Cards to Replace Financing Cards

[takeshi74]

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@xXIDaShizIXx wrote:

And I don't care what the rewards are (miles, points, cashback - HOWEVER miles would be best).

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Why do you think miles would be best?  It doesn't sound like you've run the numbers for your spend.  Don't assume that all miles programs are the same.  If you want to base a decision on rewards then you need to run the numbers for your spend to make an informed decision versus simply deciding that X is best.  Generally speaking, most miles.points programs are better suited to those with higher amounts of spend.  I use a mix of points, miles and cash back.  Granted, everyone's spend, priorities and preferences differ so you do need to factor all those in as well and that could affect the rewards programs that you think are best suited to you.

If you want us to weigh in on rewards programs then we'll need to know what your major spend categories are and the volumes for each as well as how that compares to your non-category spend.  For miles/points rewards programs we also need a lot more information as the programs vary and your details will impact which programs might be best suited to you.  Just as an example do you tend to utilize specific companies or are you looking to be able to redeem with a wider variety of companies?  Do you have enough travel expenditures to make the best use of mile program like the Arrival where best value is attained by statement credits on travel charges?

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@xXIDaShizIXx wrote:

I know I probably can't get everything I want out of a card.

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Decisions on any topic are always a matter of compromising.  Once you've fully detailed your list of needs/wants prioritize them.  We can't make meaningful recommendations without such a list and without knowing where you're willing to compromise and where you're not.

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@xXIDaShizIXx wrote:

That being said I would like to get an AMEX/Discover at some point and if you guys think either or both of those would be good for me, that would be great!

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Good is highly subjective on any topic and selecting cards is no different as it is always a matter of finding what suits the individual.  You have to give a  lot more information if you want us to weigh in on this.  Why do you want an AmEx or Discover?  Why are you looking at creditors?  IMO you're going about it backwards.  Define your needs/wants and then use that to select specific products that suit you.  Most creditors offer multiple products that vary and are suited to different needs/wants.

You have stated that you want 0% offers but IMO you should be considering the long term as well as 0% offers are typically just introductory.  Also consider whether it's really worth going into debt for purchases even if you can get 0% offers versus saving up and paying.  How you handle your finances is ultimately up to you but it's difficult to get ahead if you're constantly in debt.

[xXIDaShizIXx]

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@takeshi74 wrote:

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@xXIDaShizIXx wrote:

And I don't care what the rewards are (miles, points, cashback - HOWEVER miles would be best).

---

Why do you think miles would be best?  It doesn't sound like you've run the numbers for your spend.  Don't assume that all miles programs are the same.  If you want to base a decision on rewards then you need to run the numbers for your spend to make an informed decision versus simply deciding that X is best.  Generally speaking, most miles.points programs are better suited to those with higher amounts of spend.  I use a mix of points, miles and cash back.  Granted, everyone's spend, priorities and preferences differ so you do need to factor all those in as well and that could affect the rewards programs that you think are best suited to you.

If you want us to weigh in on rewards programs then we'll need to know what your major spend categories are and the volumes for each as well as how that compares to your non-category spend.  For miles/points rewards programs we also need a lot more information as the programs vary and your details will impact which programs might be best suited to you.  Just as an example do you tend to utilize specific companies or are you looking to be able to redeem with a wider variety of companies?  Do you have enough travel expenditures to make the best use of mile program like the Arrival where best value is attained by statement credits on travel charges?

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@xXIDaShizIXx wrote:

I know I probably can't get everything I want out of a card.

---

Decisions on any topic are always a matter of compromising.  Once you've fully detailed your list of needs/wants prioritize them.  We can't make meaningful recommendations without such a list and without knowing where you're willing to compromise and where you're not.

---

@xXIDaShizIXx wrote:

That being said I would like to get an AMEX/Discover at some point and if you guys think either or both of those would be good for me, that would be great!

---

Good is highly subjective on any topic and selecting cards is no different as it is always a matter of finding what suits the individual.  You have to give a  lot more information if you want us to weigh in on this.  Why do you want an AmEx or Discover?  Why are you looking at creditors?  IMO you're going about it backwards.  Define your needs/wants and then use that to select specific products that suit you.  Most creditors offer multiple products that vary and are suited to different needs/wants.

You have stated that you want 0% offers but IMO you should be considering the long term as well as 0% offers are typically just introductory.  Also consider whether it's really worth going into debt for purchases even if you can get 0% offers versus saving up and paying.  How you handle your finances is ultimately up to you but it's difficult to get ahead if you're constantly in debt.

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Miles are best because I already have a cash rewards and a point rewards card. I only fly about 5 to 6 times a year for conferences, seminars, sometimes to visit family and generally I just look for the cheapest flight to get me from A to B. I don't need first class to feel important. I use my cards for everything and always pay in full (always reporting a $0 balance). So I'm not always constantly in debt. The only debt I currently hold are student loans I'm in the process of trying to pay off by next year. The reason I have financing cards, was because I came from a position of no credit history, they were easy to get, and let me establish history (along with my secured cards). Now that I've moved past my secured cards, I'm also wanting to get rid of my financing cards. The reason I used it this time was to keep it open, until I figured out what to do next. The only reason I mentioned any 0% interest periods was in case I ever needed it (as it is better to have and not need, than need and not have). Now I realize that I won't get that continuously (and thats fine), however I saw on here where as long as a consumer's account was in good standing Discover would (sometimes) offer a 0% interest period for X months if they needed it.

So the 0% APR is essentially only a back up and not absolutely necessary, but it would be more useful on a branded card, than a specific financing card. Now that being said, I don't like rotating categories and prefer base rewards that are steady all year. My other two cards (Barclays Rewards and BoA Cash Rewards) don't have an annual fee and I'd like to keep that trend up as well. I spend around $5k a month. My expenses vary from dining, gas, groceries, regular bills, minor electronic/book purchases, academic journal/ publication purchases, etc. So again a general rewards program would be good. 

Now because of my needs I was thinking Discover Miles, American Express Blue Sky, the Bank Americard Travel Rewards, or Capital One Venture (not fond of them though). That being said, if I didn't state something just ask and don't assume. However, thank you for trying to actually answer my question. So what do you think would be best?