htxag09 said:

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We have a boatload of Hilton points but I'm stingy with them. Only use them on really expensive hotels. For example when we went to the Maldives or planning a trip to Hawaii. But, next year we're likely going to San Diego to watch the Astros in August. So will probably splurge and stay at the Omni at the ballpark since we get $300 back.

Have already used the lululemon credit. Our daycare has parents night out Friday so booked a resy restaurant for that.

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Yah, we have Hilton Diamond and Bonvoy Platinum but anytime we stay outside of those, at a Four Seasons, Viceroy, Montage, etc. (I know, I know...), we book an FHR property; the additional points and perks make it worthwhile even before the credits. As mentioned elsewhere we also have an excellent track record of upgrades with it as well with FHR, especially with FS. Last January at the FS in Costa Rica we were upgraded from the lowest-rate room to a villa going for over $6k a night.

We will see how things go before we renew in June but so far I like the these changes; a lot of "coupon cutting" to get the value out of it but you can get your membership fee back 2 or 3x if you do.

Just a few pro tips Ive collected from Reddit:

Before spending money with Resy and Lulu Lemon for the credit, be sure to enroll in the program on your AMEX account first. No reservation needed to use the Resy credit, you dont even need the app, just use your AMEX Plat at a Resy affiliated restaurant.

Walmart + credit includes a free subscription to either Paramount or Peacock. Whichever one you choose with Walmart+, you can select the other as part of your Hulu bundle for the entertainment credit.

You can essentially get Hulu bundle (Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max) for $18, get Paramount/Showtime as an add on with Hulu for $12.99, then get Peacock free with Walmart+. So for $31 you get all of those apps, and you only pay $6 out of pocket with the $25 entertainment credit. I think this is the most efficient and cheapest way to use the entertainment credit but if anyone else has any better ways to use it, feel free to list them.

Youtube TV/Premium are now included with the Entertainment credit.

Amex.point.me is a great site to use to find award flights through AMEX's transfer partners. Its like a google flights version for AMEX users. Its been a great tool for me when planning trips, especially overseas.

You can book United flights via Star Alliance/AMEX partners Avianca Lifemiles and Air Canada. You can find some great deals on miles flights with Lifemiles.

Good tips.

During football season, I've been using the entertainment credits for the Disney +/Hulu/ESPN package, but will likely adjust to something else after that ends.

It's crazy all the different ways there are to get "free" streamers. For me it's:

HBO Max through AT&T Internet
Netflix through T-Mobile
MLB through T-Mobile
Peacock through Walmart +
ESPN Unlimited/Disney +/Hulu through Amex
Apple TV+ through CSR (might be ditching this one)

YouBet said:

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When you say each have your own do you mean you are both paying the full $895 or one of you is an authorized user at $195?

Not trying to call you out. I'm just finally getting into the weeds of my own CC stuff (Sapphire Reserve) to understand all the ins and outs I've left on table over the years. Consenting switching to this card but it's more or less a wash on paper after doing a side by side compare.

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We each have our own full card lol. And we each have our own gold card. We could probably consolidate but we spend a ton and definitely get positive value out of all the cards and their credits. With the new credits just using the 600 travel and 400 resy is value positive

Spouse and I each have our own Platinum as well but we share Gold.

I think it came about because the Platinum additional card fee was not much less than a full membership years ago before the membership fees took off but now that delta has grown considerably. Gold card on the other hand has no fees for additional cards.