Best Travel Rewards Card (Personal Experience)

[CreditScholar]

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@nolongeraneqaddict wrote:

I have both the CSP and Chase Marriott Rewards cards, both are metal inside and get the typical, "wow this card is cool" comments.

I got the CSP because of the 40k signup bonus, I will probably downgrade to Sapphire after the year is up. The Sapphire gets the Food 2x but not the travel 2x. However the Chase Marriott does give 2x travel. 

What I like about the Chase Marriott Rewards Card;

1 Free night each year (Cat 1-5)

2x Travel

Auto Silver Membership Each Year

@Extra 5pts @ Marriott Hotels

$85 fee (cheaper then CSP and gives the Travel 2x which regular sapphire doesnt)

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One major drawback of that annual free night is that it's now worth a lot less after the most recent devaluation. A lot of the places I'd consider staying at have been shifted to category 6 (was 5).

[Dustink]

Just want to say, the AMEX PLAT is not good for spending. It is just good for benefits.

If you fly mostly delta, the reserve card might be good.

If you mostly fly united, then the club card would be good.

I have had good luck with my flexperks card, but it must be paired with another card like the amex plat to get "benefits".

[icetrap06]

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@djrez4 wrote:

Consider the US Airways/American merger before applying for that card.  Also, don't upgrade the HHonors card to the reserve.  Apply for a new one and get the two weekend night bonus.

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Yeah...I was thinking about that very thing....I saw a few links out there that stated  points are eventually devaluated following a merger (due to the larger pool of elite status members).  So, this would likely mean that benefits wouldnt have as much bang. 

[icetrap06]

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@CreditScholar wrote:

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@nolongeraneqaddict wrote:

I have both the CSP and Chase Marriott Rewards cards, both are metal inside and get the typical, "wow this card is cool" comments.

I got the CSP because of the 40k signup bonus, I will probably downgrade to Sapphire after the year is up. The Sapphire gets the Food 2x but not the travel 2x. However the Chase Marriott does give 2x travel. 

What I like about the Chase Marriott Rewards Card;

1 Free night each year (Cat 1-5)

2x Travel

Auto Silver Membership Each Year

@Extra 5pts @ Marriott Hotels

$85 fee (cheaper then CSP and gives the Travel 2x which regular sapphire doesnt)

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One major drawback of that annual free night is that it's now worth a lot less after the most recent devaluation. A lot of the places I'd consider staying at have been shifted to category 6 (was 5).

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It seems like everyone is devaluating.  Marriott, and now Hilton...is Starwood next???

[icetrap06]

*Update*

Just as a quick update...I applied and was approved for the Amex SPG.  Ultimately the flexibility of the points drew me in.  Especially following the huge devaluation of points with the other major chains.  In addition, I knew if I didn't get it there would only be a SP.

[CreditScholar]

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@icetrap06 wrote:

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@CreditScholar wrote:

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@nolongeraneqaddict wrote:

I have both the CSP and Chase Marriott Rewards cards, both are metal inside and get the typical, "wow this card is cool" comments.

I got the CSP because of the 40k signup bonus, I will probably downgrade to Sapphire after the year is up. The Sapphire gets the Food 2x but not the travel 2x. However the Chase Marriott does give 2x travel. 

What I like about the Chase Marriott Rewards Card;

1 Free night each year (Cat 1-5)

2x Travel

Auto Silver Membership Each Year

@Extra 5pts @ Marriott Hotels

$85 fee (cheaper then CSP and gives the Travel 2x which regular sapphire doesnt)

---

One major drawback of that annual free night is that it's now worth a lot less after the most recent devaluation. A lot of the places I'd consider staying at have been shifted to category 6 (was 5).

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It seems like everyone is devaluating.  Marriott, and now Hilton...is Starwood next???

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Starwood posted their devaluation in 2 parts, which was smart on their part. It made their devaluation look tame when compared to Marriott and Hilton, both of who announced everything at once.

