Is Discover the best card now for rewards (gas in particular)?

[StageLeft]

I got that citicards one a couple of years ago with 5% cash back on gas/grocery/pharmacy, but that card is garbage now. It's like 1% cash back at the most, terrible.

With this 5% Discover card, are there any shenanigans like I have to hit a certain spending limit first or other rubbish? I read on the offer in the mail (first I've ever read) about it being tiered, but I think that's only for regular purchases. It seems the gas 5% cash back kicks in immediately and is unlimited.

 

[Ns1]

Costco/Amex TrueEarnings

3 or 5% on gas for personal card, 1% everywhere, 2% travel, 3% meals, no annual fees

With the business card it's 5% on gas guaranteed

 

[SoulAssassin]

PenFed 5% gas, 2% supermarket, 1.25% everything else

$20 donation to non-profit to join the credit union

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

I called Citi when my card switched to 1% and told them I wanted to cancel because of it and they renewed the % for another year.

That said, Discover has some neat rewards. Their 20% back on purchases at certain malls during the holiday season and their doubling or tripling of rewards used at certain vendors like Lenovo are examples.

 

[Dacalo]

Fry: "Do you take Visa?"
Clerk: "Visa hasn't existed for five hundred years."
Fry: "American Express?"
Clerk: "Six hundred years."
Fry: "Discover Card?"
Clerk: "Hmm...sorry, we don't take Discover."

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Dacalo
Fry: "Do you take Visa?"
Clerk: "Visa hasn't existed for five hundred years."
Fry: "American Express?"
Clerk: "Six hundred years."
Fry: "Discover Card?"
Clerk: "Hmm...sorry, we don't take Discover."

thx was too lazy to search for it

 

[randomlinh]

I don't quite understand the 5% cashback for gas from discover... the operator told me that it's good all the time, not bound to the monthly promo. But I went online after agreeing to it (it was also noted in the mailer w/ my new card, the reason for me calling in the first place) it looks like gas is part of a rotation.. which is completely lame.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
PenFed 5% gas, 2% supermarket, 1.25% everything else

$20 donation to non-profit to join the credit union

I agree on that one. My favorite card!

Also, excellent customer service.

 

[Tooncesthedrivingcat]

My chase cash plus rewards is still 5% on gas, supermarket, and pharmacy.

 

[sciencewhiz]

Originally posted by: Ns1
Costco/Amex TrueEarnings

3 or 5% on gas for personal card, 1% everywhere, 2% travel, 3% meals, no annual fees

With the business card it's 5% on gas guaranteed

I just looked on the amex website and don't see gas mentioned.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Tooncesthedrivingcat
My chase cash plus rewards is still 5% on gas, supermarket, and pharmacy.

Yea but they don;t take new customers for that card. I got in before the cut off date.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: sciencewhiz

Originally posted by: Ns1
Costco/Amex TrueEarnings

3 or 5% on gas for personal card, 1% everywhere, 2% travel, 3% meals, no annual fees

With the business card it's 5% on gas guaranteed

I just looked on the amex website and don't see gas mentioned.

it's not there, it's a new thing, it's in this month's Costco newsletter thing (costco connection?)

I presume you mean for the personal card, because for the business card it's definitely there

 

[alkemyst]

Like other's have said, Discover is good if you can use it.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: Tooncesthedrivingcat
My chase cash plus rewards is still 5% on gas, supermarket, and pharmacy.

Yeah, me too. I'm holding onto that one like a mofo.

Haven't actually applied for the PenFed card but I need to get off my butt and do it. Already have my mortgage with them.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I don't quite understand the 5% cashback for gas from discover... the operator told me that it's good all the time, not bound to the monthly promo. But I went online after agreeing to it (it was also noted in the mailer w/ my new card, the reason for me calling in the first place) it looks like gas is part of a rotation.. which is completely lame.

Does anyone have input on this...?

Thanks so far!

