@ToxikPH wrote:Check my math?
If I use the platinum credit for FHR twice a year and the airline credit the effective fee comes down to $150, at 2cpp I only have to spend $1500 a year on flights and hotels. For the gold using both credits, the EF is $30, easily made up with my food spend. The BBP then covers my college spend as non-category.
It looks like I can cut down to these 3 cards and come ahead even after the $800 in AF.
Not just your math. Your entire frame of reference and strategy needs reevaluation, IMO.
I believe that you have added way too many cards too quickly and unless your income rises substantially after graduation, you probably will not be able to easily sustain such a wide variety of cards once you get into the real world outside of college.
If I was a college student making $31K per year, the last thing I would do is commit to paying $1,085 in credit card AFs. ($550 Plat, $250 Gold, $95 Delta, $95 Hilton, $95 Venture). Similarly, I cannot imagine splurging on AMEX's "FHR" (Fine Hotels and Resorts) at a college student level income. It sounds to me like you're trying to justify the AF cost in your head. The real question is, "If I didn't have AMEX AF cards, would I still be staying at a Fine Hotel and Resort-level property?" If the card is making you change your normal behavior, then it isn't the card for you. In the same vein, I don't regularly dine at Ruth Chris Steak House, Cheesecake Factory, or Grubhub even though I dine out frequently and could afford to do so. Therefore, I would have to adapt behavior to get the $120 back on the Gold card. That's one of the reasons it's not for me, even though I could easily afford the AF on my salary. It just doesn't make financial sense.
I was confused when you said that, "I haven't ever thought of wanting to do international travel. Business/First class also seems like too much to me per $. I think the only international travel I would want to do is up north to Canada. The best class I've ever flown in is Comfort+ on Delta and that's good enough for me."
But then you also said, "I have never been seriously interested in cashback as a long term strategy."
Travel doesn't seem a priority but you've never considered cashback? 
There's absolutely nothing wrong with a cashback strategy and for many consumers, it's actually the smartest type of strategy. Using travel cards does not make you a smarter consumer, because they aren't for everybody. To me, basic credit cards and simple cashback cards are where someone begins, then works up to high-AF and travel cards -- BUT ONLY when their income and travel patterns are able to support that higher level of spend. You're rushing the process. And the travel points programs like AMEX MR, Chase UR, and Citi TY are best utilized for cabin and experience upgrades, so if you're happy in lower pass-category travel, why pursue points over cashback?
Don't compare your profiles to everyone on My Fico. There are members here making 10x to 20x or more your income with heavy monthly reimbursed spend from their employers for travel. And they've been out of college for 10, 20, even 30 years or more. Their card lineup should look different from yours. Different cards are designed for different consumers and target markets. They aren't all right for everyone.
Finally, remember there are also a lot of members on the forum who carry "Business" cards but they have legitimate business needs for spending, either because they own their own business or they are expected to pay and be reimbursed from their employer. Business cards don't have the same consumer protections under the 2009 CARD act. But moreover, card agreements actually prohibit consumers from using business-level cards for personal expenses. You said, "The BBP then covers my college spend as non-category." BBP or Blue Business Preferred is a business card, so is your college spending truly a business expense?
The cardmember agreement for BBP states, "By submitting this application, you, as an individual and the Authorizing Officer of the Company, (a) are requesting us to open an Account in the name of the Company, (b) are requesting that we issue Card(s) as you direct, (c) are agreeing to be jointly and severally liable with the Company for all charges to the account, and (d) are REPRESENTING THAT ALL CARD(S) ISSUED ON THE ACCOUNT WILL ONLY BE USED FOR COMMERCIAL OR BUSINESS PURPOSES."
(*AMEX capitalized that sentence; I did not.)
It just appears to me that there is a lot about your credit card lineup and credit-seeking behavior that does not agree with your profile, spending, and expectations.
@Aim_High wrote:
@ToxikPH wrote:Check my math?
