topic Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card in Credit Cards

Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

bribro — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:34:55 GMT

As you guys can see from my signature below, I currently have the following general purpose (i.e. non-store) credit cards:

Citi Dividend World Elite MC w/EMV
Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Signature
Chase Freedom Visa Signature
Chase Freedom World MC

Note: I am taking advantage of the Chase trifecta.

I'm looking looking for 1-2 more credit cards, preferably outside the Chase/Citi realm, to complete my collection. I'm not interested in amassing a collection of 15+ credit cards like some of your CC addicts :smileyhappy:.

I was thinking about the AmEx BCE since I wanted to open a relationship with AmEx anyway. The no AF is great, and the 3% at groceries and 2% gas stations/department stores fills a void in my current collection. I don't see the advantage of getting the regular AmEx blue cash vs. BCE... Would love to hear other people's thoughts on this card and any others.

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

Creditaddict — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:04:29 GMT

Amex would be my choice based on your other cards

Or Discover since they seem to be making a rapid return and in some cases a rapid pass by many other banks that just have terrible Customer Service.

back in 98 when I turned 18 Discover was higher up the ranks as "Card to have" over Amex!

I got both! I was in the millions (I assume) of first people to get the Amex Blue when it was released... of course I think that is before you got instant decisions... it took 60-90 days to get approved and get the card they had so many apps!!!

at the time they surpassed all my other cards with $5900 starting Credit line!!

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

namvet — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:06:18 GMT

You already have a great cc portfolio but it would be IMO a no brainer to add AMEX.

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

bribro — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:13:18 GMT

Thanks for the feedback guys. Any reason to go with an AmEx card other that BCE? I can probably justify the AF on the BCP with the extra cashback (6% & 3%), but don't want to complicate things and lock myself in with another AF card. I don't see how the regular AmEx blue would fit in, since I already have 2.14x travel via CSP. Am I missing anything?

Also, does Discover display a member since (or equivalent) date? I just apped for my CSP and Freedom last month, so was planning to wait unitl October (6 months later) to app for my next cards. I was thinking of getting Discover next year after my 0% Freedom APR expires, so that I can roll more debt interest free during Discover's 0% APR promo period.

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

namvet — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:19:50 GMT

Just look at the AF as a membership fee and youwon't feel the need to justify it! All the Amex cards are great, just pick one out that fits your established credit profile. Good luck!

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

tmbr10 — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:09:27 GMT

bribro wrote:
Thanks for the feedback guys. Any reason to go with an AmEx card other that BCE? I can probably justify the AF on the BCP with the extra cashback (6% & 3%), but don't want to complicate things and lock myself in with another AF card. I don't see how the regular AmEx blue would fit in, since I already have 2.14x travel via CSP. Am I missing anything?

Also, does Discover display a member since (or equivalent) date? I just apped for my CSP and Freedom last month, so was planning to wait unitl October (6 months later) to app for my next cards. I was thinking of getting Discover next year after my 0% Freedom APR expires, so that I can roll more debt interest free during Discover's 0% APR promo period.

Amex is a very good card to have and I have never had a problem with their customer service. If you travel (via plane) regularly, take a look at the Delta cards.

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

injustifiiable — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:14:04 GMT

I'd say AMEX as well...at least you'd have all three of the major "brands"...

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

navigatethis12 — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:50:51 GMT

The Blue Cash Everyday is a great card. I would say it would be a great addition to your cards. I do not like annual fees either. If you spend a lot on groceries it is good but at some point you may stop and then you will be paying an annual fee for nothing. If you do go for the Blue Cash Everyday and know someone else who has it you should get them to refer you. They get $75 and you get $50.

The PNC Cashbuilder Visa Signature is also a good card. You can get up to 1.75% cashback on purchases. Here is a link to detail it more: https://www.pnc.com/webapp/unsec/Blank.do?siteArea=/pnccorp/PNC/Home/Personal/Credit+Cards/CC/PNC+CashBuilder+Visa+Credit+Card

If you want 2% back on everything, the Fidelity Investment Rewards American Express Card is wonderful. http://personal.fidelity.com/products/checking/content/amex_investment_card.shtml

Barlcaycard Rewards Mastercard (https://www.barclaycardus.com/apply/Landing.action?campaignId=1583&cellNumber=6&referrerid=BCUSORGOG) gives 2% on utilities, gas, and groceries and $50 after first purchase. Although you could just use the Fidelity card for those things and still get 2% on those purchases.

