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I currently have 3 with wf 4000, amex clear 3000 and barclay with 1200. I want to get a card thats good with the gas and groceries. Any idea? fico 680
Chase Freedom, Amex BCE/BCP (depending on how much you want to spend but BCE is probably easier to get with your score) and Discover It.
Chase Freedom currently has quarterly rotating categories and Jan 2013 - March 2013 is 5% on Gasoline and Starbucks!
For Gas and groceries, your best bets are the AmEx BCP or the Chase Freedom. If you spend about $100 a month in groceries or $200 a month in gas, you will make up the $75 annual fee on the AmEx. The Freedom has rotating categories, with 5% on gas for both 1st and 3rd quarter this year.
I plan to pick up both, and use the BCP for groceries every month, and gas 2nd/4th quarters, and the Freedom for 3rd quarter this year.
Amex blue cash preferred gives you 6% cash back on groceries (up to 6K a year) and 3% cash back for gas with a $75 annual fee. you may also want to consider the blue cash everyday if you don't want to pay an annual fee but your grocery rewards earnings will be halved. since you already have clear, you might also want to see if you can PC to one of these cards so you won't have to use a credit pull
For straight gas, penfed premium gives 5% cash back on gas. i don't think there's an annual fee but you should double check that if it's an issue.
I wouldn't rec the chase freedom b/c you only get 5% on certain categories one quarter a year and these cards will give you 5-6% cash back on gas and groceries year round.
@_jb_ wrote:For Gas and groceries, your best bets are the AmEx BCP or the Chase Freedom. If you spend about $100 a month in groceries or $200 a month in gas, you will make up the $75 annual fee on the AmEx. The Freedom has rotating categories, with 5% on gas for both 1st and 3rd quarter this year.
I plan to pick up both, and use the BCP for groceries every month, and gas 2nd/4th quarters, and the Freedom for 3rd quarter this year.
Calculation is actually $210 a month on groceries To make the BCP worth the AF.
Or - $175 per month on groceries if you also spend $100 per month on gas.
This is assuming your grocery spending is occurring at eligible markets (Not Walmart or Target).
The best choices for gas and groceries are the Penfed Platinum rewards and the Amex BCE/BCP. The other cards mentioned only have rotating categories.
A better option would be to use 5% gas cash back and leverage with additional 25% to a rate 6.25% using Sapphire Preferred on ultimate rewards site.
This can be used for 6 months when Freedom has 5% gas category for 2 quarters.
For remaining 6 months, PenFed is the way to go with 5% cash back but only at pump. If you pay inside, you get only 0.25% instead of 5%.
For groceries, if the spending is low then use Sallie Mae world credit card gives 5% & no annual fee.
If grocery spending is medium, use Blue Cash Everyday- No annual fee gives 3% cash back
If grocery spending is high, use Blue Cash Preferred- Annual fee but get 6% cash back
@LS2982 wrote:
I think AMEX revolvers may be out of your reach at this point. I would go for the Chase Freedom.
Nah, already has an Amex clear for that matter .
I'd take the BCP (or BCE) shot anyway given Amex's policies for current account holders, also personally I'm of the opinion static reward options trend better than revolving ones but other's opinions will vary on that one.