Quote :

"For anyone with the BP card here's some conversation...http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/finance/1161268 It was good while it lasted. I loved getting $100-$150 checks every few months just for using a certain credit card. "

son of a...

i buy less than 300 gallons a year due to using company gas for work everyday so it wont affect me much but its the principle of the matter. And my credit is frozen and im too lazy to thaw it out to get a new card


[Edited on January 25, 2012 at 12:49 PM. Reason : .]

1/25/2012 12:46:45 PM

50k membership rewards points = ~$500 in GCs. You can always redeem (and get slightly better value) for airline miles, but that's the baseline.

I don't feel the Gold/Plat cards are worth it (annual fees are insanely high), you can get the same AmEx customer service with one of their lowly no-annual-fee cards.

Still, IMO, the best card if you're into travel is the AmEx Starwood card. It carries a $35 fee or so, but the rewards program is the best in the industry, hands down. Even if you don't typically stay at their properties, the points are worth more than any other points in the hotel/airline biz.

[Edited on January 25, 2012 at 1:05 PM. Reason : d]

1/25/2012 1:02:41 PM

i didn't see the most recent chase freedom (visa) $300 cash back for spending $500 within 3 months offer

https://applynowdc1.chase.com/FlexAppWeb/renderApp.do?SPID=DN55

no annual fee, rotating 5% categories, 1% back on everything else, higher cash back limits than discover, etc

chase's ultimate rewards shopping portal still blows donkey balls...but that's about all that discover does better

[Edited on January 25, 2012 at 1:12 PM. Reason : .]

1/25/2012 1:10:35 PM

My bad. It was only for 25K pts. CarZin suggested I hold out and xfer to airlines miles when Delta does their next promotion. The Chase Sapphire card I just got approved for is 50K pts.

[Edited on January 25, 2012 at 1:46 PM. Reason : ]

1/25/2012 1:46:03 PM

Quote :

"My bad. It was only for 25K pts."

Your AMEX Gold? I just got a mailer from them yesterday offering 50k.

1/25/2012 2:05:29 PM

Doh, this was almost 3 months ago, but yes, it was 25K pts for spending 1K.

1/25/2012 2:19:51 PM

I tried to 'upgrade' my Capital One Platinum card to one of their multiple Rewards cards and the lady said there were "no upgrades available at this time" and for me to "continue using the Platinum card and maybe an upgrade will be available at a later date"

I don't use my Capital One card for a reason, they still have my credit limit at $1250 even though I have been a member since 2006, while all my other cards are $10k+ (although I haven't ever asked for a credit increase, I've put several large purchases on this card in the past) - and the APR is kind of shitty @ 14.5% while my other cards are 9.9% or lower.

So, should I just cancel this shitty Capital One card? I kind of don't want to ever do business with these fools again. I have a credit score of over 800 and minimal debt, and have received pretty much every credit card I've ever applied for, yet I don't qualify for any Capital One Rewards cards? Ridiculous

If I do cancel this card out of spite, what is a good Visa card without a yearly payment and decent rewards?

2/16/2012 12:11:45 PM

Quote :

"You should really drop that BP card and get a PenFed Platinum Visa. 5% cashback (applied automatically at statement close) at ANY gas station. They've got a new one coming out in Feb that offers 3% at grocery stores on top of the 5%, but will give out points instead of cash (still equivalent to cashback rate). I've also been assured their rewards program will offer Visa GCs at the normal rate, which is basically as good as cash in my book."

Looks like it's out! Anyone apply yet?

https://www.penfed.org/productsAndRates/creditCards/platinumrewards.asp


After I get this one, it'd be nice to get a card that does 5% at restaurants...My Chase Freedom does it for 3 months. Anything else out there?

[Edited on February 16, 2012 at 1:32 PM. Reason : ]

2/16/2012 1:24:56 PM

My Citi AA card (the one I got 75k offer on) is giving everyone 3 miles for every 1$ spent from Jan to April if you sign up. Thought that was nice of them.

