Advanced general purpose reward cards - Revision history

Editor: /* Cashback cards that earn at least 2.5% */

2021-07-20T18:51:35Z

‎Cashback cards that earn at least 2.5%

Editor: /* Cashback cards that earn at least 2.5% */

2021-07-20T18:51:11Z

‎Cashback cards that earn at least 2.5%

Editor at 22:21, 2 July 2021

2021-07-02T22:21:59Z

Editor: /* Amex Blue Business Plus Card */

2021-06-26T00:14:09Z

‎Amex Blue Business Plus Card

Editor: /* Cashback cards that earn at least 2.5% */

2021-06-26T00:01:47Z

‎Cashback cards that earn at least 2.5%

Editor: /* U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Card */

2021-03-02T22:36:45Z

‎U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Card

Editor: Editor moved page Advanced General Purpose Reward Cards to Advanced general purpose reward cards without leaving a redirect

2021-02-18T23:39:20Z

Editor moved page Advanced General Purpose Reward Cards to Advanced general purpose reward cards without leaving a redirect

Editor: /* Cards with spending bonuses */

2021-02-15T23:03:04Z

‎Cards with spending bonuses

Editor: /* Cards with spending bonuses */

2021-02-15T22:55:00Z

‎Cards with spending bonuses

Editor: /* Cards with spending bonuses */

2021-02-15T22:53:06Z

‎Cards with spending bonuses

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 <li>'''If you have $100,000 in investment or retirement funds which you would be willing to manage through Merrill Lynch, you can earn 2.625%''' with the {{Card|Boaunlimited|only}}, {{Card|Boapremium|only}}, or {{Card|BOATravel|only}}. That level of assets qualifies you for Bank of America "Platinum Honors" status, which gives you a 75% bonus for the rewards you earn from some Bank of America cards. The reward bonus boosts the earning rate from these cards from 1.5 cents per dollar to 2.625 cents per dollar. This is the highest long-term pure cashback rate available from any card. </li>
-{{Card|BOATravel|guide}}
+{{Card|BOAUnlimited|guide}}
 If you have assets at another broker, you can usually transfer them to a Merrill Edge account and manage them there (at little or no additional costs) to qualify for the higher reward rate.

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 Discover cards aren't accepted everywhere, so you'll occasionally need to use another card for your purchases. The Discover Card doesn't offer any purchase protections.
-<li>'''If you have $100,000 in investment or retirement funds which you would be willing to manage through Merrill Lynch, you can earn 2.625%''' with the {{Card|BOATravel|only}} or {{Card|Boapremium|only}}. That level of assets qualifies you for Bank of America "Platinum Honors" status, which gives you a 75% bonus for the rewards you earn from some Bank of America cards. The reward bonus boosts the earning rate from the Travel Rewards and Premium Rewards Card from 1.5 cents per dollar to 2.625 cents per dollar. This is the highest long-term pure cashback rate available from any card. </li>
+<li>'''If you have $100,000 in investment or retirement funds which you would be willing to manage through Merrill Lynch, you can earn 2.625%''' with the {{Card|Boaunlimited|only}}, {{Card|Boapremium|only}}, or {{Card|BOATravel|only}}. That level of assets qualifies you for Bank of America "Platinum Honors" status, which gives you a 75% bonus for the rewards you earn from some Bank of America cards. The reward bonus boosts the earning rate from these cards from 1.5 cents per dollar to 2.625 cents per dollar. This is the highest long-term pure cashback rate available from any card. </li>
 {{Card|BOATravel|guide}}

