Best Rewards Card for our usage

[Anonymous]

I know that you guys are super knowledgeable about this stuff, and I just lack the time to research this properly. So I am here to ask for your opinions.

We buy our groceries and fuel at Walmart, Sams, and occasionally Target. These 3 account for 90% of our purchases. There are not many alternatives in our small town.

I was wondering which cash back card would work best for these circumstances? We probably spend 16,000 to 20,000 or so a year at these places.

We don’t really fly, and when we travel we usually take a camper, so we don’t spend a whole lot of time in hotels.

Can y’all help a brother out here? I am a fan of simple, so I am looking for one card, even if it isn’t quite as optimal as 3 would be.

My credit score is 775 or so for all 3 CB.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Most cards with 5% categories exclude Walmart, Target, and their gas categories exclude store gas.. So I would say your best bet would be a good 2% card like Citi Double Cash, or if you use PayPal, the Cashback Mastercard. You could try your luck at a US Bank Cash+, use their 5% cats for utilities, phone expenses, etc. Then set the 2% cat for groceries (walmart and target are accepted) and even walmart gas MIGHT get 2% if your walmart codes their gas the same as the store. It also earns 1% everywhere else.

[xaximus]

If you're sticking with just one card, then I would recommend going with a standard 2% CB card. But just to lay out some other options...
Target RedCard - 5% all purchases.
Discover/Chase Freedom - 5% categories.
Gas - Ducks Unlimited 5% all year around.

[Anonymous]

With your credit scores, UMB Simply Rewards - 3 points for groceries, discount stores (includes Target and Walmart), restaurants, and fast food. 

https://www.umb.com/personal/banking/credit-cards/rewards-visa

They are new account and inquiry sensitive but it’s one of the few cards that includes discount stores specifically. 

Sams Club unfortunately won’t code as discount store. 

[rbentley]

The Sams Mastercard gives you 5% off on gas everywhere, but unfortunately only gives you 1% back in the store.  It doubles as your membership card so it wouldn't really be adding another card to your wallet.  The Target Red card may be you best bet in covering your grocery purchases there, but it can't be used elsewhere.

[longtimelurker]

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@rbentley wrote:

The Sams Mastercard gives you 5% off on gas everywhere, but unfortunately only gives you 1% back in the store.  It doubles as your membership card so it wouldn't really be adding another card to your wallet.  The Target Red card may be you best bet in covering your grocery purchases there, but it can't be used elsewhere.

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If target is a major spend, I would anyway get the Target DEBIT Redcard, which gives 5% off at purchase time (so instant discount) and free delivery (mainly) on target.com.   As a debit card, it won't impact your credit score at all.   Then get a 2% card for everything else (would recommend the PayPal Mastercard cashback, but there are other choices).

[Blodreina]

Edit

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the Citi Double Cash would be a good fit. It pays 1% cash back on purchases and another 1% on the balance you pay, so it comes down to 2%. It comes down to unlimited 2% cash back on everything.

[longtimelurker]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Sounds like the Citi Double Cash would be a good fit. It pays 1% cash back on purchases and another 1% on the balance you pay, so it comes down to 2%. It comes down to unlimited 2% cash back on everything.

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There are pros and cons to all the free 2% cards, so you have to evaluate.  Double Cash has the silly 1+1 (the rest have a straight 2% at purchase), has a FTF and a minimum redemption of $25.    None of these may be an issue, or they could be.  The Paypal MC has no min or FTF.   But the DC does have Price Rewind.

So it all depends on your needs but IMO DC shouldn't be the default choice.

[coldfusion]

Before offering suggestions for a rewards card, I have 1 question:  Do you always PIF every month?