topic Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR in Credit Cards

Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 22:35:39 GMT

I'm on the hunt for a premium travel card and I still cannot make up my mind on which. I'm very well aware with the benefits, pros and cons of each - but I guess I need a second opinion. Here's my thoughts on each (I only highlight features I'd use and drawbacks for me):

Basic facts:

Currently based in San Antonio with a potential relocation to PHL in the near future

729 TU FICO 8 / 727 EX

6% UTIL

7 INQ on EX / 5 EQ / 4 TU

at 4/24 for Chase's purposes

Ritz

Fully metal card

10% points back (making it a 1.1x/2.2x card)

Dining/travel point bonus

JP Morgan Concierge

Earns Marriott points (which would sort of compliment my SPG - even though Marriott points are worth much less)

AMEX

Get in before fee increase this week

New uber credits, while restrictive, I heavily use Uber (also 2x earning on Uber - if that's still a thing)

Lounge access (Centurion, Delta, etc)

Travel credit is still useful, but need to be creative

Concierge services

MR is a bit weak in that it posts the statement after earning, as well as taxes on redemptions. Also no other bonus besides 5x on airfare

So it's more of a perk card than an earning card

CSR

Would pair nicely with my FU, let me combine my UR and transfer them to a partner or redeem via UR Portal (more than likely since I don't fly WN or UA)

Would not be able to get it until Jan 2018 when I'm back down from 5/24

Travel Credit & Dining/travel point bonus

Kinda kicking myself for not getting in the 100K bonus, but wasn't ready for the card back then

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

wasCB14 — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 23:01:07 GMT

Don't forget elite hotel status from Amex, if you don't have it already. Ritz, too, if you continue to spend enough on the card.

Whether Amex will keep offering Marriott/SPG status a year or two from now is unclear, of course...but these cards change often, anyway.

Which is best for you really just depends on how you value each feature.

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 23:03:45 GMT

I'm already both Hilton Gold and SPG Gold via other means, so I wouldn't use those benefits (asked RC if they would extend my Marriott Gold for another year as well, waiting to hear back)

Also, the Ameriprise Platinum Amex offers no bonus, but also no AF the first year, which is huge.

Anyone know if there are any differences besides no AF the first year? do need to be a customer of Ameriprise? anyone have a comparison between the two?

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 23:46:47 GMT

IMO if you are going to have just one of those, I would pick the CSR any day. It offers most of the perks, automatic super easy travel credit redemption, and is a great point earner if you dine out or travel at all.

That being said, I still might keep the Amex around because it has great perks and I live in a Delta hub city...

Ritz is fun for sure, and if you stay in Ritz/Marriott/SPG properties often I can see it making sense but you are locked to that conglomerate as far as points earning - which is another reason I would recommend the CSR instead.

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

wasCB14 — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 23:59:58 GMT

It seems that unless you get a lot of value from at least one of:

1. JPM customer service or concierge

2. A very heavy card

3. The RC signup bonus

...then you might be able to exclude Ritz.

And between CSR and Platinum it's more "your value may vary".

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 00:12:33 GMT

Wait and get the CSR, same as me. I think I have like 16 months.

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

BronzeTrader — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 01:14:55 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm on the hunt for a premium travel card and I still cannot make up my mind on which. I'm very well aware with the benefits, pros and cons of each - but I guess I need a second opinion. Here's my thoughts on each (I only highlight features I'd use and drawbacks for me):

Basic facts:
Currently based in San Antonio with a potential relocation to PHL in the near future
729 TU FICO 8 / 727 EX
6% UTIL
7 INQ on EX / 5 EQ / 4 TU
at 4/24 for Chase's purposes

Ritz
Fully metal card
10% points back (making it a 1.1x/2.2x card)
Dining/travel point bonus
JP Morgan Concierge
Earns Marriott points (which would sort of compliment my SPG - even though Marriott points are worth much less)

AMEX
Get in before fee increase this week
New uber credits, while restrictive, I heavily use Uber (also 2x earning on Uber - if that's still a thing)
Lounge access (Centurion, Delta, etc)
Travel credit is still useful, but need to be creative
Concierge services
MR is a bit weak in that it posts the statement after earning, as well as taxes on redemptions. Also no other bonus besides 5x on airfare
So it's more of a perk card than an earning card

CSR
Would pair nicely with my FU, let me combine my UR and transfer them to a partner or redeem via UR Portal (more than likely since I don't fly WN or UA)
Would not be able to get it until Jan 2018 when I'm back down from 5/24
Travel Credit & Dining/travel point bonus
Kinda kicking myself for not getting in the 100K bonus, but wasn't ready for the card back then

Already a lot of posts about this. CSR wins over AmEx Plat in general. Ritz is differnet. A lot folks go for that card for its heavy metal....

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

mkhan1093 — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 03:19:40 GMT

I think that since you're 4/24 that you should get a Chase card because you could get the Platinum later after trying out one of the Chase cards and see if it's to your liking. Get the Platinum first, though, and you've locked yourself out. And as for which Chase card, I would recommend the Reserve (not only because I'm biased since I have one ) since it provides more value back to you, at least it does for most people, than the Ritz card.

The Ritz, however, is a Visa Infinite card that has access to the Visa Infinite discount portal which the CSR does not allow access to. This portal allows you to get pretty much $100 off any domestic roundtrip for 2-5 people. It would benefit you to only do it with 2 since it's a $100 overall discount and not per person.

