topic Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom in Credit Cards

AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 05:21:36 GMT

Which one of these cards do you guys utilize the most and why?

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

irrational — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 05:26:51 GMT

BCP for me. I have a Discover IT, but the rotating categories are "meh". 90% of my day-to-day spending is gas or groceries, so the blue cash card really performs. If i was single, and didn't really have a big grocery bill, I could see the discover IT being useful.

sorry, I don't have a Chase

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

eddie84 — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 05:36:11 GMT

Discover It for me since I don't have Amex BCE. lol I also use Chase Freedom to fill in some of the 5% categories that Discover doesn't offer (gas and Starbucks on the first quarter of next year).

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

Omnipotent — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 12:40:24 GMT

Oddly enough my gas station is coded as a grocery store when I pay inside so guess who gets 6% on his BCP on gas! Also shop at Neighborhood Walmart for another 6%.

But if you want a card without an annual fee, the Sallie Mae for this party of 1. Also gets 5% on gas and groceries (each capped at a monthly $250 spend) and 5% on Amazon (capped at $750 monthly spend).

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 14:27:42 GMT

I have all 3 and I probably get the most use out of Chase Freedom.

BCE for purchases above $50 (except restaurants), groceries and gas, unless gas is on the 5% rotation.

Discover it at Sam's Club.

Chase Freedom on everything else except restaurants.

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 15:03:31 GMT

I don't have discover, but do have Cap 1 instead.

I use BCE for gas and (minimal) groceries

I use C1 cash rewards for 1.5% for everything else

I only use freedom for 5% bonus catagories

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

unc0mm0n1 — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 16:10:04 GMT

I don't think that a lot of people read the OP. He's asking about the BCE vs IT vs Freedom. Clearly the BCP is better than two no fee cards but that's not his question. OP, we'd have to know more about your spending pattern, whether you value points over cash and what other cards you have. I have all three cards you listed and I use my freedom the most. I hardly ever use my discover unless there is some crazy deal in shop discover, but I value points more than cash back and I can combine my freedom points with my CSP. I only use my BCE for groceries. I may upgrade to a BCP soon.

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 17:58:01 GMT

@unc0mm0n1 wrote:
I don't think that a lot of people read the OP. He's asking about the BCE vs IT vs Freedom. Clearly the BCP is better than two no fee cards but that's not his question. OP, we'd have to know more about your spending pattern, whether you value points over cash and what other cards you have. I have all three cards you listed and I use my freedom the most. I hardly ever use my discover unless there is some crazy deal in shop discover, but I value points more than cash back and I can combine my freedom points with my CSP. I only use my BCE for groceries. I may upgrade to a BCP soon.

I disagree with both of your first two sentences. As you can infer from everyones posts, there is no one fit for all card. We explained which cards we utilize and why... which was what was asked for. Perhaps you did not read the OP? I also do not believe in the blanket statement that "BCP is better than two no fee cards." BCP would never pay off for me because I spend minimal at supermarkets, and the 1% gain in fuel cash back on a 40+mpg vehicle would result in a wopping $0.90 cash back per month. The $11/yr gain will never offset the AF. Also the BCP is only 1% CB on other purchases where as my last post referenced a 1.5% CB. BCE+C1= 2 no AF cards that exceede my potential with BCP. I also see you value points more, but I will take cash anyday. YMMV

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

Swapmeet — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 18:02:26 GMT

@unc0mm0n1 wrote:
I don't think that a lot of people read the OP. He's asking about the BCE vs IT vs Freedom. Clearly the BCP is better than two no fee cards but that's not his question. OP, we'd have to know more about your spending pattern, whether you value points over cash and what other cards you have. I have all three cards you listed and I use my freedom the most. I hardly ever use my discover unless there is some crazy deal in shop discover, but I value points more than cash back and I can combine my freedom points with my CSP. I only use my BCE for groceries. I may upgrade to a BCP soon.

I am not sure that YOU read the OP. He asked which card all of us use the most, and why. So we don't need to know anything about the OP's life. I use the freedom the most because I don't buy a lot of groceries.....I use discover on any 5% categories, but I use the freedom the most because it has been more beneficial to my lifestyle.

