About to pull the trigger...but...

[expatCanuck]

Offered solely as a data point - my (just acquired) Discover IT came with an 11.99 rate, with the first 15 months at 0.

[ In contrast, my 17-year-old (sock-drawer'd) BoA MC World Rewards offers a charming 25.99, on the heels of its just-closed BoA V sibling at 26.24. ]

[dsotm76]

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@expatCanuck wrote:

Offered solely as a data point - my (just acquired) Discover IT came with an 11.99 rate, with the first 15 months at 0.

See, this is what has me leary of them.  Their 21.99% rate on the pre-qual.  I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the AMEX BCE and maybe look into a Discover around April and see if they come down any.  I just checked my FICO 8 and the scores are 744, 762, and 762.  I think the 21.99% is too high for that range, personally. 

[expatCanuck]

Certainly, 21.99 is not something to embrace if you anticipate carrying any balance.

[Anonymous]

I have both the DiscoverIt and the BCE. They are both great cards. I am relatively new to credit (my oldest account is 1.5 years- DiscoverIT). I never carry a balance. My current scores are 770 TU/ 759 EX/ 750 EQ. From my experience, here are my 2 cents comparing the 2 cards. Both cards earned a rightful place in my wallet. 

DiscoverIT- Great customer service, very clear intuitive website. The cashback match was really great for the first year. I think 2018 will have some useful catagories for 5 percent back like restaurants, grocery stores and Amazon during the holidays. They have Discover Deals too and you can redeem cash back for gift certificates, statement credits or literally cash back. 

Discover was my first card so they pegged me in at a pretty low credit limit that hasn't grown enough. It is still only $2350 and they still have me at a crappy 23.99 percent APR. However, if you pay in full, it really doesn't matter as the benefits far outweigh the interest. 

Amex BCE- Again, great customer service, very clear intuitive website. Amex is a well oiled machine. Outside of the grocery spending, the rewards structure is better for other cards. However, if you buy lots of groceries it is worth having in your portfolio. Amex Offers are like Discover Deals in a lot of ways. Amex does have industry leading fraud protection and member benefits though. 

I am new to Amex, so Amex got me in when my Experian was 762 and they gave me a $17000 credit limit and a 17.99 percent APR. From what I see, Amex is more liberal with credit limits but they like people who pay off their statements. You will be more likely to get the credit limit you want with the Amex I'm guessing. 

But given your habits, I would reccomend the Citi Costco Visa Signature card. I think you have the score to get in. The APR after the promotional 7 month period is at a solid 16 percent for everyone. Their rewards structure takes the Amex 3-2-1 to the the next level of 4-3-2-1 where 4 percent is gas, 3 percent is restaurants and travel, 2 percent is at Costco and 1 percent is everything else. 

[dsotm76]

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@Anonymous wrote:

But given your habits, I would reccomend the Citi Costco Visa Signature card. I think you have the score to get in. The APR after the promotional 7 month period is at a solid 16 percent for everyone. Their rewards structure takes the Amex 3-2-1 to the the next level of 4-3-2-1 where 4 percent is gas, 3 percent is restaurants and travel, 2 percent is at Costco and 1 percent is everything else. 

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Nice perks there with the card.  Only thing is that we don't have a Costco anywhere nearby.  However, Citi is on my radar.  :-)

[Anonymous]

You don't need to go to a Costco to get their card. You can get it directly from the Citi website. In fact, it was just as fast as getting my Amex. You do need to be a Costco member though. Even if you don't have a Costco store near you, Costco does have competitive prices online. For instance, I was able to get a Pro-Form treadmill for my house for $700 and free shipping. Costco offers competetive prices on electronics and household appliances with top notch shipping. At this point, I have paid for my Costco membership 4-5 times over with the cash back on the Costco card. And you have the convenience of having it through a reputable lender like Citi instead of some crap bank like Synchrony

[dsotm76]

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@Anonymous wrote:

You don't need to go to a Costco to get their card. You can get it directly from the Citi website. In fact, it was just as fast as getting my Amex. You do need to be a Costco member though. Even if you don't have a Costco store near you, Costco does have competitive prices online. For instance, I was able to get a Pro-Form treadmill for my house for $700 and free shipping. Costco offers competetive prices on electronics and household appliances with top notch shipping. At this point, I have paid for my Costco membership 4-5 times over with the cash back on the Costco card. And you have the convenience of having it through a reputable lender like Citi instead of some crap bank like Synchrony

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I only have the Synchrony card because of the dealings I have with a local business.  It's worth it for that and they upped me VERY quickly.  I definitely wouldn't search out for a Synchrony card.  I actually went with the BCE for AMEX and got approved.  I'll re-evaluate soon.  Citi is high on my list to get, maybe their Double Cash card.  :-)