What are your 5 Amex Personal Credit Cards Setup

[OmarGB9]

I don't have/plan to have 5 Amex cards. I only have the BCP for grocers and streaming and I got a Plat for the sub and perks, but I may close or downgrade to a Gold.

[h2oeng]

Platinum for flights and rooms if booked thru the portal, Gold for groceries and dinning out, BBP for most everything else, BCE but it doesn't see much use.  Green will probably be my next for the x3 on misc travel and airbnb.  

[Aim_High]

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@Remedios wrote:

That really isn't a "set up", other than maybe BCE/BCP.

Hilton and Marriott don't compliment each other in any way, and "undecided" is ... I'm guessing something you don't have 

Are you asking how many Amex cards some may have? 

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I think what started @AyaMai's topic was an assumption that the five-card personal limit still applies on AMEX (it doesn't) and that many in our community would apply for additional cards up to that limit.   Data points from the past couple of years including this article on TPG website  among others confirmed that AMEX lowered the number of personal REVOLVERS to four from five, but the number of CHARGE cards is still ten.  So five cards doesn't mean anything anymore, whether in terms of revolvers or total cards.  

I repeat the advice I saw by a wise My-Fico'er once that suggested most consumers are best sticking with either a cash-back or MR strategy from AMEX, independent of any selected airline or hotel cards that are appropriate.  The reasoning is that if MRs are valuable enough, there's no need to dilute spending with cash back since accruing enough travel points for meaningful redemption often takes patience and lot of spend.  And if MRs aren't valuable enough after taking into account annual fees, credits, perks, and redemption method, a cash back only strategy would be superior. 

Personally, I don't find AMEX cash back cards very compelling.  Cash Magnet gives 1.5% on everything.  Meh.  Blue Cash Everyday/Preferred both have spending caps and/or annual fees which add complications to optimzing return.  And some competitors pay as well or higher in some categories like gas, transit, or streaming without an AF.   IMO, Blue Cash Preferred can be a competitive offering for the right person, but mainly if you're willing and able to spend right up to the $6K grocery cap without exceeding it. 

MR cards work well for many of our members, but it's strictly a YMMV scenario.  If I were dedicated to MRs, I would assemble multiple MR cards and concentrate spend on them.  That would probably include Platinum (but only if I were able to use the credits organically, traveled by air often, and valued airport lounges), Gold (for all dining and groceries, but again mainly if the credits could be used organically), and Blue Business Blue for 2x MR on everything else.  The Green card might be a good alternative to the Platinum for non-frequent air travelers to get some lounge/CLEAR benefits while earning a higher return on generic travel and transit.  

Since I've decided that MRs are also not as valuable to me as Chase URs, I've recently closed my GOLD card and opened a Blue Business Plus primarly to park my MRs until I either use them or transfer them to partners. 

Where I find the most value with AMEX personally is in their cobranded revolvers.  In my case, I really appreciate the entire package I get from my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.   Between the $300 dining credit and annual 85K free night, the AF is completely and easily reimbursed with credits much more simple than some of the charge cards.  The card grants me automatic Platinum elite status with 25 free elite nights; higher in-hotel earnings; gift of additional points or complimentary breakfast; Priority Pass Select; TSA Global Entry fee credit; extensive shopping protections (Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Return Protection); and travel insurances (trip delay/cancellation, lost baggage, rental car CDW); and access to AMEX offers like other cards.  Hands-down, I think it's the best card that AMEX offers, but that's my personal opinion.    Their Delta airlines and Hilton cards offer similar value to consumers who prefer those brands. 

The nice thing is that there is something for everyone, whether that is cash back, MRs, cobrands like Marriott-Hilton-Delta, charge cards with NPSL and a suite of coupon perks, or some combination.  But there's no magic, "tri-fecta" or in this case "quint-fecta" of five cards with AMEX.

[okurosetta]

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@Aim_High wrote:
I think what started @AyaMai's topic was an assumption that the five-card personal limit still applies on AMEX (it doesn't) and that many in our community would apply for additional cards up to that limit.   Data points from the past couple of years including this article on TPG website  among others confirmed that AMEX lowered the number of personal REVOLVERS to four from five, but the number of CHARGE cards is still ten.  So five cards doesn't mean anything anymore, whether in terms of revolvers or total cards.  

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I can say that I was denied for a fifth Amex revolver right around the time of a year after that TPG article, with the stated reason for denial being that I had the maximum number of Amex cards, but I tried for a fifth revolver again in January of 2021 2022 and was approved. Just my personal experience.

[okurosetta]

Not really a "Setup", just a mix of cards, but this is what I have right now:

• BCP
• Hilton Surpass
• Hilton Business
• Marriott Business
• Blue Business Plus

I plan to downgrade the Surpass to the no AF personal card, downgrade BCP to BCE, and close the Hilton Business. Then I will open Hilton Aspire, which will be the last of the Hilton cards to have opened (already had and closed no AF card). Then I'll hope for an upgrade offer from the no AF card (that was Surpass) to Aspire.

[Aim_High]

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@okurosetta wrote:

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@Aim_High wrote:
I think what started @AyaMai's topic was an assumption that the five-card personal limit still applies on AMEX (it doesn't) and that many in our community would apply for additional cards up to that limit.   Data points from the past couple of years including this article on TPG website  among others confirmed that AMEX lowered the number of personal REVOLVERS to four from five, but the number of CHARGE cards is still ten.  So five cards doesn't mean anything anymore, whether in terms of revolvers or total cards.  

---

I can say that I was denied for a fifth Amex revolver right around the time of that TPG article, with the stated reason for denial being that I had the maximum number of Amex cards, but I tried for a fifth revolver again in January of 2021 and was approved. Just my personal experience.

