Author Topic: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???  (Read 5891 times)

golfreak12

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Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« on: August 27, 2019, 10:18:37 AM »
Just curious to what CC do Mustachians use.
Mine is the Chase Reserve by far....
I was lucky to get it when they had to 100k bonus and I was going to just use it for a year and cancel but I ended up keeping it. I already had the Chase Preferred so I'd rather pay $95 vs $450 annual fee.
After analyzing both cards its more than $150 vs $95 because of the instant $300 travel credit for the Reserved. The Reserved gives you 3pts for traveling/dining vs 2pts for the Preferred and we do a whole lot of that so its a no brainer.
Another reason why we like the Reserve so much is that we get Chase points which we can transfer to Hyatt 1:1

For me by far Hyatt has the best points system. For most Hyatt Place you can stay there for 8000 pts which is like $80 which you were to convert it to cash. You cannot get a decent hotel these days for $80 when you factor in tax and resort fees.
This past June, we stayed at the Hyatt Paris Etoile for 3 nights and it was 15k per nights for 45k total. Those same nights for cash was E1382 which equals $1557.
I don't use my Chase points for anything but Hyatt stays.

So whats in your wallet ???


ducky19

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2019, 10:24:38 AM »
For me it's whichever one I happen to be churning at the moment. Currently, it's the Wells Fargo Propel card, getting a $300 travel credit after $3k in spend. I've burned through most of the best offers out there, but this one was actually right on par with most of them.

golfreak12

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2019, 10:27:47 AM »
For me it's whichever one I happen to be churning at the moment. Currently, it's the Wells Fargo Propel card, getting a $300 travel credit after $3k in spend. I've burned through most of the best offers out there, but this one was actually right on par with most of them.

So what card do you use most when you're not churning ??
Its hard to churn CC constantly.

Milkshake

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2019, 10:50:03 AM »
Chase Reserve or most recently, the Costco Visa. 4% cashback on gas and 2% on everything else at Costco is pretty good. I was in the same boat with the Reserve, planned on dropping it after they paid me $150 to have it the first year (back when the travel credit was calendar, not anniversary) and 100k points. Kept it for the same reasons you mentioned. Now I use it intermittently between the Costco card, depending on the purchase. Also, currently Discover's 5% category is restaurants, so that's a no brainer if we ever go out to eat.

I've gotten at least a few hundred dollars worth of use from the Priority Pass lounges that come with the Reserve. Sure I probably wouldn't have used the lounge at all if I didn't have the free pass, but there have been several long layovers where I would've needed food from somewhere but it was free in the lounge.

Once I find another good churner card then everything except subscriptions goes onto that, of course. I'm too lazy to swap all the recurring stuff all the time.

I used the Reserve points to send to United, combined with my wife's United sign on bonus. Fun facts about the CSR, you can't transfer to a different person's United account unless they are an AU, and you have to pay to have an AU. But they won't charge the $75 fee until after 1 full bulling cycle and you have a full billing cycle after that to cancel the AU add for a full refund. Instant add, transfer points. Wait a couple weeks after the card comes and cancel the AU add saying "adding my wife as an AU was a terrible idea", lol.

SwitchActiveDWG

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2019, 10:51:48 AM »
Amex bluecash is a staple in my wallet. Great purchase protection and solid cash back rewards.

PJC74

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2019, 10:54:56 AM »
My two main go to's are Amex Blue preferred 6% grocery stores 3% gas
Citi double cash 2% cash back on everything

I'll mix in Chase freedom when there is a category that aligns with spending @5%.

ecchastang

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2019, 11:29:34 AM »
My two main go to's are Amex Blue preferred 6% grocery stores 3% gas
Citi double cash 2% cash back on everything

I'll mix in Chase freedom when there is a category that aligns with spending @5%.
Second the Chase Freedom for the 5% categories.

WSUCoug1994

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2019, 01:09:23 PM »
Chase Preferred for nearly everything except - Costco for Costco/Costco Gas/Travel/Restaurants - Blue Cash for Gas/Groceries.  I have Marriott and United just for those purchases.

