topic Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings? in Credit Cards

2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

swankytiger — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:40:38 GMT

Are there any flat 2% Visa/MC's that have no FTF and no other strings. I mean no holding $100k in a bank, no having to join a credit union, no having to deposit it in a specific type of account.

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:59:01 GMT

IMO, depositing it in a specific account isn't much of an issue if you can immediately ACH is to where you want it. I use SoFI which works well. For maximum rewards you put it into SoFI Checking/Savings/Investment but then it can be easily moved. If I didn't have that card, now that Fidelity also has no FTF I would use that, but setting up Fidelity from scratch is probably a bigger lift than SoFI.

Elan also offers a 2% card, and that might have no FTF, in which case that might be the best bet.

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

SouthJamaica — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:42:41 GMT

@swankytiger wrote:
Are there any flat 2% Visa/MC's that have no FTF and no other strings. I mean no holding $100k in a bank, no having to join a credit union, no having to deposit it in a specific type of account.

Great question. ~~I would say the FNBO Evergreen. And I guess the Citi Double Cash, although that one only gives you 1% on purchase on 1% on payment.~~

Ooops.... I forgot you wanted no foreign transaction fee. Thanks to @ptatohed for his superior reading comprehension.

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

CYBERSAM — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:30:41 GMT

Paypal Cashback Mastercard, Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Just couple that comes to mind, plus others that have been mentioned!

I have a feeling that 2% CCs are dime a dozen now, I'm sure more are going to be mentioned here...

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

ptatohed — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:44:13 GMT

Pretty sure the 4 cards mentioned before this post have FTFs.

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

CYBERSAM — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 17:52:15 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
Pretty sure the 4 cards mentioned before this post have FTFs.

😒 OK Fine! How about X1 card then 😂

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

OrangeRange — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:01:13 GMT

For Visas there is the PNC Cashback Unlimited, 2% flat no FTF or other strings: https://www.pnc.com/en/personal-banking/banking/credit-cards.html

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

ptatohed — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:10:28 GMT

@OrangeRange wrote:
For Visas there is the PNC Cashback Unlimited, 2% flat no FTF or other strings: https://www.pnc.com/en/personal-banking/banking/credit-cards.html

Good one!

There is the 2.5% Alliant - but that's a Credit Union. The Cap1 Quicksilver - but that's only 1.5%.

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

SouthJamaica — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:43:24 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
Pretty sure the 4 cards mentioned before this post have FTFs.

You're right. My bad. I corrected my reply upstream. Thanks for being on the ball.

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

cws-21 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:04:34 GMT

There is also the State Department FCU Premium CashBack+.

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

Bockrocker — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:22:18 GMT

Fidelity Visa (Elan) recently got rid of the FTF. But you do need to redeem into a Fidelity account. I don't consider this a downside, they have excellent brokerage and cash management accounts.

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

Drifter73 — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 12:40:28 GMT

Does it have to be visa/mastercard?

My Bread 2% CashBack Amex has no FTF, no spending cap for the cb and no deposit requirements to get the cb.

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

FormerCollegeDJ — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 13:19:01 GMT

@OrangeRange wrote:
For Visas there is the PNC Cashback Unlimited, 2% flat no FTF or other strings: https://www.pnc.com/en/personal-banking/banking/credit-cards.html

I think there is one string attached for some people - to my knowledge you need to live in a state with PNC bank locations to apply (unless that restriction has been dropped by PNC in recent months).

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

cws-21 — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 17:30:05 GMT

@FormerCollegeDJ wrote:
@OrangeRange wrote:
For Visas there is the PNC Cashback Unlimited, 2% flat no FTF or other strings: https://www.pnc.com/en/personal-banking/banking/credit-cards.html
I think there is one string attached for some people - to my knowledge you need to live in a state with PNC bank locations to apply (unless that restriction has been dropped by PNC in recent months).

@FormerCollegeDJ, you can also apply in-branch in a state that you do not reside in. My mother was unable to apply from where she lives in NY, but she was successful getting the card when she came to visit me in NJ.

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

coldfusion — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 17:46:11 GMT

@FormerCollegeDJ wrote:
@OrangeRange wrote:
For Visas there is the PNC Cashback Unlimited, 2% flat no FTF or other strings: https://www.pnc.com/en/personal-banking/banking/credit-cards.html

I think there is one string attached for some people - to my knowledge you need to live in a state with PNC bank locations to apply (unless that restriction has been dropped by PNC in recent months).

Another one tied to the Bread card could be the no-FTF requirement, since acceptance of the AMEX payment network outside of the US especially away from areas frquented by foreign business travelers and/or tourists can be an issue.