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

mongstradamus — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 14:21:11 GMT

@mkhan1093 wrote:
I think that since you're 4/24 that you should get a Chase card because you could get the Platinum later after trying out one of the Chase cards and see if it's to your liking. Get the Platinum first, though, and you've locked yourself out. And as for which Chase card, I would recommend the Reserve (not only because I'm biased since I have one ) since it provides more value back to you, at least it does for most people, than the Ritz card.

The Ritz, however, is a Visa Infinite card that has access to the Visa Infinite discount portal which the CSR does not allow access to. This portal allows you to get pretty much $100 off any domestic roundtrip for 2-5 people. It would benefit you to only do it with 2 since it's a $100 overall discount and not per person.

I was wondering about all the differences in the different high end travel cards, I feel like such a noob, i didn't realize my CSR was of the visa infinite variety and I don't even know what that does which is even more sad.

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

mdd0214 — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:46:53 GMT

Rather than wait until 1/18, I would recommend getting the Plat. Since it seems to matter to you, the Plat will offer a metal card starting at the end of this month.

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

garagebandking — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:53:34 GMT

I went for the Ritz last year solely for the 3 free nights and the upgrades and Ritz status as the girlfriend and I are trying to go on a short vacation this year somewhere spiffy, but funds are not abundant after buying a house last summer. I'll probably roll my CSP into the Ritz and PC it to the CSR sometime this fall...I'd app for the CSR but it will be a couple years until I'm under 5/24.

If you were aiming to test drive 1,2, or 3 of these cards...I'd do what another posted suggested and open up a Chase account first...cash in on the bonus and then see what Amex has to offer on the Platinum. The Platinum isn't going anywhere but if you go that route first, you will likely lock out on Chase (except the Ritz which wasn't 5/24 when I applied but might be now...)

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 16:04:16 GMT

Solid advice by everyone here. I would just like to add (sorry if it has already been mentioned and if you already know this) that getting the CSR would be beneficial right now. You are 4/24 + cards that are not cobranded generate more revenue for the bank so it would eventually lead to better relationship with the bank over time (if you do not pay late or default). If you still want the platinum and ritz you can always get them later.

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

yfan — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 19:05:26 GMT

MF is pretty partial to Chase and the CSR, and no doubt the CSR is a great travel card. But the Amex Platinum gives you more benefits and exclusivity:

First, if you value MRs and URs roughly equally, you'd be getting 67% more rewards on airfare with the Amex Platinum.
Amex has way more partner airlines for transfer than Chase.
You would also get 5X MRs for hotels booked through Amex Travel, if you think it's worth booking that way.
More lounge access. In addition to what everyone else gives you, Amex gives you Delta Skyclub AND Centurion lounges.
If you ever ceased having status at hotels through other means, the Platinum would cover it.
The Uber credits and Airline credits - assuming you use them all - will effectively make the Platinum a $50 AF card for the first year (if you get in before the AF goes up), and $150 AF thereafter (with the CSR starting at $150 and staying there assuming you can use the $300 travel credit with them).
While most everyone here will tell you that they are highly satisfied with Chase, in 2016 JD Power ranked Chase not only below Amex in overall customer satisfaction, but between Amex (2nd place) and Chase (5th place) were Barclays and Capital One! Naturally, Chase reserves the best of its service for the CSR, but the same is true for Amex and the Platinum. So yes, the survey represents an overall picture and YMMV, but to the extent you value that overall picture, Amex wins.

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

deltatee — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 19:30:53 GMT

Unless I am mistaken (which is totally possible), isn't the Philly airport almost all American Airlines? I personally think that a lot of the Plat's benefits work best in conjunction with flying on Delta. At least the CSR allows for redemption on American, Delta, United, Southwest through the UR portal. Also, since you don't need the hotel status on Hilton or SPG/Marriott that comes with the Plat, that seems to eliminate a lot of the Plat's value.

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

wasCB14 — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 19:39:06 GMT

@deltatee wrote:
Unless I am mistaken (which is totally possible), isn't the Philly airport almost all American Airlines? I personally think that a lot of the Plat's benefits work best in conjunction with flying on Delta. At least the CSR allows for redemption on American, Delta, United, Southwest through the UR portal. Also, since you don't need the hotel status on Hilton or SPG/Marriott that comes with the Plat, that seems to eliminate a lot of the Plat's value.

PHL is getting a Centurion later this year.

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

deltatee — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 20:23:03 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
@deltatee wrote:
Unless I am mistaken (which is totally possible), isn't the Philly airport almost all American Airlines? I personally think that a lot of the Plat's benefits work best in conjunction with flying on Delta. At least the CSR allows for redemption on American, Delta, United, Southwest through the UR portal. Also, since you don't need the hotel status on Hilton or SPG/Marriott that comes with the Plat, that seems to eliminate a lot of the Plat's value.
PHL is getting a Centurion later this year.

Well that is a good news and definitely a perk!

Re: Ritz vs. AMEX Plat vs. CSR

wasCB14 — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 22:33:45 GMT

@deltatee wrote:
@wasCB14 wrote:
@deltatee wrote:
Unless I am mistaken (which is totally possible), isn't the Philly airport almost all American Airlines? I personally think that a lot of the Plat's benefits work best in conjunction with flying on Delta. At least the CSR allows for redemption on American, Delta, United, Southwest through the UR portal. Also, since you don't need the hotel status on Hilton or SPG/Marriott that comes with the Plat, that seems to eliminate a lot of the Plat's value.
PHL is getting a Centurion later this year.
Well that is a good news and definitely a perk!

It's supposed to open in August, I think...so the only reason to rush an app would be to get in on a lower AF for a year.

Wikipedia says PHL has full airside connectivity, so the 20% or so of non-AA flights out of PHL should also have access.