topic Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated? in Credit Cards

Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

BrutalBodyShots — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:49:25 GMT

For me, US Bank Cash+ without question. Like many, I got it because of the 5% back on utilities. Well, joke was on me, as literally none of my utilities ever coded correctly to yield back 5%. I tried electric, water, oil, trash, you name it. 1% back for all. I completely understand that results will vary based on merchant coding and that there are plenty of people out there that have gotten back 5% as expected. But, for me personally, this has been a highly overrated card.

I'm curious to hear what card(s) you personally have found to be overrated / failed to meet your expectations.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

Vinjints — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:54:31 GMT

Paypal card. I guess it could have worked, but they never allowed me to add anymore money to it. Nor did they ever send the actual card that I requested. Wanted it to work for a an easy grocery card, but me and PP never hit it off. I think they ended up getting me for about 25c.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

dfwxjer — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 21:18:21 GMT

The Apple Card. Beyond pointless for my personal situation.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

1lifeisworthit — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 21:37:52 GMT

Discover.

Turns out I loathe keeping up with the rotating categories, and most of the categories don't fit what I use cards for.

So for me, Discover left me wondering where the sheer joy was coming from on the actors faces.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

bs1234 — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 22:35:14 GMT

@BrutalBodyShots wrote:
For me, US Bank Cash+ without question. Like many, I got it because of the 5% back on utilities. Well, joke was on me, as literally none of my utilities ever coded correctly to yield back 5%. I tried electric, water, oil, trash, you name it. 1% back for all. I completely understand that results will vary based on merchant coding and that there are plenty of people out there that have gotten back 5% as expected. But, for me personally, this has been a highly overrated card.

I'm curious to hear what card(s) you personally have found to be overrated / failed to meet your expectations.

In some sense not a bug with the Cash+ (rather the way your utilities code) but that still makes it a disappointment! But swings and roundabouts, as I previously reported, my property tax codes as utilties, so the smartly gives 4% on that (while the convenince fee codes as a tax so only gets 2%). If I really wanted to max rewards, I guess I could put the first $2K on the cash+ earning an extra $20!

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

CreditCuriosity — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 22:57:13 GMT

@bs1234 wrote:
@BrutalBodyShots wrote:
For me, US Bank Cash+ without question. Like many, I got it because of the 5% back on utilities. Well, joke was on me, as literally none of my utilities ever coded correctly to yield back 5%. I tried electric, water, oil, trash, you name it. 1% back for all. I completely understand that results will vary based on merchant coding and that there are plenty of people out there that have gotten back 5% as expected. But, for me personally, this has been a highly overrated card.

I'm curious to hear what card(s) you personally have found to be overrated / failed to meet your expectations.
In some sense not a bug with the Cash+ (rather the way your utilities code) but that still makes it a disappointment! But swings and roundabouts, as I previously reported, my property tax codes as utilties, so the smartly gives 4% on that (while the convenince fee codes as a tax so only gets 2%). If I really wanted to max rewards, I guess I could put the first $2K on the cash+ earning an extra $20!

Right all my utilities code correctly on Cash+ not the cards fault but particular utilities company on how they code CC payment. All is based on MCC codes.. Just like years ago put HBO MAX sub on BMO harris card expected 5% back but was coded incorrrectly and to bad to sad for me. Now I just order Max through my Prime sub and get 5% that way shrug.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

Aim_High — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:06:29 GMT

@dfwxjer wrote:
The Apple Card. Beyond pointless for my personal situation.

I hear that a lot @dfwxjer. I understand where people are coming from. If I were downsizing my cards, that one would go before several others. Still, I see positives about this card including physical security features (no external numbers and ability to regularly switch CVV codes); awesome User Interface through the iPhone to completely manage the card; easy SP approvals and CLIs with high growth potential >link<; respectable cash back rewards between 2% and 3% when used with Apple Pay. My full review >here<. But yeah, if I was simplifying down to 6 or 7 cards like your profile, it might not be on the short list.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

crystal626 — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:24:14 GMT

Every rotator.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

crystal626 — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:25:01 GMT

@Aim_High wrote:
@dfwxjer wrote:
The Apple Card. Beyond pointless for my personal situation.
I hear that a lot @dfwxjer. I understand where people are coming from. If I were downsizing my cards, that one would go before several others. Still, I see positives about this card including physical security features (no external numbers and ability to regularly switch CVV codes); awesome User Interface through the iPhone to completely manage the card; easy SP approvals and CLIs with high growth potential >link<; respectable cash back rewards between 2% and 3% when used with Apple Pay. My full review >here<. But yeah, if I was simplifying down to 6 or 7 cards like your profile, it might not be on the short list.

Plus the 0% APR financing when buying Apple products.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

Aim_High — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 03:37:31 GMT

@1lifeisworthit wrote:
Discover.
Turns out I loathe keeping up with the rotating categories, and most of the categories don't fit what I use cards for.
So for me, Discover left me wondering where the sheer joy was coming from on the actors faces.

