What can/should/shouldn't I get?

[DBSH]

I've been gardening. Gardening hard. Util is at 11%. Scores are in the 700s. I have one baddie from 3 years ago that I can't get off. Other than that, I'm pretty golden. My AAoA is a little low already so I'm hesitant to apply for anything, but I feel like if I'm going to waste an inq, I would rather get a new card and not request a CLI. What should I get? I feel like all of my cards are mid-tier cards and I'd like to start movIng towards something better.

I'm more about cash back than I am about miles, but I'm not against travel cards since I anticipate that I will travel. I don't enjoy an obnoxious annual fee. I like customer service that's not a Capital One.

[Anonymous]

Looking at your siggy, I wouldn't consider the BOA card as mid- tier.  But the terms means different things to different people.  You already have Discover which is a solid cashback card.  But another option you should take a look at is the Chase Freedom.  It is a very good cash back card.

[DBSH]

I really like the BofA card. The customer service is great and the rewards are great also. I use it exclusively for all of my gas and grocery store purchases. I'd really prefer to stay away from Chase.

[Anonymous]

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@DBSH wrote:

I've been gardening. Gardening hard. Util is at 11%. Scores are in the 700s. I have one baddie from 3 years ago that I can't get off. Other than that, I'm pretty golden. My AAoA is a little low already so I'm hesitant to apply for anything, but I feel like if I'm going to waste an inq, I would rather get a new card and not request a CLI. What should I get? I feel like all of my cards are mid-tier cards and I'd like to start movIng towards something better.

I'm more about cash back than I am about miles, but I'm not against travel cards since I anticipate that I will travel. I don't enjoy an obnoxious annual fee. I like customer service that's not a Capital One.

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Your current cards look pretty good, don't sell yourself short. It doesn't seem like you need anything else for score maximization purposes, so what do you *want*? What cards have you been considering, and what are your major spend categories?

[DBSH]

I think my spending habits won't change much. Food, bills and recreation. I feel like my goal is to maximize the perks at my current rate of spending. I get 1.5 cash back on my cap1, but I'd rather get 2 or 3 or even 5 if possible. I also have a hankering for an Amex, but that could be just misguided 

[Anonymous]

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@DBSH wrote:

I think my spending habits won't change much. Food, bills and recreation. I feel like my goal is to maximize the perks at my current rate of spending. I get 1.5 cash back on my cap1, but I'd rather get 2 or 3 or even 5 if possible. I also have a hankering for an Amex, but that could be just misguided 

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When you say food, is that more skewed towards restaurants or grocery stores? Or neither? Chase Freedom comes to mind if it looks like their 2016 5% bonus categories are a good fit for your spending, or Chase AARP's 3% at restaurants if that's a big category for you, but I see you're looking to avoid Chase, so... hmm. Why? Amex BCE/BCP could work, but it's still hard to say what makes sense without much detail about your primary spending categories.

[core]

If maximizing rewards is your goal, the BofA isn't that great of card for gas at 3.3%.  When Q1 starts you of course will want to use your Discover it for 5%/10% cash back.  Then I'd get myself a 5% gas card for after Q1 ends.

For covering the rest of your spending, that kinda depends on where you shop for groceries.  If you spend a lot at discount stores, Walmart/Target/etc, then I'd get a 3% grocery card that covers those rather than an Amex.  Something like the UMB Simply Rewards would cover your groceries and restaurants but that one seems to be hard to get unless you haven't applied for anything in a while.  And the geographic restrictions are a pain.  Consumers CU 3% for groceries and 3% AARP for restaurants would do the trick with 2 cards though.

[thummel]

What About Citi Double Cash? Just a Thought... 

[DBSH]

Pulled the trigger on the BCE Amex. Shoulnt have been so rash and got the BCP but I got a decent CL and the 3x CLI for AMEX sounds great.

[takeshi74]

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@DBSH wrote:

Pulled the trigger on the BCE Amex. Shoulnt have been so rash and got the BCP but I got a decent CL and the 3x CLI for AMEX sounds great.

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Any time you're considering a rewards card look at your major spend categories (including noncategory) and select cards that maximize rewards on your spend.  Run the numbers and consider total cost/benefit.  The BCE is rarely a best fit but you may be able to upgrade it to a BCP (forgoing any sign up bonuses) down the road.

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@DBSH wrote:

I'm more about cash back than I am about miles, but I'm not against travel cards since I anticipate that I will travel. I don't enjoy an obnoxious annual fee.

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Again, run the numbers for your spend and consider total cost/benefit -- not just AF/no AF.  Wanting to travel doesn't mean that a travel card is a best fit.  In addition to what I've already mentioned for rewards cards you also need to consider the methods of redemption that you can use with miles/points programs and how that impacts rewards value for you.  You also need to consider if your spend is sufficent to accrue rewards for redemption in a reasonable timeframe.  Definitely put the thought and consideration into selecting cards.  It's not just about the cards but your spend and other needs/wants.