2/16/2012 1:45:26 PM

I wouldn't cancel it since it's a fairly old card.

2/16/2012 1:50:59 PM

^^ Is that for existing card customers or new members?

2/16/2012 2:29:30 PM

Quote :

"After I get this one, it'd be nice to get a card that does 5% at restaurants"

Citi Forward

5% at bars, restaurants, music stores (incl. itunes), bookstores (incl. Amazon [!!!])
My most-used card.

2/19/2012 9:42:13 AM

Anybody got any good CC advice here?

I'm gonna have to dump my Chase BP Visa now that they have switched to suck mode.


I'm looking for something that rewards me for my 2 biggest monthly purchases, Gas and Grocery Stores

no annual fee


I checked out the PenFed Visa thing, might do it, but idk if i wanna pay $15 just to be eligible...


edit: i looked closer at the PenFed card, it's 5 points per dollar spent. What's a point? The only one I saw that was a percentage was the PenFed student card, and i'm not a student anymore so Im not eligible. crap

[Edited on March 1, 2012 at 11:21 AM. Reason : crap]

3/1/2012 11:17:52 AM

It's usually base 10 so I guess you'd get five cents back for every dollar spent on gas/groceries.

3/1/2012 2:40:17 PM

Quote :

"I'm looking for something that rewards me for my 2 biggest monthly purchases, Gas and Grocery Stores no annual fee I checked out the PenFed Visa thing, might do it, but idk if i wanna pay $15 just to be eligible... "

so you're looking some that specifically gives the best cashback on gas and groceries, and PenFed does that with 5% and 3% respectively...but you're not sure you want to pay $15 to join?

Quote :

"it's 5 points per dollar spent. What's a point?"

a point is a cent. redeemable for Visa gift cards, or whatever else you want (don't think they do direct checks though)

Fwiw I selected Veterans of Foreign Wars as the partner organization, and was expecting to have to provide verification like my member # but it never happened. I don't remember if I paid $15, but I would since the card is that good.

I also use the Chase Freedom which does 5% on rotating categories throughout the year. Not quite as good as the PenFed though.

3/1/2012 2:41:03 PM

I applied for the chase freedom card, hope that's a good one.

I was thinking of getting an airline card but no way I'm getting a card w an annual fee. Absurd

3/1/2012 4:46:31 PM

I'm looking into getting a visa (always been an Amex/MC girl) - if anyone has a decent card and would like to "refer" me to get extra pts/miles/whatever, I'd be happy to do that!

3/1/2012 5:39:00 PM

Quote :

"I was thinking of getting an airline card but no way I'm getting a card w an annual fee. Absurd"

I got the Southwest card which came with ~$800 in fare points. The Annual Fee is $70-$80 but you get $50+ worth of points on your anniversary every year, so it's really pretty negligible.

3/1/2012 5:41:43 PM

^^ i got the Citi Thank You visa card recently and its pretty good. 18 months at 0%, 1 point per dollar, no annual fee

3/2/2012 8:01:30 AM

How is 1 pt per dollar "pretty good"?

3/2/2012 2:36:08 PM

I'd say the 18 months at 0% is pretty sweet, and honestly the 1% isn't *that* bad. i noticed when i was getting 5% gas 2% travel and dining and 1% everything else I was getting the vast majority of my rewards on the 1% category. It'd be good to max the other categories at 3-5%, but for me, the 1% was the real money maker.

3/2/2012 6:45:04 PM

PenFed credit card has some high requirements for their platinum card. My credit score is extremely high, as is annual income (go DINKs!). "Too many outstanding loans" and I got turned down. Admittedly, just helped cosign for a family member on an auto loan, and got an auto loan myself, so, I can see their reasoning. Try again in a few years when a few more items are paid off. I'd be curious to hear if others are successful.

