topic Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward? in Credit Cards

CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

icyhot — Thu, 28 May 2015 19:25:15 GMT

Is 5 TYP really better than 2 UR? I don't seem to use my TYP for anything besides select and credit, and that doesn't seem to have a high redemption value. UR seems to have way better transfer partners that I actually use (Amtrak, Marriott). Would the CSP really be suboptimal for dining against the Forward, especially when I put all my travel spend on the CSP too?

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 May 2015 19:27:48 GMT

@icyhot wrote:
Is 5 TYP really better than 2 UR? I don't seem to use my TYP for anything besides select and credit, and that doesn't seem to have a high redemption value. UR seems to have way better transfer partners that I actually use (Amtrak, Marriott). Would the CSP really be suboptimal for dining against the Forward, especially when I put all my travel spend on the CSP too?

I'd still keep it.

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 May 2015 19:36:11 GMT

@icyhot wrote:
Is 5 TYP really better than 2 UR? I don't seem to use my TYP for anything besides select and credit, and that doesn't seem to have a high redemption value. UR seems to have way better transfer partners that I actually use (Amtrak, Marriott). Would the CSP really be suboptimal for dining against the Forward, especially when I put all my travel spend on the CSP too?

Do you have a Premier/Prestige? If not, and you redeem UR for travel, then using CSP for dining might be better, as without the higher cards, the TYP are worth a max of 1c. So if your redemptions give you more than 2.5c per UR, use that instead.

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

leoment — Thu, 28 May 2015 19:42:13 GMT

@icyhot wrote:
Is 5 TYP really better than 2 UR? I don't seem to use my TYP for anything besides select and credit, and that doesn't seem to have a high redemption value. UR seems to have way better transfer partners that I actually use (Amtrak, Marriott). Would the CSP really be suboptimal for dining against the Forward, especially when I put all my travel spend on the CSP too?

In my opinion, yes. If you select methods of redemption that give you 1cpp (like SL/Mortgage checks), it's value becomes much more clear. I even considered getting the prestige card (which I truly don't need) because it would've boosted my redemption from 5% to 8% when used on AA flights!

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

icyhot — Thu, 28 May 2015 19:45:43 GMT

No I don't have a premier or prestige, I'm leaving room for one more AF card in my portfolio an it'll be a hotel card. Nixon, I'm still keeping it, just will move the main spend to another card

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

rlx01 — Thu, 28 May 2015 20:59:01 GMT

5 TYP could be worth 50c in the dollar with the right redemption.

2 points for dining is available on pretty much every card. Premier/Prestige, PRG from June 1, etc etc. The CSP is still a great card, but there's now plenty of competition.

I'd be all over a Forward.

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

icyhot — Thu, 28 May 2015 21:38:43 GMT

Yeah but I've pretty much used all my TYP.....I have 167 now.....itd be forever to spend to reach a good amount. Plus I have an AF on the CSP, might as well spend more on that one

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

Pitt570 — Thu, 28 May 2015 21:53:35 GMT

i have been using my csp for everything since my wife and i make a trip to hawaii every year i try to get as many points as i can through the year we always used hers until i just got mine over a month ago and i personally if you like to travel this is the go to card my thoughts

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

rlx01 — Thu, 28 May 2015 21:54:37 GMT

I don't really know why the AF changes anything, but it's up to you.

I'll trade you the Forward for something else

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

icyhot — Thu, 28 May 2015 22:07:53 GMT

Cuz you know you gotta get enough rewards to "justify" it, so they say. Lol.

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 May 2015 22:12:24 GMT

@icyhot wrote:
Yeah but I've pretty much used all my TYP.....I have 167 now.....itd be forever to spend to reach a good amount. Plus I have an AF on the CSP, might as well spend more on that one

It sounds like you'd prefer to use the CSP, so in my opinion you may as well. Even if the rewards value is a bit lower, if you prefer the other card and it's redemption then why not use it, I doubt the difference is all that important overall.

