topic Re: Cancel Amex Plat? in Credit Cards

Cancel Amex Plat?

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 15:25:57 GMT

So I couldn’t resist and I upgraded to the Hilton Aspire. The benefits are enticing. I travel maybe 3-4 times a year & the wife does too for work so the 5x airline from the Plat helps. We stay where the prices are reasonable and if there’s an SPG/Marriot that would be the first choice (I use either the Plat or spg card depending where i stay). I currently have the Amex Gold and SPG. Before the Aspire, we just used the SPG for all spend (considering star points value is strong).

It seems I can get a better value from the Aspire card for general spend but how strong are Hilton points compared to MR and SPG?

Am I crazy for having 2 high AF cards?

Re: Cancel Amex Plat?

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 15:28:39 GMT

Pull out Excel and make your spend categories down the first column with each row for each card and then calculate your spend versus each card then start slicing cards out to see.

My annual spend is very high so my "maximum rewards" tells me I could probably pay $1500 in AF and make more than just have 2 or 1 high AF card -- but I don't qualify for all the cards that would maximize my rewards. So $1500 in AFs might earn me $700 more a year than $1000 in AFs which might earn me $1000 more a year than 1 $550 card does.

Re: Cancel Amex Plat?

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 15:34:24 GMT

Ok I’ll do that. Thank you.

Also, I forgot to say I would lose my status with Marriot and SPG but I haven’t seen a difference in it. Maybe the diamond status would have a better experience?

Re: Cancel Amex Plat?

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 15:59:57 GMT

A Hilton Point = 0.06 cents a piece in most cases.

At Hilton, you're getting essentially (0.06) x 14 = 8.4% back at Hilton properties.

On flights, car rentals, and restaurants, you're getting (0.6) x 7 = 4.2% back.

You're getting 1.8% back on everything else.

The Marriott card itself is worthless compared to the value of SPG and even any of Hilton's cards. Heck, you can get 3 Marriott points per $1 with the SPG card anyways.

Re: Cancel Amex Plat?

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 13:10:29 GMT

I feel like the valuation of Hilton points are quickly diminishing. I used to value them at half a penny, but as of lately it feels more like .3 or .4 cents. If you travel internationally you’ll get much better value, but most of my usage is domestic business travel where the other Property ammeneties don’t matter as much. I’m sitting on about half a million points there and that would likely buy me about 5 Days in a nice place for the family. . Btw they also just nixed the double dipping with airlines.

Re: Cancel Amex Plat?

Loquat — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 02:58:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I feel like the valuation of Hilton points are quickly diminishing. I used to value them at half a penny, but as of lately it feels more like .3 or .4 cents. If you travel internationally you’ll get much better value, but most of my usage is domestic business travel where the other Property ammeneties don’t matter as much. I’m sitting on about half a million points there and that would likely buy me about 5 Days in a nice place for the family. . Btw they also just nixed the double dipping with airlines.

I have similar feelings about the Hilton card. I still have my (no fee) card but I'm goint to let it die on a vine. Hilton points in my experience are worth very, very little and you're right...trying to stay anywhere decent will cost you a TON of points.

Re: Cancel Amex Plat?

BronzeTrader — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 15:09:59 GMT

I have not used my Hilton card for years. Thinking of closing it. But it is my oldest AmEx card, more than 10 years old.

IMO, all the Hilton cards can't compare with Chase CSR and the AmEx Plat. I may get the new Hilton cards for the SUB, but not daily earner.

Re: Cancel Amex Plat?

NRB525 — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 15:29:28 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Ok I’ll do that. Thank you.

Also, I forgot to say I would lose my status with Marriot and SPG but I haven’t seen a difference in it. Maybe the diamond status would have a better experience?

I think once you close the AMEX Platinum and go to an SPG property, you will notice the reduction in how they treat you

Went to Kona in 2016 as an SPG Gold, and got upgraded to an ocean view room with virtually a private view.

Went to Maui in 2017 as a regular SPG, and after asking, got a higher floor, “golf course view”. Now, it is an awesome view, but not an ocean view which I think it would have been if Gold.