I have other cards but these are the main ones besides the Chase Freedom/Amazon that I use and I am always covered with a good amount of cashback potential.

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

calogan — Thu, 10 May 2012 05:02:03 GMT

If you're just looking to round out your portfolio but the 3%/6% won't get you enough, and assuming your'e a Costco member, get the Amex Costco card.

No annual fee as long as you're a Costco member, 3% back on gas, 2% back on travel/restaurants (on par with CSP), and 1% back everywhere else - including Costco in store who doesn't accept other cards typically.

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

Crashem — Thu, 10 May 2012 06:33:52 GMT

I like the JCB Marukai Premium card. 3% cash back on all purchases after 3k in a year. JCB accepted whereever Discover is accepted.

AMEX BCE is great card. The BCP is worth it if you spend more than $2500 a year on groceries as it makes up the AF. Backdating is good thing for the future as well. No reason for the Blue.

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

bribro — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:15:13 GMT

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm pretty set on the BCE now and will probably wait until October to apply.

Crashem wrote:

I like the JCB Marukai Premium card. 3% cash back on all purchases after 3k in a year. JCB accepted whereever Discover is accepted.

AMEX BCE is great card. The BCP is worth it if you spend more than $2500 a year on groceries as it makes up the AF. Backdating is good thing for the future as well. No reason for the Blue.

I've come to this conclusion as well. In what situation would anyone get the Blue over the BCE?

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

FrugalRican — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:49:14 GMT

Curious... why October?

And yes, I'd recommend BCE to round it out as well.

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

bribro — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:38:26 GMT

FrugalRican wrote:
Curious... why October?

And yes, I'd recommend BCE to round it out as well.

October will have marked 6 months since my Freedom & CSP apps/approvals. I'm in no rush to get the BCE either, just sometime this year to get the member since date started.

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

espnjunkie — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:46:30 GMT

Why do you really need to apply for additional credit? You already have pretty significant credit lines

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

FrugalRican — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:51:55 GMT

bribro wrote:
FrugalRican wrote:
Curious... why October?

And yes, I'd recommend BCE to round it out as well.
October will have marked 6 months since my Freedom & CSP apps/approvals. I'm in no rush to get the BCE either, just sometime this year to get the member since date started.

Although this makes sense, it also kinda doesn't.

Two different beasts, I'd rather get the BCE inquiry off a whole 6 months sooner.

I know what you mean by the backdating, but are the Freedom/CSP your first cards?

I think it makes sense to apply for AMEX though, if nothing more than the backdating for future purposes.

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

bribro — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:43:00 GMT

espnjunkie wrote:
Why do you really need to apply for additional credit? You already have pretty significant credit lines

I want to start a relationship with AmEx so that I can backdate in the future; I really regret not having done it sooner. Plus, there isn't much overlap in the BCE rewards with what I currently have; for example, BCE would be used for 3% at supermarkets and 2% at gas stations and department stores (unless they are 5% categories for Freedom or Dividend during that quarter).

Re: Seeking Advice on my Next Credit Card

bribro — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:49:40 GMT

FrugalRican wrote:
bribro wrote:
FrugalRican wrote:
Curious... why October?

And yes, I'd recommend BCE to round it out as well.
October will have marked 6 months since my Freedom & CSP apps/approvals. I'm in no rush to get the BCE either, just sometime this year to get the member since date started.
Although this makes sense, it also kinda doesn't.

Two different beasts, I'd rather get the BCE inquiry off a whole 6 months sooner.
I know what you mean by the backdating, but are the Freedom/CSP your first cards?

I think it makes sense to apply for AMEX though, if nothing more than the backdating for future purposes.

I don't want to risk wasting a HP if I get denied for the BCE (or does AmEx only SP on denials?). If I was AmEx, I'd be a little worried about someone going for another CC just after opening $30k at Chase.

Freedom/CSP are my first primary cards and I got both in April. My Citi Dividend card has been active since 2005 but will be used only for the 5% rotating categories. Plus, if I wait for 6 months, maybe AmEx will offer something better than just $100 cash back?