topic Re: Thinking about getting another credit card in Credit Cards

Thinking about getting another credit card

AndySoCal — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 03:27:34 GMT

My current line up

Groceries Walmart delivered Redstone FCU 3% the Walmart I use is classified as a discount store

Traditional grocery store Custom Cash 5%

Restraunts and Gas Redstone FCU 5%

Travel Commonwealth Credit Union 3% no annual fee

Non Catagory Spend State Department FCU 2%

Other Cards

US Bank Cash + I take advantage of their 5% catagories when possible. Used to buy a new cell phone earlier this year

JC Penney Used occasionally

Thought about

USBank State Farm - Homeowners Insurance is with State Farm the difference between the 3% and the 2% is worth the app for the card. The 2% catagories I can cover with State Department FCU or another card.

I do not do that much business with Amazon gift cards I have recieved last me till July. I also when possible use Amazon Shop with Points using my Custom Cash. I have had Amazon Credit Cards in the past closed them because of the lack of use.

I have thought about 5% or 3% Rotating Catagory card I had Discover and Chase Freedom Flex closed them due to lack of use.

I do not know if there is another credit card that is different enough from what I have to make it worth the app. I have looked at AMEX nothing of interest.

Any ideas or just wait for something new?

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

ptatohed — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 03:43:26 GMT

You seem pretty well covered. If it were me, I think I'd try to get the 2% non-cat up to 3% (AOD?) and maybe some of those 3%s up to 5%, if possible. How about another citi Custom Cash? You'd need another citi card to PC though. What are your biggest spend cats? Do you use your 2% for anything that could get 5% (e.g. home improvement)?

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

NoHardLimits — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 04:07:36 GMT

@AndySoCal wrote:
My current line up
Groceries Walmart delivered Redstone FCU 3% the Walmart I use is classified as a discount store

I just picked up a Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards. They are running a first year promo offer for 6% cash back rewards on a category of your choice which can be changed each month. I plan to use it for "online shopping" which also seems to include streaming/cable/internet/phone. Walmart delivery should qualify if it is coded as Walmart.com. There is a cap of $2500 in spend per quarter.

https://secure.bankofamerica.com/apply-credit-cards/public/icai-single/#/info/

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

AndySoCal — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 05:26:36 GMT

@ptatohed @Your post reminded me of another post you made regarding this credit union

https://www.safecu.org/personal/borrow-money/credit-cards/cash-back-plus-visa-signature-credit-card

Some one mentioned in another thread a year so ago there was /is a back door hack. No idea if it is still there or not. From some of the other posts they are geofenced and very picky on who they will accept. I will call them and see what they say. The worst they can say is no which is what am expecting them to say

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

ptatohed — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 06:04:42 GMT

@AndySoCal wrote:
@ptatohed @Your post reminded me of another post you made regarding this credit union

https://www.safecu.org/personal/borrow-money/credit-cards/cash-back-plus-visa-signature-credit-card
Some one mentioned in another thread a year so ago there was /is a back door hack. No idea if it is still there or not. From some of the other posts they are geofenced and very picky on who they will accept. I will call them and see what they say. The worst they can say is no which is what am expecting them to say

Yeah, I think we talked about this recently. There might be some ways in.

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Personal-Finance/Great-News-Safe-CU-anyone-can-join/td-p/6675152

I also thought I remembered reading that if a current member sends you a referal link, you can join.

Don't forget to use this code if you do join:

https://www.safecu.org/personal/manage-your-money/checking-promo-campaign

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

Vinjints — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 11:27:59 GMT

What are your utilities looking like? Could consider a MCP. I also think one of the Kroger cards would be nice to have for more generic spending if you like the mobile wallets.

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

AndySoCal — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 22:35:42 GMT

@ptatohed @I called Safe Credit Union today today the back door is still availible. It would cost if you are Senior $45 Individual $85.00 Family $100.00. They pull TU and Chex. Per another post on the forum they are Chex sensitive. I am going to wait to allow my Chex inquiries to get older in time or drop off.

@Vinjints I have the US Bank Cash + I can add utilities as 5 percent catagory. Before doing so I need to investigate if the water and electric utility will allow a credit card for payment. They used to not sure about now and if they have added a fee for using a credit card or not.

