These cards are good for general use and tend to be the most profitable for the average person. I focus on cash back and 1-2 card setups, assuming people will hold onto them long-term.
Venture X - (I recommend this for people wanting more travel perks, not so much cash back.) Assumes no use of transfer partners and just cashing out with travel eraser or to SavorOne at 1cpp.
Bread Rewards Amex - (3% on gas, groceries, utilities, dining, 1% on everything else, +25% cash back if used 20+ times/month, no signup bonus, no foreign transaction fee)
SavorOne - (3% on groceries, dining, entertainment, $200 signup bonus)
AAA Daily Advantage - (5% on groceries, 3% at drugstores, streaming, wholesale clubs, $100 signup bonus, no foreign transaction fee)
Kroger Card - (5% with Apple Pay on $3k/year, $100 signup bonus, no foreign transaction fee). I only recommend this to people spending under $3k/year.
USBAR - (4.5% with Apple Pay uncapped if redeemed for travel only, $750 signup bonus, no foreign transaction fee). Best for high spenders who spend over $7500/year on mobile wallets.
AAA Travel - (5% on gas, 3% on dining, groceries, travel, $100 signup bonus, no foreign transaction fee)
WF Autograph - (3% on dining, gas, transit, travel, phone plans, select streaming, $200 signup bonus, no foreign transaction fee).
I recommend WF Autograph often because it’s great for both cash back and travel, so it’s useful for people who aren’t sure what they need yet. 90+% of people do better with cash back, but this card works well to figure out what’s best for them.
Comenity is so bad that I don’t recommend the AAA cards, even though they seem good on paper. If another financial institution offered those multipliers, they’d be great. Plus, you can only have one, not both.
@Mia
I’ve had the AAA card for six months with no issues using the app for payments, limit increases, or changing due dates. I had more problems with Citi.
Most of the people I recommend cards to are in their early 20s and renting. Without rent, I’d suggest USBAR more. Even without rent, it’s like CSP without the CFU/CFF. Not bad for someone who needs travel insurance but doesn’t want a one-trick card like Altitude Connect.
Citi Custom Cash is stronger for those who use many 5% cards. For people who don’t get many cards, the 1% usage drops the total value.
Vitt said:
I really like the WF Autograph. AAA cards aren’t available in all areas though.
You can apply for AAA cards with any zip code, but you need to enter an applicable one to access the site. I use a Massachusetts zip code, and it works fine.
Kerr said:
Amazon Prime Visa is a must-have for anyone who shops on Amazon regularly and has Prime.
Any $0 annual fee 5% card is great to support an existing setup but not for people who don’t plan on getting many cards.
It’s a good support card but weak on its own. Plus, the $100 Amazon signup bonus is low compared to $100/$200 cash bonuses. I think it should be a 3rd card at the earliest, more like a 4th or 5th.
Kerr said:
Amazon Prime Visa is a must-have for anyone who shops on Amazon regularly and has Prime.
Any branded card is great if you shop there a lot.
But the Amazon card recommendation makes me cringe a bit. Even if you spend $500 on Amazon, it only gives you an extra $10 a month compared to a 3% cash back card. You’re also paying $15/month for Prime, and the best signup bonus is $150.
I’d rather use a 5/24 spot on a card with a bigger bonus or perks that I use every day, not just for 5% back at an online store.
Sterline said: @FALEH
Amazon cards don’t count towards 5/24, for what it’s worth.
It shows up as a personal card on your credit report, so it does count. I don’t think it’s worth it for most people, especially when you can get signup bonuses of $1,000 or more elsewhere.
I pair my Venture X with an Amex Gold. The Amex gives 4% on dining and groceries, and the travel partners overlap by about 90%. The buyer protections on Amex are top-notch too.
Tru said:
I pair my Venture X with an Amex Gold. The Amex gives 4% on dining and groceries, and the travel partners overlap by about 90%. The buyer protections on Amex are top-notch too.
Which one do you like better? I’m thinking of adding one of these but not both at the same time.
@Elaine2
I got the Venture X first because it’s easy to use the $300 portal credit and the TSA pre-check credit right away. The card pays for itself easily. Plus, it gives 2 miles per dollar on all categories, including dining and groceries.