What credit card do you use?

[Coach McGuirk]

The Amex website only speaks of the points rewards program and the reward catalog in general terms and doesn't offer very many specific details (like how many points are required to buy a RT domestic airfare ticket). I wonder how the points translate back into a dollar value when matched against the (inflated?) value of the items in the rewards catalog. Does anyone have/use/own this "Amex Gold" card? I'm curious and tempted to switch from my cash rebate card since this website (if accurate) says that my rewards from this Gold Card would be over triple in value (yes, triple!) than my current Costco TrueEarnings Amex card. So it's tempting to switch from cash, even given my bad experience with rewards cards in the past. Yet, I'm still a bit concerned about the actual value of redeemed points in the catalog and the $175(!) annual fee (waived for the first year).

(As an aside DDD, the Starwood Preferred Guest Amex card was in the top 3 it recommended that I switch to... the JetBlue TrueBlue Amex card being the other.)

cheers.

I have my amex card attached to both my SPG and Skymiles account. I don't have to buy anything from the catalog, I just transfer points.

[Katy Lied]

I currently have a debit card with my bank that I use for pretty much everything that I don't put on my AMEX. My bank is now offering me a credit card with 5% cash back. Period. I'd be a fool to not exchange my debit card for my bank's credit card, right? And then keep the debit card for those rare occasions where someone only takes a debit card, right?

[old_gregg]

I currently have a debit card with my bank that I use for pretty much everything that I don't put on my AMEX. My bank is now offering me a credit card with 5% cash back. Period. I'd be a fool to not exchange my debit card for my bank's credit card, right? And then keep the debit card for those rare occasions where someone only takes a debit card, right?

5% on everything?! what bank? of course you should use that for everything except the amex promotional categories that sometimes offer >5% cash back.

[Joe Public]

I currently have a debit card with my bank that I use for pretty much everything that I don't put on my AMEX. My bank is now offering me a credit card with 5% cash back. Period. I'd be a fool to not exchange my debit card for my bank's credit card, right? And then keep the debit card for those rare occasions where someone only takes a debit card, right?

Assuming no annual or other fees, it could be a good deal. I think self-awareness is the key here. Some people change spending habits once they're able to carry a balance. For them, it might be foolish to let a rewards program lure them into increased consumption and everything that comes with it.

[Surfah]

I use my Discover cash back card on almost anything that takes Discover. I earn cash back on any purchase and then quarterly they offer 5% on certain items. This quarter isn't great since it is movies and restaurants. But the last quarter of the year it seems they always do 5% for online purchases which is nice for Christmas. Also 3rd quarter last year was 5% on home improvement which was helpful since we just moved and did a light remodel. But what I really like is the Shop Discover. Whenever I shop online and go through their affiliated partners (pretty much everyone I shop at) I get 5%-20% cash back. Last month I got free shipping and 15% back from Finish Line for some Christmas presents I bought for my FIL. And Amazon lets you link your bonus cash to their checkout and pay from that which is super slick.

I also have an AMEX rewards card that I only use for Costco.

I am looking at getting an airline card though since it is getting expensive to fly Gidget and the keikis to Oregon but haven't settled on a rewards program yet.

[byu71]

I currently have a debit card with my bank that I use for pretty much everything that I don't put on my AMEX. My bank is now offering me a credit card with 5% cash back. Period. I'd be a fool to not exchange my debit card for my bank's credit card, right? And then keep the debit card for those rare occasions where someone only takes a debit card, right?

I have been thinking at having one of my sons look at my credit card statements and see what awards I have and how I can get them. With all the stuff I bought on American Express last year, I would think they should have a lot of goodies for me. I just get lost when I start looking at what I supposedly have.

[imanihonjin]

I have been thinking at having one of my sons look at my credit card statements and see what awards I have and how I can get them. With all the stuff I bought on American Express last year, I would think they should have a lot of goodies for me. I just get lost when I start looking at what I supposedly have.

I would be happy to be your adviser. Feel free to send me your account info.

[New Mexican Disaster]

I would be happy to be your adviser. Feel free to send me your account info.

I'm sure Target has already sent it out.

[Paperback Writer]

I use a Fidelity MC that pays 2% into my kids' 529 college savings accounts. So those rewards $ get invested in the market and are tax free. Use the Costco AMEX at Costco since they don't accept MC as well as all gas purchases at Costco and elsewhere since that reward is 3%. I don't fly or use hotels very often.

[Katy Lied]

Never mind. I went back and read the fine print and the 5% cash back is only on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases. I don't really spend a lot of my money on any of those things. I use Amex for Costco (gas and groceries), and my Flexispending credit card for drugstore purchases.

[byu71]

I'm sure Target has already sent it out.

LOL Fortunately or unfortunately I only have one credit card and it isn't some retail outlet card. I am paraniod about giving out information.

[old_gregg]

LOL Fortunately or unfortunately I only have one credit card and it isn't some retail outlet card. I am paraniod about giving out information.

[Katy Lied]

Reminds me of the story of that young (early 20s) kid who got ahold of the Sultan of Brunei's AMEX card. He spently wildly and riotously and they didn't even discover it for months.

[byu71]

Honestly I don't know what the limit is on that card. I probably couldn't qualify. I know I wouldn't want it extremely high in case it got hacked. I am pretty sure even the one I have I can increase the limit if I want. I think only once in my life did I charge over $50,000 in one month.

[old_gregg]

chase sapphire preferred offering 50k right now with $4k spending in first three months. transfers 1:1 to some good airline and hotel rewards programs. also, double points on all dining and travel .