Originally posted by Slug
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Ditto. That was an awesome card, I really wish I could keep it.... I'm replacing it for now with the Capital One Venture card, but I'm going to be keeping my eyes open for something better if/when it comes around. -
Yeah, I get my AMEX declined at the food co-op which means I have to switch from 6% cashback to 1%. Makes shopping local that much more expensive. I really wish my Schwab 2% VISA was not ending tomorrow. I feel like I should have a funeral for it - I loved it so much. Over $1,500 in rewards in about 2 years.Originally posted by MonkeyMama View PostLeave a comment:
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Exactly. This is why we have an AmEx and a visa. If I had a visa, I'd just have a visa. I haven't been overly impressed with AmEx as a whole (this is the first time I have ever had one). But, so far has been worth it for the 2% cash back on everything. Most placed will tax AmEx. Some utilities and many restaurants we have to run through the visa. On vacation we tend to use the visa more. More touristy places don't take AmEx.Originally posted by kv968 View PostLeave a comment:
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I'll second/third the Fidelity AmEx - it is the one we use for ongoing rewards.
It is also easy to find a flat 1% cash back on everything (we have a credit union visa with 1% cash back for places that don't take AmEx).
I had the Freedom for years - was a great card. BUT, they then started charging an annual fee (I declined the new terms), and took away the 3% cash back on EVERYTHING. I never use any of the categories they rotate through. Of course, if it fits your buying profile and you can get more from that card, use it. But I am no longer a fan. I closed it a while ago.
These days is harder to find good ongoing rewards, but lots and lots of great one-time rewards.Leave a comment:
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I just wanted to re-emphasize a couple of Sean's points. The tiered piece of Discover's program is one of the key reasons I prefer Chase Freedom to it. Also, Chase sets much higher limits on the amount you can buy in the 5% categories. You can quickly exceed that limit with Discover. I keep them both though for periods where their 5% categories are not overlapping.Originally posted by SeanH View Post
Regarding the Fidelity Retirement Rewards AMEX, this is a pretty great card when shopping for everything else where you can't get 5 or 6%. No annual fee. Rewards get dumped into a Fidelity account once your reach $50 I believe.
PS There are lots of other threads on this if you search. Here's another: http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/p...back-card.htmlLeave a comment:
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I have the Chase Freedom card and its like Sean described...1% on everything and 5% on select quarterly categories (currently dining, department stores, movie theaters and charitable organizations). The 5% is only up to $1500 that you spend and you have go to the website and activate it each quarter. No big deal really, just go on and click a button. If you decide to go this with one, I'd wait and see if they send you any offers. I got a $200 signing bonus but I've also seen ones for $300 although not lately.
I also have a Capital One No Hassle Cash Mastercard that pays 2% on gas and groceries and 1% on everything else. However, I forgot exactly what the 2% applied to so I looked on their website and I see that this card now has a $39 annual fee. I guess I'm grandfathered in since I don't pay this but I will keeping an eye out to make sure they don't start charging it. Capital One also has another cash rewards card that doesn't have an annual fee, currently has a $100 signing bonus, gives you 1% back on everything and 50% of the previous year's rewards. Oh the math you have to go through...
One question I have...I've kinda been interested in the AmEx cards, but does anyone find that some places don't accept them? I've never really paid attention, but I know that some places will accept Visa/Mastercard but not them. Just wondering if anyone has had any problem.Leave a comment:
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Guest repliedThe AmEx Blue Cash Preferred is what I use. I like getting higher rates of cash back on my common expenses (grocery and gas). I use a USAA mastercard from Sam's club and places that don't take AmEx. I try to use some good base rewards cards, but I don't go nuts trying to optimize my cash back using a ton of cards.Leave a comment:
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Just a couple of thoughts.
(1) Discover just won me back to their camp today. Discover reward dollars may now be cashed in at Amazon dollar for dollar. ie. you don't have to save up to $50 or what not to spend your reward. I had given up on them as I felt like it was a hassle trying to keep track of 2 credit cards and a rewards debit card. I also felt that I didn't spend in their categories often enough to bother - it might take the whole year to get $50. They also have gotten rid of international exchange fees if I understand it correctly.
(2) I have the American Express Blue preferred. There are 2 variations of the card and its essentially a card to use at grocery stores. It has some other perks like 3% back on gas/department stores and 1% elsewhere, but those don't really distinguish it from other cards. The preferred variation is only worth having if you spend ~210+ a month in groceries. If you don't spend that much, then you actually lose out compared to the 3% version of the card. Other then that - there are not limits on the rewards and no one else comes close to matching this value at grocery stores. The everyday version of this card is free and gives 3% at grocer stores and some variation of the other perks above (maybe 2% instead). Long story short - if you don't spend $2500 a year at the grocery store do not get this card. As a fellow Costco shopper you will only earn 1% there so the Costco AE card is basically equivalent for you there.
(3) Chase Freedom. Some people swear by this card. I think its awfully similar to Discover. You have monthly categories that you get 5% in. There are limits on the rewards just like Discover. Unlike Discover, you always receive 1% on non-5% purchases. Discover is tiered - you receive less than 1% until you spend ~$3k. Not accepted at Costco - neither is Discover.
(4) 1 last card that might be worth researching is the Fidelity American Express. The reason I mention this is the following (a) it gives 2% everywhere its used (b) it could probably be used at Costco (c) if it could be used at Costco it would be the only card that would get 2% there. There are no cards that get more than 1% at Costco - not even the Costco AE itself. If it doesn't get 2% at Costco then you can probably forget about it. It is a cute card though in the sense that the rewards go into a retirement account so you actually save the money.Leave a comment:
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I got a chase freedom card back in the summer. Basically because of an instant 20,000 pt.($200) promotional redemption offer. It offers rewards by categories at different times of the year. I'm sure many others are doing this as well. I got it for the $200. I'm sure I'll use it for certain purposes in the future but I didn't really need it.Leave a comment:
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$75/yr is that the annual fee? I'll never pay to use a credit card no matter what the "rewards" areLeave a comment:
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Best Cash Back CC?
Okay fellow users, what credit card do you have and why?
I have a citi simplicity cash card giving me 5% back on gas, 1% on everything else. I am grandfathered in and it's a lovely card. We shop mostly at costco and use the Costco American Express card (3% travel, 2% dining out, and 1% else) and of course the discover card for the 5% back categories.
I am contemplating the chase freedom card, haven't done enough research. A friend today mentioned the $75/year Blue Cash from American Express. You get 6% grocery stores, 3% gas, and 1% else.
I am debating changing our credit cards but I'm really not sure. Thoughts? Suggestions people?
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