>>If cashback is the goal, consider getting more 5% cards and then a solid 2%
What 5% cards do you like / have @longtimelurker ? 
>>PNC cash rewards for 4% on gas
@cardnut I never realized the PNC gave 4% on gas - after all those mailers I just thru out..
Though I do have that covered on the Citi-Costco card. 
@Wavester64 wrote:>>PNC cash rewards for 4% on gas
@cardnut I never realized the PNC gave 4% on gas - after all those mailers I just thru out..
Though I do have that covered on the Citi-Costco card.
Yeah, but I keep getting WF earn more mall offers, 5% rotating categories, etc over the last year so the card isn't getting much love. Maybe 3rd quarter provided Chase doesn't category gas again that quarter.
@Wavester64 wrote:>>If cashback is the goal, consider getting more 5% cards and then a solid 2%
What 5% cards do you like / have @longtimelurker ?
Well, I have and use Cash +, Freedom, Discover. I have but hardly use Citi Dividend, but that's not available for new apps anyway.
I also use Chase Amazon for Amazon and WholeFoods 5%. Plus, until the end of March, I have the Citizens Bank 5% on everything, but that's not a long term plan!
@Anonymous wrote: ... a key benefit I like is trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Do you know of other 2% cards that may have that? I'm familiar with the PayPal and Fidelity cards, but I know those do not have that benefit.
I'm pretty sure you're looking for a unicorn. But the good news is, I think it's a unicorn that you don't need. Lol 
If you want a no-AF card that pays an uncapped 2% cash-back on uncategorized spending and ALSO offers trip cancellation insurance, I dont' think you'll find that combo anywhere. And from your description of travel spending and priorities, it sounds like you're putting too much emphasis on finding the trip coverage.
Generally, you get what you pay for and it sounds like premium travel coverage is something that you can't justify paying for based on your travel. It just doesn't fit your profile. I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) for their industry-leading coverages but if you don't travel enough, it doesn't make sense. The number and quality of the benefits (range of benefits, higher payouts, less restrictive conditions, etc.) usually increases along with the AF. So travel benefits on a no-AF card will normally be less than you'd get on a $95 AF card which is normally less than you'd get on a $550 AF card. There's a reason CITI nerfed the benefits. While they claimed they elminated benefits people weren't using (which is probably true to some degree), they were trying to eliminate potentially expensive benefits from no-AF cards to save money. Here's some examples.
A lot of basic cards with no-AF might offer trip coverage for accidental death and dismemberment if you buy common carrier tickets like airfare with them. However, the no-AF versions will pay out lower amounts than the AF-cards, as a rule. For example, top payout might be $250K or $500K versus $1Million on a CSR. Some might require you put the entire ticket on your card instead of a portion also.
A lot of basic cards might offer "rental car coverage". But on the no-AF cards (and even some of the AF cards), that coverage is secondary so it only pays AFTER your personal auto insurance pays. So you're still out your deductible and may have increased premiums when your policy renews due to a claim. Primary coverage such as on the CSR is rare and pays independently of your personal auto insurance.
A lot of basic cards might offer "roadside assistance." But the no-AF cards (and even some of the AF cards) only give you a call center to help dispatch assistance. They don't pay a nickel. Cards with an AF like the CSR may also pay towards the charges. (CSR pays $50 per call up to 4x per year, similar to basic AAA coverage, all included with your AF.)
You rarely find coverage for Lost or Delayed luggage on a no-AF card. (CSR pays $3K per passenger for lost or $500 for delays starting at only six hours; some other cards may pay after 12 hours or a lesser amount.)
You rarely find coverage for trip delays or trip cancellation on no-AF cards. After CITI nerfed their benefits, if you were to find it at all it would likely be a very limited benefit. For example, CSR pays up to $10K per passenger and $20K per trip; some other cards may have this coverage but at a less amount. A little research appears that the trip cancellation coverage that previously was offered by Citi DC was limited to only $1,500 per trip and $5,000 per calendar year.
I could keep going, as there are many other protections offered on the AF travel cards. They do add into the "value" proposition when paying for the AF, but primarily for more frequent travelers.
As for the 2% payout, you might earn much more than 2% in "value" whether it's these benefits or travel points. But it won't be in cash. Generally speaking, most travel cards don't function as well for cash-back. So if at some point you decide both of these things (travel benefits and CASH back) are important, don't try to mix them up in the same card.
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
a key benefit I like is trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Do you know of other 2% cards that may have that?Propel has it and it's a 3% cash back card.
I don't believe that is correct. I just dug through their agreement and I don't see that.
Propel does has a lot of travel benefits for a no-AF travel card.
AD&D coverage up to $150K.
Lost baggage up to $1K.
Roadside assistance (dispatch-only, not paid.)
Medical or legal assistance (referral-only, not paid.)
But they don't pay anything for trip cancellation unless I'm missing something.
@Anonymous wrote:I am wondering about how well Chase Freedom and Freedom Unlimited compliment each other when my goal is to optimize cash back. I currently have the Chase Freedom. I am not in the position to justify a card with an annual fee, so while I know that I may not be getting the full value of the Ultimate Rewards points, I am currently satisfied with using UR points for cash back.
Now back to your original question. I have both CF and CFU but mainly to use as a part of the Chase quadfecta (in my case), since I also carry an INK card and a CSR. I transfer all UR points to CSR to get more travel value.
I like having a 2% cash-back card too, especially in these current times with coronavirus travel concerns. I'm not worried about having URs for travel redemption. Travel will come back. But I don't want to keep adding to my UR points right now. I personally don't like many things about the Citi DC, so after studying all the 2% cards decided to get the PenFed Power Cash card and I've been very pleased with it. There are many others also besides the PFPC, PPMC, CITI DC, or Fidelity.
Unless you're really wanting to simplify tracking your charges mainly with the Chase app, I don't recommend the CF over a 2% for cash back. That half percent adds up over time.
And like others, I highly suggest diversifying with several major lenders.