Best NO AF or Net-Positive Cards - (S-tier)/Unicorn

[Stephen_Credit]

I saw the NO AF CU Unicorn thread and thought why not make something similar for non-CUs. 

Pretty much the same concept. Explain why your choice(s) should be considered s-tier or a unicorn.

Here are mine:

Venture X: net positive year-over-year in spite of devaluations here and there, but still a good card to have for the avg person.

USB Altitude Connect: $0 AF + 4 visits to PP restaurants/lounges + Precheck credit + 5GB data roaming

Amex Gold: $325 AF but +  $400+ in credits (net positive AF if u hit the coupon book)

Bilt: Rent + Bilt Rewards

Honorable mention:

Savor: 3% categories + used to have 10% back on uber eats. So sad that didn't get extended 

Share yours!

[ptatohed]

I think the reason for the CU thread was because these institutions/cards might be less known and that perhaps bank credit cards are more known.  But, I'll play.     

My SYW MC.  I won't go on and on about it here but it is by far my most profitable card as far as cash back, undeniably, period.

The USB Smartly Visa at 4% CB uncapped, non-cat.  Of course there is a hefty entry price of $100k in assets to get 4% but, heck, even at a reasonable entry of $5k in assets, show me another 2.5% bank card (there are few CUs at 2.5% but with USB, you don't need to 'tie up' that $5k.)  Not bad at all!  

citi Custom Cash(es).  A super powerful card.  YOU choose your 5% cat (based on your spending).  And you can hold multiples (via product changes).  And you can boost that 5% CB to 5.55% CB for the first $100 CB/yr if you team it with a Rewards+ card.  Unbeatable!  

I don't personally have these (but I want them).  The family of Kroger cards that give 5% CB on anything so long as you can pay with mobile wallet.  They have low caps but you can hold multiples.   There are a lot of these cards!   

WF Attune.  I don't have it but 4% CB on a myriad of cats.  Seems pretty nice.  

What else?  Maybe the 5% rotators like Chase freedom flex and Disco-it Cash Back?

I don't have it but the upgrade MyFive is much like the citi CC where you choose your 5% cat and it looks to have much potential (people are scared of upgrade but I am not.  Simply set EarlyPay to 'on', and you'll never pay a dime of interest.)    

I know I can think of more but that's it for me, others can add more.     

[CaneVariant]

I do not have this card but Wells Fargo's Autograph card looks pretty solid. 3 x cash back on dining, gas, travel and transit, streaming and cell phone plans. Also provides cell phone coverage. No FTF. Decent sub

[Stephen_Credit]

I appreciate you joining the conversation! I figured it'll be fun and I'm sure someone will find this useful.

Citi CC is a really good one! Used to be my go to gas card but then I got an electric car and a charger installed at home... 

SYW MC offers great value!

Smartly is definitely on my radar. But I do think that 5k may be a harder barrier for the avg person. 

Not familiar with the Kroger lineup. But I will be doing a bit of research on this!

Attune is on my short list as well, but sadly, im looking at 2027 for next round of apps.

Ill have to look at upgrade lineup again. I've never considered them. Like you said I think there's definitely a certain reputation there

Chase only sees use from me when I apply for a new card and I'm going after the sub. Unless you're committed to their ecosystem I think there are so many other ways (cards) to optimize your reward potential. But those UR points are also very valuable as long as Hyatt stays in play

[Stephen_Credit]

Thanks for joining the conversation!

My wife loves this card! We use this for all of our dining outside of the US. The points add up quick and they have solid transfer partners. The only reason I don't have one is because we have a two player setup.

[Guyatthebeach]

Here are my top tier cards for positive returns:

1. Amex BCP. The $95 annual fee is paid for just on Disney bundle credit and one moth of use. This card gets 6% cash back for groceries and streaming services. You can redeem the cash monthly as a statement credit.

2. PNC Cash Rewards Visa. 4% cash back gas, 3% cash back groceries, 2% groceries. Redemptions made in amount of $50.00. This gets used as a backup card when I've maxed out rewards on the Sam's card.

3. Sam's Club MC. 5% cash back on gas, 3% cash back on dining, and 2% or 3% cash back on Sam purchases depending on your membership.  Cash can be redeemed for credits for Sam purchases depending or you can get cash back when you go inside Sam's.

4. Target MC. 5% cash back instantly for purchases. 

5. SYWR MC. There are so many ways to maximize cash back. 

6. Discover It.  The 5% cash back rotating categories are worth it. My issue is a lot of the stores I shop in don't accept Discover.

Honorable mentions:

1. The original Capital One Savor Card. 4% cash back on dining. 

2. Chase Amazon Visa and American Express Amazon card. 5% on Amazon and Whole purchases. The additional offers are definitely worth it in my opinion.

Guyatthebeach

[Stephen_Credit]

Thank you for sharing!

Chase & Amex Amazon cards are definitely great if you shop Amazon & Whole Foods. If I recall correctly, Amex Amazon business has return protection policy too?

BCP offers amazing value. Worst case you can downgrade at the end of the first year. 

I personally don't have any store branded cards bc of my setup. But the reward potential there for cash back is really solid!

[NoMoreE46]

A few of us have the OG  4% Savor with  $0 AF.

[Guyatthebeach]

@Stephen_Credit,

The Amex Amazon card has a very impressive return policy, purchase protection, and solid extended warranty that is being discontinued.  With the BCP, you only have to spend $135 a month on groceries and/or streaming to recoup the AF. It's a no brainer in my situation.

With the Target MC, if you use their Target Circle, you will find prices cheaper than Walmart, and the 5% cash back is a bonus, in my opinion.

@NoMoreE46, I still have my OF Savor card and it's still metal.

Guyatthebeach

[salt_water_swimming]

AmEx Hilton Aspire can net positive $250 per card per year without setting foot in a hotel lol. And if you do stay at Hiltons, it comes with Diamond status and a barely restricted free night certificate, on top of the usual "big bonus category for the hotel stays". And you can get 3 of them per person. And you can either ride that train, or you can downgrade to Surpass for gas/grocery/restaurant bonus categories and the ability to spend for an extra FNC. Wild card.

Ink Cash has been generating UR out of thin air for certain communities for years. 

Bilt and maybe Mesa, turning most people's biggest expense into a new category