topic Re: Help me choose just one more CC in Credit Cards

Help me choose just one more CC

irving_magik — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 03:35:58 GMT

Hi everyone,

so both my Cap1 cards have a date with the shredder in the next month I have set my limit to 3 CCs. I hope to grow my 3 cards CLs to some nice limits. Which of the following no AF cards would you guys recommend? Which would best compliment my BCP and freedom?

US BANK CASH+

CHASE SAPPHIRE

CITI THANK YOU PREFFERED

CAP1 VENTUREONE

Thank you for the help!

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 03:48:11 GMT

Cash+ seems like a good one

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

Duncanrr — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 04:00:16 GMT

I know its not on your list and I know it has an AF, but why not get CSP and go for trifecta? I think you would earn enough extra points to cover the AF. But if decide no AF then I think Cast+ is best option of the ones you listed.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 04:05:27 GMT

Add at leas t one credit union card with low APR for purchases and cash advances if it should be needed. Look at DCU, SDFCU and PenFed for starters. Good luck.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

Chaos122 — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 04:27:42 GMT

have you thought about the citi dividend, $100 dollar cashback after you spend 500. 5% cashback on rotating categories and 1% on everything else. Simmilar rewards to chase freedom

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

irving_magik — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 04:58:59 GMT

Good suggestions so far. I didn't think of the Citi Dividends. Sounds like a good card.

The main reason I dont want an AF is because my BPC is by far my primary card. I use it for everything except when my freedom has good rotating categories like gas.

The US Bank card seems like a great choice but I'm worried I might not get approved. Both my cards just hit the two month mark and although my AAoA didn't take a big hit, I've heard US bank might not like too many new accounts.

What do you guys think? My scores should all now be around 730. (I'll pull new scores right before I apply to make sure) My Utl is around 15-19%. AAoA is 4+ years and I have no baddies in the last 4 years. No CO, collections, BKs or anything serious.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

HiLine — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 06:18:11 GMT

Lower your utilization temporarily, then apply for the Cash+. Your FICO will probably be around 750 then.

Otherwise, I would recommend the Sapphire to make the Trifecta.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

trumpet-205 — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 06:28:20 GMT

I actually recommend you get Sapphire and Cash+.

Sapphire is a no brainer since it also uses UR mall. Which means you can cash out those UR points faster by combining points earned on Freedom to Sapphire.

Cash+ for ability to pick two 5% categories. Pick bill pay and another category (home improvement if you have a local Lowe's that sells various gift cards).

Citi Dividend is a bit different than Chase Freedom in that it has $50 redemption threshold and annual cashback limit of $300. Because of the threshold and you don't get to know rotating categories until 2 weeks before the next quarter (makes it hard to plan ahead), I recommend you skip over it.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 06:56:08 GMT

I know it's not on the list but I'm sure that a discover more card will look good in the collection if you don't have it yet just saying

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

irving_magik — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:01:24 GMT

@trumpet-205 wrote:
I actually recommend you get Sapphire and Cash+.

Sapphire is a no brainer since it also uses UR mall. Which means you can cash out those UR points faster by combining points earned on Freedom to Sapphire.

Cash+ for ability to pick two 5% categories. Pick bill pay and another category (home improvement if you have a local Lowe's that sells various gift cards).

Citi Dividend is a bit different than Chase Freedom in that it has $50 redemption threshold and annual cashback limit of $300. Because of the threshold and you don't get to know rotating categories until 2 weeks before the next quarter (makes it hard to plan ahead), I recommend you skip over it.

Good to know this about the dividend card....I'll go ahead and skip this one.

Can you get the trifecta with a regular Sapphire? You dont have to have the prefered? I know you won't get 2x the points. But can you still benefit from transferring points from freedom? Do you still get the 7% dividend?

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

SportBike4Life — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:09:53 GMT

US Bank Cash+, hands down. Even if they only give you the US Bank Cash Rewards, they usually start you off with a very nice CL. My Cash Reward CL was higher than all of my existing CL's, at least.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 17:09:47 GMT

@irving_magik wrote:
@trumpet-205 wrote:
I actually recommend you get Sapphire and Cash+.

Sapphire is a no brainer since it also uses UR mall. Which means you can cash out those UR points faster by combining points earned on Freedom to Sapphire.

Cash+ for ability to pick two 5% categories. Pick bill pay and another category (home improvement if you have a local Lowe's that sells various gift cards).

Citi Dividend is a bit different than Chase Freedom in that it has $50 redemption threshold and annual cashback limit of $300. Because of the threshold and you don't get to know rotating categories until 2 weeks before the next quarter (makes it hard to plan ahead), I recommend you skip over it.
Good to know this about the dividend card....I'll go ahead and skip this one.

Can you get the trifecta with a regular Sapphire? You dont have to have the prefered? I know you won't get 2x the points. But can you still benefit from transferring points from freedom? Do you still get the 7% dividend?

Actually the $300 annual max is only on non-category spending and on non Shop Citi website spending.

There is NO max on 5% Category spending like the Chase Freedom, which has a max of $1500.

If you shop on the Citi site, there is no max either.

So, in all actuallity, you can earn more than the $300 annual max every year.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

distantarray — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 18:11:50 GMT

I say Chase Sapphire because remember your BCP card will provide 3% gas when your Freedom card gives you 6.25+% if you have the trifecta.

