Suggestion for New Credit Card

[symkx]

Hi Guys,
I'm a Citi Emirates MasterCard holder for past 2 years and now that Citi is changing their pointing system from mid March, I think it's time for me to move on to something different that has a better points per dollar value.

Right now I'm getting 1 Emirates Skywards point per dollar with no cap. My monthly spend is about $5-10K and I really prefer to stay away from AMEX unless I have to. I'm happy to pay premium annual fee as long as it's not crazy like some AMEX cards.

Any suggestion what would be the best option for me? I prefer a card with either Skywards or Etihad Guest points (or something I can transfer to either of these 2) since I mainly travel to Middle-East for family visits.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mark4217]

Citi Prestige would work, but has a $700 annual fee

 

[symkx]

Thank you!
Citi Prestige is 2 points per dollar, but then conversion rate to Skywards is 2:1, means its 1 points per dollar in the end which is not any better than my current card, but more expensive annual fee.

Is there anything else with better ratio? or at least something with same ratio as my current card, but less expensive?
Also can anyone confirm if I can transfer points from Citi Prestige to Etihad Guest? The point hacks website has an article says you can, but I just talked to Citi's web chat and been told that Etihad is NOT a current partner. Anyone knows what's the deal?

I'm keep looking, but I find less and less...

 

[Dr Ralph]

Have you read this thread symkx ?

Current Credit Card Promotions

 

[symkx]

Have you read this thread symkx?

I actually had a look, most of them are either AMEX or QFF related which unfortunately doesn't really fit me. Not sure why, but somehow Qantas requires double amount of points comparing to Emirates (for the same route on same day) and considering usually 2 CC points are equal 1 QFF, it sounds like a horrible deal to me. at least when I compare it to my current card rate.

I don't mind signing up for AMEX, but then not all the merchants accept it and I'm not sure if I can put everything on it.

 

[mark4217]

The new earn rate for Skywards. Has a cap of $3000 then earn .5 thereafter, so Prestige would trump this card now. I am happy to be corrected.

 

[Mark3000]

Symkx, how do you find availability with skywards points? Is it easy to find flights to Dubai in J for example at 9 months out for 2 people?

 

[symkx]

View attachment 64678
The new earn rate for Skywards. Has a cap of $3000 then earn .5 thereafter, so Prestige would trump this card now. I am happy to be corrected.

True, The new earn rate for Citi Emirates card is what driving me away from it... Till now it was the perfect card for me. I just have to justify the additional $420 annual fee. Is there a working method to get the annual fee waived?

 

[symkx]

Symkx, how do you find availability with skywards points? Is it easy to find flights to Dubai in J for example at 9 months out for 2 people?

This might sound stupid, but since I have just joined, What does "in J" mean?

Generally speaking the availability is ok, they have a fairly limited seat for skyward saver rate, then there's more available for skyward flex which is about 40% more expensive.
As example, In Late septmeber I made a booking for SYD-DXB-IKA for Early October and return within a week. Cash price was about $1950, I paid 136,000 points + $72 airport tax.

 

[Dr Ralph]

This might sound stupid, but since I have just joined, What does "in J" mean?

Generally speaking the availability is ok, they have a fairly limited seat for skyward saver rate, then there's more available for skyward flex which is about 40% more expensive.
As example, In Late septmeber I made a booking for SYD-DXB-IKA for Early October and return within a week. Cash price was about $1950, I paid 136,000 points + $72 airport tax.

J = Business.

 

[symkx]

J = Business.

Thanks!

I haven't made a business booking using points yet, but few times I have upgraded flights to business, it was ALWAYS available!

 

[blueythecat]

Hi Symkx - I know you said you weren't keen on getting an AMEX (either direct AMEX or a bank AMEX), but I think it is going to deliver the best point to dollars return ratio in your case.

I was worried that AMEX acceptance would be really bad before I switched over, and whilst it certainly isn't perfect, for my use I reckon I easily manage 80% plus of my spend on AMEX. Anyway, some food for thought....

