You make valid points....but for those who travel and value the lounge access (especially centurion) the platinum still works out...The uber eats credits from amex are best when you select pick up rather than delivery....u were already going to starbucks anyway so in your example select pick up.
Thanks! I agree AmEx still offers best in class lounge access, but you have to log significant travel to make that worth it over something like the VX if thats your top priority.
@@TheRDGuarantee You don't need significant travel, you just need international travel (two short trips AU to NZ, or one long return trip) - that's 2-6 lounge uses depending on if you have connecting flights i.e. Australia to Singapore then Singapore to Germany. Outside North America, VentureX isn't getting you into many lounges and Priority Pass lounges are crowded and rather average when it comes to food (the common problems of "pay to enter" lounges). I've seen queues of ~200 people waiting to get into a Priority Pass lounge whilst the business class lounge and the Amex lounges were quiet.
American Express going to put a hit out on you.. LOL well done with explaining about the card .we all know gold and platinum card is mainly just to flex
I’m down to 1 Amex business card. I’ve cancelled the others or never got them because it didn’t fit my spending. I don’t need prestige through a spending tool.
Even if you get the SUBs in order you'll probably get pop up jailed anyway. I wanted the plat for a bunch of summer travel I have planned but couldn't get it because of PUJ. I even tried the 100k offer and no dice. Ended up getting the Altitude Connect + Sapphire Preferred.
As others have mentioned, you don't have to have uber eats delivered. Saks credit comes in clutch for a nice little gift for someone's bday or a holiday gift. Just filter for gifts under 50. Also if you drive frequently, the Walmart + credit is beautiful. That's instantly 10 cents a gallon off at Walmart and Sam's gas stations. Savings racks up quick.
Yea that Starbucks comparison is BS you pick one up then get one delivered and you pay taxes on on but not the other . 🤔 at the end of the day your still getting and AMEX card you probably have 3 or 4 😂 The ugly truth about this RU-vid is @$%&*
Your Starbucks comparison is misleading. One is pick up and the other is delivery. If you picked up the drink ordering thru Uber Eats then the price difference is only $.60 and those extra fees disappear. With the $10 credit you wouldn’t be charged anything to your Gold Card. On a different card you would pay $5.69 for that drink.
I have the Amex Reserve. As a frequent Delta flyer, the Sky Lounge and Amex lounge is important enough to me that the $650 annual fee is worth it. Plus I like how I get Priority boarding and upgrades in seating when available. The other perks are nice but those are the important ones for me. Thanks for the comprehensive video.
I am burnt out; I won’t be applying for any cards this year gardening for 1 year and half 2025. Only two cards I am interested in and I am done: Chase Ink Cash & CSP. Currently & exactly at 5/24 at the moment.
Totally cool to sit on your current setup and just accumulate points through regular spending. There will always be new cards to go for both now now and waiting for you in the future.
I agree some people don’t know the neighborhood Walmart store is considered a grocery store so you still get your 6% back just don’t go to the Walmart super store I love my Amex Preferred Card
Seems Amex has been getting a lot of heat recently. You made all legitimate points but I feel like too many people become "fanboys" of Amex more then any other issuer, it will be hard to understand this vid from that perspective.They critique any & everything that isn't Amex bassically If you aren't doing it the Amex way you might as well have Stockholm syndrome...in their book. This is clearly a mistake.....no one should ever fanboy any major bank. major banks aren't our friends nore buddy ol pals... Amex is becoming very restrictive and repetitive (family language, raising fees, Add coupons, punishing low spenders, rense repeat) Again people that are huge fans of Amex this vid will be like deciphering hieroglyphics.......
Hahah this comment is gold. In all serious, I'm expecting this video to get some heat, which is fine if you can justify it in your situation. I think there are some real frustrations there that deserve to be called out. Doesn't make all of AmEx terrible, just calling it like I see it that the cards are less applicable to a wide range of people at the moment.
every other bank is overextending to compete with Amex anyway. Oh look at Bilt's AA points. Oops, it's gone. Yeah Amex isn't perfect but I guarantee most of the hot new cards right now can't sustain that long.
