topic Re: Amex is losing best western in Credit Cards

Amex is losing best western

red259 — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 22:15:38 GMT

Not something I would use MRs on but for those who wanted to redeem with best western they will be leaving the amex MR program at end of year.

Re: Amex is losing best western

NRB525 — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 22:20:26 GMT

I would not use them, the value of the transfers is frighteningly bad, but seems another step on the road of AMEX reductions?

Or maybe everyone is smart enough to realize it's a bad exchange so simply was not using the transfer?

Re: Amex is losing best western

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 22:21:55 GMT

amex is going way downhill

Re: Amex is losing best western

thelethargicage — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 22:29:11 GMT

They should be partnering up with Motel 8 in the near future, so no big deal

Re: Amex is losing best western

Open123 — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 22:42:00 GMT

Hotel transfers were valuable only when needing a small amount of points to meet a redemption. For instance, I was about 200 points short of redeeming a few nights at a Best Western. So, in this case, a great use of MRs, even with the horrible redemption rate.

However, in the long run, I suspect for many, this doesn't have any effect on whether one finds MR a valuable program, relative to the others.

Re: Amex is losing best western

Kenny — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:24:06 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
amex is going way downhill

Because of losing Best Western? haha I think not. I would argue they never belonged together in the first place.

Re: Amex is losing best western

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:27:51 GMT

no just in general. amex is kind of a joke these days.

Re: Amex is losing best western

jsucool76 — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:45:41 GMT

I'll agree amex is meh at best. chase and citi are what I would consider the leaders in the credit card industry. I'll still take free MR points, but both my Amex cards are going bye bye when the next fees are due.

Re: Amex is losing best western

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:51:42 GMT

yeah i have 17k useless MR points so yep. waste lol. their redemption is horrible

Re: Amex is losing best western

taxi818 — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:51:55 GMT

@Kenny wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
amex is going way downhill
Because of losing Best Western? haha I think not. I would argue they never belonged together in the first place.

Agreed. while all the amex haters bash i will be on the sidelines getting my benefits with em. i do think they lost a little of their luster but going down hill is a stretch

Re: Amex is losing best western

taxi818 — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:53:04 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
yeah i have 17k useless MR points so yep. waste lol. their redemption is horrible

Ill take them terror they can be transfered to my skymiles for only 15 dollars and of course i would get you a nice gift card for giving them to me

Re: Amex is losing best western

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:53:49 GMT

okay going downhill is a little much but they have lost who they used to be for the negative

Re: Amex is losing best western

taxi818 — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:54:56 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
okay going downhill is a little much but they have lost who they used to be for the negative

Now i agree 100% hehehe

Re: Amex is losing best western

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:55:58 GMT

lol

Re: Amex is losing best western

red259 — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:59:22 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
okay going downhill is a little much but they have lost who they used to be for the negative

+1 Not to mention that some other programs have stepped up with positive developments helping to close the gap.

Re: Amex is losing best western

Kenny — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 00:04:26 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
yeah i have 17k useless MR points so yep. waste lol. their redemption is horrible

You can't use 150 dollars at Nike.com? I use my MR for gift cards sometimes.. I know -- not a smart use for some people, but I think it's pretty good for me.

Re: Amex is losing best western

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 00:05:49 GMT

more times than not the MRs don't even value 100 MRs to $1. a standard cash back card does that...

Re: Amex is losing best western

Open123 — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 00:19:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
more times than not the MRs don't even value 100 MRs to $1. a standard cash back card does that...

When considering the efficacy of Amex cards, it's best to consider them purely from a travel rewards (meaning, transferring to FF and hotels) perspective. When considering the merits of Amex cards, they should be compared and contrasted with their peer group, such as cards offering rewards in the UR, TY, and specific Airline or Hotel rewards cards. When it comes to cash rewards, Amex is underwhelming, at best. The only cash rewards card Amex has with any appeal would be the BCP; and, that's only if you spend a very specific amount in groceries.

However, when it comes to cash, this would be true of all cards. In other words, for cash rewards, we simply consider the 5% rotating cards, and the 2% (Fid Amex, Citi Double, and Discover Miles 1st year promo). That's it. The cash rewards discussion is over period.

For those who spend significant amounts sporadically, Amex Charge cards are still without peer. For those who stay at Starwood hotels and transfer to associated FFs, the SPG rewards program is still the best, bar none. Regardless of Amex's recent negative press, these are two instances, that for some, Amex is still far and away the best in class.

Re: Amex is losing best western

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 00:22:37 GMT

and even when trying to redeem for hotels and flights through the amex portal they still valued under 100 MRs for $1

Re: Amex is losing best western

Open123 — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 00:26:52 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
and even when trying to redeem for hotels and flights through the amex portal they still valued under 100 MRs for $1

MR points should always be transferred to an FF partner, then redeem. Ideally, wait when there's a bonus on the transfer. You'll never maximzing value by redeeming for statement credits, travel through their portal, or GCs (though, at 1:1, it's respectable).

For instance, transfer MRs to Airline FF of your choice (especially, when there were up to 50% and 100% bonus on transfers in the past), and redeem for flights. This will always net you at least 1.5 cents per point, if you're opportunistic and prudent.