topic Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery? in Credit Cards

Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:22:00 GMT

I'm looking at Chase Freedom, Capital One Quicksilver , and Chase Amazon.com rewards Visa. (I prefer no annual fees)

Anyone here have good experiences with any of these? They actually have pretty mixed reviews but they're what I'm looking for. Suggestions of other cards would be cool too.

I'm really responsible with my credit card but I only have a part-time job right now. I used to be an AU on my mom's card (who is overall responsible with it) and I have a secured card for over a year now.

When asked about income, how do I determine the amount to put? I haven't been working at this job that long and my hours will fluctuate probably.

Mastercard is more widely accepted right?

Since I just have a part-time job right now, I should apply for the easier card right? My credit score shouldn't be bad, I don't know what it really is it yet. CK and Capital One says it's 758.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Skye12329 — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:18:13 GMT

Check this link out http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Best-Cash-Back-Reward-Cards-for-Groceries-and-Gas/m-p/3457425/highlight/true#M956835

Otherwise i like my Chase Freedom and Quicksilver (doesnt get used much anymore) i prefer Chase over Capital One

As for Income i would say put down an estimate. Guess the best you can

As for MC being more accepted, depends where you go. Like Sams club doesnt take Visa but they accept MC and Discover.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:46:56 GMT

Thanks. Now it seems that Sallie Mae might be a good option too.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Involver — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:47:48 GMT

Sallie Mae is by far the best dual-purpose card for those two categories if your spend is low.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:13:39 GMT

@ involver:

Yeah I'm budgeting and concentrating on gas and groceries.

But there's confusion on how the cash back works, I've been reading arguements in comments sections.

So as long as it is NOT over $250 that month, one would get 5% cash back? I typically spend around $100 a month I think on just groceries:

"But what about spending less than $250 on each category? Let’s say I only spend $100 on gas in a specific month, do I still get $5 back on that?"

"If you spend less than $250 category you will still get the 5% cash back For each individual transaction they will give you the 5% back right away which is nice, my Capital One card is not nearly as easy to see what percentage you are getting back." I hope this is true.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:14:49 GMT

Its 5% back up to $250, if you go over then it turns to 1%. Since I'll be going over by about $150 a month I have a back up card to SM in mind for later. Since your spend is low you'll have no problems with 5%

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Berk — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:15:01 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@ involver:

I typically spend around $100 a month I think on just groceries.

Lots and lots of Ramen Noodles I am guessing if all you spend on groceries averages $25 a week! Maybe the occassional jar of peanut butter too.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Involver — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:25:42 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@ involver:

Yeah I'm budgeting and concentrating on gas and groceries.

But there's confusion on how the cash back works, I've been reading arguements in comments sections.

So as long as it is NOT over $250 that month, one would get 5% cash back? I typically spend around $100 a month I think on just groceries:

"But what about spending less than $250 on each category? Let’s say I only spend $100 on gas in a specific month, do I still get $5 back on that?"
"If you spend less than $250 category you will still get the 5% cash back For each individual transaction they will give you the 5% back right away which is nice, my Capital One card is not nearly as easy to see what percentage you are getting back." I hope this is true.

Anything up to and including $250 of spend receives the full 5% cash back. Any spending beyond that is 1%. The points accumulate immediately as the posts purchase as well which is nice.

Also included: 5% cash back capped at up to $750 spend on bookstores (see: Amazon.com)

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

uswala — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:30:13 GMT

I woulkd also recommend Sallie Mae, it is a really useful card.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:05:00 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

When asked about income, how do I determine the amount to put? I haven't been working at this job that long and my hours will fluctuate probably.

I'd go with something reasonable. What's the job pay?

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 02:21:03 GMT

I get paid 9 bucks an hour at a store that has a high turn over rate apparently. Looking for a full time job. My credit line will probably be low I guess.

@Berk: Ha. Oddly enough, now that I'm buying my own groceries, I eat healthier. I don't really eat that much ramen anymore. I ate a bunch of junk food when my parents were paying for it. I try to look for good deals on veggies and fruits.

So, theoretically, if I spend....$251 do I receive the 5% AND 1% of that $1.00 cash back ?

Does Sallie Mae have a liability policy? In case someone manages to use my credit card? I don't see it on their site.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

JediNeo — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 02:39:16 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I get paid 9 bucks an hour at a store that has a high turn over rate apparently. Looking for a full time job. My credit line will probably be low I guess.

@Berk: Ha. Oddly enough, now that I'm buying my own groceries, I eat healthier. I don't really eat that much ramen anymore. I ate a bunch of junk food when my parents were paying for it. I try to look for good deals on veggies and fruits.

So, theoretically, if I spend....$251 do I receive the 5% AND 1% of that $1.00 cash back ?

Does Sallie Mae have a liability policy? In case someone manages to use my credit card? I don't see it on their site.

This is correct. Anything over the $250 limit will receive 1% CB.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 02:43:47 GMT

Also just one slight correction on rewards available immediately.

