For those that want it, here is a link to the spreadsheet: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-KKi0_Qn9l-O9G8EKWkomjarDmm1gIpdbgZVFkR_B2c/edit?usp=sharing
For me, the CSR is the most difficult to extract value... In fact, I'd pretty much only use the travel credit, resulting in an EAF of $250. CAP1 VX effectively is $0 after one trip. So $250 vs $0 was an easy choice for me. The Platinum was somewhere in between but with more hoops to jump through.
It's not all about the credits and the AF, The main standout benefit of the Chase Sapphire reserve is the full priority pass, the best travel protection, and the super easy way of redeeming points at 1.5 CPP
I have used points and transferred to hotels and airlines for business class and economy travel. To me the CSR 1.5x stands out the most if you are flying economy. There is no need to book multiple one-way tickets to make it round trip, it provides better value than most airline transfer partners(for economy), you don't need the have all the points to get value, no need to hunt for hard to achieve value, and seems to work best for most people who have a family. There are some cases where airline transfer partners make more sense in particular if you don't have kids. The csp works well too but makes more sense of you are planning on transfer partners due to the lower annual fee.
@@LK_EBM I get that... However, the 1.5 CPP is less than I typically redeem for, so that doesn't benefit me. Full priority pass is a benefit for some, but again, I did not use it.
Only argument for CSR is your base airport have Sapphire lounge and you travel to city with Sapphire lounge. Those lounge are insane and leagues better than any other PP or centurian lounge in the US. But yeah, a pretty small group. Mostly Boston based biotech people who flys to San Diego for conference or vis versa.
I’ve had the Schwab Platinum card for many years and I love it. I get over $700 in value from the various “coupons” and I travel internationally 4 or more times every year along with many domestic flights and I’m not even factoring in the dozen or so trips to the lounge in that figure. I also have the Venture X as of just last week and I got that because what traveler can’t make use of more points/miles. Also the Venture X was attractive to me because I took my parents off my Platinum card when AMEX changed the cost of AU and so now I can add them to my Venture X card for free (for now at least🤣). I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred so that I can use Chase transfer partners but I might product change to the Reserved and cancel my Platinum card after Chase adds a lounge to my hometown airport in Philly.
Agree, this is a well-done and comprehensive video about the three main premium travel cards. I think one of the advantages of the chase ecosystem as a whole is the ability to get so many new card bonuses from the freedom line and the ink line. That's what makes the CSR so strong
I think it depends on what you're trying to do but by far the Capital One venture card not only costs you the least but gives you the most points back on everything combined. So whether you're talking maintenance for your car or house or dinner anything you get more points with that overall
Nice comparison video, great way of thinking about each card. For the Venture X, want to clarify you earn 10x on ANY hotel booked through their travel portal, not just their premium hotels in their "Premier Collection."
Im from nyc and I’ve been debating for weeks now to either get the reserve or the platinum and I think leaning towards the reserve.. Amex gives bonus points if 150k points and chase only 60k however, with chase I get more dining points which I do a lot of, as well as everyday shopping.. therefore it’s easier to build up.. Which unless I’m traveling, I’ll only get 1x on Amex and it’ll take forever. Also the lounge access chase newly built in nyc is far superior than the centurion lounge + it has the priority pass. Reserve also has global entry. I think Amex obviously has more status but it offers perks that I just wouldn’t use compared to the chase ones. I needed a video like this to really pick a side.
I'm surprised after reading your comment and all the things you value that the somehow the only card you did not consider is the Venture X. They have new lounges coming up at LGA and JFK, likely to be newer and swankier than both Centurion and Sapphire. For everyday spends, you get the 2x too. It becomes very clear how underpowered the Reserve is when compared to the other 2 in such a comprehensive comparison as the one in this video. It sounds to me like you should've been considering the VX and Amex Gold instead of either one of just the Platinum or the Reserve.
9:46 I would also add that it’s very useful if anyone finds themselves in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo because both have absolutely fantastic Plaza Premium lounges.
@@Michaelmorris25997 I wouldn’t describe it as “strictly better” but it is an overpowered card. FWIW I have had the Ritz for many years and downgraded my CSR a few years ago, but wouldn’t claim that this is correct for all people and/or situations.
Thank you for the video. I have the ms platinum and the venture x. I prefer to use the amex trifecta. I have a centurion lounge at my home airport. But the venture x is a no brainer card. I use it at costco ( yes i am costco manic) and for car rentals. I don't know why I share this.I guess because you were kind enough to share .
