topic Re: What's the big deal? in Credit Cards

What's the big deal?

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 01:41:16 GMT

What's the big deal with the CSP? I see so many people setting that card as a goal.The 50,000 bonus is nice, but the other earnings don't seem like that much over other cards. We do travel a good bit, but we own vacay points with Wyndham so no travel costs to earn extra there, and usually we drive to locations. Our other primary vacays are cruises.

So what makes this card so special? Do I need to be lusting after it?

Re: What's the big deal?

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 01:41:51 GMT

It's Metal.

Re: What's the big deal?

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 01:51:03 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
What's the big deal with the CSP? I see so many people setting that card as a goal.The 50,000 bonus is nice, but the other earnings don't seem like that much over other cards. We do travel a good bit, but we own vacay points with Wyndham so no travel costs to earn extra there, and usually we drive to locations. Our other primary vacays are cruises.

So what makes this card so special? Do I need to be lusting after it?

Oh you.. Aren't you funny. The CSP does have some good perks and if it fits your spending habits then go for it. Here are the benefits.

https://www.chase.com/online/sapphire/sapphire.html

Re: What's the big deal?

jamesdwi — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 01:54:44 GMT

2% on travel and resturants

TRAVEL BENEFITS:

primarty auto insarance on car rentals, most other cards are secondary coverage

20% OFF TRAVEL WHEN YOU REDEEM THROUGH CHASE ULTIMATE REWARDS

TRIP CANCELLATION/TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE

TRAVEL ACCIDENT INSURANCE

TRAVEL AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE SERVICES

LOST LUGGAGE REIMBURSEMENT

TRIP DELAY REIMBURSEMENT

BAGGAGE DELAY INSURANCE

PURCHASE BENEFITS

PURCHASE PROTECTION

EXTENDED WARRANTY PROTECTION

PRICE PROTECTION RETURN PROTECTION

POINTS can be moved to other reward programs, and points can be earned with the Freedom card,
the Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom unlimited and the CSP are an awesome trifecta when used together...

5% catagories, 2% travel and Restrants, and 1.5% everything else.

Re: What's the big deal?

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 01:53:20 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
It's Metal.

This.....mostly

Re: What's the big deal?

JamP — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 01:55:58 GMT

I have a metal VentureOne that I use as throwing star (Gambit Style) now that account is closed. It opens locks pretty well also.

It was cool at first but it is still just a credit card - now its a ninja star

Also, I think quite some time ago it was hard to get, so people like things that not everyone can attain.

Re: What's the big deal?

redpat — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 01:56:33 GMT

You need It or ink+ to get UR point which have great value if you travel. Them get freedom or freedom fu which can you can transfer to your UR card.

So there you have it in a nut shell.

Re: What's the big deal?

redpat — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 02:00:43 GMT

Sorry for typos mobile.

Re: What's the big deal?

myjourney — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 02:31:42 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
What's the big deal with the CSP? I see so many people setting that card as a goal.The 50,000 bonus is nice, but the other earnings don't seem like that much over other cards. We do travel a good bit, but we own vacay points with Wyndham so no travel costs to earn extra there, and usually we drive to locations. Our other primary vacays are cruises.

So what makes this card so special? Do I need to be lusting after it?

Good question

Each card is not good for everyone and your points for what you value and have covered are valid

However consider this

You drive and use your vacay points but are limited to the states or as far as the car can carry you

Can't drive to far and exotic locations like Bora Bora, Paris or the Maldives

With a card like CSP you could fly, book your hotel and rent a car possible for free

Leaving you with only expenses like food, sights gift for the family you know that ugly t-shirt...shot glass...etc....Lol

Yes you get to see more sights during your drive but on the other hand I'll get to see more sights in my desired location with less time getting there in some cases

Driving also has it's downside you know if your driving long distance you almost lose 2 days of vacay. Resting before you leave and before getting back on the road for your return trip home.

I get off the plane ready to go (fresh) and ready for an adventure

You'll spend on gas to get there and back my jet fuel was free ...Lol

The 50k points if used correctly can have a value of $0.02 or more a pcs making them have a value of 100k+ points or upwards of $1k+

In closing it boils down to what's best for you, where you want to go and at what out of pocket cost you're willing to pay? Not to mention the time it takes to get there and how much of that time you get to enjoy

Re: What's the big deal?

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 04:04:03 GMT

The CSP is worth it for nearly every one for the first year, providing you can meet the spend without jeopardizing some better opportunity. Even at 1c per UR. you will get a pretty good profit (and you can do much better if you transfer)

After the first year, it has value to a much smaller group of people. You really need to transfer the points (and get good value) to justify the AF. If you cash out 1c per UR, you are paying $95 for a 1% card with 2% dining and travel, whereas there are several free 2% everywhere cards.

