What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

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JBTX
Posts: 11227
Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2017 12:46 pm

Re: Favorite Credit Cards

Post by JBTX »

Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:18 am
JBTX wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:09 am
Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:59 am
JBTX wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 11:15 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 12:18 pm

Current promotion on the SYW card is a doozy:

For total eligible gas station, grocery store and restaurant purchases of $1,500 or more made each month from 7/1/2021 (or the date you activate this offer, whichever is later) through 9/30/2021, you’ll earn 10% back in statement credits (up to a maximum total of $200 in statement credit(s) each month for this offer).
So you have to spend $1500 a month on gas, groceries and restaurants to get the 10%? Is it only on purchases over $1500 a month, or at dollar $1500 do you get $150 credit?
You have to spend at least $1500 in one month to get anything. Really separates the boys from the men...
You may get the 10%, per month, for 3 months if you exceed the monthly threshold, but there is a $10000 limit on the base 5%, 3%, 2% benefit. While it seems possible to use this to your benefit, you really have to track it. I may look at it further but I'm not seeing the net positive given the hoops. The base benefits aren't spectacular and I mostly get them on other cards.
Forget the base benefits, what other card is paying out 10% on gas/grocery/restaurants for Q3?
I looked at the money ninja thing, it does look like some of the promos can be very lucrative. I'm definitely going to put this on my watch list.
MrBeaver
Posts: 491
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:45 pm

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by MrBeaver »

Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:18 am
JBTX wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:09 am
Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:59 am
JBTX wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 11:15 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 12:18 pm

Current promotion on the SYW card is a doozy:

For total eligible gas station, grocery store and restaurant purchases of $1,500 or more made each month from 7/1/2021 (or the date you activate this offer, whichever is later) through 9/30/2021, you’ll earn 10% back in statement credits (up to a maximum total of $200 in statement credit(s) each month for this offer).
So you have to spend $1500 a month on gas, groceries and restaurants to get the 10%? Is it only on purchases over $1500 a month, or at dollar $1500 do you get $150 credit?
You have to spend at least $1500 in one month to get anything. Really separates the boys from the men...
You may get the 10%, per month, for 3 months if you exceed the monthly threshold, but there is a $10000 limit on the base 5%, 3%, 2% benefit. While it seems possible to use this to your benefit, you really have to track it. I may look at it further but I'm not seeing the net positive given the hoops. The base benefits aren't spectacular and I mostly get them on other cards.
Forget the base benefits, what other card is paying out 10% on gas/grocery/restaurants for Q3?
How do rewards get redeemed from the Sears SYW card?

I’ve seen some places suggesting they can only be used in a particular list of sores (Sears, Kmart, Lands End, other?) and places that claim they can be redeemed as Citi ThankYou points, which seem more flexible.

I wouldn’t want to jump to this card if the rewards are hard to use.
Tingting1013
Posts: 1594
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:44 pm

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by Tingting1013 »

MrBeaver wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:27 am
Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:18 am
JBTX wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:09 am
Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:59 am
JBTX wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 11:15 pm

So you have to spend $1500 a month on gas, groceries and restaurants to get the 10%? Is it only on purchases over $1500 a month, or at dollar $1500 do you get $150 credit?
You have to spend at least $1500 in one month to get anything. Really separates the boys from the men...
You may get the 10%, per month, for 3 months if you exceed the monthly threshold, but there is a $10000 limit on the base 5%, 3%, 2% benefit. While it seems possible to use this to your benefit, you really have to track it. I may look at it further but I'm not seeing the net positive given the hoops. The base benefits aren't spectacular and I mostly get them on other cards.
Forget the base benefits, what other card is paying out 10% on gas/grocery/restaurants for Q3?
How do rewards get redeemed from the Sears SYW card?

I’ve seen some places suggesting they can only be used in a particular list of sores (Sears, Kmart, Lands End, other?) and places that claim they can be redeemed as Citi ThankYou points, which seem more flexible.

I wouldn’t want to jump to this card if the rewards are hard to use.
A few posts back I gave the link to the gift card store to redeem SYW points.

A few of the more useful ones:
American Airlines
Uber
DoorDash
Hotels.com
Instacart
WalMart

But to be clear, SYW points are the sideshow here. The card is all about the straight cash rebates which are paid in statement credits, not points.
MrBeaver
Posts: 491
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:45 pm

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by MrBeaver »

Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 10:34 am [quote=MrBeaver post_id=6102587 time=<a href="tel:1625498846">1625498846</a> user_id=127032]
[quote=Tingting1013 post_id=6102183 time=<a href="tel:1625465925">1625465925</a> user_id=164928]
[quote=JBTX post_id=6102176 time=<a href="tel:1625465354">1625465354</a> user_id=123440]
[quote=Tingting1013 post_id=6102171 time=<a href="tel:1625464747">1625464747</a> user_id=164928]
[quote=JBTX post_id=6102106 time=<a href="tel:1625458547">1625458547</a> user_id=123440]


So you have to spend $1500 a month on gas, groceries and restaurants to get the 10%? Is it only on purchases over $1500 a month, or at dollar $1500 do you get $150 credit?
You have to spend at least $1500 in one month to get anything. Really separates the boys from the men...
[/quote]

You may get the 10%, per month, for 3 months if you exceed the monthly threshold, but there is a $10000 limit on the base 5%, 3%, 2% benefit. While it seems possible to use this to your benefit, you really have to track it. I may look at it further but I'm not seeing the net positive given the hoops. The base benefits aren't spectacular and I mostly get them on other cards.
[/quote]

Forget the base benefits, what other card is paying out 10% on gas/grocery/restaurants for Q3?
[/quote]

How do rewards get redeemed from the Sears SYW card?

