interesting observation on amex blue sky preferred

[slap_happy]

Hi, guys, 

had my BSP for about 3 weeks now and did some calculations and im sure im not smart enough to have figured this out as im sure someone else has already but just wanted to share with you guys:

on the BSP you get 2 pts for dining and hotels and 1 for everthing else. but the BSP gives you a $100 credit at 7500 pts 

every other card gives you $100 at 10,000 pts so when compared to other travel cards...

the 2 pts are really worth 2.66 pts and the 1 pt is worth 1.33 pts

look at it this way, to get a $100 travel credit solely on dining : you need to spend $3,750 on the BSP

to get that same $100 credit with almost any other travel card that offers 2x$1 like CSP or COV or BA you would have to spend $5000

in my opinion the blue sky preferred is one of the best travel cards especially if you dine alot, there are not many cards you can get 2.66x$1 on dining and lodging and 1.33 on everything else

[Omnipotent]

How do the points compare to those of the CSP at cent value? 

[slap_happy]

im not sure how to calculate that lol.

[bribro]

Your math is right in that the BCP essentially gets you 2.66% cash back on dining, but you're comparing apples and hand grenades when comparing it to other cards. The CSP may "only" earn 2.14x in UR points on dining and travel, but each UR point can easily be worth 2, 3, 4 or more cents each if you redeem them properly, giving you 4.28%, 6.42%, and 8.56% "cash back equivalent." For those that don't want to deal with airline and hotel redemptions and only plan to take statement credits, the BSP may be a better card.

[longtimelurker]

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@bribro wrote:

Your math is right in that the BCP essentially gets you 2.66% cash back on dining, but you're comparing apples and hand grenades when comparing it to other cards. The CSP may "only" earn 2.14x in UR points on dining and travel, but each UR point can easily be worth 2, 3, 4 or more cents each if you redeem them properly, giving you 4.28%, 6.42%, and 8.56% "cash back equivalent." For those that don't want to deal with airline and hotel redemptions and only plan to take statement credits, the BSP may be a better card.

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+1.  So comparing with transferable points isn't right (as these can be much more valuable) but it is a fairer comparison with Cap One Venture and Barclay's Arrival.  But there are things to take into account there as well, such as the 10% for Arrival on redemption.  BSP is probably still ahead