What I am thinking about is if and this theory only Redstone removed discount stores as a 3% catagory what options do I have.

My biggest spend catagories are Groceries Utilities Insurance taxes state and federal. The order may be a little off

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

Vinjints — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 01:07:49 GMT

@AndySoCal wrote:

What I am thinking about is if and this theory only Redstone removed discount stores as a 3% catagory what options do I have.

If your using the Redstone for Walmart delivery, does that also count as online orders? If so, the BCE might be able to back that up.

The SafeCU sounds interesting though. Are those one time fees for memberships?

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

ElvisCaprice — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 04:22:14 GMT

@AndySoCal wrote:
My biggest spend catagories are Groceries Utilities Insurance taxes state and federal. The order may be a little off

Same here,

Groceries - 5% with Paypal Debit and Custom Cash, covers all grocery/warehouse stores, although in store. My order of greatest spend, Costco, Aldi's, Walmart, Trader Joe's. For delivery/pickup Walmart (BofA CCR) 5.25%.

Utilities - Cash plus 5% but only covers my electric which charges me $2.50 per transaction, so I pay for a month in advance, 2 months total and still come out over 4% after fee (I drive electric and charge at home). BofA CCR (platinum honors) 5.25% - online category, covers all other utilities, some through Paypal and any online spend, including grocery delivery (if so inclined).

Insurance, Taxes, State and Federal - 3%, no FTF, flat, no annual fee, Aven Rewards Visa, 10k per year cap, 2% after that.

If someone has a long term CC that can beat that, available, no AF or huge opportunity cost, I'm all ears. I don't spend more than 8k per year on CC's. Can always work a SUB for better returns. Like I'm doing with Wells Fargo Active Cash, $300 SUB for $500 spend, paying my Car insurance in advance.

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

AndySoCal — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 03:59:53 GMT

@Vinjints Safe Credit Union normal geographic areas for membership is the counties near the Sacramento area. The fee is a membership fee (yearly) to a third party called the California Aerospace Museum. The membership only makes you eligible for membership it does not guarantee your membership in to the credit union. When I talked the representative this morning I was honest I live in the Los Angeles area and did not qualify by the usual means for membership into the credit union. After a hold the representative gave me this option I was expecting no as the answer. The difference between Safe and Redstone the discount stores as is a 5% rotating quarterly catagory at Safe. With Redstone it is a defined benefit rewards catagory for the card so the 3% is year round. My Walmart orders are delivered. All that it does guarantee the membership application will be approved.

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

youngandcreditwrthy — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 05:05:35 GMT

Do you shop a lot at whole foods?

What a lotta ppl dunno is that the Amazon card both the Visa and the Store card give you 5% back at Whole foods no matter what the purchase is.

since I live across from one and its just me myself and I, Im there almost every day lol. I earn a good chunk of cash back by doing that.

and again, many people don't know about Amazon getting a 5% discount at Whole Foods. :-)

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

AndySoCal — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 05:21:45 GMT

I investigated the BCE credit card by calling American Express. I asked the agent stating the store is a super center classified as a discount store what reward would I receive 3% or 1%. The agent said because it is a super center it would be 1% which ends my interest in that card.

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

Vinjints — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 12:05:03 GMT

That was for in store purchases or online/app orders?

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

AndySoCal — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 14:01:00 GMT

@Vinjints It was terms of an online order I gave the agent MCC code from the order. I have not been in Walmart store in a year or two. There is no need to with Walmart + Aka W+

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

AndySoCal — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 23:20:00 GMT

Another credit card I am considering UMB Simply Rewards due the 3% catagory of Discount Stores. I called UMB today and asked if I could apply for this card since I live in California and not in state where they have branch. The agent said they have customers in California so I could apply.

https://www.umb.com/personal-banking/credit-cards

I will keep this card in mind if ever I do not have my Redstone FCU card. The Redstone FCU card is better.

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

a_b — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 23:53:21 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
@AndySoCal wrote:
@ptatohed @Your post reminded me of another post you made regarding this credit union

https://www.safecu.org/personal/borrow-money/credit-cards/cash-back-plus-visa-signature-credit-card
Some one mentioned in another thread a year so ago there was /is a back door hack. No idea if it is still there or not. From some of the other posts they are geofenced and very picky on who they will accept. I will call them and see what they say. The worst they can say is no which is what am expecting them to say

Yeah, I think we talked about this recently. There might be some ways in.

