Comments on: The Best Cash Back Credit Card – If I Could Only Pick Just One http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/ Personal Finance Beyond Credit Cards and Balance Transfers Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:40:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Laura http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-100201 Laura Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:08:21 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-100201 As a former Washington Mutual customer who was switched to a Chase checking account, I actually walked into a Chase bank last week and got a sales pitch on the Chase Freedom card. There was no mention of cash back, just point rewards, which I don't prefer because they get all convoluted. I've had Amex Blue for years and prefer the straightforwardness of it. If you use your main credit card constantly as I do, you will not have a problem hitting the $6,500 threshold. And though you only get your cash rebate once a year, it comes out to hundreds of dollars - a large amount you will actually notice. I'll just stick with their card. As a former Washington Mutual customer who was switched to a Chase checking account, I actually walked into a Chase bank last week and got a sales pitch on the Chase Freedom card. There was no mention of cash back, just point rewards, which I don’t prefer because they get all convoluted. I’ve had Amex Blue for years and prefer the straightforwardness of it. If you use your main credit card constantly as I do, you will not have a problem hitting the $6,500 threshold. And though you only get your cash rebate once a year, it comes out to hundreds of dollars – a large amount you will actually notice. I’ll just stick with their card.

]]> By: Ken http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-99900 Ken Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:49:12 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-99900 Chase Freedom Card is now dropping the 3% cash back, for 1 point a dollar and 1 point a purchase which means they are cutting cash back to less than 1.5%. Said in big envelope with pretty pictures in letter that this was a better program. I understand they are slashing what they give back, so I slashed up the card and went back to using Amex cash back card. Chase Freedom Card is now dropping the 3% cash back, for 1 point a dollar and 1 point a purchase which means they are cutting cash back to less than 1.5%. Said in big envelope with pretty pictures in letter that this was a better program. I understand they are slashing what they give back, so I slashed up the card and went back to using Amex cash back card.

]]> By: Dennis J http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-99744 Dennis J Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:34:32 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-99744 My Discover Open Road card is dropping the 5% Cashback bonus effective January 2010. They will change to 2% Cashback Bonus. They say flexible redemption options starting at just $20.00. But they make me wait until I have $50.00. No explanation! I really believe they recanted what they offered to me. My Discover Open Road card is dropping the 5% Cashback bonus effective January 2010. They will change to 2% Cashback Bonus. They say flexible redemption options starting at just $20.00. But they make me wait until I have $50.00. No explanation! I really believe they recanted what they offered to me.

]]> By: Mark http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-97503 Mark Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:18:46 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-97503 There's a big gotcha with Amex Blue Cash for 5% cash back on gas, groceries, and drug stores: the retailer must self-identify as one of those categories, otherwise Amex will credit at the lower 1.25% rate (down from 1.5% last year). I've found that many gas and grocery stores do not properly self-identify, which can significantly lower your benefit. This caveat, coupled with the $6,500 threshold and that you must wait until the end of your billing year to get the credit has caused me to switch back to a Capital One no-hassles reward Visa, which credits a flat 1.25% on all purchases. I am considering a dedicated gas card, though, to re-capture more of my gas money. There’s a big gotcha with Amex Blue Cash for 5% cash back on gas, groceries, and drug stores: the retailer must self-identify as one of those categories, otherwise Amex will credit at the lower 1.25% rate (down from 1.5% last year). I’ve found that many gas and grocery stores do not properly self-identify, which can significantly lower your benefit. This caveat, coupled with the $6,500 threshold and that you must wait until the end of your billing year to get the credit has caused me to switch back to a Capital One no-hassles reward Visa, which credits a flat 1.25% on all purchases. I am considering a dedicated gas card, though, to re-capture more of my gas money.

]]> By: Ken http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-93821 Ken Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:24:25 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-93821 Having used both Chase and Amex I like the simplicity of getting back cash from Chase whenever I hit the $50 worth of rebates (about every three months) while Amex will only do this once a year. (a long wait indeed). Having used both Chase and Amex I like the simplicity of getting back cash from Chase whenever I hit the $50 worth of rebates (about every three months) while Amex will only do this once a year. (a long wait indeed).

]]> By: kaline http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-93636 kaline Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:38:15 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-93636 Discover has a credit card that gives 5% cash back for gas. Discover has a credit card that gives 5% cash back for gas.