I’ve seen some places suggesting they can only be used in a particular list of sores (Sears, Kmart, Lands End, other?) and places that claim they can be redeemed as Citi ThankYou points, which seem more flexible.

I wouldn’t want to jump to this card if the rewards are hard to use.
[/quote]

A few posts back I gave the link to the gift card store to redeem SYW points.

A few of the more useful ones:
American Airlines
Uber
DoorDash
Hotels.com
Instacart
WalMart

But to be clear, SYW points are the sideshow here. The card is all about the straight cash rebates which are paid in statement credits, not points.
[/quote]

Ah, ok. So the SYW points are a loyalty program on top of statement credit / cash rebates for the 5% gas / 3% groceries / restaurant, and various bonuses offered by email?
Tingting1013
Posts: 1594
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:44 pm

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by Tingting1013 »

The SYW points are the 5/3/1.

The email bonus statement credits are on top.
tj
Posts: 9366
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:10 pm

Re: Favorite Credit Cards

Post by tj »

Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:59 am
JBTX wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 11:15 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 12:18 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 7:22 pm
Jags4186 wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 7:00 pm

Is this card available to sign up for/can you provide a link? I always see the incredible offers they have and want to get in on it, but there are so many Sears cards and its not always easy to figure out which one you’re applying for.
https://www.shopyourway.com/mp/app/19375/l/card

The bonus offers I’ve mentioned are not publicized, but rather are emailed to you to activate at the beginning of every month. Here is a blogger who gets it:

https://themoneyninja.com/shop-your-way ... Store_Card
Current promotion on the SYW card is a doozy:

For total eligible gas station, grocery store and restaurant purchases of $1,500 or more made each month from 7/1/2021 (or the date you activate this offer, whichever is later) through 9/30/2021, you’ll earn 10% back in statement credits (up to a maximum total of $200 in statement credit(s) each month for this offer).
So you have to spend $1500 a month on gas, groceries and restaurants to get the 10%? Is it only on purchases over $1500 a month, or at dollar $1500 do you get $150 credit?
You have to spend at least $1500 in one month to get anything. Really separates the boys from the men...
That kills the deal for me, lol.
Tingting1013
Posts: 1594
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:44 pm

Re: Favorite Credit Cards

Post by Tingting1013 »

tj wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:06 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:59 am
JBTX wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 11:15 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 12:18 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 7:22 pm

https://www.shopyourway.com/mp/app/19375/l/card

The bonus offers I’ve mentioned are not publicized, but rather are emailed to you to activate at the beginning of every month. Here is a blogger who gets it:

https://themoneyninja.com/shop-your-way ... Store_Card
Current promotion on the SYW card is a doozy:

For total eligible gas station, grocery store and restaurant purchases of $1,500 or more made each month from 7/1/2021 (or the date you activate this offer, whichever is later) through 9/30/2021, you’ll earn 10% back in statement credits (up to a maximum total of $200 in statement credit(s) each month for this offer).
So you have to spend $1500 a month on gas, groceries and restaurants to get the 10%? Is it only on purchases over $1500 a month, or at dollar $1500 do you get $150 credit?
You have to spend at least $1500 in one month to get anything. Really separates the boys from the men...
That kills the deal for me, lol.
It did for me as well, until I happened to walk by the gift card rack at my local grocery store and noticed the Amazon gift cards with no purchase fee…
tj
Posts: 9366
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:10 pm

Re: Favorite Credit Cards

Post by tj »

Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:08 pm
tj wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:06 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:59 am
JBTX wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 11:15 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 12:18 pm

Current promotion on the SYW card is a doozy:

For total eligible gas station, grocery store and restaurant purchases of $1,500 or more made each month from 7/1/2021 (or the date you activate this offer, whichever is later) through 9/30/2021, you’ll earn 10% back in statement credits (up to a maximum total of $200 in statement credit(s) each month for this offer).
So you have to spend $1500 a month on gas, groceries and restaurants to get the 10%? Is it only on purchases over $1500 a month, or at dollar $1500 do you get $150 credit?
You have to spend at least $1500 in one month to get anything. Really separates the boys from the men...
That kills the deal for me, lol.
It did for me as well, until I happened to walk by the gift card rack at my local grocery store and noticed the Amazon gift cards with no purchase fee…
Still too rich for me, If I buy $4500 of AMZN gift cards in 3 months, that's going to last a long time unless I have some major project that requires items from Amazon.
Tingting1013
Posts: 1594
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:44 pm

