Everyday Rewards Card Recommendations

[HeavenOhio]

Keep in mind that if you're shopping for groceries, they have to be purchased at "supermarkets" in order to redeem the 3% or 6% reward. Grocery purchases at superstores (Target, Walmart) or wholesale clubs (Sam's, Costco) don't count.

Here's a list of examples of merchants that fit into AMEX's retail categories:

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/rewards-info/retail.html

[Anonymous]

I have similar spending to what you listed, and I really like the Blue Cash Preferred for grocery. One other nice tidbit is that it will get you 3% back at a lot of department stores (2% for the BCE).

Other cards I looked at when facing the same question were the Discover It card and the Chase Freedom. Both have quarterly 5% categories which can include groceries, gas, dining, wholesale clubs, and loads of other things.

This one is probably not the best everyday use card for a lot of things, but if youhave Amazon Prime, the Amazon Prime Visa is worth a look. It will get you 2% on gas, dining out, and drug stores. It also gets 5% off at Amazon (including towards Prime membership).

[Anonymous]

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@northface28 wrote:
Amex Blue Cash Preferred.

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+1

[voxombmx]

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@HeavenOhio wrote:

Keep in mind that if you're shopping for groceries, they have to be purchased at "supermarkets" in order to redeem the 3% or 6% reward. Grocery purchases at superstores (Target, Walmart) or wholesale clubs (Sam's, Costco) don't count.

Here's a list of examples of merchants that fit into AMEX's retail categories:

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/rewards-info/retail.html

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We did notice that last night when looking over the terms and conditions, all of our Grocery shopping is done at Meijer or our local grocery store which is a SpartNash affiliate, I would assume they are eligible for the cashback reward as they meet the definition outlined by Amex. Also, we primarily only use gasoline from ExxonMobil because that is the closest station to our home which is 10 miles from closest town.

We currently are using her Cap1 Quicksilver card, but really want to get the most out of our spending. It is really looking like the BCP card is the way to go at this point.

Thanks again for all of the input

[HeavenOhio]

The department store list is a little muddy too. Bon Ton is listed, but specific stores that are part of Bon Ton (Carson's, Boston Store, Younkers, etc.) aren't. AMEX says that the department store reward is probably good at these other stores, but they can't tell me for sure.

I think you'll be fine with your favorite supermarket, though.

[Anonymous]

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@HeavenOhio wrote:

The department store list is a little muddy too. Bon Ton is listed, but specific stores that are part of Bon Ton (Carson's, Boston Store, Younkers, etc.) aren't. AMEX says that the department store reward is probably good at these other stores, but they can't tell me for sure.

I think you'll be fine with your favorite supermarket, though.

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Amex (and all other issuers with categories) will always say that it is up to the merchant as to how the charge gets catergorized so even if you purchase from one on the list, it's not guaranteed.   The only way to be sure is to charge with an Amex (or find someone who has!)

[voxombmx]

Question in regards to the Anex BCP card whn making a purchase at a gas station:

Do you have to pay at the pump with the card or can you pay inside the station? I usually fill up in the morning and will get a cup of coffee inside, but will this change the way the points are calculated or is it just the fact that you made the purchase at gas station?

[nachoslibres]

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@voxombmx wrote:

Question in regards to the Anex BCP card whn making a purchase at a gas station:

Do you have to pay at the pump with the card or can you pay inside the station? I usually fill up in the morning and will get a cup of coffee inside, but will this change the way the points are calculated or is it just the fact that you made the purchase at gas station?

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You can do either.  There are some people when cards like the Chase Freedom offer 5% back at gas stations that they buy some of their groceries and/or beer there because of the extra 5% savings.

Regarding what card is best for your spending you may want to look at the Double Cash - at least for all your non-bonused spend.  It gives a straight 2% back on everything and was my go to card for pretty much everything that was non-bonused spend until I recently picked up the SPG card (which you wouldn't want because you don't travel often).

[HeavenOhio]

Your cup of coffee will likely count as a gas station purchase. According to the AMEX page linked to earlier:

A gas station is defined as a merchant that is in the primary business of selling gasoline to consumers. Gas stations may sell other convenience items, but its primary business must be selling gasoline to consumers.

[voxombmx]

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@nachoslibres wrote:

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@voxombmx wrote:

Question in regards to the Anex BCP card whn making a purchase at a gas station:

Do you have to pay at the pump with the card or can you pay inside the station? I usually fill up in the morning and will get a cup of coffee inside, but will this change the way the points are calculated or is it just the fact that you made the purchase at gas station?

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You can do either.  There are some people when cards like the Chase Freedom offer 5% back at gas stations that they buy some of their groceries and/or beer there because of the extra 5% savings.

Regarding what card is best for your spending you may want to look at the Double Cash - at least for all your non-bonused spend.  It gives a straight 2% back on everything and was my go to card for pretty much everything that was non-bonused spend until I recently picked up the SPG card (which you wouldn't want because you don't travel often).

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When looking at the Citi Double Cash card and using an average of our last 3 months spending through our CU transaction log, the Double Cash card has an average of $2 less cash back rewards but no AF. It almost seems as if the best way to take advantage of our spending would be the BCP/BCE card for groceries and gas, the DC card for everything else.