AMEX MRCC vs AMEX Gold vs AMEX Travel vs AMEX Reserve

[helloworld]

Update: Currently FYF not applicable for MRCC / Plat. Travel using referral links.

Category	MRCC	Gold Charge	Plat. Travel	Plat. Reserve
Joining Fee (with referral + GST)	1180	₹1,180	4130	₹11,800
Joining Benefits (with referral)	2000+4000 MR (on spending ₹15,000)	6000 MR (on spending ₹15,000)	12000 MR (on spending ₹15,000)	15000 MR (on spending ₹25,000)
Net % (for JF and benefits) 1 MR = 0.33p (link)	+ ₹820	+ ₹820	- ₹130	- ₹6,850 (instead there are multiple memberships available, do check them)
Milestone Benefits	Spend ₹1,500 x 4 times in a month = 1000 MR Spend ₹20,000 in a month = 1000 MR (both can be clubbed together)	Spend ₹1,000 x 6 times in a month = 1000 MR	Spend ₹1,90,000 in a year = 15000 MR Spend ₹4,00,000 in a year = 25000 MR + 10,000 Rs. Taj Experiences Gift Card (both can be clubbed together)	Spend ₹50,000 in a month = 1000 Rs. Gift Card
Renewal Fee (with referral + GST)	₹1,770	₹5,310	₹5,900	₹11,800
Reward Multipler (link)	2x MR points	5x MR points	3x MR points	3x MR points
Reward Return % (when 1 MR = 0.33p (link) amzn voucher) higher possible depends on redemption
On 1.56L annual spends	1x = 4.46% (12000 MR + 6000 MR + 3120 MR = 21120 MR) Spend 4x1500 for 12 months + Spend extra 14k for 6 months + regular MR for all spends	1x = 3.19% (12000 MR + 3120 MR = 15120 MR) Spend 6x1000 for 12 months + regular MR for all spends	1x = 0.66% (3120 MR) regular MR for all spends	1x = 2.58% (3000 Rs. Gift Card + 3120 MR) Spend 50k for 3 months + regular MR for all spends
	2x = 5.12% Spend same on reward multiplier and get 2 MR / 50	5x = 5.83% Spend same on reward multiplier and get 5 MR / 50	3x = 1.98% Spend same on reward multiplier and get 3 MR / 50	3x = 3.90% Spend same on reward multiplier and get 3 MR / 50
On 2L annual spends	1x = 4.12% (12000 MR + 9000 MR + 4000 MR = 25000 MR) Spend 4x1500 for 12 months + Spend extra 14k for 9 months + regular MR for all spends	1x = 2.64% (12000 MR + 4000 MR = 16000 MR) Spend 6x1000 for 12 months + regular MR for all spends	1x = 3.13% (15000 MR + 4000 MR = 19000 MR) Spend 1.9L + regular MR for all spends	1x = 2.66% (4000 Rs. Gift Card + 4000 MR) Spend 50k for 4 months + regular MR for all spends
	2x = 4.78% (29000 MR)	5x = 5.28% (32000 MR)	3x = 4.45% (27000 MR)	3x = 3.98% (12000 MR + voucher)
On 4L annual spends (as per 24k collection.. 14000 Taj = 8000 amzn, so in that case 10000 Taj = 5714 Amazon pay)	1x = 2.64% (12000 MR + 12000 MR + 8000 MR = 32000 MR) Spend 4x1500 for 12 months + Spend extra 14k for 12 months + regular MR for all spends	1x = 1.65% (12000 MR + 8000 MR = 20000 MR) Spend 6x1000 for 12 months + regular MR for all spends	1x = 5.43% (15000 MR + 25000 MR + 8000 MR = 48000 MR + 5714 adjusted Taj 10k) Spend 1.9L + Spend 4L + regular MR for all spends + 5714 adjusted Taj 10k)	1x = 2.66% (8000 Rs. Gift Card + 8000 MR) Spend 50k for 8 months + regular MR for all spends
	2x = 3.3% (40000 MR)	5x = 4.29% (52000 MR)	3x = 6.84% (64000 MR + 5714)	3x = 3.98% (24000 MR + voucher)
On 6L annual spends (as per 24k collection.. 14000 Taj = 8000 amzn, so in that case 10000 Taj = 5714 amzn)	1x = 1.98% (36000 MR) 2x = 2.64% (48000 MR)	1x = 1.32% (24000 MR) 5x = 3.96% (72000 MR)	1x = 3.90% (52000 MR + 5714) 3x = 5.22% (76000 MR + 5714)	1x = 2.66% (12000 MR + 12000) 3x = 3.98% (36000 MR + 12000)

Ideally,

• SmartEarn - For experience and to see whats all about AMEX.
• MRCC - to spend 1.56L in a year.
• Gold charge- occasional high spends, and mostly for 5x on their reward multiplier program + for utilities and fuel milestone spends.
• Platinum Travel - best for either 4L spends (as per above table MRCC even works for upto 2L) and able to utilize those Taj milestone vouchers.
• Platinum Reserve - for lounge, golf, accor plus, taj epicure, and monthly 50k spends.

