Roadmap help?

[Titans]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, though I’ve been following for a few months. Big fan of @ptatohed, @unsungivy, and a few others here—thanks for all the insights you’ve share.

I’m just starting my credit card journey and would love some guidance on which cards I’m more likely to be approved for, as well as which ones make sense to hold long-term in today’s ever-changing credit card landscape.

I currently have 4 months of credit history with the Chase Freedom Rise (Catch-All). While building that, I’ve also been using the PayPal Debit (Gas or Restaurants) and FutureCard (Groceries and Utilities) to maximize rewards where I can.

I’m looking to build a minimalist cashback setup to get my feet wet, and I’m considering applying for:

Redstone FCU Visa Signature (I'm inside the geo-fence)

AAA Daily Advantage

Possibly the Fairwinds CU Visa Signature down the line, for future travel needs

I’d love feedback on application order, general strategy, and any other suggestions you think I should consider.

Thanks so much for your time—and a big shoutout to everyone in this community!

[CaneVariant]

You are off to a great start with the Chase Freedom Rise. Since you are in the area definitely go for the Redstone rewards card. You might want to wait a little for your credit to age a bit, but in the meantime you can keep an eye out to see if Redstone has any bank bonus for joining like the $500 one from last year. Once you have a year under your belt two other cards you might want to check out is WF Autograph (paired with paypal debit for groceries) and possibly the AOD rewards. Until then keep getting that easy $70+ from PayPal and Future.

[ptatohed]

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@Titans wrote:

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, though I’ve been following for a few months. Big fan of @ptatohed, @unsungivy, and a few others here—thanks for all the insights you’ve share.

I’m just starting my credit card journey and would love some guidance on which cards I’m more likely to be approved for, as well as which ones make sense to hold long-term in today’s ever-changing credit card landscape.

I currently have 4 months of credit history with the Chase Freedom Rise (Catch-All). While building that, I’ve also been using the PayPal Debit (Gas or Restaurants) and FutureCard (Groceries and Utilities) to maximize rewards where I can.

I’m looking to build a minimalist cashback setup to get my feet wet, and I’m considering applying for:

Redstone FCU Visa Signature (I'm inside the geo-fence)

AAA Daily Advantage

Possibly the Fairwinds CU Visa Signature down the line, for future travel needs

I’d love feedback on application order, general strategy, and any other suggestions you think I should consider.

Thanks so much for your time—and a big shoutout to everyone in this community!

---

Wow, I think this might be the first time I have ever been 'summoned'.  Thanks for the kind words Titan.  :blush:  

CV had a great response.  You are off to a good start, and the Redstone and AOD would be great next cards to get.  

If you don't or can't get the 3% AOD, look for a good 2% card.  There are lots of good 2% cards out there.  Pick one with a good welcome offer.  

It sounds like you aren't up for the rotator thing.  If that's the case, do consider the citi Custom Cash as you determine the 5% cat, based on your chosen spend.  

Best of luck!

[Guyatthebeach]

I think you are off to an excellent start. 

You should definitely get the Redstone Visa Signature. It's one of my most used cards and I really like the CU. I like how you can the status of the points earned online. So far, I've never had an issue. Be on the lookout, Redstone offers a sub for opening a checking account. Unless Redstone updated their underwriting procedures, any CLI is going to be a HP. Also once you join, take advantage of their services. They have excellent car loan rates and their Brighter Days savings account is worth a look. 

Another card you may want to looking into adding is the American Express Blue Cash Preferred card. You get 6% cash back on groceries and streaming. If you have Disney Plus, you get a huge credit. Depending on your spend on groceries, it may be worth it for you. 

Guyatthebeach

[AndySoCal]

@Titans  I would if you have not already become a member of Redstone. If you do not meet the criteria use Financial Fitness Association and join them Then from the partners link on Financial Fitness Asscociation apply to join Redstone. Start with a savings account  and or checking account. I would suggest a savings account to start with. I have the credit card and I use it. I just moved my checking account there as well. Take your time credit is not a sprint it is a marathon. 

[Titans]

Thank you all for sharing your insights — really appreciate it!

@CaneVariant For AOD, from what I understand, I wouldn’t be eligible to join based on their current Select Employer Groups. Redstone is offering a checking bonus right now, but I’m outside of the qualifying counties — I’ll keep an eye out though

 @ptatohed Haha, glad I was the first to summon you! You've got me beat for saving a penny especially with the cold sandwich story! I’m not the biggest fan of rotating 5% categories, but I’ve considered product changing my Chase Freedom Rise to a Flex at some point. Citi Custom Cash is on my radar too, though I’ve heard they prefer at least 2 years of credit history

@Guyatthebeach Thanks for the data point! I don’t use any streaming services at the moment, which is why I’ve been leaning more toward the AAA Daily Advantage. I’m in a single-person household, so grocery spend is pretty light compared to families

@AndySoCal Joining Redstone is definitely on my list this year, at least to open a savings account and get my foot in the door. I considered the Financial Fitness Association route for $8, but then I saw a datapoint about free membership through the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). I’ve come across a few stories about Redstone accounts getting compromised, so I’d love an update from you if you’ve had any recent issues with their checking account

Lastly, for the Redstone Visa Signature — I’m not sure if I’d get approved as my second card even after a year of excellent credit history, but it’s definitely on the roadmap. In the meantime, I may go for a more beginner-friendly card.