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Thanks for that data point, @okurosetta, but were all five of those personal cards?  The rule seems to be personal revolvers (not including business) and your cards appear to only have two personal revolvers at the moment. 

@okurosettawrote: "... this is what I have right now:

• BCP
• Hilton Surpass
• Hilton Business
• Marriott Business
• Blue Business Plus"

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[okurosetta]

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@Aim_High wrote:Thanks for that data point, @okurosetta, but were all five of those personal cards?  The rule seems to be personal revolvers (not including business) and your cards appear to only have two personal revolvers at the moment. 

@okurosettawrote: "... this is what I have right now:

• BCP
• Hilton Surpass
• Hilton Business
• Marriott Business
• Blue Business Plus"

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That's interesting. The only other personal revolver I have had was the no AF Hilton card. I have not had any other business revolvers.

I found an old reddit comment with more info. For starters I'll have to edit my last post, as it was January 2022, not 2021, when I was approved for Hilton Business. Still figuring out it's 2023...

Anyways, the denial came in May 2021. I had 4 Amex revolvers at the time - 3 personal, 1 business. This was in the denial letter: "According to our records, you currently have the maximum number and type of American Express Card accounts that we allow."

imgur link 

[AyaMai]

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@Aim_High wrote:

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@Remedios wrote:

That really isn't a "set up", other than maybe BCE/BCP.

Hilton and Marriott don't compliment each other in any way, and "undecided" is ... I'm guessing something you don't have 

Are you asking how many Amex cards some may have? 

---

I think what started @AyaMai's topic was an assumption that the five-card personal limit still applies on AMEX (it doesn't) and that many in our community would apply for additional cards up to that limit.   Data points from the past couple of years including this article on TPG website  among others confirmed that AMEX lowered the number of personal REVOLVERS to four from five, but the number of CHARGE cards is still ten.  So five cards doesn't mean anything anymore, whether in terms of revolvers or total cards.  

I repeat the advice I saw by a wise My-Fico'er once that suggested most consumers are best sticking with either a cash-back or MR strategy from AMEX, independent of any selected airline or hotel cards that are appropriate.  The reasoning is that if MRs are valuable enough, there's no need to dilute spending with cash back since accruing enough travel points for meaningful redemption often takes patience and lot of spend.  And if MRs aren't valuable enough after taking into account annual fees, credits, perks, and redemption method, a cash back only strategy would be superior. 

Personally, I don't find AMEX cash back cards very compelling.  Cash Magnet gives 1.5% on everything.  Meh.  Blue Cash Everyday/Preferred both have spending caps and/or annual fees which add complications to optimzing return.  And some competitors pay as well or higher in some categories like gas, transit, or streaming without an AF.   IMO, Blue Cash Preferred can be a competitive offering for the right person, but mainly if you're willing and able to spend right up to the $6K grocery cap without exceeding it. 

MR cards work well for many of our members, but it's strictly a YMMV scenario.  If I were dedicated to MRs, I would assemble multiple MR cards and concentrate spend on them.  That would probably include Platinum (but only if I were able to use the credits organically, traveled by air often, and valued airport lounges), Gold (for all dining and groceries, but again mainly if the credits could be used organically), and Blue Business Blue for 2x MR on everything else.  The Green card might be a good alternative to the Platinum for non-frequent air travelers to get some lounge/CLEAR benefits while earning a higher return on generic travel and transit.  

Since I've decided that MRs are also not as valuable to me as Chase URs, I've recently closed my GOLD card and opened a Blue Business Plus primarly to park my MRs until I either use them or transfer them to partners. 

Where I find the most value with AMEX personally is in their cobranded revolvers.  In my case, I really appreciate the entire package I get from my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.   Between the $300 dining credit and annual 85K free night, the AF is completely and easily reimbursed with credits much more simple than some of the charge cards.  The card grants me automatic Platinum elite status with 25 free elite nights; higher in-hotel earnings; gift of additional points or complimentary breakfast; Priority Pass Select; TSA Global Entry fee credit; extensive shopping protections (Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Return Protection); and travel insurances (trip delay/cancellation, lost baggage, rental car CDW); and access to AMEX offers like other cards.  Hands-down, I think it's the best card that AMEX offers, but that's my personal opinion.    Their Delta airlines and Hilton cards offer similar value to consumers who prefer those brands. 

The nice thing is that there is something for everyone, whether that is cash back, MRs, cobrands like Marriott-Hilton-Delta, charge cards with NPSL and a suite of coupon perks, or some combination.  But there's no magic, "tri-fecta" or in this case "quint-fecta" of five cards with AMEX.

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Thank you for the response.

[DONZI]

I like the platiunum + gold combination, the BCE found a niche in the online retail for some things... however I am inclined to use the charge card(s) for a variety of retail without bonus points for the extended warranty etc. and kind of suspect if ever using that benefit it may go smoothest with amex than what visa/mc options I have. I really should test the waters on the visa/mc or disco though. I have price protection on some of them which could have been useful last month.

I created overlapping cards by paying more attention to which CRA the issuer typically HP since I was thinking it would benefit my short term credit seeking. In hindsight, I may gravitate to the MR more, but it's really not because of MR vs Cashback preference.

Sometimes the card I use is a ridiculous fit. Last night I used my 2% cash back instead of a 3% dining at a local joint that only took visa/mc. Literally $0.10 though on a $12 bill so **bleep**... I still feel sort of stupid afterwards.

[Anonymous]

My "setup" is BCE/ED/OBC, AU on wife's OBC (and she has an old Gold Card, which she keeps for age, I think AF is $95)

I used the BCE for upgrade/downgrade, except now I am using it for its 3% on online orders. Nothing else sees any charge, so not exactly an active setup!