Now that the Max Cash Preferred has been out for awhile and we have members who have both the MCP and US Bank Cash Plus, I'd like to solicit feedback on your impressions about which one is better for you, and why you like it better. I just left the garden for a new AMEX card after 15 months app-free and am planning to add a few new cards in the next year. Either the MCP or USB C+ would be serious contenders for the 5% on home utilities. Even though I alerted the community to this card, many of you are more the experts on it after studying up on it and using it.
From what I've read, the Max Cash Preferred has an advantage if you plan not to change your 5% category since it apparently does NOT require quarterly enrollment, correct?
As for getting "Cash" back instead of account credit, I believe either card requires you to have a deposit account with either USB (for C+) or the associated FI (for MCP.) Did I read this correctly?
I also believe MCP has an advantage of points not expiring versus expiring within 36 months on Cash Plus?
And I remember there are slight differences in some categories, although I don't think that would affect me.
Any other significant differences or considerations?
Thanks guys!
@longtimelurker wrote:
@difringe wrote:Random question kinda related to this...has anyone used the Max Cash variants to pay their Verizon FiOS bill? If so, did it count as the TV/Internet/Streaming category?
Yes (well, almost certainly!) I selected that category for Q4 (didn't realize earlier it would count for FiOS). So the amount shown here was my September bill (and so only 1%), which I had charged to the card just to meet the sub, but I assume my payment in Oct will earn the 5%
@longtimelurkerjust wanted to follow up, did you get 5% cash back on your fios bill?
@difringe wrote:
@longtimelurker wrote:
@difringe wrote:Random question kinda related to this...has anyone used the Max Cash variants to pay their Verizon FiOS bill? If so, did it count as the TV/Internet/Streaming category?
Yes (well, almost certainly!) I selected that category for Q4 (didn't realize earlier it would count for FiOS). So the amount shown here was my September bill (and so only 1%), which I had charged to the card just to meet the sub, but I assume my payment in Oct will earn the 5%
@longtimelurkerjust wanted to follow up, did you get 5% cash back on your fios bill?
Yes, just checked and it did. For Nov and Dec I am using Paypal Key and putting in Chase Freedom Flex, but in general this card gives 5% on FioS
For those who have gotten two MCPs from one hard pull, were both applications submitted the same day?
I am asking because I applied for an MCP one night while unfrozen, then for a second the following day when my reports were frozen again. I was thinking they'd use the same hard pull but just got the letter saying it couldn't be processed because reports were frozen. This makes me guess that I should have applied the same day and that if I were to re-apply unfrozen right now (a week later) that I'd get another hard pull.
Oh well, getting one MCP at 6/12 was definitely a win.
P2 
P2 Future 
Chopping Block 
@ChazzieT wrote:
@Aim_High wrote:...Any other significant differences or considerations?...
Although there are many small differences, the way I deal with my cards fit's easily with both, so to me the cards are equal.
The big difference for me is that the Elan app/website is very un-intuitive (and somewhat outdated). It ultimately makes no difference to card use, but I enjoy using the Elan app/website far less than US Bank's.
Yeah, I kind of hate the Elan site. My biggest gripe though is that because I have two cards with different FIs through them, I have to log in completely separately to check each account. "Remembering" that device doesn't work when I switch accounts, same with fingerprint. So it's a hassle each time, and I usually just rely on Mint to update me on any activity on my secondary one (I usually check all my accounts at least once a day, otherwise).
Authorized User - 
Sock Drawer'd - 
@okurosetta wrote:For those who have gotten two MCPs from one hard pull, were both applications submitted the same day?
I am asking because I applied for an MCP one night while unfrozen, then for a second the following day when my reports were frozen again. I was thinking they'd use the same hard pull but just got the letter saying it couldn't be processed because reports were frozen. This makes me guess that I should have applied the same day and that if I were to re-apply unfrozen right now (a week later) that I'd get another hard pull.
Oh well, getting one MCP at 6/12 was definitely a win.
I'm one of the first who reported two cards, and I applied for them basically back to back (within an hour of each other). They gave me a "pending" response on the second one, but ended up approving it for more than they did for the first one. And yes, they definitely used the same hard pull for them.
@longtimelurker wrote:For MaxCash, I go to the Elan site where I have a different login from my other Elan card (Fidelity). Not sure if there is a way I could have combined the logins (anyone!).
Nope, not possible (at least for now, fingers crossed).
Right after I got my two cards I called them and spent quite a bit of time on the phone with their website CSRs regarding this. I did not tell them that they were from two different FIs initially, to see what would happen. They tried to combine the accounts, etc, and were baffled when the site wouldn't let them. Eventually they asked me if the second card was from the same FI, and I said no, but it's from Elan, and you service both of them... they said ah, that's why.
Basically the different FIs live in different buckets, so you have to log in separately for each.