Totally agree about the rotating categories, @1lifeisworthit. We have members who just LOVE those higher rewards categories (>recent thread<) but there have also been threads about "rotating category fatigue." I'm in the "fatigue" camp with you.

Still for me it's a keeper but my situation isn't the same as everyone. Discover was the original "cash back" card (1986) and mine dates to 1993. As the oldest card I still have open from those days, it's got age value for my credit profile. Back then, the cash back worked out to a little less than 1% but boy was that a great deal! Times change as cards have become more competitive. Eventually, it became a full 1% card before 1.5% became the mainstream. To try to keep it useful, I converted it to Discover Chrome for 2% on gas and restaurants before 2% became the new normal for general spend. So I switched it to the 5% rotating categories version a few years ago. As my only 5% rotator after I tried and shut down my Chase Freedom, it's the only one I keep around.

When I redeem rewards, I can often get gift cards at a discount worth about 1.1%, so spending all in the 5% categories can yield about 5.5% cash back.

My card also has a high credit limit of $52K, thanks in part to not only the age but also using some balance transfers along the way and paying them down. Discover has been a great card to keep around for those frequent balance transfer offers in case I ever want to use them again. They offer some other good deals such as the targeted 0% APR for nine months on purchases which I have right now. Even though I don't carry a balance and don't need to use it, they've also lowered my permanent APR down to 10.99%. It's nice to know that's available, especially with that larger credit limit.

I like getting my free monthly Transunion credit report and FICO 8 score through Discover, and they also provide free credit monitoring and even dark web monitoring.

I've also been pleased with Discover's outstanding US-based customer service and hopefully that doesn't change with the Capital One acquisition. As recently as 2024, J.D Power ranked them #2 in customer service satisfaction right behind American Express. This year (2025), they are down to #5 but still ranking above average and right behind Chase.

Would I recommend this card to everyone? No, probably not. Still, it's got some great features for the right profile. Perhaps that's where the joy on the actors faces comes from.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

Aim_High — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:53:17 GMT

@BrutalBodyShots wrote:
For me, US Bank Cash+ without question. Like many, I got it because of the 5% back on utilities. Well, joke was on me, as literally none of my utilities ever coded correctly to yield back 5%. I tried electric, water, oil, trash, you name it. 1% back for all. I completely understand that results will vary based on merchant coding and that there are plenty of people out there that have gotten back 5% as expected. But, for me personally, this has been a highly overrated card.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
@bs1234 wrote:
In some sense not a bug with the Cash+ (rather the way your utilities code) but that still makes it a disappointment! But swings and roundabouts, as I previously reported, my property tax codes as utilties, so the smartly gives 4% on that (while the convenince fee codes as a tax so only gets 2%). If I really wanted to max rewards, I guess I could put the first $2K on the cash+ earning an extra $20!
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
@CreditCuriosity wrote:
Right all my utilities code correctly on Cash+ not the cards fault but particular utilities company on how they code CC payment. All is based on MCC codes.. Just like years ago put HBO MAX sub on BMO harris card expected 5% back but was coded incorrrectly and to bad to sad for me. Now I just order Max through my Prime sub and get 5% that way shrug.

Well, this is disconcerting to read again. I've heard it before but was still considering a Elan or USB card for the potential 5% utilities. Not sure if it's worth the risk or hassle to try it, though, as I don't have a lot of plans for such a card otherwise.

I've been on the fence about it anyway. I live in a warm climate and have gas for winter heat, so just a few high months of electric for the hot weather is my worst time of year. However, my home is pretty efficient and I just upgraded some insulation and windows. Based on previous bills, if I were to use my AOD FCU Visa to get 3% versus 5%, I calculate the difference in utility rewards annually to be less than $100. That's on the fence to make it worthwhile.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

Mervin — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:07:57 GMT

I don’t know how many people think highly of it, but the Mastercard Black Card really stinks. I guess they’re trying to fool people into thinking it’s the real black card…

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

Jessie — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:10:17 GMT

To be fair, I don't have it/haven't used it, but it seems like people are getting a little too worked up about the Robinhood card. To me, the waitlist stuff seems too cutsey.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

Aim_High — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 02:53:32 GMT

@BrutalBodyShots wrote:
I'm curious to hear what card(s) you personally have found to be overrated / failed to meet your expectations.

Another good topic, @BrutalBodyShots.

Oh, I could probably name several cards which haven't worked out for me exactly as I had planned. Part of the issue is the nerfs of cards along the way and the changes in the either the rewards or credits. For example, I still love my AOD FCU card but the nerf on it lowered the 3% rewards cap and raised the APR, making it less of a unicorn. Still, it's a good card, but not what I had hoped/expected. My larger disappointments were usually like this, when lenders changed a card from what I signed up. Occassionally it's a positive change but it seems a lot is negative, especially when they raise an annual fee and try to justify it with new "value."