Capital One Venture X is a keeper, but more difficult to extract outsized value from than the others. CSR is best coupled with other cards in the UR ecosystem and is great for upgrading when its needed, and downgrading when its not. With the AMEX Plat its even more complicated, one needs to use the credits and couple it with other AMEX ecosystem cards and there is no option to downgrade. Of course, all three are good value, if you welcome getting upsold (at a discount) to premium cabins.
Dear Ben, thank you for your excellent videos. I already have Amex Gold and Bilt. Which travel card would you suggest to add: Amex platinum, Venture X or Saphire reserve? Thank you.
amex platinum is the only premium credit card in switzerland. with way less benefits than the US one, and also comes with a $950/y fee. Still, it's the only choice and pretty good.
Amex would be great if their cards would be more widely accepted. It was so frustrating having to use other cards when I was trying to build MR points. Vx or CSR is better for this sole reason if you want to build points for travel.
I personally have Venture X and think it’s great. At the end of the day it depends if a person finds value in each of the cards benefits, all personal preference. Any advice what hotel card is worth getting right now? I heard there might be a new Hyatt card coming soon.
No offense but if you've never had the Capital One venture card how are you in the credit card space? I feel like the venture and Capital One saver are pretty much starter cards that virtually everyone in this space has or has had
Quick question. When breaking down and mentioning Walmart+ you stated you only use it for gas really. But with Walmart+ you also get Paramount+ subscription. Granted not sure if you use this. But with gas and the streaming service, it should come close to the credit you get. Idk. Why don’t you mentioned the streaming service as something that comes with Walmart+?
Which one do I get this confusing? We familiy of 3 who travel Chicago ohare to mexico city who we live rural area no renting cars and no hotel and no restaurants as we do like bussiness or first class. We do like lounge and some extra as the problem we are retire so we do need to keep budget if the reward are good we may waste more money for it? As I got Chase freedom, ultimate and Amex blue cash and Discovery credit card.
I have both the VentureX and Amex Platinum. The only reason they both make sense for me is having the $150 corporate advantage discount for the Plat. I also have the Amex Gold as a partner card. I use the full digital plat credit, W+ credit, Airline incidental credit, and use the Centurion lounge in my home airport. VX card is typically my daily when not chasing status with my AAdvantage card for American Airlines.
Hey ben, thanks for the informative video. I have had chase sapphire preferred for a few years now, looking to upgrade to one of these. Can i get an upgrade bonus for upgrade product changing to the Sapphire Reserve? and then when sapphire preferred comes out with a new SUB i can reapply for it again? i heard someone say that you can get multiple SUB’s in a lifetime if there’s 48 months in between
Unfortunately, you don't get the SUB if you PC from the Preferred to the Reserve. The key to churning the SUB points is to downgrade your Preferred to any of the Freedom cards, as long as you've had your Preferred for more than 24 months. Then after a couple of weeks, since you don't have a Sapphire card anymore, you can sign up for the Reserve, then get the SUB for the Reserve if you get approved. Voilà!
I think trying to fit CapOne into the Chase/Amex framework is flawed. The VX isn't really a tier 4 card, it's a ridiculously OP $95 tier 3 card that makes you pre-pay $300 travel each year.
Global entry it every 4 years, but after year 1, you get a bonus anniversary 10,000 points, which is worth at least $100, so it does in-fact go from $95 to -$5 every year. Year 1 is $395 minus $300 travel credit minus $100 global entry, year 2 is $395 minus $300 travel credit minus $100 min value of anniversary points
@@TheCreditShifu True but that's not how you graphed it...if I'm reading that correctly. Your graph had -$5 after $300 travel credit and $100 global entry credit...then you shows 10k points as "additional credits". Not trying to split hairs but I guess it would be $395 - $300 (travel credit) - $100 (miles) - $25 (annualized global credit)? Possibly the Prior after that??? Thanks for all the info.
Well its a complicated subject, but the way I did it is explained at 4:53 “effective annual fee, not including the Global entry credit….” Since in my expericnce most people will use that in the first year. But yeah you could just divide it by 4 too, maybe thats better
I’m confused with the battle royale clip at the beginning. Is AMEX Platinum supposed to be Darth Vader? Would that make the CSR Luke Skywalker & the Venture X Han Solo?
Ben - what do you think about the built-in travel insurance? The CSR is the best, Amex Platinum is second, and VX is third. Not sure if you think this is important or not. For big trips I purchase travel insurance. But for domestic trips I usually would rely on the credit card I've booked the flight with. Just curious on your opinion and thoughts on built-in insurance benefits (and how easy it is to make a claim because that would sway me with which card I would use regardless of the multiplier).
