Posts
163
Joined
1/10/2014
Location
PA
US
david225
12/21/2017 4:05pm
12/21/2017 4:05pm
Edited Date/Time
12/28/2017 4:03pm
Anyone have a rewards card that they really like? I am looking into getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred card since I do a lot of traveling and eat out frequently. It seems to have a lot of benefits and a pretty good sign on bonus. $95 annual fee, which I assume could be easily paid for in the points that you receive.
One gripe I have with this card (and many others) is that purchases made on gas is not included for the double points. I do a lot of traveling by car, which I'm sure is the case for most moto guys.
One gripe I have with this card (and many others) is that purchases made on gas is not included for the double points. I do a lot of traveling by car, which I'm sure is the case for most moto guys.
I also have a Chase Freedom card since 1991 and use it when their quarterly bonus categories are something I spend a lot on. I put my daughters on it as authorized users to help build their credit and get more points.
The Shop
I had been using a basic Wells Fargo visa through my bank for years and they would give you a measly $20 bucks back every now and then... can't believe I wasted all that time spending money on a card that didn't do anything.
Just my 2 cents
Let me know if you go that way. Chase has an awesome referral program for you and me both.
For gas, I have a grandfathered Amex bluebcash card (no fee) that gets me 5% back on gas and grocery. Amex would have to fight me to get me to give that card up. The new Amex blue cash is still pretty good for gas transactions.
I have about 6 credit cards.
Amazon 5% cash back. No fees unlimited. Use points for amazon purchases.
Pnc cash rewards 4% cash back on fuel, 3 restaurants blah blah caps once you hit $8,000 In a rolling year. my wife is an authorized user. We only use this card for fuel. Once we hit the $8000 cap. We swap to her onc cash rewards that’s I’m an authorized user on. So we get 4% cash back on up to $16,000 in fuel purchases a year. I always offer to pay for gas on moto trips. Everton else cuts me cash for their share etc.
Got a few other cards with no fees that I use. I think we get about 400-1500 a year in cash back rewards from all the usage.
You won’t get shit if you carry balances. You gotta pay these statement balances off monthly. But there’s no Incentive to use cash or debit cards anymore. Credit cards are safer if they’re compromised they give you the money back quick. I’d tour debit is compromised it’s a nightmare to get your money back if they drain your checking and savings.
Be smart get the credit cards to work for you. couple cards I have $30,000 limit on and they will send me promotions all the time for 0% interest for 18 months if I use it with as little as a 1% fee for the transaction. So I built a deck. Took out $5,000. Paid a 1% fee. Cost me $50 to keep that cash. To which I invested it so it has 18 months To make a return for me. I pay minimums until the last month of promotion then pay off the rest. Last time I did this I made about $2300 off my investment. and still purchased a good that I normally woulda purchased with cash.....it’s a great time to make money in America If you take the time to do it. Money is cheap right now. And it can make a solid return for you.
ALSO! I’m a bw3 addict. When giant eagle offers 20 cent fuel perks for $50 gift card I buy about 100-300 worth. (60 cents to 1.40 off a gallon) plus use my 4% cash back card and there are times when I’m not paying a whole lot for fuel. Just gotta be smart about it. It’s kinda fun finding deals too. Maybe I’m wierd. However the fuel perks aren’t the greatest because you gotta exclusively buy stuff from giant eagle. You’re better off with a sams club fuel 5% cash back card over The long run.
If you don't think they don't add up to do it right and do your research, you are sorely mistaken. Wife and I took a 10 daytrip across the planet in March to Toronto, Beijing, Singapore and Indonesia and did it all on points and in First or Business class. Total out of pocket was around $1k for the whole trip in fees.
I just got back from Mexico for 3 days for 3 people with our Airbnb, total out of pocket was around $150 per person after points. That included the Apartment we rented.
If cashback is your thing then go for an Alliant banking card, if travel is your cup of tea, then take Tcannon's advice that CSR card is solid and has great domestic transfer partners.
Here is us on St. Patty's day in the Singapore Airlines Private Room lounge, you can only get into here by flying on the A380 in first class. Yep rocking that $5 Walmart shirt for the $8000 flight that costs me only a few hundred for some fees. Cheers
I'm still relatively young and I've never had a credit card before. So essentially I don't have a credit score, unless my school loan repayments are being reported. It's pretty cool stuff that you are able to gain all of the perks from these rewards by doing it right. That trip to Singapore and Indonesia sounds amazing!
Georgie- you make a great point that paying in cash or debit doesn't make sense anymore. I never really thought about it, but I should have gotten a credit card sooner as I almost always use a debit card to pay for stuff. I never got to reap from the benefits of a rewards card from these previous purchases.
Again, thank you everyone for their inputs!
Also your students loans do count towards your credit. So you've got a credit score, and it ought to be decent so long as you've been making payments (not late)
Pit Row
Top one is my 1.75% cash back card I use everywhere for ourchases other than fuel.
Bottom is fuel (4% cashback) and restaurants (3%) only. $149.59 back in my pocket from fuel purchases and I only opened that card in August.
So you can see why cash isn’t really worth using unless it’s at your local mx shop to wheel n deal. Cash is still king for dirtbike purchases.
Post a reply to: Rewards Credit Cards