@Caius
I use portals for bookings, and they count as online shopping. Same for planes.
Winslow said:
@Caius
I use portals for bookings, and they count as online shopping. Same for planes.
Through the BofA portal?
@Winslow
I do something similar but with a USBank card for 5% on utilities.
Apple stuff - Apple Card
Groceries and gas - BCP
Non-category - Venture X
Dining & entertainment - SavorOne
Rotating categories - Discover & CFF
Amex Offers - Amex Everyday
Pretty useless - CFU
Dacey said:
Apple stuff - Apple Card
Groceries and gas - BCP
Non-category - Venture X
Dining & entertainment - SavorOne
Rotating categories - Discover & CFF
Amex Offers - Amex Everyday
Pretty useless - CFU
Haha, I have some useless credit cards too. Any plans to close them? I’ve heard they stay relevant for ten years after closing, but I learned that today and would take it with a grain of salt. Some of your cards make total sense to me, but I’m not too familiar with others. What percentages do you get per category, and do any have notable annual fees?
@Benn
I’ll probably keep it open in case I want to upgrade it later. It’s easy to maintain just with one subscription on it, as I have another Chase card that keeps my login simple.
Most of my spending is on the VX and BCP, which are my only cards with fees: $395 and $95, respectively.
@Dacey
It’s great you can convert your card! I didn’t understand how credit cards worked initially, so I set up a secured credit card with a local bank, and it upgraded to a normal credit card with no perks or upgrade options. I guess I have to stick with it a while longer.
@Benn
My first card was one of those. I closed it once I got real cards.
@Benn
What you shared makes my heart feel happy. I’m 36 and wasn’t taught about credit, which led to bankruptcy in my 20s. I understand its importance and want to teach my son differently. I’m proud of your journey so far; keep up the great work.
Dacey said:
Apple stuff - Apple Card
Groceries and gas - BCP
Non-category - Venture X
Dining & entertainment - SavorOne
Rotating categories - Discover & CFF
Amex Offers - Amex Everyday
Pretty useless - CFU
If you use the BCP as the default card for Apple Store purchases instead of your Apple Card, you’ll earn 6% back on those purchases (including subscriptions & IAPs). You’ll also get 6% from the Google store if you go through BCP.
@Bryce
I’m aware. I’m just trying to keep that card for now. I currently have a $9.99 AppleCare+ subscription on it. Not too worried about a yearly loss of around $3.50, but if I close my Apple Card, that’ll move over.
Gas - Citi Custom Cash OR Citi Costco Anywhere
Dining - Capital One SavorOne OR Citi Custom Cash
Grocery - Capital One SavorOne
Costco - US Bank Shopper Cash (until I can switch to USBAR; I get 3% instead of 2% back with Citi Costco)
Online - US Bank Shopper Cash (I plan to get BCE and swap this for USBAR once the annual fee kicks in)
Utilities - US Bank Cash+
Travel - Amex Platinum
Apple Pay - Apple Card if I can’t get better deals elsewhere, as I don’t have a catch-all card yet.
I need a solid catch-all card, likely the Schwab Investor Card (don’t judge me).
Default - Apple Pay with USBAR
If the restaurant doesn’t accept Apple Pay, I use the BILT
I also put my rent on BILT
Payments for Amazon go on the Amazon card, but we’re phasing out Amazon use because Prime isn’t as good as it once was, and the cost keeps increasing
If I’m at a grocery store that doesn’t accept Apple Pay, I use SavorOne
If the store I’m at doesn’t accept Apple Pay, I opt for Venture X
I drive an electric vehicle, so having a gas card isn’t necessary since most gas stations and all EV stations in my area accept Apple Pay.
I also prefer BILT points over Capital One points. That’s why I use my BILT card for restaurants instead of SavorOne, due to Hyatt being a transfer partner for BILT.
@Vernon
Where will you shop after you move away from Amazon? It’s so convenient during Prime Days, along with third-party price trackers like Keepa. Sometimes I buy odd things that aren’t available on eBay, like overseas LiPO4 batteries. Have you found using mobile wallets a lot? I personally haven’t tried it yet.
@Benn
It’s tough to go completely without Amazon, but we’re attempting to buy more in-person or directly from manufacturers, unless there’s a significant price disparity. Some items are tricky to find, but I’m uncertain if that justifies the cost.
Regarding mobile wallets, I live in an area that accepts mobile payments nearly everywhere (SoCal). I used mobile payments a lot before getting the USBAR card. It’s super convenient via my Apple Watch and safer than giving my card info to strangers. I love it.
@Vernon
You make it sound wonderful! I’ll keep that in mind. I have a smartwatch, but it hinders my work since it messes up the terminal while trying to checkout. I haven’t set up mobile payment yet, and it’s unfortunate I can’t wear it during work for that reason.
You can also find competitors like Target where you don’t need a membership to shop and can likely price-match—though I’m not much of a shopper, and going out can be a hassle. Shopping in person does offer better quality control, however.
I use a rotation of 5% no annual fee cards
5% on groceries with AA Daily Advantage
3x for restaurants, 1x for rent, 2x on streaming (on rent day), Bilt points transfer to Hyatt for about 2cpp
5% on transit with Citi Custom Cash
5% for non-category purchases through Apple Pay at Kroger (up to $3k/year)
5x with Freedom Flex in case it’s ever useful
5% for utilities, TV, Internet, and Cable with US Bank Cash+
4% for travel, insurances, and fees with US Bank Altitude Connect (the fee is waived with Smartly checking)
I’m not convinced that my Bilt 3x dining rewards are better than 5% on average, even with the best transfer partner (Hyatt), but it helps me hit my monthly charge minimum.
I’ve been rebuilding since last October.
Savor One: for groceries, dining, and entertainment
WF Autograph: for travel
Quicksilver secured: catch-all
US Bank Cash Plus secured: utilities, Internet, phone, and streaming
@Marston
Oh, what happened before October?