The one I really want to mention may surprise some readers. It's the American Express Gold card. I purposefully have never applied for the AMEX Platinum because I knew the rewards/credits didn't fit my lifestyle or pass the cost-benefit analysis. However, I wanted to try the Member Rewards Program. I though the Gold card might be the best option and fit me better since it earns well on food, whether dining out or groceries. Bottom line: even more than the inconvenience of the rotating category cards, I despise the AMEX "coupon book" and even moreso, the way they keep changing it. The "coupon book" with limitations by certain vendors and dates is designed purely for "breakage" or "spoilage" of the credits and nothing more. On paper, I might be able to justify getting my AF back, but it didn't work out that way. Plus, the credits changed while I had the card to eliminate the reimbursement of airline fees.

I enjoyed carrying the card. I would have loved to keep the card if AMEX didn't want to demand such a high fee (and then keep raising it) or if they just made it reasonably easy to get credits back for using the card.

I know this is really a great core card for some people and I can see why if you're organically getting the credits. Or if you're able to optimize points redemptions, the 4x MR earnings can be lucrative!

For me, I found that MR points can be quite valuable in some cases. However, I learned that they lagged Chase URs in cash value, gift cards, or travel portal redemption. It was only in transfer to partners where I thought the two were equivalent.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

CreditCuriosity — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:22:18 GMT

@Aim_High wrote:
@BrutalBodyShots wrote:
For me, US Bank Cash+ without question. Like many, I got it because of the 5% back on utilities. Well, joke was on me, as literally none of my utilities ever coded correctly to yield back 5%. I tried electric, water, oil, trash, you name it. 1% back for all. I completely understand that results will vary based on merchant coding and that there are plenty of people out there that have gotten back 5% as expected. But, for me personally, this has been a highly overrated card.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
@bs1234 wrote:
In some sense not a bug with the Cash+ (rather the way your utilities code) but that still makes it a disappointment! But swings and roundabouts, as I previously reported, my property tax codes as utilties, so the smartly gives 4% on that (while the convenince fee codes as a tax so only gets 2%). If I really wanted to max rewards, I guess I could put the first $2K on the cash+ earning an extra $20!
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
@CreditCuriosity wrote:
Right all my utilities code correctly on Cash+ not the cards fault but particular utilities company on how they code CC payment. All is based on MCC codes.. Just like years ago put HBO MAX sub on BMO harris card expected 5% back but was coded incorrrectly and to bad to sad for me. Now I just order Max through my Prime sub and get 5% that way shrug.
Well, this is disconcerting to read again. I've heard it before but was still considering a Elan or USB card for the potential 5% utilities. Not sure if it's worth the risk or hassle to try it, though, as I don't have a lot of plans for such a card otherwise.

I've been on the fence about it anyway. I live in a warm climate and have gas for winter heat, so just a few high months of electric for the hot weather is my worst time of year. However, my home is pretty efficient and I just upgraded some insulation and windows. Based on previous bills, if I were to use my AOD FCU Visa to get 3% versus 5%, I calculate the difference in utility rewards annually to be less than $100. That's on the fence to make it worthwhile.

Don't forget about the sub though as well as add what $200 as well and it works on gas/electric for me as both utilities. Great card and really don't consider it a rotater card myself as i am notified when to enable the cats and just pick the same ones on both of my cash+'s about a month before the quarter starts then don't worry about it. Otherwise I hate rotators where I have to think what the quarter is as that isn't worth my memories bandwidth with work taking up the majority of that.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

Vinjints — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:38:57 GMT

@CreditCuriosity wrote:
Now I just order Max through my Prime sub and get 5% that way shrug.

I did not know this was an option. Kind of seems like another ding against the BCP.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

CreditCuriosity — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:58:23 GMT

@Vinjints wrote:
@CreditCuriosity wrote:
Now I just order Max through my Prime sub and get 5% that way shrug.
I did not know this was an option. Kind of seems like another ding against the BCP.

Ya promo going on now 2.99/mo for 12 months with ads just signed up for and billed through amazon which defaults to prime card. Hope this helps See here https://www.doctorofcredit.com/hbo-max-2-99-per-month-for-12-months/

Never knew you could stream all types of services beyond max in one portal being prime either.. for 2.99/mo figured why not and can cancel anytime if bored or at 12 months so it isn't increased. Not sure if deal is still going on btw.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

Gunnerboy — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 01:25:55 GMT

Apple Card. Closed it after four years and seven months.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

BrutalBodyShots — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 01:34:38 GMT

@Gunnerboy wrote:
Apple Card. Closed it after four years and seven months.

Interesting to see this one come up multiple times thus far.

Re: Which credit card have you found to be overrated?

AndySoCal — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 01:55:26 GMT

Discover Chase Freeddom Flex rotating 5% catagories were never anything I could use. The card has changed some since I had it. There are some credit unions like Langley that give a choice 3 five percent catagories each month. You pick one but you can change it during the month. The change has to be made prior to the purchase. It did not work out for me. See my posts in this forum.