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Is There Any Real Benefit to Keeping AMEX/Discover Cards?

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LionLaw
Frequent Contributor

Re: Is There Any Real Benefit to Keeping AMEX/Discover Cards?

Discover and Amex both have great customer service.  Amex MR points are awesome as well; I have used them to cover the cost of several vacations over the years.  I have cards from other banks, but I only use them if I'm trying to earn some promotional bonus they're offering; my Amex and Discover get virtually all of my swipes.

Message 11 of 67
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Is There Any Real Benefit to Keeping AMEX/Discover Cards?

I have to admit that, after reading this thread, I'm not quite so fired up to get an AMEX card as I was before, particularly considering that whatever cards I get from here on out (I'm actually planning to trim my Capital One portfolio down by closing the old secured Platinum and combining the QS MC - actually a "starter" QS upgraded from a Platinum last summer - with my new QS Visa Signature this summer) should be oriented toward getting the best possible rewards, and it does appear AMEX is deficient in that area. I like my Discover IT even though its day-to-day rewards (1%) are less than either of my two rewards Visa's (1.5%), since it does have those 5% revolving quarterly categories. I'm seriously considering the Marvel Mastercard later this year once my scores build up since, being quite the bibliophile, I buy a lot of books, and that card gives 3% on book (and other media) purchases, though its general rewards (1%) are the same as Discover's.

Message 12 of 67
GeorgiaBulldog
Regular Contributor

Re: Is There Any Real Benefit to Keeping AMEX/Discover Cards?

I think the biggest benefit of Amex is that they are the only card issuer with a transferrable point system that doesn't require a card with an AF to use. Also, the Blue Business Plus is a pretty great everyday spend card if your expenses are less than $50k/yr.
Favorite cards: AMEX Morgan Stanley Platinum | BofA Alaska | Chase Hyatt | Citi AA Executive | FNBO Amtrak
Message 13 of 67
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Is There Any Real Benefit to Keeping AMEX/Discover Cards?


@Anonymouswrote:

I have to admit that, after reading this thread, I'm not quite so fired up to get an AMEX card as I was before, particularly considering that whatever cards I get from here on out (I'm actually planning to trim my Capital One portfolio down by closing the old secured Platinum and combining the QS MC - actually a "starter" QS upgraded from a Platinum last summer - with my new QS Visa Signature this summer) should be oriented toward getting the best possible rewards, and it does appear AMEX is deficient in that area. I like my Discover IT even though its day-to-day rewards (1%) are less than either of my two rewards Visa's (1.5%), since it does have those 5% revolving quarterly categories. I'm seriously considering the Marvel Mastercard later this year once my scores build up since, being quite the bibliophile, I buy a lot of books, and that card gives 3% on book (and other media) purchases, though its general rewards (1%) are the same as Discover's.


You should not let one or a few people’s comments about Amex deter you from considering their cards.  Their award program can be extremely valuable depending on your needs and the benefits offered by the Platinum cards are unparalleled despite the lack of travel insurance which most of us don’t find to be that big of deal.  No creditor or singke credit card offers everything and it’s best to consider several cards especially if travel rewards are what interest you.

Message 14 of 67
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Is There Any Real Benefit to Keeping AMEX/Discover Cards?


@Anonymouswrote:

I have to admit that, after reading this thread, I'm not quite so fired up to get an AMEX card as I was before, particularly considering that whatever cards I get from here on out (I'm actually planning to trim my Capital One portfolio down by closing the old secured Platinum and combining the QS MC - actually a "starter" QS upgraded from a Platinum last summer - with my new QS Visa Signature this summer) should be oriented toward getting the best possible rewards, and it does appear AMEX is deficient in that area. I like my Discover IT even though its day-to-day rewards (1%) are less than either of my two rewards Visa's (1.5%), since it does have those 5% revolving quarterly categories. I'm seriously considering the Marvel Mastercard later this year once my scores build up since, being quite the bibliophile, I buy a lot of books, and that card gives 3% on book (and other media) purchases, though its general rewards (1%) are the same as Discover's.


I have the Marvel Mastercard and it's pretty good but they have no mobile app. I just called them and they said they are working on developing an app to be released pretty soon.

Message 15 of 67
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Is There Any Real Benefit to Keeping AMEX/Discover Cards?