For now, I'm not happy with the change in BP Visa terms, but I have a truck with at least a 20 gallon tank, so I'm not in as bad of shape as others getting screwed by the change in terms. I have not paid a penny in interest on card that and I've had it for 5 years now, collecting $2000+ in rewards total (put your bills and float on there, it adds up). Best of luck to others.

[Edited on March 4, 2012 at 6:15 PM. Reason : .]

3/4/2012 6:15:08 PM

chase freedom is great for cash back it is always 1% but certain purchases will be 5% certain times of the year right now money spent at gas stations is 5% cash back. The key to making the cash back thing work in your favor is to pay the balance off every month.

3/4/2012 6:40:30 PM

Quote :

"I'd be curious to hear if others are successful. "

I got one...but I've only got a mortgage and car loan. Similar credit score and half the income though, so who knows.

I did get turned down for the Citi Forward not too long ago, despite a spotless credit report and an 800 credit score. They're citing a credit card that was opened in >15 years ago and written off soon after (i was dumb with money back then)...even though i applied and received an airline rewards card from them in 2006, and it has a spotless record. They said they have a new policy where they consult their internal database in addition to the credit report.

So I just called in and reqested they convert my Citi airline rewards mastercard into a Citi Forward Visa, which they did

3/15/2012 10:49:34 AM

About to sign up for the citi dividend platinum select visa card unless there's something better out there.

Earn $200 cash back after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

3/15/2012 1:22:05 PM

Are you just trying to get the $200, or does it have good $ back?

Quote :

"Unless the offer you received indicates otherwise, you may accumulate a maximum of 300 Dividend Dollars in any calendar year (eligible transactions appearing on your January - December billing statements) payable in checks of $50 increments only upon your request . Dividend Dollars earned on purchases through the Citi Bonus Cash Center are not subject to the $300 calendar year maximum accumulation."

Also is that capped at $300 per year or am I reading it wrong? If you're not going to use it as a primary card, then maybe it won't be an issue.

Did you think about the Citi Forward? More cash back, and I don't see a cap on it.

PenFed?

Or if you're into the rotating 5% thing, how about Chase Freedom? Chase Freedom at least publishes their schedule of categories, doesn't look like the Citi Dividend Platinum Select does that.

3/15/2012 1:41:29 PM

I'm just looking for an easy $200. I already have chase freedom.

3/15/2012 1:56:51 PM

Gotcha, no more low hanging fruit with the $500 deals huh? Gotta climb a little farther up the tree...

3/15/2012 2:04:25 PM

Yeah, the one you posted on the last page was dropped to $200. Keep an eye out.

3/15/2012 2:22:39 PM

Anyone had much experience with cancelling cards and then resigning up for them?
I'm just talking about young cards I only used for sign up bonuses and nothing that would drastically affect my % of available credit used every month.

3/16/2012 11:20:18 AM

Quote :

"Your AMEX Gold? I just got a mailer from them yesterday offering 50k."

Those are normally targeted (non transferable), although from time to time, they do offer 50k sign-up online. havent checked to see if they are doing it now.

3/16/2012 3:28:14 PM

Any good xfer deals going on yet for my pts?

3/16/2012 3:51:17 PM

Nope. Just checked for you 2 days ago. Delta has gone cold for transfer promotions in the last 6 months. I have a good bundle I am waiting to transfer.

3/16/2012 4:14:00 PM

Cool. Thanks. Keep me posted.

3/16/2012 4:18:59 PM

Anyone ever use the yearly Companion Ticket with their Delta Skymiles AMEX card?

3/21/2012 3:19:22 PM

^ No. They suck. By the time you book in the required class, the rate for a single ticket is about the cost of 2 tickets. The companion tickets are a joke.

3/21/2012 3:57:36 PM

Quote :

"Anyone had much experience with cancelling cards and then resigning up for them? I'm just talking about young cards I only used for sign up bonuses and nothing that would drastically affect my % of available credit used every month."

I do it all the time. Some cards are more lenient than others. Generally speaking, it's much harder to do with airline cards nowadays.

