topic Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver? in Credit Cards

Why Get Charge + Revolver?

shoo — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:11:15 GMT

Why do people get both a charge and a revolver from AMEX instead of just the revolver?

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

kdm31091 — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:14:25 GMT

Some feel a charge can help control spending better since you're forced to pay in full no matter what. Also, the benefits differ and some of the charge cards offer greater benefits for those who travel frequently etc although some get nerfed a lot (it seems PRG has been pretty badly nerfed).

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

FocusedAndDetermined — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:25:04 GMT

I did it for multiple bonuses, and because they offer slightly different perks.

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

FocusedAndDetermined — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:27:12 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
Some feel a charge can help control spending better since you're forced to pay in full no matter what. Also, the benefits differ and some of the charge cards offer greater benefits for those who travel frequently etc although some get nerfed a lot (it seems PRG has been pretty badly nerfed).

The benefits are being enhanced this June:

http://about.americanexpress.com/news/pr/2015/amex-adds-benefits-premier-rewards-gold-card.aspx

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

Anomalous — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:27:24 GMT

If you app for them at the same time, it's usually 1 HP.

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

longtime_lurker — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:53:28 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
Some feel a charge can help control spending better since you're forced to pay in full no matter what. Also, the benefits differ and some of the charge cards offer greater benefits for those who travel frequently etc although some get nerfed a lot (it seems PRG has been pretty badly nerfed).

Depending on your spending benefits, I'd say PRG > CSP.

Assuming the following scenario that both cardholders travel frequently:

AF is the same, as well as no FTF

More MR/$ for airfare

2x MR Gas/Grocery vs 1 UR on CSP

Superior warranty, etc. through AMEX (not unique to PRG, although the better roadside assistance policy is avail. on PRG, Plat, Centurion)

If we branch out and pair EDP & PRG vs CSP & Freedom, The fight is closer because of the AF on EDP, but if you are a high spender (what AMEX wants anyway), the value is better for PRG and EDP, vs Chase's offerings (especially since who maxes out every quarter? If we want to, all of us can max the EDP's cap)

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

Sharingan — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:54:26 GMT

@shoo wrote:
Why do people get both a charge and a revolver from AMEX instead of just the revolver?

The charge cards come with additional perks that I don't receive from revolvers. In my case, the Platinum serves an entirely different purpose than to pay for purchases. The Zync is a very special case. For $25 a year, I get to have a spending power greater than the limit of any single revolver in my signature (>25k). Finally, very few Zyncs are still out there; and it's a small price to pay for a white AmEx, which most people still haven't seen in public.

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

TheGardner — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:54:38 GMT

2 cards one HP.

Was more beneficial when they backdated. Now sign up bonus I guess if your AAoA can take it.

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

chalupaman — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:56:39 GMT

What Gardner said. Also a way for you to try out charge cards if you're interested in how they work and want to take advantage of benefits that the Plat offers etc.

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

FocusedAndDetermined — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 01:00:07 GMT

@Sharingan wrote:
@shoo wrote:
Why do people get both a charge and a revolver from AMEX instead of just the revolver?
The charge cards come with additional perks that I don't receive from revolvers. In my case, the Platinum serves an entirely different purpose than to pay for purchases. The Zync is a very special case. For $25 a year, I get to have a spending power greater than the limit of any single revolver in my signature (>25k). Finally, very few Zyncs are still out there; and it's a small price to pay for a white AmEx, which most people still haven't seen in public.

Not to steal OP's thread, but I see you have 4 Amex cards. Do you mind sharing your combined limits, including the NPSLs? I'm trying to figure out if I can get an additional Amex down the road.

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

Sharingan — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 01:14:52 GMT

@FocusedAndDetermined wrote:
@Sharingan wrote:
@shoo wrote:
Why do people get both a charge and a revolver from AMEX instead of just the revolver?
The charge cards come with additional perks that I don't receive from revolvers. In my case, the Platinum serves an entirely different purpose than to pay for purchases. The Zync is a very special case. For $25 a year, I get to have a spending power greater than the limit of any single revolver in my signature (>25k). Finally, very few Zyncs are still out there; and it's a small price to pay for a white AmEx, which most people still haven't seen in public.
Not to steal OP's thread, but I see you have 4 Amex cards. Do you mind sharing your combined limits, including the NPSLs? I'm trying to figure out if I can get an additional Amex down the road.