But then of course, it is metal....

Re: What's the big deal?

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 12:47:04 GMT

after the bonus, the real value in my opinion is the ability to pair it with the freedom and freedom unlimited. now that the freedom's category is 5% restaurants this quarter, i'll be using that to eat out then go back to the csp. my csp wont see any use for the rest of the summer.

Re: What's the big deal?

kdm31091 — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 12:49:15 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
The CSP is worth it for nearly every one for the first year, providing you can meet the spend without jeopardizing some better opportunity. Even at 1c per UR. you will get a pretty good profit (and you can do much better if you transfer)

After the first year, it has value to a much smaller group of people. You really need to transfer the points (and get good value) to justify the AF. If you cash out 1c per UR, you are paying $95 for a 1% card with 2% dining and travel, whereas there are several free 2% everywhere cards.

But then of course, it is metal....

Agree here. Beyond the bonus, the card only makes sense for some. Metal notwithstanding, it's just 1x on most everyday purchases, so if you are not transferring to partners, you're not getting a great value.

Re: What's the big deal?

driftless — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 13:14:28 GMT

I think that it is a great card but you really do need to have at least one other Chase card to maximize it's benefits.

Re: What's the big deal?

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 13:56:56 GMT

It's no doubt one of the more popular and sought after cards when reading through CC fourms online. It seems to be a lot of people's " goal card". To add on what other people have already said in terms of its rewards, benefits, and it being metal. I think another factor is that the criteria for approval is tougher compared to other cards. I'm not sure how legit is credit karmas site but the CSP is one of the cards that averaged a higher credit score for approval of people who got it. It's just another reason for people to want something that seems it's tougher to get etc.

Re: What's the big deal?

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 14:10:16 GMT

It's a great card for the first year because even if you don't use the points and just cash out you could walk away with $590!!

As others have said it's best when paired with the Freedom or Freedom Unlimited. I have both of those cards so I'm a point machine lol.

Re: What's the big deal?

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 14:55:17 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
It's a great card for the first year because even if you don't use the points and just cash out you could walk away with $590!!

As others have said it's best when paired with the Freedom or Freedom Unlimited. I have both of those cards so I'm a point machine lol.

Right, but the pairing only matters if you transfer the points to partners.

Re: What's the big deal?

Open123 — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 15:21:59 GMT

Here's my take.

Absent of any $500 cash/statement credit bonuses (haven't seen any for quite some time), the CSP offers the best no-fee $500 - $600 cash bonus of any CC. This alone makes it worth it, assuming one can meet the spend. So, a $500/$600 bonus, free year of 2X restaurants/travel and metal card.

Who cares about year 2? Not worth it then or find you don't transfer, close the card before the fee and move on. Regardless, with 5/24, by all means, start with the Chase cards before app'ing for any other Issuer.

Re: What's the big deal?

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 15:24:21 GMT

So what is the advantage of having it with another Chase card? Transferring the points to CSP and using them for discounted items with partners?

Re: What's the big deal?

Open123 — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 15:32:05 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
So what is the advantage of having it with another Chase card? Transferring the points to CSP and using them for discounted items with partners?

To earn 5X and 1.5 Freedom UR points which may be transferred to partners, such as UA, Hyatt, etc...the potential return here "may" exceed 2% (up to 3%) cash equivalent if redeemed prudently.

Example of points exceeding a cash equivalent value. Recently, JetBlue offered a promo where any Virgin American flyer with 50K+ miles will earn 75K Jetblue points for *any* roundtrip flight. So, when these deals pop up, be opportunisitc. In this case, transfer TY/MR/SPG for necessary 50K VA balance, and fly $100 roundtrip from, say, SFO --> LAS, and earn 75K Jetblue bonus.

Just small example and tons of arbitrage opportunities will present itself for those with full UR flexibility.

Re: What's the big deal?

RonM21 — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 10:27:01 GMT

Yes you get to see more sights during your drive but on the other hand I'll get to see more sights in my desired location with less time getting there in some cases

Driving also has it's downside you know if your driving long distance you almost lose 2 days of vacay. Resting before you leave and before getting back on the road for your return trip home.

I get off the plane ready to go (fresh) and ready for an adventure

You'll spend on gas to get there and back my jet fuel was free ...Lol

The 50k points if used correctly can have a value of $0.02 or more a pcs making them have a value of 100k+ points or upwards of $1k+

I am a fan of driving, only because I fear flying for various reasons. However, I know you are sooo right about this. I always think about the time I could have not driving. it just hasn't bothered me more than my fear for flying.