topic Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards) in Credit Cards

Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

algata — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 16:40:35 GMT

I’m looking to see if I can improve and simplify my cash back setup. Right now I’m hitting ~3% in most categories, with the PayPal Cashback MC at 1.5% as my catch-all. I’d love to get this down to 2 cards if possible, but I’m open to keeping 3 if the rewards are worth it.

I just closed my USBAR (which was ~90% of my spend for the past 3 years), so I’m looking for a refresh.

Current Primary Cards:
PayPal Cash Back Mastercard - 1.5% catch all + 3% on purchases through paypal

Wells Fargo Autograph - 3% on dining, travel, gas, phone bill

Amex Blue Cash Everyday - 3% on groceries

Authorized Cards: None, but wife has Wells Fargo Active Cash and Target Card

FICO score is 810 and our combined income is $200k if that matters.

Average monthly spend and categories:

Groceries: $550
Dining: $300
Gas: $110
Baby stuff: $400
Travel: ~$5000/year
Other: $400

Cards I've been considering:

AAA Daily Advantage for groceries
Using the swap trick for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred if I get a good enough offer - 6% groceries
Citi Custom Cash for restaurants
Robinhood Gold for catch all if I can get approval and get the EAF close to zero with minimal hoops to jump through.

We just had our first child, so I think more of a cash back approach would be great, but I am open to travel cards if they operate similarly to the USBAR. The specific stores we spend the most at are Target, Amazon (through a shared account that's not mine, so no Prime Visa), and occasionally Costco. Thanks for the help!

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

Vinjints — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 16:53:43 GMT

You have a good array of categories already at 3%. Jumping up to a 5% card is a 2% increase. So for groceries with the AAA, that could net you about $11 additional each month, but now you have an extra card. Is that worth it to you? How do you define your limit of balancing extra card(s) versus the cash back received?

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

algata — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 18:42:46 GMT

Yes I'd be okay doing that because then I'd basically retire the other ones by closing them or sock drawer. I guess I meant I don't want to have to juggle more than 2 or 3 actively in use cards.

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

NoHardLimits — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 21:29:27 GMT

@algata wrote:
Yes I'd be okay doing that because then I'd basically retire the other ones by closing them or sock drawer. I guess I meant I don't want to have to juggle more than 2 or 3 actively in use cards.

I am also in the process of closing my USBAR card (I've already closed my two other US Bank cards). P2 has a grandfathered Amex "old" Blue Cash, so we can use that for 5% on gas/grocery/drugstore. I like your option to change Blue Cash Everyday to Preferred if you can get a good upgrade offer. If you spend a lot on streaming (especially one of the Disney related channels), BCP can easily offset its $95 fee.

I also like your option to use a Citi Custom Cash card for dining, which will allow you to leave the Autograph card at home most of the time. Just pull it out when you have travel expenses.

If you're looking for something for Amazon purchases without being the Prime membership holder, I recently got a Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card. It is offering a 1st year promo with 6% rewards on one category. I chose "online shopping" which is giving me the 6% on all sorts of store websites including Amazon. The card will revert to 3% rewards for year 2, but that's still 1% more than the 2% catch-all with Active Cash. Plus, you wouldn't have to carry this card in your wallet. Just leave the physical card at home.

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

Kforce — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 22:20:54 GMT

@algata wrote:
I’m looking to see if I can improve and simplify my cash back setup. Right now I’m hitting ~3% in most categories, with the PayPal Cashback MC at 1.5% as my catch-all. I’d love to get this down to 2 cards if possible, but I’m open to keeping 3 if the rewards are worth it.

I just closed my USBAR (which was ~90% of my spend for the past 3 years), so I’m looking for a refresh.

Current Primary Cards:
PayPal Cash Back Mastercard - 1.5% catch all + 3% on purchases through paypal
Wells Fargo Autograph - 3% on dining, travel, gas, phone bill
Amex Blue Cash Everyday - 3% on groceries

Authorized Cards: None, but wife has Wells Fargo Active Cash and Target Card

FICO score is 810 and our combined income is $200k if that matters.

