topic Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories in Credit Cards

Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

xenon3030 — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 16:38:25 GMT

I was thinking to set this plan for my spending categories in 2019-Q1 (no frequent traveler, no gas, using uber/lyft):

Uber: USB Cash+ (10%, if buying Uber credit in advance).
Groceries: AMEX BCE (6%) --> Discover is only 5%.
Dining: USB cash+ (5%)?, Uber visa (4%), AMEX PRG (dining credit, 4X MR).
Drugstore: Chase Freedom (5%).
Amazon: Chase AMZ (5%).
Walmart: Walmart Sync (3%).
Online shopping: BOA Cash Rewards (3% --> gold tier:3.7%, pt tier: 4.5%, pt honor:5.2%)
Travel (not frequently): BOA PR (2% --> gold tier:2.5%, pt tier: 3%, pt honor:3.5%, covers travel insurance)
Bills (internet, etc): BOA PR (1.5% --> gold tier:1.9%,pt tier: 2.2%, pt honor:2.6%)
Mobile: Uber visa card (1%, phone protection/insurance).

Is there any card that can cover Samsung/Chase pay in 3-5% categories?

For dining, it might be better to use Uber (4%) and use 5% of USB cash+ in other categories. Suggestions?

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 16:55:38 GMT

Grocery: discover 10%, I'm in 1st year
Travel dining: wells propel+Visa sig 4.5%
Gas: Visa sig 7.5%, I'm in first 6mo
Amzn: amzn visa 5%
Others: Citi DC 2%

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

mongstradamus — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 17:27:42 GMT

@xenon3030 wrote:
I was thinking to set this plan for my spending categories in 2019-Q1 (no frequent traveler, no gas, using uber/lyft):

Uber: USB Cash+ (10%, if buying Uber credit in advance).
Groceries: AMEX BCE (6%) --> Discover is only 5%.
Dining: USB cash+ (5%)?, Uber visa (4%), AMEX PRG (dining credit, 4X MR).
Drugstore: Chase Freedom (5%).
Amazon: Chase AMZ (5%).
Walmart: Walmart Sync (3%).
Online shopping: BOA Cash Rewards (3% --> gold tier:3.7%, pt tier: 4.5%, pt honor:5.2%)
Travel (not frequently): BOA PR (2% --> gold tier:2.5%, pt tier: 3%, pt honor:3.5%, covers travel insurance)
Bills (internet, etc): BOA PR (1.5% --> gold tier:1.9%,pt tier: 2.2%, pt honor:2.6%)
Mobile: Uber visa card (1%, phone protection/insurance).

Is there any card that can cover Samsung/Chase pay in 3-5% categories?

For dining, it might be better to use Uber (4%) and use 5% of USB cash+ in other categories. Suggestions?

The one question I would have is why are you mixed and matching cash back and rewards points namely with Gold and BCE. If you really want to maximize your MR you should do at least groceries and restaurants at 4x. IMO 4x MR > 6% cash back. Same thing with restaurants 4x MR> 4 or 5% cash back. Also you should be at least comparing prices on Amex travel and airline website for 3x travel compared to boa card. To me if you are paying 250 AF for a card you should be using it to its max ability. If i were in your situation I would first decide do i want MR at all , if answer is no i would think about closing the gold card you have no use for it right now and are paying 250 AF on top of that. If the answer is yes to that question you should rotate some of your spending to take full advantage of MR accumulation.

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

xenon3030 — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 17:38:47 GMT

PRG 250$ AF looks to be covered almost by 120$ dining credit and 100$ airline credit. So, even if I don't plan to use it frequently and not a frequent traveler, I prefer to keep it.

For the moment, I prefer to count on cashback instead of MR.

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

NRB525 — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 03:54:09 GMT

I have to second the suggestion to look to the Gold first. That easily covers most of your dining and groceries. You could run Discover as groceries in Q1, for the easy 5%. The BCE Grocery capacity should be held for later in the year, especially if you might exceed the $6k. But then we get into cash vs points.

The Cash+ will only get 5% for Fast Food, not General dining. Use the Cash+ for cellphone and utilities categories unless you want to set it up for department stores or sporting goods. Use the Gold for dining

That’s fine if you cover the Gold AF by using the credits. The main reason for emphasis on using the Gold if you have the Gold is, when it is time to get an airline ticket, you need to have a bunch of MR points saved up. If you focus on a Cash back strategy you can get there too, but MR will be light.

I would suggest really thinking whether the Gold is something that will help you, or you are like me and you just like the way it looks.

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 04:40:16 GMT

@xenon3030 wrote:
PRG 250$ AF looks to be covered almost by 120$ dining credit and 100$ airline credit. So, even if I don't plan to use it frequently and not a frequent traveler, I prefer to keep it.

For the moment, I prefer to count on cashback instead of MR.

