topic Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter? in Credit Cards

Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

oscar_actuary — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 00:44:27 GMT

Well, with PayPal giving 6 pts/$ for the next couple months, and Discover and Chase offering 5%, along with PenFed Platinum Rewards always 5%. have you got any thoughts on where you'll put the gas this time?

Fro now, I told the Wife to stick it on the Discover More card. Paypal's conversion makes 6pts/$ less than 5%. On the other hand, Discover has the better values in the conversion, IIR. More Gift Cards on sale. But, I could use some input on that.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

frugalQ — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 00:55:31 GMT

When I filled my car today, I totally forgot about chas/discover bonus...I used my BCP. I will be using my discover for gas until its close to statement date, then I'll switch to chase.

I don't have any specific reason for choosing discover over chase except the fact that I used chase for q2 categories and did not use discover at all.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

maiden_girl — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 00:58:17 GMT

I'm using Chase this quarter. I like their card better. Besides, I just got through paying off Discover and won't be charging on that card anytime soon. The low limit isn't working for me and I'm constantly pushing payments through it. Ugh.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

HiLine — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 00:58:22 GMT

Aren't PenFed points worth the least? Not sure how valuable PayPal points are. Discover and Freedom points are basically equivalent - which one comes out ahead depends on whether you have a Chase card that boosts the value of UR points.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

maiden_girl — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 00:59:43 GMT

@HiLine wrote:
Aren't PenFed points worth the least? Not sure how valuable PayPal points are. Discover and Freedom points are basically equivalent - which one comes out ahead depends on whether you have a Chase card that boosts the value of UR points.

I feel like Chase will always come out on top. I just like their UR mall better than Discover's I guess

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

nicholasyud — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 00:59:49 GMT

Discover all the way since they double my limit last month

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

E150GT — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:02:43 GMT

chase freedom baby! Although I told my sister to make sure to use her discover when she purchases gas since shes an AU on that card.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

HiLine — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:09:32 GMT

@maiden_girl wrote:
@HiLine wrote:
Aren't PenFed points worth the least? Not sure how valuable PayPal points are. Discover and Freedom points are basically equivalent - which one comes out ahead depends on whether you have a Chase card that boosts the value of UR points.
I feel like Chase will always come out on top. I just like their UR mall better than Discover's I guess

Does the UR Mall offer discount on merchant gift cards?

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

kilj0y — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:46:20 GMT

@HiLine wrote:
@maiden_girl wrote:
@HiLine wrote:
Aren't PenFed points worth the least? Not sure how valuable PayPal points are. Discover and Freedom points are basically equivalent - which one comes out ahead depends on whether you have a Chase card that boosts the value of UR points.
I feel like Chase will always come out on top. I just like their UR mall better than Discover's I guess
Does the UR Mall offer discount on merchant gift cards?

He saying chase always comes out ahead as you can transfer the points to an Ink or CSP and then transfer the points to miles or hotel points which makes the points more valuable.

And freedom for me as well.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

scenery_guy — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:19:50 GMT

Ink Plus. 2X UR is fine for me.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:22:28 GMT

@HiLine wrote:
Aren't PenFed points worth the least? Not sure how valuable PayPal points are. Discover and Freedom points are basically equivalent - which one comes out ahead depends on whether you have a Chase card that boosts the value of UR points.

Penfed points are worth 1c, so nominally similar to the others. As you suggest, with an Ink or CSP etc, UR points can be used in more valuable ways.

There are always a few "hot" offers (not all that hot!). For example, I can get a $25 CVS (or AMC, Footlocker, jcpenny) gift card for 2,400 points

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

maiden_girl — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:26:15 GMT

^That's what I like about Chase. The points are universal.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

HiLine — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:29:32 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@HiLine wrote:
Aren't PenFed points worth the least? Not sure how valuable PayPal points are. Discover and Freedom points are basically equivalent - which one comes out ahead depends on whether you have a Chase card that boosts the value of UR points.
Penfed points are worth 1c, so nominally similar to the others.

