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January 30
This is a great question. There is only one time when the answer is simple and black & white. If, for whatever reason like starting your 24 month new card bonus clock, you are going to close all your Membership Rewards cards (or one going to a single account), you MUST get the points out first or they will be lost forever! End of story. Also if you are ever targeted with the AMEX Financial Review it may be wise to move the points out as if you do not “win” the review, the points will be gone, but you can move them out during the process.
If you are not going to close the card then there should be no “pressing” reason to move your points anywhere else. Many times during each year there are good bonuses of 30-50% for sending them to many airlines. Now if you are short some miles and want to book seats right now, that is also a good reason to transfer some, but not more, than you need now. I have done very well with this card as the $200 airline incidentals credit, $100 towards GOES, lounge access and more + 25,000 points is a very good value and should be a card to include in your next card churn if you are planning on one soon.
The same thing goes most of the time with the SPG points earned from either the personal or the business flavor of the cards.Your SPG points will NOT go away if you cancel your SPG AMEX card. However, SPG points do expire if you do not have activity in the account, like a stay. You can also every month take advantage of the audience reward trivia and get 10 free points to keep the account alive as now any activity counts! The answers are even provided here at MilePoint in this thread. So no rush to get those miles out until you need them.
Lastly with SPG it is important to remember the bonus they give you. For every 20,000 you transfer to an airline, they give you 5,000 bonus miles so you net out 25,000 at the other end. This is a great value and one of the reasons SPG points are so good. So I hope that covers the question asked and feel free to shoot off any more if this is not clear. – René
Also, to end the month on a high note, let me know if you have a MR or SPG card, plus if you want to brag, tell us your credit score, or just tell us you are working on getting it back up again to be able to churn cards, and you will have a chance to win ONE – FREE DAY PASS to any DELTA SKYCLUB!
Neither answer will increase your chance to win btw.
▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
American Express – RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD
Click here for more information
Just the Amex Plat for me.
I had my Amex cards closed by an FR, but insisted on keeping the points, which they allowed me to transfer.
I have AMEX PRG and soon-to-be-cancelled Plat MR cards. My credit score is around 740~750 right now.
I have both MR and SPG cards
credit score 770
Recently closed out my SPG to avoid the annual fee..thinking about whether to re-up.
Thanks for the pass offer…fingers crossed!
I have the AMEX MR PLAT and both the personal & BIZ SPG cards. My credit score last time I checked was 784
Neither card. Living up north makes us green with envy on your credit card options.
I have no MR or SPG cards, but if and when I do, I will remember your advice. What about Ultimate Rewards?
Ive got the Platinum, been thinking about the SPG for quite awhile.
I have an excellent credit score!! I’ll be flying on delta today – MIA-ATL-LGA. I always appreciate a skyclub pass
I’ve had a SPG card for many years – mainly to top off my accounts for reward travel (such a variety of choices!) but I’ve never done credit card churning. Time to get back in the game with all the crazy bonuses thrown in by the credit card companies!
I have the platinum AMEX and also love the perks, and I have the SPG personal and business cards because their points are so very useful. Churning a few times a year and my credit score is holding steady.
i have SPG cards personal and biz, and an MR on DL to PHX in feb so i could really use a club pass!
I have both an MR and SPG card. My credit score is above 750.
@Jackson – keep reading the blog. I will soon have a section and new options for CA readers!
Seriously thinking about the SPG real soon, but do have the gold prg and zync, I’m on my first year with amex, and honestly I love them.
@willrunformiles-how did you do? I finished the full just off my best time. I too will be flying today but MIA-MCO-MSP.
No SPG or AMEX for me as yet…got denied for AMEX once and SPG twice
I have the Amex MR card and both the personal & business SPG cards. My credit score is 780.
I have far more cars than I’d like to admit (SPG personal and business, AmEx personal and business). But I still use most of them.
I have both cards, and a credit score hovering between 760 and 770. I have a layover at JFK next week and would LOVE a free pass!
Credit score high 700′s but inly have pers spg card. Waiting for some bigger bonus offers before churning again. Concentrating on UR though currently. * only – Credit [i put all 3 into one comment - you only get one chance to win per day - rene]
Actually don’t have either one but one (or both) will be in my next churn. Credit score of 740
Getting SPG points by answering the Audience Reward questions will NOT extend the life of your SPG points, be careful! Common misconception. You need either a stay or use the AMEX card and…there is a third way, forgot what it is, perhaps use pts for award?
I have a Plat and just got the Gold Rewards OPEN amex for the 50k MR pts bonus. And have had the Hilton amex for many years. Works for me:-)
Audience Rewards do not keep your SPG account active. Per their terms the only way to keep you points from expiring is at least 1 stay per year or to have the SPG AMEX with at least one charge per year. This has been verified on FT.
