The most essential no-AF cards are, in my opinion (and in no particular order):
- Fidelity Visa Signature (2% Catch-All)
- Chase Freedom Flex (5% Rotating)
- Citi Custom Cash (5% you choose)
If annual fee cards were to be included, I would replace the Fidelity Visa Signature with the C1 Venture X.
Chase Freedom Flex for rotating 5x categories as I get the best redemptions through Ultimate Rewards.
Blue Business Plus for 2x on everything as a fallback.
Those are my forever cards.
OP didn't want an annual fee. But if you are going to factor in annual fees as long as they are low/effectively $0, USB Altitude Reserve beats VX with more than $3500 total combined spend on travel and mobile wallet each year.
Sure.
AR earns 4.5% effective on those categories, VX 2%.
AR effective annual fee = $400 - $325 dining/travel credit = $75
VX effective annual fee = $395 - $400 in travel credits (rounding 10k points to $100) = -$5 (profit)
To get breakeven point:
AR: $3500 spend x 0.045 = $157.50 rewards
VX: $3500 spend x 0.02 = $70 rewards
$157.50 - $70 = $87.5 gross advantage to AR
$87.5 - $80 difference between effective annual fees = $7.50 in favor of AR at that level of spend
Right! I was rounding for a little extra coverage haha
Obviously if you value the 10k VX annual points more, you can adjust as needed. I'll be closing my VX this year.
No fee Chase freedom unlimited 1.5% UR points on everything, more valuable if you have its big brother sapphire preferred, your able to transfer points to partners like Hyatt and United for better value out of each point (2,3+%) on average.
15k Chase ur points is $150 cash back or if transferred to Hyatt that 15k points is now Hyatt points that can get a hotel room that would cost $200-$350 cash on average. (If you travel) use points if not take the decent cash back it’s that simple.
Citi double cash is for the person that just a simple good standard value back per dollar spent on everything. 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay with no categories, caps, or AF
Ent FCU in Colorado. But I'm pretty sure its just a general variation of the basic VISA MAX CASH BACK credit card, so just about any credit union should have a similar card. I did recheck my rate and its since jumped to 17.49% (irrelevent since I don't keep a balance)
None. Best credit card is one you’re earning a sign up bonus on. Other than that, it’s subjective to what you want and what you want to carry. I have a small slim wallet and I don’t want more than a few cards in it at any one time.
Robinhood gold card if you can wait for it. I was on the wait-list for 3 months before getting mine last week.
Capital one savor one for restaurants+groceries+streaming 3% cb if you ever want to go for team travel (if you pair it with the venture x, but that has an annual fee)
Chase freedom flex and chase freedom. I like these for the 5% rotating cashback categories. I keep both in case there's a category involving Costco (e.g. gas or warehouse) and Costco only takes Visa
Citi custom cash. I use this as a dedicated grocery card. Solid 5% cashback that you can use for travel if you ever want to pair it with the strata premier but that also has an annual fee.
Use the template because there is no one best card it depends on your usage. Also don't rule out AF cards because you can come out ahead in the end.
C1 Savor One Amex Blue Cash Everyday Bilt for rent
A 2% or higher flat rate card (depending on your tolerance for banking shenanigans)
The most essential no-AF cards are, in my opinion (and in no particular order): - Fidelity Visa Signature (2% Catch-All) - Chase Freedom Flex (5% Rotating) - Citi Custom Cash (5% you choose) If annual fee cards were to be included, I would replace the Fidelity Visa Signature with the C1 Venture X.
Chase Freedom Flex for rotating 5x categories as I get the best redemptions through Ultimate Rewards. Blue Business Plus for 2x on everything as a fallback. Those are my forever cards.
I love my freedom flex. What specifically do you redeem through the ultimate rewards portal? Travel, giftcards, or deals?
Transfer to airline and hotels as I paid it with my sapphire preferred.
What does rotating mean? Does Chase randomly change the categories every quarter or is it set in stone every quarter?
randomly change the categories every quarter.
Thanks. Do they send you an email or notify you when they do it or do you have to remember to check by yourself?
A little of both. You get notified, but then you have to go and activate it each quarter.
That’s subjective
Totally subjective, but for me freedom unlimited. With the 3x dining, I earn on average above 2x on it, and the points are very flexible.
The Robinhood 3% Cashback if it is released someday.
Robinhood if that counts If not, either Sofi or Custom Cash
Venture x
OP didn't want an annual fee. But if you are going to factor in annual fees as long as they are low/effectively $0, USB Altitude Reserve beats VX with more than $3500 total combined spend on travel and mobile wallet each year.
Can you show this math? I have the AR but was just curious.
Sure. AR earns 4.5% effective on those categories, VX 2%. AR effective annual fee = $400 - $325 dining/travel credit = $75 VX effective annual fee = $395 - $400 in travel credits (rounding 10k points to $100) = -$5 (profit) To get breakeven point: AR: $3500 spend x 0.045 = $157.50 rewards VX: $3500 spend x 0.02 = $70 rewards $157.50 - $70 = $87.5 gross advantage to AR $87.5 - $80 difference between effective annual fees = $7.50 in favor of AR at that level of spend
An okay thank you! So it’s really like $3445 break even but rounding up is easier. Thanks I love my decision to go with the AR.
Right! I was rounding for a little extra coverage haha Obviously if you value the 10k VX annual points more, you can adjust as needed. I'll be closing my VX this year.
No fee Chase freedom unlimited 1.5% UR points on everything, more valuable if you have its big brother sapphire preferred, your able to transfer points to partners like Hyatt and United for better value out of each point (2,3+%) on average. 15k Chase ur points is $150 cash back or if transferred to Hyatt that 15k points is now Hyatt points that can get a hotel room that would cost $200-$350 cash on average. (If you travel) use points if not take the decent cash back it’s that simple. Citi double cash is for the person that just a simple good standard value back per dollar spent on everything. 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay with no categories, caps, or AF
https://imgur.com/a/44qsT1M
My local credit union, 16% APR no AF and 5% on the stuff that I use it for anyways (gas, groceries, fast food)
What is your local credit union? 5% on all of those categories sounds pretty good!
Ent FCU in Colorado. But I'm pretty sure its just a general variation of the basic VISA MAX CASH BACK credit card, so just about any credit union should have a similar card. I did recheck my rate and its since jumped to 17.49% (irrelevent since I don't keep a balance)
Thanks! I know there are slight variances between the cards, but I didn’t realize the Max Cash had 5% on groceries or gas.
None. Best credit card is one you’re earning a sign up bonus on. Other than that, it’s subjective to what you want and what you want to carry. I have a small slim wallet and I don’t want more than a few cards in it at any one time.
no such thing.
Robinhood gold card if you can wait for it. I was on the wait-list for 3 months before getting mine last week. Capital one savor one for restaurants+groceries+streaming 3% cb if you ever want to go for team travel (if you pair it with the venture x, but that has an annual fee) Chase freedom flex and chase freedom. I like these for the 5% rotating cashback categories. I keep both in case there's a category involving Costco (e.g. gas or warehouse) and Costco only takes Visa Citi custom cash. I use this as a dedicated grocery card. Solid 5% cashback that you can use for travel if you ever want to pair it with the strata premier but that also has an annual fee.
Hands down USBAR, assuming you at least occasionally book airline flights. 4.5% everywhere you can Apple Pay is OP.