Re: Favorite Credit Cards

Post by Tingting1013 »

tj wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:11 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:08 pm
tj wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:06 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:59 am
JBTX wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 11:15 pm

So you have to spend $1500 a month on gas, groceries and restaurants to get the 10%? Is it only on purchases over $1500 a month, or at dollar $1500 do you get $150 credit?
You have to spend at least $1500 in one month to get anything. Really separates the boys from the men...
That kills the deal for me, lol.
It did for me as well, until I happened to walk by the gift card rack at my local grocery store and noticed the Amazon gift cards with no purchase fee…
Still too rich for me, If I buy $4500 of AMZN gift cards in 3 months, that's going to last a long time unless I have some major project that requires items from Amazon.
You don’t need to buy $4500 in AMZN gift cards unless you literally have no gas/grocery/restaurant spend.
arsenal_fan
Posts: 119
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 7:57 pm

Re: Favorite Credit Cards

Post by arsenal_fan »

tj wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:11 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:08 pm
tj wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 1:06 pm
Tingting1013 wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 12:59 am
JBTX wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 11:15 pm

So you have to spend $1500 a month on gas, groceries and restaurants to get the 10%? Is it only on purchases over $1500 a month, or at dollar $1500 do you get $150 credit?
You have to spend at least $1500 in one month to get anything. Really separates the boys from the men...
That kills the deal for me, lol.
It did for me as well, until I happened to walk by the gift card rack at my local grocery store and noticed the Amazon gift cards with no purchase fee…
Still too rich for me, If I buy $4500 of AMZN gift cards in 3 months, that's going to last a long time unless I have some major project that requires items from Amazon.
Depends where you shop but you can get a variable amount prepaid visa card with a $6 one-time fee to pay off auto insurance etc. I have the Best Buy Citi Visa that has similar offers (though far worse than Sears), with the current offer being 8% back in points on groceries up to a $25 max in rewards. I just stock up on ~$300 visa cards whenever these come around with a worst case 6% back in rewards. Some groceries also run some kind of deal where the fee is effectively zeroed out.

As for the Sears card, does anyone know how inquiry/account sensitive they/Citi are when it comes to the card? I am like lol/12 right now but will get to 0/6 and 2/12 in mid-October.
Barefootgirl
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by Barefootgirl »

BOA introduces new cashback card. Appears to be a solid offering and no annual fee. Seems many here already use BOA for every day spend?

Thoughts?

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/bank-of- ... nnual-fee/
How many retired people does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Only one, but he takes all day.
tj
Posts: 9366
Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2009 11:10 pm

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by tj »

Barefootgirl wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 4:25 pm BOA introduces new cashback card. Appears to be a solid offering and no annual fee. Seems many here already use BOA for every day spend?

Thoughts?

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/bank-of- ... nnual-fee/
If you don't travel (3% foreign transaction fee), and don't value the annual travel and Global entry credits, this would be a better choice than the Premium Rewards card.
sycamore
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by sycamore »

tj wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 4:51 pm
Barefootgirl wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 4:25 pm BOA introduces new cashback card. Appears to be a solid offering and no annual fee. Seems many here already use BOA for every day spend?

Thoughts?

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/bank-of- ... nnual-fee/
If you don't travel (3% foreign transaction fee), and don't value the annual travel and Global entry credits, this would be a better choice than the Premium Rewards card.
Premium Rewards also earns 2 points per dollar on dining (and travel) spending, so if you eat out a lot the PR card may still be better.
tj
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by tj »

sycamore wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:13 pm
tj wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 4:51 pm
Barefootgirl wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 4:25 pm BOA introduces new cashback card. Appears to be a solid offering and no annual fee. Seems many here already use BOA for every day spend?

Thoughts?

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/bank-of- ... nnual-fee/
If you don't travel (3% foreign transaction fee), and don't value the annual travel and Global entry credits, this would be a better choice than the Premium Rewards card.
Premium Rewards also earns 2 points per dollar on dining (and travel) spending, so if you eat out a lot the PR card may still be better.
I have a 5.25% Cash Rewards card for that.
Barefootgirl
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by Barefootgirl »

I was thinking that if you already have a better card for the travel & dining category, then this new card might be a solid bet for every day (outside of any particular category)

Thanks
How many retired people does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Only one, but he takes all day.
RJC
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by RJC »

tj wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:22 pm
sycamore wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:13 pm
tj wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 4:51 pm
Barefootgirl wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 4:25 pm BOA introduces new cashback card. Appears to be a solid offering and no annual fee. Seems many here already use BOA for every day spend?

Thoughts?