Can they always be redeemed at 1 cent per point for travel? Are there any restrictions? I think you have to book travels through PenFed's site, is that right? I'm asking for info.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

Simply827 — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:34:20 GMT

I don't know. I just got approved for both!

Decisions, decisions

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

GatorGuy — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:37:24 GMT

@HiLine wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@HiLine wrote:
Aren't PenFed points worth the least? Not sure how valuable PayPal points are. Discover and Freedom points are basically equivalent - which one comes out ahead depends on whether you have a Chase card that boosts the value of UR points.
Penfed points are worth 1c, so nominally similar to the others.
Can they always be redeemed at 1 cent per point for travel? Are there any restrictions? I think you have to book travels through PenFed's site, is that right? I'm asking for info.

Its cash back. You automatically get a statement credit at the end of each month.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

HiLine — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:38:19 GMT

@GatorGuy wrote:
@HiLine wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@HiLine wrote:
Aren't PenFed points worth the least? Not sure how valuable PayPal points are. Discover and Freedom points are basically equivalent - which one comes out ahead depends on whether you have a Chase card that boosts the value of UR points.
Penfed points are worth 1c, so nominally similar to the others.
Can they always be redeemed at 1 cent per point for travel? Are there any restrictions? I think you have to book travels through PenFed's site, is that right? I'm asking for info.
Its cash back. You automatically get a statement credit at the end of each month.

At a rate of 1 cent per point? That sounds good!

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

oscar_actuary — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:40:01 GMT

@HiLine wrote:
Aren't PenFed points worth the least? Not sure how valuable PayPal points are. Discover and Freedom points are basically equivalent - which one comes out ahead depends on whether you have a Chase card that boosts the value of UR points.

PenFed PrePaid Visa is 5000 pts buy $50, so "equivalent", unless there is an activation charge on those cards? I have yet to redeem.

Paypal $50 for 6000 pts. So in that case I guess 6x = 5%; but given the sales at Discover, I still prefer them. I never even noticed my PayPal had rewards until I oponed my eyes and came here. Now I use it for DineOut 3x pts occassionally.

other Paypal GCs, I see $15 for 2200 pts. That is not so good.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 01:57:10 GMT

@GatorGuy wrote:
@HiLine wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@HiLine wrote:
Aren't PenFed points worth the least? Not sure how valuable PayPal points are. Discover and Freedom points are basically equivalent - which one comes out ahead depends on whether you have a Chase card that boosts the value of UR points.
Penfed points are worth 1c, so nominally similar to the others.
Can they always be redeemed at 1 cent per point for travel? Are there any restrictions? I think you have to book travels through PenFed's site, is that right? I'm asking for info.
Its cash back. You automatically get a statement credit at the end of each month.

There are different cards: Cash Rewards does the statement credit at the end of each month. The Platinum Rewards cards gives you points that you have to redeem. (In return, the non-gas earning parts are much better, 3% groceries/1% everything else vs 0.25 for all non-gas on Cash Rewards).

I haven't done travel redemptions, but just trying it, looks like it is also 1c per point, you do a search on their site (but prices look right) and pay with a combination of points and money.

There is also the Penfed Amex Travel card, which I know little about.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

FocusedAndDetermined — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 02:35:44 GMT

It's Discover for me! Chase had had me stuck at $1,300 CL for 4yrs. Discover instantly approved me for $6,500 earlier this year. They showed me the love, so they get the love. Plus, Discover gives bonus coupons at Walgreen's and other stores when you use the card for purchases. So, for me, Discover is the more beneficial card.

Re: Where you putting the Gas this Quarter?

Sparkz1920 — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 02:43:03 GMT

@maiden_girl wrote:
I'm using Chase this quarter. I like their card better. Besides, I just got through paying off Discover and won't be charging on that card anytime soon. The low limit isn't working for me and I'm constantly pushing payments through it. Ugh.

Yeah, I hate pushing through payments on there...I came close to that 1k limit about twice last month

However, I have no chase, they wont approve me. So Disocver it is