topic Re: Which Card to use? in Credit Cards

Which Card to use?

Kinglord — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 17:34:44 GMT

Ok all, I have a number of different cards, some of which I use for very specific purchases. Can anyone share resources that can povide the best choic of card to use in a certain scenario? I think my most important question, what is the best card to use for my monthly bills, including Rent. Has anyone used Plastiq to pay their rent? I am currently going to push most to my new AMEX Plat to secure my signup bonus, but here is where I am now. Current cards are in signature as well.

Costco/Gas - CITI Costco

Grocery Stores/Streaming services - AMEX BCP

Rotating 5% Back - Discover

Amazon - AMEX Business Prime 5% back

Re: Which Card to use?

Drifter73 — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 19:15:13 GMT

Costco/Gas - CITI Costco

I noticed you selected Costco for gas. Which is a 4%cb gas card, but restricted to ONLY Costco pumps.

(Correction - costco = 4%cb worldwide up to $7k per yr.)

I was actually researching gas cards last night and the best one I found so far is the newest offer from SamsClub, which is offering 5%cb up to $6k each year at any gas station that accepts Mastercard. So, it's not restricted to club locations with long lines like Costco's is.

Unfortunately I can't offer advice on rent because my situation is unique being a full time RVer. I pay monthly at RV parks to park my 2021 alpha wolf bunkhouse travel trailer and can use any cb card that covers anything with no restrictions or has cb for campgrounds/travel. It allows me to save $15 to $35 per mo. On rent. Campgrounds in my current area are between $300 and $550 per month, which includes water, wifi, Sewage, cable, spot to park, fishing pond, pool, jacuzzi, and more. Electric is billed separately at 14c per kwh.

Re: Which Card to use?

arunkumarmm — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 18:29:09 GMT

@Kinglord wrote:
Ok all, I have a number of different cards, some of which I use for very specific purchases. Can anyone share resources that can povide the best choic of card to use in a certain scenario? I think my most important question, what is the best card to use for my monthly bills, including Rent. Has anyone used Plastiq to pay their rent? I am currently going to push most to my new AMEX Plat to secure my signup bonus, but here is where I am now. Current cards are in signature as well.

Costco/Gas - CITI Costco
Grocery Stores/Streaming services - AMEX BCP
Rotating 5% Back - Discover
Amazon - AMEX Business Prime 5% back

Utilities - USBank Cash+ and/or Elan MCP

I been using My/DW's BoA CCR with 3% category set to online shopping for paying my Rent and it was getting 3%

Re: Which Card to use?

dragontears — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 18:31:00 GMT

@Drifter73 wrote:
Costco/Gas - CITI Costco

I noticed you selected Costco for gas. Which is a 4%cb gas card, but restricted to ONLY Costco pumps.

I was actually researching gas cards last night and the best one I found so far is the newest offer from SamsClub, which is offering 5%cb up to $6k each year at any gas station that accepts Mastercard. So, it's not restricted to club locations with long lines like Costco's is.

Unfortunately I can't offer advice on rent because my situation is unique being a full time RVer. I pay monthly at RV parks to park my 2021 alpha wolf bunkhouse travel trailer and can use any cb card that covers anything with no restrictions or has cb for campgrounds/travel. It allows me to save $15 to $35 per mo. On rent. Campgrounds in my current area are between $300 and $550 per month, which includes water, wifi, Sewage, cable, spot to park, fishing pond, pool, jacuzzi, and more. Electric is billed separately at 14c per kwh.

When did Costco Visa change? 2 years ago it was 4% on gas at any gas station?

Re: Which Card to use?

Gunnerboy — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 18:42:59 GMT

@dragontears wrote:
@Drifter73 wrote:
Costco/Gas - CITI Costco

I noticed you selected Costco for gas. Which is a 4%cb gas card, but restricted to ONLY Costco pumps.

I was actually researching gas cards last night and the best one I found so far is the newest offer from SamsClub, which is offering 5%cb up to $6k each year at any gas station that accepts Mastercard. So, it's not restricted to club locations with long lines like Costco's is.