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/bank-of- ... nnual-fee/
If you don't travel (3% foreign transaction fee), and don't value the annual travel and Global entry credits, this would be a better choice than the Premium Rewards card.
Premium Rewards also earns 2 points per dollar on dining (and travel) spending, so if you eat out a lot the PR card may still be better.
I have a 5.25% Cash Rewards card for that.
What Rewards card is that?
lakpr
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by lakpr »

RJC wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 7:43 pm
tj wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:22 pm I have a 5.25% Cash Rewards card for that.
What Rewards card is that?
Bank of America Cash Rewards, coupled with at least $100k in Bank of America assets (Merrill Edge IRA /Roth IRAs count). You can choose your own 3% rewards category, and sounds like @tj chose Dining as one of those category. With the $100k in BofA assets, it qualify for Platinum Honors bonus, a 75% extra rewards. 3% * 1.75 = 5.25%.

https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-ca ... edit-card/

Look at the bottom of that page for Platinum Honors bonus.
RJC
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Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2018 12:40 pm

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by RJC »

lakpr wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 7:49 pm
RJC wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 7:43 pm
tj wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:22 pm I have a 5.25% Cash Rewards card for that.
What Rewards card is that?
Bank of America Cash Rewards, coupled with at least $100k in Bank of America assets (Merrill Edge IRA /Roth IRAs count). You can choose your own 3% rewards category, and sounds like @tj chose Dining as one of those category. With the $100k in BofA assets, it qualify for Platinum Honors bonus, a 75% extra rewards. 3% * 1.75 = 5.25%.

https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-ca ... edit-card/

Look at the bottom of that page for Platinum Honors bonus.
Thank you. That sounds a bit more involved than I would like.
lakpr
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by lakpr »

RJC wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 7:55 pm
lakpr wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 7:49 pm
RJC wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 7:43 pm
tj wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:22 pm I have a 5.25% Cash Rewards card for that.
What Rewards card is that?
Bank of America Cash Rewards, coupled with at least $100k in Bank of America assets (Merrill Edge IRA /Roth IRAs count). You can choose your own 3% rewards category, and sounds like @tj chose Dining as one of those category. With the $100k in BofA assets, it qualify for Platinum Honors bonus, a 75% extra rewards. 3% * 1.75 = 5.25%.

https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-ca ... edit-card/

Look at the bottom of that page for Platinum Honors bonus.
Thank you. That sounds a bit more involved than I would like.
Not really. Just transfer your Traditional IRA or Roth IRA to Merrill Edge (assuming you have $100k there). Then open a Bank of America checking account (preferred rewards can only be deposited into a BofA checking account). Once this is done, you are set -- at least until Bank of America changes the rules.

It's a one time effort, and in my opinion well worth it. It is a different matter altogether that it is a bit difficult to round up $100k in assets.

At Merrill Edge, you are not obligated to use any financial advisor, you can keep investing in the same stocks or ETFs as you like. Only if you want to purchase mutual funds would you be likely hit with transaction fee ... but with the almost unlimited choices of ETFs transaction free, no need to actually buy mutual funds.
tj
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by tj »

lakpr wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 8:06 pm
RJC wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 7:55 pm
lakpr wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 7:49 pm
RJC wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 7:43 pm
tj wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:22 pm I have a 5.25% Cash Rewards card for that.
What Rewards card is that?
Bank of America Cash Rewards, coupled with at least $100k in Bank of America assets (Merrill Edge IRA /Roth IRAs count). You can choose your own 3% rewards category, and sounds like @tj chose Dining as one of those category. With the $100k in BofA assets, it qualify for Platinum Honors bonus, a 75% extra rewards. 3% * 1.75 = 5.25%.

https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-ca ... edit-card/

Look at the bottom of that page for Platinum Honors bonus.
Thank you. That sounds a bit more involved than I would like.
Not really. Just transfer your Traditional IRA or Roth IRA to Merrill Edge (assuming you have $100k there). Then open a Bank of America checking account. Once this is done, you are set -- at least until Bank of America changes the rules.

It's a one time effort, and in my opinion well worth it. It is a different matter altogether that it is a bit difficult to round up $100k in assets.

At Merrill Edge, you are not obligated to use any financial advisor, you can keep investing in the same stocks or ETFs as you like. Only if you want to purchase mutual funds would you be likely hit with transaction fee ... but with the almost unlimited choices of ETFs transaction free, no need to actually buy mutual funds.
There's no need to do any trading at all. I moved $100k of a Vanguard mutual fund some years ago. New IRA contributions get invested in same fund at Vanguard.
Sam Clemens
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Best rewards credit card?

Post by Sam Clemens »

[Thread merge into here --admin LadyGeek]

Thoughts on the best rewards credit cards out there? I’m not looking for one focused on travel rewards (like an airline or hotel chain rewards card). I’m more interested in maximizing cash back.

Two that I’ve been considering are:

1) Citi Double Cash - straight 2% cash back, no fee, 3% foreign transaction fee (we do travel internationally every couple years)

2) Amazon Prime Rewards Visa - 5% back on Amazon purchases (we are regular Amazon customers), 2% at restaurants, gas stations, drugstores (it wasn’t clear if this is only for certain chains), 1% back on everything else. No foreign transaction fees. No fee if an Amazon Prime customer (I am).

Any experience with either of these? Other better options?

