ok after doing some more research it looks like the best combination of cards to use to maximize cash back/pts will not only change, but be a handful of cards.

1. penfed visa cash back card - 5% on gas always
2. discover card- rotating 5% cash back (currently gas/hotels/movies/themeparks)
3. citi forward card - 5TY pts/$1 - (books/movies/music/restaurant)
4. chase freedom card - 5% cash back on rotating categories (does anyone know what they are right now?)

this covers a decent amount of general spending, but what about supermarkets , drug stores that offer either 5pts/dollar or 5% cash back?

amex blue cash offers 3% at supermarkets
amex blue cash preferred offers 6% at supermarkets, but people don't seem to like the $75 annual fee.