Originally Posted by outoftown
For someone looking for a MasterCard, this looks like the best deal, for the next year anyhow. An ad I saw in the Parade section of the Sunday paper a few weeks ago...
AT&T Universal MasterCard
0% on Balance transfers until March 1, 2005
Full 5% cash back on purchases made at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations until 6/1/05, full 1% cash back on all other purchases up to a maximum of $300 annually
No annual fee, no balance transfer fees
Limited time offer, must apply by 7/15/04, ph 1-800-506-8737
I did not see that ad, but I recall an older version of that card offering a
delayed-1% rebate.
You spend the money now, we give you a rebate once a year.
That only approaches a real one-percent rebate for the spending that takes place at the tail end of the "year".
But moreso that the (admittedly small) investment loss on that money, I just don't like the idea that I'm married to a card for any period of time waiting for an award. I don't trust banks to do anything correctly, especially if they are allowed time to think about it. That's why I like SPG Amex and the next-statement-rebaters like PerfectCard. If I decide I want out of that card, it only takes me a month or two to fully part ways with all of my rewards.