@Anonymous wrote:Alright, so here is the math.
If I spend
Year
Groceries: 15,000
Gas: 1,800
Other: 42,000
Other: 24,000
not including restaurants and department stores.
Total 82,800
EDP: 6000*4.5=27,000+13500=40,500.....1800*3=5400.....66,000*1.5=99,000... [EDP caps groceries at $6,000 total spend on that category in a year]
Total=144,900 Bonus 15k signup=159,900
BCP: 6000*.06=360+90=450......1800*.03=54......66,000*.01=660... [BCP caps groceries at $6,000 total spend on that category in a year.
Also, second critical point, if the "grocery store" is Costco, Wal-mart or Fred Meyer, or several other "mixed sales" stores, it is not groceries to AMEX, in any of EDP, ED, BCP, BC, Old Blue Cash (the 5% one), Hilton, PRG, or any other. Similar issues with many gasoline stations. So for both Groceries and Gas, you have to watch how AMEX actually codes those.]
Total= $1,164.00 +150 signup bonus= $1,314.00
BC : 6500*.005= 17.5+30=32.5......47.5...15,000+1800=840.....59,500*.01=595....
Total=$1,467.50
Split the 59500 to another card that offers more than 1% on other.
Basically the BE with a combination of another card for the Other will give me the most yield. This would be the best deal unless someone can show me I can get a First class 5-8k dollar ticket for 159k miles.
Edit*
OMG k, nevermind. Just looked up a flight on Delta that is a roundtrip10,311 to London for Delta One and it only cost 292,500 miles and 543 dollars. I guess Miles are worth more
Many of us consider that statement it "only costs 292,500 miles and $543" a reason to cry. But if you don't know what the miles redemptions were before, and that those miles redemptions aren't coming back, then there's no harm 
If you can get 3c per mile on a Delta flight, and have 300 large in miles to do so, go for it.
Your AMEX points also transfer to Flying Blue, so I'd suggest taking a look at the redemption value of those MR points on Flying Blue, to just about anywhere,
Unfortunately, other than AMEX, there's no other Points earning card that covers Grocery and Gas for any significant return. Chase UR points earned on the Freedom card get 5 UR points on Groceries and Gas, but those are each only 3 months out of the year, and each capped at $1,500 spend in that quarter. Not bad, but you aren't going to get to monster point values this way.
In answer to your previous post, depending on your spend patterns, and on your redemption for various airlines or hotels, many people find the cash back option much less stressful, much easier to follow, and clearer to understand where the redemption goes. There is something to be said for having $400 in cash back, and shopping for the absolute best deal to where you are planning on going or staying, instead of turning the equation around and finding out where the best redemption is for 25,000 points, and letting that determine where you go for your holiday.
God help us all, I can't read this thread any longer.....It's like watching a bad train wreck, lol
Personal Cards: Amex Plat | Amex Delta Res | CSR | Citi AA Exec Business Cards: Ink+ | Amex BGR
@NRB525 wrote:In answer to your previous post, depending on your spend patterns, and on your redemption for various airlines or hotels, many people find the cash back option much less stressful, much easier to follow, and clearer to understand where the redemption goes. There is something to be said for having $400 in cash back, and shopping for the absolute best deal to where you are planning on going or staying, instead of turning the equation around and finding out where the best redemption is for 25,000 points, and letting that determine where you go for your holiday.
+1
This describes me to a "T". Lots of folks are able to make MR points work - and work well - but for me cash rewards just work out better.
Another benefit to cash rewards is that you're not limited to just one program. I'm currently collecting cash rewards from Sam's Club MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Capital One.
- The Sam's Club MasterCard gives me 5% cash back on gas, 3% on restaurants, and 3% on anything travel related (airlines, hotels, etc.).
- Amex BCP gives me 6% back on groceries, and 3% back at department stores.
- Discover gives me 5% back on the various quarterly categories (doubled to 10% the first year).
- Quicksilver for 1.5% cash back on everything else.
Again, this is just personal preference, but definitely something to look at. 
@UncleB wrote:
@NRB525 wrote:In answer to your previous post, depending on your spend patterns, and on your redemption for various airlines or hotels, many people find the cash back option much less stressful, much easier to follow, and clearer to understand where the redemption goes. There is something to be said for having $400 in cash back, and shopping for the absolute best deal to where you are planning on going or staying, instead of turning the equation around and finding out where the best redemption is for 25,000 points, and letting that determine where you go for your holiday.
