Seeking the Perfect Credit Card

jeffmem · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 05:37 AM

I am looking for the perfect credit card. A card that would give me what I would.

I have at least 8 cards now and I wish to consolidate them as much as possible.

I have a discover card, about 4 visa cards, 2 master cards and an AMEX blue card.

I want to hold on to the discover card, the other ones I don't care.

I currently belong to several different types of rewards programs, but I am not really happy with any of them.

I belong to something called priority club, which for every dollar you spent it changes them into points that you can redeem for hotels or airline mileage. This program, I thought in the beginning, was very good, but as I think about it, it sucks. IF you get a mileage card it is matched dollar to mile. With priority club it is not. Most airline cards have an annual fee, which drives me nuts, I already have to pay fees for this and that and then they want to go on and bite you with an annual fee, I hate that. I also have cards that give you cash back, 1-2%.

I am tired of the games, I want a card that is actually good for the consumer and the rewards program actually really can benefit you.

I constently look for offers, but always end up finding nothing I like. I know there are a lot of websites out there that only list credit card offers, but I have not checked those in years.

I do not use half the cards I have now and I want to cancel them, but not until I can find the perfect card.

Any suggestions?!

sweeps · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 08:05 AM

Sorry, there is no perfect card. Everyone's spending patterns are different and what may be a good card for one person may not be for another person.

Also historically whenever there is a card that everyone loves and becomes accustomed to using, the CC company changes it to make it mediocre (examples are Citi Dividend Rewards and Chase Cash Plus).

Having said that, here are 2 fairly comprehensive lists for you to check out:
What Credit Card Should I Get ? FAQ @ FatWallet
User Maintained Credit Card Page @ App-O-Rama

Pupart · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 08:24 AM

[quote=jeffmem;133555]I am looking for the perfect credit card. A card that would give me what I would.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kansas City infoZine News - Five Largest Visa and Mastercard Issuers Had Mediocre Scores in Consumer Reports' Latest Credit Card Ratings - USA

^^^^^^^^This article may help you. ^^^^^

poundwise · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 09:28 AM

I expect that my next credit card (when/if) will be from a credit union.

It certainly will not be from one of the big mega-bank issuers. Perhaps a smaller bank will offer a good enough deal at some point. For instance, the FNBO Gas Rewards Platinum, looks like something I might consider.

jeffmem · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 09:34 AM

Thank you for your replies. The perfect CC to me has nothing to do with interest rates, I always pay my cards off when the bills come. I am looking for a better rewards program, and I probably should have entitled my thread that instead.

You are right poundwise, the CC company always finds a way out if the offer is good and too many people sign up for it, really unfair.

Gas cards are good for you, but I live out of the country at the moment, so those won't do me any good right now.

I am just not happy with any of my reward cards and have not found anything better though.

sweeps · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffmem

Thank you for your replies. The perfect CC to me has nothing to do with interest rates, I always pay my cards off when the bills come. I am looking for a better rewards program, and I probably should have entitled my thread that instead.

Did you see the 2 links that I posted? There are tons of credit cards there with lots of different reward programs. I'm sure you'll find something that you like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffmem

You are right poundwise, the CC company always finds a way out if the offer is good and too many people sign up for it, really unfair.

Actually I said that, but who's counting?

jeffmem · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 09:49 AM

Yes, I did see them. When I get a chance I will look at them, thank you. Yeah I know you said it, that is why I said I agree with you. But you never said it was unfair -- ;-)

Marcymox · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 09:51 AM

It is my belief that no card is a good card. I feel that credit cards are the root of all evil- of course I'm a Dave Ramsey person so I try to avoid them at all costs. I refuse to chase these points deals - I feel that they just encourage you to spend more so you can get your "points' or "miles" or hwatever. Yes I know there are people that buy everything and pay every bill on cards so they can rack up these "points" it's a rather complicated system for me. I'd be afriad of going over my limit, or of forgetting to pay one month and have late fees. Nope. no cards for me.

However, in modern society, you almost HAVE to have one. I have an AMEX charge card- not a blue. I use it for the bare bones needs- stuff like buying online so I don't have to use my debit card. Hotels, car rental. other than that -credit cards are not something I would reccomend to anyone.

jeffmem · #9 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 09:56 AM

Well yes, they are evil, but very useful!! haha.

I don't spend more money just because of these rewards deals, I only use credit cards to pay for things quicker as I am overseas, writing a check would take forever.

I refuse to pay an annual fee, and I beleive the normal AMEX green cards have like a $50/yr fee. Not for me. I have been using credit cards since my first year of college, and have always been able to pay them off because I never spend more than I know I can pay back.

poundwise · #10 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweeps

Actually I said that, but who's counting?

It was a brilliant statement, so naturally he ascribed it to me. Understandable.

jeffmem · #11 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 10:05 AM

Oh I see what I did, I put the wrong name, oops, sorry about that sweeps. Got you confused with poundwise. lol.

safari · #12 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 10:32 AM

Does anybody know if I can apply for a business credit card, even though I don't have a business? I know someone got approved for a business card by putting his name as the name of the business. Will I have any problems if I do that?

sweeps · #13 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 10:37 AM

The Citi Professional card is supposedly just for business expenses, but I got it for personal expenses (restaurants specifically, 3% cash back).

TMoney · #14 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 10:49 AM

All Credit Cards are evil! Haha, well, you know what I mean. I have a seperate, related question. What's so special (if anything) about Amex?

poundwise · #15 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMoney

All Credit Cards are evil! Haha, well, you know what I mean. I have a seperate, related question. What's so special (if anything) about Amex?

You get to be a "member" and it only cost you a large annual fee.

Plus you get to ask "Do you take AMEX?" all the time. Usually, right before you pull out one of your other cards.

jeffmem · #16 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 11:19 AM

LOL poundwise! I agree!! Most places don't get it! hahaha.

I just don't see what is the point in having one, I guess if you can afford it go ahead, but there are so many other cards out there that are no annual fee, I don't know why anyone would "want" to pay for an AMEX card...

sweeps · #17 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 11:21 AM

Amex Blue Cash has no annual fee and is a pretty good card if your household expenses are higher than average.

jeffmem · #18 (**permalink**) 10-14-2007, 06:07 AM

Yes the blue is very good. The problem is if you want to change or add a reward program you have to apply for a new card. The one I have has nothing on it...

Graham · #19 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 08:52 PM

I recently got a Citi Dividend Platinum Select card. The current 6 month promo offer is 5% cash back on gas/groceries/drug store/utilities and 1% on everything else. Only drawback is that there is an annual $300 cap on the cash you can earn.

disneysteve · #20 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffmem

I refuse to pay an annual fee

Don't automatically rule out cards with annual fees. Check and see what you get in return for that fee. Sometimes, the perks are well worth the cost. For example, I've posted before about my Marriott Premier Visa. It has a $65 annual fee. But once/year on my account anniversary, they give me a coupon for a free night at a category 1 to 5 hotel. Category 5 Marriott's go for $250-300/night. So basically I pay $65 for a luxury weekend getaway each year. Plus, the card has other perks that cheaper cards don't offer.

Certainly, don't pay a fee if you get nothing for it, but check the terms before eliminating cards that do charge a fee.