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PRG worth it for dining?

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cmm89
Frequent Contributor

PRG worth it for dining?

What does everyone think about the PRG for dining? 

What I use (& strongly recommend): Chase Sapphire Reserve | BofA/ML (Premium Rewards VS, Cash Rewards VS, Merrill+ VS) | AmEx (Amazon Prime Business)

What I have: NFCU | PenFed | General Electric CU | Wright Patt CU | Discover | BBVA | Apple Card (GS)

Total CL with Bank of America = $100,000 (Platinum Honors Merrill Client). I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner, so feel free to message me if you have any planning/credit questions.

EQ 759, EX 765, TU 771 (06/10/2022)

I started with scores in the 400s in 2016. This forum is a Godsend--focus on the journey, be patient, and you'll definitely get there no matter the circumstances!

Message 1 of 9
8 REPLIES 8
driftless
Valued Contributor

Re: PRG worth it for dining?

Only if you value MR's.  CSR is 3X for dining.  Freedom is 5X for this quarter.

CSR | Amex Platinum | EDP | QS (2)
Amex Blue Business Plus
Message 2 of 9
wasCB14
Super Contributor

Re: PRG worth it for dining?

If a better-earning card occasionally inconveniences you with false fraud alerts, there can be some peace of mind in paying with an Amex (which has a reputation for allowing large or unusual transactions to go through smoothly).

 

Amex can also be useful in a dispute if a caterer who requires payment before pickup misrepresents what you'll be receiving.

Personal spend: Amex Gold, Amex Schwab Plat., BofA PR+CCR(x2), Costco
Business use: Amex Bus. Plat., BBP, Lowes Amex AU, CFU AU
Perks: Delta Plat., United Explorer, IHG49, Hyatt, "Old SPG"
Mostly SD: Freedom Flex, Freedom, Arrival
Upgrade/Downgrade games: ED, BCE
SUB chasing: AA Platinum Select
Message 3 of 9
mongstradamus
Super Contributor

Re: PRG worth it for dining?


@driftless wrote:

Only if you value MR's.  CSR is 3X for dining.  Freedom is 5X for this quarter.


Csp is also 2x dining with a af far less than csr, and slightly less than prg. Also has no af first year if that matters 



EX Fico 804 11/16/16 Fako 800 Credit.com 11/16/16
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Message 4 of 9
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: PRG worth it for dining?

It's 2X the point and if MR's are of any value to you then it's an OK card. I wouldn't get it just for dining though..
Message 5 of 9
sunkissed
Established Contributor

Re: PRG worth it for dining?

PRG is good for food in general – 2 points per dollar on restaurants and groceries. So whether you’re eating out or eating in, you’re covered. However, to answer your question: thoughts about PRG for dining? I think it is not enough to justify getting the card. If you just want to be rewarded for restaurant spend, there are plenty of options that do not have an annual fee and may yield more rewards. Do you plan to use the other PRG benefits? How would you like to be rewarded? How do you value MRs? How much do you spend on dining? Answering those questions will steer you towards the right card.

NFCU Flagship $32K | NFCU Cashrewards $42K | Discover IT $39K | SECU Visa $20K | Chase SW $24k | CSR $15K | Chase Bonvoy $11.5K | Chase Freedom $11.5K | Chase Amazon Visa 8.5K | AMEX Bonvoy $18.1K | AMEX Hilton Surpass $15K | AMEX Hilton Aspire $24.4K | AMEX Gold | Aviator Red $16K | Uber Visa 10k | Citi TY Premier $24.6K | BoA Premium Rewards 35k | BoA Cash Rewards Visa $31.5k | BoA Cash Rewards MC $23k | US Bank Cash+ $10k | USAA AMEX $6K | Cap1QS $11K | BJs MC $27.6K | Walmart MC $5.1K | Loft MC $25,000 | Macy’s Store/Amex $20K/$1K | BR Visa $10K | JCP $1K | VS $3.2K | Home Depot $5K | Lowes $8.5K | Target $14.5k
Message 6 of 9
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: PRG worth it for dining?


@driftless wrote:

Only if you value MR's.  CSR is 3X for dining.  Freedom is 5X for this quarter.


The CSR has a 450 dollar annual fee and PRG has no fee first year.  Apples and Oranges.  

Message 7 of 9
mongstradamus
Super Contributor

Re: PRG worth it for dining?


@Anonymous wrote:

@driftless wrote:

Only if you value MR's.  CSR is 3X for dining.  Freedom is 5X for this quarter.


The CSR has a 450 dollar annual fee and PRG has no fee first year.  Apples and Oranges.  


Comparison with csp is more realistic since both cards have waived af first year .



EX Fico 804 11/16/16 Fako 800 Credit.com 11/16/16
EQ SW bank enhanced 11/16/16 839 CK fako 822 11/16/16
TU Fico discover 10/19/16 814 Fako 819 Creditkarma 11/16/16
Message 8 of 9
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: PRG worth it for dining?

The whole 2x points and 3x points don't matter here. If Chase points are worth $0.005 cent to you then the 3x wouldn't matter if Amex MR are worth $0.02 each. People quick to jump to the whole 'n' x points comparison. Smiley Happy

 

You just have to figure out what value MR points have to you. You're good the first year since it has no annual fee and the good signup bonus, but if you plan on keeping it beyond that, then you'll have to figure out if having the card is worth the annual fee.

 

Do note though if you value MR points for $0.01 cent (at minimum) just using it for restaurant alone (and factoring in the annual airline fee credit) would require about $396 a month in dining out to even out at $0. So you'd have to use the other 4 categories (supermarket, gas, airfare, amex travel) to really make it worth the buck!

Message 9 of 9
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