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

MMB85 — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 18:08:53 GMT

I have the Freedom and IT. No Amex yet.

I use my Freedom the most. Rarely use the IT. I have always starting to notice that a lot of places I've been going to don't accept Discover. I've had a few times where my card got rejected. So when I am out, I use my freedom. If I am buying something online, and I see they accept Discover, I will give the card some action here and there.

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

09Lexie — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 18:24:07 GMT

Good morning! Let's remember to stay on topic and as usual be respectful of others' opinions and ideas.

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 18:25:35 GMT

Amex BCE for purchase protection

Discover IT for Amazon, Shopdiscover, possibly purchase protection too

Chase Freedom to build up UR for future airline miles & travel

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

Themanwhocan — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 18:30:49 GMT

First, let me state that I have indeed read the opening post.

I use the Discover It the most, since I do a lot of online purchasing. I like the online shopping portal discounts, I like the discounts when points are used to purchase gift cards, and of course I really liked the 5% on all online purchases when that was available in the 4th quarter. Usually has 5% Restaurants for one quarter.

I dont use my Freedom much, since I don't purchase Gas. I use it only when a 5% category is useful to me, such as Restaurants.

The Amex BCE, I don't use that anymore. Previously this was used more than Discover IT, but now I have a Sallie Mae Mastercard that gives much more cash back.

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 18:55:06 GMT

@Themanwhocan wrote:
First, let me state that I have indeed read the opening post.

I use the Discover It the most, since I do a lot of online purchasing. I like the online shopping portal discounts, I like the discounts when points are used to purchase gift cards, and of course I really liked the 5% on all online purchases when that was available in the 4th quarter. Usually has 5% Restaurants for one quarter.

I dont use my Freedom much, since I don't purchase Gas. I use it only when a 5% category is useful to me, such as Restaurants.

The Amex BCE, I don't use that anymore. Previously this was used more than Discover IT, but now I have a Sallie Mae Mastercard that gives much more cash back.

Yes. I think Sallie Mae really reduces the profiles where BCE is useful. If the spending exceeds the SM caps, or you do a lot of spending at the "select department stores" BCP is going to be better anyway. So BCE is left with those that need Amex features (possible CL growth, backdating, enhanced protections) but don't spend enough ($2,500 a year on groceries + gift cards for other vendors at supermarkets) to make the BCP worthwhile.

But to more answer the OP question, Freedom for the points in the 5% categories, BC(P) just for groceries up to the cap and any sync offers. Most of the spend is on other cards.

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 19:00:09 GMT

@desgre90 wrote:
@unc0mm0n1 wrote:
I don't think that a lot of people read the OP. He's asking about the BCE vs IT vs Freedom. Clearly the BCP is better than two no fee cards but that's not his question. OP, we'd have to know more about your spending pattern, whether you value points over cash and what other cards you have. I have all three cards you listed and I use my freedom the most. I hardly ever use my discover unless there is some crazy deal in shop discover, but I value points more than cash back and I can combine my freedom points with my CSP. I only use my BCE for groceries. I may upgrade to a BCP soon.
I disagree with both of your first two sentences. As you can infer from everyones posts, there is no one fit for all card. We explained which cards we utilize and why... which was what was asked for. Perhaps you did not read the OP? I also do not believe in the blanket statement that "BCP is better than two no fee cards." BCP would never pay off for me because I spend minimal at supermarkets, and the 1% gain in fuel cash back on a 40+mpg vehicle would result in a wopping $0.90 cash back per month. The $11/yr gain will never offset the AF. Also the BCP is only 1% CB on other purchases where as my last post referenced a 1.5% CB. BCE+C1= 2 no AF cards that exceede my potential with BCP. I also see you value points more, but I will take cash anyday. YMMV

What this misses is the fact you can buy, at no additional fee, gift cards to lots of other vendors at big supermarkets. So unless your total annual spend on that sort of thing, including groceries, is less than $2,500, BCP is usually better. (This neglects the fact you can often buy cards at discounts with say the Cap One, but often discount + 1.5% is going to be less than the 6% discount on BCP).