+1
This describes me to a "T". Lots of folks are able to make MR points work - and work well - but for me cash rewards just work out better.
Another benefit to cash rewards is that you're not limited to just one program. I'm currently collecting cash rewards from Sam's Club MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Capital One.
- The Sam's Club MasterCard gives me 5% cash back on gas, 3% on restaurants, and 3% on anything travel related (airlines, hotels, etc.).
- Amex BCP gives me 6% back on groceries, and 3% back at department stores.
- Discover gives me 5% back on the various quarterly categories (doubled to 10% the first year).
- Quicksilver for 1.5% cash back on everything else.
Again, this is just personal preference, but definitely something to look at.
Very well said both of you. So now that I have truly decided to comit to points/miles cards because I seen that I can fly in style. I don't understand the gold or platnum card from Amex that link with Skymiles. Do i get autoupgrades for lesser tickets? I tried to read but still lack understanding. It is better if someone explains.
I want to be able to fly for cheap and get upgraded to the best class with access to lounges. If I need a better card for that, please advise and in the future, maybe 6months from now, I will apply for it. If Delta is not the airline to choose, please let me know. Explain please.
@Anonymous wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
@NRB525 wrote:In answer to your previous post, depending on your spend patterns, and on your redemption for various airlines or hotels, many people find the cash back option much less stressful, much easier to follow, and clearer to understand where the redemption goes. There is something to be said for having $400 in cash back, and shopping for the absolute best deal to where you are planning on going or staying, instead of turning the equation around and finding out where the best redemption is for 25,000 points, and letting that determine where you go for your holiday.
+1
This describes me to a "T". Lots of folks are able to make MR points work - and work well - but for me cash rewards just work out better.
Another benefit to cash rewards is that you're not limited to just one program. I'm currently collecting cash rewards from Sam's Club MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Capital One.
- The Sam's Club MasterCard gives me 5% cash back on gas, 3% on restaurants, and 3% on anything travel related (airlines, hotels, etc.).
- Amex BCP gives me 6% back on groceries, and 3% back at department stores.
- Discover gives me 5% back on the various quarterly categories (doubled to 10% the first year).
- Quicksilver for 1.5% cash back on everything else.
Again, this is just personal preference, but definitely something to look at.
Very well said both of you. So now that I have truly decided to comit to points/miles cards because I seen that I can fly in style. I don't understand the gold or platnum card from Amex that link with Skymiles. Do i get autoupgrades for lesser tickets? I tried to read but still lack understanding. It is better if someone explains.
I want to be able to fly for cheap and get upgraded to the best class with access to lounges. If I need a better card for that, please advise and in the future, maybe 6months from now, I will apply for it. If Delta is not the airline to choose, please let me know. Explain please.
OP, you really need to read about travel cards and their benefits, access to lounges and premium travel benefits will require a bigger annual fee and more spend. Amex plat, Citi Prestige, Citi AA Exec and Chase United Club to name a few, read about them, don't keep asking first. Not every can travel like a king because to the cost and if you don't have business travel to subsidize your rewards it becomes even harder.
To get auto upgrades you really need a status level with an airline, you have a long way to go and a lot of flying to get to these levels.
Well, you were specific the first time, but what we are telling you, it is not a one-sentence answer we can give you.
By Platinum card, do you mean the AMEX Platinum Charge card? or the Delta Platinum SkyMiles card? Here's a run down of the cards I am aware of, as a starter:
1) Delta Gold SkyMiles card. Gets you the ability to buy a day pass into a Delta SkyMiles lounge for half price. First checked bag free. Early boarding privledges. First year AF waived. If you have not flown Delta on a regular basis, I'd start with this card. It's relatively easy to get, gets you a jump on some nice perks, low AF, so low money commitment, and you can learn about the Delta SkyPesos (I mean SkyMiles) program. Nothing like jumping into the shallow end of the pool to start learning to swim.
2) Delta Platinum SkyMiles card. Similar to Gold SkyMiles, this has a larger AF, but you do get an annual companion pass so you can get a relatively free ticket for a trip for two. If your spend is as large as you anticipate, this card can be considered, because it gets you Medallion Qualification Miles earned from that spend, which is part of the Medallion Status earning you are looking at. First year AF not waived, but I think that companion pass is avilable soon after, so may be worth it to you and your SO. Also gets access to SkyClub lounges, but for the half-price fee.
