Keeping Track of Credit Cards

[kathymac]

I have credit cards with differing bonuses. Some are cash back for permanent categories and others are cash back for rotating categories. I also occasionally have a new card for which I need to meet a minimum spend requirement.

How do you keep track of which card to use for which purpose; for example, groceries, gas, restaurants? Do you make up a list to carry with you or just decide which card you will use before the transaction? I need to get better organized on this issue so that I don’t lose out on rewards.

Thanks. Help is appreciated.

 

[Action City]

I have credit cards with differing bonuses. Some are cash back for permanent categories and others are cash back for rotating categories. I also occasionally have a new card for which I need to meet a minimum spend requirement.

How do you keep track of which card to use for which purpose; for example, groceries, gas, restaurants? Do you make up a list to carry with you or just decide which card you will use before the transaction? I need to get better organized on this issue so that I don’t lose out on rewards.

Thanks. Help is appreciated.

I eliminate the problem by only having one credit card.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I have credit cards with differing bonuses. Some are cash back for permanent categories and others are cash back for rotating categories. I also occasionally have a new card for which I need to meet a minimum spend requirement.

How do you keep track of which card to use for which purpose; for example, groceries, gas, restaurants? Do you make up a list to carry with you or just decide which card you will use before the transaction? I need to get better organized on this issue so that I don’t lose out on rewards.

Thanks. Help is appreciated.

Kathy Mac, come join us on the I love credit cards thread. We talk about this stuff all day everyday.

 

[Albort]

i only track those with MSR or with some kind of bonus spendings... ie chase freedom 5% category.
I use a excel spreadsheet. customized it a bit like locking the title. Its pretty simple.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Label the cards & keep those you don't usually use at home. If a good category rotates onto a sock drawered card, pull it out until you're done with it & put it back.

 

[kathymac]

Sorry. I don’t know how to respond including quotes from previous posters. Learning as I go.

To Action City - keeping only one card keeps life simpler, that’s for sure.

To Disney magic girl - thanks for the invite. I do follow the “I love credit cards” thread sporadically. I’m not so much into the use of UR points to purchase travel, so a lot of the discussion goes over my head. I like the energy and enthusiasm on that thread.

To Albert - I’ll try your suggestion of using a spreadsheet. I’ll have to brush up on my Excel. I’ve been retired for a few years now and am out of practice.

Thanks.

 

[kathymac]

Label the cards & keep those you don't usually use at home. If a good category rotates onto a sock drawered card, pull it out until you're done with it & put it back.

What do you use to label the cards? Seems like a label or piece of tape would cover up something important on the card (card number, chip, security code). I’m guessing I’m making this harder than it needs to be.

Yay! My quote worked.

 

[gottalovepluto]

What do you use to label the cards? Seems like a label or piece of tape would cover up something important on the card (card number, chip, security code). I’m guessing I’m making this harder than it needs to be.

Yay! My quote worked.

It did! (And to tag users put @ in front of their name)

Cut the tape into a thin piece so it doesn't cover numbers or mag strip & replace as needed.

 

[GPC0321]

I try to never work on more than one sign-up bonus at a time, and only use that card until it is met. When not working on a bonus, I carry a 2% card (either DoubleCash or Venture) and a 5X/5% card (Freedom or Discover It).

I really need to give up the Venture now that the sign-up bonus was achieved and used, but it's so...metal. I love it.

 

[kathymac]

It did! (And to tag users put @ in front of their name)

Cut the tape into a thin piece so it doesn't cover numbers or mag strip & replace as needed.

Thanks for the tips. I’m going to try a combination of a spreadsheet and labeling my cards until I see what works best for me.

I try to never work on more than one sign-up bonus at a time, and only use that card until it is met. When not working on a bonus, I carry a 2% card (either DoubleCash or Venture) and a 5X/5% card (Freedom or Discover It).

I really need to give up the Venture now that the sign-up bonus was achieved and used, but it's so...metal. I love it.

Ha, ha. I don’t have any metal cards. Very posh!

 

[Albort]

What do you use to label the cards? Seems like a label or piece of tape would cover up something important on the card (card number, chip, security code). I’m guessing I’m making this harder than it needs to be.

