Taking a trip around the country before going back to work, and looking for the optimal 0% APR

[Repo-ed]

---

@randomguy1 wrote:

---

@Repo-ed wrote:

I've decided to take the winter off from work, and before returning to work next Feb/March, I want to go on a road trip around the country and see some sights/states I've yet to see, before heading back to work/grind. I have the cash to cover me, but figured a rewards card + 0% APR 12+ mo. would be my better option.

Has anyone done something similar and have a recommendation similar to what they did, or perhaps you did this...did option A (w/e that may be), but now wishes instead they had chosen option B (whatever that may be).

I see Quick Silver, Amex Blue Cash, and Chase Freedom all have 0% APR options right now.

Thoughts/input?

---

I would be wary of AMEX. While I like the CF, I would not recommend it because it does have Foriegn Transactions Fees. I would look into cards with no FTF. I can't give recommendations based on 0% APR however. I would personally choose a travel card with a large SUB as you can save a bit of money earning travel rewards. Also, a lot depends where you are traveling to as what card network/partners you would want to go yet.

Is lounge access important to you?

Is 0% APR a necessity?

Cash back?

Travel rewards?

etc.

---

I won't be leaving the lower 48 so FTF won't be an issue. No lounge access is req as I won't be in airports at all. It will be mostly the various National Parks from Arches/South Rim, up along the PCH, and then back over to Yellowstone are my main attraction points.

[issac2x]

Do you have a gas card? Since you'll be driving all over that might help with the rewards part. I'd go with Discover + Cap1 since Chase has been declining you.

[Anonymous]

---

@issac2x wrote:

Do you have a gas card? Since you'll be driving all over that might help with the rewards part. I'd go with Discover + Cap1 since Chase has been declining you.

---

Discover might be good if they match your spending for a year, and have a 0 on purchases for a year. Not sure if their line would be high enough. That's one issue with getting a new card. Surprise low limit that might not meet your needs. And you don't find out until after you apply.

[K-in-Boston]

While it has a $95 annual fee and doesn't have the 0% intro APR, perhaps consider the Citi Premier card?  The SUB is worth $600 cash (or $750 toward airfare in the travel portal), it earns 3x on all travel including gasoline purchases and 2x on dining and entertainment which is going to include admission fees to all of those national parks.  Points are worth 1 cent for cash and gift card redemption, or 1.25 cents toward airfare.

[FieryDance]

For road trips cash back cards might work better than travel cards designed for airline partners and hotel chains.

Not too familiar with 0% APR but for cash back consider the obvious categories you want to cover:

gas

dining

lodging

entrance fees, tours

WF Propel is a great choice.  I also recommend Citi and Bank of America since both have very broad “travel” definitions that include some excursions and admission tickets.  Also if you are at all interested in RV rental, BoA and Citi consider RV rental “travel” instead of “freight”.  

[AllZero]

Bank of America Cash Rewards. $200 sign up bonus + 0% APR on purchases for 15 statements and 0% BT (3% fee) offer too if you need it.

[Anonymous]

---

@FieryDance wrote:

For road trips cash back cards likely work better than travel cards designed for airline partners and hotel chains.

The obvious categories you want to cover:

gas

dining

lodging

entrance fees, tours

WF Propel is a great choice.  I also recommend Citi Costco and Bank of America since both have very broad “travel” categories that include some excursions.  If you are interested in RV rental, BoA and Citi consider RV rental “travel” instead of “freight”.  

---

Propel is a great choice, but they tend to give skimpy initial CLs. But they offer a 0 for 12 months. Gas, dining hotels are at 3%. Those all would work great.

Is Propel offered as a Visa? Mine is Amex. Visa for backwoods gas stations. 

I would have recommended Propel, but that line might be a little snug initially. I had to pull and stretch mine over the last 18 months so that it fits me better. They'll stretch for you once they get to know you.

[FieryDance]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

---

@FieryDance wrote:

For road trips cash back cards likely work better than travel cards designed for airline partners and hotel chains.

The obvious categories you want to cover:

gas

dining

lodging

entrance fees, tours

WF Propel is a great choice.  I also recommend Citi Costco and Bank of America since both have very broad “travel” categories that include some excursions.  If you are interested in RV rental, BoA and Citi consider RV rental “travel” instead of “freight”.  

---

Propel is a great choice, but they tend to give skimpy initial CLs. But they offer a 0 for 12 months. Gas, dining hotels are at 3%. Those all would work great.

Is Propel offered as a Visa? Mine is Amex. Visa for backwoods gas stations. 

I would have recommended Propel, but that line might be a little snug initially. I had to pull and stretch mine over the last 18 months so that it fits me better. They'll stretch for you once they get to know you.

---

That is a great point because you are right Propel runs on Amex network.  In a way it has the worst of both worlds, Amex acceptance and Wells Fargo customer service.  

[Repo-ed]

---

@issac2x wrote:

Do you have a gas card? Since you'll be driving all over that might help with the rewards part. I'd go with Discover + Cap1 since Chase has been declining you.

---

It's a hybrid and have been getting ~55 mpg's and it's a small tank...but something I hadn't thought about. Thanks.

[Repo-ed]

---

@K-in-Boston wrote:

While it has a $95 annual fee and doesn't have the 0% intro APR, perhaps consider the Citi Premier card?  The SUB is worth $600 cash (or $750 toward airfare in the travel portal), it earns 3x on all travel including gasoline purchases and 2x on dining and entertainment which is going to include admission fees to all of those national parks.  Points are worth 1 cent for cash and gift card redemption, or 1.25 cents toward airfare.

---

Great input and will look these up along w/ the Propel (sp?) cars up now.

Regardless of the avenue (CC) I go w/, should I wait until 1/1/20 to pull or now? I've not had an inquiry in 3-4 months, and have had maybe 2 in total this year.