Dave1442397

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2019, 01:22:34 PM »
PenFed Visa for the 5% cash back on gas and the ?% (I forget) back on groceries, and my Chase Amazon Visa for most other purchases.

Philociraptor

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2019, 01:43:29 PM »
When I'm not churning something I carry 3 cards:

Chase Sapphire Reserve for dining and travel ($450 annual with $300 travel credit, 3x dining/travel points, and 1.5x redemption on travel aka 4.5% back).
Chase Freedom for quarterly categories (5x points on quarterly category, points can be transferred to CSR for 1.5x redemption)
Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5x points on everything else, points can be transferred to CSR for 1.5x redemption)

geekette

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2019, 02:13:48 PM »
Amex Blue Cash Preferred (6% on groceries and prescriptions at the grocery store), 3% gas
Savor 4% for dining
Citi double cash for 2% on everything else
Freedom if the 5% categories are good
Or whatever I happen to be churning (usually an AA or UA card in the mix)

I'm having to wait out the Chase Preferred (4 years between applications now), but yeah, that's a great card to have.

force majeure

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2019, 02:39:07 PM »
Coutts private bank, gold card.
I only use it for occasional purchases, and for the benefits.
I dont really need to have it.
Mostly i add money on to it, and spend it down.

DeniseNJ

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #12 on: August 27, 2019, 02:49:00 PM »
Alas, I can't be trusted with credit cards.  I use a Discover bank card that gives 1% back on everything I spend up to 3K.  So I get 30 bucks a month and stay out of trouble.

DadJokes

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #13 on: August 27, 2019, 03:21:40 PM »
If you're married, I'm fairly certain that you can churn rewards indefinitely.

I'll probably always keep a Southwest card and some Chase Ultimate Rewards card around.

Rosy

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #14 on: August 27, 2019, 04:12:05 PM »
Navy Federal Flagship Rewards card netted me around $850 in cash last year. Great bennies all around for both cash and travel and useful extras
Chase Freedom if the 5% categories suit
Amazon Prime for mostly Amazon - I only recently discovered some bennies I didn't even realize I had. Like free Prime Video and interest-free payments on some purchases. 

MaybeBabyMustache

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #15 on: August 27, 2019, 04:58:06 PM »
We spend the majority of our grocery money at Costco, so the Costco Citi visa is our biggest winner this year. We've also taken a few trips with Costco travel, which provide even higher rebates. We're up to a $1300 rebate so far this year, although it's been an unusually pricey year (appliance purchases, new doors for our house, etc).

EngagedToFIRE

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #16 on: August 27, 2019, 05:33:52 PM »
This is too broad as everyone here has different spending habits.  For me, I use a Citi double cash (2% card) for personal spending, and then AMEX Platinum and Capital One Spark for business spending.  Also an Amazon Prime card for the 5% savings on Amazon purchases, which is a no brainer.  The AMEX platinum for very large purchases (you get extra points) as well as anything within the OPEN program (like FedEx Shipping) which gives you substantial savings.  Then having the AMEX is great for travel.  So it pays for itself and has benefits.  For example, I have an all inclusive vacation booked next month which includes tips.  So my entire out of pocket resort vacation including airfare is $0. Most spending goes on the Cap One Spark.  About $150k/month which brings in $35k or so a year in cash back.  But I have a business and the cc cash back/points is a huge bonus...  For a consumer, it really depends on your spending habits. 

HPstache

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #17 on: August 27, 2019, 08:12:17 PM »
Costco Visa for us as well.  I use my Capitaone Savor at restraunts that I got for the $500 cash bonus... but that will be canceled before the introductory year is over.

golfreak12

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #18 on: August 28, 2019, 07:27:13 AM »
If you're married, I'm fairly certain that you can churn rewards indefinitely.

I'll probably always keep a Southwest card and some Chase Ultimate Rewards card around.

Not with Chase 5/24 rule.
Amex only let you get 1 bonus from their card.
I men if you want to churn other CC indefinitely, then maybe but Chase usually has the best rewards.

DadJokes

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #19 on: August 28, 2019, 07:34:09 AM »
If you're married, I'm fairly certain that you can churn rewards indefinitely.

I'll probably always keep a Southwest card and some Chase Ultimate Rewards card around.

