CSP+ Freedom vs. PRG + ED (or Preferred)

[Anonymous]

Simply put, I'd like people to share their experience with each combo. And how either one worked best for their situation. I've seen some comparable forum topics, but nothing as specific as what I'm looking for.

So without further ado, please share your experiences!

FYI, I was recently approved for CSP, but would be willing to switch to the AMEX combo if people's experiences are compelling enough.

[Anonymous]

I have all four cards. I don't use PRG much, but I'll keep it as long as I can break even with offers and the airline credit.

The EDP+Freedom+CSP combo works pretty well for me. I travel often and cheaply (CSP), and spend a lot at Costco and traditional grocery stores (EDP).

CSP and EDP cover five important "categories" (travel, dining, groceries, gas, off-category stuff like Costco).

When the Costco/Amex partnership ends, I may PC EDP to ED and use Sallie Mae a little more.

[Anonymous]

Biggest problems with EDP+PRG combo are: 2 annual fees, overlapping bonus categories, no travel bonus for non-flight spend. 

CSP+EDP gives the best coverage if you're willing to pay the dual annual fee. You can even get PRG's 3x airfare bonus with CSP if you book the flight through Chase's UR portal by December, and their rates mirror the airlines (but their hotel and rental rates stink!). Check other sites to be sure it's a good deal though.

[Anonymous]

CSP+EDP+PRG seems like an awful lot of annual fees. You must have sufficient spending to make holding all those worth it.

[Anonymous]

Salt, but I assume you're also saying the PRG+ ED aren't worth it and that you need the PRG+EDP? I don't think I have the spend for all those AFs. Therefore I would prefer between one combo or the other.

[Anonymous]

I don't think PRG is worth it period and plan to close mine before annual fee is due. But I did/will get 50,000 MR and $200 in airline credits from it, as well as $50 bucks in rebates from AmEx offers for things I would've bought anyway. AmEx cards can pay for themselves in offers alone if you check for those periodically.

I do think CSP and EDP justify their annual fees, at least in my case. It does take a lot of travel/dining spend to make CSP worthwhile but you get a free year to decide before an AF is due. EDP you have to look at your grocery/gas spend and decide if you will put up with 30 swipes per month. I think regular everyday is a pretty weak card unless you're just keeping your MR account open with it, but EDP is a great gas/grocery/general spend card that doesn't often overlap CSP/Freedom.

PS I would never say you "need" a card.

[Anonymous]

Some of the better offers are reserved for PRG and above. I suspect there may also be Platinum and Centurion-only offers.

If you can use the airline credit, and a few offers, that's the AF right there. It's effectively a free perks card that comes with the option to PC to Platinum without having to worry about a new account upsetting a mortgage underwriter (I might buy a home in late 2016 or 2017).

EDP makes sense due to Costco and grocery spending.

CSP makes sense because of Freedom, since I stay at Hyatts occasionally. There have also been some restaurant meals with a large extended family where I'll put most of the bill on one of my cards and cash users will reimburse me.

IHG makes sense for the flexible free night.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I don't think PRG is worth it period and plan to close mine before annual fee is due. But I did/will get 50,000 MR and $200 in airline credits from it, as well as $50 bucks in rebates from AmEx offers for things I would've bought anyway. AmEx cards can pay for themselves in offers alone if you check for those periodically.

I do think CSP and EDP justify their annual fees, at least in my case. It does take a lot of travel/dining spend to make CSP worthwhile but you get a free year to decide before an AF is due. EDP you have to look at your grocery/gas spend and decide if you will put up with 30 swipes per month. I think regular everyday is a pretty weak card unless you're just keeping your MR account open with it, but EDP is a great gas/grocery/general spend card that doesn't often overlap CSP/Freedom.

PS I would never say you "need" a card.

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I wasn't implying that you meant that anyone "needs" a card. Obviously we all can live without credit cards. They're a luxury . 

I don't spend much on groceries so EDP is useless. Is it worth just getting 50k MR PRG offer and ED to house the MR credits then and close out PRG before AF? Then I'd stick with the CSP+Freedom combo. My girlfriend and I eat out a lot, and fly relatively decent amounts each year, so CSP seems worthly. 

[Anonymous]

we should also bring up Citi's increasingly popular Thank You Points...its only fair. They offer more points per doller for general travel than either amex or chase... 3x points on all travel and gas on the premier.

I think the point is, work butt off in retentions for AF woes....and maybe having several types in ones reserve is the best possible scenario.

Also we have to mention the CSP offers the 25% bonus, as does citi premier..... or prestige with up to 60 percent extra bonus on american..

I think it boils down to where a person lives, what airlines are serviced near them, how they vacation, spend money, etc.  I travel often by Amtrak and having those points to redeem for rooms on amtrak would be a huge savings for me. Thats the only reason I am considering csp/freedom combo for a future potential option.

Who knows if I will cancel the PRG. Its the most used card that I have right now though.

[takeshi74]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Simply put, I'd like people to share their experience with each combo. And how either one worked best for their situation. I've seen some comparable forum topics, but nothing as specific as what I'm looking for.

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Instead of collecting experiences you need to determine which suits you best.  Look at the MR and UR prorgrams and determine which one you can leverage the most value per point from.  Specifically, look at redemptions.  These are not one-size-fits-all matters and you can't use popularity to determine the best fit for you.  You need to do your own due diligence.  If you need assistance in doing so we can certainly help.

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@Anonymous wrote:

Biggest problems with EDP+PRG combo are: 2 annual fees

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@Anonymous wrote:

CSP+EDP gives the best coverage if you're willing to pay the dual annual fee.

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Don't just look at AF's. Run the numbers for your spend and consider total cost/benefit.

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@Anonymous wrote:

Is it worth just getting 50k MR PRG offer and ED to house the MR credits then and close out PRG before AF? Then I'd stick with the CSP+Freedom combo. My girlfriend and I eat out a lot, and fly relatively decent amounts each year, so CSP seems worthly. 

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Worth is highly subjective regardless of topic.  Again, run the numbers for your spend and look at redemptions.  Point value can vary quite a bit depending on how you redeem.