topic Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred) in Credit Cards

CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 20:06:23 GMT

Simply put, I'd like people to share their experience with each combo. And how either one worked best for their situation. I've seen some comparable forum topics, but nothing as specific as what I'm looking for.

So without further ado, please share your experiences!

FYI, I was recently approved for CSP, but would be willing to switch to the AMEX combo if people's experiences are compelling enough.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 20:32:19 GMT

I have all four cards. I don't use PRG much, but I'll keep it as long as I can break even with offers and the airline credit.

The EDP+Freedom+CSP combo works pretty well for me. I travel often and cheaply (CSP), and spend a lot at Costco and traditional grocery stores (EDP).

CSP and EDP cover five important "categories" (travel, dining, groceries, gas, off-category stuff like Costco).

When the Costco/Amex partnership ends, I may PC EDP to ED and use Sallie Mae a little more.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 20:55:03 GMT

Biggest problems with EDP+PRG combo are: 2 annual fees, overlapping bonus categories, no travel bonus for non-flight spend.

CSP+EDP gives the best coverage if you're willing to pay the dual annual fee. You can even get PRG's 3x airfare bonus with CSP if you book the flight through Chase's UR portal by December, and their rates mirror the airlines (but their hotel and rental rates stink!). Check other sites to be sure it's a good deal though.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 20:56:21 GMT

CSP+EDP+PRG seems like an awful lot of annual fees. You must have sufficient spending to make holding all those worth it.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 20:58:22 GMT

Salt, but I assume you're also saying the PRG+ ED aren't worth it and that you need the PRG+EDP? I don't think I have the spend for all those AFs. Therefore I would prefer between one combo or the other.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 21:22:09 GMT

I don't think PRG is worth it period and plan to close mine before annual fee is due. But I did/will get 50,000 MR and $200 in airline credits from it, as well as $50 bucks in rebates from AmEx offers for things I would've bought anyway. AmEx cards can pay for themselves in offers alone if you check for those periodically.

I do think CSP and EDP justify their annual fees, at least in my case. It does take a lot of travel/dining spend to make CSP worthwhile but you get a free year to decide before an AF is due. EDP you have to look at your grocery/gas spend and decide if you will put up with 30 swipes per month. I think regular everyday is a pretty weak card unless you're just keeping your MR account open with it, but EDP is a great gas/grocery/general spend card that doesn't often overlap CSP/Freedom.

PS I would never say you "need" a card.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 21:26:34 GMT

Some of the better offers are reserved for PRG and above. I suspect there may also be Platinum and Centurion-only offers.

If you can use the airline credit, and a few offers, that's the AF right there. It's effectively a free perks card that comes with the option to PC to Platinum without having to worry about a new account upsetting a mortgage underwriter (I might buy a home in late 2016 or 2017).

EDP makes sense due to Costco and grocery spending.

CSP makes sense because of Freedom, since I stay at Hyatts occasionally. There have also been some restaurant meals with a large extended family where I'll put most of the bill on one of my cards and cash users will reimburse me.

IHG makes sense for the flexible free night.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 23:15:27 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I don't think PRG is worth it period and plan to close mine before annual fee is due. But I did/will get 50,000 MR and $200 in airline credits from it, as well as $50 bucks in rebates from AmEx offers for things I would've bought anyway. AmEx cards can pay for themselves in offers alone if you check for those periodically.

I do think CSP and EDP justify their annual fees, at least in my case. It does take a lot of travel/dining spend to make CSP worthwhile but you get a free year to decide before an AF is due. EDP you have to look at your grocery/gas spend and decide if you will put up with 30 swipes per month. I think regular everyday is a pretty weak card unless you're just keeping your MR account open with it, but EDP is a great gas/grocery/general spend card that doesn't often overlap CSP/Freedom.

PS I would never say you "need" a card.

I wasn't implying that you meant that anyone "needs" a card. Obviously we all can live without credit cards. They're a luxury .

I don't spend much on groceries so EDP is useless. Is it worth just getting 50k MR PRG offer and ED to house the MR credits then and close out PRG before AF? Then I'd stick with the CSP+Freedom combo. My girlfriend and I eat out a lot, and fly relatively decent amounts each year, so CSP seems worthly.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 04:17:50 GMT

we should also bring up Citi's increasingly popular Thank You Points...its only fair. They offer more points per doller for general travel than either amex or chase... 3x points on all travel and gas on the premier.

I think the point is, work butt off in retentions for AF woes....and maybe having several types in ones reserve is the best possible scenario.

Also we have to mention the CSP offers the 25% bonus, as does citi premier..... or prestige with up to 60 percent extra bonus on american..

I think it boils down to where a person lives, what airlines are serviced near them, how they vacation, spend money, etc. I travel often by Amtrak and having those points to redeem for rooms on amtrak would be a huge savings for me. Thats the only reason I am considering csp/freedom combo for a future potential option.

Who knows if I will cancel the PRG. Its the most used card that I have right now though.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

takeshi74 — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 12:18:48 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Simply put, I'd like people to share their experience with each combo. And how either one worked best for their situation. I've seen some comparable forum topics, but nothing as specific as what I'm looking for.

Instead of collecting experiences you need to determine which suits you best. Look at the MR and UR prorgrams and determine which one you can leverage the most value per point from. Specifically, look at redemptions. These are not one-size-fits-all matters and you can't use popularity to determine the best fit for you. You need to do your own due diligence. If you need assistance in doing so we can certainly help.