Also, are there any US cards that use a PIN? This is standard in Europe and it significantly increases security. Why is the US so far behind??
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F150HD
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Re: Best rewards credit card?

Post by F150HD »

:confused
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JoMoney
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Re: Best rewards credit card?

Post by JoMoney »

Aliant Credit Union has a 2.5% cash back on up to $10,000 spend each year, you have to maintain an account with them, and jump through some minor hoops like have direct-deposit into checking to qualify for the 2.5% reward.
https://www.alliantcreditunion.org/bank ... d#features

If you're willing to maintain a high balance in a bank or linked brokerage account, Bank of America rewards that are tiered based on the amount of assets you keep with them, linked to the right rewards card, and with a high enough balance, it can be more than 2% cash back.

There are a handful of 2% cash back cards out there.
The Citi Double Cash is the only 2% cash-back card I know that doesn't require you to have some other account or relationship with the bank.
I was using the Fidelity 2% rewards card for awhile, but I already had an account with Fidelity so it didn't require anything new for me to get the 2% reward.
There are specific cards that have perks for specific businesses, like the Costco card, the CapitalOne-Walmart Card, the Amazon card you mentioned, etc.. but it gets to be a pain to have a different card for each of the major businesses you frequent. 2% on everything looks pretty good to me.

This year I've been using a Chase "Freedom" card that gives 3% on restaurants (which is my largest spend each month), and in the first year it's also giving 5% at grocery stores (which can be gamed by buying gift-cards at a grocery store for things like Amazon.com, Target, etc...).
"To achieve satisfactory investment results is easier than most people realize; to achieve superior results is harder than it looks." - Benjamin Graham
DRReaders
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Re: Best rewards credit card?

Post by DRReaders »

I think it still depends on your normal spending habits.
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JoMoney
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Re: Best rewards credit card?

Post by JoMoney »

Sam Clemens wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:57 pm...
Also, are there any US cards that use a PIN? This is standard in Europe and it significantly increases security. Why is the US so far behind??
Probably are, but it's not something I'm concerned with for a individual consumer card, I have zero liability for credit card fraud. I enjoy the newer cards and readers with touchless pay.
"To achieve satisfactory investment results is easier than most people realize; to achieve superior results is harder than it looks." - Benjamin Graham
nalor511
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Re: Best rewards credit card?

Post by nalor511 »

Citi double cash 2%
Fidelity cash rewards 2%
Chase freedom (changing 5%)
Da5id
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Re: Best rewards credit card?

Post by Da5id »

Sam Clemens wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:57 pm Thoughts on the best rewards credit cards out there? I’m not looking for one focused on travel rewards (like an airline or hotel chain rewards card). I’m more interested in maximizing cash back.

Two that I’ve been considering are:

1) Citi Double Cash - straight 2% cash back, no fee, 3% foreign transaction fee (we do travel internationally every couple years)

2) Amazon Prime Rewards Visa - 5% back on Amazon purchases (we are regular Amazon customers), 2% at restaurants, gas stations, drugstores (it wasn’t clear if this is only for certain chains), 1% back on everything else. No foreign transaction fees. No fee if an Amazon Prime customer (I am).

Any experience with either of these? Other better options?

Also, are there any US cards that use a PIN? This is standard in Europe and it significantly increases security. Why is the US so far behind??
Those are fine. I have both, though I'll be losing my Prime Visa when I let prime expire next month.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=192008 has an epic number of posts on this topic, may find what you like there.

If you are a Costco member, the Costco Visa is quite good. 4% gas, 3% restaurants and travel, 2% Costco (1% on other things). Chase Freedom or Discover have rotating 5% categories that come in handy too.

Better deals are probably sign up bonus related. e.g. Chase Sapphire Preferred I think still has 100K points ($1000) sign up bonus if you meet the spending criteria.
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Re: Best rewards credit card?

Post by ResearchMed »

JoMoney wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 8:15 pm
Sam Clemens wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:57 pm...
Also, are there any US cards that use a PIN? This is standard in Europe and it significantly increases security. Why is the US so far behind??
Probably are, but it's not something I'm concerned with for a individual consumer card, I have zero liability for credit card fraud. I enjoy the newer cards and readers with touchless pay.
Some want a card with a PIN for use overseas, where they might have trouble finding a vendor who takes a "signature" card. Worse... at an unattended gate kiosk, such as a train station entry or a highway tollboth.

What I don't know is whether the new touchless cards will "work" where they require(d?) a PIN.

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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by LadyGeek »

I merged Sam Clemens's thread into a similar discussion.
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Re: Best rewards credit card?

Post by Sam Clemens »

ResearchMed wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 8:27 pm
JoMoney wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 8:15 pm
Sam Clemens wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:57 pm...
Also, are there any US cards that use a PIN? This is standard in Europe and it significantly increases security. Why is the US so far behind??
Probably are, but it's not something I'm concerned with for a individual consumer card, I have zero liability for credit card fraud. I enjoy the newer cards and readers with touchless pay.
Some want a card with a PIN for use overseas, where they might have trouble finding a vendor who takes a "signature" card. Worse... at an unattended gate kiosk, such as a train station entry or a highway tollboth.

