Considering My AMEX Options: Questions

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure I stiffed Amex for a couple grand a long long (more than 20 years) time ago. But in July 2018 I was approved for a BCE w/500 CL. Note: no "steps" email was sent. 

At Days 61, 91, 151 & 183 I was denied a CLI.  Yesterday, 191 days after opening the account, I got an email saying they've raised my limit to 1k. 

They've also now (wasn't before -- I check periodically) made me pre-approved for most of their CC's (all the co-branded plus the charge cards). I plan to take them up on their offer once I decide what card(s) makes most sense for me. But first I have a couple of questions for the Amex pros:

* Is it true the charge cards don't report to the CRAs unless there's a default? If so, then no affect on my AAoA (thus absolutely no reason not to get one)?

* Is there a no-brainer preference between the Marriott/Starwood properties & reward programs value vs Hilton? I'm not a for-work traveler but would like to hit Europe or Asia once in 2019 & possibly NYC as well. Both plans look appealing to me, assuming I can figure out how to use one.

* Is it worth spending the $450 if only a casual traveler?

* Am I likely to get a scuzzy SL even if I app for one of the "better" co-branded cards and spend the $450?

* How do they collect the $450 -- put it on your 1st statement?

* Can either of those traveler cards be easily downgraded (without hassle/penalty) if I decide travel is not so important in 2020 or beyond?

* Any other Amex advice is also appreciated. Feel free to point out something I've not considered.

[wasCB14]

Personal charge cards do report, whether there are late payments or not. I've gotten mixed messages about how balances are treated in terms of utilization.

I don't believe business charge cards report unless there is a late payment. My business revolver doesn't report.

Hilton can be easily downgraded to a no-AF or lower-AF card (wait for the 2nd year's AF to post first, then close it and it will be refunded). There is a strong possibility that the $450 Marriott Amex will not offer the chance to downgrade by the time you want to do so.

[Anonymous]

---

@wasCB14 wrote:

Personal charge cards do report, whether there are late payments or not. I've gotten mixed messages about how balances are treated in terms of utilization.

I don't believe business charge cards report unless there is a late payment. My business revolver doesn't report.

Hilton can be easily downgraded to a no-AF or lower-AF card (wait for the 2nd year's AF to post first, then close it and it will be refunded). There is a strong possibility that the $450 Marriott Amex will not offer the chance to downgrade by the time you want to do so.

---

Thank you for those answers. 

Do you have either of the brands (Hilton or Marriott/SPG) and how did you choose one vs the other? Pleased with your choice?

[wasCB14]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

---

---

Thank you for those answers. 

Do you have either of the brands (Hilton or Marriott/SPG) and how did you choose one vs the other? Pleased with your choice?

---

I don't travel enough to earn any meaningful status, and when I do I prioritize a hotel's comfort and convenience over points. I only have the SPG Luxury card because of a great minimum spend bonus and then a series of other offers.

[jdbkiang]

Charge cards do show on your report and should affect your AAoA. The AF is typically posted on your first statement.

Hilton and Marriott each have their pros and cons and it’s up to you and your preferences to decide. I do think the Hilton Aspire is a much better card than the SPG Luxury though, and if you do stay at a Hilton, Diamond status will be a great perk.

[Anonymous]

If you are certain you will be traveling overseas, the Amex Aspire card will have greater value than if you would be traveling exclusively in the U.S.
Less competition for status perks from other U.S. residents with newly minted Aspire Diamond status.

[Anonymous]

---

@jdbkiang wrote:
Charge cards do show on your report and should affect your AAoA. The AF is typically posted on your first statement.

Hilton and Marriott each have their pros and cons and it’s up to you and your preferences to decide. I do think the Hilton Aspire is a much better card than the SPG Luxury though, and if you do stay at a Hilton, Diamond status will be a great perk.

---

Okay. Good to know I was incorrect on the charge cards.

Diamond status does seem attractive (although I've also read several posters hating). 

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Anonymous]

---

@Anonymous wrote:
If you are certain you will be traveling overseas, the Amex Aspire card will have greater value than if you would be traveling exclusively in the U.S.
Less competition for status perks from other U.S. residents with newly minted Aspire Diamond status.

---

I hadn't read elsewhere about especial value for overseas travel, so thank you for that. But I'm also confused about your last statement -- wouldn't I too be considered "newly minted"? I don't follow.

[wasCB14]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:
If you are certain you will be traveling overseas, the Amex Aspire card will have greater value than if you would be traveling exclusively in the U.S.
Less competition for status perks from other U.S. residents with newly minted Aspire Diamond status.

---

I hadn't read elsewhere about especial value for overseas travel, so thank you for that. But I'm also confused about your last statement -- wouldn't I too be considered "newly minted"? I don't follow.

---

A general fact of elite status is that the more people there are who have it, the less it means. The relatively new Amex Aspire makes it very easy for Americans to get Hilton Diamond, so there are more people competing for upgrades, etc. Or Hilton hotels may cut back on what they provide for free to Diamonds...less luxurious lounges and free food, whatever. This is an extreme case, but the same can be said for many hotel loyalty programs and their US credit cards.

So to get value from being Diamond, it helps to go overseas where a smaller share of guests may have Diamond status. There is less competition for upgrades, and hotels may be more accustomed to elites being big spenders and loyal guests, rather than people who just got a CC with a small net AF.

[simplynoir]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:
If you are certain you will be traveling overseas, the Amex Aspire card will have greater value than if you would be traveling exclusively in the U.S.
Less competition for status perks from other U.S. residents with newly minted Aspire Diamond status.

---

I hadn't read elsewhere about especial value for overseas travel, so thank you for that. But I'm also confused about your last statement -- wouldn't I too be considered "newly minted"? I don't follow.

---

He simply means the card awards Diamond status on a product that was only introduced last year. New is relative but you get the idea.