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 {{ImageX|RedTile.jpg|full}}
-For most people, the best option for their everyday spending is the Chase Unlimited combination. If you can’t get those cards, your next best option is usually a good cashback card, like those from Alliant, the State Department Credit Union, and PayPal. However, depending on their individual circumstances, some people can do even better with other cards.
+For most people, the best option for their everyday spending is the Chase Unlimited combination. If you can’t get those cards, your next best option is usually a no-annual-fee 2% cashback card, like those from the State Department Credit Union and PayPal. However, depending on their individual circumstances, you might do even better with other cards.
 <blockquote>
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 <li>'''Amex’s Blue Business Plus Card earns 2x Membership Rewards points on every purchase'''. If you expect to use your points on frequent flyer tickets, Membership Rewards points are valued at a minimum of {{Value|MR}} cents each. The resulting {{Value|MR|2}} cents per dollar (or higher) reward rate is better than you can get from ANY other card.  {{Link|Transferable Points}}.</li>
-<li>'''When you are transferring to airlines, a Membership Rewards point is typically more valuable than an Ultimate Rewards or ThankYou points'''. Membership Rewards has around twice as many airline partners, giving you more flexibility when redeeming your points. Because they partner with Delta, you have the option of using your points to book non-saver level rewards, useful if you live in a Delta hub (but they don’t partner with United like Ultimate Rewards). Membership Rewards also has more frequent transfer bonuses, which can let you get more value when you transfer your points. {{Link|Transfer Bonuses}}.</li>
+<li>'''When you are transferring to airlines, Membership Rewards points are typically more valuable than Ultimate Rewards or ThankYou points'''. Membership Rewards has around twice as many airline partners, giving you more flexibility when redeeming your points. Because they partner with Delta, you have the option of using your points to book non-saver level rewards, useful if you live in a Delta hub (but they don’t partner with United like Ultimate Rewards). Membership Rewards also has more frequent transfer bonuses, which can let you get more value when you transfer your points. {{Link|Transfer Bonuses}}.</li>
 So clearly, 2 Membership Rewards points is better than 1.5 Ultimate Rewards points or even 2 ThankYou points.
@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 <li>'''The big drawback of Membership Rewards is that there is normally no good option for redeeming your points other than for frequent flyer tickets'''. Unlike Ultimate Rewards, there is no option to transfer to a hotel program at good value. And there is usually no way to use your points for purchases at more than 1 cent each. </li>
-<li>'''However, if you expect to use your points for frequent flyer tickets, there isn't much benefit to these additional redemption options'''. If you are flexible, know what you are doing, and are capable of generating lots of points, the most valuable way to use any kind of transferable reward point is almost always transferring them to frequent flyer programs to book award tickets. </li>
+<li>'''However, if you expect to use your points for frequent flyer tickets, there really isn't any benefit to these additional redemption options'''. If you are flexible, know what you are doing, and are capable of generating lots of points, the most valuable way to use any kind of transferable reward point is almost always transferring them to frequent flyer programs to book award tickets. </li>
 And as discussed below, if you are willing to pay an extremely high annual fee for the Platinum Business Card, you also get the option to cash-out your points at over 3 cents per dollar spent.
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 <li>'''This is especially true if you highly value premium-cabin award tickets'''. If you are using your points for economy-class award tickets, it is sometimes difficult to get as much value than you can get with Ultimate Rewards' other redemption options. In other words, it is not just easier to redeem your points for hotel nights via Hyatt, you are likely to get more value per point for those hotel stays than you would with most economy-class frequent flyer tickets.</li>
-But, if you highly value premium cabin awards and have the flexibility and patience to find award space, you'll almost certainly get better value by using your points for premium cabin tickets.
+But if you highly value premium cabin awards and have the flexibility and patience to find award space, you'll almost certainly get better value by using your points for premium cabin tickets.
-<li>'''Just be prepared to reward yourself far less often'''. It can take a long time to earn enough points from your credit card spending to get a frequent flyer ticket. It only takes around $5,000 of credit card spending with the Chase Unlimited Card to reward yourself with a free night at a moderately priced Hyatt hotel or over $100 towards any travel purchase. But it will take $100,000 of credit card spending with the Amex Blue for Business Card to eventually earn enough points for two business class tickets to Europe. The business class tickets may represent more value for your spending, but it may take a long time to build up enough points.</li>
