I’m pulling my hair out trying to determine the best simple two-card setup with my USBAR.
I want to use a second card as my primary physical card. I usually spend money on dining out or ordering takeout, along with other random expenses. Right now, I’m pairing it with my CFU.
Since I don’t bank with BoA, I can’t take advantage of their Premium Rewards bonus. I fly domestically most of the time, so VentureX isn’t beneficial for me. I also lack Robinhood or Redstone connections.
I could invest $5,000 into USBank Smartly to increase my cashback from 2% to 2.5%—is that a terrible idea, or am I being naive?
I could go with the Wells Fargo Active Cash, but I spend a lot on dining and takeout.
I’d appreciate any insights or perspectives on whether to stick with CFU or switch to something more optimal. Thanks in advance!
Start by considering where you spend that don’t accept Apple or Google Pay. Common places are sit-down restaurants and online shopping. For those, cards with no annual fees like Capital One Savor, US Bank Altitude Go, Amex Blue Cash Everyday, and Bank of America Customized Cash could work well.
@Tallis
Also consider the WF Autograph and Bilt if you’re open to banking with Wells Fargo.
I find that pairing a restaurant card with USBAR is ideal, as I have Alaska Visa and IHG Premier Mastercard, which complement each other well. I value Alaska miles highly for international redemptions. The IHG card gives me DoorDash benefits and Platinum status while covering their annual fees with rewards from both cards. My USBAR points are used for domestic flights, non-IHG stays, and Lyft rides.
Bilt pairs well especially if you rent, offering 3x dining and 2x travel with no annual fee. If you don’t rent, it might be hard to build points for worthwhile transfers.
Wells Fargo Active Cash now appears to have dropped their $25 minimum redemption if you want something more back-oriented. Just keep in mind it has a foreign transaction fee, but many places abroad accept mobile wallets already.
I know this might be a hot take, but I feel like USBAR is sufficiently strong by itself for travel. The 1 point per dollar is effectively 1.5 when redeemed, and the difference between that and a 2% card is minimal.
After brainstorming, USBAR might be best for those who prefer simplicity and occasional travel. Fewer cards may yield greater value. Here are some simple two-card setups:
USBAR + Bank of America Cash Rewards (if you have online spending where Apple Pay isn’t accepted, but that requires $100k).
USBAR + Bilt (great if you pay rent and gives 3 points for dining).
USBAR + Smartly (if you can get the 4%, though it requires $100k to hold).
USBAR + VentureX to maximize travel perks.
USBAR + US Bank Cash+ or Elan Max for restaurant utilities/needs.
USBAR + Redstone Signature Visa for 5% dining and gas, 3% on wholesale clubs and utilities (if you live nearby places that don’t accept mobile wallets).
I’ve been considering getting a general 2% card as a backup and am thinking about switching from Citi (due to a poor customer service experience) to Amex for a BBP or BBC, though I worry that some places may not accept Amex.
Cash+ lets you choose two categories every quarter to earn 5% cashback on the first $2,000 spent in those categories. Most people use this for utilities and phone bills.
I pair my USBAR with the Wells Fargo Autograph. I use USBAR for most purchases and occasional bills, and I need a physical card for dining out or gas (unless I’m at Costco). WF Autograph gives 3X on dining, gas, phone bill, and has no foreign transaction fees.
For a catch-all card, Fidelity has an uncapped 2% option.
CFU is a Visa and accepted nearly everywhere. It earns 1.5% on most non-mobile payments and 3% at restaurants, making it dependable where mobile pay isn’t accepted. For a straightforward two-card setup, this is an optimal choice.
I’ve been getting 4.5% cashback, which is 0.5% more than Smartly.
I buy plane tickets with it, use the RTR bonus to cover the expense on my account, and then refund the ticket later. If I focused on cashback, I would pair it with the 2% Fidelity card.
Cash+ should be a reliable choice if you have utilities and phone bills since it offers great rewards for those categories.
Redstone is fantastic for residents of TN or AL, providing 5% back on restaurants and gas, which pairs well with USBAR since many restaurants take your card to the terminal and not all gas stations accept mobile payments yet.
Freedom Unlimited is a solid option, with 1.5x where mobile payments aren’t available and 3x at restaurants. However, you’d need a Sapphire Preferred to transfer those into UR points, which can be worthwhile for their bonus and transfer partners.
If you rent, Bilt is a strong choice as it offers access to Hyatt transfers with no annual fee!
And if you spend less than $2,000 on dining each quarter, the US Bank Altitude Go earns 4x—but in that case, the Custom Cash might be a better alternative.
CFU pairs well with USBAR if versatility is what you want. It fits your spending habits nicely, plus it allows you to rack up rewards easily. Wells Fargo Active Cash is another good option, but you’re in a comfortable position with either card.
AMEX Business Gold could work too, offering 4x on dining and pepper app plus bonuses on gift cards for Amazon, Walmart, and more. If you frequently use Walmart, the annual fee could be offset by that along with monthly gift cards from Staples.
I pair my USBAR with my CFF and my wife’s CFU/CSP. It’s excellent for dining out and getting 5% on rotating categories that can help accumulate points for Hyatt.
If most of your non-mobile wallet spending is at restaurants, I recommend the PayPal debit card, which gives 5% cashback on a category you select each month.
If your overall non-mobile wallet spending is low, you might not need to worry about maximizing cashback in that area.