@unlucky_hove wrote:
@TangMeister wrote:I really like USAA and have their MC, checking and savings, but the issue I have with their Amex is not the benefits, but rather that the rewards are very low. It's not even 1% return on each $1 spent. BoA's Accelerated Cash Back Amex is 1.25%, along with 3% bonus categories that pop up from time to time. Even Fidelity offers a 2% cash back return on their no annual fee Amex. So, USAA's Amex is at the bottom of the rewards barrel.
As far as American Express Centurion Bank offerings, it seems most are focused here on their fee-based cards when comparing, and that's not really a good comparison. Their new Blue Cash Everyday card is one of the best no annual fee rewards cards out there, with unlimited 3% cash back on groceries, 2% on gas and dept stores, and 1% on everything else.
When USAA Amex can at least up their cash back to 1% then yeah, it's an ok alternative to the rest. Otherwise, it's really just a niche player for those who just love USAA, or can't get the other Amex card offerings out there.Kind of harsh ehh? i mean if one can quailfy for a USAA credit product im pretty sure they will qualify for a American Express Centurion Bank product. USAA doesnt let just anyone in the door.
It seems you are focusing purely one the reward aspect, which is fine but you have some old school people out here who really dont care for rewards. I was focusing purely on the casual CC user, not someone who charges any and everything just to maximize rewards. I agree that it is not a fair comparison with the fee based cards as i was just focusing purely on the benefits of each card the each company offers (the fine print most of us dont read).
There are always going to be trade offs depending on which product you use, its all about what fits you best. It seems that USAA absorbs alot of the cost for the benefits they afford on to its users, that alone makes up for the lack of rewards. When you buy that shiny new computer and it gets broken within the first 90 days of its purchase, you can get the $1000 from American Express Centurion Bank to replace it, I guess youll have to use your rewards to make up the remaining cost. USAA users with get full purchase price (or close to it) 150 days form the date of purchase and keep their feable reward balance. (You never know what might happen)
Interesting response to my post. As I stated, my focus is on rewards, and even the everyday person would find great value in Amex Blue Cash Everyday.
Amex credit products as easy to qualify for as USAA credit products??? Uhhhh....no. Not even in the same league. Only credit issuer with tougher underwriting criteria than Amex might be PenFed CU. No other issuer comes close. Research is your friend. 
@TangMeister wrote:
@unlucky_hove wrote:
@TangMeister wrote:I really like USAA and have their MC, checking and savings, but the issue I have with their Amex is not the benefits, but rather that the rewards are very low. It's not even 1% return on each $1 spent. BoA's Accelerated Cash Back Amex is 1.25%, along with 3% bonus categories that pop up from time to time. Even Fidelity offers a 2% cash back return on their no annual fee Amex. So, USAA's Amex is at the bottom of the rewards barrel.
As far as American Express Centurion Bank offerings, it seems most are focused here on their fee-based cards when comparing, and that's not really a good comparison. Their new Blue Cash Everyday card is one of the best no annual fee rewards cards out there, with unlimited 3% cash back on groceries, 2% on gas and dept stores, and 1% on everything else.
When USAA Amex can at least up their cash back to 1% then yeah, it's an ok alternative to the rest. Otherwise, it's really just a niche player for those who just love USAA, or can't get the other Amex card offerings out there.Kind of harsh ehh? i mean if one can quailfy for a USAA credit product im pretty sure they will qualify for a American Express Centurion Bank product. USAA doesnt let just anyone in the door.
It seems you are focusing purely one the reward aspect, which is fine but you have some old school people out here who really dont care for rewards. I was focusing purely on the casual CC user, not someone who charges any and everything just to maximize rewards. I agree that it is not a fair comparison with the fee based cards as i was just focusing purely on the benefits of each card the each company offers (the fine print most of us dont read).
