topic Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP in Credit Cards

New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

mjb59463 — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 13:16:42 GMT

Hey everyone,
So my SPG has been getting all of my non-cat spend for quite a while and has been a great earner for me, considering how highly I value earning towards Delta and SPG and their transfer rate.

The newly announced changes and devals to the Marriott/SPG program have all but guaranteed that this card loses its place in my wallet, which is a shame.

I’m looking for the new best card to continue prioritizing both Delta and Marriott/SPG rewards through non-cat spend. I’m thinking it needs to come from the Amex portfolio.

Most of my monthly spend comes from restaurants and non-cat spend, which makes this a bit tougher.

Would appreciate any recommendations!

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

Saleen099 — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 13:34:18 GMT

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

Physh1 — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 13:48:24 GMT

Amex EDP has been my DD for a long time for not cat spend. I easily hit 30 transactions a month even now when I'm using my Bar Uber for restaurants (4%) and rent (%5).

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

K-in-Boston — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 14:13:12 GMT

Assuming you would not be opening a business account, EDP would probably be your best bet on earning MRs if you do 30+ transactions a month. If you have significant restaurant spend, after taking out the airline credit, I’d see if a PRG makes sense to add just for that purpose for its 2x restaurant category. Also makes sense to watch for Amex Offers on all of the cards.

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 14:13:24 GMT

Amex BBP is 2X MR on first $50K spend. If you value MRs it's solid, and if you have the Schwab Plat it's worth 2.5% cashback.

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 15:22:11 GMT

I put my non-category spend on the Blue Business Plus and the Everyday Preferred. Both of those cards offer a great return!

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 16:50:56 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I put my non-category spend on the Blue Business Plus and the Everyday Preferred. Both of those cards offer a great return!

I've thought about that method but that means you need to use your card on gas and groceries 30+ times a month in addition to the spend on the BBP to get the full potential of both cards at at the same time. I'd rather not have that requirement over my head and just take the 2x MR on everything instead.

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

simplynoir — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 17:14:03 GMT

I'd imagine Amazon and self-checkout at grocery stores will take care of hitting the transaction threshold every month if you have both cards.

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 17:20:05 GMT

@simplynoir wrote:
I'd imagine Amazon and self-checkout at grocery stores will take care of hitting the transaction threshold every month if you have both cards.

Again, that goes back to the point of having to go out of my way to reach the 30 transactions a month. I'd rather just live my life and spend naturally.

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

simplynoir — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 17:27:44 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@simplynoir wrote:
I'd imagine Amazon and self-checkout at grocery stores will take care of hitting the transaction threshold every month if you have both cards.
Again, that goes back to the point of having to go out of my way to reach the 30 transactions a month. I'd rather just live my life and spend naturally.

If you're already spending your time on a computer/laptop/tablet/phone coming to this forum I'm pretty sure you can spare a few minutes reloading your Amazon account with gift cards at the very least. And self-checkout cares not how you pay if it takes several transactions as long as it gets done. But that's just me.

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

wingennis — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 19:02:34 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@simplynoir wrote:
I'd imagine Amazon and self-checkout at grocery stores will take care of hitting the transaction threshold every month if you have both cards.
Again, that goes back to the point of having to go out of my way to reach the 30 transactions a month. I'd rather just live my life and spend naturally.

I feel the same as you. I may order from Amazon once a month or two and I hate managing gift cards on top of credit cards. I chose the PRG over the EDP so I don't have to manage 30 transactions per month. Once I subtract out the airline credit, I'm at $95. The additional 2x on dining makes up for the additional 1x on groceries for me.

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 00:41:36 GMT

@wingennis wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@simplynoir wrote:
I'd imagine Amazon and self-checkout at grocery stores will take care of hitting the transaction threshold every month if you have both cards.
Again, that goes back to the point of having to go out of my way to reach the 30 transactions a month. I'd rather just live my life and spend naturally.
I feel the same as you. I may order from Amazon once a month or two and I hate managing gift cards on top of credit cards. I chose the PRG over the EDP so I don't have to manage 30 transactions per month. Once I subtract out the airline credit, I'm at $95. The additional 2x on dining makes up for the additional 1x on groceries for me.

That was my thought when I signed up for the PRG, but most restaurants, even though they show up as restaurant on the statement, do not get credited as 2x. I assume it is because they are using a third-party transaction system like square and AMEX has funny language regarding their restaurant bonuses.

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

wasCB14 — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 02:48:52 GMT

How much dining and off-category spend per month are we talking about? Do you own a business, even if it's very small, or have some sort of professional or trade expenses you pay out of pocket (whether you get reimbursed for them or not)? Some hobby with a profit motive?

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:08:21 GMT

Oh, yes the BBP is the way to go for the flat 2x. I don't think I will ever hit $50k in normal OR business spend so it's always guaranteed to rake in points!

Luckily, the EDP for me and wife is easy to hit. While she is efficent in grocery shopping one time a week for everything she needs, I stop by the grocery store daily even when I know I'm cooking the next day

(I also buy a $0.99 cup of coffee at speedway 5 days a week because I wouldn't survive without it lol)

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I put my non-category spend on the Blue Business Plus and the Everyday Preferred. Both of those cards offer a great return!
I've thought about that method but that means you need to use your card on gas and groceries 30+ times a month in addition to the spend on the BBP to get the full potential of both cards at at the same time. I'd rather not have that requirement over my head and just take the 2x MR on everything instead.

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

Gregory1776 — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 12:35:01 GMT

Chase Freedom Unlimited if you don’t have it. (You do) 3% right now first year!!

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

wingennis — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 13:16:05 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@wingennis wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@simplynoir wrote:
I'd imagine Amazon and self-checkout at grocery stores will take care of hitting the transaction threshold every month if you have both cards.
Again, that goes back to the point of having to go out of my way to reach the 30 transactions a month. I'd rather just live my life and spend naturally.
I feel the same as you. I may order from Amazon once a month or two and I hate managing gift cards on top of credit cards. I chose the PRG over the EDP so I don't have to manage 30 transactions per month. Once I subtract out the airline credit, I'm at $95. The additional 2x on dining makes up for the additional 1x on groceries for me.

That was my thought when I signed up for the PRG, but most restaurants, even though they show up as restaurant on the statement, do not get credited as 2x. I assume it is because they are using a third-party transaction system like square and AMEX has funny language regarding their restaurant bonuses.

I've only had one restaurant not code as a restaurant. It showed up as supermarket Still 2x, though!

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

AverageJoesCredit — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 14:58:06 GMT

SPG, R.I.P My condolences.

Re: New Daily Driver now that SPG is RIP

redpat — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 15:32:03 GMT

Back to the bread and butter of MR, UR and sprinkle in some AA miles.