Which one would you keep?

[DigitalArk]

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@Cdnewmanpac wrote:

With low spenders (which OP claims to be in this and other thread), putting spend in multiple competing 'systems" reduces the marginal value of points. 20000 UR points are worth more than 7000UR, 7000MR, 6000 barclays points. For high spenders, this is less true and you worry about things like maxing out category spend, etc. Shouldn't be an issue here.

So: I'd ditch arrival because every dollar you spend on it reduces the UR points you could earn with CSP and puts you farther away from key redemption values. Also, I'd take Chase customer service over barclay's any day. I'd ditch discover because every year their categories overlap more with freedom, they aren't accepted as many places and the best value you can get for rewards is 1 cent per point. Use the freedom and those points become UR, which you can still easily use for 2cpp or better.

Unless you spend a lot on groceries, I'd ditch both amex cards (after a year) and keep the TE. Every dollar you spend on MR is lost UR points and as a low spender, I'm guessing your grocery rewards with amex amount to $15-20/year. About $150/year with TE.

But I've had good experiences with Chase, no longer worry about credit limits and have an AAoA well north of 9 years at this point. I also want to concentrate my reward spending as much as possible so that I can more easily hit key redemption targets (in my case, 45k points I redeem for direct flights DIA to HLL on United) that increase the value of my points. YMMV

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[DigitalArk]

Thank you everyone for the advice. It really helps me to make a decision.

[DigitalArk]

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@Cdnewmanpac wrote:
...

So: I'd ditch arrival because every dollar you spend on it reduces the UR points you could earn with CSP and puts you farther away from key redemption values. Also, I'd take Chase customer service over barclay's any day. I'd ditch discover because every year their categories overlap more with freedom, they aren't accepted as many places and the best value you can get for rewards is 1 cent per point. Use the freedom and those points become UR, which you can still easily use for 2cpp or better.

...

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It's kind of hard to give up free TU FICO score if I have to ditch both arrival and Discover it.

I have a Chase Total Checking account. It should help with UR points when I use my Freedom. I am willing to pay $95 to keep CSP.

[DigitalArk]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Cdnewmanpac wrote:

With low spenders (which OP claims to be in this and other thread), putting spend in multiple competing 'systems" reduces the marginal value of points. 20000 UR points are worth more than 7000UR, 7000MR, 6000 barclays points. For high spenders, this is less true and you worry about things like maxing out category spend, etc. 

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Strongly agree.   I would add that very low spenders (for some definition) should focus on cash back only, because even with large bonuses like those with CSP and Arrival, the spend just won't add enough points for useful rewards  (which doesn't rule out getting CSP for the bonus and simply cashing out and close/downgrade before AF becomes due).

For high spenders, you may want some diversity to deal with devaluations etc, but even then, some focus is desirable.   

Part of the issue is that people read about, e.g. the SPG card and get it, even though their spending doesn't justify the card at all.

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Very good points!

[bada_bing]

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@thelethargicage wrote:

Why not get rid of the USAA cards instead?

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USAA in my experience is an easy card to sock drawer. The USAA card in my sig got absolutely no charges at all for 10 years once, absolutely 0. About a year ago I put my bi-annual insurance bills on autopay on the USAA card to give it a bit of love. USAA doesn't need to be closed, it will take a lot more neglect in my experience than any other card. USAA cards are lackluster, but their customer service is very good and their insurance and auto loan products are top notch. That's reason enough to keep the relationship.

[bch238]

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@DigitalArk wrote:

1). Discover it with 8K/17.99% or Barclays arrival no AF with 7.5K/14.99%? Why? (I want to keep one for TU FICO score)

I have Chase Freedom and Sapphire Preferred with simillar reward structures as Discover it and Barclays arrival no AF, respectively.

2). Amex BCE 4K/14.99% or Amex ED 5K/15.99%. (I will reallocate CL after one year of account opening.)

Cash rewards or MR rewards does not make too much differences to me, since I am not a big spender.

...I need to trim some of my cards.

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I'd drop the Amex ED because it encourages 20 swipes per month, which competes with your Chase cards.  I also don't really see the point of investing in both UR and MR programs; pick one or the other.  The Chase cards should get most of your spend, IMO, due to the AF of the CSP and the 5% bonues of the Freedom.  I don't have a Discover or Barclays to compare, so I would just go with the VISA > Discover.

[Cdnewmanpac]

What is the value of a TU FICO in this context? Unless you are applying for a mortgage and timing underwriting at a particular set point (ie you waver between 735 and 745), does knowing the actual score (especially a score that very few lenders/issuers pay attention to) have a real benefit beyond curiousity? I totally get if you are establishing/rebuilding credit. But beyond a certain point, does it matter if you are 797 or 806? If you are worried about errors/new info, credit karma shows you those on your TU every month

[TimeLBK]

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@DigitalArk wrote:

1). Discover it with 8K/17.99% or Barclays arrival no AF with 7.5K/14.99%? Why? (I want to keep one for TU FICO score)

I have Chase Freedom and Sapphire Preferred with simillar reward structures as Discover it and Barclays arrival no AF, respectively.

2). Amex BCE 4K/14.99% or Amex ED 5K/15.99%. (I will reallocate CL after one year of account opening.)

Cash rewards or MR rewards does not make too much differences to me, since I am not a big spender.

...I need to trim some of my cards.

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1.  I'd keep Barclay's Arrival...Why? I'd take a card that's no AF & 3% lower on APR over a card that's only worth $500 more on a CL

2.  This one's a little different. Only 1% difference and an extra 1K. I'd probably keep the Amex ED.

[MrCollector]

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@DigitalArk wrote:

1). Discover it with 8K/17.99% or Barclays arrival no AF with 7.5K/14.99%? Why? (I want to keep one for TU FICO score)

I have Chase Freedom and Sapphire Preferred with simillar reward structures as Discover it and Barclays arrival no AF, respectively.

2). Amex BCE 4K/14.99% or Amex ED 5K/15.99%. (I will reallocate CL after one year of account opening.)

Cash rewards or MR rewards does not make too much differences to me, since I am not a big spender.

...I need to trim some of my cards.

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Discover it (better for CLI and not as insecure as Barclays)

Amex ED (even if you aren't a big spender, MR points can add up and are transferrable)

[Alaskagurl]

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@DigitalArk wrote:

1). Discover it with 8K/17.99% or Barclays arrival no AF with 7.5K/14.99%? Why? (I want to keep one for TU FICO score)

I have Chase Freedom and Sapphire Preferred with simillar reward structures as Discover it and Barclays arrival no AF, respectively.

2). Amex BCE 4K/14.99% or Amex ED 5K/15.99%. (I will reallocate CL after one year of account opening.)

Cash rewards or MR rewards does not make too much differences to me, since I am not a big spender.

...I need to trim some of my cards.

I would keep Discover. I like the customer service with Discover. I don't know about the Amex, I have decided for myself to just pick a card for everyday spend that gives me 2x everything. I am tired of trying to pick which card to use and the spending caps. I will be doing the same. Amex will be the first to go. My Penfed gives me 5x travel.