topic Re: The "Best" CCs? in Credit Cards

The "Best" CCs?

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:54:13 GMT

I know a question like this is very much a YMMV questions, but I was curious:

What are in your opinion the best CCs to push for in terms of CL, APR, Benefits, Customer Service, Liquidity, etc.?

IMHO, I'm interested in trying to be one of the few people that obtained an AMEX Centurion Card or Chase Palladium Card (It's unlikely but a guy can dream).

More realisitically, I'd like to have single digit APR cards with High Five figure/Low Six Figure CLs and Cashback on everything.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

creditguy — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 14:02:17 GMT

"The Best" is a suggestive term and means different things to different people. Amex centurion and JP Morgan Palladium are over rated cards for most people and unattainable, and that's just fine to most people. More realistically your criteria is unrealistic. Six figure CL's with single digit APR? Let me know when you find this unicorn. You could try Simmons Bank they may fit your criteria but as usual everything is YMMV.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 14:26:29 GMT

Get your scores to 800s, you can have practically anything you want on your wish list. Except the Centurion..unless you spend an obscene amount of $$ annually and don't bark at their AF

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Samac — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 14:32:49 GMT

Whichever card works best for you is the best. That's really all there is to it.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Mattopotamus — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 15:54:43 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I know a question like this is very much a YMMV questions, but I was curious:

What are in your opinion the best CCs to push for in terms of CL, APR, Benefits, Customer Service, Liquidity, etc.?

IMHO, I'm interested in trying to be one of the few people that obtained an AMEX Centurion Card or Chase Palladium Card (It's unlikely but a guy can dream).

More realisitically, I'd like to have single digit APR cards with High Five figure/Low Six Figure CLs and Cashback on everything.

that is honeslty more income based. You have spend around 250K a year on a credit card, which means your income is high as the heavens.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Closingracer99 — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 16:06:41 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Get your scores to 800s, you can have practically anything you want on your wish list. Except the Centurion..unless you spend an obscene amount of $$ annually and don't bark at their AF

I can get the card with mt 750 scores but I don't have the spending to even get an invite..... Don't have the income to spend $300k in a month

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Septrosh — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 17:40:22 GMT

All CCs are the "best" to someone. Depends on your income, credit and what you consider important.

For me, my CSP and BCP are my most used cads.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Mattopotamus — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 18:33:45 GMT

For me the best credit card is the one I use everyday. Double Cash and amex ED are probably my favorites. The best thing about citi is when you make a payment or purchase something, the transactiions appear immediatly. I make a payment through the app and it immediatly shows "0" balance and the credit limit is retored to reflect it. Most other cards have at least a day lag.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

NRB525 — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 18:47:49 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I know a question like this is very much a YMMV questions, but I was curious:

What are in your opinion the best CCs to push for in terms of CL, APR, Benefits, Customer Service, Liquidity, etc.?

IMHO, I'm interested in trying to be one of the few people that obtained an AMEX Centurion Card or Chase Palladium Card (It's unlikely but a guy can dream).

More realisitically, I'd like to have single digit APR cards with High Five figure/Low Six Figure CLs and Cashback on everything.

If you decide to try for either Palladium or Centurion, they are good cards that can provide some interesting benefits. Your spend will need to be rather high, but in that case, the specific benefits can align.

The Centurion does come with hefty fees, but if you want the benefits, one has to pony up the fee. It's all just personal choice. And at spend rates associated with Palladium and Centurion, the finer nuances between points earned kind of gets lost in the bright lights of the fancy hotels.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Creditplz — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 18:50:26 GMT

Centurion card is a charge card so it'll have a NPSL, do you have a American Express now?. I believe you have to have a platinum and meet the spending requirement to even be considered.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 18:59:29 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I know a question like this is very much a YMMV questions, but I was curious:

What are in your opinion the best CCs to push for in terms of CL, APR, Benefits, Customer Service, Liquidity, etc.?

IMHO, I'm interested in trying to be one of the few people that obtained an AMEX Centurion Card or Chase Palladium Card (It's unlikely but a guy can dream).

More realisitically, I'd like to have single digit APR cards with High Five figure/Low Six Figure CLs and Cashback on everything.

Why Cashback? Do you have any Chase cards? Palladium would IMHO be easier to get because you can save money. Amex you have to spend Money... Are yoou just looking for a "Wow card"?

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 19:10:06 GMT

"If you decide to try for either Palladium or Centurion, they are good cards that can provide some interesting benefits. Your spend will need to be rather high, but in that case, the specific benefits can align.

