reward cards + question

[cindyg86]

Hey everyone!

I have a couple of questions. First, what are some good rewards cards? I am mainly looking for a cash rewards card... but am open to various options!

Second, a while back I applied for a Discover rewards card. I was declined because of my income level. The thing is, I DO make less than $10,000 a year... but I am in college so all of my income I do get from my PT job is entirely disposable (my parents are able to cover all of my necessary expenses).

How can I convey that to a CC card company? And I'm not too keen on the idea of a student credit card as I will be graduating next May.

Any help you can offer on these two topics would be most appreciative!

[fruitbowlk]

have you looked on bankrate.com

[cindyg86]

have you looked on bankrate.com

I haven't! I didn't even know that site existed... I'll take a look at it. Thanks!

[Reldon]

There are two cards that I use and feel that they are pretty good.

Chase Freedom Credit Card.

- Earn $50 cash back after your first purchase
- Earn 3% cash back in the 3 Everyday categories where you spend the most each month
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Change from earning cash to points and back again
- No Annual Fee

The other card I have is the American Express Blue Cash Card.

You can earn 5% back.

My primary card is my Chase card and I try to put everything on this card.

[MonkeyMama]

In addition on the Chase Freedom - if you wait to $200 rewards you can redeem them for $250 cash. We usually redeem $250, twice a year. About 3% return on purchases.

On the flip side, you can only earn 3% on the first $600 you purchase every month. The rest is 1% - even top 3 categories.

[noppenbd]

The other card I have is the American Express Blue Cash Card.

You can earn 5% back.

My primary card is my Chase card and I try to put everything on this card.

I prefer the Chase Freedom as well. With the Amex Blue Cash, you only get 5% back on "Everyday Purchases", which they define as supermarkets, gas stations and drugstores. And even then you have to spend $6500 for the year before you get the 5% rate. Before that it is 1% back on "Everyday Purchases" and 0.5% back on other purchases.

[unstop]

u can make a security deposit like $1000 to get credit limit 1000, this way u can start to building ur credit history, ask ur bank or credit card company to help u with this plan.

[sweeps]

I prefer the Chase Freedom as well. With the Amex Blue Cash, you only get 5% back on "Everyday Purchases", which they define as supermarkets, gas stations and drugstores. And even then you have to spend $6500 for the year before you get the 5% rate. Before that it is 1% back on "Everyday Purchases" and 0.5% back on other purchases.

But you didn't mention that you get 1.5% back on other purchases after the $6500 mark. If you're a bigger spender, it's a good deal. Also there's no reward cap so you don't have to worry about hitting the max and missing out on reward points.

[noppenbd]

But you didn't mention that you get 1.5% back on other purchases after the $6500 mark. If you're a bigger spender, it's a good deal. Also there's no reward cap so you don't have to worry about hitting the max and missing out on reward points.

True. I was clarifying the statement that with Amex Blue you "can earn 5% back".

Since OP makes less than $10K a year I think the Chase Freedom is the better deal for her.

[sweeps]

I think it's going to be difficult to be accepted for any good reward card on a $10,000 income.

[cindyg86]

I think it's going to be difficult to be accepted for any good reward card on a $10,000 income.

Yes. I understand this. But I have zero expenses... zip, zilch, nada. All of my income that I do have is disposable (still in college = parents covering expenses). I am thinking of calling the CC company to see anyways.

But thanks everybody for your responses!

[feh]

Another Chase customer here. I haven't shopped for rewards programs in a couple years, but when I did, I chose Chase.

[plante7]

Just search the term "credit card ratings" and you will find a couple of useful sites.

Good luck!

[mishi07]

I recommend CapOne. I've been using it ever since and have never given me problems.

Good luck in finding your card!

[feh]

I recommend CapOne. I've been using it ever since and have never given me problems.

Good luck in finding your card!

We used to be Capital One customers before we switched to Chase. We switched because CapOne had scaled back on their airline miles rewards.

That was 2 or 3 years ago; I don't know what the situation is now. I can say that we currently get a little less than 2% back on our purchases with Chase, in cash.