topic Re: Opinions on Future Cards? in Credit Cards

Opinions on Future Cards?

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 20:24:44 GMT

Hmm... This credit gardening is a sort of addicting hobby, keep glancing at the forum and trying to plan more in the future.

I plan to garden what I have for 6-12 months, or until my scores hit 770-780 or higher, whichever comes first, and stable. (Credit score remains solid 2-3 months over that)

Current cards are:
Chase Freedom Unlimited 1.5% CB
Discover IT 5% rotating CB, 1% else.
Paypal Cashback MC 2% CB (in conjunction with PPBD until it dies for 3%)

Thinking about it, I'm a little sad I didn't grab a regular Chase Freedom for another rotating 5% vs freedom unlimited, as daily will be my PPCB.. 2 > 1.5, so the CFU might get SD'd after the initial $150 bonus, maybe farmed for CLIs.

Anyway, any suggestions on your favorite high return cards? Anything with a no category 2% or better? Good rotating high %? Preferably without an annual fee, I know rewards can be mondo with them, just don't want that eating into potential rewards. I would, however, like to put an AmEx in my wallet, just to have all bases covered. I have a Visa, Mastercard, and Discover... So why not? Any good deals on AmEx without AF?

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

simplynoir — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 20:32:15 GMT

If we're talking strictly cashback and no AF the AMEX BCE is your only option. If you have a sizable grocery budget then it might be worth looking into.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 20:36:31 GMT

Not a huge grocery budget, roommate does most of the groceries, in trade, I do most of the tech and mechanic work. I noticed the US Bank Cash+ has selectable categories, anyone have experience with that?

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

wasCB14 — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 20:45:07 GMT

@simplynoir wrote:
If we're talking strictly cashback and no AF the AMEX BCE is your only option. If you have a sizable grocery budget then it might be worth looking into.

There's also Cash Magnet, and Schwab Investor for Schwab customers.

Not that either card is that great.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

simplynoir — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 20:52:02 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
@simplynoir wrote:
If we're talking strictly cashback and no AF the AMEX BCE is your only option. If you have a sizable grocery budget then it might be worth looking into.
There's also Cash Magnet, and Schwab Investor for Schwab customers.

Not that either card is that great.

I didn't include the Cash Magnet because OP already had the CFU, Schwab Investor I forgot about.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

coldfusion — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 21:04:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Not a huge grocery budget, roommate does most of the groceries, in trade, I do most of the tech and mechanic work. I noticed the US Bank Cash+ has selectable categories, anyone have experience with that?

Yes, a good number of readers here have it. If you have spend that aligns well with one of its 5% categories it's a useful card, although USBank has a well-deserved reputation for being very conservative. You also have to be aware of their unusual reporting schedule to the CRAs. Plenty of people start off with only a $500 SL.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

simplynoir — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 21:15:26 GMT

@coldfusion wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Not a huge grocery budget, roommate does most of the groceries, in trade, I do most of the tech and mechanic work. I noticed the US Bank Cash+ has selectable categories, anyone have experience with that?
Yes, a good number of readers here have it. If you have spend that aligns well with one of its 5% categories it's a useful card, although USBank has a well-deserved reputation for being very conservative. You also have to be aware of their unusual reporting schedule to the CRAs. Plenty of people start off with only a $500 SL.

Utilities alone should be enough to get it. Add cellphones for other 5% and whatever 2% category you want and it can be a nice driver for monthly bills.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 22:06:01 GMT

Look into the BBVA Compass ClearPoints card - it’s got a selectable 3% category that’s very broad (like utilities includes cable and cell in addition to regular utilities like water and electric) and a selectable secondary 2% category. You can change them quarterly.

The Langley Cash Back VISA has a rotating category as well (but it changes monthly instead of quarterly) which is 5% then 3% on gas, 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 22:23:48 GMT

Thank you for all the suggestions! Some good info coming in. Right now I'm leaning toward the US Bank Cash Card+, but then again, in 6-12 there might be better deals. The BBVA Compass ClearPoints card looks nice, but I noticed the points expire after 36 months.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 22:33:20 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Thank you for all the suggestions! Some good info coming in. Right now I'm leaning toward the US Bank Cash Card+, but then again, in 6-12 there might be better deals. The BBVA Compass ClearPoints card looks nice, but I noticed the points expire after 36 months.

I didn’t know they expired but since you can redeem any exact amount for a purchase or when you rack up $25, which is very easy to do with utilities or groceries, it’s not a big deal to me.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

Taurus22 — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 06:54:40 GMT

You have a good base with the Paypal 2% spend and the Discover 5% category.