Average monthly spend and categories:
Groceries: $550
Dining: $300
Gas: $110
Baby stuff: $400
Travel: ~$5000/year
Other: $400

Cards I've been considering:
AAA Daily Advantage for groceries
Using the swap trick for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred if I get a good enough offer - 6% groceries
Citi Custom Cash for restaurants
Robinhood Gold for catch all if I can get approval and get the EAF close to zero with minimal hoops to jump through.

We just had our first child, so I think more of a cash back approach would be great, but I am open to travel cards if they operate similarly to the USBAR. The specific stores we spend the most at are Target, Amazon (through a shared account that's not mine, so no Prime Visa), and occasionally Costco. Thanks for the help!

As a card to add to your set, I would get the custom cash.

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

ElvisCaprice — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 23:31:28 GMT

@algata wrote:
I’m looking to see if I can improve and simplify my cash back setup. Right now I’m hitting ~3% in most categories, with the PayPal Cashback MC at 1.5% as my catch-all. I’d love to get this down to 2 cards if possible, but I’m open to keeping 3 if the rewards are worth it.

I just closed my USBAR (which was ~90% of my spend for the past 3 years), so I’m looking for a refresh.

Current Primary Cards:
PayPal Cash Back Mastercard - 1.5% catch all + 3% on purchases through paypal
Wells Fargo Autograph - 3% on dining, travel, gas, phone bill
Amex Blue Cash Everyday - 3% on groceries

Authorized Cards: None, but wife has Wells Fargo Active Cash and Target Card

FICO score is 810 and our combined income is $200k if that matters.

Average monthly spend and categories:
Groceries: $550
Dining: $300
Gas: $110
Baby stuff: $400
Travel: ~$5000/year
Other: $400

Cards I've been considering:
AAA Daily Advantage for groceries
Using the swap trick for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred if I get a good enough offer - 6% groceries
Citi Custom Cash for restaurants
Robinhood Gold for catch all if I can get approval and get the EAF close to zero with minimal hoops to jump through.

We just had our first child, so I think more of a cash back approach would be great, but I am open to travel cards if they operate similarly to the USBAR. The specific stores we spend the most at are Target, Amazon (through a shared account that's not mine, so no Prime Visa), and occasionally Costco. Thanks for the help!

Congratulations on your first child!!!

Yes on Custom Cash, the more the better, nice SUB, get a Double Cash for another SUB, then PC to another Custom Cash, immediately.

With Costco/Walmart or any groceries, get the Paypal debit card, for 5% groceries category, can use a second or third Custom Cash for other groceries.

Might consider a BofA setup for the future with Platinum Honors for the 5.25% setup, meanwhile get the BofA CCR for the SUB and 6%, category of choice first year, online for Amazon, etc?.

No need to wait for Robinhood Gold, get the little brother, same bank, with a 100$ SUB with referral and 3% on your first 10k per year, no annual fee, 2% unlimited after the 10k. Aven Rewards Gold, no HP if not approved, no risk to apply. They do Heloc cards also, so claim no home ownership in application (your choice) if you don't want to be inundated with Heloc ads. Go to this thread for more info Aven Rewards Visa 3% cash back ongoing review - myFICO® Forums - 6834259

Aven Rewards Visa 3% cash back ongoing review - myFICO® Forums - 6834259

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

bs1234 — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 23:11:02 GMT

@ElvisCaprice wrote:
They do Heloc cards also but I would advise against this, so claim no home ownership in application if you don't want to be inundated with Heloc ads.

Probably no ones cares, but it might be fraud to say on an application for credit that you don't own a home when you do. If you have a mortgage, they will see it anyway.

But IANAL...

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

ptatohed — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 23:14:09 GMT

Congrats on the baby! Enjoy it! Time flies - my youngest is 8!

No offense but your current setup leaves lots to be improved on. At worse, you're only earning 1.5% (too low) and, at best, you're only earning 3% (too low). You're juggling 3 cards for too low of returns IMHO.

I'd aim for a 2%, if not 3%, catch all card. And then maybe two 5% cards that cover your highest spend. Lots of good ideas upstream.

GL!

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

Kforce — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 04:03:55 GMT

Welcome to the forum.

As others have pointed out, there are many, many opinions.

Some want to chase rewards and don't mind quite a few cards.

Others would love just a few card's and willing to give up some $ for ease of management.

Wanting it simple means losing some rewards.