5% of SPG properties are going down in category, 20% are going up. That's not good, period. Combined with the C&P devaluation, I'd actually put SPG's devaluation on a similar level to Marriott's. Hilton however was the runaway winner when it came to destroying value.

[Open123]

At the present pace of some of these devaluations, there comes a point when the best value travel card will be one with beneifts rather than rewards points earning potential.

[icetrap06]

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@CreditScholar wrote:

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@icetrap06 wrote:

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@CreditScholar wrote:

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@nolongeraneqaddict wrote:

I have both the CSP and Chase Marriott Rewards cards, both are metal inside and get the typical, "wow this card is cool" comments.

I got the CSP because of the 40k signup bonus, I will probably downgrade to Sapphire after the year is up. The Sapphire gets the Food 2x but not the travel 2x. However the Chase Marriott does give 2x travel. 

What I like about the Chase Marriott Rewards Card;

1 Free night each year (Cat 1-5)

2x Travel

Auto Silver Membership Each Year

@Extra 5pts @ Marriott Hotels

$85 fee (cheaper then CSP and gives the Travel 2x which regular sapphire doesnt)

---

One major drawback of that annual free night is that it's now worth a lot less after the most recent devaluation. A lot of the places I'd consider staying at have been shifted to category 6 (was 5).

---

It seems like everyone is devaluating.  Marriott, and now Hilton...is Starwood next???

---

Starwood posted their devaluation in 2 parts, which was smart on their part. It made their devaluation look tame when compared to Marriott and Hilton, both of who announced everything at once.

5% of SPG properties are going down in category, 20% are going up. That's not good, period. Combined with the C&P devaluation, I'd actually put SPG's devaluation on a similar level to Marriott's. Hilton however was the runaway winner when it came to destroying value.

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Wow...I did not realize that.

[icetrap06]

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@Open123 wrote:

At the present pace of some of these devaluations, there comes a point when the best value travel card will be one with beneifts rather than rewards points earning potential.

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I certainly see your point...with that said, it may be best to start going for cards like the CSP that reward travel in general(reimburstment) not with a specific chain (points) huh...

[distantarray]

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@CreditScholar wrote:

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@icetrap06 wrote:

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@CreditScholar wrote:

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@nolongeraneqaddict wrote:

I have both the CSP and Chase Marriott Rewards cards, both are metal inside and get the typical, "wow this card is cool" comments.

I got the CSP because of the 40k signup bonus, I will probably downgrade to Sapphire after the year is up. The Sapphire gets the Food 2x but not the travel 2x. However the Chase Marriott does give 2x travel. 

What I like about the Chase Marriott Rewards Card;

1 Free night each year (Cat 1-5)

2x Travel

Auto Silver Membership Each Year

@Extra 5pts @ Marriott Hotels

$85 fee (cheaper then CSP and gives the Travel 2x which regular sapphire doesnt)

---

One major drawback of that annual free night is that it's now worth a lot less after the most recent devaluation. A lot of the places I'd consider staying at have been shifted to category 6 (was 5).

---

It seems like everyone is devaluating.  Marriott, and now Hilton...is Starwood next???

---

Starwood posted their devaluation in 2 parts, which was smart on their part. It made their devaluation look tame when compared to Marriott and Hilton, both of who announced everything at once.

5% of SPG properties are going down in category, 20% are going up. That's not good, period. Combined with the C&P devaluation, I'd actually put SPG's devaluation on a similar level to Marriott's. Hilton however was the runaway winner when it came to destroying value.

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Not to mention Starwood increased their points and pay requirements not too bad, but you did get the bonus of suite upgrades avalible which can work out

Then there's the Delta and Starwood partnership where you can get Delta Skymile AND Starwood points if you use eachother's cards and also get automatic status if you have it on Delta or Starwood and vice versa.

Starwood's been slightly devalued but when Starwood does something they trade you something atleast