I've posted this in the Chase Freedom thread, but it probably belongs here too.

Depending on how you value CO, UA or BA miles, you may want to use the Freedom card to earn points that convert 6000 to 5000 miles. Of course, you would do better with the co-branded cards, but this one has no annual fee and converts to all three. Starwood is only 2:1 for UA and CO (but you can still convert SPG to Amtrak 1:1, which converts to CO 1:1 - probably not for much longer, because Chase will be the next issuer of the Amtrak card).

When it comes to shopping at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations/convenience stores, unlike the co-branded cards, Chase Freedom will give you 3 points per dollar (equivalent to 2.5 miles). And now they have a version of this card that has 15 "essential" shopping categories. You get 3 points per dollar in top three (where you spend the most) automatically, every month. In addition to supermarkers/drugstores/gas you have fast food, telecom, cable/sat TV/ISP, video rental, dept stores, dry cleaners, movie theaters, public transportation/tolls/bridges/parking/taxi/limo, pet supplies/vet, utility, beauty shops, gym membership. I prefer 5% cash back in those categories where it's available, but otherwise 3 points (2.5 miles) per dollar is pretty good. And you can always choose cash, 1 point = 1c ($50 min) or giftcards. If you collect $200 in Chase Freedom money, they will actually send you a check for $250. 1.25% cash back is impressive, too. Make it 3.75% if all your shopping is within three out of 15 categories. Points/cash back are unlimited, but you get 2% bonus on only up to $600 of monthly spending. There are yearly caps on point-to-mile conversion though. Current Freedom card holders can upgrade to this version, and your account number will stay the same if you have a MasterCard.

Also, I've posted elsewhere that if you are collecting El Al Matmid points and are based in the US, HAS Advantage card (issued by US Bank) beats AMEX MR Rewards and Diners (and has no annual fee). Starwood currently does not convert SPG to Matmid points at all.

IMHO, while overseas you should try to avoid use of any of the mileage and bonus cards because they all pretty much have very steep currency conversion charges. :td: Charges which more than overbalance the miles benefits.

Instead, look for a card which has minimal forex charges and use that instead. I love miles, but I hate paying more than they are worth to get 'em. :p

You can get both of those things in one card. While overseas, Capital One charges a 0% forex fee, absorbs the visa/mc surcharge and gives a 1% reward. (see earlier discussion)

The Costco consumer card pays 3% on restaurants, 2% on all travel (hotel, car, transportation, etc), and 1% on everything else.

Thanks rrgg - that's helpful to know.

Thanks for the welcome and advice, gpapadop. It seems from your own and others' advice that I would be wise to increase my own tolerance (at least one extra card) in order to sensibly use the opportunities available to me. Oh well, so be it!

Thanks TooManyBooks, Mia and BiggestBopper for the Costco discussion - useful advice, possibilities and cautions for me to ponder.

One note about the Costco card: at least with some versions you have to redeem your rewards at an actual Costco store. That's no big deal if you shop there anyway, but for those of us who have never even been to a Costco, it makes the cards pretty unattractive.

I've lived & traveled extensively overseas & I've never seen Discover accepted (except in US military associated stores). So that would narrow your choices. I would recommend a Cap One account because of the no forex charge.

Actually, I'm pretty sure you do not need to spend the rewards at Costco with those cards. You do need to go to the store to pick up the money, though.

True. I took my check in last year and redeemed it at the register, as I didn't buy anything that day and kept forgetting to cash it.

Discover is only accepted in North and Central America, parts of the Caribbean and recently in China. It is completely useless everywhere else.

Any links out there to this version of the card? Any links to apps for this card that have sign on bonuses?

It is possible that this card is only offered as an upgrade and you cannot apply for it directly. It seems, though, that you get the extra categories automatically if you request to upgrade your card to Visa Signature. My wife has hers on "regular" Platinum MasterCard, though. If you don't have a card to convert ("trade", in Chase' terminology), you can apply for the regular Freedom Visa. There are a bunch of sites that will pay various rewards for it, but occasionally Chase offers even bigger rewards for "direct" applications - as much as $250. This is discussed in some threads in other subforums - search for "freedom".