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 May 2015 22:12:49 GMT

i believe UR points are better! and the worse are the plenti (macys and new amex) .. but that off topic

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

icyhot — Thu, 28 May 2015 22:17:51 GMT

Thanks for the input! I'll keep my forward in my other wallet

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 May 2015 22:29:45 GMT

@icyhot wrote:
Cuz you know you gotta get enough rewards to "justify" it, so they say. Lol.

But "they" don't make much sense!

LongTimeLurker Bank offers two credit cards this week, one gives 1% back on all purchases, and has a $10 AF. We also offer a free card that gives 1.5% on everything. If you are lucky enough to have both, instead of putting spend on the first to justify the AF, you should in fact close it. Similarly, if the CSP is either worth the fee or not, don't need to put spend on just to reassure yourself you made the right decision!

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

icyhot — Thu, 28 May 2015 22:47:36 GMT

I love the CSP....it's great. I figured it'd just be best to use it for dining since I also use it for travel, my two biggest spends, and they both happen to be bonus categories

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

kdm31091 — Thu, 28 May 2015 23:39:10 GMT

Depends on what you will utilize the points for.

I know a TYP is roughly worth half value when redeemed as cash/statement credit so that would be 2.5% in cash on your 5x dining. But it is worth much more when redeemed towards other things, though you indicated not having the higher level TYP cards. Also, your Forward has no AF.

Your CSP has a $95 AF to come out ahead of, and only earns 2% on dining (cash redemptions). Now if you're constantly using the points to the maximum value, you can overcome the AF and come out ahead but it takes a lot more spend than some people realize.

I'd definitely hesitate to close the Forward. It's no longer available, nor is anything like it. As others mentioned, 2% dining is a common benefit, and you can get it for free from a few cards (or get 2% period free with a Double Cash).

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

Anonymous — Fri, 29 May 2015 00:01:39 GMT

Honestly, I'd keep the Forward and continue to try out the CSP. You can evaluate later if the CSP actually will work for you with it's AF.

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

jsucool76 — Fri, 29 May 2015 00:06:37 GMT

Forward by itself gives 5 points per dollar on dining, amazon, and "entertainment." As a straight statement credit, that's 2.5% back. With travel certificates (IE: Hyatt Gift Cards) you get a full 5% value (1cpp)

Pair the forward with the citi premier and those 5 points on dining are worth up to 1.25 cents per point (when redeemed for travel), giving you a return of 6.25% on dining, amazon, and entertainment purchases.

Pair the forward with the citi prestige, and those points are worth up to 1.6 cents per point (when redeemed for AA/US flights) or 1.33 cents per point (when redeemed for travel) giving you a value of 8% back on dining, amazon, and entertainment when redeemed for AA/US flights, or 6.65% when redeemed for other travel.

the 8% figure is almost impossible to match, as that is on EVERY AA/US (and I've read codeshare flights count too) flight....Whereas if you bank points from a specific program (FF, or hotel programs) you MIGHT find a redemption that will give you 8+ cents per point value, but these points are GUARANTEED that value when redeemed on AA/US flights.

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

kdm31091 — Fri, 29 May 2015 00:43:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Honestly, I'd keep the Forward and continue to try out the CSP. You can evaluate later if the CSP actually will work for you with it's AF.

I understand the intent of what you are saying, but there is no real need to "try out" a card to see if it will work with the AF. Instead, simply do the math. Numbers don't lie. What do you spend every month? On what categories? This will tell you what your rewards total will be. Compare that against the AF and decide if it makes sense over a no AF card.

I just don't understand the whole "try it out" thing when you can simply run the numbers (there are plenty of charts around here as well!) and figure it out without applying. I know OP already has the CSP anyway, but obtaining cards to then decide if they will work for you or not is IMO unnecessary.

Re: CSP better for dining spend than Forward?

icyhot — Fri, 29 May 2015 00:47:55 GMT

Definitely not closing the Forward! Not by any means. Lol. "Entertainment" is also a category and I get huge rewards when I buy football and concert tickets.