+<li>'''Just be prepared to reward yourself far less often'''. It can take a long time to earn enough points from your credit card spending to get a frequent flyer ticket. It only takes around $5,000 of credit card spending with the Chase Unlimited Card to reward yourself with a free night at a moderately priced Hyatt hotel or get over $100 of cash value. But it will take $100,000 of credit card spending with the Amex Blue for Business Card to eventually earn enough points for two business class tickets to Europe. Saving up for the business class tickets may represent more value for your spending, but it is likely to take a long time to build up enough points for your trip.</li>
 <li>'''As with any American Express option, you'll still another card for some merchants'''. Not everyone accepts American Express.</li>
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 {{Box|Amex Business Card Combo}}
-'''If you have both the Amex Blue for Business Card and the Amex Business Platinum Card, you can earn the equivalent of 3.08% cash back'''. The Business Platinum Card gives you a 35% rebate when you use your points to pay for certain airplane tickets bought through Amex Travel. You'll receive the bonus for all tickets you purchase on your preferred airline and for business and first-class tickets, regardless of airline.
+'''If you have both the Amex Blue for Business Card and the Amex Business Platinum Card, you can earn the equivalent of 3.08% "cashback"'''. The Business Platinum Card gives you a 35% rebate when you use your points to pay for certain airplane tickets bought through Amex Travel. You'll receive the bonus for all tickets you purchase on your preferred airline and for business and first-class tickets, regardless of airline.
 For example, if you buy a ticket that costs $400, you'll need to use 40,000 Membership Rewards points. But you'll get 14,000 points back. Instead of getting only 1 cent per point, you get the equivalent of 1.54 cents per point. With the combination of both cards, you'll be earning 3.08 cents per dollar.
-Even if you never use your points for (sometimes more valuable) frequent flyer redemptions and only use them to purchase airfare, this combination works like a 3%+ cashback card.
+Even if you never use your points for (sometimes more valuable) frequent flyer redemptions and only use them to purchase airfare, this combination works like a 3%+ cashback card whose points can only be used for travel purchases.
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 For this to work, you need to buy enough in qualifying airfare per year to be able to use up all your points. You'll also need to choose a preferred airline that you travel on frequently, rather than focusing on an airline that lets you easily get the most value from the Platinum Card's travel credit.
-You'll need to qualify for business cards and be comfortable using them for your personal purchases, and you'll need to be willing to pay the $595 annual fee for the Business Platinum Card (which does come with some nice other benefits that can partially offset that fee). You'll also need to use another card with any merchant that doesn't take American Express or to avoid the Blue for Business Card's 2.7% foreign transaction fee.
+You'll need to qualify for business cards and be comfortable using them for your personal purchases and you'll need to be willing to pay the $595 annual fee for the Business Platinum Card (which does come with some nice other benefits that can partially offset that fee). You'll also need to use another card with any merchant that doesn't take American Express or to avoid the Blue for Business Card's 2.7% foreign transaction fee.
 Alternatively, you can combine the Blue for Business Card with the Schwab Platinum and deposit your points, at 1.1 cents each (1.25 cents until September), into your Schwab account. This makes the Blue for Business Card a 2.2% cashback card.
@@ Line 86: / Line 86: @@
 {{CardItem|CitiPremier}}
-'''The Premier Card earns 3x ThankYou points on several categories and enables you to transfer your points to many different airline partners'''. You'll get 3x points on all of the major bonus categories: air travel, hotels, dining, groceries, and gas. Existing cardholders are grandfathered into 3x bonus rewards on other types of travel purchases. It has a $95 annual fee and usually offers a very lucrative 60,000-point signup bonus.
+'''The Premier Card earns 3x ThankYou points on several categories and enables you to transfer your points to many different airline partners'''. You'll get 3x points on all of the major bonus categories: air travel, hotels, dining, groceries, and gas. It has a $95 annual fee and usually offers a very lucrative 60,000-point signup bonus.
 {{/List|Card}}
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 <ul class="simplelist">
-<li>If you are primarily interested in frequent flyer tickets, we think Membership Rewards is better than ThankYou Rewards by a big enough margin to offset the advantages of the Premier card's "all-in-one" bonus categories. Membership Rewards has a better and much bigger set of partner airlines and it is much easier to earn lots of extra Membership Reward points through signup, referral, and upgrade offers.</li>
+<li>If you are primarily interested in frequent flyer tickets, we think Membership Rewards are better than ThankYou Rewards by a big enough margin to offset the advantages of the Premier card's "all-in-one" bonus categories. Membership Rewards has a better and much bigger set of partner airlines and it is much easier to earn lots of extra Membership Reward points through signup, referral, and upgrade offers.</li>
 <li>If you aren't completely comfortable with frequent flyer programs, Ultimate Rewards remains the better option, primarily due to the ease and value of free Hyatt hotel nights (and the slightly higher cash-out rates).</li>

