Let’s talk about alternatives to the SPG Amex after the massive Marriott devaluation
#16
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,944
Current SPG personal card holder. Also have CSP/Freedom. Currently use the Chase cards in bonus categories and the SPG everywhere else. Thinking about switching to the Hilton Ascend card, as I am not really tied to any hotel program. I don't travel enough to have any meaningful status. I would have earned about 140,000 HH points based on last years spend or 64,000 MR points. Not that concerned about airline transfers, as almost all my travel is domestic and I have CSP to use for UA or WN. I am not interested in the $450 AF cards. Thoughts?
Last edited by Cledaybuck; Apr 17, 2018 at 12:26 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,178
For me, this announcement comes with a lot of uncertainty, because I hold both the SPG Amex and the new Cobalt Amex. The Cobalt earns Tier MRs (which are MRs, but cannot be transferred directly to airline programs - but can be in a roundabout way by being transferred to SPG 2:1). So...what happens when SPG is officially the combined program in August? Will they still be able to be transferred to SPGs until the SPG program is officially wiped? Or will the ability to transfer be taken away?
#18
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 6
I appreciate all the professional opinions in the forums, everyone makes this place a real resource. I currently utilize 3 CC for everything, CSR for restaurants and travels spend, FREEDOM for 5% categories only, and then SPG AMEX for everything else. I pretty much utilize the chase cards to buy airline tickets, and the SPG points for for hotel stays. I don't travel for work or anything like that, so I will not earn any loyalty status with anyone from stays really. I did spend roughly $50K on the SPG AMEX last year, getting me gold stauts for SPG (and subsequently Marriott ).
Going forward, I will look to move my everyday spend to either chase FREEDOM UNLIMITED or perhaps the new Chase Marriott Card coming in May. Anyone have suggestions for someone in this scenario? Assuming a $50K spend stays the same, what is the best route to go?
Going forward, I will look to move my everyday spend to either chase FREEDOM UNLIMITED or perhaps the new Chase Marriott Card coming in May. Anyone have suggestions for someone in this scenario? Assuming a $50K spend stays the same, what is the best route to go?
#19
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 825
#20
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MKE
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Plat Pro, MR LTP, others from cards
Posts: 890
Update: just checked -- looks like the Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature benefits include comparable warranty extension to the SPG Amex.
Last edited by ENIAC; Apr 17, 2018 at 2:39 pm Reason: Update on Fidelity benefits
#21
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,944
I appreciate all the professional opinions in the forums, everyone makes this place a real resource. I currently utilize 3 CC for everything, CSR for restaurants and travels spend, FREEDOM for 5% categories only, and then SPG AMEX for everything else. I pretty much utilize the chase cards to buy airline tickets, and the SPG points for for hotel stays. I don't travel for work or anything like that, so I will not earn any loyalty status with anyone from stays really. I did spend roughly $50K on the SPG AMEX last year, getting me gold stauts for SPG (and subsequently Marriott ).
Going forward, I will look to move my everyday spend to either chase FREEDOM UNLIMITED or perhaps the new Chase Marriott Card coming in May. Anyone have suggestions for someone in this scenario? Assuming a $50K spend stays the same, what is the best route to go?
Going forward, I will look to move my everyday spend to either chase FREEDOM UNLIMITED or perhaps the new Chase Marriott Card coming in May. Anyone have suggestions for someone in this scenario? Assuming a $50K spend stays the same, what is the best route to go?
#23
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
I put all my non-bonused spend on my Business SPG AMEX ( a little over $1M/year). I use my SPG points exclusively for airline transfers. I will likely move it all over to an AMEX Everyday Preferred in August. I'm open to other suggestions as well.
#24
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,847
They just announced some BIG changes to SPG Amex in Canada though: change the earning to 2 points instead of 3 for hotel stays PLUS, the sign-up bonuses are gone - and instead replaced with crappy statement credits. I referred my hubby a week ago, so I certainly hope they don't try to screw us out of our 5K/20K bonuses...
#25
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,656
Which airlines are you moving the SPG points to?
#26
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Programs: Delta DM, United Silver, Marriott LT Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 852
I currently use the CSR for travel/dining, Everyday Preferred for gas/groceries, and SPG Amex for all else. I think the only options that make sense for us now are the Everyday Preferred (1.5x Amex points), Freedom Unlimited (1.5x Chase points when paired with a Sapphire product), or a 2% cash back card. You could also leverage the $0 annual fee US Bank Cash+ for its two 5% cash back categories (chosen by you, not rotating).
#27
#28
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
A pretty diverse mix, I would say my top three are SQ, JL, and Aeroplan. I transfer to A3, OZ, AA, NH less frequently.
I'm sitting on about 2 million SPG points at the moment, so I might start moving spend over before August. I figure Membership Rewards would probably be best for me since I can use them to transfer to SQ and NH. UR points also transfer to SQ but the other transfer partners are not appealing to me, I have more UA points than I would like.
I'm sitting on about 2 million SPG points at the moment, so I might start moving spend over before August. I figure Membership Rewards would probably be best for me since I can use them to transfer to SQ and NH. UR points also transfer to SQ but the other transfer partners are not appealing to me, I have more UA points than I would like.
#29
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Somewhere between YXU and YYZ
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium Hilton Diamond AC*75K
Posts: 618
I read that the cards will offer 6 points per dollar for Marriott spend.
If so, would that not be good? Use this card for hotel spend and other cards for other purchases where it makes sense.
If so, would that not be good? Use this card for hotel spend and other cards for other purchases where it makes sense.
#30
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Programs: Delta DM, United Silver, Marriott LT Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 852
It's the same as what we get now with 2x SPG points per $1 at SPG/Marriott. The other side of the coin is what the new award chart will look like.