As a minority here I was comfortable with all my spend on a 3% non catagory card, however over the years I have gone thru four 3% cards because they seem to not last but a couple or three years before being nerfed.

The 3% Aven and the 3% AOD would more than cover all your spend with a 2 card set. (How long they are around is a quess) .

Robinhood is by invite and not avaliable in many states, have been on a list for a long time and "nothing", might consider it not a real card.

You have exceptionally low spend for your income, thus the gain from the reward's game is very small.

1%-2% of your spend in extra rewards for managing and playing with 2-3 more cards might not be worth playing with.

If you are at ~3% at end of the day, I would maybe get one 5% for your grocery, or get another 3% or so and close or sock drawer a couple.

I would not be chasing cards with your spend. The money is better with other games than cash back rewards.

Don't sign the petition to have me removed from the forum.

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

algata — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 03:51:55 GMT

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the insight and all of the suggestions. Seems like maybe the Aven, custom cash, and PayPal debit should be my new rotation. Wish I could get the Robinhood so I wasn't limited to $10k/year with the Aven, but at least it's 2% after that.

question: is there a benefit or drawback to apply for both of these cards at once?

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

ElvisCaprice — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:07:02 GMT

@algata wrote:
Thanks everyone! I appreciate the insight and all of the suggestions. Seems like maybe the Aven, custom cash, and PayPal debit should be my new rotation. Wish I could get the Robinhood so I wasn't limited to $10k/year with the Aven, but at least it's 2% after that.

question: is there a benefit or drawback to apply for both of these cards at once?

Yes, Citi Custom Cash first, they are HP sensitive and will pull from Experian. Might even do the Citi Double Cash (more than 8 days apart) second (PC to CCC after getting SUB)? Or wait 6 months to apply again.

The Aven Rewards also pulls from Experian (forgot to mention it's a no FTF card, good for travel also), but I've found them to be much easier on sensitivity than Citi or BofA. So second or third. At least if you were not approved it would only be a soft pull. Do read the thread first.

Get the Paypal Debit freely, no pulls. It's a no brainer. Maybe 2, if you both have separate paypal accounts? Give you more ceiling or different categories @5%.

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

unsungivy — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:57:38 GMT

@ElvisCaprice wrote:
@algata wrote:
Thanks everyone! I appreciate the insight and all of the suggestions. Seems like maybe the Aven, custom cash, and PayPal debit should be my new rotation. Wish I could get the Robinhood so I wasn't limited to $10k/year with the Aven, but at least it's 2% after that.

question: is there a benefit or drawback to apply for both of these cards at once?
Yes, Citi Custom Cash first, they are HP sensitive and will pull from Experian. Might even do the Citi Double Cash (more than 8 days apart) second (PC to CCC after getting SUB)? Or wait 6 months to apply again.

The Aven Rewards also pulls from Experian (forgot to mention it's a no FTF card, good for travel also), but I've found them to be much easier on sensitivity than Citi or BofA. So second or third. At least if you were not approved it would only be a soft pull. Do read the thread first.

Get the Paypal Debit freely, no pulls. It's a no brainer. Maybe 2, if you both have separate paypal accounts? Give you more ceiling or different categories @5%.

Obviously I'm going to chime in about the PayPal Debit. If you can get one for each of you, use one for 5%/6% groceries since $1000/month will cover you, and the other for dining. (6% is if you use a 1% debit card to fund your PayPal account.)

Something else to consider, since "baby stuff" is on your list, is the Mesa card if you have a mortgage. It jumps out because of the daycare expenses being a qualifying activity (which according to a coworker, are their biggest expense.)

https://www.mesamember.com/card

You mention Target and Amazon as your two most frequent spend stores: Target in-store is covered by the PayPal debit, and an option for Amazon is the Affinity FCU Visa, which gives 5% at Amazon regardless of your prime status, as well as other Bookstores.

Yes, we're suggesting more cards and that is the opposite of simplifying your lineup, but most of them don't need to live in your PHYSICAL wallet at least!

