topic Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards in Credit Cards

CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

CreditSage — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:13:24 GMT

Which should I go for? I already have the NFCU Amex and was thinking the flagship rewards would be a good compliment to round out travel rewards... but the CSP is so nice. What do you think?

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

kilroy8 — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:26:21 GMT

CSP is one of the premier travel cards, Flagship rewards is not even in the same league.

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

CreditSage — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:32:57 GMT

Thanks for your reply but that doesn't give much information.. can you elaborate? 3% back for travel on the flagship doesn't seem half bad for $49 year but would love to get some insight into the two.

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:37:21 GMT

Flagship reward seems to be better in everyway, except the minimum redemption of $50.

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

NRB525 — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:41:11 GMT

With CSP you pay $95 for the ability to transfer points to partners. There aren’t any real travel benefits except for things like rental auto insurance. Combined with Freedom and CFU, points earnings can be improved, but the comparison here is one card.

NFCU offers a flexible points redemption, cash equivalent, at a decent earning rate, so while there are not the options to transfer to partners, there is also not the nerfing of those partner values. For the $49 AF, it would seem NFCU is better than CSP.

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

K-in-Boston — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:43:05 GMT

Both have their merits and it really comes down to what you're planning to do with the rewards. If you'd like to transfer to airline and/or hotel partners for award redemptions, CSP is the clear winner since NFCU does not have travel partners. If you're planning to use the points to pay for travel, it might not be so black and white. If you're looking to get cash back, Flagship may have the edge.

Both will earn 2x points on dining, but Flagship will earn 3x on travel compared to CSP's 2x and will earn 2x on all other purchases compared to CSP's 1x. Flagship offers the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit up to $100, while CSP does not. Flagship's annual fee is half of the CSP. Flagship's highest possible APR is a fraction of a percent higher than CSP's lowest possible APR if that matters to you. Flagship has mobile phone coverage if that's added value for you. If you ever wanted a balance transfer, Flagship usually has 0% APR offers every year and there is never a BT fee; depending on your approval terms, Chase BTs for 0% APR are typically a 3-5% fee. Flagship underwriting is usually a bit more lax, and it is of course not subject to 5/24, but is subject to membership requirements. NFCU does have minimum redemption amounts that can be annoying if you're not building up a lot of points, though.

For the most part, though, I think the biggest determination is how you plan to use your rewards. For transfers, Chase is the clear winner. For anything else, Flagship may have a good edge.

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

kilroy8 — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:41:59 GMT

@CreditSage wrote:
Thanks for your reply but that doesn't give much information.. can you elaborate? 3% back for travel on the flagship doesn't seem half bad for $49 year but would love to get some insight into the two.

Sorry for that.

When used as part of the trifecta, (CSP or CSR, Freedom,Freedom Unltd), all of these UR points can be combined and get a 1.25 or 1.5 multiple when redeemed for travel via the huge CSP travel portal. Lots of points can be accumulated in this way for use travelling all over the world.

CSP/CSR gives 1st dollar coverage on car rental, too.

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

K-in-Boston — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:50:02 GMT

It bears repeating that for any applicant that is qualified, CSR may be a better option than CSP. With the increased travel and dining earnings, $300 travel credit, and Global Entry Credit, that annual fee shouldn’t have as much sticker shock. And if travel portal is how you plan to use your rewards, it has the added benefit of a 50% bonus instead of 25% bonus on your points. That extra 25% alone probably paid for my AF the past year.

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

CreditSage — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:50:18 GMT

I'm not that well versed in the transfer schemes. I typically price shop very hard for hotels, airfaire, and rental cars which makes me think I wouldn't fare much better working with travel partners (for instance with UP points). My perspective has always been, "okay great, you get these points but then the hotel, airfare, or rental car cost more to begin so what's the gain?" Am I wrong in this thinking? The main thing that attracts me to CSP is the prestige and the fact that I've been in the garden for 14 months and probably qualify but intend to pick up a card or two and might not qualify again for a while.

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:50:32 GMT

So, whats your travel plan OP? what airlines? which airports? where you wanna go?

