re: Credit Card Rewards and Points Discussion

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Which credit card should I look at for best rewards benefits?

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What kind of benefits? I know you said you don't fly much, but any more insight you can offer into what you're looking to get out of a card would be helpful.

Cash back?

Hotel points? And if so, any particular chain?

Just general flexible rewards points like chase ultimate rewards or amex membership rewards?

Is there a big purchase/travel trip/goal you have in the future you'd like the credit card to work towards for you?

Do you have an approximation on how much you spend on credit cards each month, and what those purchases are? Gas, groceries, bills, restaurants, office supplies, etc.

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We do not fly much, so sky miles is not a must unless those points/miles stay around and dont expire.

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While most frequent flyer programs do have expiration rules on their miles, its usually possible to keep your miles from expiring without having to actually fly. Generally as long as you have activity(adding or using miles) in your mileage account within the stated time period that will prevent your miles from expiring. Activity could mean adding miles by getting credit card bonuses, buying something through an airline's shopping portal, transferring points from another program into that frequent flyer program, etc. Using could be using miles to purchase something that isnt a flight, or transferring miles into another points program.

All of that to say, if you don't necessarily have a particular goal in mind right now, you should still be open to an airline card. If there's a big trip you would like to take somewhere at some point in the future, the miles you get from signup bonuses can pay for most of, if not all of your flights for the trip, and often in business or first class.

I honestly think you should grab a few no annual fee cash back cards and use them for whatever category they have a bonus in.

And if you can't handle multiple cards and use them on bonused spend, make it even simpler with something like Double Cash and call it a day.

For one, the score you are getting may/is probably not the real one anyways.

Side note Capital One pulls from all three credit bureaus

Only temporary anyways so no big deal at 792

(no message)

Feel like you guys will give me the best answer in regards to what card I should open next. Haven't opened a card in over a year so no limits to worry about. In order of opening cards I went.

Bank of America Cash Rewards Card (2013)
Discover IT Card (2013)
Chase Freedom Card (2014)
AMEX Delta Gold Card (2015)
Citi Bank American Airlines AAdvantage Card (2016)

With the type of work I am in, I very rarely travel and when I do it for personal reasons usually stay at Airbnb rentals.

I probably spend 1-1.5k each month across the cards I have.

Have a few big purchases coming up so if any recommendations have spend bonuses attached that should not be a problem either.

TIA

I assume one of the first questions you will be asked is what do you want out of your new card - Cash back? Longer intro 0% APR to help with those large purchases you need to make? Flexible reward points that can be spent on a variety of ways?

I am guessing travel rewards (plane/hotel points) isnt a priority since you mentioned you dont travel often but the last card you opened is a citi aadvantage card which pairs with american airlines. So maybe you're thinking of traveling eventually?

There are a lot more knowledgeable posters in this thread that can help you narrow down your search. But without knowing anything about what you're looking for and taking pure travel cards out of the equation, I'd suggest looking into the chase sapphire cards. Chase Ultimate Reward points are very flexible as they can be used for cash back, online shopping, travel, etc. so you aren't tied down to one specific way to spend them. There is a 50,000 point bonus after spending $4000 in the first three months which is considered one of the best intro bonuses available. Since you already own the Chase Freedom, you can pair the Freedom & Sapphire to build points very quickly (use the freedom for the quarterly bonus categories at 5x points and use the sapphire for travelling/restaurants for 2x or 3x points depending on which sapphire card you get). Maybe even consider opening the Chase Freedom Unlimited card (no annual fees with this one) with a Sapphire card together to complete the Chase Trifecta thats often talked about. The Freedom Unlimited card will give you an additional 1.5X points on all purchases not included in the bonus categories of the Freedom & Sapphire cards.

Just a quick first suggestion to look into. Again, much more knowledgeable posters in this thread can likely help you much more.

Edit: Chase Ultimate Rewards points are more valuable when used on travelling. Which I am sure other posters will point out . So that is why the Sapphire cards are considered some of the best travelling cards. But, as I mentioned, without knowing what you're looking for specifically that's just a quick suggestion since the points can be used a number of ways. If you come back and say you specifically want a cash back card or something else specific, then that likely changes the entire suggestion.

Long time lurker, but have gotten alot out of this thread so hopefully can contribute back a bit.

As everyone else has said depends on what you want. It looks like you have a good set of Cashback cards between the BOA, IT, and Freedom.

For a big new purchase (and assuming you don't want specific types of points like Chase Ultimate Rewards/Amex Membership Rewards), I'd also consider the Citi Double Cash Back card. This isn't just for the cashback, but they have Price Rewind, Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty coverage that comes included with the card at no annual fee. I would double check though, because there was some talk of them getting rid of these around the same time that Chase got rid of theirs. And apparently they have a bonus for $100 back after $500 spend.

Also, remember that you don't have to redeem UR or Amex rewards for travel. You can always just exchange them for gift cards (even if it's not the best redemption).

Also, if you use reddit, the Churning subreddit has a daily discussion and question thread that I've used before for advice. Very knowledgable and very active.

What makes an annual fee worth it?

Just signed up for the Ink Cash and was about to get the 3% Freedom Unlimited. Not being able to transfer may change that, though.

Ya, Chase could only be considering this if they think they have effectively captured the market and people would just stick to them due to less valuable options being all that's left. Or they are losing a ton of money, because I don't know why you'd want to give up the juggernaut they've created otherwise.

I'd likely just go gangbusters on applications and be a true free agent without care for 5/24.