topic Re: Amazon thoughts in Credit Cards

Amazon thoughts

Anonymous — Fri, 16 May 2014 13:24:40 GMT

Hello

So as I've said before, I'm gardening til Aug/Sept and then I'm app spree'ing...and my thoughts so far on apps are (in app order):

Sallie Mae

Discover It

Chase Freedom

4th card haven't fully decided, but thinking an Amex Blue card or Bank Americard

Now, since I'm a nerd and have an enthusiast gaming computer that I'd like to keep current, I'm due to upgrade my GPU in the next few months, which for an enthusiast grade piece of hardware will run me ~$750-1K, and I'd probably order it from Amazon.

So, I'm thinking about Amazon Visa rewards card in lieu of or in addition to the Freedom (as Amazon Rewards Visa is Chase), but I'm trying to decide which is best for this planned purchase as well as for the longer term.

Sallie Mae - I thought I heard/read somewhere that they give 5% on Amazon purchases, but I can't find info on this on their site so probably just a figment of my imagination.
Chase Freedom - Has $100 reward for first $500 spend, and 0% APR thru August 2015, plus 5% Amazon category October-December 2014
Amazon Visa - Has $60 Amazon gift card upon approval, 3% back on Amazon purchases, 2% on gas/restaurant/drugstores, and 1% all else.

I would probably carry the GPU purchase for 2-3 months as it is a completely frivolous purchase and I will be post-app spree so I don't need to worry about util hardcore, and I'd rather pay for it over the few months rather than all at once. I shop on Amazon somewhat often, am a Prime member (and I realize the 3% on the Amazon card is for Amazon.com sold items only, not merchant items), and the Freedom categories aren't all that super appealing...I don't own property so Home Improvement is worthless, I don't own a car so gas stations are worthless (although I do buy gas occasionally). Zappos is expensive and they don't usually have my size.

I'm kind of leaning Amazon card vs. Chase Freedom. OR...:

I get the 4 cards originally planned, and also get GECRB Amazon Store card which has 0% financing on purchase of $599 or more - but is otherwise devoid of benefit other than making large purchases on Amazon.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Re: Amazon thoughts

Anonymous — Fri, 16 May 2014 13:40:11 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hello

So as I've said before, I'm gardening til Aug/Sept and then I'm app spree'ing...and my thoughts so far on apps are (in app order):

Sallie Mae
Discover It
Chase Freedom
4th card haven't fully decided, but thinking an Amex Blue card or Bank Americard

Now, since I'm a nerd and have an enthusiast gaming computer that I'd like to keep current, I'm due to upgrade my GPU in the next few months, which for an enthusiast grade piece of hardware will run me ~$750-1K, and I'd probably order it from Amazon.

So, I'm thinking about Amazon Visa rewards card in lieu of or in addition to the Freedom (as Amazon Rewards Visa is Chase), but I'm trying to decide which is best for this planned purchase as well as for the longer term.

Sallie Mae - I thought I heard/read somewhere that they give 5% on Amazon purchases, but I can't find info on this on their site so probably just a figment of my imagination.

Thanks

5% on bookstores up to $750 per month. This includes all Amazon purchases (but not things like Amazon Payment)

Re: Amazon thoughts

Anonymous — Fri, 16 May 2014 13:42:28 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Hello

So as I've said before, I'm gardening til Aug/Sept and then I'm app spree'ing...and my thoughts so far on apps are (in app order):

Sallie Mae
Discover It
Chase Freedom
4th card haven't fully decided, but thinking an Amex Blue card or Bank Americard

Now, since I'm a nerd and have an enthusiast gaming computer that I'd like to keep current, I'm due to upgrade my GPU in the next few months, which for an enthusiast grade piece of hardware will run me ~$750-1K, and I'd probably order it from Amazon.

So, I'm thinking about Amazon Visa rewards card in lieu of or in addition to the Freedom (as Amazon Rewards Visa is Chase), but I'm trying to decide which is best for this planned purchase as well as for the longer term.

Sallie Mae - I thought I heard/read somewhere that they give 5% on Amazon purchases, but I can't find info on this on their site so probably just a figment of my imagination.

Thanks
5% on bookstores up to $750 per month. This includes all Amazon purchases (but not things like Amazon Payment)

Oh, Ok, so they consider Amazon a "bookstore"? But still it's up to 750, and the purchase will more likely be on the 1K side rather than the 750 side. Still something to consider though.

Re: Amazon thoughts

CarnegieS — Fri, 16 May 2014 13:46:26 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hello

Sallie Mae - I thought I heard/read somewhere that they give 5% on Amazon purchases, but I can't find info on this on their site so probably just a figment of my imagination.

The SM will give you 5% up to $750 at bookstores. They consider Amazon to be a bookstore so that would work.

Also I know you are looking to purchase at Amazon, but I would recommend looking into Newegg as well since they run promos through Discover frequently.