Unfortunately I can't offer advice on rent because my situation is unique being a full time RVer. I pay monthly at RV parks to park my 2021 alpha wolf bunkhouse travel trailer and can use any cb card that covers anything with no restrictions or has cb for campgrounds/travel. It allows me to save $15 to $35 per mo. On rent. Campgrounds in my current area are between $300 and $550 per month, which includes water, wifi, Sewage, cable, spot to park, fishing pond, pool, jacuzzi, and more. Electric is billed separately at 14c per kwh.
When did Costco Visa change? 2 years ago it was 4% on gas at any gas station?

It hasn't. All pumps that code as "gas station" will earn 4%.

Re: Which Card to use?

Drifter73 — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 19:21:47 GMT

@dragontears wrote:
@Drifter73 wrote:
Costco/Gas - CITI Costco

I noticed you selected Costco for gas. Which is a 4%cb gas card, but restricted to ONLY Costco pumps.

I was actually researching gas cards last night and the best one I found so far is the newest offer from SamsClub, which is offering 5%cb up to $6k each year at any gas station that accepts Mastercard. So, it's not restricted to club locations with long lines like Costco's is.

Unfortunately I can't offer advice on rent because my situation is unique being a full time RVer. I pay monthly at RV parks to park my 2021 alpha wolf bunkhouse travel trailer and can use any cb card that covers anything with no restrictions or has cb for campgrounds/travel. It allows me to save $15 to $35 per mo. On rent. Campgrounds in my current area are between $300 and $550 per month, which includes water, wifi, Sewage, cable, spot to park, fishing pond, pool, jacuzzi, and more. Electric is billed separately at 14c per kwh.
When did Costco Visa change? 2 years ago it was 4% on gas at any gas station?

Just rechecked, you're right, 4%cb worldwide up to $7k per yr.

The samsclub 5% anywhere for gas still seems like the better gas deal even at a $6k per year cap.

References:

Costco: https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/citi-costco-anywhere-visa-credit-card

SamsClub: https://www.samsclub.com/content/credit

Re: Which Card to use?

GApeachy — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 20:03:36 GMT

OP, not sure if you'd want to apply for a new tl but this may be a good route to avoid fees.

Use the Bilt Credit Card to Pay Your Rent With No Fees

"If you decide you want to pay your rent with a credit card, one smart option could be the new Bilt Mastercard. This card allows you to pay rent without incurring a transaction fee and also earn one reward point per dollar on those transactions. It also offers two points on travel spending, three points on dining and one point on all other transactions. Among the ways Bilt Points can be redeemed is toward rent payments. Plus, the card charges no annual fee.

You have a couple of ways to use the Bilt card to pay your rent. First, you can have your landlord charge your card directly each month. If your landlord doesn't accept card payments, you can pay through the Bilt app and the company will send a check on your behalf. Keep in mind that the Bilt Mastercard is currently only available by invite."

Also, Sam's Club MC earns 5% cb on gas at any pump up where MC is accepted up to $6k/year.

"5% back on gas.**(on the first $6,000 per year, then 1% after)

Re: Which Card to use?

Hoben02 — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 20:17:00 GMT

I use the app CardPointers to guide me which card to use

Re: Which Card to use?

wasCB14 — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 21:17:06 GMT

@GApeachy wrote:
OP, not sure if you'd want to apply for a new tl but this may be a good route to avoid fees.
Use the Bilt Credit Card to Pay Your Rent With No Fees

"If you decide you want to pay your rent with a credit card, one smart option could be the new Bilt Mastercard. This card allows you to pay rent without incurring a transaction fee and also earn one reward point per dollar on those transactions. It also offers two points on travel spending, three points on dining and one point on all other transactions. Among the ways Bilt Points can be redeemed is toward rent payments. Plus, the card charges no annual fee.
You have a couple of ways to use the Bilt card to pay your rent. First, you can have your landlord charge your card directly each month. If your landlord doesn't accept card payments, you can pay through the Bilt app and the company will send a check on your behalf. Keep in mind that the Bilt Mastercard is currently only available by invite."

Also, Sam's Club MC earns 5% cb on gas at any pump up where MC is accepted up to $6k/year.
"5% back on gas.**(on the first $6,000 per year, then 1% after)

An interesting idea. I wonder if renting from one of the participating corporate partners is a requirement for an invitation?

