Is there a better card line-up then Chase?

[Anonymous]

I've been drinking the Chase Kool-Aid lately.  Once I'm outside of 5-24 next summer, I'm gunning for CSR, Ink+ and Unlimited to add to my current Freedom.  Shoving all those points to the CSR's 50% UR bump just seems unbeatable.  But is there a better line-up or strategy out there?  I can't see one, but would love to hear of some success that anyone has with a line-up. 

My plan for Chase FYI will be...

Ink+ -- Cell phone, cable and Office supply for 5% [7.5% on UR]

Freedom -- Quarterly categories 5% [7.5% on UR]

CSR -- Restaurants and travel for 3% [4.5% on UR]

Freedom Unlimited -- everything else 1.5% [2.25% on UR]

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I've been drinking the Chase Kool-Aid lately.  Once I'm outside of 5-24 next summer, I'm gunning for CSR, Ink+ and Unlimited to add to my current Freedom.  Shoving all those points to the CSR's 50% UR bump just seems unbeatable.  But is there a better line-up or strategy out there?  I can't see one, but would love to hear of some success that anyone has with a line-up. 

My plan for Chase FYI will be...

Ink+ -- Cell phone, cable and Office supply for 5% [7.5% on UR]

Freedom -- Quarterly categories 5% [7.5% on UR]

CSR -- Restaurants and travel for 3% [4.5% on UR]

Freedom Unlimited -- everything else 1.5% [2.25% on UR]

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I'm a big fan of Chase as well and have all the cards that you list.  I don't think any other CC company comes close to such a well rounded portfolio of cards.  That's why the 5/24 rule is such a shame because they do have a monopoly on a lot of the better cards and that doesn't include some of their co branded cards.

[Anonymous]

It also depends on whether you can use the partners easily.  If so, then I think Chase is currently the clear winner, if you need to use other partners, then you may want a different program.

Also unknown is how long the CSR will stay in its current state, see what happened to the Prestige for example!

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

It also depends on whether you can use the partners easily.  If so, then I think Chase is currently the clear winner, if you need to use other partners, then you may want a different program.

Also unknown is how long the CSR will stay in its current state, see what happened to the Prestige for example!

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Mr negativity 

[redpat]

Chase UR points are great and their cards make very easy to accumulate points.  I also like MR points from amex and found using two point reward systems beneficial to me.  

I especially like amex offers that they provide with their cards, you can get some great savings from them.

It all comes down to your spend and what you want to do with your rewards.

[Anonymous]

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@redpat wrote:

Chase UR points are great and their cards make very easy to accumulate points.  I also like MR points from amex and found using two point reward systems beneficial to me.  

I especially like amex offers that they provide with their cards, you can get some great savings from them.

It all comes down to your spend and what you want to do with your rewards.

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I agree.  While overall my reference is for Chase, I love my Amex cards and have made good use of MR points especially for my upcoming trip to Australia.

[driftless]

I also like Chase's card line up. I have CSR, Freedom and Ink+.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I've been drinking the Chase Kool-Aid lately.  Once I'm outside of 5-24 next summer, I'm gunning for CSR, Ink+ and Unlimited to add to my current Freedom.  Shoving all those points to the CSR's 50% UR bump just seems unbeatable.  But is there a better line-up or strategy out there?  I can't see one, but would love to hear of some success that anyone has with a line-up. 

My plan for Chase FYI will be...

Ink+ -- Cell phone, cable and Office supply for 5% [7.5% on UR]

Freedom -- Quarterly categories 5% [7.5% on UR]

CSR -- Restaurants and travel for 3% [4.5% on UR]

Freedom Unlimited -- everything else 1.5% [2.25% on UR]

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In terms of benefits and rewards, I think Citi can give them a run for their money. 

Chase doesn't offer a straight 2% (or 1% + 1%) cash back card with first late fee waiver, or a price rewind system. You'd have to combine two cards to get the most benefit out of chase rewards points. I know you can manually do price protection by calling and filling out a form, but Citi really does make it easier for their customers to get the price difference back. 

Citi also has a pair of $450 a year cards with nice benefits (even though one will be nerfed soon), and some HHonors cards plus Expedia and Costco... Overall a very solid lineup.  

[Anonymous]

^^^ No, but chase does offer 1.5% on every purchase, if you want to leave a balance on that DC card, you will only get the %1 not the full %1.99 for the charge, and payment.

Also, chase offers %5 catagories, citi doesnt have that?

I think chase is the clear winner if you compare chase to citi. 

Just my .02

[redpat]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

I've been drinking the Chase Kool-Aid lately.  Once I'm outside of 5-24 next summer, I'm gunning for CSR, Ink+ and Unlimited to add to my current Freedom.  Shoving all those points to the CSR's 50% UR bump just seems unbeatable.  But is there a better line-up or strategy out there?  I can't see one, but would love to hear of some success that anyone has with a line-up. 

My plan for Chase FYI will be...

Ink+ -- Cell phone, cable and Office supply for 5% [7.5% on UR]

Freedom -- Quarterly categories 5% [7.5% on UR]

CSR -- Restaurants and travel for 3% [4.5% on UR]

Freedom Unlimited -- everything else 1.5% [2.25% on UR]

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In terms of benefits and rewards, I think Citi can give them a run for their money. 

Chase doesn't offer a straight 2% (or 1% + 1%) cash back card with first late fee waiver, or a price rewind system. You'd have to combine two cards to get the most benefit out of chase rewards points. I know you can manually do price protection by calling and filling out a form, but Citi really does make it easier for their customers to get the price difference back. 

Citi also has a pair of $450 a year cards with nice benefits (even though one will be nerfed soon), and some HHonors cards plus Expedia and Costco... Overall a very solid lineup.  

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Citi isn't even close to Chase or Amex after Prestige nerf.  Both Chase and Amex have better cards that have category spend than Citi.  Citi transfer partners are less desirable than both Chase and Amex.  Citi DC is straight cashback cards and travel cards will always give you a better return per dollar spent.

If you are talking cash back CSR will give you 3% travel and dining with a 1k sign-up bonus to boot, INK Cash will give you 5% on office supplies, cable, cell phone and telephone and Freedom has 5% categories so it looks like chase will be on top of citi w/ cashback cards.  Amex BCP is no slouch either.  Oops forgot about Chase AARP card.