@Anonymous wrote:
Biggest problems with EDP+PRG combo are: 2 annual fees

@Anonymous wrote:
CSP+EDP gives the best coverage if you're willing to pay the dual annual fee.

Don't just look at AF's. Run the numbers for your spend and consider total cost/benefit.

@Anonymous wrote:
Is it worth just getting 50k MR PRG offer and ED to house the MR credits then and close out PRG before AF? Then I'd stick with the CSP+Freedom combo. My girlfriend and I eat out a lot, and fly relatively decent amounts each year, so CSP seems worthly.

Worth is highly subjective regardless of topic. Again, run the numbers for your spend and look at redemptions. Point value can vary quite a bit depending on how you redeem.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 12:32:08 GMT

Chase (Freedom+CSP) and AMEX (EDP + PRG) is probably what I'll wind up with since each card with each company has similar rewards. Between the two combos it would be stupid easy to rack up points. I think I would prefer it to a SM card which offers smaller caps and little in the way of other benefits, especially when it comes to AMEX and the CSP.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 17:34:33 GMT

@takeshi74 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Simply put, I'd like people to share their experience with each combo. And how either one worked best for their situation. I've seen some comparable forum topics, but nothing as specific as what I'm looking for.
Instead of collecting experiences you need to determine which suits you best. Look at the MR and UR prorgrams and determine which one you can leverage the most value per point from. Specifically, look at redemptions. These are not one-size-fits-all matters and you can't use popularity to determine the best fit for you. You need to do your own due diligence. If you need assistance in doing so we can certainly help.

I have done due diligence, but I was curious of how people have maximized point value. I understand both programs have different transfer partners, and that MR and UR points can vary dramatically in value depending on how you redeem them. I was more so just curious if someone had an interesting and possibly unexpected experience to share regarding either program. What people share will not be the end all be all determinant in which route I chose. I guess I should have worded this better in my OP.

@Anonymous wrote:
Biggest problems with EDP+PRG combo are: 2 annual fees
@Anonymous wrote:
CSP+EDP gives the best coverage if you're willing to pay the dual annual fee.
Don't just look at AF's. Run the numbers for your spend and consider total cost/benefit.

I've run the numbers for the most part, and that is how I come up with the conclusion that I cannot spread my spend across two cards that require an equal amount of spending to maximize value. No point in using CSP+Freedom, and occasionally using PRG (and keeping it open with AF) if I end up breaking even on the AF.

@Anonymous wrote:
Is it worth just getting 50k MR PRG offer and ED to house the MR credits then and close out PRG before AF? Then I'd stick with the CSP+Freedom combo. My girlfriend and I eat out a lot, and fly relatively decent amounts each year, so CSP seems worthly.
Worth is highly subjective regardless of topic. Again, run the numbers for your spend and look at redemptions. Point value can vary quite a bit depending on how you redeem.

I wasn't being absolute in my statement of worth. I think it could/is in fact worth it. I was asking in the sense of if you intend on cancelling PRG before AF, is that hassle worth it as far as credit impact and churning a card with AMEX?

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 17:37:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Chase (Freedom+CSP) and AMEX (EDP + PRG) is probably what I'll wind up with since each card with each company has similar rewards. Between the two combos it would be stupid easy to rack up points. I think I would prefer it to a SM card which offers smaller caps and little in the way of other benefits, especially when it comes to AMEX and the CSP.

You must have the spend for both of those combos. I find an issue with the categories for maximizing points overlapping, which will only dilute your spend between MR and UR instead of maximize in one type of point.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

red259 — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 18:25:29 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Chase (Freedom+CSP) and AMEX (EDP + PRG) is probably what I'll wind up with since each card with each company has similar rewards. Between the two combos it would be stupid easy to rack up points. I think I would prefer it to a SM card which offers smaller caps and little in the way of other benefits, especially when it comes to AMEX and the CSP.
You must have the spend for both of those combos. I find an issue with the categories for maximizing points overlapping, which will only dilute your spend between MR and UR instead of maximize in one type of point.

I have held all four cards. Still have freedom and I have downgraded to CS (can still transfer via my ink card). I cancelled PRG after first year and have the ED.

You can't judge the value of travel cards based on what someone else says. It comes down to how you like to travel, what hubs you are near, where you want to travel to and your spend patterns to name a few factors. That being said I find CSP/Freedom better, since I use the points to redeem at Hyatt properties. Amex points I only find useful for airfare. Also Amex MRs are kinda limited to me for which airlines I wish to redeem with them. I'm thinking about using them for a signapore airlines trip in combination with my TYPs from citi. If I didn't want to stay at hyatt then I would use my chase points towards airfare. United devaled so its not what it once was and its no AA, but it can still work. I find the csp/freedom combo a bit easier to earn points with. I love the everyday card, but the PRG is not really a good card beyond the first year for most people. You really need to look at your spend and see if if the return on the PRG offsets the AF. In most cases I suspect it does not. The everyday card is decent without an AF and can stand on its own for the most part. The pref version makes sense for people who spend enough in the categories and have 30 swipes. Again you need to do the math to see if your spend would offset the AF. For some it will for many others it will not. Those with heavy grocery spend and lots of swipes it can make sense to pay the AF.

Re: CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 01:45:45 GMT

PRG is on the maybe list. EDP is more definite. The big draw for me would probably be stuff like AMEX offers and exclusives to members. Chase is great, I'm super happy with them, but it'd be nice to have 4 cards on two main rewards systems that would be useful for me. AMEX and Chase are the big two.