topic Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail in Credit Cards

AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 19:49:40 GMT

Hi myFico family. As some of you know, i like to write my questions in detail to avoid confusion, trolling and bad arguments...so here it goes.

1. I currently use the EDP for ALL my expenses so i can meet the 30 transactions for 50% MRs then transfer to Delta.

2. I use the Uber Visa for restaurants at 4x/$1 spent (Use those points to ride Uber).

Would it make sense to apply for the AMEX Gold?

- Earn 4X Membership Rewards points at US restaurants (Will replace my Uber VISA AND will be able to transfer MRs to Delta)

- Earn 4X Membership Rewards points at US supermarkets (better than EDP, which is only 3X/$1 spent)

- $250 AF - $100 yearly airline credit - $120 yearly food credit = $30

- What is the MRs/$1 spent on gas? 1 still?

Will getting the Gold give me more MRs for a $30 increse in AFs? Am I missing something?

Thanks in advanced!

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 20:05:17 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

- Earn 4X Membership Rewards points at US supermarkets (better than EDP, which is only 3X/$1 spent)

If you meet your 30 transactions a month, isn't EDP 4.5MR per $? A big difference though is that EDP only does this up to $6K spend, the Gold card is much higher.

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

RicHowe — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 20:33:54 GMT

Current lineup is best according to my estimated numbers:

Spend Category	Spend (Monthly)	EDP Multiplier	MR Points	UBER Multiplier	UBER Points
Groceries	1000	3	3000		0
Subscriptions	150	1	150		0
Phone	150	1	150		0
Mortgage/Rent	1500	1	1500		0
Fuel	400	2	800		0
Dining	500		0	4	2000
Installment Loans	450	1	450		0
Net Points			6050		0
EDP Bonus 50%			3025		0
Total Points Earned (EDP/UBER)	11075		9075		2000

Spend Category	Spend (Monthly)	Gold Multiplier	MR Points	UBER Multiplier	UBER Points
Groceries	1000	4	4000		0
Subscriptions	150	1	150		0
Phone	150	1	150		0
Mortgage/Rent	1500	1	1500		0
Fuel	400	1	400		0
Dining	500	4	2000		0
Installment Loans	450	1	450		0
Total Points (GOLD)	8650		8650		0

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 21:14:38 GMT

The both pair pretty well together imo. I’m considering upgrading my Everyday to the preferred after I’ve had it a year.

You can meet the 30 transactions threshold by doing 0.50c amazon reloads I think. That’s only like 15$ a month then you can use the EDP for Gas, Groceries (first 6k then move to Gold) and other non bonus spend.

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 21:31:55 GMT

That dinning credit is extremely limited.

But I would go for gold and cancel EDP. Similar AF after credit.

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 22:57:35 GMT

@chriswmfeng But if I get rid of the EDP, I will be loosing the 30 transactions for 50%

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 22:56:34 GMT

@longtimelurker I only spend right at $6k/year on groceries

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:01:08 GMT

@RicHowe great detail! Thanks for that!

So I guess the difference in MRs could be made up by the $100 travel credit, but as far as maximizing the MRs, makes sense.

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:03:48 GMT

@RicHowe wrote:
Current lineup is best according to my estimated numbers:

Spend Category Spend (Monthly) EDP Multiplier MR Points UBER Multiplier UBER Points
Groceries 1000 3 3000 0
Subscriptions 150 1 150 0
Phone 150 1 150 0
Mortgage/Rent 1500 1 1500 0
Fuel 400 2 800 0
Dining 500 0 4 2000
Installment Loans 450 1 450 0
Net Points 6050 0
EDP Bonus 50% 3025 0
Total Points Earned (EDP/UBER) 11075 9075 2000

Spend Category Spend (Monthly) Gold Multiplier MR Points UBER Multiplier UBER Points
Groceries 1000 4 4000 0
Subscriptions 150 1 150 0
Phone 150 1 150 0
Mortgage/Rent 1500 1 1500 0
Fuel 400 1 400 0
Dining 500 4 2000 0
Installment Loans 450 1 450 0
Total Points (GOLD) 8650 8650 0

While these are monthly, it doesn't take into account the grocery cap on the EDP, so after month 6 the user would be getting 1,000 rather than 3,000 (each then multiplied by 1.5)

However, OP says grocery spend is about $6k, so that doesn't apply (but neither does your comparison!)

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:06:31 GMT

@mr_suave didn't think about that ($6k w EDP then move to Gold). We usual stay right at $6k to $6.5k per year

As for the transactions, I do about 5 transactions on my Cox bill, 5 on cell bill, 5 on water bill = 15 etc. The other 15 come from groceries (4 times a week) gas (twice a week), the the rest on bills. I've been able to do so with no problems from AMEX.

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:07:59 GMT

I did have the PRG before, so I know I won't get the bonus correct?

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:12:13 GMT

I love the fact that the Gold also has the $100 travel credit, I currently have $600 in gift cards that I've accumulated with my previous two AMEX Platinum.

My flights always include food, so don't really use the $200 travel credit on Platinum. If I get the Gold, I can now get $300/year on gift cards for Delta. The only problem is that you can only use 3 gift cards per ticket.

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

wasCB14 — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:12:34 GMT

What cpp value do you use for MRs? Are you eligible for a BBP? Any other off-category cards you'd consider? How much off-category spend do you have?

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:14:47 GMT

I find the Gold and EDP to be a great 1-2 punch. Gold on dining, groceries and travel.

EDP for most everything else (especially small swipe purchases at convenience stores) that is not Cat spend on my other cards.

Excellent MR earning potential with this combo.

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

redpat — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:15:27 GMT

I dumped my EDP and stick w/ gold it's the only personal card I use.

W/O gas or grocery there was no sense because 30x would become difficult. BGR is 3x for me and employees gas.

Most of our other purchases are done online on either AA or UR shopping portals so the .50 point really doesn't matter.

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:22:46 GMT

@wasCB14 have no idea what the means, sorry.

My spend is:
Goceries $480/month
Gas $200/month
Cox
TMobile
Home alarm
Dog tracker
Water bill
Netflix
Dog insurance
Spotify
Home insurance/car insurance

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:24:46 GMT

@Miesterbro that's EXACTLY what I was thinking because I can still get 30 transactions per month on EDP even if I use the Gold for groceries and restaurants

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

simplynoir — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:36:56 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@wasCB14 have no idea what the means, sorry.

He’s asking how much do you value each MR point you earn.

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:38:00 GMT

So is this still the "PRG" ? Can I still get the bonus? Or no?

Re: AMEX Gold Card vs EDP Maximizing Rewards - Detail

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 23:41:49 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous But if I get rid of the EDP, I will be loosing the 30 transactions for 50%

isn't 50% only applied for those 30 transactions?