Most folks don’t spend enough or make enough yearly to hold a premium Amex card. Facts are they target big spenders and not fan boys it’s business after all and not for low ballers. Don’t travel and don’t spend thousands and thousands a year on food or travel most likely you have no use for a premium Amex card.
Comparing points and miles cards to cash back cards is almost like apples and oranges. I’ll always be a points and miles guy, cash back cards have little appeal to me. And Amex has some of the best transfer partners around. I’m Team Amex through and through.
Amex has been getting high off their own fumes lately. With the gold card recently being raised to 325 it's off to the chase ecosystem I go. The coupon book style of discounts just isn't worth it for me anymore.
Don’t know what the banks are waiting for, a lot of these cards need refresh. Plat and CSR I’m looking at you. I guess once Wells releases the Journey Beyond maybe then we will see some refreshes but this is embarrassing for the banks.
I think the legacy banks feel like they can be some of the last to make changes that positively effect their consumers (and just sit on their history). The good news is that there's plenty of movement in the card space. If you don't like it, many other viable options right now.
They seem content where they are and target the big spenders. If big spenders aren’t who hold their cards Amex isn’t likely to help justify their high AF cards they just aren’t meant for most folks.
Amex aren't changing anything - there's plenty of value and wonderful perks if you use the card properly. The big problem is many people stupidly get cards as "status" symbols when they really either don't need them, or, can't afford them. If your well off, paid very well and travel a lot, then Amex is for you. For 90-95% of people, there is no point to having an Amex card as they'll never get the annual card fee back in value from perks and benefits. As for the other banks, they're waiting for the million small cards to fail and disappear. Its the million small cards that are ruining the market by trying to "buy loyalty" through insane volumes of "cashback" and "perks". The result is many people end up hugely in debt and those small cards eventually go under. The "best refresh" would be for most Visa cards to start being like Amex when it comes to who gets cards and to limit lounge access to high-tier customers. Things are currently at a point where Priority Pass lounges have become a joke as they're so overcrowded because every card gets access that the only good lounges are the business and first class airline lounges and the Amex Platinum lounges, also the Centurion card only Centurion lounges. When I say overcrowded I mean, at capacity inside and a queue of ~200 people waiting to get in.
Amex gold is perfect for me. Since I'm military and don't have to pay the annual fee, and always eating out and buying food, and using Uber, JUST GET A CARD THAT FITS YOUR LIFE STYLE
When you have the military no fee benefit it almost makes your point less meaningful due to the fact that your opinion might be completely different had you actually paid the annual fee. However, I for one thank you for your service and think that you should absolutely make the most of all of the credit cards that you can get the annual fee waived on while in the service.
Right now I am not a big fan of Capital One especially since they pull from all 3 bureaus and I am stuck with 3 inquiries for two years. I am intrigued by the Strata and the Chase Sapphire once I get under 5/24 in March 25. I love Amex but they need to get rid of the coupon approach and the order of getting cards which is why I don't have the green. I actually love Delta Platinum and the Reserve set up because the companion certificates, hotel credits, and Uber credits are great for me and pay for the annual fee. I added Uber One to get rid of delivery fees and get discounts on Uber Eats and rides for travel. You also didn't mention the Resy credits which you can stack using Toast.
@@welbyncastro9169tipping servers is stupid and an exclusively American phenomenon. employers need to pay their servers properly and adjust menu prices accordingly. employers are already mandated by law to make up the difference if base wage + tips don't meet the state minimum. customers should not subsidize criminal wage theft. there is rampant underreporting of cash gratuities. do you tip teachers for doing their jobs? letter carriers? construction workers? cashiers?