Covering the AF is not a great deal for a credit card, you are looking for large net positives. This means having a plan on how to use the MRs in a valuable enough way, or deciding that cashback is what you really need, and not bother to get MR cards with large fees that are just offset. Sure, the SUB may be enough the first year if that is the goal.

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 17:10:56 GMT

Restaurants/Groceries - Amex Gold

Gas/Travel - Citi Premier

Non category spend - Citi DC

Bills - Fidelity Visa

This is essentially my plan going into next year. Since I’m paying 250 for the gold mine as well maximize MR accumulation. I use my grandfathered Savor as backup when Amex isn’t accepted which is rare.

Regarding OP, you definitely should use the Gold at least for restaurants and groceries even if the credits almost offset the fee. I mean you are basically paying 30$ net fee for a card you rarely use. If you prefer cashback, you should drop MR earning cards imo unless you can successfully maximize Mr and cashback earnings. Personally, I like both. I don’t like putting all of my eggs in one basket as points can be devalued fast. All of my bonus spend consist of MRs and TY points while my non category spend is cash back.

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

Namaste7 — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 19:50:06 GMT

Grocery / Dining - AMEX Gold

Air / Hotel - AMEX Gold or Hilton

Car rental / Ride share / Bills - AMEX Hilton (spending bonus)

Non-cat - BBP

My AMEX backup is Disco (0% for 2019) and a 2% Visa.

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

HeavenOhio — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 03:29:21 GMT

OP, do you have the BCE or the BCP? Assuming the BCP and 6%, consider the card's annual grocery cap. If you're pretty certain to hit it, using Discover's 5% category could be useful. It'd beat falling back on 2% or whatever later in the year.

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 05:29:52 GMT

5% groceries= Discover
5% Utilities= U.S. Bank Cash +
5% Cell Phone= U.S.Bank Cash +
4% fuel= PNC Cash Rewards
3% Restaurants = PNC Cash Rewards
2% = Citi Double Cash for about everything else

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 06:01:22 GMT

Groceries: Wholefoods: 10% Square Cash, elsewhere BCP 6%

Travel: CSR 3UR

Gas/Drug Store: Freedom 5UR (Dividend back up for gas)

Eating: CSR 3UR/Uber 4%

Utilities: Cash+ 5%

Gym: Cash + 5%

Cell phone Cash + 5%

Everything else: Fidelity Visa 2%

Hoping for Chase Pay Q2 on Freedom....

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 06:20:27 GMT

Groceries: Disco 5% (10% first year)

Utilities: BBVA Compass ClearPoints 3%

Cell phone: BBVA Compass ClearPoints 3% (counts as utility)

Retail: BBVA Compass ClearPoints 2% (Amazon counts as retail so this is a decent perk)

Everything else on the cashRewards - 1.5% plus Member Mall bonus cash back whenever I can

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

xenon3030 — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 08:35:17 GMT

I have AMEX BCP, 6% for groceries.

USB Cash+ 5% --> ground transportation (Uber), phone (but no phone insurance).

Dining: PRG (MR 4x), Uber (4%).

Bills --> BOA PR.

PS: USB Cash+ categories seem weird, making it difficult to select the categories. It separated dep store and clothing store, Macy's in dep store, Express in clothing . Cannot use it for home utilities, need ACH only.

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 11:57:16 GMT

Would love to see more about how everybody is planning!

Almost had an heart attack thinking I can get 5%+ on my rental payment with USB cash+.... but....too good to be true ... lol

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

xenon3030 — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 13:33:58 GMT

For 10% on Uber, activate USB+ ground transport in 5% categories. Then, if you buy Uber credit e.g. 100$ in Uber app, Uber also gives 5% discount and charges you 95$. So, in total, ~10% :-)

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

NRB525 — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 15:00:02 GMT

@xenon3030 wrote:
For 10% on Uber, activate USB+ ground transport in 5% categories. Then, if you buy Uber credit e.g. 100$ in Uber app, Uber also gives 5% discount and charges you 95$. So, in total, ~10% :-)

That stack seems like it should also work with:

CSR = 3 UR plus 5% from Uber?

US Bank Altitude = 3 points ( 4.5%) plus 5% from Uber?

CSP = 2 UR plus 5%

New Hyatt = 2 Hyatt points plus 5%.....

Re: Q1 2019 planning for spending categories

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 07:32:11 GMT

Amex BCP - 6% Groceries

Chase Freedom - 5% Gas

Chase Amazon - 5% Amazon

USBank Cash+ - 5% Utilities and 5% Kohls (Dept Stores)

WF Propel - 3% Restaurants, 3% Travel, Cell Phone (Insurance)

Marvel MC- 3% Movie Theaters and Entertainment

Paypal MC/Biz Debit Combo - 2-3% Everything Else