topic Re: Advice on Future Cards in Credit Cards

Advice on Future Cards

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:05:29 GMT

Looking for some advice. Need to note, I'm not on a timeline and am in no rush to apply for anything, so you can ignore my scores. But, I do want to plan out my card future as I rebuild, including possible order of apping for efficiency. My goal is to have less than 10 cards total, the fewer, the better. I'm not against opening a card to get my foot in the door and close it later, or to combine or PC at a later date. I'm ok parking money in a new bank account if I need to. My focus will be cashback as I only travel maybe 4 times a year, Vegas accounting for half of those. I'm not against a travel card and would be ok with having one on hand. Dining and grocery is huge. With my weird work hours take out and delivery (doordash, uber eats, etc.) are the norm. A good balance transfer/0% card on deck would also be a plus for larger purchases.

Here's what I have along with my plans for them:

- Cap1 QS1 - oldest tradeline by 8 mos. Was planning to PC to Savor1 or combine into QS

- Cap1 QS - Probably bucketed. Let it grow or combine

- PlayStation - I use it for all my gaming purchases and subscriptions. I'm ok closing it

- Kohl's - rebuilding card. I have almost no use for it other than to buy converse and InstantPots

- Target - 2nd oldest. Have a Target 2 blocks from my house so it gets regular use

- Discover 5% - secured. Will keep unless I get a new Discover, then combine once unsecured

- NFCU Cash Rewards - keep for NFCU history

- PayPal 2% - approved today

Here's the cards I have my eyes on:

- Amex Blue Cash - not sure which

- Amex PRG - a milestone card for me as I lost it years ago. Ok with throwing away the money for AF if I don't use it enough

- Cap1 Savor1

- Barclay Uber

- U.S. Bank Cash+ - like the idea of picking my own categories

- NFCU Amex Rewards

- Chase Southwest

- BofA Notre Dame Cash Rewards - go Irish! Will have no matter what

- Barclay NFL - only way to get my team on a card. Will have no matter what

Should also note that I dont care for Citi, but I'm not opposed to adding them again. Would rather not though. I havent really looked at BT/0% offer cards. Would also possibly like a gas card as I have suffered fraud at a pump.

Thanks

Re: Advice on Future Cards

AverageJoesCredit — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 00:44:31 GMT

I'd recomend finding at least one very good low apr card just in case of whatever. I found mine through Langley Federal with a 8.75% apr and by getting one with a CU, you may open up possibilities to other products they may offer. Just a thought

Re: Advice on Future Cards

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 04:03:31 GMT

I would combine the Cap One cards into the QS for the 1.5% general spend. I would eliminate the Savor 1 at this point if you are planning for the BCE/BCP, Cash+, and Uber. You would still get 3-6% on groceries, have a 2-3% on gas, and have 4-5% on eating out. Having the Savor 1 added would just be redundant.

Re: Advice on Future Cards

NRB525 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 04:24:29 GMT

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn’t Capital One allow you to put a custom / personalized image on your card?

Do you have an estimate when you will be able to apply for an AMEX?

Do you have a US Bank checking account? Considered their secured card to start working toward the Cash+ ?

Re: Advice on Future Cards

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 04:36:56 GMT

1. If CapOne won't let you get out of QS1 AF (waived or PC), I would combine with QS then PC to Savor1. If they grant you PC to Savor1, combine QS into it. If they grant you PC to another QS, then combine youn QS into it and PC to Savor1. I would not take 3 pulls for a new Savor1 especially with Uber on your wish list.

2. I would add 5% Freedom to compliment Discover and Cash+.

3. I would look into a 2%+ card for general spending, of course one of the candidates would be Citi DC.

4. If you plan to spend more than $3,166.66666667 on grocery, get BCP, otherwise BCE.

5. Boo Irish.

Re: Advice on Future Cards

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 04:59:11 GMT

@AverageJoesCredit wrote:
I'd recomend finding at least one very good low apr card just in case of whatever. I found mine through Langley Federal with a 8.75% apr and by getting one with a CU, you may open up possibilities to other products they may offer. Just a thought

That's one of the reasons I made the thread. In case there are some hidden gems out there that people can recommend. The feedback I'm really looking forward to is in regards to BT/0% offer cards.

