Questions and Answers

Hello,

First please forgive me if my question has already been answered. I’ve been through the blog several times and was unable to find a solution. I currently have a Platinum Delta Skymiles Amex. I got this card because I travel Delta domestically 75% of the time. I also travel their airline partners internationally. Problem is the Platinum Skymiles Amex only gives me 2 points on Delta/partner flights and only 1 point on everything else. I would like a card where I can get the most points on flights, dining, and entertainment (since that’s where I spend the most money). Most importantly, I would like to be able to use the points on Delta flights and other major airlines as well. Does a card like this exist? I ideally want a card where I can earn the most points from dining, flights, and entertainment and redeem those points for airline travel. Please help. As I’ve been searching for ever for a card like this.

Thanks!!!

[USER=736]@Keisha[/USER] I would consider the AmEx Premier Rewards Gold card. You would earn 3X points for flights booked with airlines, 2X points at US gas stations, US restaurants, and US supermarkets, 1X points on other purchases. Points transfer easily to Delta and Flying Blue. If you gave up the Plat you would lose your annual companion certificate, the inflight discounts, bonus MQMs at 25 and 50k spending, free checked bags and the ability to pay with points. On the plus side you’ll get a lot of bonus spending opportunities, and will gain flexibility with MR points.

[QUOTE=”Gaurav, post: 6965, member: 79″][USER=736]@Keisha[/USER] I would consider the AmEx Premier Rewards Gold card. You would earn 3X points for flights booked with airlines, 2X points at US gas stations, US restaurants, and US supermarkets, 1X points on other purchases. Points transfer easily to Delta and Flying Blue. If you gave up the Plat you would lose your annual companion certificate, the inflight discounts, bonus MQMs at 25 and 50k spending, free checked bags and the ability to pay with points. On the plus side you’ll get a lot of bonus spending opportunities, and will gain flexibility with MR points.[/QUOTE]

Thanks [USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] ….but what if I wanted to keep my platinum sky miles card and just get an additional card. Would you still recommend the Amex Premier Gold card? Also, what are your thoughts on the Citi ThankYou Premier Card…I feel like I would get a lot of points in the categories I’m looking for but not sure if redeeming for flights would be worth it.

[USER=736]@Keisha[/USER] It really depends on what you want to do with the points. I was thinking about the Premier when I wrote my first response but was swayed towards the PRG because I assumed when you mentioned wanting to use miles on DL + partners you wanted a card that would directly transfer miles to them. The Premier is a nice product too–It won’t send miles to Delta but you can transfer them to FlyingBlue and use those to book DL and other SkyTeam flights. You can also use your points to book cash tickets @1.25c/point which make it harder for premium redemptions but you’d still earn miles on the ticket.

[QUOTE=”Gaurav, post: 6975, member: 79″][USER=736]@Keisha[/USER] It really depends on what you want to do with the points. I was thinking about the Premier when I wrote my first response but was swayed towards the PRG because I assumed when you mentioned wanting to use miles on DL + partners you wanted a card that would directly transfer miles to them. The Premier is a nice product too–It won’t send miles to Delta but you can transfer them to FlyingBlue and use those to book DL and other SkyTeam flights. You can also use your points to book cash tickets @1.25c/point which make it harder for premium redemptions but you’d still earn miles on the ticket.[/QUOTE]

[USER=79]@Gaurav[/USER] ok now that I know that it’s only 1.25c/point it’s looking less appealing. I was attracted to the 3 points for travel and 2 points for dining and entertainment. It sounds like I would accumulate a lot of points because that’s where I spend the most but not sure what I would redeem the points for if not for flights. Ok last question, you’ve been very responsive and I thank you for that…what are your thoughts on the Chase Sapphire preferred card?

[USER=736]@Keisha[/USER] It’s a nice card too, doesn’t have the same bonus structure but depending on your travel needs, you get some very nice transfer partner options. Again, no direct transfer to Delta, but you can transfer to Korean to book SkyTeam awards. It has some nice features like primary coverage on car rentals that may or may not be useful to you. The other caveat about the CSP is that if you’ve had more than five new cards in the past two years, Chase is very unlikely to approve you for one so this is a card best applied for early if you are planning to open cards on a regular basis. For more info on UR you can check [URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2013/11/05/best-uses-of-chase-ultimate-rewards-points/[/URL]

I forgot to mention above, there is no reason you can’t have the PRG and the Delta Platinum at the same time. AmEx limits you to four charge and four credit cards I believe. If you only have those two you are well under the limit. Also, if you fly DL a lot, you may consider upgrading the Plat to the Reserve since it serves as a tie breaker for upgrades.

Last thing to consider is that if you (or someone you know holds a Citi Prestige, you can convert your Premier TY points to Prestige TY points and use those to book flights at 1.33 cents for all airlines and 1.6c for AA.