It was the benefits that interested me, but my income and spending is nowhere near what they're looking for, so alas I can only dream.

I mean this is really cool:

The card, available for personal and business use, offers services such as a dedicated concierge and travel agent; complimentary companion airline tickets on international flights on selected airlines with the purchase of a full-fare ticket; personal shoppers at retailers such as Dot & Vic's, Gucci, Escada, and Saks Fifth Avenue; access to airport clubs; first-class flight upgrades; membership in Sony's Cierge personal shopping program and dozens of other elite club memberships.[3]

Hotel benefits include one free night, when at least one paid night is booked during the same stay, in every Mandarin Oriental hotel worldwide once a year[3] (except for the New York City property),[9] and privileges at hotel chains like Ritz-Carlton, Leading Hotels of the World, and Amanresorts. All of the benefits mentioned above are for United States-issued cards. American Express Centurion Cards issued in other countries may include different benefits. The card has amenities, including Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion status.

The card also features complimentary enrollment in Easirent Car Hire Platinum Service and the Avis Rent A Car (sic) President's Club.[10]

Initially it came with an extensive travel insurance all year round no matter how the trip was paid for but since 2012 this insurance is limited to trips which are paid with the card only. (In Australia, the insurance covers all trips, even if paid with another method or frequent flyer miles).

Plus, access to the Centurian Lounges in various US airports.

I like that the Green Card offers an extended warranty, which I have used on a few occassions.

"Centurion card is a charge card so it'll have a NPSL, do you have a American Express now?. I believe you have to have a platinum and meet the spending requirement to even be considered. "

I'm a green card holder. My career would have to skyrocket before I ever considered a Gold or Platinum card.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

SouthJamaica — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 20:33:16 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I know a question like this is very much a YMMV questions, but I was curious:

What are in your opinion the best CCs to push for in terms of CL, APR, Benefits, Customer Service, Liquidity, etc.?

IMHO, I'm interested in trying to be one of the few people that obtained an AMEX Centurion Card or Chase Palladium Card (It's unlikely but a guy can dream).

More realisitically, I'd like to have single digit APR cards with High Five figure/Low Six Figure CLs and Cashback on everything.

Usually, cash back and low interest don't go together. I personally am not aware of a single card that offers both.

I'm the kind of person that values a card that gives you low interest and low fees, and doesn't try to steer you towards spending money. So my favorite card is the Barclay Ring. If I had to give up all my cards but one, that's the one I'd keep.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 20:36:43 GMT

I feel as though all my cards are "the best" but only for my needs. I don't really care so much about prestige, but about the best for my needs. Though I think some would find a few of my cards as status symbols if they had them themselves. I never really got the credit card as a status symbol thing anyway.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 20:51:08 GMT

What really matters to me is rewards and benefits (extended warranty, return protection, rental car coverage, etc). These are the cards I value highly:

Discover it - Rolling categories plus access to Discover Deals. Great results using their extended warranty, return protection, and price protection benefits

Chase Ink Plus - 5x UR points on office supply stores is huge (also gets you 5x at Amazon and Ebay through gift cards)

Freedom Unlimited - Combined with Ink Plus for 1.5 UR points per dollar that can be tranferred

Everyday Preferred - 4.5x MR points groceries and 3x on gas

AT&T Access More - 3x TY points for all online purchases, use in combination with Prestige

Prestige - 4th night free benefit plus 3x TY points on travel and 2x on restaurants, Admirals club and priority pass lounge access, 1.6c per point on AA travel

Re: The "Best" CCs?

galahad15 — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 14:33:41 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I know a question like this is very much a YMMV questions, but I was curious:

What are in your opinion the best CCs to push for in terms of CL, APR, Benefits, Customer Service, Liquidity, etc.?

IMHO, I'm interested in trying to be one of the few people that obtained an AMEX Centurion Card or Chase Palladium Card (It's unlikely but a guy can dream).

More realisitically, I'd like to have single digit APR cards with High Five figure/Low Six Figure CLs and Cashback on everything.

I'm definitely with you on this lol; low, single-digit APR cards are the best, in mho If you want low-APR cards, i would highly recommend checking out themanwhocan's charts for cards with low APRs, some very good and comprehensive reading material there.

