topic Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for... in Credit Cards

Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:46:13 GMT

Ain't that just the pits? It's so boring not to have a "goal" and this gardening thing is for the birds!

I got my mortgage and closed last week, so I am free and clear to do what I wish now. Though, I can't think of any card that would be worth apping for. Perhaps I am just a FICO geek and don't want to take the point hit even if it is temporary.Though if there is something worthwhile, I'd rather do it now and let me average age grow.

For major cards I already have: Chase Freedom Plus, Discover More, BofA Amex, BofA Americard, PenFed

Store card: Target

Am I missing out on anything good for a PIF'er that only wants to rake in the rewards?

For store cards I have been contemplating Kohls...as I do a lot of shopping for home goods type of stuff at Kohls and they always ask me to apply at the register, but I'm not sure if their discounts for cardholders are anything better than the deals they always have at the store.

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:56:02 GMT

It's actually quite nice if you don't have anything that your cards don't cover. You can spend any dollar only once anyway .

As far as Kohl's is concerned, I believe their card discounts stack with their store discounts (this card is also on my short list of what I still want to get). I guess that's why the Kohl's and Macy's cards are so popular: They seem to really save money. At least if you don't start any unwarranted shopping sprees .

Message Edited by Ulan on 04-22-2009 06:56 PM

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

haulingthescoreup — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:52:04 GMT

Poor dear!

I don't have a Kohl's card, but my understanding is that they have great early-bird specials and discounts for card holders, unless they've changed recently. They do seem to be one of the better cards in terms of perks.

I envy you your nicely-tailored collection of cards. I have some duds that I really can't get rid of, after projecting out what would happen to my AAoA in 10 years if I were to close them. Of course, by then I'll probably be using credit for Depends and Ensure shakes, but it's the principle of the thing.

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:59:40 GMT

Well then maybe Kohl's is the way to go? Both of you seem to agree that it has nice perks. Thanks for the quick replies. I am pretty disciplined when I shop. I do splurge a little at times, but not on anything I didn't go into the store ready to purchase already, so I don't have to worry about overspending just because I get the card. Hehe.

I am pretty happy with the cards I have now. I chopped off my old crap cards...orchard and the likes and was also an AU on DF's Gap card, but after they chopped the limit down to $100 I told him to just close it before they closed it for him. It's still reporting on my reports though with the history just shown as closed at consumers request. Works for me.

Hauling...atleast if you are using credit for Depends and Ensure, you'll have a ripe old credit history to go along with it. Haha.

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:01:33 GMT

I have contemplated Macy's, too. Only because I've heard such awesome things about it and how fast it grows, but honestly, I don't shop at Macy's but once or twice a year so I feel like it might be a waste. Unless you get sales and other perks with that one too that I am unaware of?

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:05:40 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I have contemplated Macy's, too. Only because I've heard such awesome things about it and how fast it grows, but honestly, I don't shop at Macy's but once or twice a year so I feel like it might be a waste. Unless you get sales and other perks with that one too that I am unaware of?

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I go there, maybe, twice a year. But it's the same thing as with Kohl's: they offer lots of stackable discounts and sales for card members.

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Itsmeagain — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:06:55 GMT

I use my Macy's rewards for Depenz . . . .

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

haulingthescoreup — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:08:23 GMT

UpUpUp wrote:
I have contemplated Macy's, too. Only because I've heard such awesome things about it and how fast it grows, but honestly, I don't shop at Macy's but once or twice a year so I feel like it might be a waste. Unless you get sales and other perks with that one too that I am unaware of?

I've started doing a lot of online shopping with Macy's, or at least online window shopping (loading up my shopping bag), and I'm a little surprised that I'm not getting e-mails trying to get me to apply. For the online stuff, I'm not seeing anything entrancing about the card. And the nearest store is 200 miles away, so whatever goodies happen at checkout, I'm not likely to see them.

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:14:34 GMT

I have 8 Macy's stores in a few miles radius, so that would not be a problem. I just hardly ever shop there. I miss Robinsons-May, which Macy's bought.

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

MsKiwi — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:32:08 GMT

My dd has a Kohl's card and loves it. A lot of their discounts you get by mail (10-50% off)

are based on your CL with them, but you get cli pretty quick. She loves the $$ back you get with buying from them.

