@cws-21 wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
I do wonder why more people don't have 5% rotators in their arsenal. To me it's a zero brainer but maybe it's a hassle to some?... I just wanted to caution you about scrapping something like this Citi DC for the AOD. Citi is likely (hopefully?) here to stay whereas we can only cross our fingers and hope that the AOD hangs around.Actually, I don't really like 5% cards with rotating categories, @ptatohed. I would much rather have cards that yield 5% cash back, or as close as possible, for all four quarters (e.g., Blue Cash Preferred, Custom Cash, Ducks Unlimited, Target, Affinity, etc.). Regarding my Citi DC, you're not wrong. I have thought about keeping it, though it would be relatively easy for me to apply for another 2% card down the road if the need ever arises.
Funny, @ptatohed, but I just replied to you on the Elan Everyday Rewards Plus thread about disliking rotating category cards. Lol I also linked to a thread in Smorgasbord about Rotating Category Card Fatigue.
I understand those who want to optimize rewards in all cases and squeeze the most value back out of their spending. The average consumer who is not on My Fico probably places little if any value on optimization and is happy using two, three, four cards. There are also those who would place no limits on optimizing rewards, regardless of how many dozens of cards they might add and have to manage. The majority of us on My Fico, have some limit on the continuum between simplicity and rewards and we all may be at different points in how we want to approach it. I've found I probably somewhat favor simplicity but rewards still factor in my credit decisions to some degree. (Yes, I know I've got 21 cards at the moment, but I have plans for eventual downsizing some of those. And some of my cards see little if any spend every month. I've also started threads about downsizing to just one card or two cards.)
I resisted the rotating category cards for a long time. I had the original Discover card (which pioneered cash back and got less than 1% net returns), eventually upgraded to the flat 1% Discover More, and traded that in for a Discover Chrome (2% on dining and gas with $1K quarterly cap) just to keep the card active and because I didn't want to mess with categories. At the time I got Chrome, I didn't yet have a 2%+ card. In the last three years as I've continued to get better cards, I finally converted my Discover to the IT rotating category version. The only other rotating category card I have is the Chase Freedom, which I added in 2019 as part of acquiring the Chase tri-fecta. However, I've found that I don't use the card that much and am continuing to evaluate whether it's worth my while to keep it. Regardless of my Freedom, the Discover would stay since it's my oldest continously-active account since others were closed.
If the categories offered are useful, I would much rather have a fixed but selectable category card like the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards, the US Bank Cash Plus/Elan Max Cash Preferred, or the Citi Custom Cash. But that's just me.
Why don't I like rotating category cards? Well, they rotate. Lol 
Often at the lender's discretion, and often to categories which aren't useful to my current spending. They're almost always capped, which means that if my spending in that category will (or might) exceed that cap, I need to constantly track it to avoid squashing my rewards rate with 1% over cap. And then there is the quarter, which means tracking odd dates. Some cards also require activation of categories and may not advertise them far in advance. Some cards have MCC exclusions such as 5% on groceries ... except Walmart or Target, and I often shop at a Walmart Neighborhood Market. This all become a constantly-moving target. If you're into it because of the challenge of the game itself, that's an understandable attraction. However, some of us aren't. I've also often posted about how I dislike even the Blue Cash Preferred, which is a My Fico favorite. Yes, you can get high cash back on groceries but always less than the advertised 6% after the AF. And with the AF, optimizing requires spending as close to but not over the $6K cap to yield somewhere between 4.4% and maybe as much as 5% if you're lucky, depending on use of the streaming category.
Bottom line: Yes, it's the hassles and complexity.
I echo what @cws-21 said about Citi Double Cash versus AOD FCU Visa 3%. I like to have some backup cards. While AOD is still going strong, I'm not canceling my PenFed Power Cash Rewards (2%) or Bank of America Premium Rewards (2.625%) options for cash back.