Just listen to the CEO speak on their earnings calls from the last few years. It's a completely different conversation than what we like to talk about in the community. All about increasing annual charges to maximize fees from consumers.
@@TheRDGuarantee Well, I guess if someone is gullible and cares what others think it’s there fault for getting taken advantage of. I had the Gold and they refused to give me retention. I’m my opinion they lost an excellent customer. I just take advantage of there HYSA now. Free $30 monthly works for me.
@@daintyminnie9270 but if you pay rent, and pay for groceries, and pay for clothing, and pay for public transportation, you might as well earn points or cash back while doing so.
Great video. I had the Amex Plat once upon a time (AF $550.00) when it went to $695, it just didn't make sense to me. I am focusing on Chase cards for the long haul. What say you?
@@lewis20002000 i just got approved the Venture X, I can make use of the $300 travel credit in no time. Plus I get Lounge access for myself and my authorized users so this card will be the one to keep.
Same here! I just cancelled my Platinum Card 1 week ago for the reasons mentioned. There are other options and the lounge access was truly the only actual benefit that I may miss however my plan involves me getting either the Ritz or CSR and the Altitude Reserve cards later this year which should work well for my needs and be able to be gad that I have let go of the coupon book!
Correction on the downgrade of the AMEX travel cards: you can downgrade to the old traditional green card with the $0 annual fee. The only thing is that you won't be able to accrue MR points with that downgrade.
I give you props for this video and telling it like it is. I just cancelled my AMEX PLAT card after holding it for the last 4+ years. It was time. I'm tired of the coupon book strategy and would rather have a more flexible setup. Lounge access was the most important aspect that I will miss but Chase will have a lounge opening within the next few months at my home airport thus sealing the fate for me renewing my PLAT card. Get it for the sign on bonus, enjoy it for the year, and keep it moving afterwards, lol.
Realistically if you are trying to find value in the card by the coupon book then you probably just aren't a fit for the card. I see huge value in my Amex cards just on points and perks alone. I don't even use half the coupon perks and that's fine by me.
That's all true. I cancelled all the Platinums and Golds long tome ago, and i just keep BBP and 3 Hilton cards. My P2 is in Hilton popup jail, so she only has BBP. Thats all from Amex.
For the platinum the Walmart credit also includes Paramount plus. Also the 200 credit can be used for the hotels for 2 night stay required (hotels in this category are generally cheaper) and the fine hotels (1 night stay required)
You’re pointing out a lot of things to consider. I just got the Delta Amex Reserve because I’m a Delta “loyalist” so we’ll see how it goes. The plan was to get the Amex Green & then Gold next but now I’m thinking about just getting the Amex Green next and that’s it. The Amex Gold I think is great for people that live in large cities because they have a better chance of using the credits. For someone like me that lives in a small city it might be a waste considering the annual fees. Decisions decisions 🤔🤔🤔
Delta's dynamic pricing is a joke, their "business class" is not worth the points, or cash price. They have good products, but the price point is way off in my opinion.
Out of the AmEx card families, I like the Delta a bit more than the others. Especially the Delta Platinum and the Reserve to some extent. Enjoy your new Delta reserve! By the way did you get the 747 edition or classic??
@@jun.oshima I’ll agree that Delta definitely has missed the mark in terms of pricing. I’ve stuck with them because of the service and reliability but the pricing has gotten worse. Especially the SkyMiles program which is why I’m trying out the Delta Reserve to see if it enhances my overall experience
Great video. Would like to add a few other points: 1) Amex offers are usually only valid for US stores only (Chase offers are good worldwide) or just 1-2 other countries (like Canada and Mexico); 2) Amex is usually not accepted overseas, 3) Amex encourages you to overspend to earn your monthly credits; 4) you pay the annual fee up front and lose the potential to earn monthly interest on the money (CSR can let you recoup the $300 travel fee with one swipe) whereas Amex have to do with monthly credits.
