Cards With Overlapping Features - Choosing One Over the Other

[Anonymous]

Thank goodness, I have moved beyond that rebuilding stage where I am applying for cards just to be applying for cards!  Now, I am learning take a look at the particular features of a card - and ask myself whether a new card will give me something that one of my current cards do not already have.  I understand that many of us just want to get in with a particular bank because of their prime labeling and/or to secure a feeling of accomplishment - But what I am hoping to start  is a list - maybe even a guide for those of us not in the know - of cards that essentially have the same benefits - therefore there is really no "need" to have both cards - 

Example -

I have an Arrival - so I know I do not "need" a CSP -  (Although it was once one of my fantasy status cards)

I have a Discover It - Was recently approved for Freedom - Was looking at AMEX Blue Cash -  Decided - That is more about status - than getting something I do not already have in either the Discover or Freedom. 

I have a Simplicity - and I think a comparable card is the Slate  -

What do you think?

If you have _______________________ then you do not need  ______________________ because the benefits are essentially (does not have to be exactly) the same.

[Anonymous]

Sort of hard because if the benefits aren't exactly the same, for some the differences might be the crucial factor!  

So in your example, the Arrival and CSP are really not interchangeable.   If you want "aspirational" rewards (e.g. first class international flights) the CSP with point transfer is far more likely to get you there than Arrival.  If domestic coach is what you need, and you don't spend a lot on restaurants, Arrival is likely to be better.

Probably easier to find matches with the more boring, lower return cash back cards, but even then differences such as FTF will be important to some.  So again, if you shop only in the US, at stores which take Amex, with a Fidelity Amex you don't need most generic cash back cards that offer less than 2%.   But if some stores don't take Amex, or you need to use it abroad, then there is still a good case for e.g. Cap One Quicksilver.

But good question!

[Anonymous]

How do BCE/BCP overlap with It and Freedom besides the quarters where gas is a 5% category?  There's still the 3%/6% on groceries with Amex.

[youngandcreditwrthy]

Difficult question.
I have BCE, IT, and Freedom. These are pretty similar, but the categories are at diff times with IT and Freedom.
It's good to use one when you can't use another. I find value in all of the major rewards cards.
I find that Wells Fargo and Citi have low redemption values and therefore, I do not like them.

[youngandcreditwrthy]

When IT/ Freedom aren't 5% on gad, you can get 2-3% with BCE.

[Anonymous]

With the 5% rotation cards the categories don't often overlap