@Anonymouswrote:

@Anonymouswrote:

I have to admit that, after reading this thread, I'm not quite so fired up to get an AMEX card as I was before, particularly considering that whatever cards I get from here on out (I'm actually planning to trim my Capital One portfolio down by closing the old secured Platinum and combining the QS MC - actually a "starter" QS upgraded from a Platinum last summer - with my new QS Visa Signature this summer) should be oriented toward getting the best possible rewards, and it does appear AMEX is deficient in that area. I like my Discover IT even though its day-to-day rewards (1%) are less than either of my two rewards Visa's (1.5%), since it does have those 5% revolving quarterly categories. I'm seriously considering the Marvel Mastercard later this year once my scores build up since, being quite the bibliophile, I buy a lot of books, and that card gives 3% on book (and other media) purchases, though its general rewards (1%) are the same as Discover's.


You should not let one or a few people’s comments about Amex deter you from considering their cards.  Their award program can be extremely valuable depending on your needs and the benefits offered by the Platinum cards are unparalleled despite the lack of travel insurance which most of us don’t find to be that big of deal.  No creditor or singke credit card offers everything and it’s best to consider several cards especially if travel rewards are what interest you.


I agree with this completely. Most rewards programs are worthless to me. Why? I don't travel for vacation very often right now, so rewards points wouldn't get used. Cash back, however, is great. I can always use more cash. 

 

All credit cards should be evaluated on their own merits. Is there value in keeping AMEX/Discover to have an AMEX or Discover card? Not unless you only have one transaction system--Even VISA goes down occassionally, so you'll want a backup. But the same is true for VISA and Mastercard. There is no reason to keep a card just to have a VISA.

 

Instead, look at the value provided by the card. I like my Amex BCP, but I max the $6k on groceries every year. Discover IT is my preferred rotating card because of the customer service, although the quarters have been lackluster of late (although still better than Chase Freedom). Make your decisions based on your needs, not those the crowd recommends.

Message 16 of 67
imaximous
Valued Contributor

Re: Is There Any Real Benefit to Keeping AMEX/Discover Cards?

My Discover is good for the 5% categories only. Anything else at 1% makes no sense to me.
I'm still blacklisted with AmEx because of my BK, but I was able to get in as an AU. There really isn't anything I personally can't get or do with a Visa or MC. There are still many places that don't take AmEx or Discover, so I have to use something else. I could never go out with just an AmEx, but I could definitely carry a single Visa card and not have an issue. For me, AmEx used to be a necessity when Costco had exclusivity, but now, Visa is all I need.
My own AmEx card would be nice just because I want off their blacklist. That's pretty much it.
Message 17 of 67
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Is There Any Real Benefit to Keeping AMEX/Discover Cards?


@imaximouswrote:
My Discover is good for the 5% categories only. Anything else at 1% makes no sense to me.
I'm still blacklisted with AmEx because of my BK, but I was able to get in as an AU. There really isn't anything I personally can't get or do with a Visa or MC. There are still many places that don't take AmEx or Discover, so I have to use something else. I could never go out with just an AmEx, but I could definitely carry a single Visa card and not have an issue. For me, AmEx used to be a necessity when Costco had exclusivity, but now, Visa is all I need.
My own AmEx card would be nice just because I want off their blacklist. That's pretty much it.

@I'm informed that once your BK (I'm assuming Chapter 7) has aged to 5 years 1 month from filing, you can apply for an AMEX card (assuming you didn't have one that was included in the BK). For me, that would be sometime late next fall (2019). Per @Anonymous, I may revisit the question then, but I still think if I'm going to have a Mastercard once I close/combine my two Cap One's, the Marvel MC looks like the best bet due to my particular buying patterns.

Message 18 of 67
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Is There Any Real Benefit to Keeping AMEX/Discover Cards?


@Anonymouswrote:

@Anonymouswrote:

I have to admit that, after reading this thread, I'm not quite so fired up to get an AMEX card as I was before, particularly considering that whatever cards I get from here on out (I'm actually planning to trim my Capital One portfolio down by closing the old secured Platinum and combining the QS MC - actually a "starter" QS upgraded from a Platinum last summer - with my new QS Visa Signature this summer) should be oriented toward getting the best possible rewards, and it does appear AMEX is deficient in that area. I like my Discover IT even though its day-to-day rewards (1%) are less than either of my two rewards Visa's (1.5%), since it does have those 5% revolving quarterly categories. I'm seriously considering the Marvel Mastercard later this year once my scores build up since, being quite the bibliophile, I buy a lot of books, and that card gives 3% on book (and other media) purchases, though its general rewards (1%) are the same as Discover's.