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

algata — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 21:21:25 GMT

@unsungivy wrote:
@ElvisCaprice wrote:
@algata wrote:
Thanks everyone! I appreciate the insight and all of the suggestions. Seems like maybe the Aven, custom cash, and PayPal debit should be my new rotation. Wish I could get the Robinhood so I wasn't limited to $10k/year with the Aven, but at least it's 2% after that.

question: is there a benefit or drawback to apply for both of these cards at once?
Yes, Citi Custom Cash first, they are HP sensitive and will pull from Experian. Might even do the Citi Double Cash (more than 8 days apart) second (PC to CCC after getting SUB)? Or wait 6 months to apply again.

The Aven Rewards also pulls from Experian (forgot to mention it's a no FTF card, good for travel also), but I've found them to be much easier on sensitivity than Citi or BofA. So second or third. At least if you were not approved it would only be a soft pull. Do read the thread first.

Get the Paypal Debit freely, no pulls. It's a no brainer. Maybe 2, if you both have separate paypal accounts? Give you more ceiling or different categories @5%.
Obviously I'm going to chime in about the PayPal Debit. If you can get one for each of you, use one for 5%/6% groceries since $1000/month will cover you, and the other for dining. (6% is if you use a 1% debit card to fund your PayPal account.)

Something else to consider, since "baby stuff" is on your list, is the Mesa card if you have a mortgage. It jumps out because of the daycare expenses being a qualifying activity (which according to a coworker, are their biggest expense.)

https://www.mesamember.com/card

You mention Target and Amazon as your two most frequent spend stores: Target in-store is covered by the PayPal debit, and an option for Amazon is the Affinity FCU Visa, which gives 5% at Amazon regardless of your prime status, as well as other Bookstores.

Yes, we're suggesting more cards and that is the opposite of simplifying your lineup, but most of them don't need to live in your PHYSICAL wallet at least!

Whoa, does the PayPal debit really code as grocery for target in store? This card seems extremely overpowered, opening one up now.

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

unsungivy — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 22:29:10 GMT

@algata wrote:
@unsungivy wrote:
@ElvisCaprice wrote:
@algata wrote:
Thanks everyone! I appreciate the insight and all of the suggestions. Seems like maybe the Aven, custom cash, and PayPal debit should be my new rotation. Wish I could get the Robinhood so I wasn't limited to $10k/year with the Aven, but at least it's 2% after that.

question: is there a benefit or drawback to apply for both of these cards at once?
Yes, Citi Custom Cash first, they are HP sensitive and will pull from Experian. Might even do the Citi Double Cash (more than 8 days apart) second (PC to CCC after getting SUB)? Or wait 6 months to apply again.

The Aven Rewards also pulls from Experian (forgot to mention it's a no FTF card, good for travel also), but I've found them to be much easier on sensitivity than Citi or BofA. So second or third. At least if you were not approved it would only be a soft pull. Do read the thread first.

Get the Paypal Debit freely, no pulls. It's a no brainer. Maybe 2, if you both have separate paypal accounts? Give you more ceiling or different categories @5%.
Obviously I'm going to chime in about the PayPal Debit. If you can get one for each of you, use one for 5%/6% groceries since $1000/month will cover you, and the other for dining. (6% is if you use a 1% debit card to fund your PayPal account.)

Something else to consider, since "baby stuff" is on your list, is the Mesa card if you have a mortgage. It jumps out because of the daycare expenses being a qualifying activity (which according to a coworker, are their biggest expense.)

https://www.mesamember.com/card

You mention Target and Amazon as your two most frequent spend stores: Target in-store is covered by the PayPal debit, and an option for Amazon is the Affinity FCU Visa, which gives 5% at Amazon regardless of your prime status, as well as other Bookstores.

Yes, we're suggesting more cards and that is the opposite of simplifying your lineup, but most of them don't need to live in your PHYSICAL wallet at least!
Whoa, does the PayPal debit really code as grocery for target in store? This card seems extremely overpowered, opening one up now.

It really, really is.

It used to be slightly moreso, since it counted Walmart and Target online previously as well (excepting third party sellers on Target). If you have a different experience at your Target, please let us know. But so far all data points to Yes.

It covers more "grocery" type purchases than just about any card (hello Costco, Walmart, and Target), with the ability to be funded by a debit card for 6%, and DOUBLE the cap of other cards (limiting grocery spend to $6k/year is common, this is $1k spend per month, which is twice that.)

