topic Re: PC from CSR to CSP and back again? in Credit Cards

PC from CSR to CSP and back again?

CBartowski — Tue, 28 May 2019 12:07:53 GMT

Has anyone had experience PC from CSR to CSP and back up to CSR?

I may not end up doing this but considering downgrading CSR to CSP once I get the Schwabb Plat to focus my efforts on the Gold/Plat combo for MR points to cash out to my CS acct.

Part of my says the AF difference in CSR/CSP is only 55$ anyway so just keep the CSR.

Thoughts?

Re: PC from CSR to CSP and back again?

xaximus — Tue, 28 May 2019 12:41:30 GMT

As long as you have had either card for a year, you can PC up or down. I would recommend keeping the CSR simply because of the better rewards but if your usage is low and doesn't negate the $55 difference, is it worth it ?

Re: PC from CSR to CSP and back again?

Anonymous — Tue, 28 May 2019 13:48:31 GMT

With any more than minimal usage I’ve found the csr and bb to pay for themselves.

Re: PC from CSR to CSP and back again?

wasCB14 — Tue, 28 May 2019 17:38:42 GMT

I like having both Schwab and CSR. I find CSR offer a lot more than CSP in both rewards and travel protections.

In the interests of good math, though, keep in mind you don't earn rewards on the travel spend that gets the CSR's $300 credit, so the real additional AF is more like $60 or $65.

CSP really only makes sense if:

You have light-spending AUs,
You'll focus on another rewards program and use CSP for primary rental coverage only,
or CSP offers a bigger bonus than CSR and you'll have only moderate spend in the first year

Those cases excepted, if you don't use CSP enough to make a CSR obviously worthwhile, maybe you don't need either.

Re: PC from CSR to CSP and back again?

wasCB14 — Tue, 28 May 2019 17:45:20 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
With any more than minimal usage I’ve found the csr and bb to pay for themselves.

Is that Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant?

Re: PC from CSR to CSP and back again?

coreysw12 — Tue, 28 May 2019 18:08:01 GMT

@CBartowski wrote:

Part of my says the AF difference in CSR/CSP is only 55$ anyway so just keep the CSR.

My thoughts exactly. It doesn't seem worth the hassle to me, when the potential savings are so little.

The CSR might even still be worth the additional $55 even if you're not racking up rewards on it that year. For example, it gives you elite rental car statuses that the CSP doesn't.

Re: PC from CSR to CSP and back again?

Anonymous — Tue, 28 May 2019 23:50:38 GMT

The CSR is pretty easy to meet the value of the AF if you are able to use the travel credit and dine with a moderate frequency. The card I have difficulty with justifying the AF is the AMEX Platinum (no centurions near me, most flights are paid for by work, Hilton card covers most of my hotel property items). Sort of a bummer too, as the Platinum just is a cool looking card to have.