Yay! My quote worked.

a label marker can make some pretty small txt. Id probably put it somewhere you dont need. Another option is to go via app. This app called Wallaby does the trick. It tells you what cards you should use. This is, after you add your CC to the list. I think TPG also has an app that does the same thing. I dont like that app though.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Can't you just write on it somewhere with a black Sharpie? They make very fine tip ones that would make it easy. It's "permanent" but you can still wipe it off with rubbing alcohol.

I also only have 1 card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Well actually I have one and dh has one. We both signed up originally for the bonus and I thought that NOTHING would tear me away from my beloved SW visa but it did pretty quickly. I don't really care that it's metal; I just like the points! I intended to get rid of one of them before the renewal fee kicked in but it's nice to have a secondary card for larger purchases that I don't want mixed in with the "everyday spending" card.

 

[tvguy]

I eliminate the problem by only having one credit card.

LOL. Same here.

 

[uksaint]

I have a memo in the "Notes" app on my iPhone. Reminds me what card to use where. Usually only have to update it every 3 months when new quarterly categories come out.

 

[mum of two pirates]

Can you give me the quick rundown on the chase s sapphire Car. I use my southwest everyday because I love the fly points.

 

[miztressuz]

What do you use to label the cards? Seems like a label or piece of tape would cover up something important on the card (card number, chip, security code). I’m guessing I’m making this harder than it needs to be.

Yay! My quote worked.

I found the sticky part of the post it note works well and doesn't leave a weird residue like a label-maker label can sometimes. it stays on for months and is easy to replace if you have rotating categories. I think all my cards I put it in the upper right corner where the worst it would cover is the card name.


for massive tracking, i'd run a spreadsheet. but I don't have too many so I just have a StickyNote on my computer (like post it notes but for my Windows desktop) that has a quick list of standard earning categories for me to reference.

 

[kathymac]

a label marker can make some pretty small txt. Id probably put it somewhere you dont need. Another option is to go via app. This app called Wallaby does the trick. It tells you what cards you should use. This is, after you add your CC to the list. I think TPG also has an app that does the same thing. I dont like that app though.

Thanks. I’ll check out the Wallaby app.

I found the sticky part of the post it note works well and doesn't leave a weird residue like a label-maker label can sometimes. it stays on for months and is easy to replace if you have rotating categories. I think all my cards I put it in the upper right corner where the worst it would cover is the card name.
View attachment 300427

for massive tracking, i'd run a spreadsheet. but I don't have too many so I just have a StickyNote on my computer (like post it notes but for my Windows desktop) that has a quick list of standard earning categories for me to reference.

Thanks. The picture is very helpful.

I have a memo in the "Notes" app on my iPhone. Reminds me what card to use where. Usually only have to update it every 3 months when new quarterly categories come out.

I put info in the Notes on my IPhone then forget to refer back to the Notes. I guess I need something right in front of my face.

 

[jujubiee4]

I have credit cards with differing bonuses. Some are cash back for permanent categories and others are cash back for rotating categories. I also occasionally have a new card for which I need to meet a minimum spend requirement.

How do you keep track of which card to use for which purpose; for example, groceries, gas, restaurants? Do you make up a list to carry with you or just decide which card you will use before the transaction? I need to get better organized on this issue so that I don’t lose out on rewards.

Thanks. Help is appreciated.

Chasing/monitoring bonus categories get to me sometimes and irritates my husband. Lately I try to simplify it as much
as i can. When i see a 5x category i buy a gift card or use it up all right away so i don't have to worry about it for the quarter.
For example Chase Freedom 5x phone cable internet...I just overpaid the bills up to 1500 the first week. Discover 5x
wholesale clubs. I just got 1500 in gift cards and now will use those. It is sometimes hairy to pay 3k off the bat and my husband
freaks out but the money is going to those places anyway ...just later.

Other way is to just use a simple 2% card and don't worry about it. lol

 

[Jaime4004]

I have a memo in the "Notes" app on my iPhone. Reminds me what card to use where. Usually only have to update it every 3 months when new quarterly categories come out.

that's exactly what I do

 

[Denise K W]

I have another account w/ my checking account. I have the disney visa chase card and everytime i use it I put that money from my checking to my savings so I know not to use it and when the bill comes I pay off my balance
This way I can get my 2% or even 1% on items
So far it has been working and plus since Sep I have earned already 120 points which is 120 dollars that I am going to use towards my trip coming in October.

I use the card mostly to buy groceries/gas