]]> By: orourke http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-86913 orourke Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:47:19 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-86913 Chase has changed their terms for the Freedom Card. They are no longer giving cash rebates for gas purchases as a credit against the next months bill. They are going to the "points" method. I'm canceling my account and moving to either Discover or American Express I think. Chase has changed their terms for the Freedom Card. They are no longer giving cash rebates for gas purchases as a credit against the next months bill. They are going to the “points” method. I’m canceling my account and moving to either Discover or American Express I think.

]]> By: John http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-76352 John Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:40:35 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-76352 Is American Express accepted in as many retail stores as Visa or MC cash cards? I signed up for an Amex Blue Cash card but have not activated the card yet. If I can't use it everywhere "I want to be," the savings won't be as great. Thanks in advance for any feedback from current Amex Blue Cash card users. Is American Express accepted in as many retail stores as Visa or MC cash cards? I signed up for an Amex Blue Cash card but have not activated the card yet. If I can’t use it everywhere “I want to be,” the savings won’t be as great. Thanks in advance for any feedback from current Amex Blue Cash card users.

]]> By: Robin http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-72743 Robin Sun, 24 May 2009 16:29:50 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-72743 Chase Freedom is canceling their 3% promotion (at least for some people). They canceled mine as of July 1 but not my husband's. Probably because I utilitized the rewards more than he did. Chase Freedom is canceling their 3% promotion (at least for some people). They canceled mine as of July 1 but not my husband’s. Probably because I utilitized the rewards more than he did.

]]> By: Ken Jones http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-21609 Ken Jones Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:34:08 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-21609 First I want to thank you for all of your research. Discover Cards sent me an offer for their new (I think) discover More card with additional cash back features, but when comparing it to my AMEX Blue it seems lacking. I have a Chase Card and have not used it in months. It seems from your figures that I might want to switch use to Chase. I buy about $400 or more worth of gas per month. Where do they cap your cash back in a catagory? Should I charge amounts over that on a different card? Thanks, Ken First I want to thank you for all of your research. Discover Cards sent me an offer for their new (I think) discover More card with additional cash back features, but when comparing it to my AMEX Blue it seems lacking. I have a Chase Card and have not used it in months. It seems from your figures that I might want to switch use to Chase. I buy about $400 or more worth of gas per month. Where do they cap your cash back in a catagory? Should I charge amounts over that on a different card?
Thanks, Ken

]]> By: Raymond http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-20310 Raymond Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:34:42 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-20310 Kyle, I'm fairly certain Whole Goods counts as a grocery store for higher credit card reward purchase category purposes. Such places like Trader Joe's would be included as well. Only warehouse clubs like Costco's, BJ's, and Sam's Clubs would not be part of the supermarket category. Kyle,

I’m fairly certain Whole Goods counts as a grocery store for higher credit card reward purchase category purposes. Such places like Trader Joe’s would be included as well. Only warehouse clubs like Costco’s, BJ’s, and Sam’s Clubs would not be part of the supermarket category.

]]> By: kyle http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-20308 kyle Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:29:52 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-20308 Does Whole Foods count as a "grocery"? Seems obvious that it should, but, in looking over my statement, I'm not quite sure that it does. Anyone know? Does Whole Foods count as a “grocery”? Seems obvious that it should, but, in looking over my statement, I’m not quite sure that it does. Anyone know?

]]> By: Jon http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-17855 Jon Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:57:38 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-17855 How does the Advanta Platinum Business Card compare to the Chase Freedom card? How does the Advanta Platinum Business Card compare to the Chase Freedom card?

]]> By: Gregory http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-17153 Gregory Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:32:15 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-17153 Thanks for the great comparison. Chase now does the top 5 categories for those cardholders with Chase Checking accounts. Do you think that expands the difference between the two cards for the lower spender (advantage Freedom). Or do you think it is mainly a marketing scheme, because most mid to higher spenders will probably hit the $12 bonus cap solely in the top 3 categories? Thanks for the great comparison. Chase now does the top 5 categories for those cardholders with Chase Checking accounts. Do you think that expands the difference between the two cards for the lower spender (advantage Freedom). Or do you think it is mainly a marketing scheme, because most mid to higher spenders will probably hit the $12 bonus cap solely in the top 3 categories?

]]> By: Alex http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/comment-page-1/#comment-17087 Alex Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:59:17 +0000 http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-best-cash-back-credit-card-if-i-could-only-pick-just-one/#comment-17087 I see...and once you reached to the second $200 (so I guess $400 total), then you added in another $50? I see…and once you reached to the second $200 (so I guess $400 total), then you added in another $50?

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