topic Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige in Credit Cards

AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

Deuter — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 04:52:48 GMT

Hello Guys,

I only want to have 3 US Credit Cards and no more, i want to keep things simple.

Currently i have the AAdvantage Platinum Select WE Mastercard which is the only card that i have and my first card.

I am an EU citizen and i live between EU/USA constantly but will spend most of my time in the EU.

I don't have SSN or ITIN so i can only get Citi or AMEX cards so far.

Here is how my usage looks:

I want a no foreign transaction fees card that i can use as my main card or secondary card for purchases, dining out and travel. I already have the AA one, but want something more fancy. I want a card that i could pair or get more value in using conjuntly with my AA card that i don't plan to cancel.

The card is going to be used in Europe for restaurants/dining purchases mainly. Then for Purchases in the US or online (I don't shop in Europe), and then for Airfare & Travel. Does it make any sense for me to get one of these (Amex Plat or Citi Prestige) ?

I have to be honest. I want a metal card and the more premium feel the best for me it's even important these little things, the AA card bugs me a lil because of the construction of the card. It gets chipped as paper and as i use the card daily i just wish that the other card was a little better put together, though this isn't really important, it's just a nitpick.

Re Travel:

I travel less than 5 times a year internationally but i am a travel hacker & enthusiast. Even if i don't travel i been AA Platinum for 8 years in a row and had lifetime Star Alliance Gold for a while. I'm a demanding user to the point that i don't like AAdmiral's club but prefer Centurion lounges where available. Lounge access is important to me and I'm based at MIA when i'm in the US but would use also lounges throughout the world, I always PIF my cards, and even pay them full even before the statements come in.

My expenses are low. I can put less than 10k annually on a given card. I don't care about sign up bonuses because they won't tempt me to put an additional expending that i wouldn't otherwise do.

Is it really necessary i get the AMEX Plat or the Prestige? Or these 2 cards does awfully when using it with my AAdvantage card?

Wow, such hard decisions, i need guidance!

Thanks a lot.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

simplynoir — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 04:59:36 GMT

Just the simple fact that you'll primairly be in the EU makes it an easier choice to pick the Prestige just because credit card acceptance will be easier than using AMEX over there. Beyond that it's just a matter of making use of the benefits enough where the AF basically pays for itself.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

wasCB14 — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 05:58:39 GMT

Lounges: Amex wins by a lot

Rewards: Prestige wins by a lot in your case...but on $10k of spend per year, the difference may not be huge

Bling: Amex wins by a lot, but you may also encounter lower acceptance

Schwab Amex Platinum since 2016, Prestige 2016-2018

You might look at the Ameriprise Amex Platinum...waived 1st year AF, no bonus.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 07:05:52 GMT

Not sure how your going to get around the AMEX acceptance rate in Europe so it would goto the prestige. Have you considered the CSR ?since it would also pay bonuses on its categories in Europe as well.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 08:58:20 GMT

Just a quick note, you can also get Bank of America cards without having a SSN. They issue cards on the Visa and MasterCard network which are far more readily accepted in Europe than Amex.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 11:21:31 GMT

Prestige, obviously. AF is easier to cut down, better trip protection, and ofc, better acceptance.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

red259 — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 15:32:56 GMT

The ameriprise offer has changed and its no longer free first year.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

jb1280 — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 16:24:32 GMT

I’m going to be the contrarian in this thread. Get the Platinum Card, hands down.

You’re based in Miami where there is a Centurion Lounge. There isn’t a premium card on the market that has lounges covered like Platinum, certainly not Prestige and you mention that’s important to you as a benefit.

Your spend is relatively low. In the worst case scenario, with Platinum you’ll earn 10,000 Membership rewards at a minimum and a maximum of 50,000 Thank You Points with Prestige. In reality, the delta will probably be closer once you account for airfare purchases and non-restaurant spend. For argument’s sake, let’s say it’s $400 worth of value.

Your effective annual fee for Prestige would be $155 and if you’re able to effectively use all of the credits on Platinum, it would be $50. This closes the delta on ‘value’ from the card.

Finally, from my own experience, I’ve had fairly good luck using Amex in Europe. Of course it depends on what country you are in and what type of places you are, but that’s why you have a backup card.

I personally don’t even think this is close.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

budugu — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 18:04:14 GMT

It almost seems like your heart wants plat but your brain would suggest prestige

I would go with the prestige because other than the lounge access there is nothing going for amex plat in your case. Acceptance, bonus points for dining and flying abroad, better travel credit, price protection when shopping here. Does Amex uber credit work in EU?

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

wasCB14 — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 18:37:55 GMT

Some Prestige supporters are citing benefits OP already has with AA Platinum Select.

@Anonymous wrote:
Prestige, obviously. AF is easier to cut down, better trip protection, and ofc, better acceptance.

Not necessarily, with airline/Uber credits and a home Cent at MIA.

@red259 wrote:
The ameriprise offer has changed and its no longer free first year.

