I second the Starwood Amex. We have one for the last 4-5 years and it is awesome. A couple years ago we took a trip to Italy and Greece and stayed completely on Starwood points from our Amex. We use it for everything.

Also, I believe Amex has a superb reputation when it comes to fraud protection and customer service. That's been our personal experience as well.

There are some businesses where I can't use it, but have a Visa as a backup.

Starwood AMEX is considered the best card out there. Guess it helps if you stay at Starwood properties and get the bonus rewards and also that you use the AMEX rewards at Startwood resorts. There are a ton of hotels out there that qualify though.

AMEX is the best card for consumers. (I don't work for them but I should!) If you have a problem with a purchase or any charge, they handle it. Visa, MC and Discover mostly side with the merchant.

Unless it is a very small business, I tend to think that any company that doesn't take AMEX thinks it is then easier to get away with crappy work. Once they accept AMEX, they know they won't be paid if their work is not good.

Anonymous wrote:I have had the Fidelity AmEx for several years now. It has offered 2 percent cash back on everything with no limitations for the entire time. The only catch is that you have to have a Fidelity account -- this is one way that they have of drawing in customers. I already had my investment accounts with Fidelity, so was fine with that.

We have this, too. The 2% goes into Fidelity 529 accounts that we opened just for this purpose. The money really adds up, and it's a great way to get free money for college.

I have had the Fidelity AmEx for several years now. It has offered 2 percent cash back on everything with no limitations for the entire time. The only catch is that you have to have a Fidelity account -- this is one way that they have of drawing in customers. I already had my investment accounts with Fidelity, so was fine with that.

Anonymous wrote:Op here: Does anyone know of a better card than 2 percent cash back that remains stable over time?

All credit card companies are playing game. They offer you 3 to 5% cash back. When you use them a lot, they pretend to offer you a better type of credit card and drop the cash back. Even you ask them to stay with your current card, they will not allow you. They believe most people will stay with them regardless what they did. You guess what I did. I dropped them and never go back to the company.

Op here: Does anyone know of a better card than 2 percent cash back that remains stable over time?

Amex rewards are among the crappiest. I never use mine.

Most, not all. I use my AmEx as my primary card because of the cash back program, but a few times a year will have to use my Visa because the business doesn't take AmEx.

Do most businesses take American Express these days? I have a Visa card through Bank of America and they offer a 1 percent cash back program. I am looking to switch to fidelity, with their American Express card,, which offers a 2 percent cash back program, which will save us a couple hundred bucks a year more.