“$50 back on a purchase of $500 or more at Newegg" is what one of my offers is currently. Essentially a 10% CB offer. This would give you more back if the GPU was priced the same, also pretty sure you would get the standard 1% CB as well.

Re: Amazon thoughts

mongstradamus — Fri, 16 May 2014 13:47:46 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Hello

So as I've said before, I'm gardening til Aug/Sept and then I'm app spree'ing...and my thoughts so far on apps are (in app order):

Sallie Mae
Discover It
Chase Freedom
4th card haven't fully decided, but thinking an Amex Blue card or Bank Americard

Now, since I'm a nerd and have an enthusiast gaming computer that I'd like to keep current, I'm due to upgrade my GPU in the next few months, which for an enthusiast grade piece of hardware will run me ~$750-1K, and I'd probably order it from Amazon.

So, I'm thinking about Amazon Visa rewards card in lieu of or in addition to the Freedom (as Amazon Rewards Visa is Chase), but I'm trying to decide which is best for this planned purchase as well as for the longer term.

Sallie Mae - I thought I heard/read somewhere that they give 5% on Amazon purchases, but I can't find info on this on their site so probably just a figment of my imagination.

Thanks
5% on bookstores up to $750 per month. This includes all Amazon purchases (but not things like Amazon Payment)

Oh, Ok, so they consider Amazon a "bookstore"? But still it's up to 750, and the purchase will more likely be on the 1K side rather than the 750 side. Still something to consider though.

Also depends on how much you will shop at amazon after this GPU purchase. If not you can wait till 4th quarter freedom and it have amazon 5% categories

Re: Amazon thoughts

flowfaster — Fri, 16 May 2014 13:54:32 GMT

Amazon has the EVGA GTX 780Ti SC on sale right now. Go Go Go. That's what you are looking at ...no?

I have the two GTX 770 4gb in SLI. About 20-30% faster than a 780Ti.

Re: Amazon thoughts

Anonymous — Fri, 16 May 2014 14:19:51 GMT

@flowfaster wrote:
Amazon has the EVGA GTX 780Ti SC on sale right now. Go Go Go. That's what you are looking at ...no?

I have the two GTX 770 4gb in SLI. About 20-30% faster than a 780Ti.

Well, I wouldn't be getting one til late summer/early fall...I would prefer to get a dual-GPU card like Titan, but Titan is getting old, so I'm kind of hoping something else comes out in the meantime...although this "Black" edition is new, so that isn't giving me warm fuzzies about more new stuff coming out before next year (I haven't kept up with the rumors)...and NVIDIA has been known to milk technology for as long as possible these past few years. Yes, a 780Ti is certainly a contender. I'm upgrading from a 680SC I bought when it was just released (and paid a premium for). It still has respectable performance and can run most current games pretty well on just single monitor 1920x1080, but it is aging and I do notice it's age sometimes, even in older games like BL2. I think part of it is the 680 has kind of low memory, only 2GB. I would like to get higher rez in future, though so more power will be necessary.

Re: Amazon thoughts

MadTechnologist — Fri, 16 May 2014 14:23:32 GMT

I also just recently learned that neither the NewEgg Store Card nor Bill Me Later show up on your credit report. As such, with NewEgg you get a year to pay of whatever, I think for purchases of like $250 or more, and Bill Me Later is 6 months to pay it off and neither will hurt your uti at all because they won't be on the credit report. I just heard about this on the forums and haven't tried it myself only because my score is too low right now to get approved for either one, so I can't confirm it personally. But, everything else I've heard on these forums was legit and amazing, so I trust the info. So, if you can find the part you're looking for on NewEgg or somewhere that accepts Bill Me Later like eBay, that could also help. Just a suggestion...

Re: Amazon thoughts

Legen_dary — Fri, 16 May 2014 14:26:52 GMT

I only have a GTX 770 2GB.. and it's driving a 1440P monitor =[

I wanna app spree too! Hopefully in a month or two.

Re: Amazon thoughts

Anonymous — Fri, 16 May 2014 14:30:59 GMT

I just added a graphics card to my shopping cart on Amazon just to see any offers and they are offering $100 off instantly If I'm approved for the Amazon Visa - which isn't a bad deal, I just don't know if that will be around when I actually purchase. I really would rather not do it now as I'd like to wait for my derogs to fall off in August before doing any HPs.

Re: Amazon thoughts

mongstradamus — Fri, 16 May 2014 17:04:35 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I just added a graphics card to my shopping cart on Amazon just to see any offers and they are offering $100 off instantly If I'm approved for the Amazon Visa - which isn't a bad deal, I just don't know if that will be around when I actually purchase. I really would rather not do it now as I'd like to wait for my derogs to fall off in August before doing any HPs.

YMMV but every time I buy something on amazon they throw that amazon credit card offer at me

Re: Amazon thoughts

Kenny — Fri, 16 May 2014 17:07:11 GMT

Max CB per month with Sallie Mae for Amazon/Bookstores is 37.50 on a $750 spend. You'd need to spend 1250 or more per month to make the Chase Amazon more valuable than the Sallie Mae. Just a solid stat to think about.