I believe you can PC the Chase Ulimited to the Freedom after 12 months, but as I understand it, you would not get the spend bonus through PC'ing. Would be good to pair with the Discover though regardless.

Myself, I don't have military affiliation, I'm not a miles and points rewards person, I don't own a business, and I'm simply not a huge spender. Since I have a 2% spender, I prefer cashback cards with diversity, 3% and up.

Currently have: Citi DC 2% flat spend and Discover It 5% category

Adding: Chase Freedom - additional 5% category with spend bonus

Barclay Uber Visa - 4% restaurant/fast food, 3% airfare/hotels + spend bonus & no FTF

Citi Costco Anywhere Visa - 4% gas, 3% airfare/hotels, 2% Costco spend + no FTF

US Bank Cash+ - 5% x 2 category - (Cell Phone/Utilities) + spend bonus

Possible: BoA Cash rewards - 3% Online Shopping + spend bonus (hard to justify for this one category)

AmEx BCE - 3% Grocery + spend bonus (only to get in the door with AmEx, then 3xCLI)

With this combination, I'll pretty much cover every typical spending category useful to me without having to jump through excessive hoops and apply for 20+ cards. All of these are No AF, but Costco does require membership, so the rewards offset the annual Costco membership. Just as I'm on the fence with BoA (not really a fan of BoA) just for the 3% online shopping, I've also tried to justify the Fort Knox FCU card for the 5% gas, but again, I like the more diverse cards.....with Costco Anywhere I'll lose 1% on gas to cover 2 other categories. Worth it to me. Added note: Uber Visa and Costco have no FTF, so good travel cards along with the airfare, hotel, vacation rental homes, cruises, etc that they offer.

Just my $0.02

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

kdm31091 — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 12:02:13 GMT

I would say if there's no Amex that really meets your needs, there is no need to app for one just for the sake of having "all the bases covered". At least in the US, network is pretty much irrelevant. There isn't much advantage to having an Amex over any other network in most cases. Amex cards that are actually issued by Amex have some good purchase protections but you can find those on other bank cards too.

If you really want an Amex and want cash back, I would suggest their Magnet card for 1.5% back on everything. It's nothing groundbreaking, but IMO it's better than a BCE unless you have huge grocery spend (that isn't at Target or Walmart, which Amex doesn't consider groceries for purposes of the 3%).

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 12:26:22 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
I would say if there's no Amex that really meets your needs, there is no need to app for one just for the sake of having "all the bases covered". At least in the US, network is pretty much irrelevant. There isn't much advantage to having an Amex over any other network in most cases. Amex cards that are actually issued by Amex have some good purchase protections but you can find those on other bank cards too.

If you really want an Amex and want cash back, I would suggest their Magnet card for 1.5% back on everything. It's nothing groundbreaking, but IMO it's better than a BCE unless you have huge grocery spend (that isn't at Target or Walmart, which Amex doesn't consider groceries for purposes of the 3%).

Yeah, looking like I probably wont wallet an AmEx... Only other grocery store besides walmart is food lion, and their prices, at least mine, do not entice me to shop there regularly, even with "MVP" rewards. No target, so that is a non-issue.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 16:01:18 GMT

@Taurus22 wrote:
You have a good base with the Paypal 2% spend and the Discover 5% category.
I believe you can PC the Chase Ulimited to the Freedom after 12 months, but as I understand it, you would not get the spend bonus through PC'ing. Would be good to pair with the Discover though regardless.

Myself, I don't have military affiliation, I'm not a miles and points rewards person, I don't own a business, and I'm simply not a huge spender. Since I have a 2% spender, I prefer cashback cards with diversity, 3% and up.

Currently have: Citi DC 2% flat spend and Discover It 5% category
Adding: Chase Freedom - additional 5% category with spend bonus
                Barclay Uber Visa - 4% restaurant/fast food, 3% airfare/hotels + spend bonus & no FTF
                Citi Costco Anywhere Visa - 4% gas, 3% airfare/hotels, 2% Costco spend + no FTF
                US Bank Cash+ - 5% x 2 category - (Cell Phone/Utilities) + spend bonus
Possible: BoA Cash rewards - 3% Online Shopping + spend bonus (hard to justify for this one category)
                 AmEx BCE - 3% Grocery + spend bonus (only to get in the door with AmEx, then 3xCLI)

With this combination, I'll pretty much cover every typical spending category useful to me without having to jump through excessive hoops and apply for 20+ cards. All of these are No AF, but Costco does require membership, so the rewards offset the annual Costco membership. Just as I'm on the fence with BoA (not really a fan of BoA) just for the 3% online shopping, I've also tried to justify the Fort Knox FCU card for the 5% gas, but again, I like the more diverse cards.....with Costco Anywhere I'll lose 1% on gas to cover 2 other categories. Worth it to me. Added note: Uber Visa and Costco have no FTF, so good travel cards along with the airfare, hotel, vacation rental homes, cruises, etc that they offer.

