POLL: Absolute BEST Credit Cards for CASH REWARDS and AIRLINE MILES

[I_SUFFER_FROM_FICO_ENVY]

First, you guys are giving me GREAT advice, much appreciated.

Here's MY deal...

...someone recommened here that, in his opinion, getting one card each (discover, VISA, MC and AMEX) covers your bases.  Good advice, but I don't want to carry something if I rarely ever use it.

In my case, I want: 1) CASH REWARDS for buying gas, eating out, shopping, groceries etc; and, 2) I want AIRLINE MILES.  Every year I travel from Florida to Europe.  Also, no foreign transaction fees; and, 3) no annual fee UNLESS you guys feel its worth it (i.e., rewards cancel out the fee)

WHICH CARDS ARE THE BEST?  That is, which cards should I really shoot for and is WORTH the hard pull on my credit report?

Thanks again, as always.

[greeneman21]

What do your credit scores look like?

[I_SUFFER_FROM_FICO_ENVY]

Well, that question goes with some other posts that I have made here. 

I'm NOT applying anytime soon for these IDEAL cards b/c I'm trying to bump my FICO as high as possible.  I have ONE negative student loan account, for example, that has derogs (missed payments, last one January 2012 and now has been consistently being paid six months now.  I'm gonna wait until February, 2013 to apply for these IDEAL cards when I have 12 solid months of payments since my derogs.

Also, per my previous post, I want to apply when my UTI is <8% on the four present cards I carry.

That being said, my current FICO scores (with my student loan derog and UTI of 78%) pulled two weeks ago:

TU 667

Equifax 672

Experian ???

That being said, I wont apply till March, 2013.  Thanks.

[jamesdwi]

the absolute best rewards cards are the ones that you AP for an are approved, and use. If you don't do all three you won't recieve rewards. 

with that note:   

AMEX  BCP  is my first choice but you need to spend a lot to break even has a  AF

AMEX BCE  is the secord, hard to get but has decent rewards

AMEX Zync  with packs,  poissibly NPSL and 1% standard with packs getting 2% has AF plus some packs cost money. 

CapOne rewards  1% on everything, 2% on gas stations  easy to get with a small AF $39 

other capone's are nice but much harder to get. 

Chase Freedom, DISC more, DISC IT  has 5% on rotating items. and 1% on everything and upto 10% on certain retailers got 5% off hotels.com which also gives 1 free night after 10 stays, prices some of the best on the net. 

DISC more, DISC IT  has 5% on rotating items.  but has low rewards untill you spend a lot of money. 

[I_SUFFER_FROM_FICO_ENVY]

FWIW...I am also a full member of USAA, if that matters

[lanc]

Penfed cu offers 5% gas

Amex BCP 3% groceries

Personally I use cap1 cash rewards which gives you a 50% bonus each year so it's basically 1.5% for everything (I shop at walmart because my groceries are always 10% cheaper there compared to "actual" grocery stores) and I use 2% amex bce for gas (you could use bank of america 3% but never apped for it or penfed)

AMEX offers 2% back on everything if you use ceratin accounts such as the fidelity amex

[LS2982]

Need more info about your credit file.

[LS2982]

Sorry posting from cell phone can't edit post.

Not sure what cards you have currently but I would recommend:

AMEX BCP
Chase Freedom
Discover More
Citi Thank You Premier

[bettercreditguy1]

What are your FICO Scores?  Are you well seasoned (high scores) or lower than prime or sub prime?

[jsucool76]

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@jamesdwi wrote:

the absolute best rewards cards are the ones that you AP for an are approved, and use. If you don't do all three you won't recieve rewards. 

with that note:   

AMEX  BCP  is my first choice but you need to spend a lot to break even has a  AF

AMEX BCE  is the secord, hard to get but has decent rewards

AMEX Zync  with packs,  poissibly NPSL and 1% standard with packs getting 2% has AF plus some packs cost money. 

CapOne rewards  1% on everything, 2% on gas stations  easy to get with a small AF $39 

other capone's are nice but much harder to get. 

Chase Freedom, DISC more, DISC IT  has 5% on rotating items. and 1% on everything and upto 10% on certain retailers got 5% off hotels.com which also gives 1 free night after 10 stays, prices some of the best on the net. 

DISC more, DISC IT  has 5% on rotating items.  but has low rewards untill you spend a lot of money. 

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Which capital one card gets 2% back on gas? I have the Cash rewards card and I don't get that D: