The "What Credit Card Should I Choose?" Master Thread
Jan 9, 2006, 2:57 am
#76
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Don't know the details on the double miles offer, but don't bother. Since I first wrote this post Capital One has massively devalued its program. Do not participate.
See this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=483477
The only worthwhile thing for this card is foreign currency transactions.
See this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=483477
The only worthwhile thing for this card is foreign currency transactions.
Jan 9, 2006, 7:14 am
#77
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
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Originally Posted by gregorygrady
I've got SPG AMEX, HH AMEX, HH Visa, Choice Visa, UAL Visa, SWA Visa, Citi Dividend (1-5%), Citi Platinum Select (1-5%), AA M/C, Discover, etc. I always try to use the SPG Amex as much as I can with the exception of gas, groceries, etc which I try to put on the cards I get 5% back and then the HH Amex where I get bonus points for those purchases too. I find that I get ~2% back in value with my SPG Amex and I find that to be the best choice around as do most other FTers. My rankings in terms of value back:
SPG Amex: 2%
HH Amex: 1.5%
HH Visa: 1%
Choice Visa: 1.6%
UAL Visa: 1%
SWA Visa: 1.66%
Citi Dividend: 1% (up to 5%)
AA M/C: 1%
Discover: ~0.25%
Of course these values above are all not taking into account any annual fees or any enrollment bonuses. I sign up for many cards just for the enrollment bonus and never use them (with the exception of any great promos that might be offered me) and then cancel them when the 2nd year annual fee comes due.
Gregorygrady:
If you've determined those are the returns you are getting, one you might want to consider (if you haven't) is the Costco Amex. No annual fee with your Costco membership (which is highly worth it if you can shop at one), 3% cash back at restaurants, 2% back on "travelling" (hotels, airline tickets, rental cars), 1% otherwise.
3% cash back on meals is hard to beat.
Last edited by toomanybooks; Jan 9, 2006 at 11:41 am
Jan 9, 2006, 11:44 am
#78
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Originally Posted by gregorygrady
There's really no reason to even look at SPG Amex if you are HH Diamond and SPG nothing, unless you have too many HH points to know what to do with... So my advice is to stick with the HH CC's.
Does your advice change if you are Hilton Gold and Spg nothing? Thanks.
Jan 9, 2006, 12:16 pm
#79
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,388
Originally Posted by toomanybooks
Gregorygrady:
If you've determined those are the returns you are getting, one you might want to consider (if you haven't) is the Costco Amex. No annual fee with your Costco membership (which is highly worth it if you can shop at one), 3% cash back at restaurants, 2% back on "travelling" (hotels, airline tickets, rental cars), 1% otherwise.
3% cash back on meals is hard to beat.
If you've determined those are the returns you are getting, one you might want to consider (if you haven't) is the Costco Amex. No annual fee with your Costco membership (which is highly worth it if you can shop at one), 3% cash back at restaurants, 2% back on "travelling" (hotels, airline tickets, rental cars), 1% otherwise.
3% cash back on meals is hard to beat.
As far as HH Gold vs. SPG nothing, that takes away a big advantage the HH Diamond has of no blackout/capactiy controls for award stays. You still get upgrades and free breakfast though as HH Gold on award stays, so personally I would probably stick with the HH Amex in that situation. Or maybe get both cards and charge the 5 pts/$ stuff to HH Amex (gas, restaurants, groceries, etc) and everything else to the SPG Amex. Tough call though.........
Jan 10, 2006, 7:49 pm
#80
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Cambridge, Mass. USA
Programs: Former business traveler now working from home
Posts: 217
Originally Posted by gregorygrady
[...] I already get 5% back with my Citi Dividend for restaurants
Jan 11, 2006, 1:49 am
#81
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,388
Originally Posted by mdecerbo
Hmm, I have a Citi Dividend card and get 5% back only at gas stations, supermarkets, and drugstores. Are you sure you get 5% back at restaurants? Are there any Citi Web pages that mention that offer?
