Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Amex SPG - Which Card Do You Reach For First?

[Saver2000]

Didnt realize it was Charity as well.  I wonder what is considered charity.  Is my son's yeshiva tuition a charity? Shul membership?

Sorry if this is OT and should go somewhere else.

Discussed here.  . .

http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=10441.0

[Dan]

Have you seen my wallet?

Here's my abridged version, what do you think?:

Sapphire Preferred: - Dining and Travel - FOREX transactions. SPG: - Purchases over $90 - Protections Freedom: - Anything else © 2011 DDF

Not bad, that sums up most of the main categories.

[AsherO]

Here's the final version, already in my wallet (but would be best if it was laminated):

[Side incomer]

Sapphire Preferred:
-All dining, airfare (except Airtran), and hotels (except SPG, Hyatt, and select Marriott chains).
Be sure to check if those are included in the Freedom categories first though.
-FOREX transactions.

Why not charge travel on Amex PR gold card, which gives you 3 points per dollar, and is even more that 2 per dollar at your 1.9 rate.

[AsherO]

Why not charge travel on Amex PR gold card, which gives you 3 points per dollar, and is even more that 2 per dollar at your 1.9 rate.

1. Read the title and OP of this thread.
2. Are you sure it's three points anywhere, or do I have to purchase via Amex?
3. With the current Amex redemption options, UR points might arguably be worth more.

[AJK]

2. Are you sure it's three points anywhere, or do I have to purchase via Amex?

Anywhere. (Excluding travel agencies, etc.)

[Side incomer]

1. Read the title and OP of this thread.
2. Are you sure it's three points anywhere, or do I have to purchase via Amex?
3. With the current Amex redemption options, UR points might arguably be worth more.

1. I understand, but the title didn't take into CO/UA as well, and Dan did mention it. So I assume that he is making a final list, not just for this thread.
2. 3 points is anywhere, anything that it categorized in travel gets automatically 3 points in the end of the statement, no difference if you buy it online/agent/phone. I charged at least 200 travel purchases on that the last 2 years, and I never had a problem. Purchasing by Amex would give you 4 points per dollar - confirmed.
3. It might be, but even if you'll give Amex a value of 1.5, which is no doubt nothing less than that (I still sold Amex today at 1.7 rate) you would equal = 4.5, that is more than the value Dan gave for UR - 1.9 x 2 = 3.8.

[AJK]

1. I understand, but the title didn't take into CO/UA as well, and Dan did mention it. So I assume that he is making a final list, not just for this thread.

He took them into account because CO/UA are transfer eligible via CSP and UR.

[Dan]

I already closed my PRG.  I no longer have any AMEX points and I don't have any sizeable DL or AC balances which are the only 2 AMEX partners that are of interest to me.

Also PRG gives 3x on all airfare, but not on hotels and car rentals that the Sapphire Preferred gives 2.14 for. And Sapphire Preferred gives 3.21 for travel booked by them.

But for those selling AMEX, travel probably would be best on PRG.

[AJK]

I no longer have any AMEX points and I don't have any sizeable DL or AC balances which are the only 2 AMEX partners that are of interest to me.

You ended up transferring all to CO before 9/30?

[Dan]

You ended up transferring all to CO before 9/30?

Yes.

[Side incomer]

He took them into account because CO/UA are transfer eligible via CSP and UR.

You misunderstood. Dan mentioned there that he pays Car rentals outside Israel with his CO/UA cards, which have nothing to do with UR. this made me think that he is making a final list, not just based on the threads purpose.

[smurf]

1. Read the title and OP of this thread.
2. Are you sure it's three points anywhere, or do I have to purchase via Amex?
3. With the current Amex redemption options, UR points might arguably be worth more.

1. you're right we're comparing the SP vs. SPG
nonetheless
2. I don't think it has to purchased through amex but it is limited to airfare while the SP includes other travel categories as well
3. Could be worth more but %50 more?

[Cholentfresser]

I recommended that card to my folks because my younger brother is going to be away for the next two years.

your bro got a hot spot! did he need to fight for it?

[AsherO]

But for those selling AMEX, travel probably would be best on PRG.

For the average DDFer who doesn't spend that much (cash spending) on travel, and will end up selling the points, and extra few thousand MR (compared to UR points) won't make much of a difference, even for someone who is selling them. If they're not getting any other benefit out of the Amex PRG, it isn't worth the annual fee in most cases, at least that's my opinion.

[yaakov s]

your bro got a hot spot! did he need to fight for it?

Why is that hot . Anything is still going on there?

[AsherO]

your bro got a hot spot! did he need to fight for it?

He earned it, he's a good kid. For anything more, ask me about it in person, online isn't the appropriate forum for this.

[smart brit]

nice debate going on here it really is a tough one for me. honestly it depends on the mood for us spending i prefer spg and in foreign countries i use the sapphire with no fees and i got a better rate with them then with the amex platinum and the sapphire has another bonus that it says a statement about u and makes u different lol

[bubbles]

Lol what happened? I thought you said it's not going up on the main site?

[Dan]

http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/16580