re: Credit Card Rewards and Points Discussion

Yeah. I read those reports as well. I did that 10k primarily with VRs. That was easy. Did you get the 100k Citi?

I've got that Old Amex blue that gets 5% at drug stores, grocery, gas after $6,500, so I just hit the $6,500 not too long ago and haven't gotten around to trying out the One vanillas at CVS till last week. Bought 1 @ $500. Went to Wally World and bought MO for $499 instead of trying bluebird. Went to bank and deposited. All went right.

CVS, Wally world, and bank are within 2 miles of each other and my office so it's not a big deal to do once a week at lunch. I'm usually at bank every couple weeks and can always get formula or something from Wally world while there. I figure I'll do about 3-4k/month and rotate MOs between my 2 banks. Nets me $150/month I'll throw at my wife's car note.

It was actually less painful than I anticipated.

I did this last Thursday I believe.

I still have small increments of those $200 GCs left on 6 cards. Like $12 on one, $22 on another, $44 on another etc. :banghead. So, I pulled up at gas station and did 3 different transactions the other day to burn some of those out.

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Ever try the MO route outside of Wally? I'm thinking I need to explore that just to unload what I have.

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I was thinking the same thing. I didn't find much info on where to buy MOs outside of wally world with a debit card in my brief search last time.

I've bought Money orders at the post office with a debit card. I believe it was a $1.50 fee and $1000 maximum

In need of a little advice from the pros -

Im looking to get a rewards card and am having a little trouble deciding which card/cards would best suit my goals and spending. Currently I spend about 2-3k monthly so not a huge spender. I take a few trips per year so not a frequent flier as well. Ideally I'd like a rewards program that would pay for some / all of these trips.

Im leaning towards a sapphire preferred / freedom combo. Freedom would give me 5% on rotating options with a 20k bonusand preferred would give me 2% at restaurants and travel plus a 45k bonus. The points transfer options would make up the $95 annual fee imo. I've almost dismissed an airline card because of lack of transfers and because I fly so infrequently. Is my thinking in line or do I need to reconsider?

Regarding American Express I'm having a hard time justifying their annual fees with what I see as a similar rewards program. I've heard talk of the bonus points on transfers but would that benefit a light weight such as myself enough to make it worth thefees? Admittedly I know very little of these cards and I can't seem to find anyone to discuss them with me in depth (chase has a bank to talk to).

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I feel this is the best option for most people.

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Me too. It's fairly simple to understand which helps as well.

As you can see from Amex thread, really knowing how to get the most of your AMEX points takes a little more research.

The Chase Ink card has basically taken over the majority of my spend these days. It makes the Freedom almost irrelevant with 5% at Office stores by picking up gas cards, Lowes, & Amazon cards year round. Although, I do use the freedom for Amazon/Gas when applicable since I get the YE bonus for having Chase checking.

But, the Ink takes more work and most people don't want to do that, so I generally recommend the Freedom in conjunction with the CSP or Ink.

Thanks for the responses guys

If I may two more questions:
1. I saw it mentioned above that y'all are using cards to get money orders? Should that be a problem using the sapphire to do that? So if I'm reading correct, strategy is to buy a $1k visa debit card from cvs, then take said gift card to p.o. and buy a mo with it. So spending $1.50 for minimum of 1k points.
2. I've noticed in the terms of all the chase cards they state you are not eligible for the bonus if you have received a new member bonus in the past 24 months. Does this also mean I can get a new bonus every 24 months? And do most cards work like this?

Thanks again

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I guess we'll just have to ask around on what stores take debit cards to buy a MO. I suppose a grocery store around here has to do it. Science project!

Seems like I found one. Gotta go try it today

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Ok, now I know why you asked that question and I see the wiki update on FT. Damnit. Denied at Wally World and PO at lunch. That was a waste.

ETA: I'll try a couple of the grocery chains in my area that aren't a definitive "no". Now I have $500 of waste. Can always AP it out, but I hate doing that.

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Ok, now I know why you asked that question and I see the wiki update on FT. Damnit. Denied at Wally World and PO at lunch. That was a waste.

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Why is everyone cracking down on MS? It's not illegal.

Keep us updated

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Cost.

From a WM perspective, I can see why they don't want people coming into the store using resources who don't purchase anything, tying up workers and such.

Not that WM workers actually work around here.

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I see it, but frick that. I am in there 2-3 times a month and I spend at least $50 in groceries just because it's cheaper than most other stores. I just don't want to deal with the incompetent fricks that give me shite for trying to load a GC onto BB.

Screw the bastards in NJ that ruined VR for all of us

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annual fee on the CSP

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Barclay's has a fee, too, though. I see what you are saying though. CSP provides a lot more flexibility in terms of using the points IMO