What I don't know is whether the new touchless cards will "work" where they require(d?) a PIN.

RM
Yes!! We were in Iceland a couple years ago and I was trying to get gas in a remote part of the country at an unattended gas station. The pump would only work with a PIN. Long and very aggravating story of what we had to do to get gas…
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Re: Best rewards credit card?

Post by e5116 »

Sam Clemens wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:57 pm [Thread merge into here --admin LadyGeek]

Also, are there any US cards that use a PIN? This is standard in Europe and it significantly increases security. Why is the US so far behind??
The reason the US is behind is because market research shows that the cards that require PINs get used less. Credit card companies want to be your "go to" card and being the anamalous one jeopardizes that. They've made the business calculation basically....so, we need to blame human behavior/tendencies. I think European laws may have different incentives for many providers.
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Re: Best rewards credit card?

Post by international001 »

ResearchMed wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 8:27 pm
Some want a card with a PIN for use overseas, where they might have trouble finding a vendor who takes a "signature" card. Worse... at an unattended gate kiosk, such as a train station entry or a highway tollboth.

What I don't know is whether the new touchless cards will "work" where they require(d?) a PIN.

RM
My story with a US card in pumps overseas:

I had one chip card with PIN that worked on a given pump
Then, the PIN requirement disappeared
I tried another pump and they still required a PIN
I was upgraded the card to NFC, and that second pump worked without the PIN

So I think someplaces use PIN, some don't.
And AFAIK, NFC doesn't require PIN. It beats me why is required when you use your card via chip and not via NFC beats me
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by Marseille07 »

lakpr wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 8:06 pm Not really. Just transfer your Traditional IRA or Roth IRA to Merrill Edge (assuming you have $100k there). Then open a Bank of America checking account (preferred rewards can only be deposited into a BofA checking account). Once this is done, you are set -- at least until Bank of America changes the rules.

It's a one time effort, and in my opinion well worth it. It is a different matter altogether that it is a bit difficult to round up $100k in assets.

At Merrill Edge, you are not obligated to use any financial advisor, you can keep investing in the same stocks or ETFs as you like. Only if you want to purchase mutual funds would you be likely hit with transaction fee ... but with the almost unlimited choices of ETFs transaction free, no need to actually buy mutual funds.
I can actually apply the points as statement credit via my card account without checking, but enrolling in the Preferred Rewards program requires a checking account. I don't like having to do all this but I think it's worth it in the end.
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by Barefootgirl »

If one doesn't want to set up the BOA preferred rewards arrangement, what would be the second best option for for earning on dining expenses?

Thank you.
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by jalm1 »

Barefootgirl wrote: Thu Aug 05, 2021 2:59 pm If one doesn't want to set up the BOA preferred rewards arrangement, what would be the second best option for for earning on dining expenses?

Thank you.
I would think the AMEX gold for 4x MR points if you want a flexible currency. If you just want cash, it may be different.
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by tj »

jalm1 wrote: Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:20 pm
Barefootgirl wrote: Thu Aug 05, 2021 2:59 pm If one doesn't want to set up the BOA preferred rewards arrangement, what would be the second best option for for earning on dining expenses?

Thank you.
I would think the AMEX gold for 4x MR points if you want a flexible currency. If you just want cash, it may be different.
Amex Gold has a not small annual fee.

Probably the new Citi Custom Cash that gives you 5% on your highest spend category. Just use it for dining.

https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/citi- ... redit-card


Also US Bank Altitude Go - 4%

https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/alt ... -card.html
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by VictoriaF »

A couple days ago, I applied for an Amtrak card from Bank of America. It now offers a 50k point bonus for spending $2,500 within three months. If you start making an Amtrak reservation, you'll also get this offer together with $100 statement credit. The fee is $79/year and is not waved.

I was inspired by dodecahedron's post about Amtrak. Like dodecahedron, I take Amtrak several times per year along the Eastern corridor and consider increasing it.

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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by dodecahedron »

VictoriaF wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 1:56 pm A couple days ago, I applied for an Amtrak card from Bank of America. It now offers a 50k point bonus for spending $2,500 within three months. If you start making an Amtrak reservation, you'll also get this offer together with $100 statement credit. The fee is $79/year and is not waved.

I was inspired by dodecahedron's post about Amtrak. Like dodecahedron, I take Amtrak several times per year along the Eastern corridor and consider increasing it.

Victoria
Wow! Definitely jealous! I got my Amtrak World card back in April (no statement credit and only 20K signup bonus, though minimum spend to get the bonus was only $1,000.) But quite happy with the perks (two one-class upgrades, free companion tickets, and a free lounge pass I will use for the *extremely* nice new Acela Club.). Plus I have now traveled enough to get myself qualified for Amtrak Select (more one-class upgrades, free companion tickets, and free lounge passes.)