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

Drifter73 — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 03:20:00 GMT

Nevermind - Post edited

I thought 5th/3rd might, but then saw strings later. Deposit account required.

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

Drifter73 — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 17:22:56 GMT

This one may not help you. But it fits in the criteria.

Avant has a 2% no AF + no FTF mastercard version, but its not available on their website. You can only get it via a mail offer or through one of their affiliate listings on sites like Experian, CreditKarma, etc.. (I've personally seen the 2% offer on creditkarma)

The downside is their max credit limits are $3k (according to their website).

There's also a thread about it on myFICO here: https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Avant-2-cash-back-card-actually-a-%CC%B63%CC%B6-%CC%B6-2-98-catch-all/td-p/6728157

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

CramEiko — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 23:26:44 GMT

@swankytiger wrote:
Are there any flat 2% Visa/MC's that have no FTF and no other strings. I mean no holding $100k in a bank, no having to join a credit union, no having to deposit it in a specific type of account.

Does anyone know if the FTF is really worth it?

Fee per use with FTF?

Fee per use No FTF?

Recently, I used 2 different cards in Thailand. I noticed that purchasing with my no FTF card the bank was using pretty lousy exchange rates. My FTF card just charged a small % of the transaction.

Good Luck!

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 02:06:53 GMT

@CramEiko wrote:
@swankytiger wrote:
Are there any flat 2% Visa/MC's that have no FTF and no other strings. I mean no holding $100k in a bank, no having to join a credit union, no having to deposit it in a specific type of account.

Does anyone know if the FTF is really worth it?
Fee per use with FTF?
Fee per use No FTF?
Recently, I used 2 different cards in Thailand. I noticed that purchasing with my no FTF card the bank was using pretty lousy exchange rates. My FTF card just charged a small % of the transaction.

Good Luck!

Generally each card uses the networks rates (e.g. Visa or MC). Cards may then add on FTF. Sometimes there are noticeable differences between the Visa and MC rates? Were you two transactions on the same network at a very similar time?

This shouldn't be an issue, no FTF cards should be cheaper than using an FTF card on the same network at the same time!

Re: 2% everything, Visa/MC, no FTF, no other strings?

Aim_High — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 03:29:00 GMT

@swankytiger wrote:
Are there any flat 2% Visa/MC's that have no FTF and no other strings. I mean no holding $100k in a bank, no having to join a credit union, no having to deposit it in a specific type of account.

You've created a nearly impossible wish-list, @swankytiger. Thanks to @OrangeRange for mentioning the (new) PNC Cash Unlimited Visa as I was not aware of it.

Card must pay 2% without any strings. That excludes all the cards that pay 1.5%+ or might average over 2% depending on how the card is used. (For example, Apple Mastercard would fit the bill but ONLY for Apple Pay purchases. Apple card could even exceed 2% including the 3% categories in Apple Pay, but the rewards rate is only 1% where Apple Pay is not accepted.) Or the Chase Freedom Unlimited which earns 1.5% on everything but also 3% on dining and drugstores, and 5% on Chase travel. However it also has a FTF. Or the Capital One Quicksilver, MC with no FTF but only earns 1.5%.
Card must be a Visa or Mastercard. That eliminates the Bread Cashback American Express. Also eliminates the AMEX Blue Business Cash card that earns 2% on up to $50K annually, and BBC also has a FTF.
The "not having to join a credit union" eliminates a LOT of excellent cards. That leaves banks only. And credit union cards are the ones most likely to have NO FTF. Banks usually waive those only on their premium travel cards. Personally, I love the PenFed Power Cash Rewards in this category, especially since for veterans there isn't even a deposit account requirement to earn the 2% cash back.
The "no FTF" and no other strings eliminates most major bank cards since banks tend to charge FTFs on no-AF cards like their 2% cards. That includes some excellent options such as the Citi DC, WF Active Cash, and the FNBO Evergreen, and Synchrony PayPal Cash Back Mastercard.
The "not having reward deposit restrictions" is the nail in the coffin. And this even eliminates the above PNC Cash Unlimited card, since it requires redemption for statement credit or into an "eligible PNC account." And you eliminated the popular Elan Fidelity Rewards Visa since earning the 2% requires deposit into a Fidelity investment account. The Synchrony PayPal Cash Back Mastercard requires redemption into a PayPal account before using by PayPal or transferring to another financial institution. The SOFI Credit card earns 2% only when redeemed into a SOFI deposit or investment account. And the Avant card, besides the low $3K top CL and high APR/fees requires rewards redemption by statement credit only, not a true cash-back card. Plus, depending on credit profile, Avant may have CLs as low as $300 and charge up to $75 AFs, which would wipe out rewards earnings.

I'm not sure the card you're looking for exists.