[Edited on March 22, 2012 at 9:05 AM. Reason : d]

3/22/2012 9:04:50 AM

So PenFedRewards offers instant e-gift cards to Amazon among other places, but I'm not sure I should use those when I'm getting 5% off through rewards from Amazon...

3/22/2012 12:01:40 PM

bout time for a 2012 thread don't you think?

I haven't ever had a credit card and I don't have much in the way of credit. Any suggestions for a good card to start off with?

The Penfed Platinum rewards card and the Citi Forward card both sound good but I don't know if either of those would be a good one to start off with.

3/22/2012 4:04:38 PM

Anyone have a recommendation for a CC to transfer a balance on? Roughly 15k at 14% is what I'd like to move.

3/22/2012 4:17:21 PM

^If you can pay it off in 1 year, find a nice 0% for 12 months card. There are plenty of those out there right now.

^^I'd go with the Forward. Should be able to get it as long as you have decent income, even with no history.

3/23/2012 10:23:00 AM

!http://slickdeals.net/news/4066208/the-best-of-credit-card-rewards-programs

Quote :

"Dining, Books, Movies, and Music: The Citi Forward [citi.com] Visa offers 5 rewards points on dining and restaurants, books, movies and music and 1 point for everything else. The reason why the offer specifies ‘rewards points’ for this card is because Citi ThankYou points are not as easily redeemable and actually exchange for 6,500 points for $50."

So Citi Forward isn't actually 5%?

3/25/2012 5:58:54 PM

I've been thinking about the Fidelty Retirement Rewards AMEX: http://personal.fidelity.com/products/checking/content/amex_retirement_card.shtml

Anyone have one?

3/25/2012 8:47:58 PM

Quote :

"So Citi Forward isn't actually 5%?"

No. It's just 5x points. Though at 6,500 for $50, it's still about 3.8%.

3/25/2012 11:13:21 PM

^^ 2%, meh

3/26/2012 12:05:29 AM

They have different tiers for the TY network now, depending on which Citi cards you hold. I believe I've mentioned it in this thread before.

I can redeem at $1 = 100 pt, for a true 5% (using the Forward). Hell, they even offer specials each month for $50 GCs for 4,500 pts (for example, Lowe's GCs last month).

The key for me was getting a Citi Premier (that I plan to convert to a Citi Preferred when the annual fee kicks in).

[Edited on March 26, 2012 at 9:29 AM. Reason : p]

3/26/2012 9:26:06 AM

^^If you funnel all non 3%/5% purchases and bills into the 2% that could be pretty big...for me at least

Quote :

"i noticed when i was getting 5% gas 2% travel and dining and 1% everything else I was getting the vast majority of my rewards on the 1% category. It'd be good to max the other categories at 3-5%, but for me, the 1% was the real money maker."

[Edited on March 26, 2012 at 10:32 AM. Reason : ^ cool thx for the info]

3/26/2012 10:32:21 AM

Eh, about 70% of my stuff is already >1% (gas, dining, etc) and I really hate having to switch which card I use, except I go through the extra trouble for chase freedom. Just cancelled the sapphire (which I was going to do by year end anyway) and plan to see if I can get that sweet $500 deal again.

3/26/2012 1:18:00 PM

I love my Chase Freedom card. It just got bumped up to World status and is all bright and shiny now. Automatically includes lost luggage replacement and some other dumb perks. I just use it for cash back. It automatically drafts from my checking.

3/26/2012 1:28:16 PM

Quote :

"Anyone have one?"

I have it, and I save more than when I had 5% on gas/convenience stores/grocery stores and 1.5% on everything else with my other AMEX. Like it was mentioned elsewhere, I spend the majority of my money in the non gas/grocery/pharmacy section, so a 2% flat rate works out better.

I opened a checking account at Fidelity and transfer all the rewards money into my regular checking account every few months.

[Edited on March 26, 2012 at 3:25 PM. Reason : ]

3/26/2012 3:24:46 PM