I have the unbranded AMEX Plat like Fangs. I find it very useful. The travel (tickets and hotels) services are fantastic. I get lots of waivers and favors for customer loyalty too with it. But then again been a "member" since 88.

I hear lots of folks discussing the Chase Sapphire. If I had a choice that may be a better option if the yearly fee for AMEX disturbs you. I will tell you that despite that, I've been paid that back many times over, especially when stuff goes sideways. Did I mention their travel services are amazing (spouse gets stranded in Italy, she makes a phone call and they take care of it as I'm flying back to USA). Peace of mind for sure. Never had issue with black out dates or anything else. The auto upgrade in hotel is nice too. Pretty much everything else Fangs mentioned about it is spot on with club access etc. As always, YMMV etc etc.

 

Wells Fargo has a 2% cashback card. Capital One has a 1.5% cashback card with no exchange rate fees for international.

 

Anyone find the hotel chain cards to be worth it?

 

the intro offer for points is great, and then don’t renew it. Generally, hotel points are not a good use of points.

 

The non branded platinum took a huge hit in value for most people with the no rev embargo for the sky clubs. It likely doesn't pencil for most people paying the full fee. If you want to stay in the Amex ecosystem, the non branded gold has a dramatically better points earning structure for our lifestyles. If you're after priority pass access, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has access to an expanded version of it with more benefits compared to the priority pass program the platinum will get you.

 

AMEX Skymiles Gold for big purchases.
Cap One Quicksilver (1.5% cashback) for everything else except ...
Cap One Savor for groceries, dining and entertainment. (3%)

All have no international fees.

There is no substitute for cash back IMHO.

 

I've had the big 3 travel cards

Amex Platnum-
High annual cost, poor rewards accrual and redemption. Only really worth it when it included skyclub. I don't think the included rental car insurance is as good as the other two (but its been a while so double check).

Chase Saphire Reserve -
Best redemption overall and best accrual for travel/dining. The included priority pass membership also works at some resturants. Travel credits are automatic. Does not include Hertz presidents cricle (other two do).

Captial One Venture X-

Basically free if you use the anual travel credit (must be booked through portal). The 2% cash back on everything is good if you just want to have 1 card.


Which card is best depends on how much time and brainpower you want to expend researching the benifits and which of them you'll actaully use (Uber, instacart, etc). If you want to get into there is a whole indsutry/hobby/subculture that even has conventions. Sites like The Points Guy and and One Mile at a Time have plenty of info (and even more rosy fluff).

All 3 have their own branded lounges (Amex has by far the most) so if your home airport has one that may sway the decsion. The priority pass membership that comes with the Chase card offers meal credits at some resturants in airports that don't have participating lounges.

All 3 usually have introductory offers with 75-150k points if you spend x in y monthes, so definitely make sure you sign up through one of thse offers.

 

I have had the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy and AMEX Hilton Aspire. Annual fees were waived while I was on active duty but I decided they were too steep once I left the military and downgraded them to the low/no fee versions.

Not sure I got any real benefit besides the Platinum (Marriott) and Diamond (Hilton) statuses which usually gave at least points multiplier and/or hotel lounge access.

It was nice being able to just call the Diamond desk for help, but now that I have someone else making my reservations I don't really care anymore.

 

I had the non-branded AMEX Platinum for a year, of which half was with SkyClub access and half without due to the embargo. The rewards for first year were good and made it easy to offset the annual fee. Their customer service was truly top notch as well. That said, without SkyClub access almost all of their benefits were just fluff to me and not worth the annual fee, which seems to be on a trajectory to continue increasing. I found myself looking at their rolling deals and on occasion found something I would have bought without the card, but for the most part their offering was luxury or just stuff I had no interest in. I really only miss the card for protection with big purchases. I did not renew and continue to use my Citi double cash and pocket the cash, since the points are almost always worth less.

 

Interesting. Does that count as a personal contribution, subject to the limit?