Best American Express Travel Card?

grigorexxxcore · ‎07-31-2011

I have yet to apply for a card that offers travel rewards. If approved, I would use it for everyday purchases, gas, shopping, etc...

I would LOVE a card that would offer plane ticket/hotel discounts, or do they all do that? I'm very new to the rewards offered by travel cards.

I enjoy American Express a lot, which is why I prefer to lean towards a lender I am comfortable with.

Which AmEx Travel card do you guys reccomend? I really don't mind any AF.

1. Starwood (I've stayed at Starwood hotels before)

2. Hilton

3. Delta Gold vs Platinum

4. BlueCash

Thanks for your guys' help!

Open123 · ‎07-31-2011

With everyday purchases, the Hilton card offers the most value "dollar for dollar" if you don't mind your rewards limited to the stay at their hotels and resorts. It has no annual fee, and many everday purchases are calcuated at 6X the points.

If you plan to spend greater than 20k, then I think the SPG is an excellent hotel rewards card. In my view, SPG has by far the best hotel rewards in the industry. You're free to move points to many airlines with very favorable ratios. The sign up bonus isn't bad either.

I think those two are your best options. Personally, I like the SPG the best.

Guava · ‎07-31-2011

AMEX Starwood. It's not only the best AMEX travel card, it's the best travel card all around.

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anderl · ‎07-31-2011

+1

Amex Platinum Charge(NPSL); Starwood Amex Preferred CC(20K CL); Diners Club ELITE MC(20K);Diners Club Premier MC(20K,could've sworn the rep said 25k, oh well lol);Delta Amex Reserve CC(21K CL); Amex PRG Charge(NPSL); United Presidential Plus Chase World Elite MC (15K CL); AARP Chase Visa Signature(35K CL); NFCU Visa Platinum(20K CL) NFCU LOC(15K); NFCU Go Rewards MC(17.5K); Disover IT 7.8K;
First Tech Federal Visa Platinum(15K CL); Simmons First Visa Platinum(9K CL); Wells Fargo Visa Platinum(7.5K CL); CitiBank Sears MC(6K CL); JCPenney Card(7.5K CL); Lowes(2.5K CL);Barclays Mile & More Lufthansa 12.5K.

tntexans72 · ‎07-31-2011

@silver0187 wrote:
AMEX Starwood. It's not only the best AMEX travel card, it's the best travel card all around.

+1....Starwood allows you to transfer 20,000 pts to Airline miles and you'll get an additional 5,000 pts for transferring = 25,000. One of a few Hotel/Airline mile card that would do that for you. Keep in mind though, if you fly United or Continental, to transfer Starwood pts to miles is a 2/1 instead of 1/1 like for most airlines under their program.

I have the Starwood card and I use it mainly for Hotels stayed. I have 2 Freedom CCs that I use pts for to book my Flyer miles through their Ultimate Rewards program. So each one of my card has a purpose.

All in all, I believe the Starwood Amex is the best all-around travel, hotel card.

Anonymous · ‎07-31-2011

@tntexans72 wrote:
@silver0187 wrote:
AMEX Starwood. It's not only the best AMEX travel card, it's the best travel card all around.
+1....Starwood allows you to transfer 20,000 pts to Airline miles and you'll get an additional 5,000 pts for transferring = 25,000. One of a few Hotel/Airline mile card that would do that for you. Keep in mind though, if you fly United or Continental, to transfer Starwood pts to miles is a 2/1 instead of 1/1 like for most airlines under their program.

I have the Starwood card and I use it mainly for Hotels stayed. I have 2 Freedom CCs that I use pts for to book my Flyer miles through their Ultimate Rewards program. So each one of my card has a purpose.

All in all, I believe the Starwood Amex is the best all-around travel, hotel card.

+1

Starwood and PR Gold/Plat make the best combo for me point wise.

ficofox · ‎07-31-2011

The AMEX compare features helps with this analysis. I think the Platinum card is probably the best all around because it gives you all the Delta awards plus $200 airline credit, free Priority Pass, access to airport lounges, great rental car club memberships (National is great), access to FHR reservations and upgrades. Also search Flyer talk for bonus bumps to 100K MR + 50% Delta transfers. If you decide not to go the Platinum route, I would concur with other opinions that Delta or the SPG would be the way to go.

Good luck!

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Anonymous · ‎07-31-2011

I see cc as 2 separate categories. One for rewards (points, cash back, etc) and the other for benefits ($200 airline credit, clubs, etc) I find that for the the benefit cards are more worth it to me.

grigorexxxcore · ‎08-10-2011

I can't believe I didn't reply! my apologies, thank you guys for all your input on which AmEx to chose. I've come to the conclusion I will plan to apply for the Starwood P.G. card in just a few months (currently in gardening), so I will definitely post my results in the upcoming months when I apply. I'm excited!

Guava · ‎08-10-2011

@grigorexxxcore wrote:
I can't believe I didn't reply! my apologies, thank you guys for all your input on which AmEx to chose. I've come to the conclusion I will plan to apply for the Starwood P.G. card in just a few months (currently in gardening), so I will definitely post my results in the upcoming months when I apply. I'm excited!

Seems like we're in the same boat Im planning to apply for the SPG card in December

Starting Score (08/11/11): TU08: 643
Current Score: TU08: 741
Goal Score: Stay in the 700s; keep reports clean

Take the FICO Fitness Challenge