topic Re: CSP, Escape, Blue in Credit Cards

CSP, Escape, Blue

too-much-time — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 05:02:03 GMT

It occured to me that Sapphire Preferred by Chase, Escape by Discover and Blue by American Express all offer two points per one dollar on travel. I have never seriously considered that option for Blue, and yet that's the (annual fee free!) card I have. "Earn one point for virtually every eligible dollar you spend on your Credit Card. Earn 1 extra point on each dollar of eligible purchases when you book on the American Express Travel website." I take it it's an ok experience?

Re: CSP, Escape, Blue

Revelate — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 07:37:52 GMT

@too-much-time wrote:
It occured to me that Sapphire Preferred by Chase, Escape by Discover and Blue by American Express all offer two points per one dollar on travel. I have never seriously considered that option for Blue, and yet that's the (annual fee free!) card I have. "Earn one point for virtually every eligible dollar you spend on your Credit Card. Earn 1 extra point on each dollar of eligible purchases when you book on the American Express Travel website." I take it it's an ok experience?

I don't know Escape, but Blue is MRE points and the best you can do is 1:1 there for points (via gift cards no less).

If you really travel, the CSP is in all ways a better card (assuming you use a Chase partner airline, if not you should likely be in a gold / plat or whatever with Amex earning MR) as you can redeem the points higher than 1:1.

Re: CSP, Escape, Blue

takeshi74 — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 13:49:19 GMT

@too-much-time wrote:
"Earn one point for virtually every eligible dollar you spend on your Credit Card. Earn 1 extra point on each dollar of eligible purchases when you book on the American Express Travel website." I take it it's an ok experience?

I never recommend just assuming. Have you used the AmEx travel site to book travel? Experience is the best way to determine what is or isn't ok for you.

With the CSP, for example, travel rewards can be purchased through UR or travel awards can be redeemed by transferring to travel partners (generally the better deal). Again, don't assume and look into the details.

Re: CSP, Escape, Blue

too-much-time — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 17:56:45 GMT

@Revelate wrote:

I don't know Escape, but Blue is MRE points and the best you can do is 1:1 there for points (via gift cards no less).

If you really travel, the CSP is in all ways a better card (assuming you use a Chase partner airline, if not you should likely be in a gold / plat or whatever with Amex earning MR) as you can redeem the points higher than 1:1.

Isn't also CSP a 1:1 Point Transfer though? Granted, Blue is included in The Cards listed below are not eligible to transfer points, but You can use Membership Rewards® points to pay for all or part of your flight, hotel booked etc. Or is this too along the lines of that redeeming Ultimate Points is less favorable than transferring them to an airline mile program?

Re: CSP, Escape, Blue

Anonymous — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 18:18:50 GMT

@too-much-time wrote:
@Revelate wrote:

I don't know Escape, but Blue is MRE points and the best you can do is 1:1 there for points (via gift cards no less).

If you really travel, the CSP is in all ways a better card (assuming you use a Chase partner airline, if not you should likely be in a gold / plat or whatever with Amex earning MR) as you can redeem the points higher than 1:1.

Isn't also CSP a 1:1 Point Transfer though? Granted, Blue is included in The Cards listed below are not eligible to transfer points, but You can use Membership Rewards® points to pay for all or part of your flight, hotel booked etc. Or is this too along the lines of that redeeming Ultimate Points is less favorable than transferring them to an airline mile program?

It is along the lines of your last sentence. With CSP, you can purchase travel at 1 point = 1.25 cents, but that is still usually less favorable than transferring to a partner program.