topic Re: Which Card? in Credit Cards

Which Card?

Varsity_Lu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 01:31:20 GMT

Ok, I currently have the Blue Cash Preferred, Quicksilver, and SavorOne cards with a total of $29k credit limit. Both Capital One cards are on the Mastercard platform. My biggest spending categories are 1. groceries, 2. gas, 3. electric bill, 4. insurance, 5. online shopping, 6. eating out, 7. misc shoping in physical stores.

Here is what I am looking for:

- Visa platform.

- no annual fee.

- no ftf for when I travel.

- a card to cover my electric bill and possibly insurance. (I'm only getting 1.5% on my Quicksilver.)

- not a big bank card. (WF, Chase, Citi, BoA, or USB)

What are my options?

Re: Which Card?

unsungivy — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 02:02:16 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
Ok, I currently have the Blue Cash Preferred, Quicksilver, and SavorOne cards with a total of $29k credit limit. Both Capital One cards are on the Mastercard platform. My biggest spending categories are 1. groceries, 2. gas, 3. electric bill, 4. insurance, 5. online shopping, 6. eating out, 7. misc shoping in physical stores.

Here is what I am looking for:
- Visa platform.
- no annual fee.
- no ftf for when I travel.
- a card to cover my electric bill and possibly insurance. (I'm only getting 1.5% on my Quicksilver.)
- not a big bank card. (WF, Chase, Citi, BoA, or USB)

What are my options?

That hits ALL of those? AOD or Robinhood 🤷‍♀️

You'd be better off with a couple cards that divide up your goals. You can get 5% from an Elan MCP on your utilities, but it has a FTF, so it's a set-it-and-sock-drawer it card.

Only two cards I'm aware of have Online Shopping: BofA and Amex, and they're both "big banks".

For some insurance you can buy gift cards at a better rate, such as from Office Supply, and then use them to pay to get an effective 5%.

Re: Which Card?

ptatohed — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 05:39:42 GMT

Are you looking for just one card to cover all those cats? Or are you asking for multiple card suggestions? IMHO, you should ditch the AF BCP as the grocery 6% capped with AF will rarely ever pencil out over a 5% no AF grocery card (e.g. citi CC).

Re: Which Card?

IntegerIntrovert — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 08:40:05 GMT

What research of your own have you done?

Re: Which Card?

Varsity_Lu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 09:18:28 GMT

Not all, but my biggest spending area that is lagging is my electric bill. That's the priority category right now.

Re: Which Card?

Varsity_Lu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 09:23:37 GMT

I like my BCP. The 6% grocery and 3% gas combo (my two biggest categories) can't really be beat. The credits I get for ESPN streaming basically covers the AF. Plus, I really don't like the big five banks. I don't really want to do business with them.

Re: Which Card?

Varsity_Lu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 09:26:27 GMT

Research? What is this you speak of?

No, I have done some and I actually have a card in mind, but I posted here to see if I may have missed something obvious. A fresh set of eyes on the problem if you will.

Re: Which Card?

Yoshi1981 — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 15:01:50 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
Research? What is this you speak of?

No, I have done some and I actually have a card in mind, but I posted here to see if I may have missed something obvious. A fresh set of eyes on the problem if you will.

I believe they mean have you searched online for potential options or narrowed down a list of a few cards that may work? I think.

Off the top of my head US Bank Cash+ might be good due to the 5% home utilities category. Not sure if any one card would cover all your needs.

Re: Which Card?

ptatohed — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 15:24:09 GMT

Not sure if you would qualify for the Redstone Visa Sig but it would give you 5% gas (you are getting 3% now) and 3% utilities. And some other nice 5%/3% cats. And nothing less than 1.5% which is what you are getting now.

https://www.redfcu.org/personal/credits-cards/visa-signature/

Re: Which Card?

Varsity_Lu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 22:11:18 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
Not sure if you would qualify for the Redstone Visa Sig but it would give you 5% gas (you are getting 3% now) and 3% utilities. And some other nice 5%/3% cats. And nothing less than 1.5% which is what you are getting now.

Looks like a nice card, but I don't live in 'Bama.

Re: Which Card?

Kforce — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 23:58:50 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
What are my options?

Many roads to cash back rewards.

1) Best simple 3-4 card set.

2) Try to maximise rewards, don't mind collecting cards.

3) Have money/investments willing to move to receive better rewards

4) Go for signup /spend bonuses, over rewards.

5) Zero interest offers on spend as short term reward.

Have no idea if you are looking for a good general spend card or a good 5%

in one category ?

Want to start collecting, or just want one more card ?

Best rewards also depends on how much you put in each category not just the order.

Lots of good cards, but we would just be throwing out our fav's at you.

The two that @unsungivy mentioned are good general spend cards.

Another general spend is the "Alliant 2.5%".

The AOD is nice but has a cap or $1500/mo, and a few hoops to join.

Alliant requires $1000 sitting in a checking and $50 to redeem you rewards.

The Robinhood a membership, investing and is a Fintech which have had some issues in the past.

I would like to know your road of choice before throwing out random cards.

PS: Many utility companies have monthly fee's to pay by credit and won't let you

pay more than current month's bill. Requires paying a fee every month. This often means

it cost more than the rewards gain. Before going for a card that covers utilities, check with each.

Re: Which Card?

