With CSP you pay $95 for the ability to transfer points to partners. There aren’t any real travel benefits except for things like rental auto insurance. Combined with Freedom and CFU, points earnings can be improved, but the comparison here is one card.
NFCU offers a flexible points redemption, cash equivalent, at a decent earning rate, so while there are not the options to transfer to partners, there is also not the nerfing of those partner values. For the $49 AF, it would seem NFCU is better than CSP.
Both have their merits and it really comes down to what you're planning to do with the rewards. If you'd like to transfer to airline and/or hotel partners for award redemptions, CSP is the clear winner since NFCU does not have travel partners. If you're planning to use the points to pay for travel, it might not be so black and white. If you're looking to get cash back, Flagship may have the edge.
Both will earn 2x points on dining, but Flagship will earn 3x on travel compared to CSP's 2x and will earn 2x on all other purchases compared to CSP's 1x. Flagship offers the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit up to $100, while CSP does not. Flagship's annual fee is half of the CSP. Flagship's highest possible APR is a fraction of a percent higher than CSP's lowest possible APR if that matters to you. Flagship has mobile phone coverage if that's added value for you. If you ever wanted a balance transfer, Flagship usually has 0% APR offers every year and there is never a BT fee; depending on your approval terms, Chase BTs for 0% APR are typically a 3-5% fee. Flagship underwriting is usually a bit more lax, and it is of course not subject to 5/24, but is subject to membership requirements. NFCU does have minimum redemption amounts that can be annoying if you're not building up a lot of points, though.
For the most part, though, I think the biggest determination is how you plan to use your rewards. For transfers, Chase is the clear winner. For anything else, Flagship may have a good edge.
@CreditSage wrote:Thanks for your reply but that doesn't give much information.. can you elaborate? 3% back for travel on the flagship doesn't seem half bad for $49 year but would love to get some insight into the two.
Sorry for that.
When used as part of the trifecta, (CSP or CSR, Freedom,Freedom Unltd), all of these UR points can be combined and get a 1.25 or 1.5 multiple when redeemed for travel via the huge CSP travel portal. Lots of points can be accumulated in this way for use travelling all over the world.
CSP/CSR gives 1st dollar coverage on car rental, too.
It bears repeating that for any applicant that is qualified, CSR may be a better option than CSP. With the increased travel and dining earnings, $300 travel credit, and Global Entry Credit, that annual fee shouldn’t have as much sticker shock. And if travel portal is how you plan to use your rewards, it has the added benefit of a 50% bonus instead of 25% bonus on your points. That extra 25% alone probably paid for my AF the past year.
So, whats your travel plan OP? what airlines? which airports? where you wanna go? 