Author Topic: What credit cards are you using?  (Read 26881 times)

Kriegsspiel

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What credit cards are you using?
« on: March 08, 2013, 08:38:57 PM »
If anyone wants to talk up their awesome credit cards, I'd appreciate hearing it.  I've been trying to get a Blue Cash from AMEX for a while now, but they keep fucking it up, so I'm moving on.

Jamesqf

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2013, 09:37:05 PM »
Well, there's the BofA Visa I signed up for last fall.  0% interest for a year, 1-3% cash back, and a $100 cash-back bonus if you charge something like $600 in the first 90 days.  I put most things on a card, so typically have $200-400/month.

Kierun

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2013, 11:51:46 PM »
Due to a lot of foreign travel I use the Capital One Venture Rewards card.  2 reward miles per $1, no foreign transaction fees, 10,000 bonus miles if you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months, $59 annual fee (waived first year). 

There's another very similar card (VentureOne Rewards) without the annual fee and 1.25 reward miles per $1 instead of 2. 

mustachecat

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2013, 05:48:19 AM »
I have an American Express Blue Cash, and all of my interactions with Amex have been really great. It's weird that you're having such a bad time with them, Kriegsspiel; they're definitely known for their customer service.

I just got a Chase Sapphire Visa for travel rewards. I haven't used it yet, but the reviews seem promising.

matchewed

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2013, 06:38:24 AM »
I have an Amex Fidelity card (or Fidelity Amex? whatever). 1% cash back which can go straight into a Fidelity account of my choosing. I let it filter into my Roth IRA as I redeem the rewards then reduce my monthly deposits during the year to maintain the max contribution. I don't know if it is the best but it's pretty hands off which I like.

Cecil

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2013, 07:47:15 AM »
I'm using the MBNA Smart Cash World card (1% cashback, 2% on gas and groceries, no annual fee).

But your post inspired me to research better cashback cards, and I've just applied for the CapitalOne Aspire Cash World card (1.5% cashback on everything, no annual fee!) Seems to be the best cashback card out there right now.

Might also call MBNA and see if they'll up my cashback in order to keep me. I've had a card with them for 10 years.

chad

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2013, 08:59:26 AM »
The Fidelity Amex gives 2% back on all purchases into any fidelity account. It's currently the best cash back card, I think. Some cards give higher percentages on gas or restaurants or groceries, but we just don't spend that much on restaurants, and we buy our gas and groceries largely at Costco and Walmart, where (correct me if I'm wrong) I don't think you get the bonus cash back.

I have a chase "Ink" card to pay for my internet and phone (they give 5% back on that).

The Plum Card with Amex is also really great, and it has "no limit" (which means a very high, secret limit), which is great if you're in business and have a lot of monthly operating expenses. They give you 1.5% back on all purchases in the form of a monthly credit (but you have to pay your bill within 10 days of the closing date to get the credit). They charge a fee after the first year of $185, but they waive it the first year, and they'll cut the fee the second year if you use it a lot and you ask nicely (they cut it to $35 for me).

Other than that, my wife basically has a rotating crop of airline and hotel points cards that she's constantly opening and closing. The key here is the signing bonuses--we never get points by actually charging our expenses on them (though some of them require some initial charges to get the signing bonus). We're going to Hawaii this summer for free on points, and we have tens of thousands of points to spare. This is a real gold mine if you like to travel.

Kriegsspiel

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2013, 11:10:15 AM »
Is anyone using a good cash-back card that is NOT American Express?

1tolivesimply

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2013, 11:24:18 AM »
BOA Worldpoints & Chase Freedom, both are rewards cards, which I've taken advantage of many times.

kudy

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2013, 11:30:52 AM »
I follow the rewards/sign up bonuses - currently working towards a $3,000 spend on my most recent acquisition - the Chase Sapphire card. Will get a $400 bonus if I put $3,000 on the card in 3 months.

sheepstache

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2013, 12:28:30 PM »
Somebody here mentioned the Sallie Mae card which is MasterCard and gives 5% back on the first $250 of groceries, first $250 of gas and I think first $500 of books.  1% on everything else.  I signed up right away!  There's also a $25 bonus for your first purchase.

