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Message
Upgrading credit cards: Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. AMEX Platnium
Posted on 12/29/24 at 12:44 pm
Posted on 12/29/24 at 12:44 pm
We currently carry only two credit cards: Chase Southwest Priority and the AMEX Blue Cash Preferred. The AMEX is used solely at grocery stores and gas stations. I find that I get more money back from the gas station near me using this vs. savings I get buying gas at Costco. It's also much quicker for me to avoid the Costco gas station. I've considered getting their card as well since we shop often for major essentials, especially with Baby #2 coming soon.
Our Southwest card is the main one I'm going to change because they used to he relatively cheap and we would exclusively fly with them, however I've been having much more competitive prices with other airlines and am no longer dedicated to just flying with SWA. I also believe they've changed their policy on points, where I no longer need a SWA credit card to keep points from expiring, which was a big draw with their Visa. We are absolutely dropping this to get one of the cards mentioned in the subject.
Our future plans would be to use our new card to pay daycare and others bills for the first 6 months to meet the cashback/rewards benefits for the first year bonus benefits. I've got friends and family that could give me a referral code to either card. We have shared streaming services with family but may end up buying Peacock or Paramount+ in the future. Hulu/Disney/ESPN is paid for by family with their AMEX. We don't do grocery delivery, but if given that option by AMEX Platinum for basically free with Walmart (yes I'm paying a $695/year fee on the card) it may be justifiable) it may be worth it with a second baby coming soon. We won't travel as much in the first year, but we're thinking of doing more family trips starting in 2026 and staying in hotels vs. Crashing with friends/family and needing rental cars more often.
Apologies for the extremely detailed list. If someone did take the time to go through, please share your thoughts on your experiences with the cards mentioned if you have any.
Our Southwest card is the main one I'm going to change because they used to he relatively cheap and we would exclusively fly with them, however I've been having much more competitive prices with other airlines and am no longer dedicated to just flying with SWA. I also believe they've changed their policy on points, where I no longer need a SWA credit card to keep points from expiring, which was a big draw with their Visa. We are absolutely dropping this to get one of the cards mentioned in the subject.
Our future plans would be to use our new card to pay daycare and others bills for the first 6 months to meet the cashback/rewards benefits for the first year bonus benefits. I've got friends and family that could give me a referral code to either card. We have shared streaming services with family but may end up buying Peacock or Paramount+ in the future. Hulu/Disney/ESPN is paid for by family with their AMEX. We don't do grocery delivery, but if given that option by AMEX Platinum for basically free with Walmart (yes I'm paying a $695/year fee on the card) it may be justifiable) it may be worth it with a second baby coming soon. We won't travel as much in the first year, but we're thinking of doing more family trips starting in 2026 and staying in hotels vs. Crashing with friends/family and needing rental cars more often.
Apologies for the extremely detailed list. If someone did take the time to go through, please share your thoughts on your experiences with the cards mentioned if you have any.
This post was edited on 12/29/24 at 9:39 pm
7
Posted on 12/29/24 at 1:12 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
I've had both. Each has great benefits but because I'm a Delta player I use the Platinum a whole lot more. I no longer have the Chase Sapphire as now I'm AMEX Platinum and Venture X card holder only.
Posted on 12/29/24 at 1:17 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
These 2 cards are both geared towards travel rewards and compete directly with each other. They are both very good, but the Amex will give you better customer service.
If you want 2 cards, get Amex Gold for gas and groceries, as it has high cash back and the annual fee is lower. Get this to replace your Blue Cash card.
Then get the Chase Sapphire Preferred to replace your Southwest card. Use for other purchases in order to get travel rewards.
If you want 2 cards, get Amex Gold for gas and groceries, as it has high cash back and the annual fee is lower. Get this to replace your Blue Cash card.
Then get the Chase Sapphire Preferred to replace your Southwest card. Use for other purchases in order to get travel rewards.
Posted on 12/29/24 at 1:54 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
You can use chase points for Southwest flights if you still want to fly them but I hate southwest and there are better options to use chase points on
Posted on 12/29/24 at 5:41 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
Any particular reason you are considering the Sapphire Preferred instead of the Reserve? The Sapphire Reserve is more targeted to folks looking at a card like the AMEX Platinum.
Posted on 12/29/24 at 9:40 pm to Big Saint
Sorry for the confusion. I should've stated Reserve. I was thinking of my current AMEX and it threw me off.
Posted on 12/29/24 at 10:08 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
I have several chase cards and AMEx platinum. I found it difficult to justify holding both the sapphire reserve and Amex platinum so downgraded the reserve to preferred. I use the sapphire to transfer points for stays at Hyatt properties and use the platinum for airport lounge access (although not as good as it used to be) and their travel portal for the fine hotels/resorts program which is usually very good for a Hilton stay. I also use the Walmart+ for 10 cents off at gas stations at Walmart and a free Paramount subscription.
Posted on 12/30/24 at 9:55 am to BilbeauTBaggins
I’ve had both for a long time. I use the Amex mostly. Centurion lounge and one vacation using Fine Hotels programs pays for the card (hell… the breakfast credit alone for a weeklong stay pays for the card). The points game takes a little more effort and timing (ie Marriott transfer bonuses) compared to the straightforward Chase approach.
I keep the CSR because after the $300 in prepaid gas (travel fees), the amount of spend required to breakeven and provide an additional card with no foreign transaction fees is low.
I keep the CSR because after the $300 in prepaid gas (travel fees), the amount of spend required to breakeven and provide an additional card with no foreign transaction fees is low.
Posted on 12/30/24 at 9:14 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
The odd thing about this discussion and how both banks have positioned Reserve and Platinum is you could make a very good case to have neither of them and use their other cards to get where you want to go at lower cost.
CS Preferred plus Freedom Unlimited covers most of what Reserve does at a cheaper cost on the earn side.
Amex Gold was great though the increased annual fee wasn't fun. If you can add an Amex Blue Business at 2x everywhere your margin for holding Platinum and dealing with their coupon book gets slimmer.
I do currently hold Platinum but each year I debate hard if I should. Of course you can fish for retention offers.
I hold Chase Sapphire Preferred every four years for the bonus. It's bonus is usually higher than Reserve so you should get CSP first anyway and upgrade later if you wish. I have an old Ink Bold that I use for point transfer capability so that's a special case, but that could easily be a CSR. Chase has severely cannibalized CSR usefulness in my view.
CS Preferred plus Freedom Unlimited covers most of what Reserve does at a cheaper cost on the earn side.
Amex Gold was great though the increased annual fee wasn't fun. If you can add an Amex Blue Business at 2x everywhere your margin for holding Platinum and dealing with their coupon book gets slimmer.
I do currently hold Platinum but each year I debate hard if I should. Of course you can fish for retention offers.
I hold Chase Sapphire Preferred every four years for the bonus. It's bonus is usually higher than Reserve so you should get CSP first anyway and upgrade later if you wish. I have an old Ink Bold that I use for point transfer capability so that's a special case, but that could easily be a CSR. Chase has severely cannibalized CSR usefulness in my view.
This post was edited on 12/30/24 at 9:15 pm
Posted on 12/30/24 at 9:22 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
I have Amex Platinum and love it. Many perks but the Centurion Club access is the tits when traveling. You get gold status with Hilton and Bonvoy/Marriott. Credit for Precheck/Global Entry/Clear. Money back on cell phone. Free Walmart delivery and Paramount plus. Platinum has Amex’s best travel insurance as well including medical. Rental car insurance and status with several rental companies. Again lots of perks.
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