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American Express Blue Cash Preferred
* 6% cash back at grocery stores
* 3% cash back at gas stations + department stores
* 1% cash back on all other purchases
=> Amazon is categorized as Department Stores in AmEx system. Free shipping for order >$25, no tax to CA, 3% cash back.
For restaurants, I use Discover Open Road (2% cash back/$250 CB limit). Also use ShopDiscover for some online purchases (%5 cash back).
For places that don't take AmEx, I use my U.S. Bank FlexPerks Visa (1% cash back/no limit).
My expenses reimbursement for work is ~$4000 this year so far. My parents are authorized users on some of my cards. They use the cards for personal and business expenses.
Cash Back, Cash Back, Cash Back credit cards FTW.
Currently my Chase Freedom Visa is getting all the attention. I am waiting for my Amex spg to arrive (June 18th). I will be looking to spend $15k in 6 months through my spg card to get that 15k points bonus, so my Chase Freedom will be SD.
I use my American Express Premier Rewards Gold for 99.9% of my purchases. If I go to a place where AmEx isn't accepted (which is extrememly rare) I use my Chase British Airways Visa.
PenFed Visa - Gas
Target Red Card - Groceries
Costco Amex - Dining out and Costco
Discover - everything else I can run on it
Ray
Chase Freedom - Whatever is 5%, Bills that don't take Amex
Amex Blue Cash Everyday - Gas and Groceries (when they aren't 5% on Chase), Bills that take Amex
Combination of Chase/Amex for everything else to keep % Util. as low as possible.
I used to use Discover as my primary, but it has been replaced by Chase Freedom (they have a lot higher limits on their 5%).
Another thing I'd be curious to learn, how often do you use your cards that aren't regulars but you want to make sure aren't closed?
In my case, once every 60 days or so - and those are small amounts just to show activity.
Then - PIF the following Sunday.
Ray
Costco Amex - Restaurants (3%)
Blue Cash Everyday - Groceries (3%)
Penfed Rewards Visa -Gas (5%)
FIA Rewards (old Schwab Invest First card) - Everything else (2%)
I do rotate my Discover more, Chase Freedom, BOA Cash Rewards and Citi Dividend in when the 5% categories are appealing. I also make charges every few months on my SPG Amex, Citi Diamond and USAA MC to keep them active.
I go with the card that gets me the greatest return for that purchase, and of course PIF!
@RockinRay wrote:PenFed Visa - Gas
Target Red Card - Groceries
Costco Amex - Dining out and Costco
Discover - everything else I can run on it
Ray
You know that you only earn 0.25% CB for the first $3000 on Discover right? If you use other cards that give you 1% CB (no restriction) on everything, you can earn a lot more.
You will earn 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on purchases after your total annual purchases exceed $3000; purchases that are part of your first $3000 earn .25%.
1) Use my Alliant CC sparinly so I can keep my utilization down. Only 1,000 CL
2) Shell Gas card for gas. Keep charges under 80 bucks a month. 400CL
3) use my Alliant CC or cash later in the month so I can keep my unitization very low so I have a better change when apply for a CLI & when I apply for a new card.
I really want a rewards card but Im gonna do all I can to wait till the winter to apply for one.
That is a very good point! Thank you!
Time to rethink some things....
Ray