Recommendation for a Credit Card with Rewards

**Chipper** · 07-14-2010, 07:45 PM

Just to put everyone at rest:
1) I always pay off in full every month
2) I try to be VERY mindful that people often spend more even when they pay the card off each month.

Nonetheless, there are things that I purchase with credit cards, particularly things that are hard to buy otherwise (ex. airplane tickets).

I am currently enrolled in school and would like to pay tuition and books by credit card. Hey, why not get the rewards if I'm going to spend the money.

Does anybody have any recommendations on a card that would good to get rewards. I cant think of a specific "reward" I would want to get, so probably one that gives you a percentage back would be best.

TIA!

**Mom2-3** · 07-14-2010, 07:52 PM

I love my Amex. I use it for everything and once a year I receive a check that I can deposit

I also have a Visa card with rewards in case the merchant doesn't take Amex.

**Chipper** · 07-14-2010, 08:17 PM

Oops -- perhaps I needed to be more specific. The link below was one that has some suggestions, but was wondering if anybody has a card with a specific bank, airline, etc that they find helpful. Pretty much my goals are:
* No annual fee
* Since I pay off each month, interest rate doesn't matter
* Probably the best method is where they either credit the account or send a check.

Since I haven't posted enough on the forums yet (shame on me!) -- need to show the link like so:

www dot creditcards dot com forwardslash reward dot php

**Saule** · 07-14-2010, 09:47 PM

I've had a Discover card for a number of years. You get 1% back, with 5% on specific categories each month. Last month was groceries, I used it everywhere. This month is gas, yes, I'm filling up. One year they had medical expense, both I and hubby needed root canals, I think I maxed out on the reward!

You get the rebate, which you can get as a check or buy gift cards/ecertificates. They also have shopping through the card's website. I got 20% rebate on flowers I ordered for my sister from ProFlowers, which is where I usually order flowers from, same price as if I went there directly.

No fee. Some merchants don't take it, all the larger ones seem to. In my area a couple of dollar stores only take Discover. I also pay off every month in full, it's been fine for me.

**mndtrp** · 07-14-2010, 10:00 PM

This thread has a lot of info, but the first several posts, including summary, is very helpful.

What Credit Card Should I Get ? FAQ

I have a Chase card, for what it's worth.

**frugalwarrior2** · 07-14-2010, 10:16 PM

You need to put the Dave Ramsey class on that credit card.
People who use CC spend on average 12% more per purchase. Anything can be purchased via debit card that can be purchased by CC if you have the money.

**Mom2-3** · 07-14-2010, 10:29 PM

Personally I spend less using a credit card than I do cash. I feel like cash is "fun" money, but if I have to subtract that amount (using credit card) from my checking account I think twice. To each his own tho.

**Saule** · 07-14-2010, 10:46 PM

I'm a bit the same - cash seems to melt away, but credit purchases
I remember and consider. And, frankly, it's safer not to carry much cash around.

**Telephus44** · 07-15-2010, 12:40 PM

I feel the same way about cash vs. plastic. If I want to eat lunch out, I'll just charge $7. If I want to pay cash, the ATM dispenses $20's - and then once I have some $$ in my pocket, it's a lot easier to stop and grab a coffee, hit up the vending machine at work, just check out Target for a few minutes - and it's gone.

It's not the highest rate, but I have a Capitol One card that pays me 1.25% cash back. I know there's a million horror stories about them, but I've had to deal with customer service several times (missing wallet, defective merchandise purchased that I couldn't resolve with the merchant, moved and got a late fee because of slow mail forwarding) and they have always been wonderful to work with.

**frugalwarrior2** · 07-15-2010, 03:03 PM

No telephus I said debit not atm. Debit has a credit card logo but takes it specifically out of your checking acct in that amt. That's what they say debit or credit for.

**Darlene** · 07-15-2010, 04:16 PM

Fan of Discover here and it's excepted everywhere I shop, I hardly ever use cash.

Saule, I wonder if they have different things be the 5% at different times depending on where you live, last month it was:
Home Improvement Stores
Department Stores
Clothing Stores

July-Sept is Gas, Hotels, Movies, and Theme Parks
Sept is Grocery & Drug Stores

**Michelle** · 07-15-2010, 07:04 PM

I agree with the Capital One suggestion

**Saule** · 07-15-2010, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Darlene

Fan of Discover here and it's excepted everywhere I shop, I hardly ever use cash.

Saule, I wonder if they have different things be the 5% at different times depending on where you live, last month it was:
Home Improvement Stores
Department Stores
Clothing Stores

July-Sept is Gas, Hotels, Movies, and Theme Parks
Sept is Grocery & Drug Stores

Oops, you're right. I also have the Discover Road for gas and car repairs, it's 5% all the time on those, and has 5% on other stuff only a couple of times a year. Groceries was on that one.

**druthb00** · 07-16-2010, 08:48 AM

My Chase Freedom (VISA) doesn't have an annual fee and it's similar to the Discover More cards that offer 5% in certain categories each quarter. The regular rate is 1% and I put my rent on it each month. Every 2 months I use it to "pay myself back." You can apply the amount you've earned to any purchase within the prior 3 month's statements. Or you can have them send you a check if you don't want the money applied to the card. You can also shop at their Ultimate Rewards store and get gift cards, hotel rooms, plane tickets, silverware lol...whatever you want.

My AmEx Blue (no annual fee) isn't my favorite, simply because not everyone takes AmEx since their merchant fees are ridiculous.

I will be canceling my Capital One Platinum (MC) shortly, they just imposed a $45 annual fee and they don't offer rewards.

I also have a Citi Forward (VISA) card that I do like, that uses points (no annual fee). They offered a big point bonus just for using the card for a certain amount ($300 I think?) in the first 3 months, and then another bonus for signing up for paperless statements. Just doing that I ended up with (2) $25 Visa gift cards in a matter of a month or two. You also get 300 points every month you pay on time, so that's free points each month.

**frugalgram** · 07-16-2010, 11:34 AM

I use my discover card for all the purchases I can. I wrap a piece of paper around my card in my wallet with a running tally of my purchases on one side . The other side has categories of spending I track. i start off the billing cycle with a budget and stick to it so I control and assess my spending. It works for me to keep me aware of my goals. I also pay off my card fully each month and get gift card rewards to use toward my holiday purchases.