So.. you pay 695 for the Amex platinum and can't even bring your wife in with you to the centurion lounge?? I was heavily considering it but this sounds like a joke 😂😂😂
@@TheZombaslaya they should just do 1 guest for free. Spending 75k per year on a single card just to bring a guest to the lounge is ridiculous, specially if it's a spouse. Makes no sense.
![PURPEECH - นี่ฉันเองคนที่... (It's me) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NuhHd0hOOg8/mqdefault.jpg)
For those that want it, here is a link to the spreadsheet: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-KKi0_Qn9l-O9G8EKWkomjarDmm1gIpdbgZVFkR_B2c/edit?usp=sharing
For me, the CSR is the most difficult to extract value... In fact, I'd pretty much only use the travel credit, resulting in an EAF of $250. CAP1 VX effectively is $0 after one trip. So $250 vs $0 was an easy choice for me. The Platinum was somewhere in between but with more hoops to jump through.
It's not all about the credits and the AF, The main standout benefit of the Chase Sapphire reserve is the full priority pass, the best travel protection, and the super easy way of redeeming points at 1.5 CPP
I have used points and transferred to hotels and airlines for business class and economy travel. To me the CSR 1.5x stands out the most if you are flying economy. There is no need to book multiple one-way tickets to make it round trip, it provides better value than most airline transfer partners(for economy), you don't need the have all the points to get value, no need to hunt for hard to achieve value, and seems to work best for most people who have a family. There are some cases where airline transfer partners make more sense in particular if you don't have kids. The csp works well too but makes more sense of you are planning on transfer partners due to the lower annual fee.
@@LK_EBM I get that... However, the 1.5 CPP is less than I typically redeem for, so that doesn't benefit me. Full priority pass is a benefit for some, but again, I did not use it.
if u rent a car within the US for more than 15 days, VX is not applicable, the T&C specific says about it
Only argument for CSR is your base airport have Sapphire lounge and you travel to city with Sapphire lounge. Those lounge are insane and leagues better than any other PP or centurian lounge in the US. But yeah, a pretty small group. Mostly Boston based biotech people who flys to San Diego for conference or vis versa.
Appreciate the breakdown 👍🏼Platinum has served me well since 2008, even with the new AU rules, I’m still positive 👌🏼
I’ve had the Schwab Platinum card for many years and I love it. I get over $700 in value from the various “coupons” and I travel internationally 4 or more times every year along with many domestic flights and I’m not even factoring in the dozen or so trips to the lounge in that figure. I also have the Venture X as of just last week and I got that because what traveler can’t make use of more points/miles. Also the Venture X was attractive to me because I took my parents off my Platinum card when AMEX changed the cost of AU and so now I can add them to my Venture X card for free (for now at least🤣). I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred so that I can use Chase transfer partners but I might product change to the Reserved and cancel my Platinum card after Chase adds a lounge to my hometown airport in Philly.
Agree, this is a well-done and comprehensive video about the three main premium travel cards. I think one of the advantages of the chase ecosystem as a whole is the ability to get so many new card bonuses from the freedom line and the ink line. That's what makes the CSR so strong
Boston Chase lounge is one of the best lounges I’ve ever been in. I’d take it over any Amex lounge I’ve ever been to.
I think it depends on what you're trying to do but by far the Capital One venture card not only costs you the least but gives you the most points back on everything combined. So whether you're talking maintenance for your car or house or dinner anything you get more points with that overall
Nice comparison video, great way of thinking about each card. For the Venture X, want to clarify you earn 10x on ANY hotel booked through their travel portal, not just their premium hotels in their "Premier Collection."
I think a year ago, I would have said the Capital One Venture X is the best option. But now I'm not so sure...
Outstanding video Ben!! I've a platinum and Venture X holder for a couple of years. I may have to look at the CSR!
Im from nyc and I’ve been debating for weeks now to either get the reserve or the platinum and I think leaning towards the reserve.. Amex gives bonus points if 150k points and chase only 60k however, with chase I get more dining points which I do a lot of, as well as everyday shopping.. therefore it’s easier to build up.. Which unless I’m traveling, I’ll only get 1x on Amex and it’ll take forever.
Also the lounge access chase newly built in nyc is far superior than the centurion lounge + it has the priority pass. Reserve also has global entry. I think Amex obviously has more status but it offers perks that I just wouldn’t use compared to the chase ones. I needed a video like this to really pick a side.