I am currently ONLY traveling on Amtrak (avoiding airports and crowds because of public health considerations, not wanting to spend hours packed in like sardines to overcrowded boarding lounges.). I love that my local Amtrak station has an open air covered platform for waiting to board (and there are nice nearby restaurants with outdoor seating and a view of the station, where it is pleasant to wait in case of delays.). And the new Moynihan train hall at Penn Station in NYC is delightful and not crowded (even if I don't use the Acela lounge pass.)
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by VictoriaF »

dodecahedron wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 2:09 pm
VictoriaF wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 1:56 pm A couple days ago, I applied for an Amtrak card from Bank of America. It now offers a 50k point bonus for spending $2,500 within three months. If you start making an Amtrak reservation, you'll also get this offer together with $100 statement credit. The fee is $79/year and is not waved.

I was inspired by dodecahedron's post about Amtrak. Like dodecahedron, I take Amtrak several times per year along the Eastern corridor and consider increasing it.

Victoria
Wow! Definitely jealous! I got my Amtrak World card back in April (no statement credit and only 20K signup bonus, though minimum spend to get the bonus was only $1,000.) But quite happy with the perks (two one-class upgrades, free companion tickets, and a free lounge pass I will use for the *extremely* nice new Acela Club.). Plus I have now traveled enough to get myself qualified for Amtrak Select (more one-class upgrades, free companion tickets, and free lounge passes.)

I am currently ONLY traveling on Amtrak (avoiding airports and crowds because of public health considerations, not wanting to spend hours packed in like sardines to overcrowded boarding lounges.). I love that my local Amtrak station has an open air covered platform for waiting to board (and there are nice nearby restaurants with outdoor seating and a view of the station, where it is pleasant to wait in case of delays.). And the new Moynihan train hall at Penn Station in NYC is delightful and not crowded (even if I don't use the Acela lounge pass.)
Sorry if I made you jealous. I am grateful to you for the idea, because I was not considering this card at all. Until recently I was making bonus-qualifying spending on my new Choice card and just made a note to look into Amtrak later this year or early next year. But when I read on Doctor of Credit that the bonus was significantly increased I took advantage of it.

I think the benefits of my card include only one one-class upgrade per year and a one-time lounge pass. Still it's quite good.

Victoria
Last edited by VictoriaF on Mon Aug 09, 2021 2:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by Bogle7 »

Our normal behavior is to use our BA Visa card for almost everything because we will use the Avios.
And, once you spend $30K in a calendar year, your get a twofer voucher.
This make Avios worth >3¢ a point.
We also have an AMEX Platinum for travel. (Was worth it when trapped in Italy during March 2020.)
Last edited by Bogle7 on Thu Aug 12, 2021 4:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by dodecahedron »

VictoriaF wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 2:16 pm
dodecahedron wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 2:09 pm
VictoriaF wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 1:56 pm A couple days ago, I applied for an Amtrak card from Bank of America. It now offers a 50k point bonus for spending $2,500 within three months. If you start making an Amtrak reservation, you'll also get this offer together with $100 statement credit. The fee is $79/year and is not waved.

I was inspired by dodecahedron's post about Amtrak. Like dodecahedron, I take Amtrak several times per year along the Eastern corridor and consider increasing it.

Victoria
Wow! Definitely jealous! I got my Amtrak World card back in April (no statement credit and only 20K signup bonus, though minimum spend to get the bonus was only $1,000.) But quite happy with the perks (two one-class upgrades, free companion tickets, and a free lounge pass I will use for the *extremely* nice new Acela Club.). Plus I have now traveled enough to get myself qualified for Amtrak Select (more one-class upgrades, free companion tickets, and free lounge passes.)

I am currently ONLY traveling on Amtrak (avoiding airports and crowds because of public health considerations, not wanting to spend hours packed in like sardines to overcrowded boarding lounges.). I love that my local Amtrak station has an open air covered platform for waiting to board (and there are nice nearby restaurants with outdoor seating and a view of the station, where it is pleasant to wait in case of delays.). And the new Moynihan train hall at Penn Station in NYC is delightful and not crowded (even if I don't use the Acela lounge pass.)
Sorry if I made you jealous. I am grateful to you for the idea, because I was not considering this card at all.
No worries! I have learned to be philosophical! And quite pleased it worked out so well for you!
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by Barefootgirl »

Please let me know if I can do better?

When not spending toward a specific bonus, here's what I use for cash back:

Groceries & Amazon - Amazon Business American Express Card - 5%

Dining Out - Citi Custom Cash - 5%

Hotels/Airlines - use branded cards - paid out in program points, more with promotions

Everything Else - Amex My Blue Cash - 2%

Any other categories escaping my mind at the moment?
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by manlymatt83 »

Mine is:

Amex Gold for Groceries and Dining (retention offer received, so card is "free" still)
Chase Sapphire Reserve for Travel (I organically use the doordash credit and primary rental car protection and break even on annual fee)
Schwab Platinum (will eventually cancel this one -- but good for now since retention offer received, cashing out points to Schwab)
Delta Reserve for all other spending

In the future, it'll just be:

Delta Reserve
CSR

Eventually, it'll be:

