"I've had AmexGreen card for decades and haven't really thought much about getting any other. Until now. There are such good deals on some many cards it's worth exploring. You said that Aggie site was good at this sort of thing so maybe they have sage advice. Here's what I use card for and would like to get from one:

I pay everything with a card vs cash except for cell phone and electric. I do that so I can keep close tabs on what I'm spending and because I like the "where you spent your money" budget categories available. I also use it as a forced stick to budget plan. But should emergency occur I want lowest possible APR.
I have excellent credit (860 APR) but since retirement not matched with good income, so not sure how that impacts stuff.
Only other card I have is a standard Discover, which I keep in reserve in case I need to charge something big (like car repairs.) It has zero balance but it's still active.
If I had magic wand...
No fees WHATEVER... this is as important, if not more, than stuff like cash back, and cash back is only thing I'm even remotely interested in as far as features go.
Lowest possible APR in addition to no fees.
I think APPLE's new card might be a good option, but not sure how it stacks up against all the other options. Since I do have iPhone, I could use Apple pay but don't really shop at many places out here that use Apple pay. Grocery store does though and that's where bulk of money goes so still may be an advantage.

NOW, last question. When I get new card I should cancel AmEx, otherwise even if I don't use it I have $35 annual charge? BUT what might be downside of cancelling a card? I know there is no hit to credit score??, but given my age (retirement) it will be increasingly difficult to qualify for new cards. Still, I don't think AmEx has any loyalty to me.

So, any thoughts/advice would be welcome. I want to make a decision BEFORE Dec. 29 because new higher fee is charged Jan. 1."

I just got her text and I'll research it but it'd be cool to have the Aggie Network help out my sister.

Thanks in advance & gig 'em!
I'll share what I find out in this thread.

Chase has some really good no fee cards. She should go have a look and see what's the best fit.

Chase Freedom Unlimited is a cash back card that earns 1.5 cents back per $1.

If she has amazon prime, she could get the chase amazon prime card. It's 5cents back per $1 spent on amazon. 1 cent on everything else.

Thank you!

It really depends on how much money she spends, what she spends it on, what she does with the rewards, and how much she keeps up with it.

Chase Freedom and Discover are good cards to keep around for the rotating quarterly 5% cash back categories if she keeps up with it (not that hard). Freedom Unlimited or USAA preferred are good all around cards for everyday use (1.5% cash back).

If she travels quite a bit and would use the points towards travel, there are a number of good travel cards she could look into (Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve, CapitalOne Venture, a number of other Amex cards - though these all have fees, could still be worth it).

Citi DoubleCash (2% on everything) is tough to beat as a go-to everyday card. Other specialty cards (i.e. use for travel, groceries, gas, Amazon, etc) are great for specialty/category based rewards.

I pair the DoubleCash up with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred (6% on groceries, 6% on streaming services, 3% gas, and some other categories I forget). This has a fee, but there is a free not Preferred version with lesser rewards. Anyone with even a relatively modest grocery budget will cover the fee in rewards though.

Hands down the two best options are the Citi Double cash, and the Fidelity Rewards Visa. Both are no annual fee, and provide unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. I think both have a $100 sign up bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.

If your sister already has a fidelity account with investments, then the fidelity card might make sense since it provides cash back direct to a fidelity investment account. However, the Citi double cash is much simpler, 2% cash everything as long as you pay your bill. I can't recommend the Citi double cash card enough.

Citi DoubleCash is a good one. If not interested in travel or a card with fees it really limits the options/benefits but its good that she knows what she wants. Chase Freedom unlimited is 1.5% but also 0% APR for 15 months if that is important.

Getting both would not be a bad idea either. Build a relationship with both banks. Eventually you will find out which card you prefer. (user interface on their website might make one more desirable than the other)

If she has Amazon Prime, get the Chase Amazon Prime Rewards for 5% cash back. And only use it on Amazon.

If she shops at Target, get the Target DEBIT card. I don't really support the credit version but the debit card is awesome. 5% cash back at Target and nice benefits like more time to return stuff.

Get a 3% card for gas
Get the 2% card for miscellaneous
Get a 6% card for groceries
Get a 6% card for business type expenses like phones and streaming services.


This is assuming you want cash back cards. This is my setup.

Oh and get the prime card for amazon (5%)