My new credit card, JP Morgan Select Card
I’ve been tossing around the idea of getting a new card and abandoning my antiquated Citi Professional card. I mainly just carry that around because I used to have another card on Thank You points as well and I liked it for the cash back on Avis rentals and Fuelman Network gas. It also acted as primary insurance on rentals. I’m usually covered under my corporate insurance, but the less often I have to deal with my accounting department the happier I am.
What I want:
- Chip/Pin
- No Forex
- Rewards that are redeemable for cash or gift cards at the same or better value than Thank You points
- Points transferable to my existing programs (Delta, United, Hilton, Marriott, Priority Club)
- No annual fee
What I got:
- Chip/Signature
- No forex
- Rewards that appear redeemable for cash or gift certificates at the same value and at a better (per point) value than TYP
- Points transferable to British Airways, Continental and United, Korea Air, Hyatt, Marriott, Priority Club, and Amtrak.
- $95 annual fee waived the first year.
Dr. Credit Card has a nice table breaking down the differences between SPG, AMEX MR, and Chase’s UR
Not really all that remarkable of a program considering I’d lose the Master Card money I get back from Avis and I usually expense my forex fees so I’ll only save that on personal trips.
No forex fees is already a feature on many free cards out there. Chase’s Ultimate Rewards also exists on many other cards and the JPM doesn’t have all that stellar of a bonus (since I will most likely not hit the $100,000 threshold for the 25,000 point bonus).
I pretty much just got the card because I like to be an early adopter of new things so I really wanted a forex free chip/pin card (and chip/signature will have to do in the mean time).
Now that I’m back to getting instant approval for credit cards I think I may change things up fairly regularly like a good point whore should.
I will most likely change up my mix a bit. Currently I do:
HH Amex Surpass for business expenses except rentals
Citi Professional (not accepting new applicants for a while) for car rentals due to primary insurance and 5% rebate on Avis rentals
Citi HH Visa for personal expenses
I love Hiltons, especially for domestic trips, but I found I really needed points in other hotel programs when I was in Europe this year. So I’m thinking:
JPM for non-Hilton hotels, auto rentals
HH Amex Surpass for Hiltons and other business travel expenses (mainly restaurants and refueling rentals)
Citi HH Visa for personal expenses.
and I’ll just relegate the Citi Professional to the sock drawer since Citi won’t increase my limit on it.
In a couple months I’ll see what’s going on and I might change the mix again.
I’m contemplating asking Chase to convert my Sapphire Preferred into this card for the EMV and the insurance. I’d lose the 7% annual point dividend and double points on dining, but the insurance intrigues me. One of the tour companies that I like requires that you have a travel evacuation/repatriation policy with at least $200,000 in coverage to go on their trips. Thus, this card could feasibly save me $100 a trip. Do you mind sharing some of the coverage details (e.g. like coverage maximums on travel medical and evacuation and if coverage covers everyone on the trip or just the cardholder)? They don’t post this stuff online. Thanks 🙂
@yaychemistry:
Evacuation and Transportation is $100,000 for medical expenses related to sickness or accidental injury. It is supplemental to, and excess of, any valid and collectible insurance or other reimbursement
Repatriation of Remains: expenses incurred up to $1,000
Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage: $2,500 for covered medical or dental expenses not paid by your primary insurance
Travel Accident Insurance: Accidental death and dismemberment insurance up to $1,000,000
Trip Cancellation/Interruption: $5,000
Trip Delay: $300 per ticket
Baggage Delay: $500 if more than 18 hours
Lost Luggage: amount paid for contents
Hotel Burglary: $1,000 per trip
I have to remember to check my mail this week so after i get my card I’ll look it up for you.
Would you be able to take a picture of the card and the package it comes in? I gave a call to Chase last night about changing it but didn’t want to put in another application until next year since I just got the Sapphire Preferred. Just would like to see how the card comes in and how it actually looks. Thanks! 🙂
Sure. I’ll de-identify it, but I can post the other information.
I’m also not sure what my credit limit will be. The online approval told me I was approved, but did not tell me my credit limit. I initially got my Citi Professional back when I first started traveling for work and based my income off a previous job so I only got a $5,000 limit and any request for an increase has been shot down. I’m hoping this card starts me over $15,000 like my other cards.
Grace: I am glad that you get the JPM and like my SPG vs. MR vs. UR review. Please keep us updated on how Chip/Signature works out for you. Also wonder why you put your personal spending on Citi HH not Amex HH. I understand you use HH Surpass for business spending and may want separate accounts, but you can always get another regular Amex HH which earns 1 additional point than Citi HH. And if you want miles/points other than Hilton, JPM is a great card to put your general spending on, especially if you spend $100K+ a year.
Any updates on the pics? 🙂