Just my $0.02

I hadn't even thought about a PC... A quick google around comes up with a mixed bag of requirements. Some say you have to wait 1 year, yet others say you only have to wait if you are moving to a higher AF card as per the CARD act. One poster had said they waited only 2 months to PC from CF to CFU. Shot Chase's secure messages department a query about it, I'll update with their response.

Edit: They're pretty fast, they confirmed it's a year. Means I got a reminder to set! They said I could apply for the other one... Nah, I'll grab the US Bank Cash+ as my next app in the coming future.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

Taurus22 — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 17:35:24 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
I would say if there's no Amex that really meets your needs, there is no need to app for one just for the sake of having "all the bases covered". At least in the US, network is pretty much irrelevant. There isn't much advantage to having an Amex over any other network in most cases. Amex cards that are actually issued by Amex have some good purchase protections but you can find those on other bank cards too.

If you really want an Amex and want cash back, I would suggest their Magnet card for 1.5% back on everything. It's nothing groundbreaking, but IMO it's better than a BCE unless you have huge grocery spend (that isn't at Target or Walmart, which Amex doesn't consider groceries for purposes of the 3%).

Just wanted to point out.....I think you're correct about your point regarding "having all bases covered".....not really a factor. However, as I mentioned before, AmEx is extremely generous with the 3xCLI. If you app with BCE just to have grocery spend (obviously no Walmart or Target), let's say the SL is 4k.....that could easily become 12k rather quickly which would be a boost to overall CL and UT%. If the SL were by chance 8k, that could be a 24k boost. That's why it is on my goal list as well.....simply for that purpose. But the Cash Magnet as you mentioned, would end up being a redundant card since the OP already has the 2% Paypal......at least the BCE would offer a new grocery facet to his collection without having to SD a redundant card.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

kdm31091 — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 00:27:53 GMT

@Taurus22 wrote:
@kdm31091 wrote:
I would say if there's no Amex that really meets your needs, there is no need to app for one just for the sake of having "all the bases covered". At least in the US, network is pretty much irrelevant. There isn't much advantage to having an Amex over any other network in most cases. Amex cards that are actually issued by Amex have some good purchase protections but you can find those on other bank cards too.

If you really want an Amex and want cash back, I would suggest their Magnet card for 1.5% back on everything. It's nothing groundbreaking, but IMO it's better than a BCE unless you have huge grocery spend (that isn't at Target or Walmart, which Amex doesn't consider groceries for purposes of the 3%).
Just wanted to point out.....I think you're correct about your point regarding "having all bases covered".....not really a factor. However, as I mentioned before, AmEx is extremely generous with the 3xCLI. If you app with BCE just to have grocery spend (obviously no Walmart or Target), let's say the SL is 4k.....that could easily become 12k rather quickly which would be a boost to overall CL and UT%. If the SL were by chance 8k, that could be a 24k boost. That's why it is on my goal list as well.....simply for that purpose. But the Cash Magnet as you mentioned, would end up being a redundant card since the OP already has the 2% Paypal......at least the BCE would offer a new grocery facet to his collection without having to SD a redundant card.

The issue is that is one's grocery spend enough that they will reach the redemption threshold in a timely enough manner to make it worthwhile? If you're literally only using the card for groceries, you have to spend ~$800 on them before you have enough to cash out. May not be worth it for everyone, but who knows

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

HeavenOhio — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 00:48:20 GMT

If you're trying to meet a sign-up bonus on a category card, you're generally going to include charges that yield 1% rewards.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 02:25:29 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Thinking about it, I'm a little sad I didn't grab a regular Chase Freedom for another rotating 5% vs freedom unlimited

How about a potential PC to the Freedom if that card suits you better?

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 02:30:02 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:

Thinking about it, I'm a little sad I didn't grab a regular Chase Freedom for another rotating 5% vs freedom unlimited
How about a potential PC to the Freedom if that card suits you better?

That's my plan after my first year is up and Chase lets me.

Re: Opinions on Future Cards?

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 02:34:15 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
That's my plan after my first year is up and Chase lets me.

Are you sure you need to wait a year? I did my PC(s) around 10 months I believe, as I wanted to avoid the AF hitting on my CSP. I went CSP --> CS --> Freedom.