Best Reward/ Cashback Credit Card Program so far?

[Armywife]

Hubby and I are looking into FEE-based award cards that seem to have great benefits (in addition to paying its own fee in less than a year). So far we are both practically sold on the Amex rewards card. Has anyone else had any luck finding a good Cashback/award based credit card? Any gripes?

TIA,
Barb

[gakline]

I like the Discover Gas card. 5% on gas and groceries. The only thing is that other puchases are prorated. So, for the first $ you'll get the full 1% (I think it is $3000), the second $ it drops to 0.5% (next $3000), and then stays at 0.25% till your anniversary. You'll have to check on the numbers though. I make sure I use it for all my gas and then altnernate between that and another card depending on the store. Just to let you know, Walmart, (maybe Sam's too) will always pay 0.25%. It doesn't matter if you're earning 1% elsewhere.

[Miz Pat]

I use an old shell card. I never pay fees, and always pay off the card. I think I've gotten over 800 in rebates since I got it. However, its a card that I absolutely must pay for each month, because it has double tiered interest rates - so paying it off is great, but it must be paid off.

[terry1156]

If you travel, the airline cards can be great. I usually get a free ticket a year and I always ask to have the fee waived which they do.

[dealsaver]

Amex platinum is nice for the high rollers out there.

[JBinKC]

I think the Citibank dividend card is the best card to obtain. It gives you a 5% rebate on gas, grocery, and drug store purchases and 1% on all other purchases and it gives you the full rebate on any amount of purchase. The only catches is you are limited to accumulate a $300 rebate per annum and the rebates can only be redeemed in multiples of $50 or greater.

I use a Chase PerfectCard for my 1% purchases as the rebate is applied to the next statement.

[sweeps]

I'm satisfied with the Costco Amex card. If you shop at Costco, it's a no-brainer -- it's the only credit card you can use there. 3% cash back on eating out, 2% on travel, and 1% on Costco and everything else.

However -- I use Chase Platinum Visa for non-Costco, non-restaurant purchases. When I do the math I get a payback of between 1.5 and 2% in travel rewards. That's helped pay for some nice vacations. Plus many places don't take American Express, so you really need another card anyway.