The great Credit Card debate...

[Ngwira]

we pay off our cards each month (used largly for convenience/purchase protection) so I couldn't comment on what the interest is like but our favorites are American Express and one through our local credit union (honestly-if everyone accepted amex we would use it exclusively).

with our amex it's zero fees, 3% on groceries (up to 6K in purchases after which it reverts to 1%), 2% uncapped on gas and some department stores, 1% all else. when we signed up there was a promo for a $200 statement credit if $1000 was charged within the first 2 months (easy enuf to do with christmas shopping). I can let the reward dollars add up and pick when I want to apply them to my account (so just charge what I was going to spend it on then apply the reward amount to zero it out). in our experience amex fights tooth and nail for the purchaser in disputes, pays up on the extended warranty coverage/loss or theft coverage, is VERY helpful/generous with benefits for lost/delayed baggage when traveling.

with our credit union card it's again no fee-it's just changed to a reward based program but we went with it originally b/c it belongs to the "passport" program (so some great discounts at restaurants and travel destinations) and we needed/wanted a card that those who don't accept amex would take. their new reward structure pays 3% for travel purchases, 2% in 2 categories YOU CHOOSE (so if most usage is groceries/gas-choose those 2, if most are amazon/charity-choose those 2...), 1% for all else.

both amex and our credit union are hyper vigilant about fraud.

I agree with AMEX. The blue cash preferred is amazing. I recently had to file a dispute with Discover and the process was less than ideal. Chase is also good and I have the freedom and love it.

 

[Ngwira]

Get the Freedom card. Make sure you get at least the $150 bonus for signing up. If you look around the web, you may be able to find a link for a $200 sign up bonus.

I signed up with the $200.00 bonus which was nice.

 

[MrPTato]

Our daily drivers are Disney Premier and Citi DoubleCash. Disney Premier gets all of what will get 2% back and the DoubleCash (also 2% back) will get everything else. This is also our fun money and only gets cashed out before going to Disney. We got about $1350 in rewards this past year.

 

[Ngwira]

I agree with AMEX. The blue cash preferred is amazing. I got a $250.00 statement credit for spending 1k in 3 months. Also, AMEX deals are amazeballs. I get statement credits for doing everyday spending. $5.00 credit for spending $10.00 at Dunkin donuts, $10.00 credit for spending $50.00 at Wegmans. They just gave me a $25.00 credit for spending $100.00 on ANY hotel in the US. I recently had to file a dispute with Discover and the process was less than ideal. Chase is also good and I have the freedom and love it.

 

[MrPTato]

Forgot to mention, also signed up for AARP card which gives back 3% cash back on dining and gas, uncapped. Doesn't matter your age either!

 

[Ngwira]

If you travel abroad alot, the Capital One Quicksilver has no foreign transaction fees. You also get 1.5 percent cash back on all transactions with no caps. No annual fees and your cash back can be redeemed at any amount and is available as soon as the transaction posts, no waiting until the end of the statement period.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

We are looking at the Sam's club MasterCard. It gives 5% on gas, 3% on dining and travel, and 1% on everything else. No rotating categories. We are looking at that to replace our discover. We really only use the discover for the 5% categories, and for shopping at Sam's club. We also have the chase freedom. The 5% categories are often the same as the Discover so it seems silly to have both.

 

[sharona]

Re Freedom vs. Discover... It depends on if you have one of the other Chase Ultimate Rewards cards like the Sapphire or the Ink (business card). If so, then the Freedom works well because you can transfer the points to the other card and exchange them for frequent flier miles or hotel points which, when used wisely, can really get you a lot of bang for your buck - much more than just taking straight cash back.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

We have a chase freedom (compromised 3 times in one year!) and are ditching it for an AMEX Blue. I had enjoyed the chase freedom but the quarter bonuses have (in my opinion) started to stink. This quarter is like local commuter travel and gas stations. The gas is good but commuter travel is totally useless for me.

 

[havaneselover]

We have a chase freedom (compromised 3 times in one year!) and are ditching it for an AMEX Blue. I had enjoyed the chase freedom but the quarter bonuses have (in my opinion) started to stink. This quarter is like local commuter travel and gas stations. The gas is good but commuter travel is totally useless for me.

Last quarter was okay because it was Amazon and they doubled it in December but I generally agree. Gas is great but with prices so low I doubt I spend $250 on it in 3 months. Amex Blue is awesome.

 

[jenf22]

We loved our AMEX Blue too, but I noticed that our "everything else" expenses were the driving factor in our cash back. So for us, that makes the Barclay card a better deal even with the annual fee. So just make sure you do the math. We still use our AMEX card at Costco (at least for now) and I use the "offers for you" whenever I see one that works for us. LOVE that feature!

 

[havaneselover]

We loved our AMEX Blue too, but I noticed that our "everything else" expenses were the driving factor in our cash back. So for us, that makes the Barclay card a better deal even with the annual fee. So just make sure you do the math. We still use our AMEX card at Costco (at least for now) and I use the "offers for you" whenever I see one that works for us. LOVE that feature!

I only use Amex for groceries, gas, and Costco or if I have an offer. You definitely have to do the math and re evaluate frequently,

 

[hsmamato2]

I wish I spent more at 'ordinary' grocery stores..... then that amex would call my name! to a pp.... I wouldn't cancel your freedom to switch to the amex 100%..... for one, the freedom is fee free...for another, Amex is (unfortunately) not accepted everywhere so you need a basic backup card. (my main cc is usually the amex spg card, or freedom or sapphire)

 

[havaneselover]

I wish I spent more at 'ordinary' grocery stores..... then that amex would call my name! to a pp.... I wouldn't cancel your freedom to switch to the amex 100%..... for one, the freedom is fee free...for another, Amex is (unfortunately) not accepted everywhere so you need a basic backup card. (my main cc is usually the amex spg card, or freedom or sapphire)

Yeah. I spend little at grocery stores on groceries--for me the savings is with gift card purchases because of fuel points.

 

[kmchisholm]

Most credit card companies will waive the annual fee if you call in and ask. If it doesn't work the first time try again. One time it took me three times but got it waived

 

[Ngwira]

Just got an offer for the citi double cash card. Anyone have it?

 

[MrPTato]

Just got an offer for the citi double cash card. Anyone have it?

I have it...nice card and 2% back on everything..1% on purchase and 1% when you pay it off. Nice features too like Price Rewind, FICO score, Private Pass and more. This is my main card.

 

[Ngwira]

I have it...nice card and 2% back on everything..1% on purchase and 1% when you pay it off. Nice features too like Price Rewind, FICO score, Private Pass and more. This is my main card.

Thanks for your review. I admit I'm waiting for a cash back bonus to sweeten the pot. My Amex blue is my main card.

 

[ceecee]

Our Disney card was also compromised!!! Chase handled it well though. We use our Southwest for everything to get free flights which worked out great until SW announced no more non-stops to MCO from Dayton!!! So I am looking for a new card now and was thinking of the Sapphire.

 

[Albort]

Most credit card companies will waive the annual fee if you call in and ask. If it doesn't work the first time try again. One time it took me three times but got it waived

i think that is based on how much you use on the card, the higher amount of utilization per year, the higher chance of getting the fee waived.

CSP+Freedom Combo here, waiting to get the Ink card, still waiting for my credit to improve...

Edit: Another good card that i have is the Salle Mae Card, unfortunately, its been discontinued for new users... :\ 5% back on gas, groceries (up to $150). great for a single guy... :]