Not with Chase 5/24 rule.
Amex only let you get 1 bonus from their card.
I men if you want to churn other CC indefinitely, then maybe but Chase usually has the best rewards.

Business cards do not count against 5/24, if I understand correctly. I might be wrong on that, but I guess we'll find out in a few months.

So I can do 7 cards across 24 months, then let my wife do the same. Rinse and repeat.

simonsez

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #20 on: August 28, 2019, 07:42:29 AM »
If you're married, I'm fairly certain that you can churn rewards indefinitely.

I'll probably always keep a Southwest card and some Chase Ultimate Rewards card around.

Not with Chase 5/24 rule.
Amex only let you get 1 bonus from their card.
I men if you want to churn other CC indefinitely, then maybe but Chase usually has the best rewards.

Business cards do not count against 5/24, if I understand correctly. I might be wrong on that, but I guess we'll find out in a few months.

So I can do 7 cards across 24 months, then let my wife do the same. Rinse and repeat.
Seems at least some are:

https://thepointsguy.com/guide/ultimate-guide-chase-5-24-rule/

Spitfire

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #21 on: August 28, 2019, 08:04:10 AM »
I use the chase freedom unlimited as a general card for 1.5% across the board. I also carry the bank of america rewards card for 3% on gas and 2% on groceries.

simonsez

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #22 on: August 28, 2019, 08:22:28 AM »
I don't have any to add to the list but I will say that out of the non-business Southwest Rapid Rewards cards (Plus, Premier, Priority) that the highest level one is the best provided you spend money on a flight or hotel thru Southwest at least once a year, especially if travel is out of the country.  I'm not saying it's the best overall credit card, just within the non-business SW cards.

The Priority has a $149 annual fee, the Premier is $99, and the Plus is $69.  You get points on the anniversary and if valued at a conservative penny/point (which some places will value them higher at 1.5c+) this breaks out to $75 for Priority, $60 for Premier, and $30 for Plus.  Note that the Plus does NOT cover foreign transaction fees while the Priority and Premier do.  All three have the 40,000 point sign-up currently - which is a big drawing point of the SW cards in general.

The debate between Premier and Plus is even if you only look at annual cost plus the conservative value of anniversary points.  Add in the no transaction fees, though, and it makes the Premier the winner out of those two.

Comparing the Premier to the Priority - the Priority is a no-brainer as you get an annual $75 Southwest credit (this is where the spending on at least one flight per year comes in) which more than makes up for the annual fee difference plus the extra anniversary points.  Adding in the 4 free upgrades to A1-A15 (when available) is an okay perk provided the flights you use them on don't have too many pre-board passengers.

Thus, out of the non-business SW: Priority>Premier>Plus

Also side note: the 2 free checked bags policy doesn't usually apply to me but is still really nice for the occasional longer trips - but the real value in flying Southwest IMO comes from the no change fees and the ability to change a trip basically an unlimited number of times right up until 10 min before departure.  This includes being able to re-book the same exact legs of a flight if there is a price decrease and getting money back - I did this yesterday for 4 different trips (1 vacation, 3 work trips), saved $170 on one, $17 on another, $35 and $35 on two others - all this just to book the same flights I already had and you don't have to "give up" your initial reservation spot in order to do so.

SpareChange

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #23 on: August 28, 2019, 08:35:06 AM »
Citi Double Cash for pretty much everything. Not a big spender, or traveler. Get most of my groceries at a place that doesn't accept credit cards. Don't dine out much. Take my 2% and call it a day.

FIRE@50

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #24 on: August 28, 2019, 09:35:27 AM »
Costco Visa

Dragonswan

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #25 on: August 28, 2019, 12:38:34 PM »
Citi Prestige for dining out and travel (5% for dining and airfare, 3%for travel) - was using CSR but this is slightly better for my spending pattern.

Amex Blue for groceries, includes gift cards I buy to shop at Target and Home Depot because - 6% cash back on anything I find in the grocery store.

Fidelity - all other retail purchases - 2% cash back that goes straight into my taxable account.

Citi Thank you for recurring charges (Netflix, Verizon, gym).  This is my oldest card so I put these on it to keep it active.  I swap some of these out every other year to keep a couple of other lesser points cards active.