Schwab Investor Card @ 1.5% cash back

... once I get tired of optimizing.
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Re: KISS

Post by anon_investor »

Bogle7 wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 2:23 pm We also have an AMEX Platinum for travel. (Was worth it when trapped in Italy during March 2020.)
What extra benefit did you utilize?
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by 3000 »

Fidelity Visa 2% cashback

State Department FCU Premium Cash Back+ 2% cashback - no foreign transaction fee and PIN for oversees travel

Apple Card 3% cashback for Apple/iTunes purchases and subscriptions

Amazon Prime Visa 5% cashback for Amazon purchases

Costco Visa 4% cashback gas 3% cashback restaurants and travel
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Re: KISS

Post by Bogle7 »

anon_investor wrote: Fri Aug 20, 2021 7:48 pm
Bogle7 wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 2:23 pm We also have an AMEX Platinum for travel. (Was worth it when trapped in Italy during March 2020.)
What extra benefit did you utilize?
Access to travel desk with lots of help.
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What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by ResearchMed »

Bogle7 wrote: Fri Aug 20, 2021 9:41 pm
anon_investor wrote: Fri Aug 20, 2021 7:48 pm
Bogle7 wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 2:23 pm We also have an AMEX Platinum for travel. (Was worth it when trapped in Italy during March 2020.)
What extra benefit did you utilize?
Access to travel desk with lots of help.
I used Amex Plat Travel for a travel problem quite some time ago. They hadn't even made the reservation.

Odd snafu at O'Hare. I was traveling on a single ticket, connecting at O'Hare, all on the same airline. So... that airline "knew" i was arriving in time to make the connection, and it wasn't particularly tight.
I was traveling with a cat (declared, with "pet fee" paid).

I got off one flight and wandered over to the other gate, not particularly far away.
I went to check in/double check seating, etc., and was stunned to be told that i wasn't on that flight, despite the ticket i had handed the gate agent... there were still cardboard tickets then, etc.

The response: "You cancelled this leg of the flight!"
Uh, no, I definitely had done no such thing.
Problem was, the flight was full - without me. And it was the last flight of the night to my destination.

And while discussing this with the agent, they started boarding (somewhat earlier than i would have expected, but that's just my percepting under the circumstances).
They absolutely insisted that I had cancelled my connecting flight, and thus it didn't matter that they/the computer/etc., could "see" my on time arrival from the first flight, etc.
Yes, it was a "legal connection", in terms of time between flights.

I looked around and found a pay phone (yup, back in the day... along with the cardboard tickets), and called Amex Plat Travel, and told them of my plight (and my cat).
They asked me to hold as i described the boarding procedure continuing at an alarming speed.

After what felt like a *very* long wait, the agent returned to phone:
A: Can you see the boarding gate from where are?
Me: Yes.
A: Do you see a female agent waving her hand in the air?
M: Yes.
A: RUN, don't walk, to her NOW and have a good trip home. Good bye.
Me: Okay, bye.

I ran over. There were no more people actively boarding, but a few people milling around.
The agent waving her hand looked at my ticket, and almost pushed me into the open airplane door, which then shut behind me. i went to my seat and strapped in, we were getting the on-board directions, etc., and then the plane pushed off...

I have no idea what happened, or - guessing - which of those people milling around had expected to be boarding...

I've used them for several other special situations, but that was the most memorable.
They do appear to have some clout with airlines and hotels, in addition to the Amex Plat Concierge service which can occasionally make magic happen (although I think this was more common in the earlier days than now).

We've also used Amex Plat travel a few times when a filght was cancelled on short notice, and a swarm of passengers was trying to line up at a very limited number of agent desks for re-ticketing.
While we found the shortest place in line and waited, we also were on our cell phone with Amex Plat Travel, who were able to sort of jump the queue for us as "next in line" while we weren't physically there yet...
And I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it was more than just the equivalent of "being next in line".

RM
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by Parkinglotracer »

I use a mid Florida credit union card that pays 2.5% cash back (fla address requirement) - thanks to boglehead heads up
I use a pentagon federal credit union that gives 5% cash back on gas (not sure this is still issued)
I use Amazon card on Amazon for 5% cash back
Trying to keep life simple
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by flyingcows »

3 Credit Cards:

1.) Primary Card: BoA Unlimited Cash Rewards, 2.6% cash back on all purchases (requires BoA plat honors tier, aka 100k+ of investments held at Merrill).
2.) Specialty Card 1: Amazon Visa, 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods transactions, used only for these transactions.
3.) Specialty Card 2: Target Card, 5% off target transactions, used only for these transactions.

We've always routed all spending through rewards cards
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Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Post by lkar »

I’ve been waiting several months to go under 5/24. Also has finally been more than 48 months since sapphire bonus. Just successfully applied for ink unlimited using Mrs. lkar’s referral link and now plan to wait a few days and use her referral link for sapphire preferred. Should be 215,000 points when all is done. Not sure whether I will now just go crazy and go way over 5/24 or maybe will wait until January when I am back under 5/24 so I can get the Chase Hyatt card.
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