Her scores at the time were high 600- low 700's.

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:56:42 GMT

I have a Kohls card and I love it! I hardly ever shop in store even though there is one 10 min. away, I always shop online for a much bigger selection. I get coupons in the mail all the time ranging from 10% - 30% off which can be used with the already sale prices and percents off that are going on so it's quite a deal. They also have a MVC club which if you spend $600 ( I think) a year, you get even more discounts and also a couple times a year a link to a special website just for the MVC members which has incredible buys! Hope this helps!

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

brother7 — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:43:20 GMT

If you're into cashback cards, consider the Schwab Bank Invest First Visa Signature card. Ever since I found out it gives 2% cashback on EVERYTHING, I've been recommending it to everyone I know.

I think they pull EX and my EX report ain't so hot, so I've been holding back from pulling the trigger.

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:50:11 GMT

Thanks to all for the last 3 posts. I think I will look to Schwab if the Chase Freedom Plus card benefits are discontinued or cut back. For now, I'm raking in a ton on that card, I get 3% on nearly everything purchase and then I hold off on redeeming to get the bonus $50 added to my cash back check. $750 in free cash in less than a year is an awesome deal if you ask me. I LOVE that card. However, I am just waiting for them to cut back the rewards structure on it.

As for Kohl's I think it may be the way to go. I will wait until BofA updates at the beginning of the month. They "adjusted" both of my CL's - one was CLD and the other was CLI. Basically they took $4k from the card I used just a little bit and moved it to the card I use a lot more. I'm not upset by it, but it was a mid-month update and they caught me with about $5k in balances between the two cards. Tanked my scores and doesn't look good for a new app. so I'll wait a few weeks until things report a $0 balance again and then apply for Kohl's.

The Schwab 2% card is next in line when Chase cuts me off. Hehe!

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:25:09 GMT

Keep in mind that, in order to make use of the rewards of the Schwab card, you need to have a brokerage account with them, which will incur its own costs. Of course, if you already use them as your investment solution, go ahead.

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:36:22 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Keep in mind that, in order to make use of the rewards of the Schwab card, you need to have a brokerage account with them, which will incur its own costs. Of course, if you already use them as your investment solution, go ahead.

Thanks for pointing that out. Haven't looked into it yet, but was not aware of that!

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

brother7 — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:40:47 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Keep in mind that, in order to make use of the rewards of the Schwab card, you need to have a brokerage account with them, which will incur its own costs.

From Schwab.com, "There is no fee to open and maintain an account at Schwab." See this page.

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

athensguy — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:47:40 GMT

I second the Schwab card. I just got one. Looks swanky. Driver's Edge has good rewards, especially the first year.

My goto cards are Schwab, Driver's Edge, and BP Visa (intended to replace with Penfed but got shot down).

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:50:08 GMT

@athensguy wrote:
I second the Schwab card. I just got one. Looks swanky. Driver's Edge has good rewards, especially the first year.

My goto cards are Schwab, Driver's Edge, and BP Visa (intended to replace with Penfed but got shot down).

I thought about Drivers Edge, too. Atleast I think I looked at that one, it's a Citi card right?

You got shot down by PenFed with a 784 EQ?

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

athensguy — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:51:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@athensguy wrote:
I second the Schwab card. I just got one. Looks swanky. Driver's Edge has good rewards, especially the first year.

My goto cards are Schwab, Driver's Edge, and BP Visa (intended to replace with Penfed but got shot down).
I thought about Drivers Edge, too. Atleast I think I looked at that one, it's a Citi card right?
You got shot down by PenFed with a 784 EQ?

It was 798 at the time. I wanted an individual card and I have a joint mortgage that my income is not enough to cover alone, so they said I was overextended.

Re: Have the app itch, but nothing to apply for...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:56:48 GMT

@brother7 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Keep in mind that, in order to make use of the rewards of the Schwab card, you need to have a brokerage account with them, which will incur its own costs.
From Schwab.com, "There is no fee to open and maintain an account at Schwab." See this page.

No, but there are minimum balance requirements (except for retirement accounts), additional account requirements (depending on what account you choose) and potential other fees connected to this (I guess you want to do something with your required balance). It's not a bad card, if you actually want to use Schwab's main services.