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

CreditSage — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:53:18 GMT

How is Chase's customer service? NFCU customer service is incredible.. on the phone with a rep (based in US) in less than four minutes 24/7. If I went with a luxury card like CSP I'd have a super high bar for it to meet in order for the customer service to be approproiate.

Does chase offer stop payments? That's one thing NFCU lacks

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

CreditSage — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 16:57:16 GMT

I am not airline loyal and go with whomever is cheapest, for starters. I rent A LOT of cars through enterprise since I am based in San Francisco and don't own/need a car until I go on trips out of the city. Access to airport lounges would be stellar but at this level it doesn't seem reasonable (would have to bump up to CSR).

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

kilroy8 — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:00:37 GMT

As noted, if you don't plan to get other UR earning cards to go with it, CSP is not your best option.

As far as the prices, if you are someone who holds out for discounts/specials - the portal won't match those. It does match current fares, though - no markup.

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:09:13 GMT

@CreditSage wrote:
I am not airline loyal and go with whomever is cheapest, for starters. I rent A LOT of cars through enterprise since I am based in San Francisco and don't own/need a car until I go on trips out of the city. Access to airport lounges would be stellar but at this level it doesn't seem reasonable (would have to bump up to CSR).

NFCU it is then. Its not easy to get 2cpp+ for UR if you only book lowest fare class.

BTW, even if you aren't airline loyal, still join the programs and stash some points, its close to 10% reward of the cash you spend. It will worth something some years down the road (do mind miles expiration date).

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

Aim_High — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:23:48 GMT

@CreditSage wrote: "I'm not that well versed in the transfer schemes. ... My perspective has always been, "okay great, you get these points but then the hotel, airfare, or rental car cost more to begin so what's the gain?" Am I wrong in this thinking?"

Yes. Points (MR or UR or TY or whatever) can be a tricky thing. With some CU programs I have been with, what you said is true. Points weren't always worth 1 cent per point, depending on how you choose to redeem.

However, with the big lender programs like AMEX, Chase, and Citi which give you ability to transfer points to travel partners, the dynamics change. Those points can become much more valuable than their pure cash value. You can't REDEEM them for that higher value in cash money, but if you're looking to upgrade to higher cabin travel by airlines or nicer hotel rooms, it seems they pay off the best. Basically, they pay best when they help enhance your travel experience, so it's a different way of thinking about value. The value of the points also varies by airline or hotel chain, so YMMV and it takes some work to make sure you are getting a satisfactory value, which is purely subjective.

So it's all about what you value. If you're a pure cash-back consumer and economy traveler and you want simplicity of redemption, you might not appreciate the large points programs as well or get more value from them.

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

CreditSage — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 03:16:35 GMT

I've been digging into this more and while the flagship gives me better return (3 points travel vs the saphires 2) the CSP has much better protections like travel insurance, primary car rental insurance, etc. Do you think those ancillary benefits might make the CSP outweigh the flagship?

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 08:01:55 GMT

Go with CSR - 4.5x on travel, flexible $300 annual travel credit and additional travel perks. Even the PenFed Pathfinder is better than NFCU Flagship. Flagship is a cashback card not a travel card.

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 12:31:27 GMT

@CreditSage wrote:
I've been digging into this more and while the flagship gives me better return (3 points travel vs the saphires 2) the CSP has much better protections like travel insurance, primary car rental insurance, etc. Do you think those ancillary benefits might make the CSP outweigh the flagship?

I am seeing you really want csp. Those protections are indeed good, albeit mostly for peace of mind.

If you want to go down that route, do take a look at CSR, it may be better for you if your spending habit fit, and you have the fico score and history to get it (it requires a minimum 10k CL).

If you are unsure if you can get CSR at this time, you can get CSP and PC to CSR a year after.

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

CreditSage — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 16:25:39 GMT

Are you able to PC from CSP to CSR? I feel like I've read a bunch of posts from people struggling to do that...?

Re: CSP vs. NFCU Flagship Rewards

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 17:29:57 GMT

PC is very easy, a simple call is what it takes.

You do need to get CSP's CL to 10k+ though.