Great thread! I am applying for the AMEX Blue Cash preferred. One question though, are you allowed to add cash to a purchase with this card? For example, buy a pack of gum at Walmart and get $20 cash added to the transaction. We have only used Discover, so I don't know if that is a credit card limitation or a store limitation.

Do any credit cards allow that? I've always assumed that was a debit card only type of transaction.

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Do any credit cards allow that? I've always assumed that was a debit card only type of transaction.

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Same here. I've never heard of a CC allowing cash back unless going through their own system and being charged the fee/interest on it.

If anyone wants a referral for Amex Blue Cash Preferred, email me at username04 at gmail.com

Yes, I have been doing that for years with my Discover card. Not all stores allow cash back on credit purchases, but some do. I just didn't know if it was a credit card thing or a store thing.

Interesting. I'd assume its a store thing then... if they want to pay the fees to allow their customers to use them as a free ATM, more power to them.

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Nobody has mentioned what I consider to be the best hidden benefit of the AmEx BCP card. Now that every supermarket has "gift card malls", you can get 6% back on gift card purchases. I make all my amazon, google play, and starbucks purchases with gift cards I buy at the supermarket with my BCP. Last year when the washer and dryer the wife wanted went on sale at Best Buy, I bought $1000 in Best Buy gift cards at the supermarket and effectively got 6% back on my appliances.

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You can buy Egift cards online (the exchange type websites) and get 6% off face value, if not more. Then purchase online, so you never even leave your house. And this is not getting 6% back, this is just saving 6% off the top.

And you buy those with a credit card, so you still your credit card rebate on top of that, whatever it is.
Combine that with buying coupons on ebay for so many places (lowe's, best buy, etc) it's easy to save quiet a bit if you have a large purchase in your future.

But the limit is $6000 spent or $6000 cash back? Because we spend ~$800/month at HEB as a family of five.

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But the limit is $6000 spent or $6000 cash back? Because we spend ~$800/month at HEB as a family of five.

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nm, i had it backwards.

The limit is $6000 spent on groceries or $360 in rewards. So yes, a family will likely cap out on it. After you hit it, it goes to 1%. This is why the card needs a supplement like the citi double cash or whatever.

There is no cap on the 3% gas.

If you spend more than the $6000 cap per year pair it with the Chase Freedom card. One quarter per year they always have 5% cash back at grocery stores (capped at $1500 for the quarter). So you can switch to the CF for that quarter and get a high cash back rate with a larger overall cap ($7500 per year)

Appreciate all the contributions to this thread. I'm still waiting on my citi double to come in. Got my Amex BCP and I must say, the user interface on the website and the app are very well done. Also, the chat support function was extremely quick and very helpful. So far very impressed with the AMEX.

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Lots of good info here, but just a FYI for those that love your card because fraud charges once showed up and they didn't make you pay... that's kind of a given when it comes to credit cards. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone having fraudulent charges placed on their card and the CC company said "sorry, you're paying for it!".

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It's more that the fraud was caught damn near instantly and the company called me instead of 30 days later when a statement came and I had to call the company to fight.

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My experience with AMEX on potential fraudulent charges is a little different. I agree completely that they have more of a hair trigger versus our MC and Visa cards, but for us the trigger is WAY too sensitive.

Roughly 5-6 times a year the freeze my account because their potential fraud detection systems are triggered by our normal spending. After multiple discussions with managers in their fraud prevention team we've determined that there is basically nothing we can do about it--no notes in their system will prevent us fro getting shut down. We don't have the same problem with our MC or Visa, so we're using our AMEX less and our MC more now.

The key trigger for us is spending out of our home state in relative near time frame to spending in our home state. Both my wife and I travel out of state frequently for work, so it happens relatively often that one of us will make a purchase out of state around the same time as the other makes a purchase in state. This almost always triggers the AMEX fraud warning system and shuts our card down until we can call. I know that it is a first world problem to have to call their fraud department to confirm the activity, but when I don't have to do that multiple times a year on my MC or Visa, it makes me want to do less on our AMEX card.

The ironic thing is that we've had 2 fraudulent charges get through in the last 4 years and both were on our AMEX card--not our MC or Visa, so even with their more sensitive triggers it didn't work twice, and we haven't had fraudulent charges on our MC or Visa. The first fraudulent charge on our AMEX was big--almost $4k worth of airline tickets purchased in South America on our account. The second wasn't too big, maybe around $500 worth of online purchases. As others have said we weren't responsible for either of these charges--just simply had to sign an affidavit that we didn't make the charges and they pulled them off of our account.

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Lots of good info here, but just a FYI for those that love your card because fraud charges once showed up and they didn't make you pay... that's kind of a given when it comes to credit cards. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone having fraudulent charges placed on their card and the CC company said "sorry, you're paying for it!".

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It's more that the fraud was caught damn near instantly and the company called me instead of 30 days later when a statement came and I had to call the company to fight.

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My experience with AMEX on potential fraudulent charges is a little different. I agree completely that they have more of a hair trigger versus our MC and Visa cards, but for us the trigger is WAY too sensitive.