Kforce — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 23:55:44 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
I like my BCP.
Many do
The 6% grocery and 3% gas combo (my two biggest categories) can't really be beat.
Very easy to receive more cash back with a two card set.
As @ptatohed pointed out, other reward cards cover grocery, gas and streaming
with better rewards after cap and AF's
The credits I get for ESPN streaming basically covers the AF.
(95/0.045) [gain over your 1.5%] = $2,111 a year on streaming @6% to cover the AF
There are other cards with 5% and no AF on streaming.
Plus, I really don't like the big five banks. I don't really want to do business with them.
Lots of others with good cards.

Re: Which Card?

Varsity_Lu — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 00:55:50 GMT

I think you misunderstood what I meant about the streaming ESPN. Amex BCP literally pays $84 of my ESPN subscription each year. So, effectively, my BCP AF is only $11. I don't have to pay $2000 in streaming to get the benefit.

Re: Which Card?

Varsity_Lu — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 00:11:43 GMT

@Kforce wrote:

Have no idea if you are looking for a good general spend card or a good 5%

I want the best non-big five bank card to pay utilities. My electric does not charge a fee to pay via cc. I'd also like this new card to be on the Visa network, have no AF and no FTF if possible.

Like I said in my OP, anyone know a card that meets these specs?

Re: Which Card?

Anonymous — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 01:16:03 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
I want the best non-big five bank card to pay utilities. My electric does not charge a fee to pay via cc. I'd also like this new card to be on the Visa network, have no AF and no FTF if possible.

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
Amex BCP literally pays $84 of my ESPN subscription each year. So, effectively, my BCP AF is only $11. I don't have to pay $2000 in streaming to get the benefit.

@Varsity_Lu

I have no answer for your card request. My reply would be Cash+ or Elan Max Cash Preferred, but that is precluded by your requirements. But maybe Elan Max Cash Preferred isn’t precluded since you can get it through small banks?

I am interested though in your "Big Reveal" when you tell us the potential card you have in mind.

Also interested in your BCP $84 (12x7) Disney/ESPN credit.

Do you also receive 6% streaming back on the $10.99 (12x.66=$7.91) or $3.99 (12x.24=$2.87)?

Re: Which Card?

Varsity_Lu — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 08:43:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Also interested in your BCP $84 (12x7) Disney/ESPN credit.
Do you also receive 6% streaming back on the $10.99 (12x.66=$7.91) or $3.99 (12x.24=$2.87)?

I haven't actually checked that, but I believe I do get 6% back on the $3.99. It really is a sweet perk of the BCP.

Re: Which Card?

ElvisCaprice — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 10:09:12 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:

I like my BCP.

Many do

The 6% grocery and 3% gas combo (my two biggest categories) can't really be beat.

Very easy to receive more cash back with a two card set.

As @ptatohed pointed out, other reward cards cover grocery, gas and streaming

with better rewards after cap and AF's

The credits I get for ESPN streaming basically covers the AF.

(95/0.045) [gain over your 1.5%] = $2,111 a year on streaming @6% to cover the AF

There are other cards with 5% and no AF on streaming.

Plus, I really don't like the big five banks. I don't really want to do business with them.

Lots of others with good cards.

I look at the big five banks as free money, to use and abuse. Take those SUBS for the best return your going to get and if you get a card to use for the long run out of it, bonus. I would slam them for 3 cards over 4 -5 months. Spread out accordingly to your spending to satisfy the subs (best in combo with new checking acct. subs, even better, initial deposit with one of those new cards, no cash advance) In the following order.

1. US Bank Cash Plus for your electric bills 5%, $250 SUB

2. Citi Custom Cash, 5% gas $200 SUB

3. BofA Travel Rewards, 1.5% ALL (Up to 3.62% with Platinum preferred & Debit paypal bill), No FTF, $250 SUB in points redemmed for travel expenses, that includes restaurant.

Re: Which Card?

shelbytruck — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 16:24:46 GMT

@Varsity_Lu wrote:
Ok, I currently have the Blue Cash Preferred, Quicksilver, and SavorOne cards with a total of $29k credit limit. Both Capital One cards are on the Mastercard platform. My biggest spending categories are 1. groceries, 2. gas, 3. electric bill, 4. insurance, 5. online shopping, 6. eating out, 7. misc shoping in physical stores.

Here is what I am looking for:
- Visa platform.
- no annual fee.
- no ftf for when I travel.
- a card to cover my electric bill and possibly insurance. (I'm only getting 1.5% on my Quicksilver.)
- not a big bank card. (WF, Chase, Citi, BoA, or USB)

What are my options?

What about US Bank Shoppers reward - I think it hits most but does have an AF of $95 after first year, If I rember. But for me I get 6% cash back at two online stores (I do Amazon and Best Buy) for first $1500 of purchases a quarter , 3% off of utilities (or other everyday catgory) for first $1500 and then 1.5% for everything else. I put all my amazon spend and utilities on this card and it easily covers many times over the annual fee as we max generally max out the 6% and the 3% category.

Re: Which Card?

Varsity_Lu — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 17:15:32 GMT

@shelbytruck

A few things:

1. It's a big five card

2. I try not to shop online if possible. I do get stuff on Amazon, but I prefer to shop local if possible.

3. I'd prefer not to have the AF. I'd max out the utilities cap, and that would only be $85 cash after the fee. That's less than the 1.5% I am getting with Quicksilver.

(6000x.03=180-95=85

85/6000=.014)

Re: Which Card?

shelbytruck — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 18:57:42 GMT

If you only use it for the 3% category it's not going to work out. It's a much better card for me as I max out the 6% and 3% each quarter resulting in a net 3.7% for the year (360+180-95=445/12,000 for 3.7%)