Re: Advice on Future Cards

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 04:51:21 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I would combine the Cap One cards into the QS for the 1.5% general spend. I would eliminate the Savor 1 at this point if you are planning for the BCE/BCP, Cash+, and Uber. You would still get 3-6% on groceries, have a 2-3% on gas, and have 4-5% on eating out. Having the Savor 1 added would just be redundant.

There are two reasons I'm keeping the Savor1 an option.

1. I'm hoping to PC one of my QS to it.

2. I'm a little iffy with Barclay. I don't have to worry about Cap1 slashing limits or balance chasing me if I charge close to my limit for a big purchase.

Re: Advice on Future Cards

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 04:58:34 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn’t Capital One allow you to put a custom / personalized image on your card?

Do you have an estimate when you will be able to apply for an AMEX?

Do you have a US Bank checking account? Considered their secured card to start working toward the Cash+ ?

1. Yes, but nothing licensed. I've already tried. They also denied me putting the stadium on a card.

2. When I did a test application to see if I was still blacklisted, I was denied for fico score being too low. Hence the 640 goal score in my sig. Once I hit that number on Experian, I need to start getting my ducks in a row for the entry level Amex cards.

3.I don't have an account, but my wife does. I've held off opening an account until my profile and score are better. I would like to re-use the HP for account opening for cards as well. But being as conservative as they are, they're on the back burner. If I get the secured, could I PC to a Cash+? I know it will be another HP. I guess I could open an account and get a secured as they are one of the few banks that value relationships.

Re: Advice on Future Cards

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 05:41:18 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
1. If CapOne won't let you get out of QS1 AF (waived or PC), I would combine with QS then PC to Savor1. If they grant you PC to Savor1, combine QS into it. If they grant you PC to another QS, then combine youn QS into it and PC to Savor1. I would not take 3 pulls for a new Savor1 especially with Uber on your wish list.

2. I would add 5% Freedom to compliment Discover and Cash+.

3. I would look into a 2%+ card for general spending, of course one of the candidates would be Citi DC.

4. If you plan to spend more than $3,166.66666667 on grocery, get BCP, otherwise BCE.

5. Boo Irish.

1. I wasn't planning to take pulls. It's one of those either I get PC'd in or I don't get it.

2. EDITED: Just checked my reports. I'm 4/24, but my scores aren't high enough and my profile isn't clean enough to get in with chase yet.

3. What other ones are out there?

4. What if I only plan to spend $3,166.666666?

5. Kiss your mother with that mouth?

Re: Advice on Future Cards

shoegal — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 06:15:05 GMT

For the 2% cards, I really like my PayPal Mastercard and it grew quickly.

My DH has the PenFed 2% power cash ~~but he doesn’t like the $25 redemption.~~

Marvel MasterCard could be a good dining/entertainment card for you.

Re: Advice on Future Cards

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 05:55:27 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
3. What other ones are out there?

4. What if I only plan to spend $3,166.666666?

3. Shoegal already mentioned 2, there is also Aliant Signature, 3% no AF for the first year, 2.5% but with $59 AF after, you will need to calculate if you have enough general spending to break even but that 3% 1st year is pretty sweet. I have the PCR, redemption is actually $5 with $5 increment, you do have to maintain their checking account to get 2% (otherwise 1.5%), you will need to DD $500 or daily average $500 balance to avoid the $10 monthly fee, you can also get 2% without checking account if in military. PayPal MC I like and might be switching to it from PCR, 3% used in conjunction with PP 1% debit card.

4. BCE obviously.

Re: Advice on Future Cards

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 06:07:22 GMT

@Anonymous

4. If you plan to spend more than $3,166.66666667 on grocery, get BCP, otherwise BCE.

Since the OP has the Discover IT card, which gives 5% on groceries for one quarter, the cutoff point between BCP and BCE is $3800 a year.

Re: Advice on Future Cards

shoegal — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 06:17:32 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
3. What other ones are out there?

