
As for my credit card strategy, picked up Chase Sapphire Reserve. Going to get Freedom Unlimited for everyday, use CSR for travel and dining, and keep my SPG Amex for SPG/Marriott spend only.
As for my credit card strategy, picked up Chase Sapphire Reserve. Going to get Freedom Unlimited for everyday, use CSR for travel and dining, and keep my SPG Amex for SPG/Marriott spend only.
#600
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic 3, Amtrak Select
Posts: 966
Pretty much agree with this although I don't think the World of Hyatt Visa is really a good pick . Sure, put it in your wallet for spend at Hyatt's and the free night can pay for the annual fee (and you get Discoverist status if you wouldn't get there otherwise) but I don't think there is really any reason to make it your regular spending card beyond that UNLESS you want to put enough spending on there to hit additional qualifying nights for higher tier status (5 qualifying nights out of the gate plus 2 more for each $5k).
Ultimate Rewards transfer (usually instantaneously) 1:1 to Hyatt Points and the CSR will earn 3x on travel and restaurants (obviously better than the 2x on the Hyatt Card on just airline and restaurants -- except at Hyatt properties where the Hyatt card does get 4x) while the Freedom Unlimited gets you 1.5x UR points on everything else (where the Hyatt is just 1 point per dollar).
EDIT: Forgot the gym membership category on the Hyatt Card... paying 2x so put that there instead of the Freedom Unlimited.
Ultimate Rewards transfer (usually instantaneously) 1:1 to Hyatt Points and the CSR will earn 3x on travel and restaurants (obviously better than the 2x on the Hyatt Card on just airline and restaurants -- except at Hyatt properties where the Hyatt card does get 4x) while the Freedom Unlimited gets you 1.5x UR points on everything else (where the Hyatt is just 1 point per dollar).
EDIT: Forgot the gym membership category on the Hyatt Card... paying 2x so put that there instead of the Freedom Unlimited.
Mentioned the Hyatt card for those who only want one credit card and want something with hotel benefits - if they someone stays at Hyatt around 19 nights a year, and spend 15k on the card for the year, they get 6 nights for spend and 5 for holding the card, plus an additional free night coupon for 15k and a bump to explorist - that could be compelling for some, especially for those who had 2 SPG Amex cards to push towards status.
But I personally believe CFU + CSR is the way to go for most people because of its simplicity and bonus categories (it's what I've recommended to friends and family), but there are many situations where earning MR is better and some will have much higher earning rates on the Plat with the 5x rate on flights booked directly and on hotels with amextravel