Fastpilot

Amex is more widely accepted now. I’d still carry a backup Visa or Mastercard or cash though

FyrePilot

I commute.

Had Amex platinum (unbranded) between the skyclub access being taken away and how much they hassle a non rev trying to get into centurion lounge I dumped it when they increased the fees (again)

For travel, dining, and international I use Chase Sapphire Reserve- priority pass restaurants are a game changer especially when you have 2 guests. Rental car insurance is a great perk and the travel credit is easy to use

Back up for that is Costco Visa. Used at Costco and for gas wherever I am. Also can get 3% cash back on dining like sapphire reserve if I want money instead of points

Citi double cash is what my family uses for everything else.

I might get bonvoy brilliant or whatever gets me enough nights to stay platinum at bonvoy and for use at their hotels if I get to 3rd quarter and I am short on nights.

GogglesPisano

My experience in Europe is that AMEX is only accepted at large corporations (hotels, rental cars ...)

magiccarpet

Thank you all very much. We can at least look in the right direction now. Chase Sapphire Reserve really seems nice. Do any of you know if the Amex Platinum will get us in the SkyClub if we are on a FCFL/FCFEL ticket? We almost never nonrev anymore it's just too unpredictable but we do use the discount a lot.

NERD

yes it will.....

Fastpilot

Yes as long as you don’t purchase basic from my understanding

ApachePhil

I am a cash back guy...I've only ever seen disppointment and frustration from points people trying to use their points.

I too use Coscto card for fuel and restraunts. 4 and 3% cash back. I use a USAA card for everything else. It was 2.5% cash back, but now only 1.5%, so searching for a better deal...the Fidelity 2% Cash back into a brokerage account is compelling.

2StgTurbine

Same. I prefer cash back. Right now I get $4-5,000 in cash back with a basic visa. I haven't seen a points program with something more useful to me than that.

ancman

This is the way to go, IMHO. I have three different cash-back, no annual fee cards, all of which offer 3% in different categories. Between the three, I’m almost always getting 3% back.

I haven’t seen an annual fee card yet that offers enough value to me, even as a commuter.

Bucking Bar

Citibank Rewards from Costco:

• 4% on eligible gas and EV charging for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
• 3% on restaurants and eligible travel
• 2% on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
• 1% on all other purchases

Costco removed the extended warranty protection (which was good, but now they sell the Allstate thing). you can still get roadside assistance, concierge services, and a 0% foreign transaction fee. It also has a $0 annual fee.

Since the Costco VISA is a Costco ID, might be worth mentioning a $60 Executive Membership gets you 2% additional cash back (on Costco purchases) and an additional year of warranty on electronics, etc ...

Had excellent service when I've needed anything from them.