topic Re: Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP in Credit Cards

Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP

DigitalArk — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 01:08:48 GMT

Which one is easier to get? I am curious. It seems like the Amex revolvers (especially BCP & BCE) and CSP are the most popular cards.

Re: Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 01:12:13 GMT

Pretty much about the same, except chase has a 5k minimum CL for the CSP

Re: Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 02:04:12 GMT

While they may be about as easy to get, they are very different cards. BCP/E gives cashback on groceries, gas, and select department stores. CSP gives extra rewards for dining and travel, and really isn't great as a cashback card, its biggest value comes from transferring points to partners. It also has a large signup bonus.

So one of them almost certainly suits you better than the other!

Re: Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP

ac921ol — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 02:10:15 GMT

I personally think its harder to get the CSP. BCE has no AF, and can be quite a low starting balance. BCP has an AF and good cash rewards but the opening limit is still less then the 5k CSP needs to give you.

Re: Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 03:34:03 GMT

Can someone give an example of a good deal they got using UR points?

I don't have Chase (except Amazon) but the other points things I have the things you purchase with points seem overpriced. For example, a toy my kids want was like 45000 points (45.00) when I can buy the same thing for $32. Id rather redeem the $45 in gift cards.

Are there better deals to be had with UR points?

Re: Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP

09Lexie — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 03:38:20 GMT

I use my UR points strictly for air/hotel transfers.

Re: Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP

CreditScholar — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 03:41:42 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Can someone give an example of a good deal they got using UR points?

I don't have Chase (except Amazon) but the other points things I have the things you purchase with points seem overpriced. For example, a toy my kids want was like 45000 points (45.00) when I can buy the same thing for $32. Id rather redeem the $45 in gift cards.

Are there better deals to be had with UR points?

The best use of points is to transfer to UR partners. For example I transferred 270k UR points for 2x J tickets on UA from Australia to the US. Paying cash for that would have cost me about $30,000, but this gave me a redemption value of 11 cpm.

You can find decent redemptions in high-end hotels as well. Until Jan (when the devaluation kicks in), you can stay at the PH tokyo for $500 per night or 22k points. The PH Sydney is about $800 per night, or 22k points. That gives a value of 2.3-3.6 cpp.

If you're looking to redeem for statement credit or for merchandise, you'd be better off with a flat 2% cash back card.

Re: Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 03:50:44 GMT

Thanks for the examples. I was wondering "are you better off just getting cash back and purchasing tickets/hotels, etc" but it sounds like there are some definite deals to be had.

I don't travel a whole lot right now - but might down the road.

Re: Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP

Gatortrout — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 04:18:53 GMT

@mountainmom, you surely meant 4,500 poi ts instead of 45,000 points right?

Re: Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 04:20:56 GMT

Yes 4500!

Re: Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP

takeshi74 — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 13:59:44 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Are there better deals to be had with UR points?

You don't have to purchase through the UR mall. You can redeem points at Amazon and Amazon's prices are the same for points or cash. That said, transferring to travel partners is generally how I redeem UR points as well.

Re: Amex revolvers (any) vs CSP

espnjunkie — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 14:37:49 GMT

It's worth throwing the Merrill+ card into that same mix. While it doesn't offer the 2X points on dining, you do get 2X Merrill points on travel when booking through them (even more than if you use the merrill mall for spending on the website), also it has no annual fee.

They are partnered with American, Delta, United and British Airways for favorable points redemptions (can transfer 1:1 on BA)

25,000 points will get you a roundtrip domestic coach ticket (up to $500.00) on any of those

Spend 50,000 in one year and you get the next year of Delta or American lounge membership for free, plus additional benefits with Hertz

The card isn't metal, but the rewards aren't much different