topic Re: Want to get an AMEX? in Credit Cards

Want to get an AMEX?

icyhot — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 03:03:29 GMT

After a semi-successful credit spree, I'm going on a 6 month garden, after which I want to apply for an AmEx. I want to get a branded hotel card and wanna know if any of their hotel cards can be connected with my US Airways miles an Delta miles. My favorite hotel chain is actually Choice hotels but I don't want another Visa. Any feedback?

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

bigblue7722 — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 04:03:59 GMT

have you looked at this card?

https://www304.americanexpress.com/credit-card/starwood-preferred-guest

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

NRB525 — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 04:19:42 GMT

Most large hotel chains have free loyalty programs, so you could become a member of all of them. Then, you can set it up so when you stay at the hotel (whether Choice or Hyatt or Marriott or whatever) you can have those "points" credited directly to your airline program, like Delta and forego the hotel plan points count. That way, you don't really care which hotel credit card you have (or even decide NOT to get a hotel card) since the points you earn from the hotel stay don't get stranded in any one hotel program.

The SPG probably has the most-convertible points program. Not all hotels contribute full points, though you would get 1 SPG point per dollar regardless.

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

icyhot — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 04:42:06 GMT

Bigblue yes I have but there arent too many of that hotel brand in my area, plus the AF is a turnoff. I'm thinking about the Hilton honors card if I can convert those to Delta and US Air miles. Is that an easy card to get? Should I get the delta AND Hilton card?

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 04:49:13 GMT

if you want an amex go for it

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

icyhot — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 04:51:28 GMT

lol that's the plan, I just wanna know the best way to maximize my benefits when I travel. I plan on doing a lot next year so I'm getting prepared

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 04:57:08 GMT

@icyhot wrote:
lol that's the plan, I just wanna know the best way to maximize my benefits when I travel. I plan on doing a lot next year so I'm getting prepared

Good luck .

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

skigirl916 — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 05:41:35 GMT

OP, you're asking if there's an AMEX where you can transfer Delta miles as though you didn't know about the very popular Delta Skymiles Amex: https://www304.americanexpress.com/credit-card/delta-skymiles

Are you asking about another card?

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 06:52:27 GMT

@icyhot wrote:
Bigblue yes I have but there arent too many of that hotel brand in my area, plus the AF is a turnoff. I'm thinking about the Hilton honors card if I can convert those to Delta and US Air miles. Is that an easy card to get? Should I get the delta AND Hilton card?

Converting HHonors points is a TERRIBLE idea. Converting your points to miles would give each point a value of about 0.2 cents when they can be redeemed at a value of about 1.5 cents at a category 1 hotel stay. You're better off getting the SPG card and using it regularly even if you don't stay at the hotels. Starpoints can easily be worth over 3 cents when redeemed adequately and if you transfer to airline miles in chunks of 20,000 points, you get an extra 5,000 miles, which knocks HHonors points-to-miles out of the water. PM me if you want me to show you the math. Your annual fee is also waived your first year, so if you can achieve the sign-up bonus to get 25,000 bonus points, you can already get a good chunk of miles right there without paying an annual fee.

Regardless, your best bet is to go with the Delta card or go for the US Airways Premier World card to get 50,000 points after your first purchase, even though the latter isn't an American Express card. Both have annual fees as well.

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

icyhot — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:40:23 GMT

Yeah, I've been looking at the Delta Skymiles but wanted to stay away from AFs.....and I have an airline card but no hotel

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

icyhot — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:42:58 GMT

Well the General consensus is the SPG! I'll dig into it more

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

icyhot — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:46:00 GMT

If only I could link my Choice, HHonors, Marriott and SPG points all in one card 😪

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

taxi818 — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:46:53 GMT

@icyhot wrote:
Yeah, I've been looking at the Delta Skymiles but wanted to stay away from AFs.....and I have an airline card but no hotel

I guess you're not understanding. It's not about hotel or airline card but redemption value. That's what they're trying to explain. No matter what. You are not going to avoid AF. Unless you go straight cash back cards.

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

icyhot — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:52:00 GMT

Ah! I see. So SPG points have the best redemption value.

Re: Want to get an AMEX?

taxi818 — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:54:26 GMT

@icyhot wrote:
Ah! I see. So SPG points have the best redemption value.

Yes. All depends. If for certain hotels and miles. Although that's my next amex. I can't rack up enough spend. As too many card mouths to feed