What's your current "go-to" card to replace Chase freedom?
Apr 9, 2013 | 3:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,288
What's your current "go-to" card to replace Chase freedom?
Now that Chase Freedom has terminated the 10 bonus points for every purchases, what is your "go-to" card for making everyday small purchases? Today when I was paying for a small item (~$3), I actually hesitated for a while to decide the best card to use. Previously I would have pulled out Freedom without a thought. It's really sad to see the bonus go away. 
Apr 10, 2013 | 5:46 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Marriott LT Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP
Posts: 732
Random / general charges go on Cap1 Venture card gets effectively 2% cash back if you redeem it for travel purchases -- Travel is a very generous term that includes:
Hotels
Airlines
Cruises
NYC Taxi rides
NYC Subway rides
I put supermarket charges on an Amex HHonors Surpass, and electronics on an Amex Platinum (warranty).
Hotels
Airlines
Cruises
NYC Taxi rides
NYC Subway rides
I put supermarket charges on an Amex HHonors Surpass, and electronics on an Amex Platinum (warranty).
Apr 10, 2013 | 9:18 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: United 1K MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 417
What's your current "go-to" card to replace Chase freedom?
I hate to see the end of the 10 bonus points. This question has been bothering me for a while.
I think the United Club Card is a very good all-around card with 1.5 miles per $1 spent which is worth 2.5 to 3.0 cents for United flyers.
For people who have no use of United Clubs, Club Carlson Premier Visa can be a good alternative. Five Gold Points per $1 spent should be worth 2 cents. If one can take advantage of Bonus Award Night, especially on European properties, the value can approach the selling price of 3.5 cents.
Of couse nothing beats the FREE Freedom Visa on sub-$10 purchases before this program change.
For people who have no use of United Clubs, Club Carlson Premier Visa can be a good alternative. Five Gold Points per $1 spent should be worth 2 cents. If one can take advantage of Bonus Award Night, especially on European properties, the value can approach the selling price of 3.5 cents.
Of couse nothing beats the FREE Freedom Visa on sub-$10 purchases before this program change.
Apr 11, 2013 | 9:19 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
Now that Chase Freedom has terminated the 10 bonus points for every purchases, what is your "go-to" card for making everyday small purchases? Today when I was paying for a small item (~$3), I actually hesitated for a while to decide the best card to use. Previously I would have pulled out Freedom without a thought. It's really sad to see the bonus go away.
If you do a lot of <$10 purchases, the points can add up quickly and the flexibility of transfer is great.
However, I agree that one of the debit cards is great use for the small purchases as well. (or the club Carlson PV CC)
You will have to decide where you want to earn your points or whether you have a specific trip in mind. If not, you will have to decide what you are working on at the moment (the debit idea, or needing flexibility of SPG).
Just my opinion.
Apr 11, 2013 | 10:00 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,288
Can you specify why SPG amex is good for <$10 purchases? I just see it awards one point per dollar like other cards. Am I missing something?
Apr 11, 2013 | 11:57 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LAX/SNA
Programs: AA, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,887
Apr 11, 2013 | 7:36 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 221
Apr 12, 2013 | 6:31 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: In CT,left my heart in Leicester.
Programs: Work in progress.
Posts: 1,237
Maybe if people wouldn't have abused the holy eff out of it, it'd still be around.
I've personally seen people making >7 $2-3 purchases at a time using a Chase Freedom. No wonder they shut it down. There's no way they could afford to be giving out points like that.
I've personally seen people making >7 $2-3 purchases at a time using a Chase Freedom. No wonder they shut it down. There's no way they could afford to be giving out points like that.
Apr 12, 2013 | 7:35 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 353
The card I use the most (when not trying to hit a bonus or not in a 5% bonus category from my Freedom or Discover) is my Southwest Visa.
1.67~ish cents per spend and I travel in the US much more than overseas. I love the fact I can book a flight and cancel at anytime and I get my full amount of points left. This makes sure I can get a flight anywhere/anytime basically.
Also if the rate goes down, I rebook and get the points back. It's a great way to set me up to go somewhere further.
I know many hate Southwest and it has it's issues but love how flexible those points are.
1.67~ish cents per spend and I travel in the US much more than overseas. I love the fact I can book a flight and cancel at anytime and I get my full amount of points left. This makes sure I can get a flight anywhere/anytime basically.
Also if the rate goes down, I rebook and get the points back. It's a great way to set me up to go somewhere further.
I know many hate Southwest and it has it's issues but love how flexible those points are.
Apr 12, 2013 | 9:57 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 221
The card I use the most (when not trying to hit a bonus or not in a 5% bonus category from my Freedom or Discover) is my Southwest Visa.
1.67~ish cents per spend and I travel in the US much more than overseas. I love the fact I can book a flight and cancel at anytime and I get my full amount of points left. This makes sure I can get a flight anywhere/anytime basically.
Also if the rate goes down, I rebook and get the points back. It's a great way to set me up to go somewhere further.
I know many hate Southwest and it has it's issues but love how flexible those points are.
1.67~ish cents per spend and I travel in the US much more than overseas. I love the fact I can book a flight and cancel at anytime and I get my full amount of points left. This makes sure I can get a flight anywhere/anytime basically.
Also if the rate goes down, I rebook and get the points back. It's a great way to set me up to go somewhere further.
I know many hate Southwest and it has it's issues but love how flexible those points are.