I'm surprised after reading your comment and all the things you value that the somehow the only card you did not consider is the Venture X. They have new lounges coming up at LGA and JFK, likely to be newer and swankier than both Centurion and Sapphire. For everyday spends, you get the 2x too. It becomes very clear how underpowered the Reserve is when compared to the other 2 in such a comprehensive comparison as the one in this video. It sounds to me like you should've been considering the VX and Amex Gold instead of either one of just the Platinum or the Reserve.
Definitely the best video to compare. And absolutely most clear.
9:46 I would also add that it’s very useful if anyone finds themselves in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo because both have absolutely fantastic Plaza Premium lounges.
Ritz Carlton Rewards crew! 🎉 I have that and the Platinum
Is ritz Carlton better than reserve????
@@Michaelmorris25997 I wouldn’t describe it as “strictly better” but it is an overpowered card. FWIW I have had the Ritz for many years and downgraded my CSR a few years ago, but wouldn’t claim that this is correct for all people and/or situations.
I have both the CSR and VX and find that they work well together
Thank you for the video. I have the ms platinum and the venture x. I prefer to use the amex trifecta. I have a centurion lounge at my home airport. But the venture x is a no brainer card. I use it at costco ( yes i am costco manic) and for car rentals. I don't know why I share this.I guess because you were kind enough to share .
Is the CV1 preferred over the citi costco card at costco?
I love the chart. Would be great to have some other ones with other category credit cards.
Venture x it should not even be compared with Amex and Chase since capital one has the worst costumer service
I have both CSR & CVX 😊
Capital One Venture X is a keeper, but more difficult to extract outsized value from than the others. CSR is best coupled with other cards in the UR ecosystem and is great for upgrading when its needed, and downgrading when its not. With the AMEX Plat its even more complicated, one needs to use the credits and couple it with other AMEX ecosystem cards and there is no option to downgrade. Of course, all three are good value, if you welcome getting upsold (at a discount) to premium cabins.
I really like the Venture X,
Dear Ben, thank you for your excellent videos. I already have Amex Gold and Bilt. Which travel card would you suggest to add: Amex platinum, Venture X or Saphire reserve? Thank you.
None of them, savings is paying 5.5% right now.
wheres the us bank in this?
CSR ❤
It's all about the product reflecting the leadership of Chase.
amex platinum is the only premium credit card in switzerland. with way less benefits than the US one, and also comes with a $950/y fee. Still, it's the only choice and pretty good.
Amex would be great if their cards would be more widely accepted. It was so frustrating having to use other cards when I was trying to build MR points. Vx or CSR is better for this sole reason if you want to build points for travel.
I personally have Venture X and think it’s great. At the end of the day it depends if a person finds value in each of the cards benefits, all personal preference. Any advice what hotel card is worth getting right now? I heard there might be a new Hyatt card coming soon.
No offense but if you've never had the Capital One venture card how are you in the credit card space? I feel like the venture and Capital One saver are pretty much starter cards that virtually everyone in this space has or has had
I got all 3 😅
Quick question. When breaking down and mentioning Walmart+ you stated you only use it for gas really. But with Walmart+ you also get Paramount+ subscription. Granted not sure if you use this. But with gas and the streaming service, it should come close to the credit you get. Idk. Why don’t you mentioned the streaming service as something that comes with Walmart+?
I think he’s bias. He missed a lot of pointers on CSR. Same credits that AMEX has
@@SC_XOLOs bias to which card? Venture?
Which one do I get this confusing?
We familiy of 3 who travel Chicago ohare to mexico city who we live rural area no renting cars and no hotel and no restaurants as we do like bussiness or first class.
We do like lounge and some extra as the problem we are retire so we do need to keep budget if the reward are good we may waste more money for it?
As I got Chase freedom, ultimate and Amex blue cash and Discovery credit card.
I have both the VentureX and Amex Platinum. The only reason they both make sense for me is having the $150 corporate advantage discount for the Plat. I also have the Amex Gold as a partner card. I use the full digital plat credit, W+ credit, Airline incidental credit, and use the Centurion lounge in my home airport. VX card is typically my daily when not chasing status with my AAdvantage card for American Airlines.
Hey ben, thanks for the informative video. I have had chase sapphire preferred for a few years now, looking to upgrade to one of these. Can i get an upgrade bonus for upgrade product changing to the Sapphire Reserve? and then when sapphire preferred comes out with a new SUB i can reapply for it again? i heard someone say that you can get multiple SUB’s in a lifetime if there’s 48 months in between
Unfortunately, you don't get the SUB if you PC from the Preferred to the Reserve. The key to churning the SUB points is to downgrade your Preferred to any of the Freedom cards, as long as you've had your Preferred for more than 24 months. Then after a couple of weeks, since you don't have a Sapphire card anymore, you can sign up for the Reserve, then get the SUB for the Reserve if you get approved. Voilà!
at least 1 night for FHR or 2 nights for Hotel collection to trigger the 200 Hotel credit for AMEX Platinum.
