Is there a better card line-up then Chase?

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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What stand-alone Chase card with no annual fee has better rewards than the Citi Double Cash? You'd have to combine your Chase Freedom Unlimited with another card to get the additional benefits through their rewards program. I do think it's terrific that you can combine points and such through Chase's rewards program, though. 

I don't see any advantage to an AMEX unless you want their charge cards, or their $95 annual fee BCP or EDP.  Citi doesn't have a cash back card with an annual fee, but I think they should. Don't forget about the Citi Dividend which isn't open to new applicants, but some people still have it.  

As it is, I think Citi is better with cards with no annual fees, and Chase is better with their prestigious cards... Can't forget JP Morgan is a division of Chase too. 

If Citi isn't first, they're definitely #2. 

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The point of this thread was "best card lineup" so the stand-alone card argument is irrelevant in this thread.

Citi can't come close to Chase, not even kind of close. The Chase cards just work so **bleep** well together!

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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What stand-alone Chase card with no annual fee has better rewards than the Citi Double Cash? You'd have to combine your Chase Freedom Unlimited with another card to get the additional benefits through their rewards program. I do think it's terrific that you can combine points and such through Chase's rewards program, though. 

I don't see any advantage to an AMEX unless you want their charge cards, or their $95 annual fee BCP or EDP.  Citi doesn't have a cash back card with an annual fee, but I think they should. Don't forget about the Citi Dividend which isn't open to new applicants, but some people still have it.  

As it is, I think Citi is better with cards with no annual fees, and Chase is better with their prestigious cards... Can't forget JP Morgan is a division of Chase too. 

If Citi isn't first, they're definitely #2. 

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The point of this thread was "best card lineup" so the stand-alone card argument is irrelevant in this thread.

Citi can't come close to Chase, not even kind of close. The Chase cards just work so **bleep** well together!

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I was comparing two cards between the two companies. 

One way to compare a card lineup from two companies includes comparing their no AF cash back cards as well as airline cards, etc. 

[galahad15]

I'm not a big fan of Chase.  The CSR may arguably be a good card for the first year due to the bonus, but I just can't see myself as justifying paying a $450 AF after the first year let alone year-after-year for it.  So I think I'll pass on Chase.  My preference is for no-AF cashback cards anyway, and while the Freedom Unlimited has the 1.5% cashback feature, I already have multiple cards for both the 1.5% and 2% cashback categories already, so I have no need to add a CFU card at this time.

[Anonymous]

While I do agree that the UR ecosystem has allowed me some interesting redemptions, I have to stand up for the MR system as well. Everyone's case is different, but with my EDP, I'm able to rack up a good amount of points (Jetblue Mint?)

EDP also allows me to earn points in both ecosystems as I use Hyatt and United quite frequently. I've uploaded my EDP to the MXP app and use it stock up United miles, and given the nice bonuses that come out every so often on purchasing Hyatt points (40% right now) I use it to also purchase points on occasion. CSP still gets a good bit of use, but if we can be creative, we can utilize both systems.

[iced]

I think it depends on what you want out of a card. If your spending and reward profile is anything like mine, the answer is likely no. That said, the day Chase is no longer a United and Marriott partner is the day I start using whoever picks up United and Marriott.

[Open123]

It's been truly a golden age for rewards CCs and Chase's aggressively competing with Amex for the traditional "higher end" travel expense space has been the main catalyst. In my view, Chase currently has far and away the best overall CC lineup of any other Issuer.  For me, it really isn't even close.

Chase Ink's 5X, 1.5 FU, 5X Freedom, and now CSR combined with UR points makes it an industry best.  While SPG points are still more valuable per se, the higher ease of earning UR points makes up for the slight difference in valuation.  However, pure cashback folks may find Chase's offerings underwhelming, as they would with any dynamic based travel rewards.  Without utilizing transfers, there is no way to exceed 2% cash on a no-AF card for general (non-bonus) spending.

For the next couple of years, I find the CSR a potential game changer.  $300 X 2 and 100K UR for free windfall even for pure cashback folks.  I suspect, their apps and new accounts will continue to accelerate and literally dwarf their peer group.  With in branch approvals, most who have travel spend will find an in branch approval even considerably above 5/24 with mulitple Chase cards.  While I suspect the attrition rate during the 2nd year will be high, I suspect some will keep this over the CSP or keep this over the Amex Plat/Citi Prestige.

The CSR is particulary well-timed given the Prestige's imminent nerfing next year.  With the loss of Admiral's club, 1.6X TY AA redemptions, and golf perk, I suspect many will replace the Prestige with the CSR.  I know I have and will close the Prestige the moment I use the $250 and exhaust my TY AA redemptions.

[newhis]

OP I don't think there is a better card line-up than Chase right now.

Of course people needs/wants are diverse, so not all people will get that line-up.

I think having 5-10 active cards is a good place to be, some will say less is better, others will say more. It is good not to have all the cards with same lender.

Freedom Unlimited is a good card for those that don't have a 1.5% or 2% card, or those that want to have 1 card more.

For the cashback people you can get up to $175 bonus then 1.5%, 15 months at 0%, so if you compare that to Citi DC, you will need to use the DC for $35,000 to match the FU. Some people will say that that's not an issue and can be done in less than 12 months, for other people that will take several years.

The CSR is a good card but it is not for everyone. You get 3 points back in things like parking at the airport, toll roads and travel tickets and you get 50% more value on travel when you use UR points. Not everybody travel so $450 is a high AF for many. I got the card and I already have the $300 travel credit, $100 Global Entry fee, and next month I will get the 100,000 UR that will use it for air travel at a value of $1,500. For me the first AF is only $50, the rest will be $150 (or $50 when I renew GE). So it will take more than 10 years for me to break even with the bonus I'm getting. If my needs change, I can PC the card to a non-AF one just by sending a SM or making a call, so no big deal. And if cancel/PC before the AF hit, I can get $300 free for travel between Jan-Jul. Not bad at all.

[Open123]

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@newhis wrote:

The CSR is a good card but it is not for everyone. You get 3 points back in things like parking at the airport, toll roads and travel tickets and you get 50% more value on travel when you use UR points. Not everybody travel so $450 is a high AF for many. I got the card and I already have the $300 travel credit, $100 Global Entry fee, and next month I will get the 100,000 UR that will use it for air travel at a value of $1,500. For me the first AF is only $50, the rest will be $150 (or $50 when I renew GE). So it will take more than 10 years for me to break even with the bonus I'm getting. If my needs change, I can PC the card to a non-AF one just by sending a SM or making a call, so no big deal. And if cancel/PC before the AF hit, I can get $300 free for travel between Jan-Jul. Not bad at all.

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I find the CSR easily the best current offer in the market today.  This is really stating the obvious, but it really is a no brainer.  I mean, even for those who value cash back, take the net $150 travel credit and $1,000 before using a 2% after the initial $4K spend.

The $300 X 2 credit can be used on virtually any kind of travel.  Airline tix, hotel stays, uber, etc....

[Anonymous]

I think the winner is Chase unless you do a lot of spend outside of the country and you have to watch which one you're using because of fees. I have friends who travel to India and several of them swear by having multiple Discover Cards. not sure if it's because they go to Japan as well. From a non travel standpoint chase ewsily the winner with American Express a very close second for all domestic day to day/billpay on cards.

[Anonymous]

Yes as said above if a certain Chase card is not meeting your needs you can change it into something else seamlessly rather than waiting a whole year with any American Express for example