There are always going to be trade offs depending on which product you use, its all about what fits you best. It seems that USAA absorbs alot of the cost for the benefits they afford on to its users, that alone makes up for the lack of rewards. When you buy that shiny new computer and it gets broken within the first 90 days of its purchase, you can get the $1000 from American Express Centurion Bank to replace it, I guess youll have to use your rewards to make up the remaining cost. USAA users with get full purchase price (or close to it) 150 days form the date of purchase and keep their feable reward balance. (You never know what might happen)
Interesting response to my post. As I stated, my focus is on rewards, and even the everyday person would find great value in Amex Blue Cash Everyday.
Amex credit products as easy to qualify for as USAA credit products??? Uhhhh....no. Not even in the same league. Only credit issuer with tougher underwriting criteria than Amex might be PenFed CU. No other issuer comes close. Research is your friend.
I don't have to research that one, I know first hand how difficult it is to get an Amex product.
"I mean if one can quailfy for a USAA credit product im pretty sure they will qualify for a American Express Centurion Bank product"........What I meant by that statement was, generally the only requirements that need to be met are 1) a relatively clean credit portfolio 2) sufficient income.....If I am missing anything please enlighten me. Last time I checked USAA requires you to have a decent portfolio just like Amex and any other prime creditor does.
I totally agree with you about the two not being in the same ball park. USAA (and companies of this type) treat you like a person, Amex treats you like a number generated by a ridiculous arbitrary internal computer scoring system. Then when i get the CC i have to pick and chose which stores to shop in for fear of a FR or worse. Answer this , what would happen if you suddenly had a significant financial change in your life and had to start carrying a large balance on that Blue month to month only being able to pay the minimum, are the rewards worth it then? Just my thoughts 
@TangMeister wrote:
@unlucky_hove wrote:
@TangMeister wrote:I really like USAA and have their MC, checking and savings, but the issue I have with their Amex is not the benefits, but rather that the rewards are very low. It's not even 1% return on each $1 spent. BoA's Accelerated Cash Back Amex is 1.25%, along with 3% bonus categories that pop up from time to time. Even Fidelity offers a 2% cash back return on their no annual fee Amex. So, USAA's Amex is at the bottom of the rewards barrel.
As far as American Express Centurion Bank offerings, it seems most are focused here on their fee-based cards when comparing, and that's not really a good comparison. Their new Blue Cash Everyday card is one of the best no annual fee rewards cards out there, with unlimited 3% cash back on groceries, 2% on gas and dept stores, and 1% on everything else.
When USAA Amex can at least up their cash back to 1% then yeah, it's an ok alternative to the rest. Otherwise, it's really just a niche player for those who just love USAA, or can't get the other Amex card offerings out there.Kind of harsh ehh? i mean if one can quailfy for a USAA credit product im pretty sure they will qualify for a American Express Centurion Bank product. USAA doesnt let just anyone in the door.
It seems you are focusing purely one the reward aspect, which is fine but you have some old school people out here who really dont care for rewards. I was focusing purely on the casual CC user, not someone who charges any and everything just to maximize rewards. I agree that it is not a fair comparison with the fee based cards as i was just focusing purely on the benefits of each card the each company offers (the fine print most of us dont read).
There are always going to be trade offs depending on which product you use, its all about what fits you best. It seems that USAA absorbs alot of the cost for the benefits they afford on to its users, that alone makes up for the lack of rewards. When you buy that shiny new computer and it gets broken within the first 90 days of its purchase, you can get the $1000 from American Express Centurion Bank to replace it, I guess youll have to use your rewards to make up the remaining cost. USAA users with get full purchase price (or close to it) 150 days form the date of purchase and keep their feable reward balance. (You never know what might happen)
Interesting response to my post. As I stated, my focus is on rewards, and even the everyday person would find great value in Amex Blue Cash Everyday.
Amex credit products as easy to qualify for as USAA credit products??? Uhhhh....no. Not even in the same league. Only credit issuer with tougher underwriting criteria than Amex might be PenFed CU. No other issuer comes close. Research is your friend.
You need to sharpen up on your research skills.
Some AmEx cards are difficult to qualify for, but some are pretty close to being subprime. Just look around the forums and see who is getting Zync. AmEx Green is easy to get, too.