For everything else I use Chase Freedom which is actually 1.1% I believe after you figure in the "10 bonus points on each dollar spent."

Somebody else also mentioned the Priceline Visa which gives 2% back on everything.

Kriegsspiel

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2013, 01:07:00 PM »
I totally forgot trying to sign up for the AMEX cards through my bank.  I just did it in about 3 minutes, very easily!  It's not as good as the Blue Cash, but it's still pretty good.

icefr

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2013, 05:35:49 PM »
I have the Amazon.com credit card and it honestly doesn't earn me that much cashback. It's essentially 3% on Amazon purchases, 2% on drugstores, restaurants, and gas stations, and 1% on everything else. A card with extra points for grocery purchases would make more sense for me than gas stations or drugstores. I also have a card through my credit union that gives 1% cashback and deposits it into your membership account after every cycle end.

Ottawa

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2013, 05:57:16 PM »
I'm using the MBNA Smart Cash World card (1% cashback, 2% on gas and groceries, no annual fee).

But your post inspired me to research better cashback cards, and I've just applied for the CapitalOne Aspire Cash World card (1.5% cashback on everything, no annual fee!) Seems to be the best cashback card out there right now.

Might also call MBNA and see if they'll up my cashback in order to keep me. I've had a card with them for 10 years.

I've been looking around too.  I signed up with the MBNA smart Cash in the fall and they were running 5% on groceries gas...then dropping to 3%.  However soon after I signed up, TD bought them and the 3% went to 2%.  So, at the end of my 6 months @ 5% I'm also switching.  I've narrowed down to the three below and evaluated on cash back after first year (including sign-up bonuses) then looking at second year.  I'm also using a $2500 per month spend on each:

ASPIRE CASH WORLD MASTERCARD (NO FEE)
Year 1:$550
Year 2: $450


Aspire Travel™ World MasterCard ($120 FEE)
Year 1: 105,000 miles (can be cashed out at .75%) = $787.50 (BUT  subtract $120 fee) = $567.50
Year 2: 70,000 miles = $525 - $120 = $405


Scotiabank Momentum Infinite ($99 FEE)
4% gas&grocery; 2% drugstore and recurring payments; 1% all else
This is a little trickier to assess...as it depends on what you spend on...but
say $500 groceries, $100 gas, $200 recurring and $1700 other:
Year 1: $540 + $40 (read below) = $580 - $99 FEE = $481.
Year 2: $441


If you apply for Scotiabank Momentum Infinite directly through this link I get $15 for referring you!!  And, when you apply through GreatCanadianRebates for this card - you will also get $40.
https://www.greatcanadianrebates.ca/Register/151480/


BTW, the smartcash is still doing the 5% for 6 months...

MBNA Smart Cash MasterCard® (no fee)
Year 1: $365 + $100 gift card (see below)
Year 2: $320


Apply through here to get the gift card:
http://www.ratesupermarket.ca/deals/switch-and-save/?rsm_source=259&gclid=CMvx3uX28LUCFaI-MgodQzoAHQ

I've got a bunch more info if anyone is interested....but there's a start.




Cecil

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2013, 09:26:29 PM »
I've had the MBNA Smart cash card for about 4 years now (and a customer of theirs since about 2001), and it used to be the best. The recent reduction to 2% gas and groceries (with a limit of $400/mo, and a limit of $1250/mo for 1% even!) totally kills the card.

I called them up today and told them I'd been a loyal customer for over a decade, I didn't like their new card, and I was switching unless they could match or beat CapitalOne. I got the "sorry that's the change we made across our whole product line and we can't make exceptions for individual cardholders, and no we don't have any other better deals, sorry" line.