Re: Amazon thoughts

takeshi74 — Fri, 16 May 2014 18:53:24 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I would probably carry the GPU purchase for 2-3 months as it is a completely frivolous purchase and I will be post-app spree so I don't need to worry about util hardcore, and I'd rather pay for it over the few months rather than all at once.

If the rewards matter then consider the impact of carrying a balance on rewards earned.

@Anonymous wrote:
the Freedom categories aren't all that super appealing...I don't own property so Home Improvement is worthless, I don't own a car so gas stations are worthless (although I do buy gas occasionally). Zappos is expensive and they don't usually have my size.

I'm kind of leaning Amazon card vs. Chase Freedom.

So why are you considering the Freedom? Just for the one quarter's Amazon category?

@Anonymous wrote:
Any thoughts?

I'd suggest apping AmEx first unless you want drastically reduced odds or the AmEx is extremely low priority for you.

Re: Amazon thoughts

SunriseEarth — Fri, 16 May 2014 20:09:12 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Hello

So as I've said before, I'm gardening til Aug/Sept and then I'm app spree'ing...and my thoughts so far on apps are (in app order):

Sallie Mae
Discover It
Chase Freedom
4th card haven't fully decided, but thinking an Amex Blue card or Bank Americard

Now, since I'm a nerd and have an enthusiast gaming computer that I'd like to keep current, I'm due to upgrade my GPU in the next few months, which for an enthusiast grade piece of hardware will run me ~$750-1K, and I'd probably order it from Amazon.

So, I'm thinking about Amazon Visa rewards card in lieu of or in addition to the Freedom (as Amazon Rewards Visa is Chase), but I'm trying to decide which is best for this planned purchase as well as for the longer term.

Sallie Mae - I thought I heard/read somewhere that they give 5% on Amazon purchases, but I can't find info on this on their site so probably just a figment of my imagination.

Thanks
5% on bookstores up to $750 per month. This includes all Amazon purchases (but not things like Amazon Payment)

Does that include Amazon Marketplace purchases?

Re: Amazon thoughts

NoAnchoviesPlease — Fri, 16 May 2014 22:58:04 GMT

@SunriseEarth wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:

Sallie Mae - I thought I heard/read somewhere that they give 5% on Amazon purchases, but I can't find info on this on their site so probably just a figment of my imagination.

Thanks
5% on bookstores up to $750 per month. This includes all Amazon purchases (but not things like Amazon Payment)
Does that include Amazon Marketplace purchases?

I would guess it's only items sold and fulfilled by Amazon (i.e. same as items eligible for Prime), but I don't know for sure.

I know marketplace shows up as "AMAZON.COM.PAYMENTS,SEATTLE,WA," whereas amazon proper shows up as "(numbers),AMAZON.COM,SEATTLE,WA,US" so they can in theory tell the difference.

Re: Amazon thoughts

Anonymous — Fri, 16 May 2014 23:48:16 GMT

From the "Offer Details":

3% Back: You will earn 3% back for each $1 of eligible Net Purchases made at Amazon.com. 3% Back applies only to purchases made at Amazon.com (including digital downloads, Amazon.com Gift Cards, Amazon Fresh orders, Amazon Prime subscription, and items sold by third-party merchants through Amazon.com’s marketplace). 3% Back does not apply to purchases made at Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.co.jp, Amazon.ca, or any other website operated by Amazon.com, its affiliates and subsidiaries

Re: Amazon thoughts

NoAnchoviesPlease — Fri, 16 May 2014 23:49:59 GMT

Ah, so marketplace is included. Excellent. Thanks for finding that.

Re: Amazon thoughts

parakleet — Sat, 17 May 2014 00:41:33 GMT

@NoAnchoviesPlease wrote:
Ah, so marketplace is included. Excellent. Thanks for finding that.

Marketplace is included for the chase amazon card. I don't believe it's included for SM "bookstores" categories.

Re: Amazon thoughts

Themanwhocan — Sat, 17 May 2014 00:49:08 GMT

Just buy an Amazon.com giftcard to get around the Sallie Mae $750 a month Bookstore restriction. Repeat as many months as needed.

Or get 2 US Bank Cash+ cards, 2 Sallie Mae cards, and wait until the 4th quarter when Chase Freedom and Discover It will have amazon.com for their 5% rotating category...

Re: Amazon thoughts

parakleet — Sat, 17 May 2014 00:58:00 GMT

@Themanwhocan wrote:
Just buy an Amazon.com giftcard to get around the Sallie Mae $750 a month Bookstore restriction. Repeat as many months as needed.

Or get 2 US Bank Cash+ cards, 2 Sallie Mae cards, and wait until the 4th quarter when Chase Freedom and Discover It will have amazon.com for their 5% rotating category...

Problem with gift cards is if you have to return something or you want to take advantage of any extended warranties...