As soon as the transaction posts, the points become available. But there is a minimum of 2,500 points (= $25) to redeem, so if you don't have that much, you cannot use the points straight away. This is unlike the Cap One Quicksilver, where the points post straight away and as there is no minimum redemption, you can use it straight away.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 03:40:03 GMT

Best card for gas is.........
Home depot and Lowes. Unlimited 5% back.

Best card for grocery is......
BCP

Best card for all around spending is....
BCP & Amex for Target

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 03:54:48 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Best card for gas is.........
Home depot and Lowes. Unlimited 5% back.

Best card for grocery is......
BCP

Best card for all around spending is....
BCP & Amex for Target

Based on what! Severl 5% gas cards. BCP is only best for a very narrow range (Sallie Mae better for smaller amounts, Amex Blue Cash for larger amounts)

And your last, only if most of your shopping is at Target.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

mongstradamus — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 03:59:14 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Best card for gas is.........
Home depot and Lowes. Unlimited 5% back.

Best card for grocery is......
BCP

Best card for all around spending is....
BCP & Amex for Target
Based on what! Severl 5% gas cards. BCP is only best for a very narrow range (Sallie Mae better for smaller amounts, Amex Blue Cash for larger amounts)

And your last, only if most of your shopping is at Target.

All around spending i would make an better arguement for DC or fidelity amex if we are talking purely cash back. EDP maybe if you can hit 30 swipe min and value MR at around 1.5ish. Of couse that is if you are going to use MR points to transfer for travel.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 09:17:06 GMT

I carry 2 cards in my wallet Redbird and a MC gift card. It's basically a fidelity amex and Citi double cash, but with 5% cash back. If my math is correct 5%>2%.

Besides the lighter wallet, I never worry about which cards to use for which categories.

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 12:18:41 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I carry 2 cards in my wallet Redbird and a MC gift card. It's basically a fidelity amex and Citi double cash, but with 5% cash back. If my math is correct 5%>2%.

Besides the lighter wallet, I never worry about which cards to use for which categories.

OK, so this is Redbird at Target, gift MC everywhere else (bought with the BCP at a supermarket?)

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

takeshi74 — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 12:58:06 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm looking at Chase Freedom, Capital One Quicksilver , and Chase Amazon.com rewards Visa. (I prefer no annual fees)

Sounds like you're going about it wrong. The Freedom is a rotator and sometimes the category is gas but I have not seen groceries that I can recall. The QS is 1.5% on all spend. If you want simplicity and just one card it might be a good solution but it's not necessarily going to get you the best rewards on groceries and gas. The Amazon Rewards Visa is completely irrelevant for groceries and offers 2% on gas.

I'd suggest looking at cards that offer higher rewards on groceries and gas such as the Sallie Mae, Blue Cash Everyday, Blue Cash Preferred, etc. You need to consider your spend in those categories to determine which would be the best fit for you. There are charts floating about this subforum that even compare the cards for different spend levels.

@Anonymous wrote:
But there's confusion on how the cash back works, I've been reading arguements in comments sections.

Go to the source when researching instead of relying on hearsay.

https://www.salliemae.com/credit-cards/sallie-mae-card/

Here’s how you earn cash back:
5% cash back on the first $250 you spend per month on eligible gas and grocery purchases each and the first $750 you spend per month on eligible book purchases.
1% cash back on every other purchase you make.

@Anonymous wrote:
Best card for gas is.........
Home depot and Lowes. Unlimited 5% back.

Best card for grocery is......
BCP

Best card for all around spending is....
BCP & Amex for Target

It's not so simple and straightforward. Best is highly subjective just as it is on any topic. You can't just assume that the best card for you in a given category is best for everyone. It's not just a matter of the spend category but spend level and all the other preferences that a given person may have. For gas I use the PenFed Platinum Cash Rewards. For groceries I use the BCP. For all around spend I use my CSP. Anotherperson could use an entirely different set of cards.

Again, there are charts and discussions for gas and grocery cards. There are probably discussions for the other categories as well.

@mongstradamus wrote:
All around spending i would make an better arguement for DC or fidelity amex if we are talking purely cash back. EDP maybe if you can hit 30 swipe min and value MR at around 1.5ish. Of couse that is if you are going to use MR points to transfer for travel.

Each has to determine what is best for the indiviual. Relying on another person's "best" list isn't necessarily going to provide one with the best options.

@Anonymous wrote:
If my math is correct 5%>2%.

5 is certainly greater than 2 but the question is how you're getting 5. You'd ahve to be using your other cards to buy the gift card and that's just not something that everyone is willing to do. Again, subjective matters factor in when it comes to discussing "best".

Re: Best credit cards for gas and grocery?

Themanwhocan — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 14:30:29 GMT

Well, there are a lot of choices for all-around spending. Somewtimes having multiple Bank of America Better Balance Rewards is best. Or multiple BBR for utility bills, plus a Double Cash for misc spending.