I don't have exact figures because I don't like playing with the "Check your spending limit" to determine what the maximum exposure limit is on my charge cards. I am also in the process of consolidating the SPG (did so with the BCE) to my Everyday Preferred card. I'd estimate the combined limit to be around 50k-60k. AmEx has gotten a lot of heat on these boards lately, but they're still my favorite bank to do business with.

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

FocusedAndDetermined — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 01:20:16 GMT

@Sharingan wrote:
@FocusedAndDetermined wrote:
@Sharingan wrote:
@shoo wrote:
Why do people get both a charge and a revolver from AMEX instead of just the revolver?
The charge cards come with additional perks that I don't receive from revolvers. In my case, the Platinum serves an entirely different purpose than to pay for purchases. The Zync is a very special case. For $25 a year, I get to have a spending power greater than the limit of any single revolver in my signature (>25k). Finally, very few Zyncs are still out there; and it's a small price to pay for a white AmEx, which most people still haven't seen in public.
Not to steal OP's thread, but I see you have 4 Amex cards. Do you mind sharing your combined limits, including the NPSLs? I'm trying to figure out if I can get an additional Amex down the road.
I don't have exact figures because I don't like playing with the "Check your spending limit" to determine what the maximum exposure limit is on my charge cards. I am also in the process of consolidating the SPG (did so with the BCE) to my Everyday Preferred card. I'd estimate the combined limit to be around 50k-60k. AmEx has gotten a lot of heat on these boards lately, but they're still my favorite bank to do business with.

Thanks for your feedback. It gives me hope for another card from them. Afer a long separation, we are once again united. I'm going to work with the 3 cards that I have for a few months, then check what kind of offers are on the table. I'm currently at about $33-4K with them, so it appears I have a little room expand.

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

Sharingan — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 01:35:33 GMT

@FocusedAndDetermined wrote:
@Sharingan wrote:
@FocusedAndDetermined wrote:
@Sharingan wrote:
@shoo wrote:
Why do people get both a charge and a revolver from AMEX instead of just the revolver?
The charge cards come with additional perks that I don't receive from revolvers. In my case, the Platinum serves an entirely different purpose than to pay for purchases. The Zync is a very special case. For $25 a year, I get to have a spending power greater than the limit of any single revolver in my signature (>25k). Finally, very few Zyncs are still out there; and it's a small price to pay for a white AmEx, which most people still haven't seen in public.
Not to steal OP's thread, but I see you have 4 Amex cards. Do you mind sharing your combined limits, including the NPSLs? I'm trying to figure out if I can get an additional Amex down the road.
I don't have exact figures because I don't like playing with the "Check your spending limit" to determine what the maximum exposure limit is on my charge cards. I am also in the process of consolidating the SPG (did so with the BCE) to my Everyday Preferred card. I'd estimate the combined limit to be around 50k-60k. AmEx has gotten a lot of heat on these boards lately, but they're still my favorite bank to do business with.
Thanks for your feedback. It gives me hope for another card from them. Afer a long separation, we are once again united. I'm going to work with the 3 cards that I have for a few months, then check what kind of offers are on the table. I'm currently at about $33-4K with them, so it appears I have a little room expand.

I must clarify that the estimated total with the company is including the charge cards. I usually don't bother trying to figure out their maximum limits because I'm sure it would raise some eyebrows. That spending limit button is well discussed on these forums. Best of luck with your journey.

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

thom02099 — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 22:18:52 GMT

@shoo wrote:
Why do people get both a charge and a revolver from AMEX instead of just the revolver?

The Perks. I get exclusive concert information from AMEX because of my Gold card, not because of the Blue Cash Preferred. I use the Gold card to buy pre-sale concert tickets with preferred seating to concerts at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Also get a Gold card newsletter emailed to me, also provides for perks that are exclusive to the Gold card.

