2016 "best" credit card for general spending (non bonus category expenses)
Jan 31, 2016, 7:14 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 609
I don't purposely get a separate annual fee credit card for non-category spending. I use a new card to meet spend requirement for sign-on bonus, or focus on a given CC to top off balance for a meaningful redemption, or just use one of my other cards with decent reward structure that I already carry for its travel benefits.
I do use Amex Everyday (the no fee version) for normal grocery purchases while I wasn't aiming for sign-on bonuses or need top-off balance for an upcoming redemption. And I don't bother with artificial # of charges on the Everyday card.
I do use Amex Everyday (the no fee version) for normal grocery purchases while I wasn't aiming for sign-on bonuses or need top-off balance for an upcoming redemption. And I don't bother with artificial # of charges on the Everyday card.
Feb 1, 2016, 10:35 pm
#17
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 97
The best card for non-category expenses for me is no fee 2.625% BoA travel. After I got 2 BoA travel, I dumped 2 Arrival+ cards and put Fidelity Amex to drawer ( I also have a Fidelity Visa & a legacy Fidelity MC, I am wondering if I will receive three Fidelity Visa after July
). If I overcharged both BoA travels since I limit myself to 1X, I will use SPG instead. I have enough miles and I am not hunger for miles.
). If I overcharged both BoA travels since I limit myself to 1X, I will use SPG instead. I have enough miles and I am not hunger for miles.
Last edited by FSG378; Feb 1, 2016 at 11:02 pm
It's 2016. What is the best card for non-bonused spend?
Feb 14, 2016, 4:54 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BTV
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 486
As always, it depends on your goals.
For me, Amex everyday for 1.5x on non-bonus spend. I've gotten very good redemptions for premium star alliance cabins over the years by transferring MR to AC.
For me, Amex everyday for 1.5x on non-bonus spend. I've gotten very good redemptions for premium star alliance cabins over the years by transferring MR to AC.
Feb 14, 2016, 7:35 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Right now my Chase Ink is getting pretty much all my spend due to a sign up bonus. After that, going back to my SPG Amex for non bonus spend. The likely massacre of SPG is still months, if not a year away. Plenty of time to earn and burn/transfer the points.
Feb 14, 2016, 7:41 pm
#24
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 55
What card do you plan on using after that?
Feb 14, 2016, 8:42 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Programs: AA, BA, UA, Spirit, Delta, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,735
A bit surprised that no one has mentioned Discover it Miles with 1.5X2 unlimited cashback on everything. X2 is for the first year only and new customers.
Feb 14, 2016, 8:42 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Honestly? I don't know. Probably depends on what I'm working towards. I'm going to have low/mid-ish 6 figure balances in both Amex and Chase, so it becomes a question of what I need to add do. Hypothetically, I transfer my whole SPG balance to Alaska in search of another Emirates F award I might use my Alaska Visa to bridge the gap. Maybe an AA award will come up and I use my Barclay Aviator MC.
In a game that changes by the month, trying to predict a year out is a pretty futile exercise.
In a game that changes by the month, trying to predict a year out is a pretty futile exercise.
Feb 15, 2016, 6:01 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 274
Like FSG378, I like the BofA travel rewards card with platinum honors status which gives 2.625% cash back on travel expenses. You can redeem the points for flights, rental cars, hotels, and theme parks which is very flexible. You don't have to worry about the availability of an award flight, you can fly on whatever airline you want, and you earn miles for your flight. While I'm sure there are certain redemptions where 1.5MR is better, with the BofA travel card you don't need to worry about the fluctuating value of transferrable points as the 2.625% doesn't change, assuming your keep your platinum honors status.
Feb 15, 2016, 6:18 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 292
I don't know why people always think they need a dedicated "everything else" card. If you are getting 1.5 MR with the EDP and happy with it, why not just use that for anything off-category? That's a pretty good value if you want points.
At the end of the day, people are going to pretty much list the same few options that fit your criteria, so it's up to you to determine which benefits will be the differentiating factor. As stated earlier in the thread, it's not just rewards, because for the most part the max you can get is pretty similar from program to program.
At the end of the day, people are going to pretty much list the same few options that fit your criteria, so it's up to you to determine which benefits will be the differentiating factor. As stated earlier in the thread, it's not just rewards, because for the most part the max you can get is pretty similar from program to program.
Feb 15, 2016, 7:41 am
#29
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 55
Like FSG378, I like the BofA travel rewards card with platinum honors status which gives 2.625% cash back on travel expenses. You can redeem the points for flights, rental cars, hotels, and theme parks which is very flexible. You don't have to worry about the availability of an award flight, you can fly on whatever airline you want, and you earn miles for your flight. While I'm sure there are certain redemptions where 1.5MR is better, with the BofA travel card you don't need to worry about the fluctuating value of transferrable points as the 2.625% doesn't change, assuming your keep your platinum honors status.
However, I confused by your statement where you say you can redeem the points for flights, rental cars, hotels, and theme parks. I thought the card earned 1.5 points on every purchase, and that you could redeem the points for a 1:1 statement credit. Am I wrong?
Feb 15, 2016, 7:44 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 292
Keeping 100K in a bank account (when you don't have an ML investment or retirement account) to reach platinum honors is a poor ROI.
However, I confused by your statement where you say you can redeem the points for flights, rental cars, hotels, and theme parks. I thought the card earned 1.5 points on every purchase, and that you could redeem the points for a 1:1 statement credit. Am I wrong?
However, I confused by your statement where you say you can redeem the points for flights, rental cars, hotels, and theme parks. I thought the card earned 1.5 points on every purchase, and that you could redeem the points for a 1:1 statement credit. Am I wrong?
I agree that when one considers BOA Platinum Honors, they need to consider the opportunity cost of not putting the money elsewhere. Not that everyone is making a bad decision with using it, but I think people get caught up in the increase in CC rewards sometimes and don't consider other options. At the end of the day, if your money will grow better elsewhere, the comparatively tiny increase in CC rewards isn't worth it.