Sucks, but what are you gonna do?

ketchup

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #15 on: March 09, 2013, 09:52:32 PM »
Somebody here mentioned the Sallie Mae card which is MasterCard and gives 5% back on the first $250 of groceries, first $250 of gas and I think first $500 of books.  1% on everything else.  I signed up right away!  There's also a $25 bonus for your first purchase.

For everything else I use Chase Freedom which is actually 1.1% I believe after you figure in the "10 bonus points on each dollar spent."

Somebody else also mentioned the Priceline Visa which gives 2% back on everything.
Yep, this was me. (Sallie Mae/Priceline)

My cards I use:
Sallie Mae Mastercard - 5% back on gas, groceries, and "bookstores" (includes Amazon.com)
Priceline Visa - 2% back on everything
Fidelity Amex - 2% back on everything
Citi Dividend - 5% back on rotating categories (currently drug stores and fitness clubs), 1% back on everything else
Chase Freedom - 5% back on rotating categories (currently gas and drug stores), 1% back on everything else
Discover It - 5% back on rotating categories (currently movie theaters and restaurants/fast food), 1% back on everything else

The Sallie Mae and Fidelity cards are definitely the cards I use most often.

Hotstreak

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #16 on: March 10, 2013, 11:12:35 AM »
US Bank Cash+ Visa Signature card

1% on everything
2% on gas/groceries/drug stores (pick 1 each quarter)
5% on dept. stores/furniture stores/restaurants/cell phone/charity/etc./etc. (pick 2 each quarter, valid on first $2500/category)

I have 2 separate accounts with them, so I get 2% gas and groceries, 5% cell phone, dept. stores, restaurants, and one category I change if I have any major purchase. I did Hotels last year when I went on a trip, I could do electronics if it was time for a new computer or TV or something, and now that they are adding Sporting Good stores to the line up I will choose that and stock up on ammo at 5% back :).

They used to have 5% back on all bills(not just cell phone), & airlines/home improvement stores used to be options... so pay outs are getting lower.. those changes go in to effect at the end of this quarter & then I will be cycling through some sign up bonus offers, $100 Chase/BOA, $100 REI gift card offer, perhaps an Airline card if I go for a trip!

sheepstache

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #17 on: March 12, 2013, 08:13:47 PM »
Belated thanks, Ketchup!

NumberJohnny5

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #18 on: March 13, 2013, 12:01:00 AM »
We have an HSBC/Orchard/CapitalOne card (I swear, the card says one thing, the website says you're supposed to login to another, and then CapitalOne bought them out, so I dunno). Hasn't been used for about a year, been trying to get a replacement card but eh (not entirely their fault btw). No annual fee. USA based.

Also have a 28degrees MasterCard, zero foreign transaction fees, no annual fee. Australia based.

snellbert

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #19 on: March 13, 2013, 01:09:51 AM »
I have a Discover card that gives rewards, but I'm not sure what the cash back percentage is-- i THINK its 1% on everything, but then they also have random 'offers' for weeks or months at a time where you'll get 2% or 3% on certain purchases (ie gas) or even up to 5% on some category (up to a pre-set maximum, after which you go back to the 1%) We put about $1500-$2000 on it each month (most of the bills, groceries, etc, paid off monthly)and end up with around $30-$50 in cash back every month.

They let you credit your statement for the cash value, get a check, or buy a gift card to one of their partners (if you do that, they kick in an extra $5-$10 per $50 of rewards, only for the gift card). I always go with the statement credit, only because I rarely go shopping and I like my local restaurateurs better than any of their restaurant chain "partners".

Simple Abundant Living

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #20 on: January 04, 2014, 07:47:42 PM »
My daughter is a college student. I'd like her to get a rewards card that she can use and pay off monthly. Any suggestions for her first card?

