Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Amex SPG - Which Card Do You Reach For First?

[Dan]

Nice! So how do I link my account to my cc? Is there a way to do it online? 

It gets linked automatically.

[AsherO]

AsherO confirms that Ink Bold is now giving him 20% bonus points as a checking customer.

I still don't know if Ink Classic gives the 20% bonus or not.  If it does that card can be even a bigger game-changer.

I'm not sure about the Ink Classic, but I think not. Either way, the InkBold is awesome, as the bonus posts on each statement (as opposed to SP's annual 7% 'dividend' which posts at the end of the year).

https://www.chase.com/ccp/index.jsp?pg_name=ccpmapp/shared/marketing/page/126298_tri_landing

This is for the Ink Bold bonus, or the Freedom bonus?

(I'm browsing on a mobile device and can't view that page).

[Dan]

This is for the Ink Bold bonus, or the Freedom bonus?

Ink Bold and Ink.
Ink Cash is excluded and there's no mention of Ink Classic.

[AsherO]

Ink Bold and Ink.
Ink Cash is excluded and there's no mention of Ink Classic.

Oh, because Business CS (I nearly typo'd BS, which is what I should start calling them ) told me I need to have a linked business checking account. (I'm considering closing it because if I miss the requirements for waiving the fee, I get hit with an $18 'penalty'. OT, but does anyone know if a Chase business account with zero balance gets charges the monthly fee?).

[aussiebochur]

Oh, because Business CS (I nearly typo'd BS, which is what I should start calling them ) told me I need to have a linked business checking account. (I'm considering closing it because if I miss the requirements for waiving the fee, I get hit with an $18 'penalty'. OT, but does anyone know if a Chase business account with zero balance gets charges the monthly fee?).

As long as you swipe 5 times a month on the business debit card, both business and personal are free.
If for whatever reason you forget, pop into your local Chase branch, ask them nicely and more often then not theyll refund the fee.

Are are your funds racking up AA miles?

[springles]

Ink Bold and Ink.
Ink Cash is excluded and there's no mention of Ink Classic.

Anyone know if you are a joint owner of a case checking account (but the account was originally opened in the other person's name) and the primary on the freedom card, will you get the bonus?

[AsherO]

Anyone know if you are a joint owner of a case checking account (but the account was originally opened in the other person's name) and the primary on the freedom card, will you get the bonus?

Officially joint account-holders are eligible.

[springles]

Officially joint account-holders are eligible.

Thanks

[Dan]

So my under $90 purchases have all been on Freedom of late.  I find myself splitting items into multiple transactions though all the time now

I'm in a real dilemma now.
Do I keep making $90+ purchases on Starwood or should I just use Starwood for purchases where I may need warranty/return/dispute protection, spending at SPG hotels, and for Open Savings, and use Ink Bold or Sapphire Preferred for the rest?

In other works what is better foe everyday purchases, 1.2 UR points or 1 Starpoint? Tough to say!

[Dan]

Adding to the complication...
If you spend $25K in a year on Ink Bold you get a 7,500 point bonus.  That's a total of 37,500 points for $25K spend or 1.5 UR points per dollar spent.
If you spend $50K in a year on Ink Bold you get a 22,500 point bonus for a total of 82,500 points for $50K spend or 1.65 UR points per dollar spent.
If you spend $100K in a year on Ink Bold you get a 47,500 point bonus for a total of 167,500 points for $100K spend or 1.675 UR points per dollar spent.

[myb821]

just want to say. whow ould have thought 1 year ago that there would be a card that could become ur go to card over the SPG

[Dan]

just want to say. whow ould have thought 1 year ago that there would be a card that could become ur go to card over the SPG

It's crazy but Chase has seriously stepped up their game this year.
Life was much simpler though when everything just went on SPG.

[AJK]

So my under $90 purchases have all been on Freedom of late.  I find myself splitting items into multiple transactions though all the time now

I'm in a real dilemma now.
Do I keep making $90+ purchases on Starwood or should I just use Starwood for purchases where I may need warranty/return/dispute protection, spending at SPG hotels, and for Open Savings, and use Ink Bold or Sapphire Preferred for the rest?

In other works what is better foe everyday purchases, 1.2 UR points or 1 Starpoint? Tough to say!

What changed since the last time you ran this calculation and deemed SPG for $90+?

[Dan]

What changed since the last time you ran this calculation and deemed SPG for $90+?

Earning a 20% bonus on Ink Bold with checking.

[AJK]

Earning a 20% bonus on Ink Bold with checking.

Ah, right right 

In the past,  you've assigned values to your points. Wouldn't assigning value to the points in this case lead you the right answer for you? 

[Dan]

Ah, right right 

In the past,  you've assigned values to your points. Wouldn't assigning value to the points in this case lead you the right answer for you? 

Nope as their values are practically identical=within the margin or error for their assigned values. (1.2x1.9=2.28 versus 2.3)

[AJK]

Nope as their values are practically identical=within the margin or error for their assigned values. (1.2x1.9=2.28 versus 2.3)

That means you can't go wrong... (or at least not more wrong than .0002 cpm )

[Dan]

That means you can't go wrong

Thus the dilemma.  Do I want 1.2 UR or 1 SPG more?

[AsherO]

just want to say. whow ould have thought 1 year ago that there would be a card that could become ur go to card over the SPG

Choice is a good thing, I'm glad that (as consumers) we have it.

[shidduch]

Why did dan set the 90 threshold on the starwood card that it seems to magically be better on purchases of that magnitude?  Can someone  please explain the magic of the 90 threshold?