We have Citi Double Cash (2% on everything) and Am Ex Blue Preferred, which is groceries and also 3% on gas and department stores (a rapidly shrinking category, but we do use it for Nordstrom still!)

I was thinking of opening the Alliant card solely for tax payments (since the fees are less for federal or the same for local as the 2.5% so it would give us some additional flexibility). Interesting to hear the customer service note--do you have problems with the use of the card itself, or just if you have to call to ask about something? (I can probably deal with the latter, but don't have time to waste with the former.)

Alliant Credit union has 3% cash back for the first year 2.5% for the second. (Customer service is terrible though, but if you can stomach that and you charge a lot, you can earn a lot.)

I love love love the Fidelity Visa cards. 2% cash back that's deposited directly into an IRA or 529.

We've been using these for years, and now have thousands of free $$ in 529s. (We have separate MD 529s that we contribute directly to.)

Chase is the #1 Wall Street funder of tar sands -- one of the dirtiest fossil fuels on the planet. Their investments in the tar sands sector directly result in human rights abuses and environmental disasters.

https://www.ran.org/press-releases/jpmorgan_chase_exposed_as_1_wall_street_funder_of_extreme_fossil_fuels_as_climate_activists_are_arrested_deploying_3_story_banner_at_bank_s_nyc_hq/

Anonymous wrote:Chase Sapphire Reserve

Nothing else is really all that close.

What rewards do you get with this one?

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Nothing else is really all that close.

Anonymous wrote:I have been enjoying the Chase Amazon Prime card. If you are already an Amazon Prime member, you get 5% back on Amazon purchases, 2% back on gas/restaurants/drugstores, and 1% back on everything else. If you're not a Prime member, you still get 3% back on Amazon purchases along with the 2% and 1% as above.

For the rewards you can have them cut you a check, but you can also have the amount applied to your Amazon account and use it there. We use the card a LOT and we also use Amazon a lot.

This is what we've had for years, although now that we're making real salaries there may be a better option. I always liked how the cash back showed up on your Amazon check out page and made it easy to use the rebate. I wasn't like airline miles expiring or having to request a check. It's not very exciting, though. I used last month's rebate on toilet paper and paper towels.

Anonymous wrote:

Amex Blue Cash Preferred for groceries and gas. There's a $95 annual fee, but if you're a family with an average groceries bill, your rewards can offset the fee.

+1. You get 6% cash back on groceries (up to $6000 a year in purchases). That's $360 in rewards just in one category, offsetting the $95 annual fee.

Glad someone brought this up 6% is big but it pays off vs the fee when you really use it, $3000 on groceries etc. Amex has a Blue Card which is 3% as compared to this preferred at 6% but the Blue has no ann fee vs this one at $95

Citi from Costco works well for me mostly because I get the gas there and I don't even buy a lot of gas. Gas is always less where I live so getting it plus a rebate pays off pretty good ( 4%). 2% on the non gas stuff at Costco 1% everything else. I suppose I could put my 1% on everything else on a 2% card but I never got that granular with splitting it up

Amex Blue Cash Preferred for groceries and gas. There's a $95 annual fee, but if you're a family with an average groceries bill, your rewards can offset the fee.

+1. You get 6% cash back on groceries (up to $6000 a year in purchases). That's $360 in rewards just in one category, offsetting the $95 annual fee.

Anonymous wrote:I have been enjoying the Chase Amazon Prime card. If you are already an Amazon Prime member, you get 5% back on Amazon purchases, 2% back on gas/restaurants/drugstores, and 1% back on everything else. If you're not a Prime member, you still get 3% back on Amazon purchases along with the 2% and 1% as above.

For the rewards you can have them cut you a check, but you can also have the amount applied to your Amazon account and use it there. We use the card a LOT and we also use Amazon a lot.

If you're trying to maximize rewards, you're better off having them issue you a check or a statement credit, rather than taking it as credit for use on Amazon -- because that way you're earning points on all your Amazon purchases, not just your Amazon purchases after taking your reward rebates into account. It's probably a minor difference in any given month, but over the long run, it can add up!

I have been enjoying the Chase Amazon Prime card. If you are already an Amazon Prime member, you get 5% back on Amazon purchases, 2% back on gas/restaurants/drugstores, and 1% back on everything else. If you're not a Prime member, you still get 3% back on Amazon purchases along with the 2% and 1% as above.

For the rewards you can have them cut you a check, but you can also have the amount applied to your Amazon account and use it there. We use the card a LOT and we also use Amazon a lot.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred for groceries and gas. There's a $95 annual fee, but if you're a family with an average groceries bill, your rewards can offset the fee.

Otherwise, Citi Double Cash for simple 2% cashback for everything. I use this card as a catch-all.

We use Amex cash back. Usually put six or 7000 on it a month and pay in full. Generally get about 1500 back a year.

We have one cc currently and are looking for another (backup,etc). We will pay off bill monthly and expect to have 3-4K monthly bill. What is the best CC for rewards/ cash back? I’d only be interested in airline miles if we weren’t stuck to a single airline. We will use it mostly for groceries (Harris teeter), and various expenses (gas, daycare bill, lunches) and I can’t think of a single store that we consistently buy from monthly other than Amazon (I have the Amazon store card).