Help me eliminate some AFs

icyhot · ‎01-23-2016

With my recent approval for the PRG, (and Green, but I'm cancelling) I think its time to trim out some AFs. I plan to keep the PRG for a long time and use it as a tool to control my spending since its PIF, and some cards may become obsolete. My AF cards are

Venture opened 12/2015

Delta Amex opened 4/2015

CSP opened 4/2015

Gold AAvangtage opened 3/2015

Ideally, I would close the Delta, PC the CSP to Freedom, PC the AAdvantage to DC, and roll the Venture limit into my Quiksilver. BUT I fly Delta primarily and their free checked bag and priority boarding benefit is great, and I like being able to transfer UR points. I saw on another thread that CSP and PRG are good to have together, so perhaps just PCing the AA and rolling the Venture to keep those 3 AFs is ideal. I may still app for the Marriott and roll the CSP limit onto there, but that would be the only way I actually closed the CSP. Any advice? I know I keep changing my mind on these things, I just wanna have a solid plan before doing anything drastic

longtimelurker · ‎01-23-2016

Why are PRG and CSP good together? Do you have enough spend to use both MR and UR? If you want to keep PRG, I would focus on MR cards such as ED (or EDP with an AF). If you don't transfer UR (or at least use them on the chase portal for travel) the CSP is just a 2% somewhere card, whereas there are free 2% everywhere cards

icyhot · ‎01-23-2016

@longtimelurker wrote:
Why are PRG and CSP good together? Do you have enough spend to use both MR and UR? If you want to keep PRG, I would focus on MR cards such as ED (or EDP with an AF). If you don't transfer UR (or at least use them on the chase portal for travel) the CSP is just a 2% somewhere card, whereas there are free 2% everywhere cards

I transfer UR a lot. And I'm not really interested in the ED/EDP. I was just saying it was something I saw on the forum. If I was to PC the CSP, I would just have UR for cashback sake, which isnt too useful since I have other CB cards

Sharingan · ‎01-23-2016

Without a doubt, disposing of that Venture card would be my top priority, especially if you are able to PC your Citi AA Gold to the Citi DC. No reason to pay for 2% back at that point, or any time, in my opinion; but that's for another discussion. You already (presumably) received the sign up bonus on the Venture and have no obligation to keep the card, so hopefully no one brings up the argument that the $400 covers the AF for 6 years.

As for the CSP, I would agree that you should probably try to PC it to the Freedom. If Marriott has been your preferred transfer partner for UR points, I would urge you even more to dispose of the CSP.

That covers 3 of your AF cards. Apparently, you are obtaining a decent value from your Delta AmEx, so it seems that AF can be justified. I'm not a fan of the card or the Delta Skymiles program, but checked baggage fees do add up.

icyhot · ‎01-23-2016

@Sharingan wrote:
Without a doubt, disposing of that Venture card would be my top priority, especially if you are able to PC your Citi AA Gold to the Citi DC. No reason to pay for 2% back at that point, or any time, in my opinion; but that's for another discussion. You already (presumably) received the sign up bonus on the Venture and have no obligation to keep the card, so hopefully no one brings up the argument that the $400 covers the AF for 6 years.

As for the CSP, I would agree that you should probably try to PC it to the Freedom. If Marriott has been your preferred transfer partner for UR points, I would urge you even more to dispose of the CSP.

That covers 3 of your AF cards. Apparently, you are obtaining a decent value from your Delta AmEx, so it seems that AF can be justified. I'm not a fan of the card or the Delta Skymiles program, but checked baggage fees do add up.

Hyatt has actually been my preferred tranfer partner when I want to get a quick free roomand they require less points. However Marriott is the chain I'll actually charge a room at, and where I stay the most, and has more properties, which is why I was leaning more towards the Marriott than Hyatt

UncleB · ‎01-23-2016

Several good suggestions so far, I'll just add that if you're clearly getting value from a card (specifically, more value than the AF is costing you) I would take it off the 'chopping block' completely - for example, if the Delta Amex Gold saves you more than $95 in checked luggage fees, it would be foolish to close or PC it.

I also agree wholeheartedly with others on the Venture - I would either PC it or roll the limit into a QS at the first opportunity. You need to spend $12k on it to make worth more (in rewards) than a QS, so unless that's you it would be first on my list.

With my own cards, they each have to 'earn' their place in my wallet - as the song goes, "I don't want no scrubs" (yes, I'm an old dude). In my own case the Green is getting the axe when the AF comes due in a few months because I'm unable to make MR points for me.

My cards each have a definite purpose, and they serve me well. If any card ceases to at least 'break even' in regards to the AF, it has to go. When you're considering which cards to close or PC, just do the math to see if they are pulling their weight, and go from there.

Callandra · ‎01-23-2016

@icyhot wrote:
@longtimelurker wrote:
Why are PRG and CSP good together? Do you have enough spend to use both MR and UR? If you want to keep PRG, I would focus on MR cards such as ED (or EDP with an AF). If you don't transfer UR (or at least use them on the chase portal for travel) the CSP is just a 2% somewhere card, whereas there are free 2% everywhere cards
I transfer UR a lot. And I'm not really interested in the ED/EDP. I was just saying it was something I saw on the forum. If I was to PC the CSP, I would just have UR for cashback sake, which isnt too useful since I have other CB cards

Are MR useful to you too? Otherwise I would recommend getting rid of the PRG (you don't need a charge card to always PIF!). CSP + Freedom are a good combo for UR. If you get value out of Delta (free checked bag + priority boarding) I would keep it if the benefits outweigh the AF. I would move Venture's limit into QS and then PC to DC for your Citi card.

Quicksilver $10,000 | Better Balance Rewards $2000 | Sallie Mae $3500 | Freedom $3500

Last HP: 9/27/2015

icyhot · ‎01-23-2016

icyhot · ‎01-23-2016

@Callandra wrote:
@icyhot wrote:
@longtimelurker wrote:
Why are PRG and CSP good together? Do you have enough spend to use both MR and UR? If you want to keep PRG, I would focus on MR cards such as ED (or EDP with an AF). If you don't transfer UR (or at least use them on the chase portal for travel) the CSP is just a 2% somewhere card, whereas there are free 2% everywhere cards
I transfer UR a lot. And I'm not really interested in the ED/EDP. I was just saying it was something I saw on the forum. If I was to PC the CSP, I would just have UR for cashback sake, which isnt too useful since I have other CB cards
Are MR useful to you too? Otherwise I would recommend getting rid of the PRG (you don't need a charge card to always PIF!). CSP + Freedom are a good combo for UR. If you get value out of Delta (free checked bag + priority boarding) I would keep it if the benefits outweigh the AF. I would move Venture's limit into QS and then PC to DC for your Citi card.

I've never used MR, this is my first MR card and researching the program and benefits I know it will be beneficial. With the 5/24 rule I don't think I'll get a Freedom anytime soon so pairing it with the CSP is dead for now. I definitely think I'll make good use out of the PRG, even if it means getting rid of some others

Anonymous · ‎01-23-2016

EDP and CSP can be a pretty good combo. EDP covers groceries, gas, and everything else. CSP covers dining and travel. PRG is just average at everything.

The EDP and CSP combo doesn't work for everyone, though, and it might not work for me for too much longer.