Return calculation considerations:

• The above returns are based on the current value of 1MR = 0.33p. This is because Amzn/Flpkrt vouchers can be redeemed at this value through their 18k/24k collection.
• You can utilize a single MR pool account across multiple cards, allowing you to redeem 18k/24k collections for all cards (make sure to link new cards to your existing username).
• For reference, the 10,000 Taj voucher is considered equivalent to an Amazon voucher in the 24k collection:
  • 14,000 Taj points = ₹8,000 Amazon Pay
  • So, 10,000 Taj points = ₹5,714 Amazon Pay, based on the 24k collection value.
• Return values can vary significantly depending on individual redemption preferences. Some may value 1 MR = ₹1 for Marriott, 1 MR = 0.50p for Taj, or 1 MR = 0.33p for Vouchers. Above use the lowest value (0.33p), but returns can only increase with other redemptions.
• Additionally, return values can be influenced by retention offers (refer to the Gold Charge retention thread for examples - these apply to all cards).
  • https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/whats-your-gold-charge-retention-offer.14690/

Notes about AMEX Network and Cards:

• Amex may not be the good network, so acceptance still an issue even in urban (start with basic card and check your surroundings and upgrade).
• 18k/24k can devalue at any time so above values as of today, and no guarantee for tomorrow.
• Amex is best for security or disputes, so whenever you're purchasing from some new website use this card if they accept.
• All above cards milestones works for fuel spends too (so an alternative to fuel card).
• Amex not meant for regular rewards but for milestone benefits (if you can't achieve milestone, these cards are not for you).

Let me know if you need to include any data in this table, will try.

DM / look for signature if you're looking for help to apply AMEX cards (need valid address proof from serviceable location). May get referral benefits for both. TIA

Other comparisons:
- https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/atlas-vs-regalia-gold-vs-horizon.26500/
- (with drsel) https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/yes-marquee-vs-yes-reserv-3x-vs-yes-reserv-5x.24652/
- https://www.technofino.in/community/threads/au-zenith-vs-au-zenith.18143/

 

[helloworld]

I ended up getting Gold. Seems very good for what it is. So I bought 10K amazon vouchers which on the basis of 5x reward multiplier should give me 1K points, plus 1K bonus points of 6 1K transactions each. SO each month 10K Amazon purchase will give me 2K points. Is that correct?

Also, can I refer myself to get another AMEX card and get referral bonus reward points?

its 5x for gold charge. 2x for mrcc.

wont work self referral.

 

[Indrajeet100]

Is there a way to directly covert existing MRCC card to Gold? Or have to get Gold and close MRCC @BestBanker. I have Travel and MRCC but now don't have any genuine spends to do on MRCC. Till date I have also not found any use for 75k MR points collected. So thought may just convert to Gold to make that 72k spends and see if in future have any use for these MRs.

 

[helloworld]

Is there a way to directly covert existing MRCC card to Gold? Or have to get Gold and close MRCC @BestBanker. I have Travel and MRCC but now don't have any genuine spends to do on MRCC. Till date I have also not found any use for 75k MR points collected. So thought may just convert to Gold to make that 72k spends and see if in future have any use for these MRs.

new application only.

 

[Mr Mariner]

@helloworld I’m interested in applying for an American Express card. Could you please advise which card would be best for me?

 

[helloworld]

@helloworld I’m interested in applying for an American Express card. Could you please advise which card would be best for me?

- 72k and usually for high limits (may not gurantee also) = Gold charge

- 4L annual spends = Platinum Travel

- Extra 50k a month = Platinum Reserve

// need to negotiate renewal offers every year which depends on your association with them.

Additionally, return values can be influenced by retention offers (refer to the Gold Charge retention thread for examples - these apply to all cards). See link below..

Peace of mind and fee waiver

1.56L annual spends = MRCC

and most importantly,

- Amex cards are not for amzn vouchers
- Amex cards are only meant for milestone benefits
- Amex cards are suitable for high value non-rewarding other bank categories like Insurance, Fuel, Utilities etc. by achieving milestone benefits.