This analysis is nonsense. The Amex gold comparison vs the capital one card doesn’t incorporate the value of the fees you mention later in the episode making the comparison unusable. The Starbucks comparison is a logical nonsequeter - it’s not necessary for the credit to be the best option for every choice. You also don’t bring up the value of the various insurance products on the cards which is a big deal. Amex also has far better customer service than other cards which matters a lot. There are legitimate complaints to be had with Amex. For instance, you not a 1cpp redemption value but that’s only if you redeem them in certain ways (travel is the most valuable). Cashing out only gives 0.6cpp. So even getting value out of the points at all takes quite a bit of work. That’s reason enough to avoid them.
I looooooove me platinum card because I travel quite a bit and able to use almost every benefits that come with the card so it still works for me but I can see why this isn’t a good card for folks that don’t travel much since it has very little earnings categories other than travel related expenses. You are entitled to use $200 hotel credit for one night tho. Not 2 night minimum stay. I think that is for gold card.
I have to disagree. I stayed at a hotel recently and while I had to book through the AMEX travel, the deal was way better. What would've costed me $2500 for my stay, actually costed me $1400. That's before the $200 credit and the $100 to use at the hotel. Another example is the offers. They offer great deals for instance. I received 10,000 pts for spending $500 at a store advertised in the offers section. You cannot beat that. Redeeming the benefits is easy so don't get how you say its complicated.
Thanks for the informative video. I tried to apply for the Amex Plat card (Schwab) but gave up when notified that I would not be eligible for the 80k points SUB. I think it's because I had the DL Skymiles Amex Gold card previously (canceled in June 2023). Is that right? Do you know how long the waiting period is before I am eligible for the SUB for a new Amex Plat card?
I'm sorry to hear that! Sounds like you've gotten a (stupid) ruling against you from their system. AmEx has the once per lifetime rule but that wouldn't apply to you since you're going for a different card, even outside the Delta Skymiles family. I'd contact their cardmember customer service: www.americanexpress.com/en-us/support/contacts/ It's probably worth taking the time to ask about, considering the potentially huge SUB you're considering getting.
@@TheRDGuarantee Thanks for the info. My partner was able to get the Amex Platinum with the 80k points SUB even though he also had the DL Amex Gold card (which he had canceled a year before I did). That's why I think there must be a waiting period. I asked Amex what the waiting period is but didn't get a definitive answer; they just told me there are many factors involved. Maybe I should just wait for a year and try again?
All these issues sited only apply to the piddly-ass cash back benefits and such. If you want to play the credit card game for such small change, other cards may offer more...who cares.
Generally speaking for amounts like that, as long as its within your limits it will go through. The problem is you'll have "high credit utilization" which counts against you on your credit score. This is why rich people have cards with higher limits - not because they're spending a heap, but to keep their credit utilization low. Say you had an $18k limit, you've used 66% of your credit limit (you should never exceed 50% unless the bank uses the annual credit utilization method - i.e. instead of looking at monthly utilization, they use annual utilization). If you did the same transaction with a card with a credit limit of $100k you would have used 12% of the credit limit.
Not sure your amex credit categories make any sense. A vast majority of people would value the digital entertainment, uber, hotel, and saks credits pretty highly. On the other hand, the market value for the clear/tsa credits (people resell these on forums) are like $5-10 each.
It's true - some people can get awesome use out of these. It's just the way they're broken up or how they conveniently leave out the two most popular streaming services from their entertainment credit conditions should deservedly frustrate cardholders out there.
I didn't know some of the specifics about the cards. I didn't know if you don't have the green card you can't get the welcome offer for the gold. I applied and was approved for the gold, but during the applying process it didn't say anything about NOT receiving a welcome offer, as I believe it usually lets you know. I canceled the card that day!
You should be able to get the welcome offer for the gold. Green -> Gold -> Platinum are all in the same family. You've got to get them in that order to qualify for the welcome bonus.