@Afkabp – txs for the update. I will edit the post.
I have both the MR and the SPG cards. My FICO is 783.
I have both a Marriott Rewards Card (gold – platinum is in the next churn) and a SPG AMEX. Credit score high enough to not worry.
Have an SPG credit card, score 770+
I have neither, but considering both. Credit score is around 800.
I don’t have either card, but have often heard that SPG is the best and most flexible point accumulating card available.
I have the personal Amex Plat and business SPG. Great cards! Credit score still in “very good” territory after several new cards and two mortgage refis in the last 12 months.
I have the Amex PRG personal and business (old version). I am looking forward to the next 50% bonus transfer to Delta before I close both cards.
I’m thinking of getting the SPG card in March, and transferring some generic AMEX points over to the card for redemption at a Hawaii hotel this summer.
SPG and AMEX Biz from 75K offer last November. Planning on the Plat in the next few months.
I have the platinum AMEX. Probably will get SPG (and some others this year when the time is right. Credit score is 750+.
SPG personal and my score sits at 762!
Have MR card only – current score is 782.
I have 5 MR cards. I was required to close my SPG card when I took out the Delta Platinum; I didn’t want to close the Delta Gold at the time because I was waiting on promotion miles for spending $100 on the card at Delta Sky mall. I intend to reapply for the card when an appropriate time has passed. I closed the SPG card 9/14/11.
oops, my credit score is 780 on Equifax and 803 on TransUnion.
I have neither but plan on including one or both on my next churn
I’m waiting for a Delta promotion (50% I’m hoping
before I transfer my 77k MR points to Sky Miles.
SPG in next 60 days and get a new AMEX when a bonus offer over 50K comes out. Mid 7′s
SPG for me!
I have the Amex PRG. Got the 75K MR bonus last year. lowest score (most inquiries) is mid 740s.
Have neither yet. Traditionally, help the Delta Platinum AMEX, but in the last several months been getting into the card churning game. On next churn I’m looking at MR or SPG. Credit score ~745.
No AMEX Card. Still need a pass.
Amex Platinum AND Gold Premier. 75K bonus pts each.
Have both SPG and Gold MR ,but will go for the Plat next. Need those points to visit family!
I have the Amex PRG card.
Credit Karma tells me my credit score is a 770, rated as excellent. Not sure as of this moment in time what each of the 3 agencies reports. Did a small kind of churn last week. We’ll see how things are in a month.
The SPG and AX Blue which, while MR, doesn’t allow transfers – sadly.
I got the AMEX Gold Business last year and I’ve had the SPG for many years.
@Cory – grt – hope you started your churn at deltapoints!
Rene
Long-time SPG card holder.
I have an AMEX Gold card – just got it last fall!
SPG for me.
Love the chase sapphire, but SPG could be on the lsit for next year
SPG For me
I have SPG Amex
I use plat only. BTW, you “officially” have 90 days to transfer out any points even if you “lose” the AmEx FR. Thought you may want to correct your post.
The only MR earning card I have is a Zync card…but that’s only MR express. :/ I would love to have the real deal though! Rene, any idea if those points I am earning now can be combined with the regular MR points once I’m able to get a different AMEX, like the Gold card for example?
@AJK – this is not totally correct. Here is why. You have a very limited time, just days, to get them the forms to allow them to look 3 years of you tax returns. Now, if they do not get them, of if the irs does not get them what they want fast enough, you are DONE! I would get your points out FAST if I were in this situation! – Rene
@ Jared – Yes! Most of the time you can “pool” all your personal and business and such MR cards all to once MR account! – Rene
I have both the SPG and a MR Amex.
MR card with a credit score around 740 last time I checked!
Amex SPG and MR Gold (wondering if this is churnable?) from a while back. I don’t know my credit score, but something over 700 would be very nice.
740
Is there a higher bonus offer out there for the platinum card?
@ Joel – YES! You can churn the personal and biz cards the same way you can with the Delta ones talked about here: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/deltapoints/2012/01/04/a-deltapoints-guide-to-churning-delta-amex-cards-and-more/
SPG Amex for me
@ Danny – not publicly no. There are some referral ones but you have to invited.
I got the SPG Amex during the December 30K bonus promo!
SPG Amex for me
I have the Amex Platinum card.
I’ve had SPG for a few years now, but to be honest, I’m actually not a fan of the Starwood Hotels! I’d rather pay the same amount and stay in a more boutique spot.
I have the SPG Business card
amex blue just to have for the sake of having an amex. not on the MR program just yet… waiting for a huge deal. 780. i love the chase sapphire.
I have SPG (personal) and Biz AMEX OPEN. I am a fan of SPG; maybe on my next churn, I will the AMEX Plat
I have the amex blue for cash, just for the sake of having an AMEX. I have not gotten on the MR program band wagon… not yet b/c i love the chase sapphire but would sign up if theres a deal to be had… ie 50k sign up.
