Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Ko0l]

Is it worth the $395 fee?

You do get a 25k companion award, which can be used on anyone you are traveling with. That will offset at least half the fee or more depending on how you value it. The award can also be topped up with points for a more expensive flight.

The partner award fee is also waived which will save ~$100 after a few partner award bookings.

Besides that, it's mainly for people who want to spend to earn elite status with AS.

Extra $300 for 15k pts, 25k companion award, 3 x foreign spend and waived partner award fees is definitely worth getting over the signature version. IMO

 

[levelnine]

Extra $300 for 15k pts, 25k companion award, 3 x foreign spend and waived partner award fees is definitely worth getting over the signature version. IMO

It's an interesting equation.

If you're looking purely for the cheapest points, the Ascent/Biz cards are better.

If you're looking to acquire points without affecting your 5/24 status, the Biz card is the choice.

If you're looking for the most value out of a single card, the Summit is prob the best choice given the extra 15-20K points & 25K cert are likely valued at more than $300. Though it's very YMMV. Personally, I'd never pay $USD300 for 15-20K points and a 25K cert because I generally attain points at far less cost than that.

The 3x on foreign spend is the dark horse. Spend $130K on foreign spend, earn OWE & 390K AS miles. If you can do that spend without breaking a sweat, it's not a bad value proposition.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Thank you. Curious to hear what people's strategy's have been for new cards. I've mostly had AMEX personal / business cards and sitting at 4/24, this will drop to 3/24 in October. I've got the Chase Sapphire Preferred and will likely go for the Ink Business (is the general rule still wait 3 months between Chase applications?). Would it be silly for me to burn up a spot with the AA card that's being removed? AA redemptions are insanely cheap domestically. Otherwise most reading from ToP and forum suggest Chase Business application -> Chase personal cards and then others.

Im on same boat at 4/24 but not dropping off until April next year.
Because of this 5/24 rule I am tossed and turned between should I keep the spot or move on to so many other cards that potentially Become Collectibles and will be no longer available for applications but they are So Good as well.
Still can't decide

Atmos Summit was suppose to take my 5/24. I called again to see whether I could get a tracking number but instead, the approved application was now in secondary? This seems like a BoA thing where you get approved then you get declined or flagged for secondary. Apparently I need to submit documents so I'll see where I'm at. I have a feeling the application is dead as BoA only accepts documents via snail mail .

But anyways, if I had the Atmos, I would be gardening for 12 months to get past 5/24. Chase Inks are now 4-6 months instead of every 3 months. Not as churnable as before. My previous experiences with banks like Barclays and Citi hasn't been great either so it's been a struggle there as well. I really wanted the Atmos card as I do like AS's program but alas it's not meant to be (for the moment).

I was interested in the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant as my 5/24 slot but I'm not sure if it's currently worth it.

Edit: Thinking more about it, it might be a bullet dodged. Seems like BoA has some terrible stories with the card being used abroad...

 

[Tiki]

I woke up (yes early) to an email and scan of my Fedex from Barclays. I went with the more expensive DHL mailout $65 because I am leaving for Indonesia Maluku Islands in 2 weeks and wanted to be sure it arrived before I left. Otherwise I could have gone with the $20 option. For customs declaration I looked at an old DHL envelope from Chase and put Business Documents $5 value.

Hopefully it will arrive in time to pay my Tello bill for next month. I think my first transaction should be in the USA. Otherwise, I can donate to a charity or something.