CSR or Amex Platinum?

[Anonymous]

Hello Community! I am in the market for a new card, and wondered whether you recommend the CSR or Amex Platinum?

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the board.  Before the "community" gives  you a recommendation, why not post why you want either one of these card in the first place?  

[Anonymous]

So, I am looking to add another card to my portfolio for rewards. I have both the BOA Cash Rewards and Travel Rewards cards. But I would like to diversify. Both the CSR and AP offer great rewards. But I don't know if the annual fee for one or the other will be worth it. Also, I usually PIF, but I don't know if I still like the option of carrying a small balance to report which I can't do with the AP.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
So, I am looking to add another card to my portfolio for rewards. I have both the BOA Cash Rewards and Travel Rewards cards. But I would like to diversify. Both the CSR and AP offer great rewards. But I don't know if the annual fee for one or the other will be worth it. Also, I usually PIF, but I don't know if I still like the option of carrying a small balance to report which I can't do with the AP.

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I personally have the AMEX Plat. I have it because I travel a lot for work and it serves a lot of purpose with flights, hotels, restaurants and car rentals (and my company reimbursts all of my expences) and I am able to pay in full every month. I also get to enjoy the lounge access. All of this makes up for the very high annual fee (which use to be 450 now 550). Good luck on whateve you decide...

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[Berk]

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@Anonymous wrote:
So, I am looking to add another card to my portfolio for rewards. I have both the BOA Cash Rewards and Travel Rewards cards. But I would like to diversify. Both the CSR and AP offer great rewards. But I don't know if the annual fee for one or the other will be worth it. Also, I usually PIF, but I don't know if I still like the option of carrying a small balance to report which I can't do with the AP.

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Why carry a balance at all? Pay the bill in full by the due date and the balance will report. The whole idea of having to pay interest in order to get the card to report a balance is urban legend. The card reports when the billing cycle ends - your account statement closing date. You then have X number of days to pay the bill without incurring interest - generally speaking this is a "21-25 day grace period." which is the due date of your bill. My Plat card reports a balance every single month of the year.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
So, I am looking to add another card to my portfolio for rewards. I have both the BOA Cash Rewards and Travel Rewards cards. But I would like to diversify. Both the CSR and AP offer great rewards. But I don't know if the annual fee for one or the other will be worth it. Also, I usually PIF, but I don't know if I still like the option of carrying a small balance to report which I can't do with the AP.

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You can have a balance report with any of the Amex charge cards.  If you don't pay a charge until after a new statement is issued, that balance on the statement will report to the CRAs.

As for choosing between the Platinum and CSR cards, I suggest that you thoroughly review the benefits of each card and their respective rewards programs prior to making a decision.  Reviewing their rewards programs includes going over travel transfer partners and which hotels/airlines that you frequently use.  While both are high end travel cards, there are big differences between the two besides one being a revolver and the other a charge card. Far too many people on this forum apply for one of these or similar travel cards that comes with a hefty AF and have no clue how to use the bonus points and end up not using or wasting the points.  Research is the key to ending up with a travel card that provides you the most benefit for your particular situation.

Good luck in whatever route you choose.

[Berk]

How often do you travel? 

Is your travel primarily business or leisure?

If business, will your company allow you to use the card for all your business related travel needs?

Domestic or International?

What airline(s) do you use?

What hotel brand(s) do you use?

How often do you rent a vehicle when you travel?

How often do you eat out?

How often do you go to Broadway plays, playoff games, or world class can't get in without a reservation restaurants?

If you don't travel much, then I doubt very seriously that either card will be of much benefit to you. I didn't say that you would not benefit from them, but maximizing the perks to offset the AF will be difficult.

If, on the other hand, all you are looking for is a cool card that you whip out from time to time to pay for something - either one will do nicely.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback!

2-3x/month
Business
No
United
Marriott
Each time
2-3x/week
Often!

Would you recommend a different card with a lower AF?

[Berk]

I would look at the Priority Pass web site and see if there are airport lounges available for the cities you fly into, out of, and connect through. If lounges are available, the CSR may be the way to go since Chase partners with United and Marriott so the rewards you get using the card can be transferred to either program. And the $300.00 airline reimbursement will come in handy depending on what categories they let you use the reimbursement for. Amex's is only $200.

As far as a travel perks card with a lower fee, I have no idea.

I too cannot use my Plat card to book business travel. Used to be able to but that stopped three years ago. I fly Delta and fly into and out of airports that have the Centurion Lounge so for me the Plat made the most sense because of the lounge access and the abililty to transfer points to the Delta Sky Miles program. Car rental perks mean nothing to me as I'm usually President's Circle with Hertz by the middle of the year. The hotel perks are nice on the rare occassions when I have to stay in a property other than Hilton. My gold status with Marriott came in handy in February when I stayed at a golf resort in Hoover Alabama. I was upgraded to a suite on the top floor without having stayed in a Marriott one time, while my boss was relegated to a broom closet on the first floor.

For me, the travel perks card is all about the lounge access. This isn't true for everybody but being in an airport lounge sure beats waiting in the terminal. And I never get enough miles in a year to begin to hit the higher tiers with Delta where the access is complementary.

[Anonymous]

Will your employer be reimbursing you for any of the fees? Unless you're constantly traveling, I probably wouldn't recommend the Amex Platinum.