Jan 23, 2006, 4:53 am
#82
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Update -- I've added info to the first post on the new USAirways credit card from Juniper bank. Related discussion here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=509447
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=509447
Jan 24, 2006, 7:57 am
#84
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Programs: UA Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, IHG Platinum, Accor Silver, Choice Privileges Gold
Posts: 2,078
I have found this thread immensely helpful. Thanks to everyone for the great info. I think it'd also be helpful if we could 1 post with a list of all the no-fee credit cards. So far we've seen Hilton Amex, Hilton Visa, Amtrak, UA, and AA (and perhaps others). Has that info been compiled already? I have a Hilton Amex and Visa. However, Citibank just screwed me over, so I'm cancelling the Visa card, and want to get another Visa with no-fee. I prefer the hotel points to airline miles, because I seem to burn through hotel points quicker than airline miles; however, I don't want to pay a fee, and it seems that you do for the hotel cards after a year. Anyway, thanks for the help. tls
Jan 24, 2006, 8:27 am
#85
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Originally Posted by thelostshark
I have found this thread immensely helpful. Thanks to everyone for the great info. I think it'd also be helpful if we could 1 post with a list of all the no-fee credit cards. So far we've seen Hilton Amex, Hilton Visa, Amtrak, UA, and AA (and perhaps others). Has that info been compiled already? I have a Hilton Amex and Visa. However, Citibank just screwed me over, so I'm cancelling the Visa card, and want to get another Visa with no-fee. I prefer the hotel points to airline miles, because I seem to burn through hotel points quicker than airline miles; however, I don't want to pay a fee, and it seems that you do for the hotel cards after a year. Anyway, thanks for the help. tls
Though you'd prefer hotel points I'd probably go with the no-fee for 2 years US Visa from Juniper bank, 1.5 miles per dollar spent for the first 12 months of cardmembership and 15k miles with first purchase (plus a club pass annually, etc).
Jan 24, 2006, 11:11 am
#86
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: AUS - Formerly MSP, IAD/DCA, SYD, CBR, BNE, JNB
Programs: QF & NW Clubs. Will never buy another ticket on UA or US.
Posts: 1,100
Originally Posted by thelostshark
I have found this thread immensely helpful. Thanks to everyone for the great info. I think it'd also be helpful if we could 1 post with a list of all the no-fee credit cards. So far we've seen Hilton Amex, Hilton Visa, Amtrak, UA, and AA (and perhaps others). Has that info been compiled already? I have a Hilton Amex and Visa. However, Citibank just screwed me over, so I'm cancelling the Visa card, and want to get another Visa with no-fee. I prefer the hotel points to airline miles, because I seem to burn through hotel points quicker than airline miles; however, I don't want to pay a fee, and it seems that you do for the hotel cards after a year. Anyway, thanks for the help. tls
See http://www.andrewcram.com/frequentflyerCC_US_hotel.html for the hotel cards (just use the drop down menu at top to switch to the other tables).
Andrew
Jan 24, 2006, 5:15 pm
#87
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Programs: UA Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, IHG Platinum, Accor Silver, Choice Privileges Gold
Posts: 2,078
Thanks Andrewcx, that's really helpful. I did not know that Choice hotels had a visa card, and I think I may go with that one. (I tend to stay at the lower end hotels.) Re the Priority Club Visa, you may want to note that the no fee is only for the 1st year. Anyway, thanks a bunch. tls
Jan 24, 2006, 6:13 pm
#88
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: AUS - Formerly MSP, IAD/DCA, SYD, CBR, BNE, JNB
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Originally Posted by thelostshark
Thanks Andrewcx, that's really helpful. I did not know that Choice hotels had a visa card, and I think I may go with that one. (I tend to stay at the lower end hotels.) Re the Priority Club Visa, you may want to note that the no fee is only for the 1st year. Anyway, thanks a bunch. tls
Andrew
Jan 25, 2006, 6:20 pm
#90
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: AUS - Formerly MSP, IAD/DCA, SYD, CBR, BNE, JNB
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Originally Posted by best
Great work: would you consider adding section for especially good promos?