CSP vs. AMEX GOLD!? Comparison and more..

[Anonymous]

myFICO!!!

I achieved my April goal of NFCU Flagship and as soon as I get my card the sub will be taken care of with some house renovation stuff that will be paid in full by May. Next thing on the list is my last CO will be updating and should give me a healthy boost. (20 +/-pts based on the last one that was removed)

I think that should put me in the CSP range.....score wise at least. I'm currently 4/24 and ideally really want to get in with Chase before I hit that dreaded 5/24 mark. 

I am preapproved for the Amex Gold card already so I know I "should" be good there. 

Wondering if there is anyone out there with both cards that could speak to some of the advantages of each and how it's been. I fly 3-6 times a year and from what I have heard both of these cards can work pretty well when utilized both for travel and daily use. 

When utilized correctly, I do know that the AF is essentially a non issue.. just looking for some outside info!! Thanks!

[FinStar]

Here's a couple prior threads that can provide some guidance and/or perspectives:

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/CSP-amp-AMEX-GOLD/m-p/5527474

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/CSP-against-Venture-and-Amex-Gold/m-p/5407156

[Anonymous]

Thanks! 

I've read those already..

[Anonymous]

If you can get in with Chase right now, I would go for them since you are still under 5/24. Make sure you have a prequal for them. I love my Gold card, but getting the CSP first just makes sense. I only went the gold route because I wouldn’t get approved for a CSP if I tried currently.

This would be my strategy. Go for the CSP, obtain the SUB and hold it for about two years. (I’m guessing you have two pay the second AF or they might claw back your SUB). And then downgrade it to a Freedom or FU if you no longer want the CSP assuming you pick up the Gold card in that time for that SUB. (Or they could start handing out CSR upgrades in the next two years?)

But, I love my Gold and I will gladly pay my 250 AF to keep it. It does earn better than the CSP imo. I would still recommend at its current 50K for 2k if you have trouble obtaining a CSP. Plus, to the uninitiated into the credit card world, it still turns heads.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the recomendation! Thats most likely what I'll end up doing! I can't seem to ever get a chase preapproval and it scares me. I know that I'm lower then I'd like to be with my scores but we'll see where I am at in a month with one less CO.

Thanks again!! 

[Anonymous]

Not to scare you away from Chase as everyone’s situation is different, but I had a CO that I paid off a year ago and Chase didn’t like that for me in their rejection of a Freedom app for me. I do have a much newer credit history than most people here which was their main reason. I didn’t have a prequalified offer. But the card made sense for me so I tried anyway.

But do what works for you and your situation and as always, give us your experience so that you can help others on here too!

[Petit3tee]

Both cards are good but one is best for travelling and the other is best for dining/grocery. I have both and I know I will cancel one of them but I don't know which one yet because I've had both for about a month but here're my thoughts... 

1. CSP wins when it comes to AF
2. Amex Gold wins when it comes to SUB - easier to hit $2000 in 3 months vs $4000
3. When it comes to dining, 4x from Amex Gold vs 2x from CSP
4. Earn pts from everyday purchases(4x restaurant, 4x grocery, 1x general) from amex gold vs from travel and dining only 
5. VISA is widely more accepted so CSP 
6. I personally don't like no preset spending limits. I'd like know what my limits are so I can have a better picture of my financial situations so CSP for me in this case
7. Amex is a charge-card so you'll have to pay in full end of each month. Even though it's recommended to pay in full every month but in some emergency cases, you can carry your balance on your CSP... 
8. No personal data for travel yet (got them last month)

There're 2 other travel cards with similar rewards (WF Propel & Venture) I wish I knew about before applying for either the CSP or the Amex Gold though... Not sure if you're open to other options or not but since you're about to 5/24, it might be better to go with Chase... good luck!

[jdbkiang]

I think the Propel is actually a good card to consider along with the CSP and Amex Gold.

No-AF and better earn rates than the CSP.

If you travel internationally, the Amex Gold isn’t as usable and won’t earn 4x overseas either.

Honestly they aren’t really mutually exclusive cards, and if you really want to get into the travel game, the Ink cards are probably what you should go for first.

[wasCB14]

I think CSP is seldom the best option for anyone.

People who want a lot of hotel/airline miles can get a cobrand card for extra perks and a bigger bonus (or a waived first-year AF).

People who want a great long-term earn rate or travel protections can get CSR.

48-month language makes the card less appealing for UR bonus chasing (though AF Ink cards can make CSP chasing more attractive).

People who want "travel cash" can get an Arrival+ or Venture without 5/24 concerns.

What remains? Free AUs and cheap primary rental coverage.

[Loquat]

I don't know how much it means to you but since you mentioned that you travel I want to point out that the CSP offers travel delay/interruption whereas the Gold doesn't.  I know some value this and others don't.  I didn't care much about it until I was stranded by a Frontier flight and realize the true benefit of having said protection.  If you don't have other cards that offer this benefit then I would at least toss a glance to CSP as the Amex Gold doesn't offer as a perk but it can be purchased via Amex Travel or through a carrier and the rate will depend on the value of the flight.  

As a side note, I no longer fly Frontier...it was a first and a last....19 hour delay and having to foot the entire bill myself to eat and sleep was enough to me to consider having a card with travel protection as deeply root my hatred for Frontier.