4. What if I only plan to spend $3,166.666666?

3. Shoegal already mentioned 2, there is also Aliant Signature, 3% no AF for the first year, 2.5% but with $59 AF after, you will need to calculate if you have enough general spending to break even but that 3% 1st year is pretty sweet. I have the PCR, redemption is actually $5 with $5 increment, you do have to maintain their checking account to get 2% (otherwise 1.5%), you will need to DD $500 or daily average $500 balance to avoid the $10 monthly fee, you can also get 2% without checking account if in military. PayPal MC I like and might be switching to it from PCR, 3% used in conjunction with PP 1% debit card.

4. BCE obviously.

Very true! I’m not an AU on that card so I took the DH at his word. Lol never doing that again. 😂

Re: Advice on Future Cards

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 06:29:45 GMT

Trust and verify

Re: Advice on Future Cards

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 14:02:14 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
3. What other ones are out there?

4. What if I only plan to spend $3,166.666666?

3. Shoegal already mentioned 2, there is also Aliant Signature, 3% no AF for the first year, 2.5% but with $59 AF after, you will need to calculate if you have enough general spending to break even but that 3% 1st year is pretty sweet. I have the PCR, redemption is actually $5 with $5 increment, you do have to maintain their checking account to get 2% (otherwise 1.5%), you will need to DD $500 or daily average $500 balance to avoid the $10 monthly fee, you can also get 2% without checking account if in military. PayPal MC I like and might be switching to it from PCR, 3% used in conjunction with PP 1% debit card.

4. BCE obviously.

I have a penfed locally, but ive heard that your reports have to be pretty squeaky clean to get approved for their cards which wouldn't be the case for me for a few more years.

Making the $59 af at 2.5% is easy on just my storage and cable bill. I'll check them out, but I just noticed the signature part so it may be a while before I can get that also.

Re: Advice on Future Cards

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 14:04:03 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous

4. If you plan to spend more than $3,166.66666667 on grocery, get BCP, otherwise BCE.

Since the OP has the Discover IT card, which gives 5% on groceries for one quarter, the cutoff point between BCP and BCE is $3800 a year.

Shouldn't be an issue as I can use the quarter to buy gift cards.

Re: Advice on Future Cards

xaximus — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 14:44:05 GMT

Depending on how much Gas you use - I'd recommend adding the NRA/Ducks Unlimited card - 5% on any gas.

Example - I'm spending around 200-300 on gas per month, average out to 2400-3600 a year. My CB will be 120-180 for the year. For me, that's worth it.

As far as your list - Blue Cash ED is good, don't need Savor as the Uber card is better. If you don't travel alot, I wouldn't get the Chase SW card, probably look into the CSP if anything.

Cap1 cards - Combine and throw a small charge on it every month.

Disco - good card based on quarterly categories, grows quickly (definitely a keeper)

The other cards - I would keep since you are using them. Also look into the Paypal 2% CB card, good alternative to Citi DC. PRG is good for travel so I'd stick with that. US Bank Cash - throw your utilities/phone bill on it and get 5% CB, great card for that.

Re: Advice on Future Cards

NRB525 — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 14:51:43 GMT

State Department FCU has a 2% card. Chip+PIN available if that is of interest. No FTF, no AF. It might require going through their secured card first, to build a relationship but the end result is a good card.

Same with US Bank. If you start now letting them know you, that pays off later.

Re: Advice on Future Cards

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 14:55:33 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
State Department FCU has a 2% card. Chip+PIN available if that is of interest. No FTF, no AF. It might require going through their secured card first, to build a relationship but the end result is a good card.

Same with US Bank. If you start now letting them know you, that pays off later.

I wonder If there are any data points about someone with less than stellar credit getting a better card after going the secured route. Also, does anyone know if they will offer a secured card on denial?

Re: Advice on Future Cards

AverageJoesCredit — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 16:22:13 GMT

For BT's though you might find better rates etc, getting a card from Boa is a good investment. The ease to do bt to your own checking is a great feature. Ususlly lots of continuous offers as well.