USAA 2.5% back on everything

Anonymous wrote:What about an ally bank credit card?

You tell us. What are the perks?

Anonymous wrote: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/

Does the issuing bank make money off of you if you pay the balance every month?

What about an ally bank credit card?

Anonymous wrote: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.)

For alliant the use of the card itself is fine. But when we’ve lost the card and asked for a replacement, they’ve been pretty incompetent.

Anonymous wrote:

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Nothing else is really all that close.


What rewards do you get with this one?

+1. Three points for every dollar spent on travel or restaurants, plus if you redeem points for travel you get 150% of point value. So so many free airline tickets and hotel stays.

+2 I get a couple thousand dollars back in travel per year with this card. It’s essentially 4.5% back on restaurants and travel, 1.5% on everything else, plus you can earn ectra points if you use shop through Chase. I didn’t know about the tar sand, but couldn’t one argue that all if these banks are pretty damn evil?

Anonymous wrote:Chase Sapphire for sure, if you travel. The $450 annual fee comes with a $300 travel credit so it's really just $150 if you book any trip. We stack all of our major expenses on it, and have been to Europe twice now with paid for airline tickets (most recent included myself, DH, and our son), thanks to paying for daycare, any major household expenses, restaurants, etc. Our points also covered some of our hotel nights on those trips and we're close to having enough for three more international tickets. You can also redeem for cash if you want, but you get the best bang for the buck - er point - for travel.

Also you can link it to Amazon to use points for Amazon purchases, but again, best value is travel points.

Chase Sapphire for sure, if you travel. The $450 annual fee comes with a $300 travel credit so it's really just $150 if you book any trip. We stack all of our major expenses on it, and have been to Europe twice now with paid for airline tickets (most recent included myself, DH, and our son), thanks to paying for daycare, any major household expenses, restaurants, etc. Our points also covered some of our hotel nights on those trips and we're close to having enough for three more international tickets. You can also redeem for cash if you want, but you get the best bang for the buck - er point - for travel.

Anonymous wrote:If you’re looking to maximize travel then Chase Sapphire Reserve is the cream of the crop. If you can’t stomach the $450 annual fee then it’s sibling Chase Sapphire Preferred is a good place to start. I can’t tell you how many free trips I’ve taken with my points. I’ve lost track. But you have to take some time to learn the system (for example transferring points to Hyatt versus paying through their portal). I travel almost exclusively on credit card points and miles.

How much do you travel/year? We take at least 3-5 flights a year as a family of four (though not all of us go every time)

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Nothing else is really all that close.


What rewards do you get with this one?

+1. Three points for every dollar spent on travel or restaurants, plus if you redeem points for travel you get 150% of point value. So so many free airline tickets and hotel stays.

Don't forget the costco citi card also gives 3% cash back for restaurants in addition to the 4% for gas and 2% at costco.

For me, it's the following:
- Amex platinum - best worldwide access to lounges, $200/year uber credit, $200/year airline credit, global entry fee refunded, saks $100 credit/year, great points earning on hotels and flights booked directly with the airline/on AMEX travel portal, a few other benefits like Hilton/Marriott status upgrades (cost $550/year) - best alternative to this card is the chase sapphire reserve, which overall is probably a better card (MUCH better for points earning and easier-to-use benefits, plus $100 cheaper), but I like Amex for their customer service and value the more comprehensive lounge access.
- Costco Citi card - all gas/restaurant/costco purchases (free, need costco membership)
- Amazon card for 5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases - also "free," but need Prime membership.
- Considering getting the Citi 2% cash back for all other purchases.

Anonymous wrote:I like the Chase Amazon Prime card. Use it for all Amazon and then 2% back on restaurants.

I also have a BofA card that allows you to pick your 3% cash back category , and then gas/groceries are 2% and everything else 1%. No fee.

I use this one, and then if you deposit the cash back into your checking account at BofA, they give you an extra 25%.

I like the Chase Amazon Prime card. Use it for all Amazon and then 2% back on restaurants.

I also have a BofA card that allows you to pick your 3% cash back category , and then gas/groceries are 2% and everything else 1%. No fee.

If you’re looking to maximize travel then Chase Sapphire Reserve is the cream of the crop. If you can’t stomach the $450 annual fee then it’s sibling Chase Sapphire Preferred is a good place to start. I can’t tell you how many free trips I’ve taken with my points. I’ve lost track. But you have to take some time to learn the system (for example transferring points to Hyatt versus paying through their portal). I travel almost exclusively on credit card points and miles.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chase Sapphire Reserve

Nothing else is really all that close.

What rewards do you get with this one?

Agreed, this is the way to go. 3x on travel and dining, and you can convert the points to many airlines programs on a 1-1 basis or sometimes better. It's $450/year but you get a $300 travel credit so effectively $150.

I'm flying to Spain round-trip in busines class this summer thanks to it. I converted the pionts to British Airways miles.