EricEng

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #26 on: August 28, 2019, 12:43:13 PM »
MC Double Cash for default 2% without worrying about specials for certain times.
CapitalOne Quicksilver Visa for 1.5% no foreign transaction overseas and works at Costco with only .5% loss vs Costco card.
Amex blue for groceries away from Costco.

chemistk

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #27 on: August 28, 2019, 01:19:38 PM »
It's fantastic to see the same trends emerging.

For me, just about the same as everyone else. Amex Blue gets the bulk of the spending, then Chase for travel & entertainment. Capital one Quicksliver for misc. categories, Amazon Prime for Amazon, and currently working on Delta Gold for the bonus.

The one thing I'll note about the Amex Blue Cash - Even shopping and driving frugally, if you feed a family your earnings from the Amex card can essentially 'cover' all the annual feed of the other cards.

therethere

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #28 on: August 28, 2019, 03:10:57 PM »
My keeper cards that I actually use:
Chase Reserve - Keep for the airline lounges and return/warranty protection. Also, this is our card for our international trips. One warranty and a few expensed meals at the airport pays for the $150 fee. Will keep until I use all my UR points which will be a few years.
Priceline Rewards Visa - Straight 2% cashback travel eraser. Although I haven't used this card in awhile. Churning tradelines with it now.
Chase Freedom - Used only when have Gas and Groceries as 5%. Effectively 7.5% when I transfer to my Reserve.

The bulk of our spending goes on whatever card we're trying to earn a bonus on at the moment. I try to churn 1 card every 3-4 months. Since I do the bulk of the errands and spending I keep the card we're churning. DH will take either the Reserve or Freedom depending on the categories.


RedmondStash

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #29 on: August 28, 2019, 03:25:02 PM »
A lot of people seem to like Chase Reserve. I recommend figuring out how much churning you want to do, and what you spend your money on, and finding a card that suits your spending patterns.

Don't forget that Amazon has a card that gives you a 5% rebate on stuff you buy on Amazon and at Whole Foods.

This site can be really useful:

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/

Lanthiriel

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #30 on: August 28, 2019, 04:05:28 PM »
I use the Costco Visa for gas and Costco. Bank of America Cash Rewards card for everything else. I get 3% cash back on online shopping, which I do a lot of for work and get reimbursed, so it's a good card for me.

Arbitrage

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #31 on: August 28, 2019, 04:24:34 PM »
I don't churn.  I know I could make money doing so, but haven't felt like using the head space/time to figure it out.  I also prefer to keep our credit frozen.

Amazon Prime card for 5% there.
Discover for rotating 5% categories.
Fidelity Visa for 2% everywhere else. 

Gerard

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #32 on: August 28, 2019, 07:19:02 PM »
Canadian cards aren't quite as generous. I use an Amex rewards card for travel (2 pts/$, converts to airline or hotel points worth about 4 cents/$, occasional 15% off tickets promotions), and Tangerine cash-back for groceries and transit (2 cents/$), and over-ride those when I'm churning a new card (currently TD aeroplan). 

golfreak12

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #33 on: August 28, 2019, 09:13:11 PM »
A lot of people seem to like Chase Reserve. I recommend figuring out how much churning you want to do, and what you spend your money on, and finding a card that suits your spending patterns.

Don't forget that Amazon has a card that gives you a 5% rebate on stuff you buy on Amazon and at Whole Foods.

This site can be really useful:

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/

I love using the Reserve mainly for Chase points.
So much flexibility with Chase points.

doggyfizzle

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #34 on: August 28, 2019, 10:34:24 PM »
Amex PRG - 4x at Grocery/Dining
Schwab Plat - for 1.25c/MR cash out (gets me 5% back on grocery and dining)
Amex BBP - 2x MR everywhere, 2.5% cashback when chased out to Schwab for all other purchases up to $50k/year
Ducks Unlimited 5% back in gas
Chas Ink Plus (grandfathered) 5% back at all office supply (VGCs, MCGCs, travel gift cards), telecom, cable), or 6.25% back towards travel through UR mall
Chase Ink Cash (5% up to $25k each year at office supply), or 6.25% back towards travel through UR mall
Credit Union Visa - uncapped 3% back at grocery - lots and lots of VGC purchases - the Dosh 4% Safeway shutdown was a real punch in the dick.