Yes, I see this has just changed today.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

Deuter — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 23:32:35 GMT

I've been reading all posts guys but what is the value added that gives me the Citi Prestige over the AAdvantage Platinum card i already have?

It all boils down to the PP and $250 airline credit? As far as i understand i have the travel protection and the same price protection?

I still can't make up my mind. I know that the acceptance rate is better with Visa/Master in Europe so that should be logical but i was really fancying more the Amex as it was of a more upscale experience in the sense of reputation of the brand, material of the card and weight on the hand. Still, my brain says that maybe is true and for my particular scenario a Prestige would work better even if its not as renowed like an Amex.

Is the new 2019 Prestige metal? If its metal does it feel more or the flimsy side or is more on the sturdy side?

I would be all over Europe. I am currently in the Netherlands, where Credit Cards are not widely accepted and not very popular. Thankfully my AA Plat works everywhere in Netherlands exept the Albert Heijn that i use my Dutch debit Maestro. But still, i am in Netherlands now but can change countries fairly quickly.. go EU country hoping in a matter of months regarding where i find my next work gig.

I just wanted a second credit card to have more of a variety of different benefits and use one or another regarding the case basis. Also to have a special card that is better than my AA and to open a second credit card account so i develop some credit history faster as i only have a single credit card. Currently the AA sits at 16.5K and it's fine.

Does the Prestige would give me much more valuable points than using the AA for my daily expenses in EU? How does the Prestige Points compare to AAdvantage miles in value/worth? I am very knowledgeable about AA miles and know how to use them but i do not know about TY points.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

wasCB14 — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 23:40:10 GMT

Prestige will earn you a lot of TY points:

5x on airfare and dining

3x on cruises and hotels

2x on entertainment (several exclusions and this will be going away later this year)

1x on everything else

When I had the card and used it frequently, I could redeem TY points for revenue flights on AA at 1.6 cents per point. This is no longer an option.

To redeem TYs for an AA flight, you can either pay with points directly or transfer miles to Cathay, some Etihad codeshares (supposedly a hassle to book), Malaysia, Qantas, or Qatar.

I just use AA and BA for oneworld, so can't give you much advice here.

AA Platinum Select has many of the same benefits as Prestige...not all, and many are watered-down. Platinum has a few weaknesses as far as travel insurance, but you're already getting some basic coverage for these if you book travel with your AA card and use Platinum for lounges and other comfort perks.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 00:48:07 GMT

prestige is a metal card, its the similar weight as CSR, a bit less than Amex Plat.

(pic from morewithmiles)

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

wasCB14 — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 01:26:23 GMT

Frankly, if weight/metal/bling is truly a necessity rather than just a nice incidental feature, you should probably skip Prestige.

This is assuming the card has not been redesigned since mid-2017.

They made a big fuss over metal in 2017, advertising it and sending out replacements. Yet the new card was barely distinguishable from the old one.

It would be one thing if they changed the card in an ostentatious way. Then it would at least be different.

But on getting the new card, I recall my reaction being one of "Why did they even bother to change it?".

Their disorganized shipping department even sent me a replacement at least twice. I wished they had not spent the money on printing and shipping and instead just kept Admirals access for another month or two.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

Shadowfactor — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 01:49:29 GMT

Welcome to the forum.

If you do a lot of international traveling and will be relying on your credit card for expenses. I wouldn’t get an Amex. The acceptance rate is god awful in a lot of places.

I understand wanting the perks of an Amex card but I think you would be better off with Chase, Citi or US Bank.

The Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite would really be a good option if you can somehow open a USB bank account to become a customer.

Contactless payments are huge in Europe which would allow the Altitude Reserve to really shine with 3X on all mobile pay. That’s 4.5% back for the lowest net annual fee out of all the options provided.

The card is metal as well and has quite a decent heft to it since that seems to be important to you.

The annual fee is $400 with a $325 travel credit. So a $75 net annual fee. You are then offered airline WiFi passes, priority pass lounges (which covers a great deal of Europe) to help recoup the remaining net fee.

The miles aren’t transferable like they are with some other banks but Real-Time Rewards is a nice option to book direct that most banks don’t offer. There’s a travel portal as well. Points are worth 1.5CPP at minimum which is better then Citi and Amex.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

wasCB14 — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:05:45 GMT

Does USB require SSN/ITIN?

AR would be good, if not.

Re: AMEX Plat or Citi Prestige

Deuter — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:19:27 GMT

I do a lot of payments mobile, most of my payments are through Apple Pay and i use more the cellphone than the physical card sometimes. Still i see quite a bit a hassle the whole US Bank, and maybe i'm just fine with the bank that i have my banking relationship than a smaller bank that doesn't have offices near me (FL).

I think i will apply to the Prestige and have it for one year and see how it goes. In the case, i make my mind for more disposable income on annual fees on CC, then with time i'll add the AMEX Plat. I will ask my accounting for new proof of income and will let you guys know if i was approved for the Prestige.

I just went to Citi today and they told me i could apply no problem. The explanation was banking relationship, and they printed a sheet of paper with the cards i could apply.

link: Citi Cards