Amex platinum is complete trash 🚮 with too much bloat and non useful nonsense on it to inflate their value. Their restrictions on various items once you read the terms & conditions automatically makes it a No for me.
The biggest issue here is you imply that capital one points are equivalent to Amex points and they are not. Redeeming Amex points are far more valuable than capital one points. I have both and honestly get little value out of capital one points.
I agree with the premise, but your Starbucks example is dishonest. It fits in perfectly with the narrative of the video, but it is a misleading over exaggeration. The dining credits are already bad since the apps mark up the same items, no need to compare pickup to delivery.
Wow you totally swung and missed with your attempt to tear down the Platinum card. That entire segment can be summed up with "I dont know how to use these credits so lets hate on Amex" I get at least $1000 of value from the Platinum annually. If youre not breaking even or coming out ahead, youre not trying. These cards arent for you but that has no bearing on how well it works for others.
@@misssa4831 I mean you can apply (not downgrade) for the Business plus card and then cancel the platinum card later, this will keeps points in your Amex account.
@Sci-Fi_Fan296 that play still doesn't allow you to actually downgrade your platinum charge card into a blue biz plus. The lowest downgrade path in the amex charge card family is to downgrade to a gold or green. The blue biz plus is not in the charge card family.
It sounds like he's grasping at straws. Also; two months ago, was not the AMEX Gold a "no brainer" card to have for life? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ay3kK5_Gcqc.html @7:15
Great call out! This video was focused AmEx as a provider and the way they're trending with their latest updates. Towards the end I recognize that I didn't talk through some of the strengths that they still have going for them and how some people are still a great fit for AmEx (i.e. families + Gold Card). Thanks for watching!
age of credit is probably more appliable there. I don't know for sure if you downgrade to a no-fee if it will hit your credit for this given that you technically have the account open still. Regardless, I wouldn't be bothered with the temp hit if I had to, unless you need your score for something now.
@@chocOneOOne There is no way of downgrading the charge card to a no AF card. You will just have to close the account after the SUB. But like the OP said, it doesn't affect your overall credit utilization, also if you already have a robust credit portfolio, closing an Amex charge card won't affect your credit score much. In fact, if the account was in good standing before the closure, it will continue to add to your AAoA until it falls off the credit report in the 10 year mark.
Hello. This is the first time Ive watched one of your videos and its nice to see this topic being discussed. I have had and wanted an Amex card in the past, but in my opinion they are too "particular" about their cards. They add hassles, as you spoke about, to get value from their coupon style credits along with limits and restrictions on cash back. Added to the fact that one needs to carry other cards with them because Amex is not accepted in many places. Its a little embarrassing to be at a place of business, ready to pay for what you want, and your card gets declined because they dont take Amex. As you touched on, I think Amex is a bit too arrogant for what they offer, and the fanboy(ism) of Amex cards is weird to me.
Spot on! But there are way too many mind-controlled Amex fanboys out there who took way too much of that blue cool-aid propaganda from RU-vidrs & Amex adverts. Good on you for your critical thinking!
Sounds like a lot of good justification in your decision making! There are plenty of people that AmEx is still a good fit for, but I've just been disappointed by the direction they're heading lately and it doesn't get me excited to apply for any cards at the moment...
I am considering The Amex Cash Preferred & Amex Delta Blue Skymiles card. I am fine with the Capital One Venture X & its lineup. Even though most of these card may not hold up to AMEX Platinum & Centurion Cards. I am generally fine with my selection.
Take a look at my recent video on the Delta Skymiles Platinum Card. It's got an annual fee, but really beats the Delta Blue at the end of the day for what it will give back to you (even considering paying the fee). Thanks for watching this one!
@@TheRDGuarantee not if it’s worth getting over the platinum after watching many videos. I mainly fly delta but not very often we take flights . I think this card would encourage us to fly more. Idk honestly