I think trying to fit CapOne into the Chase/Amex framework is flawed. The VX isn't really a tier 4 card, it's a ridiculously OP $95 tier 3 card that makes you pre-pay $300 travel each year.
With your math, wouldn't the Amex platinum be $0 card prepaying for? $695 worth of "stuff"?
Does the SW Companion Pass work when booking a flight on the Chase Travel Portal?
I get that CIti kinda ruined their cards, but the Premier has much better multipliers.
The Global Entry Credits are every 4 years. You can't say the Venture X goes from $95 to -$5...it's not every year. You can take off $25/yr....
Global entry it every 4 years, but after year 1, you get a bonus anniversary 10,000 points, which is worth at least $100, so it does in-fact go from $95 to -$5 every year. Year 1 is $395 minus $300 travel credit minus $100 global entry, year 2 is $395 minus $300 travel credit minus $100 min value of anniversary points
@@TheCreditShifu True but that's not how you graphed it...if I'm reading that correctly. Your graph had -$5 after $300 travel credit and $100 global entry credit...then you shows 10k points as "additional credits". Not trying to split hairs but I guess it would be $395 - $300 (travel credit) - $100 (miles) - $25 (annualized global credit)? Possibly the Prior after that??? Thanks for all the info.
Well its a complicated subject, but the way I did it is explained at 4:53 “effective annual fee, not including the Global entry credit….” Since in my expericnce most people will use that in the first year. But yeah you could just divide it by 4 too, maybe thats better
You forget to add US Bank Altitude Reserve
Impressive video
None of these. I have Altitude Reserve, 2 Ritz, Venture X (going to downgrade it soon), Prestige, Hilton Aspire, AA Executive.
I’m confused with the battle royale clip at the beginning. Is AMEX Platinum supposed to be Darth Vader? Would that make the CSR Luke Skywalker & the Venture X Han Solo?
VX1 for me!
Big Ben for the win!
Do you ever recommend having multiple of these cards at one time?
Not unless you can really get use out of all the benefits
You forgot to mention csr and vx earn 10x on rental cars
updated video on this please
Isn’t the tsa precheck good for 7 years so wouldn’t that only deduct 14 dollars a year from the AF
Incorrect. TSA PreCheck lasts five years.
The credit is every 4 years, so I guess the idea is you apply and pay the fee again before it runs out at 5 years
@@TheCreditShifu that makes sense. Thank you. I thought it was every year you get the 100 dollars.
10:45- Do you know what their policy on infants is?
You completely ignored the US Bank Altitude Reserve
Yep, I dont consider it in the same league
They finally fixed no rewards????
Does AU from Venture X get their own Priority Pass account as well?
Yes I have just done this for two of my authorized users, and they both hold priority passes now
CSR for me easy.
Ben - what do you think about the built-in travel insurance? The CSR is the best, Amex Platinum is second, and VX is third. Not sure if you think this is important or not. For big trips I purchase travel insurance. But for domestic trips I usually would rely on the credit card I've booked the flight with. Just curious on your opinion and thoughts on built-in insurance benefits (and how easy it is to make a claim because that would sway me with which card I would use regardless of the multiplier).
AMEX Platinum for the win!
Use this button if you're like me and have all 3 cards!
So.. you pay 695 for the Amex platinum and can't even bring your wife in with you to the centurion lounge?? I was heavily considering it but this sounds like a joke 😂😂😂
I’m fine with them limiting guests but if it’s a couple traveling together that’s beyond absurd
@@TheZombaslaya they should just do 1 guest for free. Spending 75k per year on a single card just to bring a guest to the lounge is ridiculous, specially if it's a spouse. Makes no sense.
Yeah it sucks, luckily we both have the platinum
Hey, can I get the full excel chart somehow?
here you go docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-KKi0_Qn9l-O9G8EKWkomjarDmm1gIpdbgZVFkR_B2c/edit?usp=sharing
And don't forget the cap1 gives the 10k yearly bonus in points for keeping the card
Does it roll over? If I don’t use for 5 years does it become $500?
Is that a black card! No it's not kanye😂
👍
Amex Platinum >>>>>
battle of the overrated cards
Get them for the sign up bonus, then cancel it. Don't turn down easy $
I hate the excel
Blame Sebby
😂😂
2:43 crazy that you didn’t add $100 FHR and the $100 DoorDash credits. Bring the EAF to $50