topic Can I Utilize Amex Better? in Credit Cards

Can I Utilize Amex Better?

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 19:30:44 GMT

Hi All,

Been lurking for a while and decided to pose a question that I could use some opinions on.

My current CC lineup is as follows: Chase Freedom, IT, Barclays Apple Rewards (solely for 2 apple purchases for 0%), PRG, Gold Delta Card.

As mentioned, my Barclays is not used, I just have a running balance as I take advantage of 24mos. of 0% financing. This card will actually probably just be paid off in 3-4 months as I do not like looking at balances.

My Chase & IT cards have a handful of reoccuring charges such as utilities and insurance.

My PRG receives about 85% of my usage, from random purchases to commuting costs etc. Essentially anywhere Amex is accepted, I am reaching for my PRG. Whereas, my Delta card is the least used of my cards. I originally app'd for it due to the reward bonus and it is now my highest CL by almost double my other cards.

I've been tempted to upgrade to the Platinum as I keep getting upgrade offers from Amex but I am at a loss of how to handle my other cards. I value MR points above everything else since I can transfer them to various airlines or use them for other items. I also fly Delta about 90% of the time when I do fly. I enjoy the free checked bag with my Delta card but I could do without it.

I am just wondering if it would make sense to PC my Delta card to a no-fee Amex card that also awards MR and essentially transfer those reoccuring charges with my other cards to the new Amex card and continue to use my PRG or Plat as I do. I am also having an internal debate on if I should upgrade to Plat

Re: Can I Utilize Amex Better?

K-in-Boston — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 19:41:50 GMT

Thank you for posting! You would not be able to PC your Delta card into a MR-earning card. If you fly even once a year on Delta with a companion, you may want to consider PCing to the Platinum SkyMiles card as the companion certificate annually easily offsets the $195 AF, or if you can live without the Gold perks you could downgrade to the new Blue SkyMiles card.

As for Platinum, I can't stop singing its praises. I would suggest just applying for it with a good signup bonus that will easily offset your AF for the first year (or two, as long as you use other things like the airline credit) so that you can try it out. No problem with having both if they pay for themselves, and if you wanted to only keep Platinum later on you could always upgrade your PRG and cancel the new Platinum. And if you really want to earn MRs, I'd suggest looking at applying for the EveryDay or EveryDay Preferred card in addition.

Re: Can I Utilize Amex Better?

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 19:58:22 GMT

Thank you for the reponse! Good to know that I cannot PC my Delta card. I am tempted to apply for the Everyday and have my CL transfered to the new Amex card but I do not want that hard pull on my report, especially if I also take the upgrade offer from Amex.

I will have to keep deciding between the upgrade offer and maybe another Amex card for the reoccuring charges.

Re: Can I Utilize Amex Better?

K-in-Boston — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 20:12:00 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Thank you for the reponse! Good to know that I cannot PC my Delta card. I am tempted to apply for the Everyday and have my CL transfered to the new Amex card but I do not want that hard pull on my report, especially if I also take the upgrade offer from Amex.

I will have to keep deciding between the upgrade offer and maybe another Amex card for the reoccuring charges.

No problem at all. We're all here to help each other! You should be able to transfer all but $500 of your Delta over to a new EveryDay card (YMMV but some people have reported difficulty in doing so if the card is less than a year old). It has been extremely rare to see any existing Amex customers receive hard pulls for new products all year, by the way. I got an SPG and a Platinum SkyMiles this year and my last HP from Amex was 15 years ago. A new account reporting on your credit reports has more sting than a hard inquiry in almost all cases, anyway.