topic Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future in Credit Cards

Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 23:40:24 GMT

Well, you guys can see what I have below in my signature. Gardening now. But am wondering what to go for the in the future. I like to set goals. The last six months I have increased my credit more than 100 fold as far as credit cards. I am quite happy.

I have been looking around at B of A, Citi, and Amex revolvers (folks I am not in with). I am a lawyer so I tend to read every jot and tiddle. Not really impressed. My Visa Black Card has the best travel insurance. I have the lounge access I need between the Black Card and the Amex Platinum, except for American/US Scare, who I hate and only fly with as a last resort. I mostly fly United so I am not sure what benefits a Sapphire Preferred would give me, although I imagine in six months to a year with good history Chase might give me one of those in addition to the United siggy I already have. Denied for Diner's Club - but when I look at the benefits, I am not sure why I really need that?

I have a $10,000 line with Liberty Bank at 9.9% on a Visa Card. Are there better rates out there?

So, what say you out there? Am I like the armies of Marcus Arrellius, and there is just no where left to be conquered, just to age my accounts and get CLI's?

What else is out there as far as credit cards that someone just has to have because it rocks? In six months or a year or two years what should I apply for? I am a goal setting person; it is how I discipline myself. What is the next goal I should set, other than CLI's because I need more than almost $60k worth of credit? I have business goals, personal goals, etc. Am I basically done with credit card goals after six months other than CLI's?

Let them say I lived in the time of Hector, tamer of Horses. Let them say I lived in the time of Achilles.

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:01:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Well, you guys can see what I have below in my signature. Gardening now. But am wondering what to go for the in the future. I like to set goals. The last six months I have increased my credit more than 100 fold as far as credit cards. I am quite happy.

I have been looking around at B of A, Citi, and Amex revolvers (folks I am not in with). I am a lawyer so I tend to read every jot and tiddle. Not really impressed. My Visa Black Card has the best travel insurance. I have the lounge access I need between the Black Card and the Amex Platinum, except for American/US Scare, who I hate and only fly with as a last resort. I mostly fly United so I am not sure what benefits a Sapphire Preferred would give me, although I imagine in six months to a year with good history Chase might give me one of those in addition to the United siggy I already have. Denied for Diner's Club - but when I look at the benefits, I am not sure why I really need that?

I have a $10,000 line with Liberty Bank at 9.9% on a Visa Card. Are there better rates out there?

So, what say you out there? Am I like the armies of Marcus Arrellius, and there is just no where left to be conquered, just to age my accounts and get CLI's?

What else is out there as far as credit cards that someone just has to have because it rocks? In six months or a year or two years what should I apply for? I am a goal setting person; it is how I discipline myself. What is the next goal I should set, other than CLI's because I need more than almost $60k worth of credit? I have business goals, personal goals, etc. Am I basically done with credit card goals after six months other than CLI's?

Let them say I lived in the time of Hector, tamer of Horses. Let them say I lived in the time of Achilles.

You may have answered your own question here. CSP is a nice card with a decently low AF.

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:08:22 GMT

That's it? I conquer Germania and it's over? I guess so.

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:10:41 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
That's it? I conquer Germania and it's over? I guess so.

I suppose you could go after Arabia as well.

They may not like it.

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:14:12 GMT

So where is Arabia? In the credit card world?

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:15:52 GMT

What's the Elysium of credit cards?

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:16:08 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
So where is Arabia? In the credit card world?

Depends where you live.

JCB, US Bank, Random CU's.

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:17:50 GMT

Who is JCB?

Other than more available credit, what's out there as far as benefits or really low interest?

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 05:24:16 GMT

What's so cool about the Japenese bank card? I checked it out. Not in California or Hawaii

mod cut

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 05:24:40 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
What's so cool about the Japenese bank card? I checked it out. Not in California or Hawaii.

I believe they have a 3% cashback card.

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:29:58 GMT

Don't think they issue catds in Louisiana though.

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Themanwhocan — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:48:39 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Who is JCB?

Other than more available credit, what's out there as far as benefits or really low interest?

Hmm, right. Probably best to ask those questions before you obtain a large number of credit cards, not after.

There are various cards that give 5% cash back on various categories of spending, some of which have user selectable categories. But first you need to figure out what categories you use. Grocery stores, Gas, Restaurants, Hotels, Drug stores, Department stores, Sporting good stores, Office supply stores, Book Stores, Phone, Internet, Cable, Utilities, Walmart, Discount stores ...

So for instance, you look for a good card that gives 5% cash back at Gas Stations, and not individual Shell, or Mobile, or whatnot gas cards. There are cards that have corresponding online shopping portals, which when used together often give 10% or more off online purchases at various stores.

But if you don't know what you need, how will you find it?

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:57:33 GMT

I buy gas at she'll to use my kroger discount. I have a shell drive for five card. Groceries at Kroger, wal mart and sam's. I eat out a good bit. I shop Dillard's and brooks brothers. I have gotten over $150 in rewards from Brooks in the last six months due to my birthday and $20 reward certificates. Gotten good certificates from llbean too.

I guess a kroger credit card should be a goal. Rather uninspiring though.

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Themanwhocan — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:12:05 GMT

The kroger card doesn't look very impressive. But I assume any card that gives discounts at Grocery stores would work there.

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 01:14:02 GMT

Yep. So what then?

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

hiro905 — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 03:26:49 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Yep. So what then?

so.... maybe you should determine where your spending is and based on that figure out what kind of card you should aim for?

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 04:24:47 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Yep. So what then?

You could always garden.

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:36:14 GMT

Well, thanks guys. This sort of confirms my suspicions that what b of a, us bank, and amex offer is not measurably better than what I have in terms of interest rates or rewards. I am reading their websites correctly.

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:49:40 GMT

Update: in a year or two I will try to get an Amex Blue Cash Preferred for Gas and Groceries. That's a pretty inpressive deal. Something to shoot for after I garden.

Re: Ok, so what to shoot for in the future

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 12:19:58 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Update: in a year or two I will try to get an Amex Blue Cash Preferred for Gas and Groceries. That's a pretty inpressive deal. Something to shoot for after I garden.

Maybe or maybe not. At lower levels of spend, the Barclays Sallie Mae is better (see the chart posted earlier). At higher levels, the Blue Cash is better. Problem with the BCP is the major benefit is capped at $6K spend, and it has a $75 AF.

As others have said, it all depends on your spending and your goals (travel rewards, cash back etc). You seem to have a fair amount of cards, where do you see gaps?