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

longtime_lurker — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 22:53:45 GMT

@thom02099 wrote:
@shoo wrote:
Why do people get both a charge and a revolver from AMEX instead of just the revolver?
The Perks. I get exclusive concert information from AMEX because of my Gold card, not because of the Blue Cash Preferred. I use the Gold card to buy pre-sale concert tickets with preferred seating to concerts at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Also get a Gold card newsletter emailed to me, also provides for perks that are exclusive to the Gold card.

I never get an e-mail for my PRG...wonder why. I actually get a newsletter thing for my BCE. How do you get exclusive concert seating? I've used Citi's private pass before. Didn't know that was a benefit for my PRG (I assume PRG has same benefits here as gold, anyway).

TIA

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 23:09:33 GMT

It seems to me that if you are a traveler and happen to get in with a good intro bonus, the AMEX charge cards can rack up a ton of MR points fairly quickly and get some nice perks. Like Platinum has an airline fee credit and PRG has 3X points on travel purchases, etc. Since there isn't a charge card currently offered that offers cash back, that would be a reason to get a revolver as well as a charge card - if you just want MR points you'd have to evaluate whether your spending categories line up more with, say, an EDP over PRG if you don't want both.

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

thom02099 — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 15:25:36 GMT

@longtime_lurker wrote:
@thom02099 wrote:
@shoo wrote:
Why do people get both a charge and a revolver from AMEX instead of just the revolver?
The Perks. I get exclusive concert information from AMEX because of my Gold card, not because of the Blue Cash Preferred. I use the Gold card to buy pre-sale concert tickets with preferred seating to concerts at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Also get a Gold card newsletter emailed to me, also provides for perks that are exclusive to the Gold card.
I never get an e-mail for my PRG...wonder why. I actually get a newsletter thing for my BCE. How do you get exclusive concert seating? I've used Citi's private pass before. Didn't know that was a benefit for my PRG (I assume PRG has same benefits here as gold, anyway).

TIA

Could be because I initially purchased tickets for an AMEX sponsored concert, so they now send me emails for other AMEX sponsored concerts, as well as other concerts. Pre-sale notice, I get to buy tickets before they go on sale to the general public. Other cards also offer this perk, but the AMEX concerts that I've gotten emails on, are the ones that I want to see. For example, I've seen Fleetwood Mac twice in the recent past, and gotten good seats, and will be seeing Taylor Swift in September. There's an "AMEX preferred seating" availability; don't know how that works, if AMEX sets aside a section specifically for their advance tickets sales, or what. All I know is I've gotten good seats that way!

Re: Why Get Charge + Revolver?

longtime_lurker — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 22:06:13 GMT

@thom02099 wrote:
@longtime_lurker wrote:
@thom02099 wrote:
@shoo wrote:
Why do people get both a charge and a revolver from AMEX instead of just the revolver?
The Perks. I get exclusive concert information from AMEX because of my Gold card, not because of the Blue Cash Preferred. I use the Gold card to buy pre-sale concert tickets with preferred seating to concerts at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Also get a Gold card newsletter emailed to me, also provides for perks that are exclusive to the Gold card.
I never get an e-mail for my PRG...wonder why. I actually get a newsletter thing for my BCE. How do you get exclusive concert seating? I've used Citi's private pass before. Didn't know that was a benefit for my PRG (I assume PRG has same benefits here as gold, anyway).

TIA
Could be because I initially purchased tickets for an AMEX sponsored concert, so they now send me emails for other AMEX sponsored concerts, as well as other concerts. Pre-sale notice, I get to buy tickets before they go on sale to the general public. Other cards also offer this perk, but the AMEX concerts that I've gotten emails on, are the ones that I want to see. For example, I've seen Fleetwood Mac twice in the recent past, and gotten good seats, and will be seeing Taylor Swift in September. There's an "AMEX preferred seating" availability; don't know how that works, if AMEX sets aside a section specifically for their advance tickets sales, or what. All I know is I've gotten good seats that way!

I'll check it out, man! Thank you so much! There are several performers at DTE this year that I'd like to go to. More value for our AFs (I hope!)