 

[PLANT]

Just to add of you want the best \easiest customer service then go AMEX EDGE card..... Any other card provider has nothing on em......

 

[andye]

Amex Edge hard to beat (particularly if you want EK miles) -most people will easily recoup the fee with the free flight, Shop Small and statement credits. The supermarket/fuel bonus points mount up quickly. Strategic gift card buying and Local Champion bonuses are the icing on the cake

Although you will need a backup MC or Visa, it wouldn't put me off.

One of the downsides with Amex was the reduced utilities earn rate but now more and more take PayPal

 

[symkx]

Hi Symkx - I know you said you weren't keen on getting an AMEX (either direct AMEX or a bank AMEX), but I think it is going to deliver the best point to dollars return ratio in your case.

I was worried that AMEX acceptance would be really bad before I switched over, and whilst it certainly isn't perfect, for my use I reckon I easily manage 80% plus of my spend on AMEX. Anyway, some food for thought....

Thank you for the input. I have read a lot since yesterday and looks like I should be able to put 80% plus of my spend on AMEX too.. I'm getting really tempted to get an direct AMEX card. ApplePay is a plus for me too.

 

[symkx]

Amex Edge hard to beat (particularly if you want EK miles) -most people will easily recoup the fee with the free flight, Shop Small and statement credits. The supermarket/fuel bonus points mount up quickly. Strategic gift card buying and Local Champion bonuses are the icing on the cake

Although you will need a backup MC or Visa, it wouldn't put me off.

One of the downsides with Amex was the reduced utilities earn rate but now more and more take PayPal

I think I'm sold.

The only question is, should I go with AMEX Edge or AMEX Qantas Premium? The Edge looks like a better card in general, but the massive bonus on Qantas card is very tempting.. It looks like I can get flights to middle-east with Qantas points since they're partner with Emirates anyways.

Can anyone tell me what's AMEX reward points ratio to convert to both Emirates Skywards and Etihad Guest programs? How about QFF? Can I transfer AMEX reward points to QFF?

 

[awkwardpaws]

I think I'm sold.

The only question is, should I go with AMEX Edge or AMEX Qantas Premium? The Edge looks like a better card in general, but the massive bonus on Qantas card is very tempting.. It looks like I can get flights to middle-east with Qantas points since they're partner with Emirates anyways.

Can anyone tell me what's AMEX reward points ratio to convert to both Emirates Skywards and Etihad Guest programs? How about QFF? Can I transfer AMEX reward points to QFF?

Between Platinum Edge & Qantas Platinum, my questions would be:
- Are you looking to accumulate QFF or Amex MR? Amex MR (which you would earn on Platinum Edge) does not transfer to QFF, but offers flex for a whole host of FF programs and you can use that to warehouse your points

- Do you have a significant amount of purchases on supermarket/groceries and petrol? If you do, Amex Platinum Edge offers 3 points on supermarket and 2 points on petrol per $ you spend.

Regardless of which one you sign up, make sure you check AFF's referrals section - AFF members have offered referral links to sign up which can get you (and the referrer!) bonus points on sign up!

 

[SponsorSFC]

I don't think you can really go past this offer for the plat edge.

$0 annual fee in the first year
13,500 MR points with $200 spend at priceline (at 10 MR points per dollar at Priceline with the min spend you end up with 15,500).

https://www.priceline.com.au/amex

Unfortunately referrals are not available on this offer.

 

[blueythecat]

The Edge is hard to beat.....

 

[symkx]

I don't think you can really go past this offer for the plat edge.

$0 annual fee in the first year
13,500 MR points with $200 spend at priceline (at 10 MR points per dollar at Priceline with the min spend you end up with 15,500).

https://www.priceline.com.au/amex

Unfortunately referrals are not available on this offer.

This is a serisouly good offer, All I'm worried about is AMEX acceptance rate which is shifting me toward twin cards options...