topic Re: Lovin' da AMEX! in Credit Cards

Lovin' da AMEX!

RicHowe — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 01:56:32 GMT

So, I recently applied for some credit cards after shunning them for over 9 years (didn't have one card). I app'd and got the AMEX Delta Platinum and the AMEX Platinum - apparently my scores were okay even after letting my report atrophy for 9 years. Go figure!

So I figure I probably need between 3-5 cards according to @ABCD2199 for optimum scores and I'll probably wait until next April or May before app'ing again to let these new cards age a bit and remove some of the sting of the HPs. I'm thinking of going for the PENFED Gold Visa or Power Cash Rewards VISA Signature® Card. Would these be good ones to get? I'm not a fan of Capital One (although I do have an online checking account with them) or Citibank. JP Morgan Chase would be something I could entertain.

For now i'm loving having the AMEX cards. I'm not sure what the concensus is with everyone around here, but so far AMEX customer service has been nothing short of amazing. I'm taking advantage of all the SUBs and the perks like exclusive offers you can load on the cards. I got credited for $200 in eCerts with Delta, free membership in Priority Pass, free UBER credits, credit for my Global Entry fee. I mean what's not to love about these cards?!

Anyone else share the love of AMEX with me?

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 02:30:46 GMT

I'll share the love. 3X CLI @ 61 days. I haven't gone Platinum yet, but intent on getting the Platinum Delta for the companion fare. Probably get that one this summer along with a 2% card.

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

K-in-Boston — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 02:33:38 GMT

I share your love of Amex! If I could only have 3 cards right now, they'd be the Amex Platinum, Amex SPG and Chase Sapphire Preferred (for merchants that don't take Amex). One thing to note is that charge cards don't factor in the number of revolving credit cards reporting balances score column, so if you're going for 3 cards as an example you would not want to count the Platinum as one of them. Now that you have gold status with Hilton and Starwood (and by extension, Marriott and Ritz-Carlton), it may be time to consider a hotel card? Using SPG as a Marriott card is all the rage these days; all of us cool kids are doing it.

I'd also highly suggest looking into the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve if they meet your spend and goals. They have many transfer partners that can eek out quite a lot of value from UR points. Keep in mind that most Chase cards are subject to 5/24 (which is not a problem for you now, but if you do want a Chase card in the next two years make sure it's one of the next 3 you get).

Welcome back to the credit game and I'm glad you're cashing in and getting rewarded for your spend.

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

RicHowe — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 02:48:06 GMT

Yeah. I got the AMEX Platinum because it helps me budget and I typically PTZ to maintain best Util on both cards. I will probably give the AZEO strategy a try once i have another/more revolvers.

I'm not a churner so 5 cards would be max for me.

Chase Sapphire would be a good consideration if I don't go with PENFED.

I do want another AMEX like the EDP or ED to have at least a few non AF cards 😃

So far AMEX has impressed me greatly.

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

MrDisco99 — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 03:27:08 GMT

I also went several years without any credit cards after getting in trouble with them when I was younger. Amex welcomed me back and has been very good to me since then. I've definitely gotten more out of my Amex cards than from any others.

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

wasCB14 — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 04:28:24 GMT

I'll be the dissenting voice.

I really like Platinum for perks (Cent/Delta lounges, concierge, credits), but their limited built-in travel insurance and lack of price protection means I often use a different card.

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 04:38:07 GMT

They're ok, I like Credit One better.

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

simplynoir — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 05:15:11 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
I'll be the dissenting voice.

I really like Platinum for perks (Cent/Delta lounges, concierge, credits), but their limited built-in travel insurance and lack of price protection means I often use a different card.

+1 I love AMEX but they have some drawbacks that need to be taken into consideration with these being the main ones (other than acceptance which is a given). Still my favorite issuer though.

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

wasCB14 — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 06:44:15 GMT

@simplynoir wrote:
@wasCB14 wrote:
I'll be the dissenting voice.

I really like Platinum for perks (Cent/Delta lounges, concierge, credits), but their limited built-in travel insurance and lack of price protection means I often use a different card.
+1 I love AMEX but they have some drawbacks that need to be taken into consideration with these being the main ones (other than acceptance which is a given). Still my favorite issuer though.

I can understand why people like Amex for reimbursable business travel expenses. The customer experience is pretty smooth, and if something goes wrong, it's someone else's money that's lost. All my travel on my own dime, though.

I think they used to offer price protection, but the terms were so flexible they were used in unintended ways and the program ended. I think they also offered travel protection on US-issued Platinums, but stopped including it on new accounts years ago. Not sure if some old cards still have it. Maybe they found travel protection cost them too much, or hoped people would buy not-that-cheap policies for specific trips from them. In other countries, the Platinum AF is higher but travel insurance is often included.

Filing a claim with Citi or Chase isn't always smooth...but at least there's significant protection in place. With Amex, all I've heard of is sympathetic CSRs occasionally issuing a credit for something small if the customer thought it was covered.

