topic Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card in Credit Cards

Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

rbentley — Tue, 08 May 2018 18:35:29 GMT

Is there any reason to have a pure AMX card (one issued by them) vs a co-branded one from a bank or CU? I have used my pure AMX to get accessive to special concert ticket offers for AMX customers. Are all of the pure AMX benefits available on co-branded cards? I do have a Everday card but it is stuck at a low limit. I am thinking of apping for the NFCU AMX card.

Re: Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

Adkins — Tue, 08 May 2018 18:41:01 GMT

@rbentley wrote:
Is there any reason to have a pure AMX card (one issued by them) vs a co-branded one from a bank or CU? True MR points and not whatever the bank or credit union program puts in place. Plus the ability to use transfer partners for those MR points. I have used my pure AMX to get accessive to special concert ticket offers for AMX customers. Are all of the pure AMX benefits available on co-branded cards? No, not usually. Those cards are Amex in name only, with none of the benefits. I do have a Everday card but it is stuck at a low limit. I am thinking of apping for the NFCU AMX card.

You want all Amex benefits, you'll need to get an Amex card. I won't apply for the NFCU Amex card for this reason.

Re: Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

HeavenOhio — Tue, 08 May 2018 23:46:21 GMT

For what it's worth, I'd submit that the cards described in the lead post would be third-party American Express cards. Examples would include Wells Fargo Propel AMEX, USAA Cash Rewards AMEX, and FNBO TravElite AMEX.

Co-branded cards would be issued by AMEX in conjunction with another merchant, e.g. Starwood Preferred Guest, Gold Delta SkyMiles, and Hilton Honors Aspire.

AMEX-branded cards would include Blue Cash Everyday, Blue Cash Preferred, and Premier Rewards Gold.

Because of lesser acceptance, I see no advantage to a third-party card being on the AMEX network. The advantages of having the card would need to come from the perks and rewards associated with it.

Re: Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

UncleB — Wed, 09 May 2018 08:23:17 GMT

Third-part Amex cards do get some of the Amex network 'perks', but you might have to dig around a bit to find details. For Wells Fargo you have to really drill-down in their site to get to the link.

For Wells Fargo Propel cards you are directed to this site: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/network/wellsfargo/?bin=370034000

I did a little looking around and wasn't too impressed, although I admit I'm not one to use many of the extra benefits anyway.

(Note that Amex Offers for third-party cards via linked social media accounts were discontinued.)

Re: Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

UncleB — Wed, 09 May 2018 08:27:51 GMT

@rbentley wrote:
Is there any reason to have a pure AMX card (one issued by them) vs a co-branded one from a bank or CU? I have used my pure AMX to get accessive to special concert ticket offers for AMX customers. Are all of the pure AMX benefits available on co-branded cards? I do have a Everday card but it is stuck at a low limit. I am thinking of apping for the NFCU AMX card.

Using the link provided by Wells Fargo I'm able to eventually drill-down to this TicketMaster site: https://www.ticketmaster.com/amexnetwork

If that's the site you've used in the past for your concert tickets you might be fine with a third-party card.

Re: Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

AverageJoesCredit — Wed, 09 May 2018 12:37:45 GMT

If you are like me where your spend doesn't really take full advantage of full Amex rewards, having 3rd party Amex can be just like have a different Visa or Mastercard. When with other lenders, getting their Amex is a way to enjoy whatever they offer or just have something different.

Re: Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

UpperNwGuy — Wed, 09 May 2018 15:00:48 GMT

The NFCU More Rewards card is not an Amex co-branded card and does not have any Amex benefits. It is simply an NFCU card that uses the Amex payment network. Minimum redemption for cash back is $50, and it would take $1,667 of grocery spending at 3% cash back to earn that $50. I don’t think the card is worth it.

Re: Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

UncleB — Wed, 09 May 2018 15:27:01 GMT

@UpperNwGuy wrote:
The NFCU More Rewards card is not an Amex co-branded card and does not have any Amex benefits. It is simply an NFCU card that uses the Amex payment network. Minimum redemption for cash back is $50, and it would take $1,667 of grocery spending at 3% cash back to earn that $50. I don’t think the card is worth it.

The NFCU Amex likely has the same "Amex Connect" benefits that the WF Propel cards offer, although the info might be buried.

Re: Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

Anonymous — Wed, 09 May 2018 20:12:38 GMT

The third party Amex's from CUs can be great for those that are blacklisted by AMEX.

I have the PenFed Pathfinder Amex and find the benefits to be far better than NFCUs. 4x points on travel, $100 airline incidental credit each year, free TSA precheck, and more, all with no annual fee.

Re: Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

Anonymous — Wed, 09 May 2018 22:40:14 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
The third party Amex's from CUs can be great for those that are blacklisted by AMEX.

Right, but unless you find the (now small) Amex network benefits worthwhile, you would evaluate it on a card by card basis, no need to get an Amex network card for the sake of it.

Re: Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

Anonymous — Wed, 09 May 2018 22:59:48 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
The third party Amex's from CUs can be great for those that are blacklisted by AMEX.

Right, but unless you find the (now small) Amex network benefits worthwhile, you would evaluate it on a card by card basis, no need to get an Amex network card for the sake of it.

Right, but in some cases it may be their best card.

NFCU's AMEX is their best card. It offers the most bonus categories for no AF, whereas previouslhy, the $49 Flagaship was previously their best card.

Re: Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

Anonymous — Wed, 09 May 2018 23:46:22 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
The third party Amex's from CUs can be great for those that are blacklisted by AMEX.

Right, but unless you find the (now small) Amex network benefits worthwhile, you would evaluate it on a card by card basis, no need to get an Amex network card for the sake of it.
Right, but in some cases it may be their best card.

NFCU's AMEX is their best card. It offers the most bonus categories for no AF, whereas previouslhy, the $49 Flagaship was previously their best card.

Hence my use of "card by card basis" You would get it because it is the best card (for you) and not because it is an Amex.

Re: Pure AMX vs. Co-Branded AMX Card

Anonymous — Thu, 10 May 2018 00:25:35 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
The third party Amex's from CUs can be great for those that are blacklisted by AMEX.

Right, but unless you find the (now small) Amex network benefits worthwhile, you would evaluate it on a card by card basis, no need to get an Amex network card for the sake of it.
Right, but in some cases it may be their best card.

NFCU's AMEX is their best card. It offers the most bonus categories for no AF, whereas previouslhy, the $49 Flagaship was previously their best card.
Hence my use of "card by card basis" You would get it because it is the best card (for you) and not because it is an Amex.

I meant to put "and in some cases."

I find AMEX's to be an issuer's best card in terms of highest rewards, such as with Wells Fargo and Navy Fed, but that isn't always the case.... One example is the USAA Limitless vs. the non-rewards USAA secured AMEX.