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-   -   Is it even worth it? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credit-card-programs/1822843-even-worth.html)

jsingles Feb 16, 2017 4:09 pm

I have a Wells Fargo Signature Visa Cash Back card, 1% cash back and I think that's it. Is a card like that even worth going the retention offer route? I'm fairly new to rewards programs. Have the AMEX Blue Everyday and just converted my Citi Diamond (why call it Diamond, it literally offers nothing) to the Double Cash. Up next is like the CSP as a free $500 should be easily attainable. I don't travel as much as I'd like so I'd likely convert points to cash.

I just realized a few months ago I have the option of paying my rent online ($965) on a CC with no fee so I was putting it on the WF and getting my measly 1%, will put it on Double Cash until a better offer opens up.

Brings up a second question really. What's the opinion on where my next card should come from? Again, I don't travel much so cash back is really what I'm looking for.

seric Feb 16, 2017 6:23 pm

At this stage of your credit life, I would keep the WF card active with a purchase every few months in order to keep the average age of your credit history higher. I still do this with some 10+ year old cards which offer no other benefits.

Yoshi212 Feb 16, 2017 9:03 pm

Agree about keeping the WF card open. If you're not going to focus too much on travel rewards I'd keep your focus on Cashback cards, while avoiding Annual Fees, instead and definitely don't signup for a point card without a high signup bonus.

Chase Freedom has no AF and 150$ bonus with 1.5% back
Chase Ink Business has a 300$ bonus with no AF and 1%,2%&5% tiers for CB.

Appleman Feb 16, 2017 9:27 pm

Once you spend over $50000 a year on the WF Visa Signature, you get 1.75 per point when used for airfare. We got some really good flights to Europe with these points.

At 1%, it is better than nothing but you can do much better.

Even with my points with 1.75, I have shifted over to the Chase Sapphire Reserve where we get 3x points for money spent on travel and dining, and you can redeem points for travel at 1.5. My points average about 2.7 after averaging for travel, dining, and 1x points and spending for travel at 1.5. So I am transitioning away from Wells Fargo but keeping it open. Also, I find that the WF fraud detection has an awful lot of false positives, so I can never count on the card working when I need it to. Chase seems to have a much better handle on fraud detection.

Like the others who answered, if you are not going to travel much, get a good cash back card. You can do much better than 1%.

al613 Oct 1, 2017 9:23 am

How do they count a year for 50k? Calendar year or last 12 month?

Originally Posted by Appleman (Post 27920408)
Once you spend over $50000 a year on the WF Visa Signature, you get 1.75 per point when used for airfare. We got some really good flights to Europe with these points.

At 1%, it is better than nothing but you can do much better.

Even with my points with 1.75, I have shifted over to the Chase Sapphire Reserve where we get 3x points for money spent on travel and dining, and you can redeem points for travel at 1.5. My points average about 2.7 after averaging for travel, dining, and 1x points and spending for travel at 1.5. So I am transitioning away from Wells Fargo but keeping it open. Also, I find that the WF fraud detection has an awful lot of false positives, so I can never count on the card working when I need it to. Chase seems to have a much better handle on fraud detection.

Like the others who answered, if you are not going to travel much, get a good cash back card. You can do much better than 1%.


Appleman Oct 1, 2017 11:52 am

In my experience, it has been calendar year, because I have spent almost nothing on that card this year, but I still get the benefit through December. I expect in January, those points will be worth less, so I am trying to use them up before then.


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