Will

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #21 on: January 04, 2014, 08:12:32 PM »
My daughter is a college student. I'd like her to get a rewards card that she can use and pay off monthly. Any suggestions for her first card?

The Discover It card is pretty good.  You can check out the details here:

https://www.discovercard.com/cardmembersvcs/acqs/app/display?gclid=CJPZvOSH5rsCFc6TfgodLRwA2g&pageFileId=paidsearch-creditscore&sc=KB49&iq_id=r15844485&CMPGNID=ps-dca-google-brand&kwid=Google+Adwords-Beyond+-+Discover+it+Card-Beyond+-+Discover+It-discover+it+card-Exact&ef_id=Uli4JgAABbEhIrkM:20140105031034:s

If you decide it is the card for her, PM me and I can send you a link that gets her $50 and me $50 too!

coffee_sipper

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #22 on: January 05, 2014, 10:09:10 AM »
Currently using a Chase Freedom card and a Discover card. Both offer cash rewards so that's what I use them for. Chase offers 1% on everything, always, with a 5% category for certain items each quarter. Discover offers 1% only after $3,000 is spent during that annual time period, and also offers 5% categories each quarter.

Overall, I like the Chase card better. Easier rewards and I prefer their support should I ever have an issue. The Discover card is convenient to use the rewards with though, since the Cash Back can be used on Amazon during a purchase.

Rural

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #23 on: January 05, 2014, 10:24:02 AM »
I use one that cobranded with our local bank that's 1% on everything, and the Chase Amazon rewards for 1% on everything, 2% on groceries, drugstores, and gas, and 3% on Amazon purchases (which I'll virtually never get since I don't generally buy things from Amazon except at Christmas).

captainawesome

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #24 on: January 05, 2014, 10:36:19 AM »
For now I have the chase sapphire preferred and chase ink bold (so far $900 in cash back to me) as well as my long standing USAA AMEX and USAA world MasterCard. The chase rewards mall makes it easier to add extra points for stuff we buy anyway. Can't say I will stick with the chase cards past one year, probably just churn some other rewards cards. Chase has had great CS so far.

Will

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #25 on: January 05, 2014, 11:13:50 AM »
Discover offers 1% only after $3,000 is spent during that annual time period, and also offers 5% categories each quarter.


??

I am getting 1% back on every purchase and always have, and I don't spend anywhere close to $3000.

nottoolatetostart

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Re: What credit cards are you using?
« Reply #26 on: January 05, 2014, 11:45:48 AM »
I follow the rewards/sign up bonuses - currently working towards a $3,000 spend on my most recent acquisition - the Chase Sapphire card. Will get a $400 bonus if I put $3,000 on the card in 3 months.

I just met the $3000 spend on the Chase Sapphire. The statement should be closing on Monday and I cannot wait to request my check for $430 ($400 sign on bonus for spending 3000 within first 3 months + $30 for 1% back on the $3K spent). Depositing it directly into our investment account. I'm going to request a paper check since my husband told me in October that he didn't believe me that a credit card company would give me $400 for opening a card.

Will probably cancel the card sometime next fall before the annual fee is charged.

Other than that, we normally put everything on a Bank of America rewards credit card. It gives us 1+% back on purchases. We charge everything normally there and every month, if we have the minimum amount of points (2500), I try to transfer the $25 back to our checking.

Another "card" trick that I use is that I have a Kasasa checking account through a bank that is about 2 states away. I set up everything online. They are paying me 3.05% on balances up to $20K if you do 1 ACH per month (I direct deposit $25 to the account 2x per month), 12 debit card transactions, and sign up for e-statements. I put $20,100 here to ensure I always get the max for the 3.05% and charge **small** amounts to this card to quickly get the 12 debit card transactions (like $10 gas or milk runs). As soon as I hit the 12 debit card transactions each month, I put the card away for the month. Compared to ING or other savings accounts, I make a killer ton here (especially since our mortgage of $39K is only at 2.625%). Extra $610 a year...

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!