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 You'll need to qualify for business cards and be comfortable using them for your personal purchases, and you'll need to be willing to pay the $595 annual fee for the Business Platinum Card (which does come with some nice other benefits that can partially offset that fee). You'll also need to use another card with any merchant that doesn't take American Express or to avoid the Blue for Business Card's 2.7% foreign transaction fee.
-Alternatively, you can combine the Blue for Business Card with the Schwab Platinum and deposit your points, at 1.25 cents each, into your Schwab account. This makes the Blue for Business Card a 2.5% cashback card.
+Alternatively, you can combine the Blue for Business Card with the Schwab Platinum and deposit your points, at 1.1 cents each (1.25 cents until September), into your Schwab account. This makes the Blue for Business Card a 2.2% cashback card.
 {{/Box}}

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 === Cashback cards that earn at least 2.5% ===
-'''If you are looking for a cashback card, you can possibly do better than the 2.5% back from Alliant Card or the 2% back from one of the no-annual-fee options.'''
+'''If you are looking for a cashback card, you can possibly do better than the 2% back from one of the many no-annual-fee options.'''
 <ul class="bulletlist">
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 The BOA Premium Card has the added advantage of providing extended warranty, 90-day purchase protection, and rarely available return protection (which can offset the cost of a purchase if a store won't accept a return).
 <li>'''If you can justify a high annual fee, a little known card from the Fairwinds credit union might be your best option'''. The {{Card|Fairwinds|only}} earns 5x points on travel, 3x points on restaurants, and 2x points on all other purchases. But when you book your points for travel through the CURewards website, you'll get 1.5 cents per point. That works out to 3% on everday spending, 4.5% on restaurants, and 7.5% on travel. The downside is that the card has a $249 annual fee and doesn't with any special premium card benefits. However, if you spend enough money each year, the high reward rate might make it your best option.</li>

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 </ul>
-The Altitude Reserve has a $400 annual fee, but it comes with an automatic $325 rebate on travel purchases, which reduces your out-of-pocket expense to $75. You’ll also get other benefits such as 4 free airport lounge visits and 12 Gogo inflight Wi-Fi passes. You need to be a customer of U.S. Bank to get the card, but cardholders of other U.S. Bank credit cards are supposed to count. It doesn't offer any price or return protection.
+The Altitude Reserve has a $400 annual fee, but it comes with an automatic $325 rebate on travel and dining purchases, which reduces your out-of-pocket expense to $75. You’ll also get other benefits such as 4 free airport lounge visits and 12 Gogo inflight Wi-Fi passes. You need to be a customer of U.S. Bank to get the card, but cardholders of other U.S. Bank credit cards are supposed to count. It doesn't offer any price or return protection.
 === The Amtrak Card ===

← Older revision	Revision as of 23:39, 18 February 2021
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 <li>'''{{Card|bestwestern|only}}'''. 20,000 bonus points for $5,000 of spending, plus 2x points on any purchase. If you spend exactly $5,000, you'll earn 30,000 points, which we value at {{Value|bestwestern|30000}}, or 3.6 cents per dollar. However, because the extra bonus is relatively small compared to the $59 annual fee, the net reward rate drops to a peak of 2.4%. </li>
-<li>'''[//owner.ford.com/fordpass/fordpass-rewards/credit-card.html FordPass Rewards Visa]'''. $200 statement credit every cardholder year you spend $6,000 (every 12 billing cycles after account opening). While the 1% on everyday purchases needs to be redeemed through Ford, the $200 is a straight credit against any type of spending. That's 3.3% pure cashback on top of whatever Ford points you earn (on exactly $6,000 of spending).
+<li>'''[//owner.ford.com/fordpass/fordpass-rewards/credit-card.html FordPass Rewards Visa]'''. $200 statement credit every cardholder year you spend $6,000 (every 12 billing cycles after account opening). While the 1% on everyday purchases needs to be redeemed through Ford, the $200 is a straight credit against any type of spending. That's 3.3% pure cashback on top of whatever Ford points you earn (on exactly $6,000 of spending).</li>
 </ul>
 </ul>

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 <li>'''If you spend some money on the card's bonus categories, the reward rate for everyday spending is even higher'''. The card's bonus will be spread across fewer dollars of spending you would have done with another general purpose card. For example, the Hyatt's Card's 4x reward rate for Hyatt purchases is more valuable than you can get from using another card. If you spend $1,000 per year at Hyatt, you'll only need $14,000 of everyday spending to earn the extra certificate.</li>
-<li>'''The Hyatt Card is usually the best option for following this approach'''. It offers a fairly good regular reward rate and has a relatively low spending bonus threshold ($15,000). Most people will find opportunities to take advantage of both the Hyatt points and the certificate. Even better, the first free night certificate, which you get just for having the card, more than offsets the annual fee.</li>
+<li>'''The {{Card|Hyatt|Only}} is usually the best option for following this approach'''. It offers a fairly good regular reward rate and has a relatively low spending bonus threshold ($15,000). Most people will find opportunities to take advantage of both the Hyatt points and the certificate. Even better, the first free night certificate, which you get just for having the card, more than offsets the annual fee.</li>
 <li>'''There are some other interesting options'''. There are dozens of other cards that offer some sort of bonus when you hit spending thresholds. Some of the more  options you might consider include:</li>