It is a bit odd that a company can have such great protections for merchandise problems, but such weak ones for travel problems. By comparison, my $75 Hyatt card comes excellent travel protections and even a renewal night.

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

RicHowe — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 11:10:04 GMT

It's interesting that people continue to mention the lack of card acceptance, but i have yet to find any place that has not accepted the card for me.

While it is true that Visa is accepted in more places, in practice it seems to be a non issue except for the smallest retailer.

We'll see after my trip to France 😃

I'll have to re-read my card benefits, but i know AMEX price protects travel booked through AMEX Travel.

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

RicHowe — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 11:15:19 GMT

@oldman87
That's funny right there!

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

RicHowe — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 11:19:41 GMT

One thing I forgot to mention is that by February I'll have accumulated 180k miles with Delta between SUBs and spend.

AMEX FTW!

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

SomewhereIn505 — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 12:31:28 GMT

@RicHowe wrote:
So, I recently applied for some credit cards after shunning them for over 9 years (didn't have one card). I app'd and got the AMEX Delta Platinum and the AMEX Platinum - apparently my scores were okay even after letting my report atrophy for 9 years. Go figure!

@Anonymous I figure I probably need between 3-5 cards according to @Anonymous for optimum scores and I'll probably wait until next April or May before app'ing again to let these new cards age a bit and remove some of the sting of the HPs. I'm thinking of going for the PENFED Gold Visa or Power Cash Rewards VISA Signature® Card. Would these be good ones to get? I'm not a fan of Capital One (although I do have an online checking account with them) or Citibank. JP Morgan Chase would be something I could entertain.

For now i'm loving having the AMEX cards. I'm not sure what the concensus is with everyone around here, but so far AMEX customer service has been nothing short of amazing. I'm taking advantage of all the SUBs and the perks like exclusive offers you can load on the cards. I got credited for $200 in eCerts with Delta, free membership in Priority Pass, free UBER credits, credit for my Global Entry fee. I mean what's not to love about these cards?!

Anyone else share the love of AMEX with me?

Agreed for you to skip Cap One. I like your idea of PenFed Powed Cash and it should give you a decent SL. Chase would be good too if your under 5/24. I personally wanted a card with each vendor - MC, Visa, Disco, and AmEx. My MC is with Cap One but they’re rebuilder card and I am almost past that point needing them.

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

RicHowe — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 12:36:25 GMT

Yeah not a fan of Capital One.

Didn't they start out years ago as a subprime lender, then cleaned up their act?

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

simplynoir — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 13:59:00 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
@simplynoir wrote:
@wasCB14 wrote:
I'll be the dissenting voice.

I really like Platinum for perks (Cent/Delta lounges, concierge, credits), but their limited built-in travel insurance and lack of price protection means I often use a different card.
+1 I love AMEX but they have some drawbacks that need to be taken into consideration with these being the main ones (other than acceptance which is a given). Still my favorite issuer though.
I can understand why people like Amex for reimbursable business travel expenses. The customer experience is pretty smooth, and if something goes wrong, it's someone else's money that's lost. All my travel on my own dime, though.

I think they used to offer price protection, but the terms were so flexible they were used in unintended ways and the program ended. I think they also offered travel protection on US-issued Platinums, but stopped including it on new accounts years ago. Not sure if some old cards still have it. Maybe they found travel protection cost them too much, or hoped people would buy not-that-cheap policies for specific trips from them. In other countries, the Platinum AF is higher but travel insurance is often included.

Filing a claim with Citi or Chase isn't always smooth...but at least there's significant protection in place. With Amex, all I've heard of is sympathetic CSRs occasionally issuing a credit for something small if the customer thought it was covered.

It is a bit odd that a company can have such great protections for merchandise problems, but such weak ones for travel problems. By comparison, my $75 Hyatt card comes excellent travel protections and even a renewal night.

I don't have much experience with reimbursement for business travel except for one time but it was a pleasant experience all around. Think the only complaint that I can recall is how long it took but still refundable travel is money back in the pocket. As for travel protection it's why I finally got the CSR last month for my personal travel (seemed the simplest solution) and debating getting a Citi card for price rewinds. Need to research that more next year.

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Nov 2017 03:24:57 GMT

What denominations did you do your delta eCerts

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

RicHowe — Sun, 19 Nov 2017 03:28:44 GMT

4 x $50 for $200 in credits.

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

RicHowe — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 01:28:33 GMT

Update! Still lovin' da AMEX!

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

Gregory1776 — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 02:10:55 GMT

@RicHowewrote:
Update! Still lovin' da AMEX!

What are your credit limits up to ,now?

Re: Lovin' da AMEX!

HeavenOhio — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 04:22:37 GMT

@RicHowewrote:
Yeah not a fan of Capital One.

Didn't they start out years ago as a subprime lender, then cleaned up their act?

I don't know the history, but I wouldn't equate subprime with the need to clean up one's act. Being subprime doesn't necessarily mean to also be predatory.