Basically I get at least 3-5% back on most purchases

BlueHouse

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #35 on: August 29, 2019, 10:17:31 AM »
I love my Amex Blue for all the benefits they give.  But a lot of places where I live don't accept it.  So when I have my wallet with me, I use Amex where it's accepted.
I have a separate Citi Visa that I use just for walking around town in case I decide to buy something or grab a bite to eat.  I literally only use this credit card when I'm walking out the door with empty hands.  It lives in my keyholder by the door.

I have another visa credit card that lives in my car and is only used for gas.

I have another (discover) that lives in a stache and never sees the light of day, but is used for all "recurring internet purchases". 

I guess what I'm saying is I don't have any real method other than I don't like to carry things around so I keep cards closest to where I use them. 


HBFIRE

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #36 on: August 29, 2019, 03:27:02 PM »
When not churning, amex BBP for non-category spend.  2.5% back which goes right into charles schwab index funds.

HBFIRE

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #37 on: August 29, 2019, 03:28:26 PM »
Amex PRG - 4x at Grocery/Dining
Schwab Plat - for 1.25c/MR cash out (gets me 5% back on grocery and dining)
Amex BBP - 2x MR everywhere, 2.5% cashback when chased out to Schwab for all other purchases up to $50k/year
Ducks Unlimited 5% back in gas
Chas Ink Plus (grandfathered) 5% back at all office supply (VGCs, MCGCs, travel gift cards), telecom, cable), or 6.25% back towards travel through UR mall
Chase Ink Cash (5% up to $25k each year at office supply), or 6.25% back towards travel through UR mall
Credit Union Visa - uncapped 3% back at grocery - lots and lots of VGC purchases - the Dosh 4% Safeway shutdown was a real punch in the dick.

Basically I get at least 3-5% back on most purchases

I use a similar system.  The PRG is 5% back with the schwab.

doggyfizzle

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #38 on: August 29, 2019, 07:50:11 PM »
Amex PRG - 4x at Grocery/Dining
Schwab Plat - for 1.25c/MR cash out (gets me 5% back on grocery and dining)
Amex BBP - 2x MR everywhere, 2.5% cashback when chased out to Schwab for all other purchases up to $50k/year
Ducks Unlimited 5% back in gas
Chas Ink Plus (grandfathered) 5% back at all office supply (VGCs, MCGCs, travel gift cards), telecom, cable), or 6.25% back towards travel through UR mall
Chase Ink Cash (5% up to $25k each year at office supply), or 6.25% back towards travel through UR mall
Credit Union Visa - uncapped 3% back at grocery - lots and lots of VGC purchases - the Dosh 4% Safeway shutdown was a real punch in the dick.

Basically I get at least 3-5% back on most purchases

I use a similar system.  The PRG is 5% back with the schwab.

It’s really hard to beat 5% back on groceries (with the exception of the 6% Amex BCP).  I’ve been looking into the AXP BGR (with 4X at Gas) and trying to find a unicorn 7-11 near me but not luck; hence the DU fee-free gas card.  I have an MMM forum-member to thank for the Schwab $100 brokerage referral, but the SUB for the Plat was definitely icing on the cake.

jpdx

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #39 on: August 31, 2019, 04:51:44 PM »
I use the Chase Amazon Prime card for Amazon purchases (5% back)
Chase Ink Business Unlimited for biz purchases (1.5% back)
Chase SP for everything else

All these cards worth 25% more when redeemed for travel.

I have not considered Amex for groceries. 6% back sounds amazing! I love the integration of all my cards in one online account though -- keep things simple to manage.

debittogether

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #40 on: August 31, 2019, 05:29:36 PM »
Chase freedom unlimited is matching the 1.5% for a year up to I think 20k, so you get 3% back to move to your sapphire,  for anyone who doesn't currently have a CFU or who's spouse doesn't,  now's a decent time.

I'm real frustrated as a city dweller that chase freedom did 2 quarters of gas this season. Even with buying gift cards it's impractical for me.