[AndySoCal]

@Titans @Fraud right now is at rampant. You can most likely find fraud stories about many banks or credit unions.  When you use any app make sure the phone is secure Ie it locks when there is no actively. For Redstone I use the app and have Face ID enabled.  I do not use my bank apps in a public place at home yes. Strong passwords is a must for example if I had a McDonalds app my password might be BigMacs@1977. Keep your usernames and passwords unique. Be very careful with text message and emails if message is wanting you to verify something account or transaction  call the credit union first. Redstone text message  have their name in the message. If you have any doubt call Redstone do not use the phone number in the text or email. Too many people click on links in text messages or emails. If you get an email from Redstone check the email address make sure it says @redfcu.org it the end. You can apply this to any bank or credit union.

Edited to add: Your idea of gettting the non rewards credit card is a very good idea

[unsungivy]

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@Titans wrote:

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, though I’ve been following for a few months. Big fan of @ptatohed, @unsungivy, and a few others here—thanks for all the insights you’ve share.

I’m just starting my credit card journey and would love some guidance on which cards I’m more likely to be approved for, as well as which ones make sense to hold long-term in today’s ever-changing credit card landscape.

I currently have 4 months of credit history with the Chase Freedom Rise (Catch-All). While building that, I’ve also been using the PayPal Debit (Gas or Restaurants) and FutureCard (Groceries and Utilities) to maximize rewards where I can.

I’m looking to build a minimalist cashback setup to get my feet wet, and I’m considering applying for:

Redstone FCU Visa Signature (I'm inside the geo-fence)

AAA Daily Advantage

Possibly the Fairwinds CU Visa Signature down the line, for future travel needs

I’d love feedback on application order, general strategy, and any other suggestions you think I should consider.

Thanks so much for your time—and a big shoutout to everyone in this community!

---

Like @ptatohed, I am sincerely honored by the shout-out! 🥰

As everyone else has chimed it, definitely grab the Redstone since you can... I literally JUST missed out on it! (They instituted the geofence the SAME DAY they approved me as member 🤦‍♀️😭)

I don't know that you'll need it, but I think the CareCredit MC is good fit for minimalist starting in August, since it's 2% everything and then 4% for health&wellness (which is a much larger category than you might think... Sports apparel stores, haircuts, massages, and golfing on top of drugstores, glasses, hearing aids etc.) They have a pre-approval tool as well these days.

What are your long term goals? Do you expect to include any business cards as part of your strategy? What about loyalty to specific brands or stores, such as hotel or airlines? Are you Team Travel or Team Cashback, or do you not care? What about paying annual fees? It helps to plan out ahead of time so you can consider things like the 5/24 and if it will matter to you. You did the smart thing by checking in as you're dipping your toe in, rather than 6 rapid fire applications down line (which seems to be about when newbies speak up, typically)

[FICOdawg]

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@Titans wrote:

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, though I’ve been following for a few months. Big fan of @ptatohed, @unsungivy, and a few others here—thanks for all the insights you’ve share.

I’m just starting my credit card journey and would love some guidance on which cards I’m more likely to be approved for, as well as which ones make sense to hold long-term in today’s ever-changing credit card landscape.

I currently have 4 months of credit history with the Chase Freedom Rise (Catch-All). While building that, I’ve also been using the PayPal Debit (Gas or Restaurants) and FutureCard (Groceries and Utilities) to maximize rewards where I can.

I’m looking to build a minimalist cashback setup to get my feet wet, and I’m considering applying for:

Redstone FCU Visa Signature (I'm inside the geo-fence)

AAA Daily Advantage

Possibly the Fairwinds CU Visa Signature down the line, for future travel needs

I’d love feedback on application order, general strategy, and any other suggestions you think I should consider.

Thanks so much for your time—and a big shoutout to everyone in this community!

---

A credit card lifestyle may not be what you want.     I'll assume youre young.     Establishing credit is imprtsnt but realize there are folks who have tons of credit cards but have highly leveraged situations.   There are also people on here who've filed bankruptcy and had charge offs in their past.

If I was starting out today I'd look for cards I'd keep a long time like the Amazon Prime card as you need to build long term credit age.     Use cash back or Fidelity card to pile into investments.

All my new college grads I have this discussion and have several of them with over 100k in investment savings by the time they are 25/26.

If you are young I recommend focusing on finances and gaining wealth before chasing $250 cash back bonuses & fretting a FICO score.

[Titans]

@AndySoCal That’s true — every bank has those horror stories. I do my best to keep everything locked down and secure on my end

@unsungivy I came across that while researching the Redstone Visa Signature — definitely unfortunate 😅. I haven’t looked into the CareCredit MC yet, but that could fill a few gaps, so thanks for pointing it out. Long term, I’m leaning toward either a hybrid approach or focusing on cashback to reinvest into my future. I don’t have any hotel or airline loyalties at the moment, and I don’t mind annual fees as long as I’m getting value from the card

@FICOdawgThanks for the info — I really appreciate it. I’m fairly young and working on building wealth, and credit cards have become a fun side project along the way. I’m mainly looking for cards I can keep for the long haul. The Prime Card is nice, but I don’t use Amazon much. I’ve also looked into the Fidelity Visa, but I haven’t determined where my brokerage account will be yet.