topic Re: Should I keep amex gold after yr 1? in Credit Cards

Should I keep amex gold after yr 1?

Anonymous — Thu, 30 May 2019 06:52:44 GMT

I spend enough on groceries to keep it but I don't eat out alot. Maybe there's another grocery card besides the amex cards that max out at 6k a yr. Groceries are expensive in Hawaii. Everything is shipped to us.

Re: Should I keep amex gold after yr 1?

wasCB14 — Thu, 30 May 2019 07:01:54 GMT

What are MRs worth to you? Do you use the airfare extras credit or dining credits?

There is/was a variant of Amex Blue Cash that is informally called "Old Blue Cash" and is (or at least was) suitable for very high grocery spend. I don't know if it still exists (or if the reward structure has changed) but maybe someone else can weigh in.

Re: Should I keep amex gold after yr 1?

Anonymous — Thu, 30 May 2019 07:20:13 GMT

I use the dining credits didn't use the airline credit in the first year. I haven't seen another amex grocery card without the 6k yr spend.

Re: Should I keep amex gold after yr 1?

wasCB14 — Thu, 30 May 2019 07:59:06 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I use the dining credits didn't use the airline credit in the first year. I haven't seen another amex grocery card without the 6k yr spend.

How often do you fly? Any favored airline, or one you can't avoid using? Hawaiian and Delta are both MR partners, though Delta has a reputation of low mile value.

From Hawaii all your flights will be somewhat long, but are they usually economy or business/first class?

Re: Should I keep amex gold after yr 1?

Anonymous — Thu, 30 May 2019 13:25:01 GMT

There are a fair number of no-fee cards out there that give 2% on groceries. I have the TD Cash Visa, which isn't available nationally. There's is the Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card. It also has $200 cashback on your first $1000 spend and an interest free period.

If you look at groceries alone, and count the Amex points as 4 cents, by the time you've spent $6000 on groceries you're STILL $10 behind on the annual fee.

With a 2% card, the $6000 spend gives you $120

Re: Should I keep amex gold after yr 1?

Anonymous — Thu, 30 May 2019 15:52:32 GMT

BCE @ 3% no AF

BCP @ 6% $95 AF

If you wanted to get a higher cap you could combine the spend with the ED/EDP as well.

Re: Should I keep amex gold after yr 1?

Anonymous — Thu, 30 May 2019 17:00:51 GMT

If you don't travel at all, then I'm not sure the Gold is right for you or worth keeping. You likely would do better with the BCE/BCP or ED/EDP combos as mentioned above. The ED cards have the 20 swipe bonus going for them as well. Once you've reached the $6K limit on one, switch to the other. At least it's much easier to offset the $95 AF versus $250. However, if you cannot find use for MRs. Then you may want to stick with the Cash cards. I would research both combos to see which on works out best for you.

You could also look into Chase Trifecta, but it would take a little longer to get all 3 cards with them compared to Amex.

What other cards do you have?

Re: Should I keep amex gold after yr 1?

FicoGuy2019 — Thu, 30 May 2019 17:01:47 GMT

Gold 4x on groceries and dining doesn't cap out until $25k?

Re: Should I keep amex gold after yr 1?

Anonymous — Thu, 30 May 2019 17:31:31 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
What are MRs worth to you? Do you use the airfare extras credit or dining credits?

There is/was a variant of Amex Blue Cash that is informally called "Old Blue Cash" and is (or at least was) suitable for very high grocery spend. I don't know if it still exists (or if the reward structure has changed) but maybe someone else can weigh in.

OBC still exists but is not available for new customers (or PCs AFAIK). 5% up to $50K per year, after initial $6,500 threshold spend on anything.

Re: Should I keep amex gold after yr 1?

Anonymous — Thu, 30 May 2019 17:33:34 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
There are a fair number of no-fee cards out there that give 2% on groceries. I have the TD Cash Visa, which isn't available nationally. There's is the Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card. It also has $200 cashback on your first $1000 spend and an interest free period.

Well. there's also several free 2% general cards, such as PayPal MC, Fidelity, Citi Double Cash and others.