It may be nerfed at any time. But till then, ride the train since the ticket is free.

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

algata — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 02:28:04 GMT

@unsungivy wrote:

It really, really is.

It may be nerfed at any time. But till then, ride the train since the ticket is free.

May I ask how you get the extra 1% when funding with a debit card? Can it be any debit card? I just funded it with my Wells Fargo debit card but didn't see anything about an extra percentage point.

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

ElvisCaprice — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 06:58:16 GMT

@algata wrote:
@unsungivy wrote:
It really, really is.

It used to be slightly moreso, since it counted Walmart and Target online previously as well (excepting third party sellers on Target). If you have a different experience at your Target, please let us know. But so far all data points to Yes.

It covers more "grocery" type purchases than just about any card (hello Costco, Walmart, and Target), with the ability to be funded by a debit card for 6%, and DOUBLE the cap of other cards (limiting grocery spend to $6k/year is common, this is $1k spend per month, which is twice that.)

It may be nerfed at any time. But till then, ride the train since the ticket is free.
May I ask how you get the extra 1% when funding with a debit card? Can it be any debit card? I just funded it with my Wells Fargo debit card but didn't see anything about an extra percentage point.

It really is just the funding of Paypal that triggers the return on specific debit cards. It doesn't matter how you use that funding. You could just send it back to your main bank account and still get the return. Check out the debit cards at the bottom of my page. The Quontic and both Affinity trigger their cash back rewards by financing Paypal via their debits. I then send the funds back to Fidelity, my main checking account, CMA.

I know, another account to open, where does it end? lol

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

unsungivy — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:03:49 GMT

@ElvisCaprice wrote:
@algata wrote:
@unsungivy wrote:
It really, really is.

It used to be slightly moreso, since it counted Walmart and Target online previously as well (excepting third party sellers on Target). If you have a different experience at your Target, please let us know. But so far all data points to Yes.

It covers more "grocery" type purchases than just about any card (hello Costco, Walmart, and Target), with the ability to be funded by a debit card for 6%, and DOUBLE the cap of other cards (limiting grocery spend to $6k/year is common, this is $1k spend per month, which is twice that.)

It may be nerfed at any time. But till then, ride the train since the ticket is free.

----------------------

May I ask how you get the extra 1% when funding with a debit card? Can it be any debit card? I just funded it with my Wells Fargo debit card but didn't see anything about an extra percentage point.
It really is just the funding of Paypal that triggers the return on specific debit cards. It doesn't matter how you use that funding. You could just send it back to your main bank account and still get the return. Check out the debit cards at the bottom of my page. The Quontic and both Affinity trigger their cash back rewards by financing Paypal via their debits. I then send the funds back to Fidelity, my main checking account, CMA.

I know, another account to open, where does it end? lol

Yes, it has to specifically be a debit card that gives 1% cashback, and allows for this sort of transaction to count. As named, both Quontic and Affinity's work, although Quontic has a higher monthly cap. I'm not sure if Discover works for PayPal funding?

Axos is another option, but hasn't been fully tested yet.

Any CitiBank run cards seem to allow debit card payment of your balance as well, though depending on if it's direct with Citi or not, you may need to pay-by-phone to do so.

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

abcd — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 21:35:09 GMT

Is there any debit card that offers uncapped 0.5-1% back?

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

bs1234 — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 22:28:48 GMT

@abcd wrote:
Is there any debit card that offers uncapped 0.5-1% back?

I believe the Paypal Business debit card offers uncapped 1% with some conditions (need to spend more than $1 per week maybe plus business use only).

Just decided to try it again, I haven't used it since the 3% trick went away (use the debit card which pulled from the 2% PP credit card for a total of 3% on everything which was great).

Of course, for funding Paypal, this will probably not work!

Re: Simplifying My Setup After Closing USBAR (2–3 Cards)

ptatohed — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 22:28:32 GMT

@abcd wrote:
Is there any debit card that offers uncapped 0.5-1% back?

The Primus Perks currently offers 50c CB per transaction. They will be switching to 1% CB this month. I can't say for sure if the 1% will be uncapped but I can say the 50c is uncapped so maybe the 1% will be too?

https://primisbank.com/personal-checking/primis-perks-checking/