Roughly 5-6 times a year the freeze my account because their potential fraud detection systems are triggered by our normal spending. After multiple discussions with managers in their fraud prevention team we've determined that there is basically nothing we can do about it--no notes in their system will prevent us fro getting shut down. We don't have the same problem with our MC or Visa, so we're using our AMEX less and our MC more now.

The key trigger for us is spending out of our home state in relative near time frame to spending in our home state. Both my wife and I travel out of state frequently for work, so it happens relatively often that one of us will make a purchase out of state around the same time as the other makes a purchase in state. This almost always triggers the AMEX fraud warning system and shuts our card down until we can call. I know that it is a first world problem to have to call their fraud department to confirm the activity, but when I don't have to do that multiple times a year on my MC or Visa, it makes me want to do less on our AMEX card.

The ironic thing is that we've had 2 fraudulent charges get through in the last 4 years and both were on our AMEX card--not our MC or Visa, so even with their more sensitive triggers it didn't work twice, and we haven't had fraudulent charges on our MC or Visa. The first fraudulent charge on our AMEX was big--almost $4k worth of airline tickets purchased in South America on our account. The second wasn't too big, maybe around $500 worth of online purchases. As others have said we weren't responsible for either of these charges--just simply had to sign an affidavit that we didn't make the charges and they pulled them off of our account.

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I travel to Mexico once every couple of months and have had this happen three times in the last two years. I have even called before hand to let them know I am flying in for a day meeting and then coming back. It is really, really inconvenient. That being said, they have nipped fraudulent charges in the bud on two other occasions. It is just kind of something we have to deal with these days. I try to use Apple Pay where I can to limit the amount of times my card number is transmitted, skimmed, stored on 100 different servers, etc. Trying to keep it in the hands of only the good hackers that are able to steal from Apple.

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one that this happens to.

I also always call before international trips, and fortunately we haven't had any problems with them shutting us down when either my wife or I are out of the country while the other one is at home.

For a while I was calling when either my wife or I would be traveling out of state to put a travel notice on our account, but it became really, really inconvenient to call all the time, so I quit doing that.

I can't believe a credit card company can't figure out such a simple solution to this.

Like I mentioned last page, USAA sends me a text to verify suspicious purchases. I can verify, or decline it, and they can take appropriate action. They will never just freeze my card. And the travel notifications work great, but if I forget to do it, as soon as I use the card away from home market, I'll get that text asking to verify. Absolutely no reason for a company to just freeze your card after a suspicious purchase without contacting you first.

I agree with you completely. I've literally had 6 different discussions with their fraud department managers over the years trying to figure out a work around or solution to avoid the problem. I can't believe that we're the only family / users out there that have spouses that both travel to multiple states.

They do text and email me when there is a potential fraudulent charge, but their process is to freeze the account until I confirm the charges.

Maybe it was an issue with the issuing bank? I'm not sure how it works--if the issuing bank controls some portion of the fraud check system, or if it is the credit card company.

My best experience with AMEX customer service was after my wife had her wallet stolen out of the diaper bag while she was shopping.. I called all of the credit card companies immediately. AMEX answered immediately and shipped a new card overnight. We received it the next day. I thought that was pretty great service. While I really have no complains with Visa and it was an easy process overall, card still took 4-5 days to show up.

I have the Blue cash everyday card, although thinking about switching to preferred. Also have Chase Freedom and Chase Sapphire preferred. I don't use my AMEX as much as I should because I like the points on the chase to save up for a big trip in the future but may cancel the sapphire preferred before my next annual fee.

Also, since this discussion is about credit cards, if you don't know, Target has their own 'redcard', which gives you 5% off online and in store, and free shipping online with no minimum purchase.

You can have a debit card version (which auto drafts from your checking account) or a credit card version, good only at Target.

Target is our weekly retailer/grocer, so 5% off is great. It's easily a couple hundred bucks a year in savings, and the free shipping makes it a great second option on top of Prime.

Does anyone have an Amazon card? I use Subscribe and Save it is frankly my go-to retailer, so I'm thinking 3% is deal considering how much I use it. Just curious if anyone else has this card.

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Well dammit, didn't notice there were two options there.

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Just call them once you get it, they'll convert/upgrade your card upon request without making you re-apply.

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Got my new Amex Blue Cash Everyday card today. Called to upgrade to Blue Cash Preferred, but they told me I wasn't eligible yet and needed to wait 6 months. What's my move here? Call back in a month? Cancel and reapply for the BCP account? Wait 6 months and try to upgrade then? Call back now and threaten to cancel if they don't upgrade me?

Waiting 6 months will cost me a couple hundred bucks in lost rewards.

TIA

Thought of this thread when I read this article - Chase looks to have implemented new policies to limit card/mile churners.

Chase 5/24 Rule

From article "New credit card applicants no longer qualify for signup bonuses if they owned the same credit card at any point in the past"

I figured this would be the norm already.. you mean you can sign up for, let's say, southwest credit card multiple times, after closing your previous one, and get the mileage bonus?