3) Delta Reserve SkyMiles card. Steep annual fee, free access to SkyClub lounges, so if you fly multiple times per year, it may be worth it. Also has the booster for MQM earnings, and I think it has a companion pass, but research before quoting me.
4) AMEX Platinum card. Steep annual fee, not waived the first year, broad range of lounge access, Hilton Gold status, free access to Delta lounges when flying on a Delta flight that day, other perks for travel. Does NOT earn miles toward MQM on Delta. Does earn MR points that can be transferred to Delta and other partners. Airline Fee credit of $200 reduces the sting of the AF.
5) AMEX Premier Reward Gold. AF waived first year. No access to lounges. Earns 3 MR points on airline tickets. 2 points on gas groceries dining (previously discussed). $100 airline fee credit per year. Looks sharp.
note that NONE of the credit cards available for ANY of the airlines will buy you into free first class tickets, none will buy you into Platinum Frequent Flyer status. Only miles flown will do that, ultimately. However, the airline cards WILL get you within spitting distance of first class benefits, and it's often easier to just buy that first class ticket, if that's what you want, because you will earn mega miles for the cost. The airlines are generally moving to a "revenue based" earning and redemption model, which means there are accelerators for spending more on a first class ticket vs steerage (you get multiples more points for first class), but then the higher redemption points requirements for those first class redemptions.
If you are planning to stockpile 300,000 miles for one first class ticket a year, that's a lot of work to get one first class ticket a year. It saves money yes, on that ticket, but you are still on the same one flight with all of us in steerage.
@NRB525 wrote:Well, you were specific the first time, but what we are telling you, it is not a one-sentence answer we can give you.
By Platinum card, do you mean the AMEX Platinum Charge card? or the Delta Platinum SkyMiles card? Here's a run down of the cards I am aware of, as a starter:
1) Delta Gold SkyMiles card. Gets you the ability to buy a day pass into a Delta SkyMiles lounge for half price. First checked bag free. Early boarding privledges. First year AF waived. If you have not flown Delta on a regular basis, I'd start with this card. It's relatively easy to get, gets you a jump on some nice perks, low AF, so low money commitment, and you can learn about the Delta SkyPesos (I mean SkyMiles) program. Nothing like jumping into the shallow end of the pool to start learning to swim.
2) Delta Platinum SkyMiles card. Similar to Gold SkyMiles, this has a larger AF, but you do get an annual companion pass so you can get a relatively free ticket for a trip for two. If your spend is as large as you anticipate, this card can be considered, because it gets you Medallion Qualification Miles earned from that spend, which is part of the Medallion Status earning you are looking at. First year AF not waived, but I think that companion pass is avilable soon after, so may be worth it to you and your SO. Also gets access to SkyClub lounges, but for the half-price fee.
3) Delta Reserve SkyMiles card. Steep annual fee, free access to SkyClub lounges, so if you fly multiple times per year, it may be worth it. Also has the booster for MQM earnings, and I think it has a companion pass, but research before quoting me.
4) AMEX Platinum card. Steep annual fee, not waived the first year, broad range of lounge access, Hilton Gold status, free access to Delta lounges when flying on a Delta flight that day, other perks for travel. Does NOT earn miles toward MQM on Delta. Does earn MR points that can be transferred to Delta and other partners. Airline Fee credit of $200 reduces the sting of the AF.
5) AMEX Premier Reward Gold. AF waived first year. No access to lounges. Earns 3 MR points on airline tickets. 2 points on gas groceries dining (previously discussed). $100 airline fee credit per year. Looks sharp.
note that NONE of the credit cards available for ANY of the airlines will buy you into free first class tickets, none will buy you into Platinum Frequent Flyer status. Only miles flown will do that, ultimately. However, the airline cards WILL get you within spitting distance of first class benefits, and it's often easier to just buy that first class ticket, if that's what you want, because you will earn mega miles for the cost. The airlines are generally moving to a "revenue based" earning and redemption model, which means there are accelerators for spending more on a first class ticket vs steerage (you get multiples more points for first class), but then the higher redemption points requirements for those first class redemptions.
If you are planning to stockpile 300,000 miles for one first class ticket a year, that's a lot of work to get one first class ticket a year. It saves money yes, on that ticket, but you are still on the same one flight with all of us in steerage.
Thanks friend, you always help me with great advice
If i Could vote you greatest poster of the year I would !
(no offense to other great posters)