As the accountant for my family's rental business, I'd be happy to accept a payment check from an app. USPS does occasionally misdeliver things, though. A lot of our tenants prefer to deposit payments directly into a drop box so they know it won't get lost.

We don't take cards or electronic payments yet, but may eventually. Some tenants only recently stopped paying in cash, and we don't have the scale to justify too much complexity.

Re: Which Card to use?

EAJuggalo — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 22:28:38 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
@GApeachy wrote:
OP, not sure if you'd want to apply for a new tl but this may be a good route to avoid fees.
Use the Bilt Credit Card to Pay Your Rent With No Fees

"If you decide you want to pay your rent with a credit card, one smart option could be the new Bilt Mastercard. This card allows you to pay rent without incurring a transaction fee and also earn one reward point per dollar on those transactions. It also offers two points on travel spending, three points on dining and one point on all other transactions. Among the ways Bilt Points can be redeemed is toward rent payments. Plus, the card charges no annual fee.
You have a couple of ways to use the Bilt card to pay your rent. First, you can have your landlord charge your card directly each month. If your landlord doesn't accept card payments, you can pay through the Bilt app and the company will send a check on your behalf. Keep in mind that the Bilt Mastercard is currently only available by invite."

Also, Sam's Club MC earns 5% cb on gas at any pump up where MC is accepted up to $6k/year.
"5% back on gas.**(on the first $6,000 per year, then 1% after)
An interesting idea. I wonder if renting from one of the participating corporate partners is a requirement for an invitation?

As the accountant for my family's rental business, I'd be happy to accept a payment check from an app. USPS does occasionally misdeliver things, though. A lot of our tenants prefer to deposit payments directly into a drop box so they know it won't get lost.

We don't take cards or electronic payments yet, but may eventually. Some tenants only recently stopped paying in cash, and we don't have the scale to justify too much complexity.

Renting from a corporate partner is not a requirement to get a Bilt card. If you follow @kerrpoints on any of the socials, he is the Director of Loyalty I believe his title is. There are numerous offers out there to jump the waitlist. Were it not for the fact I'm buying a house in a couple months I would be all over this card. They claim to mail out the checks early enough that if it gets lost they have enough time to overnight one before it would be late.

Re: Which Card to use?

SoCalGardener — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 00:55:55 GMT

@Kinglord wrote:
Ok all, I have a number of different cards, some of which I use for very specific purchases. Can anyone share resources that can povide the best choic of card to use in a certain scenario? I think my most important question, what is the best card to use for my monthly bills, including Rent. Has anyone used Plastiq to pay their rent? I am currently going to push most to my new AMEX Plat to secure my signup bonus, but here is where I am now. Current cards are in signature as well.

I can't help you at all with the rent question, but I have some ideas for picking which card to use for various purposes.

For years, I did it all wrong! I'd look at which card had the lowest balance and then use it to make purchases. Now I put the time and effort into finding out which card is offering the best perks at this moment, then using them accordingly. For example, over the past month or so, I've been putting heavy, HEAVY use on my BofA CCR card--much more than usual--while in the process of renovating my bathroom and some other big stuff. They offered me a 12-month, 0% APR on all purchases for a year; this offer had to be activated. Then I changed my main rewards category to 'home improvement/furnishings'--which gave me 3% plus my 'relationship' bonus, which works out to about a 4% CB rate. Between the two, I've gotten hundreds of dollars cash back AND a year to float the balance with no interest. (My intention is to pay it off before the 0% period ends.)

I've done similar things with other cards, and it's worth the effort. You need to access each account, actively look for any offers/rewards/perks/benefits they may be making available to you right now, combine things when possible, e.g., use a card that gives you a good rewards value at a certain merchant AND that merchant offers a discount for using that card. Give each card's benefits a good look--you may have benefits you're not even aware of, or just not using. I like to pay all my bills manually, via BofA's bill pay, but I put my cellular bill on my Cap1 WM MC when I found out that, by doing so, they'd provide cell phone coverage! PLUS, I get CB on the monthly charge!

You may have to really spend some time poking around, but considering the benefits you can end up with, I find it worthwhile.