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 20:39:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@desgre90 wrote:
@unc0mm0n1 wrote:
I don't think that a lot of people read the OP. He's asking about the BCE vs IT vs Freedom. Clearly the BCP is better than two no fee cards but that's not his question. OP, we'd have to know more about your spending pattern, whether you value points over cash and what other cards you have. I have all three cards you listed and I use my freedom the most. I hardly ever use my discover unless there is some crazy deal in shop discover, but I value points more than cash back and I can combine my freedom points with my CSP. I only use my BCE for groceries. I may upgrade to a BCP soon.
I disagree with both of your first two sentences. As you can infer from everyones posts, there is no one fit for all card. We explained which cards we utilize and why... which was what was asked for. Perhaps you did not read the OP? I also do not believe in the blanket statement that "BCP is better than two no fee cards." BCP would never pay off for me because I spend minimal at supermarkets, and the 1% gain in fuel cash back on a 40+mpg vehicle would result in a wopping $0.90 cash back per month. The $11/yr gain will never offset the AF. Also the BCP is only 1% CB on other purchases where as my last post referenced a 1.5% CB. BCE+C1= 2 no AF cards that exceede my potential with BCP. I also see you value points more, but I will take cash anyday. YMMV
What this misses is the fact you can buy, at no additional fee, gift cards to lots of other vendors at big supermarkets. So unless your total annual spend on that sort of thing, including groceries, is less than $2,500, BCP is usually better. (This neglects the fact you can often buy cards at discounts with say the Cap One, but often discount + 1.5% is going to be less than the 6% discount on BCP).

Respectfully it is considerably less than $2500 at this point in my life. Would be glad to take it to PM if you would like.

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

jamesdwi — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 20:59:48 GMT

I have Discover IT and Freedom, and the BCP (not BCE)

BCP gets most of my spend, gas and groceries

Freedom gets the rest.

3-4 months I misplaced my IT card and had it replaced, I haven't activated the card yet, so I guess that is a sign to which card gets used the least.

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

cyclesport45 — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 21:13:12 GMT

I have the BCP and Freedom. I use whatever gets me the best bonus. Groceries, always the BCP. Gas, the BCP unless the Freedom is at 5%. Everything else is dependant on whether I'm buying on the Chase Ultimate Rewards mall, or in a real store. I just bought wifey a $148 wallet for Christmas. It would have been 3% back with BCP at macys (call it $4.50). But I found it on the Chase UR mall for $78, PLUS a 6% bonus. That's a savings of $78 and change. Shhh, don't tell the wife!

Don't have Discover, don't really want one.

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

unc0mm0n1 — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 23:57:01 GMT

@Swapmeet wrote:
@unc0mm0n1 wrote:
I don't think that a lot of people read the OP. He's asking about the BCE vs IT vs Freedom. Clearly the BCP is better than two no fee cards but that's not his question. OP, we'd have to know more about your spending pattern, whether you value points over cash and what other cards you have. I have all three cards you listed and I use my freedom the most. I hardly ever use my discover unless there is some crazy deal in shop discover, but I value points more than cash back and I can combine my freedom points with my CSP. I only use my BCE for groceries. I may upgrade to a BCP soon.
I am not sure that YOU read the OP. He asked which card all of us use the most, and why. So we don't need to know anything about the OP's life. I use the freedom the most because I don't buy a lot of groceries.....I use discover on any 5% categories, but I use the freedom the most because it has been more beneficial to my lifestyle.

That is not what he asked. I'll repost the OP since you didn't understand it.

AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

‎12-20-2013 09:21 PM

Which one of these cards do you guys utilize the most and why?

He didn't say which card do you use the most. He said which one of these cards do you use the most, clearly refering to the three cards above. Also in refrence to the BCP, I should have been more clear. Posters were saying how they get a ton of cash back on gas and groceries using the BCP. I was saying the BCP should perform better in those catergories because you're paying for it. Clearly it depends on your spending habits but that's why I asked for his.

Re: AMEX BCE vs Discover IT vs Chase Freedom

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 02:23:48 GMT

Freedom is in the mail.

I'm hoping these three are all I will need for a while.