topic Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel in Credit Cards

FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 19:18:31 GMT

I am trying to determine which one of the above cards to target for application in 6-8 months (this summer). I am currently gardening as I have 3 accounts that are only a month old. I don't have any chance of approval at the moment (obviously). I am focused on the cash back rewards game. I PIF before every statement closing so my utilization remains low. Main focus for these is the gas rewards. I would prefer Visa since I get gas at Costco.

Citi Costco Visa is not an option, since I am piggybacking off my parents' membership to use the gas station

Brief Summary (FICO 8):

EQ: 714 - 3 INQ

EX: 717 - 8 INQ

TU: 732 - 1 INQ

Possible Advantages/Disadvantages:

FNBO Ducks:

Adv: Highest 5% CB rate on gas, sporting goods category for occasional purchase, Visa (use at Costco).

Dis: denied previously, very inq/new account sensitive, no SUB

PNC Cash Rewards:

Adv: 4% CB on gas, 3% on restaurants (can move my BOA to online shopping category), Visa (Costco gas), $100 SUB

Dis: Conservative bank, unknown chance of approval?

Wells Fargo Propel:

Adv: 3% on gas, 3% dining (move BOA to online shopping category), nice $200 SUB offer

Dis: Wells Fargo (shady bank), no Costco (Amex)

Leaning towards PNC because I am a little more optimistic about being approved. Can switch my BOA CR to online shopping and get an extra 1% on eBay, Aliexpress and use PNC for restaurants. $100 SUB makes up for 1% less than Ducks short term (on gas).

I would appreciate others' input on which one to target this summer with my profile. Thanks

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

wasCB14 — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 02:38:10 GMT

How much do you spend on gas per year? It takes a lot of spend for an extra 1%-3% to exceed a big bonus.

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 02:44:42 GMT

Estimated gas spend:
January - May,September - December: $90/mo
June - August: $400/mo (70 mi commute + visit girlfriend on weekends)

$2,010/yr estimated

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

M_Smart007 — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 02:47:50 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
How much do you spend on gas per year? It takes a lot of spend for an extra 1%-3% to exceed a big bonus.

After I had done some calculating, I am averaging about 4% return on Gas. The extra 1% does almost nothing.

OP, I would lean toward the PNC card as long as you are not geo-restricted.

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

wasCB14 — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 02:49:55 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Estimated gas spend:
January - May,September - December: $90/mo
June - August: $400/mo (70 mi commute + visit girlfriend on weekends)

$2,010/yr estimated

You have a good foundation of useful no-AF cards. I'd suggest you focus on big SUBs or other useful features.

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

wasCB14 — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 02:56:26 GMT

How often do you fly or stay in a hotel? Do you have one primary airline or hotel chain?

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 03:13:23 GMT

Does Ducks Unlimited require a yearly donation? If so, consider that an AF unless you would make the donation anyway.

PNC is a great card. Customer service is excellent. Do you live in the region? I've heard of some having issues with setting up online access without already having another account with them. But this may have been fixed.

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

kilroy8 — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 03:29:27 GMT

Propel is best of that lot.

You'd need to spend at least $4K to get enough to make up just the SUB on the others.

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 03:32:01 GMT

More details
I don't travel by air or stay at hotels, it isn't in the budget right now
I'm in southwest Ohio, there are PNC branches here everywhere
No Wells Fargo or FNBO

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 03:53:06 GMT

If a Ducks Unlimited membership is required, and the minimum membership fee is $35.00, you'll need to spend more than $3,500 in gas per year to take advantage of the extra 1% in gas over the PNC cash rewards card.

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

FinStar — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 07:02:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
If a Ducks Unlimited membership is required, and the minimum membership fee is $35.00, you'll need to spend more than $3,500 in gas per year to take advantage of the extra 1% in gas over the PNC cash rewards card.

There's no membership requirement to apply for the FNBO Ducks Unlimited card.

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

M_Smart007 — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 16:30:03 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
If a Ducks Unlimited membership is required, and the minimum membership fee is $35.00, you'll need to spend more than $3,500 in gas per year to take advantage of the extra 1% in gas over the PNC cash rewards card.
There's no membership requirement to apply for the FNBO Ducks Unlimited card.

Fin is correct and spot on, as usual

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 17:07:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Estimated gas spend:
January - May,September - December: $90/mo
June - August: $400/mo (70 mi commute + visit girlfriend on weekends)

$2,010/yr estimated

Remember everything you buy in a gas station should code as gas. Whether it's a large bottle of water, food (a lot of gas stations are take out joints like Rutters, Sheetz, Wawa, etc.), or even gift cards. The Wells Fargo I wouldn't use for my gas card because Amex is not as lenient as Mastercard or Visa when it comes to what they code as gas purchases...I know this from my Everyday Preferred and Sam's Club mastercard use. Personally if I was you I would opt for trying to get for the Ducks Unlimited Card again.

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 17:08:03 GMT

@M_Smart007 wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
If a Ducks Unlimited membership is required, and the minimum membership fee is $35.00, you'll need to spend more than $3,500 in gas per year to take advantage of the extra 1% in gas over the PNC cash rewards card.
There's no membership requirement to apply for the FNBO Ducks Unlimited card.
Fin is correct and spot on, as usual

If Fin didn't have that handle, my handle would have been Finster and not CardNut. Handle names would have been confusing. I get CreditInspired and CreditCuriosity mixed up lol.

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 20:25:46 GMT

Do you mostly get gas at Costco? If so the propel doesn’t make sense since you can’t use it there.

I’d lean towards the PNC card from that list.

Edited because I didn’t read all of the first post and mentioned the Costco Visa

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

CreditCuriosity — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 23:14:00 GMT

PNC is a solid card for your profile imo.. although a sign-up bonus cannot be coughed at either which both pnc/propel have. I would opt for PNC as visa vs. amex network and well it isnt WF and their crazy uw for some people.. PNC you got to have a solid profile or bank with or both as well though..

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

Taurus22 — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 06:43:24 GMT

This depends on several factors. As some have mentioned, a lot depends on your gas spend.

Spend bonuses are also a big boost, but collectively over time the 5% would eventually outrun the spend bonus of the PNC. If you would benefit more from the other PNC categories, then run with that 4% gas + spend bonus.

I have the Ducks Unlimited (no membership required, I cold app'ed during a 4-card spree) You get a solid dedicated 5% gas card, and......The 5% sporting goods category is nice if you spend on guns/ammo, etc. (which I do) Just a thought.

But for the record, since you are into cashback CC's like myself, I wouldn't settle for a 3% gas card....too many good options out there for 4-5%. Be patient and work your way up to it.

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 16:44:05 GMT

Bear in mind that if Ducks Unlimited is like NRA visa, then rewards can only be redeemed in $25 increments.

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

Anonymous — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 23:53:18 GMT

The PNC Cash Rewards card looks to be an excellent replacement for my recently closed Uber Visa. Unfortunately I live in Minnesota and am not able to apply online. 😕

Re: FNBO Ducks Unlimited vs PNC Cash Rewards vs Wells Fargo Propel

Anonymous — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 00:00:35 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
The PNC Cash Rewards card looks to be an excellent replacement for my recently closed Uber Visa. Unfortunately I live in Minnesota and am not able to apply online. 😕

What happens when you try? A message comes up and says, "Sorry, we don't want cardholders from Minnesota?"