YTD's and lifetime spend on store cards. A downer.

[Anonymous]

There's significant $$ saved I've missed out on by not moving spend to a quicksilver or even a Chase Freedom 1% off category. When the deals were hot I was pretty good researching those,
like discover 2x, and/or portals. With store cards I used to use those cards only when they had special financing, but early on I was using them to try and build history and score increases which doesn't always help. There is no emotion sway or loyalty guarantee for credit line increases. A perfect example of this is last year when we did the floors in the house. For the huge amount of supplies yes I put it on the Lowes card. BUT… all of the odds and ends and subsequent trips for tools, fittings, cleaning supplies I was also putting on the Lowe's card… sure 5% helps,
but home depot is cheaper anyway. Point is I could have used something else. At lowes anything under $300 you have to pay off by next month or its 29.99. Might as well use rewards bank card.

The point to this is after the honeymoon Is over with a new card,
its spending bonus and the subsequent points/cash back, keep powering through. Do not use store cards unless it is for a big purchase and you are no longer in a 0% period. Exclusively use your bank cards. Even off categories over time it adds up, and it is not as evident unless you do it wrong and see your data. :[ yes it's common sense when you're at a computer at home but when you're out shopping it can slip your mind, you were just trying to get out of there you know.

[longtimelurker]

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@Anonymous wrote:
There's significant $$ saved I've missed out on by not moving spend to a quicksilver or even a Chase Freedom 1% off category. When the deals were hot I was pretty good researching those,
like discover 2x, and/or portals. With store cards I used to use those cards only when they had special financing, but early on I was using them to try and build history and score increases which doesn't always help. There is no emotion sway or loyalty guarantee for credit line increases. A perfect example of this is last year when we did the floors in the house. For the huge amount of supplies yes I put it on the Lowes card. BUT… all of the odds and ends and subsequent trips for tools, fittings, cleaning supplies I was also putting on the Lowe's card… sure 5% helps,
but home depot is cheaper anyway. Point is I could have used something else. At lowes anything under $300 you have to pay off by next month or its 29.99. Might as well use rewards bank card.

The point to this is after the honeymoon Is over with a new card,
its spending bonus and the subsequent points/cash back, keep powering through. Do not use store cards unless it is for a big purchase and you are no longer in a 0% period. Exclusively use your bank cards. Even off categories over time it adds up, and it is not as evident unless you do it wrong and see your data. :[ yes it's common sense when you're at a computer at home but when you're out shopping it can slip your mind, you were just trying to get out of there you know.

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I think this is too strong.   I view store cards just like anything else, use it for this transaction if it gives the best total rewards (which includes considerations of "Is it cheaper elsewhere?")    For example, if I didn't use discounted Target giftcards, I would certainly use my debit redcard there to get 5%, when Target is the cheapest (convenient) place.

[Anonymous]

Of course target is 5% off but a quart of motor oil is 7 bucks and 5qt is 15 at walmart. When all things are equal using the bank card over cash if you are paying it off it's better, can't argue that either.

[Anonymous]

We all have such strong opinions on here (which is good an sometimes iffy)

I use my store cards over bankcards AEO for example one gets 4% cash back for using the store card when I'd get 1% for using my other cards.. I combine the 4% with ebates for maximum value.

I have one store card that offers no rewards unless you consider 0% interest a reward which you have covered with bankcards, I use it because I know someone in Iowa is going to answer the phone when I call and help me with whatever issue I may have.