How much cashback or points make a credit card worth it for you?

I keep things simple with four cards that I think give good rewards without being a hassle to manage.

AAA Daily Advantage - $280 cashback per year

Chase Prime Visa - $990 cashback per year

Citi Custom Cash (x2) - $520 cashback per year

Venture X - About $1800 in travel points per year

This doesn’t include sign-up bonuses.

I’ve checked out other cards, but if they give me less than $200 a year, I just don’t see the point. What’s the lowest amount of cashback or points you’d need to make a card worth signing up for? Would you go for one if it gave you $200 a year? What about $100?

I’ve been thinking about getting the AAA Daily Advantage card, but I keep hearing bad things about the bank behind it. How long have you had it? Any issues?

Right now, I just use the Wells Fargo Active Cash for a simple 2% back…

@Fifer
Had my AAA Daily for over a year, no problems at all. My partner has had Comenity store cards for years with no trouble either.

AAA Daily is great for us since we get 5% back at our local Walmart and Meijer stores.

@Fifer
Just get it. I waited too long because people kept saying Comenity was bad. I got the card in May and it’s been easy to use, just like any other bank’s app.

Some say you should use the Bread Financial app instead of the website login for a better experience.

I haven’t needed to call customer support, so can’t speak on that, but for 5% at grocery stores and 3% at wholesale clubs, it’s been worth it.

@Fifer
Nothing wrong with keeping it simple with one 2% card. You don’t have to think about categories or juggle multiple cards. Makes life easier.

@Fifer
Had it for a while, and the app makes things super easy. No issues with the bank at all. Highly recommend. One of the few cards that gives more than 2% back at Costco!

@Fifer
Only a few months in, but no issues so far. I mainly wanted a card that gives better than 2% at wholesale clubs, and the 3% gas and 5% groceries were just a nice bonus…

@Fifer
Had it for a month, no complaints.

When I applied, I got the 10-14 day review notice, but it was just for ID verification. They gave me a decent credit limit, and cashback posts as soon as the transaction clears, which is nice.

The only card I’d add to this setup is the Capital One Savor.

For me, a new card has to:

  • Be easy to use without thinking about it all the time
  • Give at least 3% back on something I spend on regularly
  • Not make me change how I spend my money
  • Still be useful even if they nerf it down the road
  • Give better value than a basic 2% card

Right now, the riskiest card I have is the RC, but since I travel for work, it still makes sense for me.

I use the Fidelity 2% cashback card and send the cashback straight to my HSA. Works well for me, and I get about $1800 back per year.

Pace said:
I use the Fidelity 2% cashback card and send the cashback straight to my HSA. Works well for me, and I get about $1800 back per year.

2% is a solid fallback. That’s why I have the Venture X.

@Noble
For me, I’d only switch if I could get 3% back on everything. I don’t want the hassle of managing too many cards.

Free money is always worth it.

These are all solid cards. Surprised you’re not getting more from your AAA Daily Advantage—it should be one of your top earners. If you want to keep things simple, I think you’re already at the point where adding more cards won’t make a big difference.

@Kelley
Mostly because I do a lot of shopping at Costco and Whole Foods. The other cards already cover those categories.

How did you get two Citi Custom Cash cards?

Blayne said:
How did you get two Citi Custom Cash cards?

You can do a product change from a different Citi card, like the Strata Premier.

I’ve watched tons of YouTube videos and read credit card sites, and nobody ever talks about how much money you actually get back. They just say ‘get 3-5% in your top spending categories’—which usually means groceries, gas, dining, and travel—plus a 2% card for everything else.

@Hutton
That’s because those YouTubers make money off referral links for Amex, Chase, and Capital One. If they were honest, they’d recommend a bunch of cards that don’t pay them commissions.