topic Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards in Credit Cards

Help Me Optimize My Rewards

PNW_Hunter — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:03:25 GMT

Current Lineup:

Capital One QS: $4,750 limit

Amex BCP: $20k limit

Discover IT: $7,500 limit

Penfed Cash Rewards: $11,000 limit

Chase Freedom: $10,000 limit

Chase Sapphire: $5,000 limit

Chase Slate: $13,000 limit

I seem to have the 5% rotating catagory cards covered (not sure if Cash+ would benefit me too much, especially if it gets nerfed), as well as 5% on gas from Penfed, and 6% on groceries with the Amex BCP. The Chase Sapphire has been demoted to restaurants only, as I could not justify paying the AF for the CSP.

I have thought about the Citi DC, but that only gets me .5% more than my Cap1 QS, and it has a foreign transaction fee with no signup bonus. I'm also concerned it will eventually get nerfed to a 1.5% card...

I've thought about a travel/airline/hotel credit card as I travel frequently, but I don't hold any loyalties to any specific hotel chains.

Any cards you guys think I should look into to round out my reward offerings and to maximize rewards on large purchases? Or should I head over and join the garden?

I'll be doing a close-and-roll with my Chase Slate card in a couple of months.

My current Discover TU Fico is 756. I previously had a Discover TU Fico of 768.

2 inquirys on my reports from the Penfed and Slate card.

Thanks!

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:01:10 GMT

inb4 Sallie Mae

But no, really. Sallie Mae.

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:02:20 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
inb4 Sallie Mae

But no, really. Sallie Mae.

2 Sallie Mae's.

/thread.

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:05:41 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
inb4 Sallie Mae

But no, really. Sallie Mae.

Why?

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

PNW_Hunter — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:07:16 GMT

I do spend a good amount of money on amazon using my Prime account... that's the only advantage I can see to adding the Sallie Mae unless I go over my $6000 cap on grocery spending with Amex BCP.

Thanks for the replies!

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:08:14 GMT

@PNW_Hunter wrote:
I do spend A LOT of money on my amazon prime account...

OK, then the Sallie Mae makes sense, but the groceries and gas you have covered.

If you travel a lot, and want to do some more travel, you might want to look at the flexible point cards such as Amex MR/SPG, or Chase UR if they have partners you can use.

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

PNW_Hunter — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:10:04 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@PNW_Hunter wrote:
I do spend A LOT of money on my amazon prime account...
OK, then the Sallie Mae makes sense, but the groceries and gas you have covered.

If you travel a lot, and want to do some more travel, you might want to look at the flexible point cards such as Amex MR/SPG, or Chase UR if they have partners you can use.

Does the Sallie Mae make any distinction between 3rd party vendors or sold/fulfilled by amazon?

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:10:17 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@PNW_Hunter wrote:
I do spend A LOT of money on my amazon prime account...
OK, then the Sallie Mae makes sense, but the groceries and gas you have covered.

If you travel a lot, and want to do some more travel, you might want to look at the flexible point cards such as Amex MR/SPG, or Chase UR if they have partners you can use.

Chase Ink+

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:15:19 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
inb4 Sallie Mae

But no, really. Sallie Mae.
Why?

Amazon offers everything. Lol.

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

PNW_Hunter — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:18:44 GMT

Does Barclays give you 5% on amazon fulfilled orders, 5% on 3rd party vendors on amazon.com, or both? You make a very valid point on the grocery limits!

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:18:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
inb4 Sallie Mae

But no, really. Sallie Mae.
Why?
Amazon offers everything. Lol.

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.

Amazon GC's solve this problem.

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:21:31 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
inb4 Sallie Mae

But no, really. Sallie Mae.
Why?
Amazon offers everything. Lol.

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.
Amazon GC's solve this problem.

Ding ding ding!

The truth is, there are very few credit card rewards hunters out there who couldn't benefit from a little love from Ms. Sallie.

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

PNW_Hunter — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:21:56 GMT

Ok I think I will add the Sallie Mae card to my list of future cards.

