@Varsity_Lu wrote:
A few things:
1. It's a big five card
2. I try not to shop online if possible. I do get stuff on Amazon, but I prefer to shop local if possible.
3. I'd prefer not to have the AF. I'd max out the utilities cap, and that would only be $85 cash after the fee. That's less than the 1.5% I am getting with Quicksilver.
(6000x.03=180-95=85
85/6000=.014)
Which banks do you specifically not want? Because you have AmEx and Cap1 cards, and I definitely see them as "big banks" when it comes to credit cards. So this is very confusing to me.
Sock - 
Chopping Block - 
Debit Cards - 
@Varsity_Lu wrote:Research? What is this you speak of?
No, I have done some and I actually have a card in mind, but I posted here to see if I may have missed something obvious. A fresh set of eyes on the problem if you will.
I don't think we understand your thinking here, at least I don't. What is your reasoning behind negating those big 5 banks? Can't help someone or make suggestions when you can't comprehend them. What card did you have in mind?
Aven:
RH:
I just dont want to be one of their customers. Same reason I won't shop at Walmart or Target and try to avoid Amazon if I can.
Which is why I posted my original question: what non-big five bank card is going to give me the best return on my utilities? I have groceries, gas, dining, entertainment, and streaming services covered. But I spend a lot on electricity so I'd like to get more than 1.5% if possible. Just looking for ideas.
@Varsity_Lu wrote:
I just dont want to be one of their customers. Same reason I won't shop at Walmart or Target and try to avoid Amazon if I can.
Which is why I posted my original question: what non-big five bank card is going to give me the best return on my utilities? I have groceries, gas, dining, entertainment, and streaming services covered. But I spend a lot on electricity so I'd like to get more than 1.5% if possible. Just looking for ideas.
Your best return is to churn for a SUB @ about 20%, hands down. Pick one and use it for the SUB. Every 3 months wash and repeat. Your not a customer, your a client, use and abuse them with pleasure.
@Varsity_Lu wrote:
I just dont want to be one of their customers. Same reason I won't shop at Walmart or Target and try to avoid Amazon if I can.
Which is why I posted my original question: what non-big five bank card is going to give me the best return on my utilities? I have groceries, gas, dining, entertainment, and streaming services covered. But I spend a lot on electricity so I'd like to get more than 1.5% if possible. Just looking for ideas.
One could argue that if you use these big bank's cards only for their 5% cats and pay in full every month and never give them a dime in fees or interest, you're actually costing them money. 
I think you're best bet is the USB Cash+ for 5% utils. Would you be open to get a sister card, the Elan Max Cash Preferred at a credit union?
Huntington Business Voice MC, 4% Utilities. https://www.huntington.com/SmallBusiness/voice-business-credit-card
Or 3% for the non-business. https://www.huntington.com/Personal/credit-card/voice-rewards-credit-card
Venmo 3%. https://venmo.com/about/creditcard/
And Redstone 3% as I mentioned in a previous post.
Yes! This is what I am talking about. That Huntington card is a new one for me. Never heard of it. Definitely going to check it out. Thanks!
So, we have a 4% option and a couple of 3% options so far. Anyone have any other ideas?
@ptatohed wrote:
@Varsity_Lu wrote:
I just dont want to be one of their customers. Same reason I won't shop at Walmart or Target and try to avoid Amazon if I can.
Which is why I posted my original question: what non-big five bank card is going to give me the best return on my utilities? I have groceries, gas, dining, entertainment, and streaming services covered. But I spend a lot on electricity so I'd like to get more than 1.5% if possible. Just looking for ideas.
One could argue that if you use these big bank's cards only for their 5% cats and pay in full every month and never give them a dime in fees or interest, you're actually costing them money.
I think you're best bet is the USB Cash+ for 5% utils. Would you be open to get a sister card, the Elan Max Cash Preferred at a credit union?
Huntington Business Voice MC, 4% Utilities. https://www.huntington.com/SmallBusiness/voice-business-credit-card
Or 3% for the non-business. https://www.huntington.com/Personal/credit-card/voice-rewards-credit-card
Venmo 3%. https://venmo.com/about/creditcard/
And Redstone 3% as I mentioned in a previous post.
@ptatohed I already mentioned the Elan MCP early, as did others, and he's kind of ignored the recommendation 🤷♀️ so guessing it's a no-go despite it going through a smaller bank/credit union.
Reminder that you have to apply in-person in-branch for the Huntington Biz Voice card.
@Varsity_Lu wrote:Please see my OP: the big five. WF, Chase, Citi, BoA, and USB.
Initially you just said "big banks", although you had those in parentheses it was very unclear that you ONLY consider those to be "big banks" and anything else, no matter how significant, was fair game. Such as AmEx.
Your thinking on these matters is sort of hard to parse for those of us reading this thread, so asking for clarification is important.
@unsungivy wrote:
@Varsity_Lu wrote:Please see my OP: the big five. WF, Chase, Citi, BoA, and USB.
Initially you just said "big banks", although you had those in parentheses it was very unclear that you ONLY consider those to be "big banks" and anything else, no matter how significant, was fair game. Such as AmEx.
Your thinking on these matters is sort of hard to parse for those of us reading this thread, so asking for clarification is important.
@unsungivy I still find it hard to understand the thought process even after an explanation. Its like asking for a unicorn magic level card but not from XYZ big banks (for who knows what reason) which are the exact type of banks that offer the cards that may actually benefit them? 🤔 New here so I might be missing something, I wish them luck all the same.
