topic Re: Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD? in Credit Cards

Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD?

UpNUp — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:45:01 GMT

Hello everyone!

I'm looking for a good all around rewards card (gas, groceries, everyday purchases). I don't care about interest rates because I PIF, and I refuse to pay any kind of monthly maintainance or annual fee. My FICO scores range between low to mid 700's and my credit reports are clean. I have a WAMU Platinum 3.5K limit 18 months old, Providian 8K limit 8 years old and a Lowes 2K limit 6 months old. Always pay in full and never, ever carry a balance.

Many thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Re: Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD?

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:30:24 GMT

I really like the PenFed platinum rewards visa. No annual fee, with 5% cashback for gas, 2% Groceries, and 1.25% for everything else. There is no limit or cap to the rewards you can earn.

My second fave that has no fee would be Discover.

Re: Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD?

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:17:16 GMT

Another cheer for the Penfed Platinum Cash Rewards card. For all the reasons stated above. But for also being a true no hassle card. Rewards are automatically credited back to your account monthly. No dealing with some pre-set threshold you must reach. A true workhorse card that simply saves you money.

Wanted to add in case you were unaware Pentagon Federal Credit Union requires membership. There are many ways to join free the easiest being that you know another member who would sponsor you in. However if you meet none of the free membership options you can join NMFA (National Military Families Association) for $20 right from the Penfed website. That brings the total for membership to $25 since you must open a $5 share account.

They pull upon membership so do not be shy about application you already took the hit and they use that pull for everything for up to 90 days. One warning they have a known dislike of many INQ's and new accounts.

Message Edited by shreco on 11-30-2008 08:17 PM

Re: Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD?

Phrostbyte — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:59:46 GMT

I personally think that PenFed is hands down the best... when I joined the MOAA was offering free one month trials so maybe they still have those.

Re: Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD?

Breakthecycle2 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:04:31 GMT

I hate to sa yit, but AMEX.

Re: Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD?

haulingthescoreup — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:26:00 GMT

I have PenFed and AmEx, and I think PenFed wins, hands down.

Re: Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD?

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:31:12 GMT

The caveat of course is that you need near pristine credit to get the penfed card. And if you have no military connections, you have to donate to some nonprofit on top of your $5.00 membership fee. Otherwise, go with Discover if you don't feel like holding off until your scores are near 690-700.

Offtopic: penfed made 1 inquiry for both my membership pull and credit card application. Those of you who got hit with two inquiries (I've only seen two such posts) got a raw deal.

Re: Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD?

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:18:27 GMT

There's also the Nasa credit union Visa Platinum with cashRewards:

http://www.nasafcu.com/l2.aspx?ci=1042

You qualify for membership by joining the National Space Society:

http://www.nasafcu.com/l2.aspx?ci=866

On another site some people have reported only one report being pulled while other people have reported all three reports being pulled.

Re: Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD?

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:27:32 GMT

Lake Michigan Credit Union cash back credit card --

https://www.lmcu.org/Loans/Credit.aspx

# Rate as low as Prime + 7.25% (variable)
# 3% cash back on gas purchases (up to $500 per month) or three Reward points on gas purchases.
# 2% cash back on all grocery purchases (unlimited) or two Reward Points on all grocery purchases.
# 1% cash back on all other purchases (unlimited) or one Reward Point on all other purchases.

Join through ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association) West Michigan Chapter donation -- Minimum $$ unknown ($ 5.00 ?)

http://webmi.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=MI_Donation_Page

Message Edited by MojaveMoon on 12-01-2008 06:27 AM

Re: Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD?

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:11:55 GMT

American Express True Earnings (Cash-back):

3% Gas

3% Restaurants

2% Travel

1% Everything else

Fidelity Visa Rewards Signature (Points):

1.5% Everything

*Redeemable for 1.5% cash-back

Re: Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD?

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:17:44 GMT

I would have to say the Chase Freedom Plus, hands-down. Must be the PLUS though to really get the benefits of the card. I earned the $250 cashback check after only 5 months. So I figure in a year I'll get back $500 in cash back, that makes the $30 membership fee well worth it. PenFed would be great if you travel by car nonstop and can rack up the money in 5% back on gas, otherwise 2% on groceries and 1.25% on other things doesn't compare to what I can do with the Freedom PLUS.

Discover More has been a great one, too. Particularly if you shop online their rewards for online shopping are FANTASTIC. Can't beat 'em.

Message Edited by UpUpUp on 12-01-2008 10:17 AM

Re: Any suggestions for a good REWARDS CARD?

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:32:40 GMT

Schwab now has a new card. It's a Visa Signature with unlimited 2% cash back: link

FAQ: link

Message Edited by MojaveMoon on 12-01-2008 09:32 PM