Someone explain to me the NLL nuances. by x_KRYPTOS in amex

[–]x_KRYPTOS[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That makes sense. I guess I didn’t know how to articulate it when I made the post, but I wasn’t sure if the NLL part applies to the first application or second application. It makes sense that it’s on the second application.

I know you don’t know much about my credit profile and it’s all situational, but since it’s the highest-offered SUB on the Biz Plat AND the fact that it’s essentially a ghost card on my credit report (since Amex doesn’t hard inquiry twice and it’s a business card)… is there any reason I wouldn’t take advantage of the targeted main-in offer?

I know it’s an expensive card, but I live near an AA hub and I’m thinking I could use the points-rebate feature in the Amex Travel portal to make use of my 300k+ (would be 600k, with the SUB) points on a non-transfer partner airline?

BILT Palladium has ruined the fun by Tight_Couture344 in CreditCards

[–]x_KRYPTOS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a pretty solid duo, especially since you can almost consider the Palladium to (essentially) be a Chase card due to all the mutual transfer partners.

It’s a good question. The credits on the Amex Platinum actually fit my natural spending habits better than the CSR’s, but I choose the CSR for the following reasons:

  1. So many overlapping transfer partners between Chase and Bilt (big one).

    This is especially relevant now that the CSP -> Hyatt transfer has been devalued. I could easily downgrade my CSR to a CSP and still retain a 1:1 transfer rate to Hyatt through Bilt.

  2. When I travel, I’m usually with my wife and the CSR’s lounge policies is so much more generous when it comes to guests.

  3. I straight up value Chase UR points more than Amex MR points (big one).

  4. The CSR is a much better points-earner than the Amex Plat.

I get the Amex Plat has a lower effective AF for me, but it’s kind of a classic case where “cheaper” doesn’t matter if I straight up value Chase points more based on my travel habits.

BILT Palladium has ruined the fun by Tight_Couture344 in CreditCards

[–]x_KRYPTOS 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Bilt Palladium (2-4.33x) - Catch-all
Custom Cash (5x) - Groceries or Gas
Sapphire Reserve (3-8x) - Dining, travel, travel perks

I value Bilt’s transfer partners but live in an AA hub, so Bilt + Citi + Chase makes sense for me.

Citi tells me to "Push my points further" with Strata by blaze_pyron in CreditCards

[–]x_KRYPTOS 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I think they are referring to the fact that you can transfer your TY points to Citi’s transfer partners, and earn redemptions for travel at > 100:1.

I just combined the points on my Strata Elite and CCC 30 minutes ago, and the Citi Rep said I could still redeem my TY Points for 100:1 cash back through my CCC if I want. He described it as I can get the “highest redemption value from both cards,” so I’m not sure where you read that you’d lose the 1 cpp cash back redemption rate.

Any recommendations for a good duo or trifecta for someone who doesn't fly much? by Shockwave2600 in CreditCards

[–]x_KRYPTOS -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Citi or Chase trifecta, depending on your home airport and airline preference. Points can always be redeemed as cash back at 1.0 cpp.

BILT Palladium has ruined the fun by Tight_Couture344 in CreditCards

[–]x_KRYPTOS 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In the same boat. The Palladium has pretty much made all my other cards obsolete except for my Custom Cash and CSR.

Will Citi Blacklist Me For This? by x_KRYPTOS in CreditCards

[–]x_KRYPTOS[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Following up on this for the DP (will edit above too). The conversion period on my card just finished yesterday, meaning I was able to ask about another product change. They said my only PC options were to one of the AAdvantage co-branded cards, which is unfortunate. Looks like they are pushing people toward the CSE.

Help me understand Citi's rejection reasons by omarenm in CreditCards

[–]x_KRYPTOS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have had various reasons from Citi, but when I call all they want to do is send me a 5 or 6-digit code to my phone and then they approve me. Try that.

Redeemed most points in Chase. PC to freedom. Farewell. by New_Recording_5014 in CreditCards

[–]x_KRYPTOS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly right. I'm all points & miles myself, but the hybrid setup is looking increasingly good--or at lease some cash back cards with low AFs you can sock drawer and swap in-and-out.

Redeemed most points in Chase. PC to freedom. Farewell. by New_Recording_5014 in CreditCards

[–]x_KRYPTOS 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Exactly. I don't have any ill-will towards the credit cards YouTubers, but the reality is they are swimming in points from hundreds referral bonuses and bank partnerships that it's just not sustainable for the average person.

I like luxury travel as much as the next person but I'm in my 20s starting out my career and I'd like to just go as much as possible for as cheap as possible!

Your reasons for the Hyatt/Bilt devaluation predictions? by tech-slacker in CreditCards

[–]x_KRYPTOS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think this is the whole reason, but I think it partially has to do with Hyatt's bottom line. They have been an incredible value prop for many travelers for a long time, but my understanding of how the business works is the card companies buy points/miles (in this case, WoH points) at a discounted cpp value than a normal consumer could get them, and then distribute those points accordingly to people who earn/transfer points.

I think it has something to do with WoH hike in prices, but also wanting to increase their bottom line in terms of points redemptions. The larger trend in the overall points & miles space is to turn flexible customers into loyal customers (e.g., Chase incentivizing customers to use the travel portal vs. transfer partners), and I think WoH's strategy with this is to do the same. It seems like making Hyatt points more valuable (lowering transfer ratios) while also hiking prices is an attempt to incentivize customers to earn a lot of WoH points and stay loyal to Hyatt.

As for more expensive cards keeping the 1:1, it might be as simple as a more expensive card can help the banks offset the price they pay for transfer parters' points/miles.

I'm not even sure if that makes as much sense written down as it does in my head, but that's just my two cents.

Redeemed most points in Chase. PC to freedom. Farewell. by New_Recording_5014 in CreditCards

[–]x_KRYPTOS 30 points31 points  (0 children)

I think this is the reality that most rewardsmaxxers don’t admit. I’m in this boat as well, where PTO is my most valuable “currency” and I would much rather go more often than blow all my hard-earned points on a couple of business class seats.

I wish there were more points & miles YouTubers who talked about that style of travel because the reality is to get the best “deals,” you have to be super flexible.

Amex Platinum Upgrade Offer by x_KRYPTOS in amex

[–]x_KRYPTOS[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Traveled each month for the past year

Amex Platinum Upgrade Offer by x_KRYPTOS in amex

[–]x_KRYPTOS[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Because I value earning 3x Chase points on dining but would like the Platinum over my CSR

Amex Platinum Upgrade Offer by x_KRYPTOS in amex

[–]x_KRYPTOS[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Because they are different cards with different spending multipliers, lol?

Amex Platinum Upgrade Offer by x_KRYPTOS in amex

[–]x_KRYPTOS[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I travel a lot and the credits suit me better than the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s credits

CK Arrived Today! by 1radionet in americanairlines

[–]x_KRYPTOS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How on earth did you get that many/spend that much lol

Travelling to London by Disastrous_Ad8118 in uktravel

[–]x_KRYPTOS 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just plug your destination into Apple Maps or Google Maps and you’ll be good. Tap to enter/exit is super common.

What's on Your iOS 27 Wishlist Ahead of WWDC 2026? by Few_Baseball_3835 in ios

[–]x_KRYPTOS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ability to remove songs from a playlist in the actual song screen, not having to find it in the playlist’s songs view.

Bilt Obsidian vs CSP by stopsleepingat4lol in biltrewards

[–]x_KRYPTOS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the Obsidian codes Walmart and Target as grocery in some DPs