Best rewards credit card?

[SaltyNuts]

Has anyone done any research lately to determine what some of the best rewards credit cards are? I kind of want to get a United Card and get miles, only because I always here about these people getting free trips, but I have no idea if the rewards on other credit cards (cash back or other points) are better.

Thanks!

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Depends on your goals. Are you looking to travel? Do you just want straight cash back? What are your typical daily expenses on?

 

[SaltyNuts]

I don't travel a lot, but some. Straight cash back versus travel miles is a push to me if they are equivalent. For example, if I spend $2,000, and I get $50 cash back or $50 off the price of a plane ticket, I'm fairly indifferent, because once I have enough to get the plane ticket I'll take the vacation.

Daily expenses - convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, Sams/Costco, tons of amazon shopping.

Thanks!

 

[RockinZ28]

There isn't just one. You should have ones to cover different things. Avoid annual fees unless you know you'll be using it enough to make it worth your while, or canceling. The sign up bonuses are very important too. As you can make more in 1 month with an initial bonus than you can in years with rewards points/cashback, depending on your spending.

I carry Chase Freedom, Discover IT, Cap1, Southwest Premier, Amazon rewards, and BofA Cash rewards. Use them all at least once a week for the most part to maximize rewards.

Need that Citi one that does 2% cb I think.

 

[Mutilator]

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/bd-p/creditcard

 

[Riverhound777]

Simple answer is there is no one card to rule them all. I use one card most of the time that has 5% back on Gas/Groceries. I have another that's 2% on everything that I use the rest of the time. I could also easily recommend an amazon card for just amazon purchases. You're not going to find a 5% on everything card.

 

[boomhower]

I'm very happy with the American Express blue cash preferred. 6% at grocery stores, 3% at gas stations and department stores with 1% everywhere else. It does has an annual fee but with the higher percentage at grocery and gas it more than makes it up for me.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I don't travel a lot, but some. Straight cash back versus travel miles is a push to me if they are equivalent. For example, if I spend $2,000, and I get $50 cash back or $50 off the price of a plane ticket, I'm fairly indifferent, because once I have enough to get the plane ticket I'll take the vacation.

Daily expenses - convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, Sams/Costco, tons of amazon shopping.

Thanks!

Points will net you much more with ticket redemptions. Personal example, I just cleared a waitlist for Singapore Air's first class suite that normally is $12,000 for 140,750 points, effectively 8.5 cents per point. Not the norm but typically you'll get 1.5-2.5 cents per point.

With points you have to manage a bunch of loyalty programs with all the airlines and then decide who you would want to transfer it to. Cash you just get money deposited back to you.

Also definitely sign up for cards when they have a promotional sign up bonus. Many of these are once per life time so you can't get it again. That's the easiest way to build up the bulk of your awards.

Off the top of my head, the best cards to get your feet wet would be the Amex Everyday (points) or the Amex Blue Cash and Chase Freedom for Amazon (10% back at the moment but this ends at the end of the year).

 

[velillen]

Like others I use different cards. I have three and call that good enough. I tend to do Amazon gift cards/cash into Amazon account. Can link most directly to my Amazon account.

Chase Amazon card...use it as my main card.

Chase freedom...use it for the 5% back that quarter

Discover it....use it for the 5% of the quarter which often is a bit different tha the Chase freedom.

 

[Exterous]

I don't travel a lot, but some. Straight cash back versus travel miles is a push to me if they are equivalent. For example, if I spend $2,000, and I get $50 cash back or $50 off the price of a plane ticket, I'm fairly indifferent, because once I have enough to get the plane ticket I'll take the vacation.

Daily expenses - convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, Sams/Costco, tons of amazon shopping.

Thanks!

For travel it depends on what airports (and therefore airlines) are near you and where you want to go. The Barclays Arrival+ card is a pretty good card as it gives you 2.1% cash back when redeemed for travel. By far the best part of the card is that you can use it for travel on any airline\hotel\train etc and redeem the points against travel as a statement credit. Usually has a 40k bonus point offer good for $420 towards travel.

If you have specific destinations in mind, check out the flight options and look for an airline card or card that can transfer miles to that airline. For example - if you want to go to Dublin than British Airways Avios can be a great option for flying Aer Lingus to Ireland. Perhaps somewhat paradoxically Avios are not the best way to get to the UK due to their fuel surcharge fees on award tickets. For me here in DTW I can often find better tickets with United to the UK. If I lived near O'hare then AA miles would be easier to book with to go the UK.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Like others I use different cards. I have three and call that good enough. I tend to do Amazon gift cards/cash into Amazon account. Can link most directly to my Amazon account.

Chase Amazon card...use it as my main card.

Chase freedom...use it for the 5% back that quarter

Discover it....use it for the 5% of the quarter which often is a bit different tha the Chase freedom.

I have the exact same cards. I don't travel frequently, so they work perfectly for me. Groceries, Gas, Amazon ... I'm all set! I rotate depending on the % back that quarter.

 

[edro]

Chase Sapphire has 50k points ($500+) for sign up right now.
You need to spend a few grand over 3 months though.

 

[RossMAN]

Points will net you much more with ticket redemptions. Personal example, I just cleared a waitlist for Singapore Air's first class suite that normally is $12,000 for 140,750 points, effectively 8.5 cents per point. Not the norm but typically you'll get 1.5-2.5 cents per point.

With points you have to manage a bunch of loyalty programs with all the airlines and then decide who you would want to transfer it to. Cash you just get money deposited back to you.

Also definitely sign up for cards when they have a promotional sign up bonus. Many of these are once per life time so you can't get it again. That's the easiest way to build up the bulk of your awards.

Off the top of my head, the best cards to get your feet wet would be the Amex Everyday (points) or the Amex Blue Cash and Chase Freedom for Amazon (10% back at the moment but this ends at the end of the year).

^ This, points are far more valuable. If you're set on getting a rebate card, I would recommend the Citi Double Cash here's a nice review.

Chase Sapphire has 50k points ($500+) for sign up right now.
You need to spend a few grand over 3 months though.

^ This as well, what a great offer! Of course you have to find a way to spend $4,000 within 3 months but that's easy with insurance bills, cell phone, utilities, groceries, etc.

https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/sapphire/apply50

$0 Introductory Annual Fee the first year, then $95 per year.

Look at how easy it to earn points and the great card benefits including return protection, price protection, baggage delay, etc. Yes other cards offer these features as well but the 50,000 points makes it very lucrative.

Points > $$$

 

[DaWhim]

cap 1 spark for me with 2% cashback for me. i don't bother with the rest.

 

[rh71]

Citi Double Cash since I'm not into proactively managing it every quarter or deal with points. 2% cash for being lazy is perfectly sweet.