Sounds like a solid plan. If you haven't done so, maybe open up a checking/savings account with BoA, US Bank to be on their radar?
You could also grab the CSP/CSR to trifecta the returns on Chase UR.
The setup you looks nice tho. WF is not known for recon on SL. My attempt got me a letter telling me they want to get to know me before they open the coffers
The setup you looks nice tho. WF is not known for recon on SL. My attempt got me a letter telling me they want to get to know me before they open the coffers
@Anonymous wrote:Hey folks,
Been working on building out a solid cash back portfolio, and would love your feedback / advice on next steps, cards to consider, etc.
Thinking now would probably be a good time to start gardening for a bit (easier said than done), but let me know what you think!
For reference, my FICO scores range from 777 to 815 depending on where I check.
CURRENT CARDS
Opened 2010–2017
- Citi Double Cash ($23k CL)
- PC’d from some other Citi card years ago, would PC again if it makes sense
- Sock drawer
- C1 Quicksilver ($31k CL)
- Sock drawer
- C1 Savor ($25k CL)
- Use heavily for 4% dining
- Grandfathered into no AF
Opened in 2019
- Discover It ($7k CL)
- Use regularly for 5% categories (10% for year 1)
- Chase Freedom ($10k CL)
- Use regularly for 5% categories and 5% Lyft promo
- Amex BCP ($30k CL)
- Use regularly for 6% groceries and streaming services
- Chase Freedom Unlimited ($17k CL)
- Only using to pay off large purchase at 0% APR
- Apple Card ($15k CL)
- Use regularly for 3% Apple
- Alliant Visa Signature ($15k CL)
- Use heavily for 3% non-category spend (2.5% after year 1 )
Opened in 2020
- WF Propel ($6k CL)
- Plan to use for 3% travel, transit, and gas
- Going to try SL recon
- Might get WF Visa Signature later for 50% bonus on airfare
FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Cash back
- US Bank Cash+
- Could use some of the 5% categories
- Want to start relationship with USB since their other products aren’t offered here
- BoA Cash Rewards
- Interested in 3% online shopping
- Declined in 2019 for too many inquiries / new accounts
If I start traveling a little more
- WF Visa Signature
- Could pool points from Propel and get 50% bonus on airfare
- US Bank Altitude Reserve
- Interested in 3x travel and mobile wallet purchases, plus $325 annual travel credit
- PenFed Pathfinder Rewards
- Don’t know much about it, but heard it’s a solid no AF travel card and that the upcoming changes are good
It seems to me you already have a solid cash back portfolio, and would be better off not adding anything. If I were going to add something, it would be something different -- a travel card, or a no-fee low interest card.
@small-giraffe
Just a thought.....wouldn't the BoA Cash Rewards be redundant since you have the Alliant? Sure, you lose 0.5% after the first year, but it would keep a redundant card out of your wallet and/or SD, and save a HP for something more useful....
Highly recommend the US Bank Cash + (Utilities/Internet/Cell Phone @ 5% is high monthly spend)
Since you seem to like the rotaters like me, I would also recommend the ABoC Platinum or UnionStrong cards. Has 5% categories that convert at 3.75% (which is better than 3%) Plays well with Discover, Freedom, etc.
On Deck: No Plans Currently
@Anonymous wrote:Been working on building out a solid cash back portfolio, and would love your feedback / advice on next steps, cards to consider, etc.
Thinking now would probably be a good time to start gardening for a bit (easier said than done), but let me know what you think!
Generally looks like a well-thought-out and diversified plan. Looks like you really like to play the different point systems which brings me to my major point ...
- Alliant Visa Signature ($15k CL)
- Use heavily for 3% non-category spend (2.5% after year 1 )
Year one with this card is a winner with 3% and no-AF. Not necessarily over time, which I assume is your plan.
Alliant want to be your daily driver for this card and they prove it by charging you a $99 AF starting in year 2 for a cash-back card. Yes, it earns higher than a simple 2% card like your sock-drawered Citi DC, but only a half percent. If you do the math, to break even with the Alliant card at 2.5% with a $99 AF, you'd have to spend $19,800 a year to exceed what you're making with a no-AF 2% card like DC. So for any monthly uncategorized spend under $1,650 as a bare minimum, you're actually losing money to carry it. And if you are diversifying your spend among multiple cards to maximize cash-back, reaching this spend level month-after-month might be unsustainable. Definitely something to consider as you continue to add cards to your lineup. Sometimes less is more.