5% for gas and 25% bonus for travel when transfered to Chase Sapphire = 6.25% which makes it the best gas card out there 6 months out of the year (basing it off this year's rewards)

so if you alternate between Freedom and BCP you'll average 4.625% for the year, and don't forget the 10/10 Freedom bonus so you'll be closer to 5% which is the best rates for cards in the market right now.

But since your BCP is your go to card, remember Sapphire also gets 2.675% on a point spent on restaurants hotel and travel. (7% bonus and 25% more for travel) . Also don't forget the generous $500 travel bonus for Sapphire for sign up. Also Sapphire has 0% foreign transaction fees so it's a great card to have for travel.

it's actually funny cause I have these cards

Freedom

Sapphire

checking

Amex BCP

Navy Federal Patinum (balance transfer card high limit low apr)

the only card I want now is US BANK cash+ which i'll apply for in 6months. So out of everything I can really say go for thse cards cause that's what I did myself, and I'm obsessed with credit cards lol and bonuses.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 18:23:38 GMT

How does the addition of another Big Bank card help balance a limited portfolio? None of the other recommendations consider the much higher APR for purchases and cash advances. It's always rewards, rewards and PIFing. Sometimes life doesn't go as planned and a good insurance backup card is needed.Credit cards should not be thought of as fashion or influence statements but, rather an integral instrument of financial planning.

@Anonymous wrote:
Add at leas t one credit union card with low APR for purchases and cash advances if it should be needed. Look at DCU, SDFCU and PenFed for starters. Good luck.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

distantarray — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 18:28:35 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
How does the addition of another Big Bank card help balance a limited portfolio? None of the other recommendations consider the much higher APR for purchases and cash advances. It's always rewards, rewards and PIFing. Sometimes life doesn't go as planned and a good insurance backup card is needed.Credit cards should not be thought of as fashion or influence statements but, rather an integral instrument of financial planning.
@Anonymous wrote:
Add at leas t one credit union card with low APR for purchases and cash advances if it should be needed. Look at DCU, SDFCU and PenFed for starters. Good luck.
lol look up a little bit, i posted about my navy federal as my balancce transfer card

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

distantarray — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 18:30:58 GMT

but benton also remember that everyone SHOULD have a 6 month to a year extra funds , and shouldn't over charge things they can not afford, so it really shouldn't be nessasary, but just incase I have one anyways.

I have 2 years of extra funds + Navy Federal. and No i'm not rich i'm just making 55k a year, but I don't live lavishly and save a lot, always hope for the best, and prepare for the worst.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

trumpet-205 — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:19:25 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Actually the $300 annual max is only on non-category spending and on non Shop Citi website spending.
There is NO max on 5% Category spending like the Chase Freedom, which has a max of $1500.
If you shop on the Citi site, there is no max either.
So, in all actuallity, you can earn more than the $300 annual max every year.

You are partially wrong. $300 annual limit DOES include 5% bonus categories. Only bonus cashback earned through Citi online portal is not subjected to $300 annual limit.

Unless the offer you received indicates otherwise, you may accumulate a maximum of 300 Dividend Dollars in any calendar year (eligible transactions appearing on your January - December billing statements) payable in checks of $50 increments only upon your request . Dividend Dollars earned on purchases through the Citi Bonus Cash Center are not subject to the $300 calendar year maximum accumulation.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:32:06 GMT

@trumpet-205 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Actually the $300 annual max is only on non-category spending and on non Shop Citi website spending.
There is NO max on 5% Category spending like the Chase Freedom, which has a max of $1500.
If you shop on the Citi site, there is no max either.
So, in all actuallity, you can earn more than the $300 annual max every year.

You are partially wrong. $300 annual limit DOES include 5% bonus categories. Only bonus cashback earned through Citi online portal is not subjected to $300 annual limit.

Unless the offer you received indicates otherwise, you may accumulate a maximum of 300 Dividend Dollars in any calendar year (eligible transactions appearing on your January - December billing statements) payable in checks of $50 increments only upon your request . Dividend Dollars earned on purchases through the Citi Bonus Cash Center are not subject to the $300 calendar year maximum accumulation.

I think you're right.

They just changed this. It use to be that 5% cats did not count and was unlimited. This was there standard offer. I guessed it just changed this month.

What a bummer. Dividend is now not very competitive.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

webhopper — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:43:30 GMT

Cash + or discover more or CSP.... all good choices.

Re: Help me choose just one more CC

trumpet-205 — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 21:08:00 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
How does the addition of another Big Bank card help balance a limited portfolio? None of the other recommendations consider the much higher APR for purchases and cash advances. It's always rewards, rewards and PIFing. Sometimes life doesn't go as planned and a good insurance backup card is needed.Credit cards should not be thought of as fashion or influence statements but, rather an integral instrument of financial planning.

Problem is, it quickly adds up to a huge debt for people in financial hardship. I don't believe in the idea of using credit card if you are in financial trouble.

But for the sake of the argument this is where Citi credit card shines. If you maintain good payment history on these Citi cards Citi constantly sends you 0% BT and purchase offer. You can use these offers to do a direct deposit without incuring cash advance fee and APR.

@Anonymous wrote:
I think you're right.
They just changed this. It use to be that 5% cats did not count and was unlimited. This was there standard offer. I guessed it just changed this month.

It's actually been that way for a while. My TY Preferred card (see signature below) was originally a Dividend card from 05/2011 and it already imposed $300 limit back then.