Wrenchturner

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #41 on: August 31, 2019, 05:37:09 PM »
Canadian cards aren't quite as generous. I use an Amex rewards card for travel (2 pts/$, converts to airline or hotel points worth about 4 cents/$, occasional 15% off tickets promotions), and Tangerine cash-back for groceries and transit (2 cents/$), and over-ride those when I'm churning a new card (currently TD aeroplan).
I'm also jealous of the Americans!  But luckily in Canada we don't have L4 data or whatever it's called, so card companies cannot yet see individual items on a given purchase.

Right now I'm using the AMEX Cobalt and Alaska Airlines MasterCard.  Once my spending is done on the MasterCard I'll probably get an AMEX Bonvoy, then the Personal Gold.  Chasing a round trip to Asia in Business Class and maybe a Bonvoy stay in Singapore, or somewhere else expensive.  For next winter probably.  Not sure what I intend to do with the Alaska Airlines points, if I can get a few cards with them I can get another Business Class roundtrip across an ocean, which is really my whole motivation.

I have a TD Aeroplan that's being used occasionally, I get fee waivers through my bank account and it keeps my Aeroplan points valid indefinitely.

EVA Air Dreamliner, yes please!

AlotToLearn

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #42 on: September 01, 2019, 07:08:45 AM »
I am considering applying for Chase Reserve later this year and ditching my Amex Platinum. I have had the card for 3 yrs however my travel has cut down 50 percent and I cant seem to justify the AF now.

Anon in Alaska

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #43 on: September 01, 2019, 07:30:50 AM »
Right now it's the Fred Meyer card I just got that will pay me a $150 statement credit once I spend $500 in each of the first two months I have it. (I'm sure there are other cards that offer higher credits but most of the ones I've seen require higher spending to earn it, and I'm having to stretch a little to spend that much).

mastrr

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #44 on: September 01, 2019, 04:45:25 PM »
My two main go to's are Amex Blue preferred 6% grocery stores 3% gas
Citi double cash 2% cash back on everything

I'll mix in Chase freedom when there is a category that aligns with spending @5%.

think this is setup is pretty much optimal for cashback & low maintenance

kpd905

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #45 on: September 01, 2019, 08:42:13 PM »
I used the Blue Cash Preferred until I realized that after the annual fee, I was really getting 4.42% back on groceries, not 6%.  So then I switched to using Discover It and Chase Freedom whenever they had groceries as their 5% category.  Now I usually just use whichever card I am hitting the minimum spend on, or default to Double Cash out of laziness.

« Last Edit: September 01, 2019, 08:44:39 PM by kpd905 »

WSUCoug1994

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #46 on: September 03, 2019, 09:53:45 AM »
I haven't seen it listed on here but similar to the 5% Amazon discount - Target has a 5% credit/debit option as well.

Gerard

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #47 on: September 04, 2019, 07:47:40 AM »
Once my spending is done on the MasterCard I'll probably get an AMEX Bonvoy

Oo, I wish I'd thought of that a week ago. But I just retired and I think I no longer meet the annual earning requirement.

But I just applied anyway and they gave it to me! Thanks!
« Last Edit: September 04, 2019, 07:53:40 AM by Gerard »

Sanitary Stache

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #48 on: September 04, 2019, 08:15:40 AM »
I signed up for the Amazon Store Card because of this thread.  It still gets 5% at Amazon, but can't be used at other businesses.  It also comes with additional 5-15% promotional offers on certain items, which is clearly a way to get me to buy things I don't need.

$80 gift card at sign up vs. $70 for the Amazon Prime Visa from Chase. It almost looks like I could sign up for the Visa also...

Gyosho

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Re: Number #1 credit card in your wallet (or purse) ???
« Reply #49 on: September 04, 2019, 08:23:13 AM »
I admire how much thought people have put into their credit card usage! I'll have to do a deeper dive into mine to see if I can maximize anywhere.

Right now I have 2 cards:

Citi Double Cash (2% cash back on everything)
Amazon Prime Visa (5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods)

Between these 2, I get about $500 back a year (I am not a big spender).

I have a prejudice against using any card with an annual fee.