Why CSP?

[UncleB]

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@redpat wrote:

I keep thinking of this card as the one that comes w/ training wheels.  

Like I said in the past, Chase should have done what Amex did, just make their existing cards better.  They would have saved a ton of dollars by not having a 100k SUB.

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Not at all... for someone who happens not to travel enough to warrant the CSR but who still needs the occasional ability to transfer URs to travel partners the CSP can fit the bill.

I'm not saying that Chase did as well as they could/should have... you're right, there was/is room for improvement.  I'm just saying that while perhaps the CSP isn't right for many in this thread the numbers will still work for many (again, I would fall into this group myself).

[wasCB14]

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@UncleB wrote:

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@redpat wrote:

I keep thinking of this card as the one that comes w/ training wheels.  

Like I said in the past, Chase should have done what Amex did, just make their existing cards better.  They would have saved a ton of dollars by not having a 100k SUB.

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Not at all... for someone who happens not to travel enough to warrant the CSR but who still needs the occasional ability to transfer URs to travel partners the CSP can fit the bill.

I'm not saying that Chase did as well as they could/should have... you're right, there was/is room for improvement.  I'm just saying that while perhaps the CSP isn't right for many in this thread the numbers will still work for many (again, I would fall into this group myself).

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But with 48-month language on Sapphire bonuses (maybe you can find a way around this) wouldn't it make more sense to just go straight for the big-bonus cobrands from your desired transfer partners? 60k Hyatt, 100k AL/BA Avios, etc.

[wasCB14]

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@imaximous wrote:

I think that one of the main reasons is the annual fee in most people's eyes. What I mean is, a person who's not a big rewards enthusiast sees the difference in AFs between CSP and CSR, and just picks the CSP because $450 sounds like to a lot of money to pay up front. They're not thinking about all the benefits and the $300 in credits they'll get eventually, even if they can easily get it back. I'm pretty sure Chase is fully aware of the perceived cost of the 2 cards, and they'll continue to offer options for their different type of customers.

Without going too far, my DW freaked out when she found out how much we pay in AFs in general, and when I told her we'd be upgrading from CSP to CSR, and the new AF. It took some explaining and a while to sink in even though she knows we spend a good amount in travel per year. We get the $300 back just in 3 months of e-zpass tolls. But, to this day, she has doubts about the card and AF.

CSP isn't going anywhere. There's a great market for it because most people don't frequent travel or card forums. 

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True. AF sticker shock is pretty common in the general population. I still think the "if CSR is excessive, you probably don't need CSP" principle is true...but a lot of people reject big AF cards before examining the details.

[UncleB]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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@UncleB wrote:

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@redpat wrote:

I keep thinking of this card as the one that comes w/ training wheels.  

Like I said in the past, Chase should have done what Amex did, just make their existing cards better.  They would have saved a ton of dollars by not having a 100k SUB.

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Not at all... for someone who happens not to travel enough to warrant the CSR but who still needs the occasional ability to transfer URs to travel partners the CSP can fit the bill.

I'm not saying that Chase did as well as they could/should have... you're right, there was/is room for improvement.  I'm just saying that while perhaps the CSP isn't right for many in this thread the numbers will still work for many (again, I would fall into this group myself).

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But with 48-month language on Sapphire bonuses (maybe you can find a way around this) wouldn't it make more sense to just go straight for the big-bonus cobrands from your desired transfer partners? 60k Hyatt, 100k AL/BA Avios, etc.

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For some it might, but again we're talking occasional transfers, not someone who is a heavy-hitter for a specific brand. 

With the CSP you have the option to transfer to one partner this year, and another partner next year (or year after), etc. without needing to get a different card (which might not be possible anyway depending on one's 5/24 status).

[Anonymous]

Chase can remove sticker shock by just charge a 150 AF. lol

Obviously, somebody is paying that 450, so lets don't assume its not a problem for some.

[CreditCuriosity]

Also CSP has primary rental car coverage for a cheaper price that a CSR if that is a concern for said traveler not to mention ability to transfer out as others echoed.  To each and their own everyone has different reasons whether we consider them right or wrong

[Anonymous]

A lot of people see the CSR as a premium card for higher income earners ($10k minimum SL, $450 AF, etc.), even though it may be the better deal for anyone who travels a lot.

For those who have trouble qualifying for a $10k limit, or don't travel enough to justify the $450 AF, the CSP is more attractive to those.

Take me for example, I don't travel enough to justify either Sapphire version, but the CSP is a closer match to my spend/budget than the CSR is... and I'm far more likely to be approved for CSP as well.

[wasCB14]

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@Anonymous wrote:

A lot of people see the CSR as a premium card for higher income earners ($10k minimum SL, $450 AF, etc.), even though it may be the better deal for anyone who travels a lot.

For those who have trouble qualifying for a $10k limit, or don't travel enough to justify the $450 AF, the CSP is more attractive to those.

Take me for example, I don't travel enough to justify either Sapphire version, but the CSP is a closer match to my spend/budget than the CSR is... and I'm far more likely to be approved for CSP as well.

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So what's the appeal of CSP for you over a cobranded Chase travel card (Marriott, United, Hyatt, etc.) where you could potentially get a bigger bonus, a renewal night, free checked bags, etc. for the same or a lower AF?

[wasCB14]

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@CreditCuriosity wrote:

Also CSP has primary rental car coverage for a cheaper price that a CSR if that is a concern for said traveler not to mention ability to transfer out as others echoed.  To each and their own everyone has different reasons whether we consider them right or wrong

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Frequent car rentals generally indicate frequent air travel, lodging, dining, etc. It just seems unlikely that someone would put much value on domestic primary rental coverage and yet not benefit from CSR's improved protections and rewards.

[Anonymous]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

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@CreditCuriosity wrote:

Also CSP has primary rental car coverage for a cheaper price that a CSR if that is a concern for said traveler not to mention ability to transfer out as others echoed.  To each and their own everyone has different reasons whether we consider them right or wrong

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Frequent car rentals generally indicate frequent air travel, lodging, dining, etc. It just seems unlikely that someone would put much value on domestic primary rental coverage and yet not benefit from CSR's improved protections and rewards.

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that is an incorrect asumption, plenty people rent cars for variety of reasons. I rented car 5 times this year, some times as long as one week, and they are not travel related (4 times for work, one because my car is in shop).