@Aim_High wrote:
@cws-21 wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
I do wonder why more people don't have 5% rotators in their arsenal. To me it's a zero brainer but maybe it's a hassle to some?... I just wanted to caution you about scrapping something like this Citi DC for the AOD. Citi is likely (hopefully?) here to stay whereas we can only cross our fingers and hope that the AOD hangs around.Actually, I don't really like 5% cards with rotating categories, @ptatohed. I would much rather have cards that yield 5% cash back, or as close as possible, for all four quarters (e.g., Blue Cash Preferred, Custom Cash, Ducks Unlimited, Target, Affinity, etc.). Regarding my Citi DC, you're not wrong. I have thought about keeping it, though it would be relatively easy for me to apply for another 2% card down the road if the need ever arises.
Funny, @ptatohed, but I just replied to you on the Elan Everyday Rewards Plus thread about disliking rotating category cards. Lol I also linked to a thread in Smorgasbord about Rotating Category Card Fatigue.
I understand those who want to optimize rewards in all cases and squeeze the most value back out of their spending. The average consumer who is not on My Fico probably places little if any value on optimzation and is happy using two, three, four cards. There are also those who would place no limits on optimizing rewards, regardless of how many dozens of cards they might add and have to manage. The majority of us on My Fico, have some limit on the continuum between simplicity and rewards and we all may be at different points in how we want to approach it. I've found I probably somewhat favor simplicity but rewards still factor in my credit decisions to some degree. (Yes, I know I've got 21 cards at the moment, but I have plans for eventual downsizing some of those. And some of my cards see little if any spend every month. I've also started threads about downsizing to just one card or two cards.)
I resisted the rotating category cards for a long time. I had the original Discover card (which pioneered cash back and got less than 1% net returns), eventually upgraded to the flat 1% Discover More, and traded that in for a Discover Chrome (2% on dining and gas with $1K quarterly cap) just to keep the card active and because I didn't want to mess with categories. At the time I got Chrome, I didn't yet have a 2%+ card. In the last three years as I've continued to get better cards, I finally converted my Discover to the IT rotating category version. The only other rotating category card I have is the Chase Freedom, which I added in 2019 as part of acquiring the Chase tri-fecta. However, I've found that I don't use the card that much and am continuing to evaluate whether it's worth my while to keep it. Regardless of my Freedom, the Discover would stay since it's my oldest continously-active account since others were closed.
If the categories offered are useful, I would much rather have a fixed but selectable category card like the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards, the US Bank Cash Plus/Elan Max Cash Preferred, or the Citi Custom Cash. But that's just me.
Why don't I like rotating category cards? Well, they rotate. Lol
Bottom line: Yes, it's the hassles and complexity.
I echo what @cws-21 said about Citi Double Cash versus AOD FCU Visa 3%. I like to have some backup cards. While AOD is still going strong, I'm not canceling my PenFed Power Cash Rewards (2%) or Bank of America Premium Rewards (2.625%) options for cash back.
Thanks for your two replies A_H. I enjoy reading what you write. I hear everything you are saying. I can see why it might be a hassle for some. For me, I enjoy the 5% rotating cards. I used to prepare the quarterly 'cheat sheet' for my wife and I in AutoCAD and print it out on card stock, cut to a business card size, for our wallets. LOL! I admit I don't do that anymore. A handwritten post-it note it is these days. 
My wife would never, ever juggle cards like I, on her own, do but she's a good sport and appeases me. I don't mind the rotating categories - I find that fun - but I do dislike the spending caps, I agree. Between my 3 rotators, I think we almost always stay under the caps. Sure, if gas, dining, and groceries were all on one card, we'd eat up the cap quickly. But it's usually spread out.
I do have a confession. I have conceded to convenience in one arena. I have a lot of fast food apps, right? For mobile ordering (I actually mostly dine-in but I like all the perks in the apps). Well, instead of having to change the credit card used in the apps four times per year, I just have all apps pay with my DD all year. So dissapointing, I know. lol
]
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
That looks like a good plan. I do wonder why more people don't have 5% rotators in their arsenal. To me it's a zero brainer but maybe it's a hassle to some? Anyway, I just wanted to caution you about scrapping something like this Citi DC for the AOD. Citi is likely (hopefully?) here to stay whereas we can only cross our fingers and hope that the AOD hangs around.