I have the SPG and love it. Don’t see credit churn in my near future.
Have the SPG Amex. I prefer Chase UR to Amex MR at the moment.
I have the Gold Amex. I am waiting for a good promo for the SPG Amex.
AMEX Hilton here. Waiting on an enticing MR offer!
Glad to see everyone posting around my score too – hovering in the 750 range. Love Amex so MR for me!
I have a PRG and the SPG AMEX. thanks
I only have Marriott, Chase Sapphire, and Chase Freedom. Credit at 810!
Have SPG Amex as well as Amex MR. At the moment the prefer the SPG because of their versatility.
Don’t have either card, but considering adding the SPG to my next churn.
Have SPG AMEX.
Amex Plat-750
got the Amex Plat, has come in handy
I have the SPG, Am Ex PRG, and Am Ex Biz Gold. Only use the SPG at SPG properties though.
I have a SPG AMEX and a Platinum card. My credit score is 770+
I have the AMEX platinum credit card. I am happy with the card I have. Score 670
Just got my first Amex card -PRG. I have a high credit score.
724 as of the 5 min mark lol
I would love get a pass. My score is probably 780.
I don’t have either one at the moment, but I have had both in the past and probably will again in the future.
I have the SPG AMEX and like it a lot.
760 and MR
I have both cards. My credit score is very high.
Have both and love them equally!
Credit score of upper 790s – have neither card
Neither, but looking
I have the MR card. Credit score of 698 here.
I have SPG and very good credit score.
I have both spg and mr. I’m traveling with a baby from NY to south Africa on Klm (almost 24 hours of travel!) and would love a lounge pass so the baby can crawl during the stopover!
Have both and love them!! Score is 765.
I have both the SPG and MR card (although the MR is a corporate card that I paid the $75 to earn the points on).
I don’t have either, but I have been looking hard at the SPG Amex, hoping they’ll come out with a higher initial bonus. Last I looked my score was 700+
I have spg personal and am getting ready for my first card churn
Got a gold MR which I really need to upgrade to plat. Need to check my credit score and learn more about the best way to churn..
SPG only. My score’s taken a hit recently from taking advantage of 0% offers…utilization is too high it seems. Working on getting it back down, eventually
I have both cards and like them both. I like the spg for spg points for hotels though and like the amex plat benefits and occasional transfer bonuses.
have amer mr card and just got the delta platinum card. would love a delta pass for a long layover I have coming up!
I have SPG card and have around a 760 score (not bad for being a student
)
spg & amex premier gold. and last i checked…high 7′s for us in credit score.
I have neither card unfortunately.
I do have an SPG card. Score is in the mid 700s, even after 10 card churns in the past 12 months
Spg..740 range
Spg…ya sure you betcha
i don’t have either. Some day
nope…not in my wallet. I need to work on my credit score
@Rene — Again, even if you DO lose your FR (no matter if it was because you didn’t sign the forms or the IRS was slow in producing them), the terms allow you 90 days to liquidate your MR account.
@AJK – I agree that the T&C state that but the reality is very different. I have readers who were Centurion card holders who lost tens of thousands of points and could not get them back no matter what. YMMV but my advice to readers if you get targeted with the “Spanish Inquisition” AKA the FR, get your POINTS OUT ASAP! – Rene
I have the SPG and agree it is a great card.
Mid-7′s, and I have an MR card! Looking to get it up even higher before the next churn….
I have Amex Plat & Gold perosnal and SPG business. Probably will close Amex Plat and get a portion of the annual fee refunded.
Planning on getting the Amex Plat.
I have the Amex PRG and love it! Working my credit back up after some big items last year (including a house and car…)!
I have PR Gold card and Business card. Score is around 770.
I’ve got both an MR and an SPG card.
I have neither an MR or SPG card, still trying to learn more about churning before I jump in and start signing up for CCs.
Credit score is all right – 745.
I have both the AmEx Plat and SPG card, but will probably be closing them when the fees come around. Credit score is 749 as of today!
I have and really like the SPG card
I have the SPG card… love it for all the benefits. Credit score 720.
I have the AmEx Premier Rewards Gold card, and a 759 credit score. Probably getting the SPG card soon as well.
I currently have neither card, but will be getting the SPG Amex once I get rid of my BA Visa (since you can transfer points to keep the BA account active).
I have a amex preferred gold card, but have never carried an spg card.
AmEx Plat; no SPG CC. If I win, I assume I can gift the Sky Club pass to a friend…
@ Tina – yes you could but I gave it away a few days ago. – Thanks – Rene
I have neither. Still new to this and haven’t started with the cards yet.