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@Themanwhocan wrote:
That's assuming no gas or grocery purchases though. But yes, if you don't buy gas or groceries, and don't have a 2% card, and spend up to $7500 at select department stores, then yes, the BCE is OK.
On the other hand, the US Bank Cash+ can select all Dept Stores for 5% cash back, which beats 2% only on a select few. For that matter, a Huntington Voice card can select Department stores AND Electronics stores for 3% cash back (both are in the same category)...
Oh, and I don't like the look of the BCE. Not blue enough, I guess.
Right, which is why I said "BCE is OK" rather than best choice. Not a fan of BCE!
@Themanwhocan wrote:
@longtimelurker wrote:
@SunriseEarth wrote:
@longtimelurker wrote:
@Themanwhocan wrote:
@angelcred10 wrote:Always hearing about this Sallie Mae Card, that much better than BCE?
I never noticed those are pretty high %'s back!
May go apply...
Sallie Mae Rewards card is better than a BCE. You did see the spreadsheets earlier in this post, right
Agree. One great use of this forum would be to educate people that you shouldn't get card X because card Y is better, but we keep seeing people getting the BCE. To reiterate without the chart:
There is almost no spend point where the BCE is the card to get. If you spend relatively little on gas and groceries, the Sallie Mae is better. If you spend ~ $6K on groceries (including gift cards) BCP may be better (but still get the free Sallie Mae as well for the gas and Amazon) and if you spend a lot (either real or manufactured) the Blue Cash is the card to have. And if you spend enough at select department stores (the advantage of BCP/BCE over SM) then again the BCP would be better.
The exception is if you want your first Amex, or an additional Amex for backdating. But even then, now the Everyday might be a better choice.
"Enough" would be an amount over $7500. So it's a small niche, but BCE could definitely be advantageous with the right spending habits.
That's assuming no gas or grocery purchases though. But yes, if you don't buy gas or groceries, and don't have a 2% card, and spend up to $7500 at select department stores, then yes, the BCE is OK.
On the other hand, the US Bank Cash+ can select all Dept Stores for 5% cash back, which beats 2% only on a select few. For that matter, a Huntington Voice card can select Department stores AND Electronics stores for 3% cash back (both are in the same category)...
Oh, and I don't like the look of the BCE. Not blue enough, I guess.
Excellent info! US Bank is a good goal once I reach the pantheon of "excellent" scores. As it is, I got my BCE by the skin of my teeth.
the only issue i really have with US bank cards are you have to app in branch, is that correct. The closest one to me is about 150 miles away from thats an bit too far for me
@mongstradamus wrote:the only issue i really have with US bank cards are you have to app in branch, is that correct. The closest one to me is about 150 miles away from thats an bit too far for me
That's correct, for the cash+ card. For the other cards you can apply online.
I am nowhere close to a US bank branch, not a single branch in new england
Looks like for me sallie mae and fidelity amex may be the only cash back cards that i will be apping for then . Just have to wait till mid summer when i will go for them.
I have a personal CC line-up with some nice yielding cards, mostly cash back but i've incorporated potential UR/MR yields along with them.
If anyone would like to take a look: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ON2er71cLLC5yFkvKEdVLbnGSoD-FIqTgw5x39YYtAI/edit?usp=sharing
It's definitely not the "end-all, be-all". I'm constantly updating with new information, and some people enjoy more cash back, while others like playing the points game!
@daybreakgonesXe wrote:I have a personal CC line-up with some nice yielding cards, mostly cash back but i've incorporated potential UR/MR yields along with them.
If anyone would like to take a look: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ON2er71cLLC5yFkvKEdVLbnGSoD-FIqTgw5x39YYtAI/edit?usp=sharing
It's definitely not the "end-all, be-all". I'm constantly updating with new information, and some people enjoy more cash back, while others like playing the points game!
A nice list.
You've already decided on a new GM car?
@Themanwhocan wrote:
@daybreakgonesXe wrote:I have a personal CC line-up with some nice yielding cards, mostly cash back but i've incorporated potential UR/MR yields along with them.
If anyone would like to take a look: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ON2er71cLLC5yFkvKEdVLbnGSoD-FIqTgw5x39YYtAI/edit?usp=sharing
It's definitely not the "end-all, be-all". I'm constantly updating with new information, and some people enjoy more cash back, while others like playing the points game!
A nice list.
You've already decided on a new GM car?
Thanks!
Well, I'm definitely in the market for a car now, and likely will be so for the years to come. Even with the recalls going on with GM, I'm looking for an AWD crossover of some sort (as a meteorologist, you're on call 24/7, 365 days a year, and living in NJ means commuting in practically every precip type imaginable! ).
I'm leaning more toward Hyundai because a.) I'm likely not going to app and accumulate points in time, since I'll likely buy a car during the summer and b.) my family has had Hyundai's for as long as I can remember, and I'm just use to them at this point.
However, I'm thinking about the next 5-10 years or so, and with marriage and a family in my future, that means more cars (hello, minivans!)...so I could get a use from the GM card. As always, YMMV, but I put it on the list as a potential "winner".
I also have two US Bank cash + cards. If you consider 5% cash discount taken at the register qualifies for your list there is Lowes and the Target red card.