A few low-interest cards that I can remember off the top of my head, that have personally interested me in the past:

(1) Western/Unify FCU Variable-Rate VISA: as low as 5.24% V

(2) Apple FCU VISA: as low as 5.99% V

(3) Simmons Platinum VISA: 7.50% V

(4) Barclay Ring MC: 8.25% V

(5) Western/Unify FCU Fixed-Rate VISA: as low as 8.99% F

Re: The "Best" CCs?

galahad15 — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 15:06:58 GMT

@SouthJamaica wrote:

Usually, cash back and low interest don't go together. I personally am not aware of a single card that offers both.

I'm the kind of person that values a card that gives you low interest and low fees, and doesn't try to steer you towards spending money. So my favorite card is the Barclay Ring. If I had to give up all my cards but one, that's the one I'd keep.

Mostly agreed, but there are a few contemporary exceptions to that rule: the time-limited FNBO card offers from mid- and late-2015, for example where FNBO was offering an Amex card currently at 6.50% V with unlimited 1.5% cashback rewards from April - July I think of that year. Then there was the FNBO BucksBack VISA card that was offered until December 2015, presently at 11.25% V with unlimited 2% cashback. Sadly, the apps for those cards were time-limited, and so they are currently closed to new apps But it is card offers specifically like these that I regularly keep my eyes open for.

Personally, I think the idea that cashback cards that have low-interest are incompatible is a relatively new norm in the credit card world, that only really started happening a few years ago. As late as 2012, I received an offer for my Cap1 NHM Ultra MC, with 2% cashback on travel-related purchases, with an interest rate at the time of 9.9% V. Go-to interest rates were also significantly lower than they are today -- in the low double-digits, but still lower -- in say 2013-2014. It was also very easy to get single-digit APRs with rewards before the full implementation of CARD Act in 2009-2010. My theory is that the reason interest rates keep creeping upwards in today's credit card offerings is that as rewards rates go up, for example from the old norm of 1% to 2%, 3% or higher, etc., the card issuers keep increasing go-to rates accordingly. In the old days, where 1% rewards was the gold standard, you just didn't see the kind of high, double-digit APRs of up to 20% or higher that you see today, that are advertised as being for premium cards.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Anonymous — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 15:08:58 GMT

Most of what Themanwhocan suggests (link in my signature) paired with sign on bonus from time to time, and CU card for low rates. I'm enjoying 1.9% APR for 24 months right now but probably wont use it lol.

Also anything from BOA, Citi, Amex, or Chase Cobranded. Sams MC, UMB Simply Rewards

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Anonymous — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 15:15:33 GMT

@galahad15 wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:

Usually, cash back and low interest don't go together. I personally am not aware of a single card that offers both.

I'm the kind of person that values a card that gives you low interest and low fees, and doesn't try to steer you towards spending money. So my favorite card is the Barclay Ring. If I had to give up all my cards but one, that's the one I'd keep.
Mostly agreed, but there are a few contemporary exceptions to that rule: the time-limited FNBO card offers from mid- and late-2015, for example where FNBO was offering an Amex card currently at 6.50% V with unlimited 1.5% cashback rewards from April - July I think of that year. Then there was the FNBO BucksBack VISA card that was offered until December 2015, presently at 11.25% V with unlimited 2% cashback. Sadly, the apps for those cards were time-limited, and so they are currently closed to new apps But it is card offers specifically like these that I regularly keep my eyes open for.

Personally, I think the idea that cashback cards that have low-interest are incompatible is a relatively new norm in the credit card world, that only really started happening a few years ago. As late as 2012, I received an offer for my Cap1 NHM Ultra MC, with 2% cashback on travel-related purchases, with an interest rate at the time of 9.9% V. Go-to interest rates were also significantly lower than they are today -- in the low double-digits, but still lower -- in say 2013-2014. It was also very easy to get single-digit APRs with rewards before the full implementation of CARD Act in 2009-2010. My theory is that the reason interest rates keep creeping upwards in today's credit card offerings is that as rewards rates go up, for example from the old norm of 1% to 2%, 3% or higher, etc., the card issuers keep increasing go-to rates accordingly. In the old days, where 1% rewards was the gold standard, you just didn't see the kind of high, double-digit APRs of up to 20% or higher that you see today, that are advertised as being for premium cards.

There are a few folks around the forum that have a card with both competitive rewards and a low interest rate, but most of those cards were obtained prior to the CARD act, as you said. I agree that it makes sense the banks would raise interest rates on cards to compensate for more money they're "losing" on rewards.

Re: The "Best" CCs?

Anonymous — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 16:08:22 GMT

In the bay area, SF Fire CU has a Visa with 1% back on all purchases and a 7.5% APR with CLs up to 25k