Best AMEX card with no annual fee (even the first year)

[Deal Guy]

My bro wants to dump his Spg Amex card due to the annual fee, but doesn't want to cancel with amex. So which card would you recommend him asking to be transferred to?
 Can he ask to get transferred to a good card that normally gives a sign-up bonus, and somehow recieve that bonus as well, and have the first year be waved as if he is a new customer? Which card would be the best?
 Or, if the above is not possible and he should just transfer to one of the NO ANNUAL FEE cards, which one would you recommend?
 He isn't a big spender.
  Thanks

[SuperFlyer]

IMHO an Amex is designed for spenders. If you spend less, get a Visa or Mastercard.

[gozalim]

when i tried to convert my spg (consumer, not business) to something with no fee, there were only 2 options; (hilton) hhonors and 1 other. (they have other fee free ones, but not convertible from spg for some reason)

[Deal Guy]

IMHO an Amex is designed for spenders. If you spend less, get a Visa or Mastercard.

Realize that I stated that he DOESN'T WANT TO CANCEL A CREDIT CARD. Therefore I am asking for advice regarding AMEX.

[ChaimB]

 I cant believe someone will leave the SPG Amex over $45. heck if anything he should get the Biz SPG Amex and theres a 5% rebate on Hertz among other vendors that would move then offset the annual fee after the 1st yr

[gozalim]

I cant believe someone will leave the SPG Amex over $45. heck if anything he should get the Biz SPG Amex and theres a 5% rebate on Hertz among other vendors that would move then offset the annual fee after the 1st yr

that's if you ever use hertz. enterprise (with chabad corp) is almost always half the price of hertz.  (for when priceline isn't helping)
besides, you can get the OPEN savings on any Biz Amex, incl. the fee-free ones (such as the 3% gas 1% everything else cashback one)

[Dan]

Excluding the Starpoints I get my $45 worth just from return protection. Love it!

[Deal Guy]

I cant believe someone will leave the SPG Amex over $45. heck if anything he should get the Biz SPG Amex and theres a 5% rebate on Hertz among other vendors that would move then offset the annual fee after the 1st yr

You don't need to believe it, but im stating the facts. Would anyone be kind enough to tell me if it's possible to be converted into a card that gives a bonus, but the first year is free, and that he will still get the bonus, or does he need to go for a plain free Amex card without any bonus points, and which card would that be?

[MOSES]

You don't need to believe it, but im stating the facts. Would anyone be kind enough to tell me if it's possible to be converted into a card that gives a bonus, but the first year is free, and that he will still get the bonus, or does he need to go for a plain free Amex card without any bonus points, and which card would that be?

YMMV. you are no supposed to be able to , but some ppl have reported that they have manged to do so