@Open123 wrote:If I were taking a trip now, here's what I would do:
1. Apply for a MB Platinum for 50K sign up bonus.
2. $200 airline credit per calendar year - can use it for 2013, and again for 2014 before I cancel in July for $400 total.
3. Free global entry, which is good for 5 years.
4. Elite membership in Avis, National, and Hertz.
5. SPG Gold status - which otherwise requires 10 stays or $30K spend.
6. $100 hotel credit
So, purely from a quantitative perspective, for a $475 annual fee, one receives the following: 50K MR points; $400 airline credit; $100 Global entry fee; and, $100 hotel credit.
So, why? If nothing else, for material gain?
I do see an obsession with the MB Plat AMEX 
@CS800 wrote:
@Open123 wrote:If I were taking a trip now, here's what I would do:
1. Apply for a MB Platinum for 50K sign up bonus.
2. $200 airline credit per calendar year - can use it for 2013, and again for 2014 before I cancel in July for $400 total.
3. Free global entry, which is good for 5 years.
4. Elite membership in Avis, National, and Hertz.
5. SPG Gold status - which otherwise requires 10 stays or $30K spend.
6. $100 hotel credit
So, purely from a quantitative perspective, for a $475 annual fee, one receives the following: 50K MR points; $400 airline credit; $100 Global entry fee; and, $100 hotel credit.
So, why? If nothing else, for material gain?
I do see an obsession with the MB Plat AMEX
LOL...you know, I can't help it my mercenary side. I just love great deals!
For me it's the exceptionally high spend ability. Way above the CLs on my regular cards and has never involved a decline, verification that it's me making the charge, or other annoyances that are common in the plastic world. A secondary reason is the broad airport lounge access. The MRs are nice I suppose but I've never even used them.
Added: Also, it doesn't affect my credit scores when I put a big charge on the card. I used to prepay when doing that with other cards.
