I have a CSP and Chase pulled EX for me.
I love my CSP nice metal card. 40K sign up bonus if you spend $3K in the first 3 months, but if you apply in branch and approved then its only $2K to get the bonus. But 2 points per $1 for restaurants and travel.
It seems like since you already have a hotel card, it might not be the best value to have another one (SPG). If you don't like the AF on the Platinum, the CSP and Venture are perfectly good choices. The Venture is a solid 2% cash back travel card, whereas the CSP earns points that can be transferred into hotel/airline loyalty program. People like to combine it with the Freedom to maximize points earning potential. It really comes down to whether you want easy cash back or if you'd prefer a potentially better return in the form of hotel/airline rewards.
As for Delta vs. US Airways, I've heard redeeming US Airways Dividend Miles can be a nightmare (very few available award seats), so I'd personally go with the Delta card as long as you'll be flying with them regularly.
For travel nothing beats the Chase combo
Sapphire, Ink, and Freedom
Ink for 5x cable internet phone and cellphone $4,000 is a pretty modest spending a year for 20k points a year + $3,000 gas budget at 2x for 26k points annually
Freedom for 5x categories which are easily maxed out each quarter at $1,500 with purchases of gift cards 30k points a year
Sapphire for $3,000 a year dining out (about $60 a week) and travel ticket purchases for 6 trips low budget around $1,200 a year. = $4,200 x 2 = 8,400 points a year + 7% annual bonus = about 9,000 points a year.
26 + 30 = 56 + 9 = 65k points a year from the 3 combo + every day spendings. These 3 cards would effectively gain you without normal 1x spendings or the Chase Freedom 10% bonus for having a checking would net you EXACTLY enough to fly across the world on United saver award to Asia from anywhere in America 12 time zones away.
The sign up bonuses would add upto a lot 40k sapphire 50k ink and 10k freedom for total of 100k sign up bonuses. Spending requirements aren't hard if you use Williamspaid to pay your rent/mortgage on your credit card doubled up with buying Amex gift cards at a discount off face value to help offset the transaction costs a lot.
Ultimate Reward points transfer 1:1 to United so it's really very simple, and United has the highest number of award seating and isn't generally very hard to find a seat. Delta skymiles are nicknamed Skypesos for a reason. I have a Amex Delta skymiles card and I have NEVER found a good redemption for my points even 300+ days in advance.
Also you can obtain a First class ticket if during season would cost you 130k points for a saver package which would normally run $12,000 + effectively making each point worth upwards of 9-10 cents a piece. For high peak season for economy $2,800 would run you not far from 3.7 cents a piece redemption.
The points however are not great for domestic trips so take that into consideration with United. 25k points are required for a Tampa to Newark ticket at $179 so you would be getting less than 1 penny a point here. For Domestic trips I would recommend Flexperks by US Bank. Since the points are worth upto 2 cents a piece a little tricky to work with but the awards earned are considered same as cash so you gain frequent flyer miles that works towards free flights + status on each airlines.
1 Flexpoint is base, and 2 and 3 point categories effectively makes this a 2, 4, 6% categories. Also with 25k in US Bank checking it turns into Platinum checking (or free with military connections) you would gain 1.5 base flexpoints for everyday spending which would make this a 3% card. This is the best for Domestic flights imo mainly because the extra flyer miles. A round trip ticket would cost you $179 Tampa to Newark but with the redemptions 20k points (minimum to redeem) would easily get you 2 free flights, or 1 first class ticket. Not to mention the Frequent flyer miles earned at ANY airline would easily bump up the value from 3% base with plat checking to 5%+
Also remember the Amex Platinum with Free Global entry + $200 a year airline costs comps + lounge access etc throws this over the top.
Personally if you don't like to have too many cards depending on your travel habits
1. United Club high annual fees but you get 2 checked bags free and basically get Star Alliance Gold included. If you travel internationally this is a great card for lounge access 2 free checked bags makes your trip a lot easier and best of all 1.5 points per dollar spent on anything.
2. US Bank Flexperks for Domestic travel is my winner
Those two cards would do you very well, and remember Amex Platinum doesn't get you lounge access with United either.
For me I would get the whole Chase Combo with Ink and Sapphire, and try to sneak in a Freedom 3 months later. First get the Ink Bold nice bonus, and Sapphire since your allowed 1 personal and 1 business card without much of a problem at the sametime with Chase. I would just set a few bills on the Ink bold and keep it in your sock drawer and not carry it.
Sapphire for restaurants and travel costs even parking meters and toll gets 2x points
Freedom for the obvious 5x areas
That was an amazing post
I have both the CSP and Chase Marriott Rewards cards, both are metal inside and get the typical, "wow this card is cool" comments.
I got the CSP because of the 40k signup bonus, I will probably downgrade to Sapphire after the year is up. The Sapphire gets the Food 2x but not the travel 2x. However the Chase Marriott does give 2x travel.
What I like about the Chase Marriott Rewards Card;
1 Free night each year (Cat 1-5)
2x Travel
Auto Silver Membership Each Year
Extra 5pts @ Marriott Hotels
$85 fee (cheaper then CSP and gives the Travel 2x which regular sapphire doesnt)
CURRENT: TU: 739 (FICO 5/13) | EQ: 711 (FICO 2/13) | EX: 725 (PLUS 5/13) in the garden since 3/9/2013