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Help Me Optimize My Rewards

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Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards


@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

inb4 Sallie Mae

 

But no, really. Sallie Mae.


Why?


Amazon offers everything. Lol.

 

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.


Amazon GC's solve this problem.

Message 11 of 34
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards


@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

inb4 Sallie Mae

 

But no, really. Sallie Mae.


Why?


Amazon offers everything. Lol.

 

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.


Amazon GC's solve this problem.


Ding ding ding!

 

 

The truth is, there are very few credit card rewards hunters out there who couldn't benefit from a little love from Ms. Sallie.

Message 12 of 34
PNW_Hunter
Regular Contributor

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Ok I think I will add the Sallie Mae card to my list of future cards.

 

Do you guys think the US Bank Cash+ card is still worth an app after getting nerfed, since they still have 5% on electronic stores such as bestbuy, department stores such as nordstroms (buy a lot of business clothes), and furniture stores? Those seem to be large, but infrequent purchases. Gym memberships could be helpful as well.

 

Is there a better card for those types of purchases?

Message 13 of 34
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards


@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

inb4 Sallie Mae

 

But no, really. Sallie Mae.


Why?


Amazon offers everything. Lol.

 

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.


Amazon GC's solve this problem.


In most cases yes.  However Amazon GC cannot be used to by other gift cards (which is what I mainly use SM for!)

 

For Target spend, Redbird is the way to go, as you get the 5% + whatever reward your cc gives you.   (Sadly, BB doesn't do the same for Walmart)

Message 14 of 34
PNW_Hunter
Regular Contributor

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards

Also, do you think it would be better to go for something like the Penfed Travel Amex which gives 5 points/dollar on airline tickets, or the Amex Starwood/Mariott?

 

I haven't heard many people talk about the Penfed Travel Amex, but I know that the Starwood/Mariott are very popular.

Message 15 of 34
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards


@PNW_Hunter wrote:

Ok I think I will add the Sallie Mae card to my list of future cards.

 

Do you guys think the US Bank Cash+ card is still worth an app after getting nerfed, since they still have 5% on electronic stores such as bestbuy, department stores such as nordstroms (buy a lot of business clothes), and furniture stores? Those seem to be large, but infrequent purchases. Gym memberships could be helpful as well.

 

Is there a better card for those types of purchases?


Despite the trajectory that the US Bank Cash Plus seems to be taking lately, I still think it's a great card and worth having (see my Wish List in my signature). There are still some useful categories left (cell phone service), and unless the card later ends up picking up an AF, I can't imagine it being a card that could be a detriment to your arsenal. I do not know of a card that does a better job in the categories that you have listed, no.

Message 16 of 34
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards


@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

inb4 Sallie Mae

 

But no, really. Sallie Mae.


Why?


Amazon offers everything. Lol.

 

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.


Amazon GC's solve this problem.


In most cases yes.  However Amazon GC cannot be used to by other gift cards (which is what I mainly use SM for!)

 

For Target spend, Redbird is the way to go, as you get the 5% + whatever reward your cc gives you.   (Sadly, BB doesn't do the same for Walmart)


But at Target, can't you use the Sallie Mae to refill the Redbird card and effectively get 5% back twice?

Message 17 of 34
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards


@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

inb4 Sallie Mae

 

But no, really. Sallie Mae.


Why?


Amazon offers everything. Lol.

 

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.


Amazon GC's solve this problem.


In most cases yes.  However Amazon GC cannot be used to by other gift cards (which is what I mainly use SM for!)

 

For Target spend, Redbird is the way to go, as you get the 5% + whatever reward your cc gives you.   (Sadly, BB doesn't do the same for Walmart)


But at Target, can't you use the Sallie Mae to refill the Redbird card and effectively get 5% back twice?


Possibly, but the double dip actually only equates to 9.75% off.

Message 18 of 34
PNW_Hunter
Regular Contributor

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards


@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

inb4 Sallie Mae

 

But no, really. Sallie Mae.


Why?


Amazon offers everything. Lol.

 

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.


Amazon GC's solve this problem.


In most cases yes.  However Amazon GC cannot be used to by other gift cards (which is what I mainly use SM for!)

 

For Target spend, Redbird is the way to go, as you get the 5% + whatever reward your cc gives you.   (Sadly, BB doesn't do the same for Walmart)


But at Target, can't you use the Sallie Mae to refill the Redbird card and effectively get 5% back twice?


Possibly, but the double dip actually only equates to 9.75% off.


Now we're talking!!!

Message 19 of 34
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Help Me Optimize My Rewards


@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

@Anonymous wrote:

inb4 Sallie Mae

 

But no, really. Sallie Mae.


Why?


Amazon offers everything. Lol.

 

EDIT: Yes, Barclays does distinguish between those fulfilled by Amazon and those fulfilled by 3rd party vendors. Also, $6000 a year on groceries, while a decent amount, is still pretty easy to surpass when you consider it's only $500 a month on average. Sallie Mae would effectively give you a 50% boost on the amount of groceries you can get 5% on, plus Sallie Mae works at many Walmarts and Targets, while Amex BCP does not.


Amazon GC's solve this problem.


In most cases yes.  However Amazon GC cannot be used to by other gift cards (which is what I mainly use SM for!)

 

For Target spend, Redbird is the way to go, as you get the 5% + whatever reward your cc gives you.   (Sadly, BB doesn't do the same for Walmart)


But at Target, can't you use the Sallie Mae to refill the Redbird card and effectively get 5% back twice?


Possibly, but the double dip actually only equates to 9.75% off.


I'm aware, but that's still pretty dang terrific, lol.

Message 20 of 34
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