Benefits Strategy

[Anonymous]

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@scorewatcher7 wrote:

Unless there was a change in Amex Plat (I have it as well) you an still use it to get into American Airlines clubs. 

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There was a change in May 2014.   Plat holders cannot use AA clubs, among credit cards only a few CIti cards allow this now (they paid to be exclusive)

[Anonymous]

ah, thanks for the info LTL - I wasn't sure about AA being bumped out of Plat hence the possible app for a Citi AA

[takeshi74]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thoughts?  

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Definitely establish USAA and NFCU membership after you enlist even if you don't immediately plan to use their products.

[Anonymous]

If it was a lower level card like a Diamond Preferred I could see them giving in. Got any Citi mailers?

[dilettante]

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@Anonymous wrote:

ah, thanks for the info LTL - I wasn't sure about AA being bumped out of Plat hence the possible app for a Citi AA

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Citi Prestige gives AA lounge access if flying AA.  The Prestige is a better choice between Citi Exec AA and Prestige unless you were planning to app for both for the bonus miles.  Prestige has categories that will garner more points that could transfer to several Asian airlines (since you stated that you need to rack up points for tickets for your parents).

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
If it was a lower level card like a Diamond Preferred I could see them giving in. Got any Citi mailers?

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Yep, got a few re: Diamond Pref. 

I get alot from Cap1 for their Venture and QS1 and AMEX's BCE and EDP

[Anonymous]

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@takeshi74 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Thoughts?  

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Definitely establish USAA and NFCU membership after you enlist even if you don't immediately plan to use their products.

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Def will!  I'll save them for last since NFCU is more forgiving than the primes

[Anonymous]

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@dilettante wrote:

Citi Prestige gives AA lounge access if flying AA.  The Prestige is a better choice between Citi Exec AA and Prestige unless you were planning to app for both for the bonus miles.  Prestige has categories that will garner more points that could transfer to several Asian airlines (since you stated that you need to rack up points for tickets for your parents).

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Thanks D, I was torn between the two so I figured to app for both.  The only thing I really wanted from the Exec AA is the lounge membership so if I were to app for both, I'd lead with the Prestige to give me wider benefits and more flexibility with points.  Thanks for the heads up on xfer to asian airline partners!

[Anonymous]

Just browsing through FT threads: some have reported getting in Admiral's Club with just their Prestige card and the CSR didn't ask for a boarding pass.

This leads me further away from app'ing for the Exec AA card - from my understanding the Prestige can only get you in the Admiral's Club if you are flying on AA or a boarding pass with an AA flight number.