If I use the platinum credit for FHR twice a year and the airline credit the effective fee comes down to $150, at 2cpp I only have to spend $1500 a year on flights and hotels. For the gold using both credits, the EF is $30, easily made up with my food spend. The BBP then covers my college spend as non-category.
It looks like I can cut down to these 3 cards and come ahead even after the $800 in AF.
Not just your math. Your entire frame of reference and strategy needs reevaluation, IMO.
I believe that you have added way too many cards too quickly and unless your income rises substantially after graduation, you probably will not be able to easily sustain such a wide variety of cards once you get into the real world outside of college.
If I was a college student making $31K per year, the last thing I would do is pay commit to paying $1,085 in credit card AFs. ($550 Plat, $250 Gold, $95 Delta, $95 Hilton, $95 Venture). Similarly, I cannot imagine splurging on AMEX's "FHR" (Fine Hotels and Resorts) at a college student level income. It sounds to me like you're trying to justify the AF cost in your head. The real question is, "If I didn't have AMEX AF cards, would I still be staying at a Fine Hotel and Resort-level property?" If the card is making you change your normal behavior, then it isn't the card for you. In the same vein, I don't regularly dine at Ruth Chris Steak House, Cheesecake Factory, or Grubhub even though I dine out frequently and could afford to do so. Therefore, I would have to adapt behavior to get the $120 back on the Gold card. That's one of the reasons it's not for me, even though I could easily afford the AF on my salary. It just doesn't make financial sense.
I was confused when you said that, "I haven't ever thought of wanting to do international travel. Business/First class also seems like too much to me per $. I think the only international travel I would want to do is up north to Canada. The best class I've ever flown in is Comfort+ on Delta and that's good enough for me."
But then you also said, "I have never been seriously interested in cashback as a long term strategy."
Travel doesn't seem a priority but you've never considered cashback?
Don't compare your profiles to everyone on My Fico. There are members here making 10x to 20x or more your income with heavy monthly reimbursed spend from their employers for travel. And they've been out of college for 10, 20, even 30 years or more. Their card lineup should look different from yours. Different cards are designed for different consumers and target markets. They aren't all right for everyone.
Finally, remember there are also a lot of members on the forum who carry "Business" cards but they have legitimate business needs for spending, either because they own their own business or they are expected to pay and be reimbursed from their employer. Business cards don't have the same consumer protections under the 2009 CARD act. But moreover, card agreements actually prohibit consumers from using business-level cards for personal expenses. You said, "The BBP then covers my college spend as non-category." BBP or Blue Business Preferred is a business card, so is your college spending truly a business expense?
The cardmember agreement for BBP states, "By submitting this application, you, as an individual and the Authorizing Officer of the Company, (a) are requesting us to open an Account in the name of the Company, (b) are requesting that we issue Card(s) as you direct, (c) are agreeing to be jointly and severally liable with the Company for all charges to the account, and (d) are REPRESENTING THAT ALL CARD(S) ISSUED ON THE ACCOUNT WILL ONLY BE USED FOR COMMERCIAL OR BUSINESS PURPOSES."
(*AMEX capitalized that sentence; I did not.)
It just appears to me that there is a lot about your credit card lineup and credit-seeking behavior that does not agree with your profile, spending, and expectations.
I would totally be willing to stay at these hotels even without the Platinum and the dining credit on the Gold is totally worth it because I go to Shake Shack all the time. Travel is a priority for me but domestic not international like Europe.
I'm currently majoring in Finance so after college income should shoot up considerably. I also don't think that my travel would change in quality just quantity. I love flying comfort+ and staying at FHR style hotels. I have no problem affording these things as I don't have any other expenses besides a $410 car payment and school.
The school can totally be put on the BBP as well because I run a photography business and going after a business degree like finance would be fine for such an expense.
Finally, my problem with cashback is I just don't see any cards that line up for me as well as the Plat/Gold. Given that I don't see any error in my math I don't see a problem with using these cards as my main/only cards. Is there something I'm missing?