That's hard to believe. How could a CC company not see right through that practice from day 1?

Still don't have my Citi double cash card.... But I did receive a letter saying it was coming soon. Why not just put it in that envelope? Dumb.

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Thought of this thread when I read this article - Chase looks to have implemented new policies to limit card/mile churners.

Chase 5/24 Rule

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Yes I can confirm this I sign up for credit cards to earn sign up bonus and cancel them before the next annual fee is due to accumulate travel points. I have an 800+ FICO but have been denied by Chase recently for too many opened accounts in the last 24 months. Going to have to be a lot more selective now. And to answer 62 strats question yes most issuers will allow you to earn the sign up bonus, cancel the card wait 18-24 months (depends on issuer but generally 18 months for citi and 24 for chase) get the card again and a new sign up bonus. Have been doing this for years and haven't paid for a flight in 10 years. I hope citi and chase don't adopt Amex's policy of one and done for a sign up bonus.

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The SW personal and business was the single greatest churn for married couples flying domestic. We're on our sixth year - alternating every other year. Reddit and Flyertalk have good threads on the change.

Citi just closed the AA World Elite loop-hole. That one was pretty spectacular as well. You sign up for the AA Advantage but Citi would automatically upgrade your card to World Elite within a few months and re-code you as not having the AA Advantage making you eligible again. We churned 250,000 AA miles in a year.

Also, 800+ FICOs.

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Does anyone have an Amazon card? I use Subscribe and Save it is frankly my go-to retailer, so I'm thinking 3% is deal considering how much I use it. Just curious if anyone else has this card.

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I have the Amazon card. Works great. Just fyi that cards like Chase Journey and Discover it often have a 5% rebate with Amazon. Usually one quarter out of the year, and if memory serves me, the last quarter (xmas time).

So you can get the 3% for 9 months and get 5% for 3 months. Or something very close to that scenario by alternating with the amazon and journey/discover card.


I have both the Chase Amazon and Chase Journey. I use the 3% when the 5% isn't available from the Journey card.

EDIT: Also the Amazon card in addition to the 3% at amazon, you also get 2% back at restaurants, gas, and drugstores. 1% for everything else.

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how do you request a credit increase?

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You can go to your online account and request it through there or you can call the 800 number on the back of your card and talk to customer services and request it from them. They typically require info like monthly/yearly wages, amount of rent/mortgage, etc.

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Also to add, often times the cards will increase your credit limits automatically. I recently had this happen on both my Amex, and two Chase cards. I never asked or contacted them.

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From article "New credit card applicants no longer qualify for signup bonuses if they owned the same credit card at any point in the past"

I figured this would be the norm already.. you mean you can sign up for, let's say, southwest credit card multiple times, after closing your previous one, and get the mileage bonus?

That's hard to believe. How could a CC company not see right through that practice from day 1?

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Because they still get paid for the swipes, and while most "churners" don't pay a lick of interest, there will be a few folks who shouldn't get into the hobby that end up paying boatloads of it. Rewards cards typically have the worst APRs. Add to that the number of folks who probably miss the minimum spending deadline and it probably is still a net gain for a lot of companies.

I just got into churning this last year, and pretty much every good method has been shut down or cracked down on. Kind of a bummer. But I have about 500,000 points spread out over various programs that I need to start burning through that I earned over 6 months. Not too bad of a deal.

I have the Chase sapphire preferred card and wife is an authorized user. My annual fee is coming up in June and am curious if I were to cancel the card and have my wife then apply for it would she be eligible for the 50K bonus points right away or would we still have to wait the 18-24 months?

Well it's been about a month and so far very happy with my 3 cards.

Amex credited my statement 150.00 for spending 1k and gave me another 20.00 for paying my phone bill.

Also pretty great that it helps track our spending each month by separating groceries, gas and everything else on 3 cards.

I have had the Chase Freedom for years as my everyday card. About a year ago, I got the Sam's Card (5% on gas, 3% dinning and travel, 1% on all other purchases).

My main expense categories are travel, dinning, and groceries. I recently changed jobs where I primarily work from home but travel much more. So my gas expenses have decreased significantly while increasing my airfare, hotel, etc expenses.

I am responsible for purchasing most of my business travel on my own then am reimbursed by my company.

I have always been a cash back vs. points guy but "points game" has become inciting. I still think I rather have cash back and flexibility in booking travel options vs. having to keep up with all the requirements for accumulating and using points.

The Sam's Card is good for the categories I spend money on but the website interface an customer service leaves a lot to be desired. So I am thinking about switching over to the Costco card once my Sam's membership is up in a few months. I prefer Costco to Sam's for shopping anyway.

It also seems like the Amex Blue Preferred is a highly recommended card. I like the idea of having an Amex for certain items like concert presales, etc.

Ultimately, I would have the Chase Freedom, Amex Blue Cash Preferred, and Costco card.

Thoughts / suggestions?

The citi double cash is a great card for the "miscellaneous" categories

2% unlimited and no fee