Why So Many?

[Anonymous]

---

@bs6054 wrote:

---

@Anonymous wrote:
I've got three boys, I need some GROCERY rewards, lol.

---

Well, a number of cards do that, with different score requirements and caps

Amex: BCP, BCE: $6K a year with either 6% off for an AF or 3%

Sallie Mae: $250 per month, 5% no AF

Penfed: uncapped 3%, no AF

TYP: 12 months of uncapped 5% off (my current favorite) no AF

and many others offering 2 and 3%

Most offer some benefits on gas as well: BCP 3%, BCE 2%, Sallie Mae 5% (capped), Penfed 5%, TYP 5%

---

I just looked through Citi's cards and I can't find anything that says the TYC (Thank You Preferred?) offers 5% on groceries/gas. How does that work?

You've actually made me really want to apply for the Citi Forward for college students because the 5% Restaraunts is really nice =P. I think it'll be my next card once Freedom's categories rotates away from Restaraunts in July and then I'm done with apping for a lonnggg while (GARDEN TIME)

[bs6054]

Special link:

http://creditcards.citicards.com/usc/thankyou/Preferred/external/Apr2011/Default.htm?BT_TX=1&Prospec...

This is from April 2011, but works fine (got it last month).  You get a small bonus (6K rather than 15K, but for spending just $300 in 3 months!)  But 5% gas, groceries and drug stores, which is worth a lot in the right/wrong hands.

Only for 12 months, but that's good enough.  Also 0% for 15 months.  Really a good deal.

[txmomma26]

Why so many? Well.....because I'm trying to rebuild, mostly.  And they are almost all tiny little limits that I will easily keep my utilization under 10% at any given time by PIF every month.

Cap One Platinum - $300 CL (should auto CLI on the steps program next month)

Cap One Cash Rewards - $300 CL (I use this as my "daily" card and PIF every two weeks)

Kohls/Cap One Store card - $300 CL (I love Kohls deals, but only shop when I have cash)

Victoria's Secret - $250 CL (mostly just as an extra TL, and it was a SP in the shopping cart)

Walmart Store Card - $300 CL (the free TU score AND the gas discounts, PIF every two weeks)

Amazon Store Card - $600 CL (mostly because I do a lot of my gadget-y type shopping on Amazon)

...and my brand new baby - Discover It - $1500 CL (will replace that Cap One Cash Rewards, almost definitely)

[Anonymous]

T

---

@bs6054 wrote:

Special link:

http://creditcards.citicards.com/usc/thankyou/Preferred/external/Apr2011/Default.htm?BT_TX=1&Prospec...

This is from April 2011, but works fine (got it last month).  You get a small bonus (6K rather than 15K, but for spending just $300 in 3 months!)  But 5% gas, groceries and drug stores, which is worth a lot in the right/wrong hands.

Only for 12 months, but that's good enough.  Also 0% for 15 months.  Really a good deal.

---

Thanks for the link.

I don't really think its worth it since I've got the Sallie Mae already =) 5% gas/groceries/amazon has a cap but at least it lasts longer than a year lol. I'd kind of rather combine the Sallie Mae with either the US Bank Cash+ or Citi Forward and it'll be the perfect combination of 2 cards. I'm just not sure what to get and if I can apply for Cash+ over the phone since I don't have US Bank branch.

[txmomma26]

---

@Anonymous wrote:
I've got three boys, I need some GROCERY rewards, lol.

---

Do you have a Kroger near you? Once you are a bit higher on your score, you may want to check out the Kroger 1-2-3 card by US Bank.

I tried before all my baddies came off and didn't make the cut

[bs6054]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

T

---

Thanks for the link.

I don't really think its worth it since I've got the Sallie Mae already =) 5% gas/groceries/amazon has a cap but at least it lasts longer than a year lol. I'd kind of rather combine the Sallie Mae with either the US Bank Cash+ or Citi Forward and it'll be the perfect combination of 2 cards. I'm just not sure what to get and if I can apply for Cash+ over the phone since I don't have US Bank branch.

---

No, may not be worth if your spend fits in the caps.   But beware of "lasts longer than a year"!  Didn't they recently halve the cap.  They can make changes any time...

[Sevenfeet]

1.  Cash back strategy.  I expect to make back over $2000 this year using my cards based on my normal spending.  That's a lot of money left on the table.

2.  Utilization.  I began the year nearly maxed out on two cards and a lot of money on my third NPSL card.  Now my utilization are under 40%.

3.  0% balance transfer strategy.  In addition to cash back savings, I estimate to sharply decrease the amount in interest payments I make in 2013 while I pay off existing credit card debt.  I will allow me to be credit card debt free by the end of 2014 versus end of 2015.

4.  New purchase strategy.  Some new cards allow 0% purchase until well in 2014, enough time to pay them back without interest.  That's useful for a computer and two new TVs I need to buy this year.

All the cool kids are doing it?  Really guys?

Now that I think about it, does this make me a "cool kid"?

[bs6054]

---

@Sevenfeet wrote:

All the cool kids are doing it?  Really guys?

Now that I think about it, does this make me a "cool kid"?

---

Sorry, if you have to ask, the answer is "No"