So I’ve been using my Amex Mercedes Benz card for about six months now, and honestly, I just wanted to see if it’s actually better than my other plastic. Started simple – emptied my wallet on the kitchen table. There it was, the shiny Benz card sandwiched between my basic Amex Gold and that Chase Sapphire thing everyone raves about.
The first real test
Clicked open my Expedia app to book Vegas flights. Punching in dates while flipping cards like poker chips. Mercedes card gave 5x points on flights – nice! But wait, my Sapphire gave 10% bonus through their portal. Did quick math: $600 ticket. Mercedes earned 3000 points, Sapphire gave 6600 points plus airport lounge access. Huh.
Shuffled over to gas stations next Tuesday. Mercedes gave me that sweet 4x points per gallon, but my Costco Citibank gave me 4% straight cash back. Filled up 15 gallons at $4 – Mercedes gave 240 points ($2.40 value), Costco kicked back $2.40 cash. Called it a draw.
Where the Benz card actually shined
Remembered I needed new tires last month. Went straight to Mercedes dealer – swiped the Benz card. Boom: $1200 purchase got me double warranty coverage plus complimentary roadside assistance. Tried the same with Amex Gold at Firestone – just basic purchase protection. Felt smug for 30 seconds.
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Unexpected perk:
- Got valet parking free at that fancy steakhouse downtown – card’s concierge booked it while I was brushing teeth
- Random Amex offer popped up: spend $50 at Mercedes dealer, get $50 back. Bought floor mats
The ugly truth hitting my wallet
Annual fee time came like a brick. $550 for Benz card? Damn! Sapphire’s $95 made me choke less. Checked last year’s rewards – Benz card earned me $620 value but minus fee it’s $70 net. Sapphire gave $410 value minus fee – $315 net. Suddenly that sleek Benz logo felt heavy.
Oh! Almost forgot – tried using Benz card at local taqueria. Got rejected. Owner shrugged “Amex machine’s down, hermano.” Pulled out my no-fee Visa like some peasant. Laughed at myself clutching a “luxury” card that couldn’t buy carnitas.
My final takeaway
Kept all three cards. Benz card stays in glove compartment now – only comes out for dealer visits and airport parking. Daily driver became Sapphire for travel, Costco card for gas and groceries. Lesson learned? Fancy names don’t mean much when cashback’s on the line. Might cancel Benz card before next fee hits… unless they give free tire rotations.