I've been mulling over my current portfolio now that it has been a couple of months since the new additions and have come to the following conclusions:
1. Chase Slate: not beneficial. I have no use for a BT card. I should have apped Freedom but thought Slate would be easier. I will ask to PC at one year anniversary.
2. BOA Cash Rewards (secured): better than Slate, but not as good as Barclaycard Rewards. I will PC to Better Balance Rewards after my card unsecures.
3. Barclaycard Rewards: best of the bunch. More points on the things I buy; can redeem as early as 1000 for $10 statement credit (vs BOA 2500 = $25 credit)
4. Walmart Card: I haven't used it but my AU is running it up, lol. Actually, he's running up the Barclay Rewards, too (UTL is gonna suck next month).
I am still considering apping Discover IT and no-AF Amex next year (because all the cool kids carry those!). I'm doing my research to find the best cards for my use; I only want to have 5 credit cards max plus the 1 store card. So I've got 2 slots to fill still. Considering Capital One cash rewards card (Quicksilver or Venture but hesitant because of notorious static growth). Maybe a credit union card.
Any ideas?
Yes, it is a 321. I'm thinking maybe one additional reward card and a very low APR card for carrying balances.
@Jasir wrote:I've been mulling over my current portfolio now that it has been a couple of months since the new additions and have come to the following conclusions:
1. Chase Slate: not beneficial. I have no use for a BT card. I should have apped Freedom but thought Slate would be easier. I will ask to PC at one year anniversary.
2. BOA Cash Rewards (secured): better than Slate, but not as good as Barclaycard Rewards. I will PC to Better Balance Rewards after my card unsecures.
3. Barclaycard Rewards: best of the bunch. More points on the things I buy; can redeem as early as 1000 for $10 statement credit (vs BOA 2500 = $25 credit)
4. Walmart Card: I haven't used it but my AU is running it up, lol. Actually, he's running up the Barclay Rewards, too (UTL is gonna suck next month).
I am still considering apping Discover IT and no-AF Amex next year (because all the cool kids carry those!). I'm doing my research to find the best cards for my use; I only want to have 5 credit cards max plus the 1 store card. So I've got 2 slots to fill still. Considering Capital One cash rewards card (Quicksilver or Venture but hesitant because of notorious static growth). Maybe a credit union card.
Any ideas?
I would go CU card and AMEX charge card.
Thanks for the ideas. I read up more on the Discover IT and decided IT is not for me (pun intended). I've done the research on charge cards & just don't feel they will benefit me ever (between debit and revolvers I'm covered). Regarding Fidelity Amex, I don't have a Fidelity account. If I open an additional checking/savings account it will only be with a credit union as I am content with my Bank of America banking and don't want to juggle banks. This is just planning for next year since my credit isn't excellent yet. I may just not get any additional cards; just work on CLI & lowering APR on Slate. Perhaps.
@Jasir wrote:Thanks for the ideas. I read up more on the Discover IT and decided IT is not for me (pun intended). I've done the research on charge cards & just don't feel they will benefit me ever (between debit and revolvers I'm covered). Regarding Fidelity Amex, I don't have a Fidelity account. If I open an additional checking/savings account it will only be with a credit union as I am content with my Bank of America banking and don't want to juggle banks. This is just planning for next year since my credit isn't excellent yet. I may just not get any additional cards; just work on CLI & lowering APR on Slate. Perhaps.
The CU card may not "benefit" you rewards wise but the low APR's and high CL's will. 
@LS2982 wrote:
The CU card may not "benefit" you rewards wise but the low APR's and high CL's will.
Yep, those high CL's and low APR's are my only attraction to credit unions and why I may re-app for PSECU. I was appproved but pulled my app when I realized they had no branches anywhere near me, lol! But I think I will reapply next year, explain why I canceled my pending membership & hope they don't finecomb tooth me to death!
@Jasir wrote:
@LS2982 wrote:
The CU card may not "benefit" you rewards wise but the low APR's and high CL's will.
Yep, those high CL's and low APR's are my only attraction to credit unions and why I may re-app for PSECU. I was appproved but pulled my app when I realized they had no branches anywhere near me, lol! But I think I will reapply next year, explain why I canceled my pending membership & hope they don't finecomb tooth me to death!
Thats crazy!!! I have no PSECU branches near me at all (I'm in MD) but I do ALL of my banking with them. I have 1 ATM I can use to make deposits, and all ATM's are fee free up to $20 dollars (credit every 1st of month)
I love PSECU!!!
Yeah, it was a hasty decision on my part. To be fair to myself I was confused when I apped: I thought I was appying for PFCU which has branches in Philly; when PSECU called to ask me to fax/send my identification I asked could I just take it into the branch since there was one about 2 miles from where I stay & they kindly informed me I was mistaken. I said, "Oops. Ok, cancel my app, please." Done deal. Now I wish I hadn't because it was a wasted HP.