Oh absolutely. I'm just calling out that I pivoted to using my 3 custom cash cards and Bilt as I have very specific travel goals. In a normal year, thia card really works for me and it will again next year.
Good video as always. I am a family traveller and can make a case for the CSR, which I don't have but product changing to. Best in class travel insurance plus an 2500 emergency medical/dental insurance. That medical insurance goes a long way with kids in some places where medical care is not that expensive. I'm in the same boat with you on Amex gold, I dont see much value there but it works with someone in the Amex ecosystem.
Great video explaining the benefits and downfalls of these high AF cards. Have a similar setup except for me being more loyal Marriott and having the Ritz Card in my sites for September My wife has the Platinum, but I’m still considering adding myself as an AU. Would this lock me out of SUB for Green/Gold/Platinum down the line? Thoughts?
@@RSquared-travel-rewards Paris was great! But we actually enjoyed Amsterdam even more! Air France Business class was nice to sleep on the way and I was very impressed with KLM Premium Economy on our way back from Amsterdam!
It's not a bad card but my preference is for points that I may transfer out to airline partners. My Boundless will likely be converted to the Ritz Carlton at the end of the year. There is still no guarantee that I'll move away from the Sapphire Reserve.
Sapphire is a keeper card, rental insurance by itself makes it worth more than $200. Gold Card is just an overpriced piece of metal. Never could understand people who seriously consider $10 monthly credits as benefits, it could be beneficial for free card not for $250 one
Hold, don't mess with my gold card 😂😂 In a normal year for me, Amex Gold is my workhorse. It helps me generate tons of points but this year I wanted to demonstrate a few strategies and share them given that I have a channel which is predicated on walking the walk. $10/mo credit isn't bad depending on how it is done. The Biz Plat $10/mo wireless credit work because it is a set it and forget it. However, the gold card credits take work in my case so I get very little value from them.
Gold card will be generating 100,000k point a yr on groceries alone for my family next year. Yeah we actually do spend 25k a yr on groceries as a family of 4. Lol. Waiting until the 5x grocery bonus is done on our two Freedom Flex cards before we apply for the Gold next February.
Have you calculated how much you need to spend on your Amex Gold to make up for the $200 effective annual fee? There is an exact amount that depends on the value of your redemptions. I suggest calculating that. If you’re using other cards to cover food, there’s a strong chance you aren’t spending enough to make up for the fee.
Trust me, I'm intimate with the numbers. I know that in 2024 the extra 1X of the gold over my other 3X cards is not going to be a winner. However, I'm still keeping this card because I expect to be back using the gold for 2025 in full force.
@@RSquared-travel-rewards Nice! For a $200 EAF and a 1 cent per point redemption value, it takes $5000 in spend on groceries to break even ($200 / (4 * .01)). That required spend will go down with higher redemptions, such as via travel partners. It may be tough to reach $5000 or so while using other cards for food, which is why I recommend choosing one food card setup and sticking with it, but god speed!
Amex Platinum doesn’t pay for itself lol. It’s a glorified coupon book😅 I mean a Dell discount? What is the average person buying every year from DELL lol? Venture X is the only convincing one on this list. CSP is a better deal than CSR.
Thanks for watching the video. I did state cards that are no-brainer for me or someone with a similar use case. The average person wouldn't get an Amex Platinum business card. In my case, $400 dell credit is awesome. In advanced of my current trip, I was able to buy new tech gear needed. As an FYI, Dell sells lots of non-dell tech. Perhaps that argument can be made about the personal platinum. Twice a year I log into Dell and purchase what I need. All the other items are set, I'd hardly call that a coupon book.
Nothing wrong with the Chase trifecta. It just doesn't work for travelers like me as I'm away for months at a time so the freedom cards wouldn't make sense.
I covered that in the previous video. We don't know for sure. We just see an end of year date. It could be renewed. It's a wait and see until the time draws closer.
Thanks for the info + video!
AMEX Gold is very easy to justify for a family of 4. Even if you ignore all of the credits. The 4x categories alone make it a no brainer.
Oh absolutely. I'm just calling out that I pivoted to using my 3 custom cash cards and Bilt as I have very specific travel goals.
In a normal year, thia card really works for me and it will again next year.
Good video as always. I am a family traveller and can make a case for the CSR, which I don't have but product changing to. Best in class travel insurance plus an 2500 emergency medical/dental insurance. That medical insurance goes a long way with kids in some places where medical care is not that expensive. I'm in the same boat with you on Amex gold, I dont see much value there but it works with someone in the Amex ecosystem.
It's a good card for sure. I will continue to hold it but wished they offered more credits.
Ritz and Sapphire Preferred combo is better than Sapphire Reserve with the same fee.
Almost same annual fee on paper. Would be a great video
Great video explaining the benefits and downfalls of these high AF cards.
Have a similar setup except for me being more loyal Marriott and having the Ritz Card in my sites for September
My wife has the Platinum, but I’m still considering adding myself as an AU. Would this lock me out of SUB for Green/Gold/Platinum down the line?
Thoughts?
Hey Matt! How was/is Paris? AU will not have an impact if you choose to apply at a later date.
@@RSquared-travel-rewards Paris was great! But we actually enjoyed Amsterdam even more!
Air France Business class was nice to sleep on the way and I was very impressed with KLM Premium Economy on our way back from Amsterdam!
Why don't you get the US Bank Altitude Reserve with a $75 effective annual fee and the Ritz Carlton for Sapphire Lounge access?
It's not a bad card but my preference is for points that I may transfer out to airline partners. My Boundless will likely be converted to the Ritz Carlton at the end of the year. There is still no guarantee that I'll move away from the Sapphire Reserve.
@@RSquared-travel-rewards i am over Chase 5/24 until June 1st 2025
Sapphire is a keeper card, rental insurance by itself makes it worth more than $200. Gold Card is just an overpriced piece of metal. Never could understand people who seriously consider $10 monthly credits as benefits, it could be beneficial for free card not for $250 one
Hold, don't mess with my gold card 😂😂
In a normal year for me, Amex Gold is my workhorse. It helps me generate tons of points but this year I wanted to demonstrate a few strategies and share them given that I have a channel which is predicated on walking the walk.
$10/mo credit isn't bad depending on how it is done. The Biz Plat $10/mo wireless credit work because it is a set it and forget it. However, the gold card credits take work in my case so I get very little value from them.
Gold card for family of 3 can be easily justify, and it's a work horse card.
Gold card will be generating 100,000k point a yr on groceries alone for my family next year. Yeah we actually do spend 25k a yr on groceries as a family of 4. Lol. Waiting until the 5x grocery bonus is done on our two Freedom Flex cards before we apply for the Gold next February.
The $15K spend on the platinum is the challenge but I will have to time it when I know I have something big to spend on.
Yes, when you know you have big spend coming up, then it's time to pounce.
Have you calculated how much you need to spend on your Amex Gold to make up for the $200 effective annual fee? There is an exact amount that depends on the value of your redemptions. I suggest calculating that. If you’re using other cards to cover food, there’s a strong chance you aren’t spending enough to make up for the fee.
Trust me, I'm intimate with the numbers. I know that in 2024 the extra 1X of the gold over my other 3X cards is not going to be a winner. However, I'm still keeping this card because I expect to be back using the gold for 2025 in full force.
@@RSquared-travel-rewards Nice! For a $200 EAF and a 1 cent per point redemption value, it takes $5000 in spend on groceries to break even ($200 / (4 * .01)). That required spend will go down with higher redemptions, such as via travel partners. It may be tough to reach $5000 or so while using other cards for food, which is why I recommend choosing one food card setup and sticking with it, but god speed!
@@theclown888no, it's $20k against 3x no AF card
Amex Platinum doesn’t pay for itself lol. It’s a glorified coupon book😅 I mean a Dell discount? What is the average person buying every year from DELL lol?
Venture X is the only convincing one on this list. CSP is a better deal than CSR.
Thanks for watching the video. I did state cards that are no-brainer for me or someone with a similar use case. The average person wouldn't get an Amex Platinum business card. In my case, $400 dell credit is awesome. In advanced of my current trip, I was able to buy new tech gear needed. As an FYI, Dell sells lots of non-dell tech. Perhaps that argument can be made about the personal platinum. Twice a year I log into Dell and purchase what I need. All the other items are set, I'd hardly call that a coupon book.
do you have an extra room...I'm coming over
Hahaha, this place is stunning for sure 😊
Wait, the CSR doesnt provide Priority Pass for free? You need to pay $100/yr for that?
Yes, the CSR DOES provide Priority Pass for free.
Correct, I was just putting a dollar value on it for credits comparison.
@@RSquared-travel-rewardsit's closer to 400
meh...i still prefer my chase trifecta
Nothing wrong with the Chase trifecta. It just doesn't work for travelers like me as I'm away for months at a time so the freedom cards wouldn't make sense.
Business Platinum is losing Dell benefit starting next year
I covered that in the previous video. We don't know for sure. We just see an end of year date. It could be renewed. It's a wait and see until the time draws closer.
@@RSquared-travel-rewards I don't really care, since I cancelled Business Platinum long time ago, and I'm not planning to get it again.
👍🏼👍🏼