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I don't quite understand the 5% cashback for gas from discover... the operator told me that it's good all the time, not bound to the monthly promo. But I went online after agreeing to it (it was also noted in the mailer w/ my new card, the reason for me calling in the first place) it looks like gas is part of a rotation.. which is completely lame.

AFAIK, they have a "Open Road" card that gives 5% on gas and auto maintenance (with a puny cap of $100 of purchases per month, for a whopping $5 rebate), but the standard Discover card has (usually) quarterly specials where you get 5% on certain types of purchases, again with a cap which has varied depending on the quarter. You have to register for the specials on their site.

For example, February has 5% up to $200 in purchases on restaurants, florists, bookstores, pet stores and candy stores. January-March has 5% on airfares, hotels, cruises, car rentals up to $800 in purchases.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: kranky

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I don't quite understand the 5% cashback for gas from discover... the operator told me that it's good all the time, not bound to the monthly promo. But I went online after agreeing to it (it was also noted in the mailer w/ my new card, the reason for me calling in the first place) it looks like gas is part of a rotation.. which is completely lame.

AFAIK, they have a "Open Road" card that gives 5% on gas and auto maintenance (with a puny cap of $100 of purchases per month, for a whopping $5 rebate), but the standard Discover card has (usually) quarterly specials where you get 5% on certain types of purchases, again with a cap which has varied depending on the quarter. You have to register for the specials on their site.

For example, February has 5% up to $200 in purchases on restaurants, florists, bookstores, pet stores and candy stores. January-March has 5% on airfares, hotels, cruises, car rentals up to $800 in purchases.

So the 5% on gas is not constant? The last thing in the world anybody needs is to play around on a CC website each month registering for junk!

 

[kranky]

If you get the Discover Open Road card, the 5% on gas is always in effect. But it's only for the first $100 in charges per month.

It's the standard generic Discover card that has varying specials.

Go with the PenFed (Pentagon Federal Credit Union) card. No cap, 5% on gas, better rebates on everything else.

 

[StageLeft]

Thanks, pentagon sounds like the ticket!

 

[ScottMac]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
PenFed 5% gas, 2% supermarket, 1.25% everything else

$20 donation to non-profit to join the credit union

:thumbsup:

Ditto

Since many are not part of the Pentagon work crew, you can also get in by joining the National Military Family Assn for US$20.00 the first year (you can drop ofter that and keep your membership in PenFed Credit Union.

PenFed frequently has among the best rates for everything from mortgages to car loans, credit cards ... www.penfed.org

AND ... it's all automatic, credits are applied with no other intervention every month from the previous month .. no phone calls, no "we'll mail you a debit card in $20.00 increments ..." it all just happens.

I love these guys (I don't work for them or know anyone that does)

 

[GTaudiophile]

I my dad has been banking with PenFed for over 20 years at least. He holds them in high regard, up there with USAA.

 

[rh71]

For PenFed, can you just redeem cash/credit back to your account instead of taking their rewards?

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Thanks, pentagon sounds like the ticket!

I joined PenFed a few weeks ago since I work for a defense contractor, and I am loving their customer support! I've already refinanced my car and another loan through them.

I buy a lot of gas and this card should work out well.

Originally posted by: rh71
For PenFed, can you just redeem cash/credit back to your account instead of taking their rewards?

They just credit the $ back to your card.

 

[Mxylplyx]

My AMEX blue cash is pretty damn good, though that PenFed might have it beat.

 

[kranky]

AmEx Blue Cash has better rebates for those with very high levels of spending. For most people, PenFed is better.

Plus, AmEx is in freak-out mode at the moment, cutting credit lines drastically for no obvious reason to customers who have a perfect record. Some customers are checking their account online every day just to be sure tomorrow's purchases will go through, and their credit line wasn't cut or their account frozen for a financial review.

If you depend on your AmEx card, always make sure you have another card with you in case they freeze your account.