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Personal-Finance/Great-News-Safe-CU-anyone-can-join/td-p/6675152

I also thought I remembered reading that if a current member sends you a referal link, you can join.

Don't forget to use this code if you do join:
https://www.safecu.org/personal/manage-your-money/checking-promo-campaign

Hello, @ptatohed and @AndySoCal. This Cash Back+ Visa Signature credit card from Safe Credit Union looks very good. I'll have to add it to our list of possible cards to get. However, we'd have to join via the Aerospace Museum of California membership because we do not meet the in-state requirements. Thank you!

Re: Thinking about getting another credit

AndySoCal — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 02:44:25 GMT

@a_b I would suggest you call Safe Credit Union before you pay for membership in the National Aerospace Museum.First of all I am not sure about customers from outside of California. Secondly the membership fee for National Aerospace Museum is $45.00 for seniors, $85.00 and up for other types of membership. All this does is make you eligible for membership it does not guarantee you will become a member. Also, per other posts they Chex Systems sensitive

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

Yasselife — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:57:24 GMT

You’ve built a really solid lineup that covers the major categories efficiently; especially with Custom Cash for groceries, Redstone for gas and restaurants, and State Department FCU for general spend. Great job stacking those credit union cards for niche rewards.

If you’re thinking about adding something new, I’d say only go for it if it clearly fills a gap. Since you already have decent category coverage and don’t use Amazon much, a 5% or 3% rotator might just end up unused again; you mentioned you closed Discover and Freedom Flex before for that exact reason, so I’d probably hold off unless a specific purchase or lifestyle change creates a new need.

As for the US Bank State Farm card; you’re right: if the 1–2% difference on insurance is meaningful to you long-term, and you’re okay with managing another account, it could be worth it. Otherwise, your current setup already covers the 2% base spend pretty well.

Honestly, it sounds like you’re in a great position already. No harm in waiting until something truly compelling comes along. Smart thinking!

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

unsungivy — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:06:28 GMT

@youngandcreditwrthy wrote:
Do you shop a lot at whole foods?

What a lotta ppl dunno is that the Amazon card both the Visa and the Store card give you 5% back at Whole foods no matter what the purchase is.

since I live across from one and its just me myself and I, Im there almost every day lol. I earn a good chunk of cash back by doing that.

and again, many people don't know about Amazon getting a 5% discount at Whole Foods. :-)

I think most people DO know about that, especially since one of the card styles is pretty blantant for the Whole Foods connection.

Although shopping at Whole Paycheck will cost you more than the 5% back you're saving with the card. 🤦‍♀️

Re: Thinking about getting another credit card

unsungivy — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 20:15:33 GMT

@ElvisCaprice wrote:
@AndySoCal wrote:
My biggest spend catagories are Groceries Utilities Insurance taxes state and federal. The order may be a little off
Same here,

Groceries - 5% with Paypal Debit and Custom Cash, covers all grocery/warehouse stores, although in store. My order of greatest spend, Costco, Aldi's, Walmart, Trader Joe's. For delivery/pickup Walmart (BofA CCR) 5.25%.

Utilities - Cash plus 5% but only covers my electric which charges me $2.50 per transaction, so I pay for a month in advance, 2 months total and still come out over 4% after fee (I drive electric and charge at home). BofA CCR (platinum honors) 5.25% - online category, covers all other utilities, some through Paypal and any online spend, including grocery delivery (if so inclined).

Insurance, Taxes, State and Federal - 3%, no FTF, flat, no annual fee, Aven Rewards Visa, 10k per year cap, 2% after that.

If someone has a long term CC that can beat that, available, no AF or huge opportunity cost, I'm all ears. I don't spend more than 8k per year on CC's. Can always work a SUB for better returns. Like I'm doing with Wells Fargo Active Cash, $300 SUB for $500 spend, paying my Car insurance in advance

@ElvisCaprice knows what's up.

@AndySoCal , it's unclear as to whether or not you have the PayPal Debit Card, since you only mentioned CCs?