I find it annoying. USB and Citi have 5% that don't rotate. When I had the USB, if I forgot to choose a new category it would just stay the same until I remembered. Also, a lot of time the category available that quarter isn't useful or I have another card with a better rate of return. For example, gas quarter is meaningless for me. I do have a car but it is very fuel efficient and I only spend $25-$30/month. Managing 5% rotators for that isn't worth the effort. Just my 2 cents.
@wingennis wrote:
That looks like a good plan. I do wonder why more people don't have 5% rotators in their arsenal. To me it's a zero brainer but maybe it's a hassle to some? Anyway, I just wanted to caution you about scrapping something like this Citi DC for the AOD. Citi is likely (hopefully?) here to stay whereas we can only cross our fingers and hope that the AOD hangs around.I find it annoying. USB and Citi have 5% that don't rotate. When I had the USB, if I forgot to choose a new category it would just stay the same until I remembered. Also, a lot of time the category available that quarter isn't useful or I have another card with a better rate of return. For example, gas quarter is meaningless for me. I do have a car but it is very fuel efficient and I only spend $25-$30/month. Managing 5% rotators for that isn't worth the effort. Just my 2 cents.
Citi rotates automatically. That is what makes it a great card, whatever you spend most on is getting 5%, Only negative is that it is just for the first $500
@Crowhelm wrote:
@wingennis wrote:
That looks like a good plan. I do wonder why more people don't have 5% rotators in their arsenal. To me it's a zero brainer but maybe it's a hassle to some? Anyway, I just wanted to caution you about scrapping something like this Citi DC for the AOD. Citi is likely (hopefully?) here to stay whereas we can only cross our fingers and hope that the AOD hangs around.I find it annoying. USB and Citi have 5% that don't rotate. When I had the USB, if I forgot to choose a new category it would just stay the same until I remembered. Also, a lot of time the category available that quarter isn't useful or I have another card with a better rate of return. For example, gas quarter is meaningless for me. I do have a car but it is very fuel efficient and I only spend $25-$30/month. Managing 5% rotators for that isn't worth the effort. Just my 2 cents.
Citi rotates automatically. That is what makes it a great card, whatever you spend most on is getting 5%, Only negative is that it is just for the first $500
Agree. If and when I get the citi custom cash, it would only be used on one category per quarter, basically to fill the 5% 'hole' that my 5% rotators don't cover. So, if Freedom, Disco, nusenda, don't have, say, 5% CB on gas for a given quarter, citi CC it is for that quarter. $500 spend per month should be close enough.
I have some large costs to cover and I plan to shop 1 or 2 cards, preferably with high SUB and low or no AF (not travel co-branded cards). Here is my summary list, to also optimize also cashback plans (I excluded Citi, since around summer they told me to come back one year):
- USBank Ralph: 5% digital wallet (3k per year), 100$ SUB.
- Affinity Cash Rewards: 5% on Amazon and 5% Hi5 rotating catogories, 200$ SUB.
- Elan Max Cash: 5% cateogry, 150$ SUB (less preferable).
Earlier this year, I got CSP/Connect with high SUB but I cannot find such high SUB cards.
I may go first with USBank Ralph. For Affinity, I may open a checking account first and afterward, submit Cash Rewards application (after ~1-2 weeks from USBank Ralph application).
Do you have suggesions?
Fico8: EX~EQ~TU~840 (12 month goal~850).
Hopefully a boring year credit wise.
Will be getting a mortgage in the late spring for the condo, and I'm going back to school, again, while trying to maintain my job for however long I can or until I get to grad school. If a new / interesting product (like AOD when it was released) comes out I'll swipe it given I don't expect to have income forever to justify a new card, but really I'm still on the somewhat science-like project to see just when lenders start shutting down my accounts. Been 2 years on that basically now and I've still only had one closed on me and about to get a second in the next few months /yawn.
Sleepy credit = good credit for me these days
Hope all are doing well and best wishes to you all in the new year!
Applied for a couple cards this month and got approved, so I'm happy.
For 2022, I will look to garden mostly. I may try to get some SP CLIs. Possibly look into reallocating some limits and close newer cards that I don't really use that often.
