Also is a annual fee in your budget?
All the best (subjective) travel cards have a hefty annual fee. You mentioned the CSR, so I assume that you won't mind a fee like that. If you live near a major Delta Hub, I'd go AMEX Platinum. I had the Prestige but product changed that. With te loss of benifits, that was a good move for me.
Just got the Amex platinum with 75K bonus, plus got an offer of a Hilton stay of $200.00 bucks or more and got an extra 3k MR points. About to take a trip next week and hit the Delta sky clubs.
The Amex has the all of the Priority Pass lounges, Delta Sky club lounges and the Centurion lounges to boot on top of the $200.00 airline credit as well. The Amex has aslo a slew of protection, plus some say have the best customer service to boot.
The sucky part about the Amex is the points 
, but I also have the Amex Premier Rewards Gold to help with that!
Depends on what you are looking for. Both cards have there pros and cons. Choose what's best for you.
@Anonymous wrote:Also is a annual fee in your budget?
All the best (subjective) travel cards have a hefty annual fee. You mentioned the CSR, so I assume that you won't mind a fee like that. If you live near a major Delta Hub, I'd go AMEX Platinum. I had the Prestige but product changed that. With te loss of benifits, that was a good move for me.
Just got the Amex platinum with 75K bonus, plus got an offer of a Hilton stay of $200.00 bucks or more and got an extra 3k MR points. About to take a trip next week and hit the Delta sky clubs.
The Amex has the all of the Priority Pass lounges, Delta Sky club lounges and the Centurion lounges to boot on top of the $200.00 airline credit as well. The Amex has aslo a slew of protection, plus some say have the best customer service to boot.
The sucky part about the Amex is the points
Depends on what you are looking for. Both cards have there pros and cons. Choose what's best for you.
Yah...the points stink, but it is easier to qualify for than the CSR or Prestige. If they would increase MR points, that would be a positive in their favor. I like being able to transfer points between it and my ED card. A fourth card would be the Venture card with 40k bonus, 2x miles, and $59 annual fee. While it isn't a spectacular card, OP would probably quality for it.
@Anonymous wrote:Hi All-
Frequent reader, infrequent poster here. I'm finally at a place where I feel good about my overall credit-worthiness, have purchased a home, and paid down all consumer debt.
I want a credit card with travel perks, especially since my partner is from South America and we need to be better about visiting his side of the family (haven't been to visit in over 5 years, whoops). If we could find a way to get free tickets every other year or so it would be perfect, as the cost to fly down there is the biggest reason we haven't made it.
As for me, my annual income is about $55k (partner is not currently working). My scores are in the 720-750 range. I currently have the following:
- a WF visa with a $15k limit (PIF each month)
- a visa from my local credit union with a $4500 limit (PIF each month)
- a Macy's store card with a $2500 limit (balance of $400 to be paid off by the end of the year when my 0% interest promotion expires)
Other information that may be helpful is that I live in a city with a major Delta hub, but not opposed to using other airlines (United has a decent route from my city to my partner's home country).
I will likely apply for something in January or February, as I have to book some work travel at that point which will make hitting a minimum spend a bit easier. We are also planning a getaway to Mexico in June to celebrate our 5-year anniversary, so something with no foreign transaction fees would also be useful.
There is a lot of chatter on here about the CSR...I have to admit that the bonus offer is mighty tempting, but not sure if my income or scores are high enough to qualify. Any insight would be much appreciated--I'm new to this whole CC thing and figured I'd ask for advice from everyone here since you guys are so knowledgeable!!
I was just approved for the CSR yesterday, scores are around yours, income is higher but I am not sure how much of a factor income plays in approval.
If you're going for it, I'd recommend going for it in Nov if you would be able to still hit the min spend requirements, because then you get $300 in travel credit this year, and also $300 travel credit in 2017 before the AF is due again. Just be aware it can take a few weeks to get the card, and also the charge has to post to your Dec statement to count as a 2016 travel charge.
@Anonymous wrote:Also is a annual fee in your budget?
All the best (subjective) travel cards have a hefty annual fee. You mentioned the CSR, so I assume that you won't mind a fee like that. If you live near a major Delta Hub, I'd go AMEX Platinum. I had the Prestige but product changed that. With te loss of benifits, that was a good move for me.
Just got the Amex platinum with 75K bonus, plus got an offer of a Hilton stay of $200.00 bucks or more and got an extra 3k MR points. About to take a trip next week and hit the Delta sky clubs.
The Amex has the all of the Priority Pass lounges, Delta Sky club lounges and the Centurion lounges to boot on top of the $200.00 airline credit as well. The Amex has aslo a slew of protection, plus some say have the best customer service to boot.
The sucky part about the Amex is the points
Depends on what you are looking for. Both cards have there pros and cons. Choose what's best for you.
I mean, paying an annual fee is not something I would feel awesome about, but it is certainly affordable. Y'all have given me a bunch to think about. Hadn't honestly thought about the Amex platinum. I was thinking if I went Amex I'd do their Delta card, for no other reason other than the fact that my parents use that card and go to Europe once or twice a year on a free ticket and I think to myself "gee, I'd like to do that!"
I obviously need to do a whole lot more research!!