Do you guys think the US Bank Cash+ card is still worth an app after getting nerfed, since they still have 5% on electronic stores such as bestbuy, department stores such as nordstroms (buy a lot of business clothes), and furniture stores? Those seem to be large, but infrequent purchases. Gym memberships could be helpful as well.

Is there a better card for those types of purchases?

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:22:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
inb4 Sallie Mae

But no, really. Sallie Mae.
Why?
Amazon offers everything. Lol.

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.
Amazon GC's solve this problem.

In most cases yes. However Amazon GC cannot be used to by other gift cards (which is what I mainly use SM for!)

For Target spend, Redbird is the way to go, as you get the 5% + whatever reward your cc gives you. (Sadly, BB doesn't do the same for Walmart)

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

PNW_Hunter — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:24:41 GMT

Also, do you think it would be better to go for something like the Penfed Travel Amex which gives 5 points/dollar on airline tickets, or the Amex Starwood/Mariott?

I haven't heard many people talk about the Penfed Travel Amex, but I know that the Starwood/Mariott are very popular.

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:25:59 GMT

@PNW_Hunter wrote:
Ok I think I will add the Sallie Mae card to my list of future cards.

Do you guys think the US Bank Cash+ card is still worth an app after getting nerfed, since they still have 5% on electronic stores such as bestbuy, department stores such as nordstroms (buy a lot of business clothes), and furniture stores? Those seem to be large, but infrequent purchases. Gym memberships could be helpful as well.

Is there a better card for those types of purchases?

Despite the trajectory that the US Bank Cash Plus seems to be taking lately, I still think it's a great card and worth having (see my Wish List in my signature). There are still some useful categories left (cell phone service), and unless the card later ends up picking up an AF, I can't imagine it being a card that could be a detriment to your arsenal. I do not know of a card that does a better job in the categories that you have listed, no.

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:32:24 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
inb4 Sallie Mae

But no, really. Sallie Mae.
Why?
Amazon offers everything. Lol.

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.
Amazon GC's solve this problem.
In most cases yes. However Amazon GC cannot be used to by other gift cards (which is what I mainly use SM for!)

For Target spend, Redbird is the way to go, as you get the 5% + whatever reward your cc gives you. (Sadly, BB doesn't do the same for Walmart)

But at Target, can't you use the Sallie Mae to refill the Redbird card and effectively get 5% back twice?

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:33:02 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
inb4 Sallie Mae

But no, really. Sallie Mae.
Why?
Amazon offers everything. Lol.

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.
Amazon GC's solve this problem.
In most cases yes. However Amazon GC cannot be used to by other gift cards (which is what I mainly use SM for!)

For Target spend, Redbird is the way to go, as you get the 5% + whatever reward your cc gives you. (Sadly, BB doesn't do the same for Walmart)
But at Target, can't you use the Sallie Mae to refill the Redbird card and effectively get 5% back twice?

Possibly, but the double dip actually only equates to 9.75% off.

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

PNW_Hunter — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:34:43 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
inb4 Sallie Mae

But no, really. Sallie Mae.
Why?
Amazon offers everything. Lol.

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.
Amazon GC's solve this problem.
In most cases yes. However Amazon GC cannot be used to by other gift cards (which is what I mainly use SM for!)

For Target spend, Redbird is the way to go, as you get the 5% + whatever reward your cc gives you. (Sadly, BB doesn't do the same for Walmart)
But at Target, can't you use the Sallie Mae to refill the Redbird card and effectively get 5% back twice?
Possibly, but the double dip actually only equates to 9.75% off.

Now we're talking!!!

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:35:18 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
inb4 Sallie Mae

But no, really. Sallie Mae.
Why?
Amazon offers everything. Lol.

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.
Amazon GC's solve this problem.
In most cases yes. However Amazon GC cannot be used to by other gift cards (which is what I mainly use SM for!)

For Target spend, Redbird is the way to go, as you get the 5% + whatever reward your cc gives you. (Sadly, BB doesn't do the same for Walmart)
But at Target, can't you use the Sallie Mae to refill the Redbird card and effectively get 5% back twice?
Possibly, but the double dip actually only equates to 9.75% off.

I'm aware, but that's still pretty dang terrific, lol.