I have the Marvel Mastercard and it's pretty good but they have no mobile app. I just called them and they said they are working on developing an app to be released pretty soon.


The only Sync card I have that has a separate app (the Walmart card is now included in the overall Walmart app though I haven't tried that one yet) is Care Credit, but I'm not fond of the Care Credit app - touch ID is kind of wonky on that app, or at least it has been in the past, and I have a hard time staying logged in.

Message 19 of 67
redpat
Senior Contributor

Re: Is There Any Real Benefit to Keeping AMEX/Discover Cards?


@Anonymous

Nope, other lenders offer better cards. 

 

At the top, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, UR points, Citi Prestige, U.S Bank Altitude Reserve... Those are all better than what AMEX gives their customers. 

 

On the other hand, however, the AMEX Platinum is only good if you have the Schwab version IMO, or if you get a 100,000 points offer or use Delta or Centurion lounges. Other than that, there's nothing great about it  when compared to US Bank's, Chase's, or Citi's $400 annual fee cards, which I think are better than the Plat. The rewards and benefits program is just meh compared to the other cards, in my opinion. AMEX offers $200 towards airline incidentals (the least amount) with the most restrictive ways to use them of the three (Citi, AMEX, Chase) by making you choose one airline a year to use it for.  AMEX doesn't have trip cancellation/interruption insurance (which is ridiculous and downright stupid) so to me, it's not worth the 5x on airfare purchases when I can get more benefits and 3x with Citi and Chase. I guess being from the northeast with the constant winter weather, trip insurance is a must. The card then "drip feeds" $15 a month for you to use with Uber, which is another non-friendly benefit IMO when they could just give you all $200 at once. Then we have the 5x on hotels, but wait, that's only if you book through AMEX's hotels site, taking away hotel loyalty perks for your stay, and then of course, the annual fee is more than all of the other cards by $100-$200 a year on top of it, and then let me see now... No dining category for points, useless 5x on airfare and AMEX hotels though their site, and 1x on everything else. Overrated card IMO.  

 

Blue Cash cards? Forget about them, they're the worst in the industry from a rewards prespective. They look pretty but there's an extra statement lag behind when you'll get the rewards, and then you can only redeem $25 at a time, which makes this rewards program an industry leader in stupidity. 6% back isn't actually 6% unless you watch your rewards program like a hawk and can redeem in those $25 increments.  

 

The Green card? Useless. No benefits, 1x on everything except purchases through AMEX travel, $95 annual fee. No idea why AMEX hasn't woken up and improved this card yet. 

 

If AMEX were still taking the cardholder's side no matter what, providing a superior rewards program, and could get their stuff together, I think they would be doing better, although they just grabbed the remainder of Hilton and will share Marriott in the future, so they have that going for them. The only cards worth using are the co-brands, PRG, and Everyday. The co-brands at least post their rewards at the end of the month, and the Delta cards are only worth having for the free checked bags and companion ticket. 

 

I would say from a personal prespective that Discover is a better lender. At least my rewards post at the end of the statement, I get matched on my spending bonus at the end of the first year, there's no $25 minimum or redemption increments, I know there will be an American on the other side of the line when I call, and their deals are more worthwhile than "AMEX offers." it's too bad Discover doesn't have a premium rewards card. 

 

 




I guess your an Amex hater MDV.....Well if you look in my sig take everything that Mountaindewvoltage said about Amex and I'm the opposite of it and I also get a ton of UR point annually.  Both programs are great and travel interuption/travel insurance is very overrated IMO and I too fly out of the Northeast, mostly delays and only had one stay over in 2017.  I recently switched my airline purchases for 5x since I got Biz plat for 35% rebate, which beats CSR by a ton.  As for Citi, I cancelled my Prestige card and TYP clearing lack MR and UR programs for the lack of transfer partners and point earnings standpoint.  Granted it offers 5th night free but you can get 4th or 5th night offers by others.

Personal Cards: Amex Plat | Amex Delta Res | CSR | Citi AA Exec Business Cards: Ink+ | Amex BGR
Message 20 of 67
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