AARP by Chase: 3% restaurants and gas: opinions?

[brother7]

AARP credit card by Chase

Most of my friends eat out a lot. And most have cars. So I've been researching the best card for their spending habits and stumbled upon the AARP card by Chase (credit to Themanwhocan's cashback card charts).

I considered the Marvel credit card for restaurants only but 3% on gas swayed my thinking that AARP, though not as pretty and glamourous, is the better card that serves multiple purposes.

I have no personal experience with this card though, so any feedback is appreciated.

PS $100 signup bonus after $500 spent in first three months.

[kdm31091]

It's an option if the AARP logo doesn't bother your friends (if they are younger than "typical" AARP age).

A solid cash back card but keep in mind it's just an extra 1% on dining and gas above a flat 2% card. This could translate into just a couple bucks a month. Most "regular people" like to use just a couple cards for all purchases so in the long run they may come out ahead with a flat 2% card, but the sign up bonus puts the AARP ahead for awhile.

Beyond that, it's Chase, who is not known for being generous with limits although YMMV like anything else. Again, your friends may not really care.

[Sharingan]

I picked up a Chase AARP this past winter during the $200 sign up offer. I don't really use mine much since I would rather use a combination of the U.S. Bank Cash+ and the Chase Hyatt for fast food and restaurants and the Penfed Platinum Cash Rewards for 5% at the pump. Regardless, I do believe the AARP card is a decent option for those who like simplicity and may not spend enough to necessitate a (potentially) greater return. 3% on restaurant spending with no AF is quite respectable in my opinion. 

Also, waiters/sales representatives do often take a second glance when I use my AARP card, likely due to being 25 years of age, but I just make a face that implies something along the lines of "don't bother asking because I'm not giving you an explanation." 

[Loquat]

Don't know the age of your friends or if any of them are already members of the wholesale clubs...but if they are, the Sam's Club MasterCard has 5% fuel, 3% dining, 1% for everything else.  Likewise Costco Visa offers 4% on fuel and 3% on restaurants.  Just 2 other options to consider IF they're already members of either...

[SunriseEarth]

Perhaps someone with AARP can answer this, but is Chase AARP as specific with the MCC for "Restaurants" as Cash+ is?   In other words, do related MCCs (Fast Food, Bars & Cafes, Caterers) also get 3% with AARP?   With Cash+, it's very specific.   Marvel gives the 3% on the 4 dining MCCs.

Anyway, the people with AARP seem to like the card, despite looks of curiousity for cardholders below "AARP" age.  

[barthooper]

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@Sharingan wrote:

I picked up a Chase AARP this past winter during the $200 sign up offer. I don't really use mine much since I would rather use a combination of the U.S. Bank Cash+ and the Chase Hyatt for fast food and restaurants and the Penfed Platinum Cash Rewards for 5% at the pump. Regardless, I do believe the AARP card is a decent option for those who like simplicity and may not spend enough to necessitate a (potentially) greater return. 3% on restaurant spending with no AF is quite respectable in my opinion. 

Also, waiters/sales representatives do often take a second glance when I use my AARP card, likely due to being 25 years of age, but I just make a face that implies something along the lines of "don't bother asking because I'm not giving you an explanation." 

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$200? Nice. I just might have to pick this one up at some point. I'd only use it for restaurants as I have a Sallie Mae for 5% gas.

[Themanwhocan]

The 10th option is to join Navy Federal Credit Union, and then get the Go Rewards card. 3X restaurants, 2X gas, 1X everything else.

Unless you primarily eat at Fast Food restaurants, then the Cash+ is king. And the 5% rotating category cards in certain quarters...

The Marvel card is what I would prefer to use, of the 3% cards. Automatic monthly redemptions, and large credit limits.

[Anonymous]

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@Loquat wrote:

Don't know the age of your friends or if any of them are already members of the wholesale clubs...but if they are, the Sam's Club MasterCard has 5% fuel, 3% dining, 1% for everything else.  Likewise Costco Visa offers 4% on fuel and 3% on restaurants.  Just 2 other options to consider IF they're already members of either...

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Sams is good IF you dont mind waiting a year to get a check for your cash back

[SunriseEarth]

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@Themanwhocan wrote:

The 10th option is to join Navy Federal Credit Union, and then get the Go Rewards card. 3X restaurants, 2X gas, 1X everything else.

Unless you primarily eat at Fast Food restaurants, then the Cash+ is king. And the 5% rotating category cards in certain quarters...

The Marvel card is what I would prefer to use, of the 3% cards. Automatic monthly redemptions, and large credit limits.

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I use Marvel for any non-Fast Food dining and Cash+ for Fast Food.

[trant3]

I picked up the card during the $200. Never used it once after the bonus was received. Since then, the card has been closed. I hated the logo and the "old" people stigma while using it.