Hi everyone,
I was thinking on applying for an AmEx card, but as you know, there are so many different options. I reviewed each card perks and it's difficult to simply choose one for me.
I travel once or two times per year. I don't have a specific airline to travel with or hotel to stay (In case you're thinking about the Hilton and Delta cards). I was also thinking on a low-end CC since I don't have a lot of credit history (7+ months).
What I've analyzed is the following:
Cash Magnet:
- Is 1.5% cash back worth?
Blue Cash Everyday:
- I don't think I'll take advantage of the 3% CB since I usually shop at Costco / Target / Walmart. But the 20% back on Amazon is a good deal. The Cash Magnet is still a stronger candidate since I'll get 1.5% intead of 1% everywhere. (Outside Supermarkets and Gas).
EveryDay Card:
- Are MR better than Cash Back? This is the only non-charge non-AF card with MR. If MR are better than CB, I would take this one instead.
Green:
- Is the AF worth? I don't think I'm going to use the CLEAR membership. I'm not a US Citizen. But I like the $100 lounge credits. Also, not having a FTF is a nice deal.
Hilton / Delta:
- Like I said, I barely travel with Delta. But these cards don't have a FTF which is great.
I don't have SSN/ITIN. Is AmEx still allowing applications with the 0001 SSN?
My spending categories sorted by relevance are the following:
- Online purchases and subscriptions (Amazon, Ebay, etc).
- Department stores
- Airfare. (Twice per year at least).
- Dining / Coffee shops
- Ride share
- Groceries
- Hotels (I usually rent Airbnb, so this may be useless).
I appreciate your advice about this. I often read the forum and reading the experts should be great 
The options I mentioned are based on my analysis, but if you think a different AmEx card could be a better fit for me, mention it.
Thank you!
Well, I wasn't a Delta flyer until I got my Gold. The signup bonus paid for a free flight and there was no AF for the first year so I said why not. Now, I don't fly anyone else. Though, I might still sneak a Southwest $59 wanna get away 45 minute flight to Vegas in the future rather than spending an hour and a half detouring to L.A. on the way, with Delta.
1.5% can be beaten by a number of cards out there. I went with the PenFed Power Cash Rewards for 2% everywhere, but another popular one is the Citi Double Cash or PayPal Cashback Master Card.
MR vs Cash Back is a personal decision. I'm not a big traveler at this point, so MR redemption wouldn't be for the highest conversion value so I stick with cash back. I got a Blue Cash Everyday to get my start with AmEx so I still get cash back and it covers me for 3% on groceries if I ever go to places that aren't Walmart/Target.
Not a fan of paying AFs at this time either, so passed on the Green.
Hilton/Delta...as already stated not a big traveler so not much point there for me. Altitude Go, Propel, and Power Cash Rewards are all 0 FTF so that's covered for me already too.
I would say since you're still new, avoid AF cards unless you can definitely take advantage of them beyond just breaking even on the fee. I also wouldn't really factor in things that you wouldn't have paid for before either. You're not saving $100 with the lounge credits if you never paid for them before, it's just a bonus.
Also, if you want better recommendations, include an idea of your general monthly or annual spend for different areas (dining, groceries, hotels, airfare, ride share, etc) and people can share their thoughts.
MR vs Cash Back is a personal decision. I'm not a big traveler at this point, so MR redemption wouldn't be for the highest conversion value so I stick with cash back. I got a Blue Cash Everyday to get my start with AmEx so I still get cash back and it covers me for 3% on groceries if I ever go to places that aren't Walmart/Target.
Not a fan of paying AFs at this time either, so passed on the Green.
Hilton/Delta...as already stated not a big traveler so not much point there for me. Altitude Go, Propel, and Power Cash Rewards are all 0 FTF so that's covered for me already too.
I would say since you're still new, avoid AF cards unless you can definitely take advantage of them beyond just breaking even on the fee. I also wouldn't really factor in things that you wouldn't have paid for before either. You're not saving $100 with the lounge credits if you never paid for them before, it's just a bonus.
Also, if you want better recommendations, include an idea of your general monthly or annual spend for different areas (dining, groceries, hotels, airfare, ride share, etc) and people can share their thoughts.
as of 1/1/23
If you don't have it already then, I would go for a BoA Cash Rewards. Set your 3% to online spending as that will cover Amazon and eBay, possibly airfare, ride share, and hotels depending on if you book them online and how it fully codes. Then you still get 2% for department stores (which the Amex BCE does not cover - BoA gives me the bonus for my Walmart, Amex won't), and 1% for everything else.
If you have a checking account with them, it's supposed to be easier to get approved and cash back gets bumped to 3.3% / 2.2% / 1.1%.
Mine has been a great card for over 7 years now, most of which it was my only card. Only downside in what you're looking for is that there are FTF.
If you have a checking account with them, it's supposed to be easier to get approved and cash back gets bumped to 3.3% / 2.2% / 1.1%.
Mine has been a great card for over 7 years now, most of which it was my only card. Only downside in what you're looking for is that there are FTF.
@ccquest wrote:
1.5% can be beaten by a number of cards out there. I went with the PenFed Power Cash Rewards for 2% everywhere, but another popular one is the Citi Double Cash or PayPal Cashback Master Card.
That's only "for PenFed Honors Advantage Members" though, right?
@ccquest wrote:
If you don't have it already then, I would go for a BoA Cash Rewards. Set your 3% to online spending as that will cover Amazon and eBay, possibly airfare, ride share, and hotels depending on if you book them online and how it fully codes. Then you still get 2% for department stores (which the Amex BCE does not cover - BoA gives me the bonus for my Walmart, Amex won't), and 1% for everything else.
If you have a checking account with them, it's supposed to be easier to get approved and cash back gets bumped to 3.3% / 2.2% / 1.1%.
Mine has been a great card for over 7 years now, most of which it was my only card. Only downside in what you're looking for is that there are FTF.
Just wanted to add that BCE does get 2% at many department stores. See which stores below:
- Bealls
- Belk
- Bloomingdale's
- Bon Ton Stores
- Boscov's
- Century 21 Department Stores
- Dillard's
- J.C. Penney (JCP)
- Kohl's
- Lord & Taylor
- Macy's
- Neiman Marcus
- Nordstrom
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Stein Mart
I still wouldn't recommend it for OP if you don't shop at a standalone grocery store. It used to have 2% back at pharmacies but that seems to be gone now.
Must garden until 2/1/2022 to hit my goal AAOA. 
I almost wonder if you could sneak Walmart and Target in as online shopping by using their app to pay or by ordering online for curbside/instore pickup too.
I always forget about those types of department stores that @SecretAzure mentioned being included for the BCE. When I think department store I jump to warehouse stores like Sam's Club and Costco or Walmart and Target instead.