Credit Card with Good Rewards

[Woodenhead]

Anyone have a card they're using that has excellent benefits, points, rewards etc.



I travel a lot for work and it's not uncommon run between $50,000 and $100,000 through my card for expenses each year. It's paid off every month so interest is not an issue.



When I lived in Canada I had a Visa that would give me an airmile for every dollar spent. I still have a couple hundred thousand airmiles which is nice for bringing the wife on the road or flying family out to visit.



Now I live in the US and I'm looking for a similar deal. I know United has a Visa similar to what I had before but for United mileage plus points that can also be used for flights with any of the star alliance partners. Diners club has a little different deal with points that are usable for merchandise. Still looking at what Amex has to offer. Since I'm self employed I can get a card for small business which may have better rewards. Annual fees are not really a big deal since they benefits tend to far outweigh the fee.



Anyway, if you have a card with high rewards I'd like to hear about it.



Mike

 

[biggieou]

In the near future I'm going to get the Fidelity Investment Rewards Signature card. For every $5,000 you spend in net retail purchases, you get $75 deposited into the Fidelity fund of your choice. You can also use the points for flights and merchandise, but I'm going to stick with the $75 deposit.

http://personal.fidelity.com/products/checking/?bar=c

 

[LSilvertooth]

Go to www.daveramsey.com for info on credit cards. All you will need to know is there.

 

[bmoeller]

IIRC, the work card my boss gave to use for fuel and, what not, for work, gets you 3% cashback. It is a Visa Chase business card.

The one he had before was a GM/Mastercard that got him points towards a new GM vehicle. He had that with the original intention of getting a new pickup truck. Changed his mind about the GM, and now thinking maybe a Ram/Cummins since I've had such great luck with mine.

 

[Woodenhead]

Go to www.daveramsey.com for info on credit cards. All you will need to know is there.

I think everyone should read was this guy has to say, some good advice! Especially young folks just getting started in the world of money.



I had a look at The Dave Ramsey site. He essentially says using credit cards will lead to spending more money and getting into debt. Even if you pay it every month it still causes you to spend more money because you don't "feel the money leaving you".



I agree this is the case for most folks with credit cards, it was even my case when I was younger. However, I use my card for expenses I'd be paying either way. My customers are invoiced for and pay the job related expenses before I ever see the credit card bill. Either way the money is always there to pay the bill in full.



In 5 years I have used my credit card for most purchases including groceries and paid if off in full each month, never paid a cent of interest. In those five years I have paid about $600 in card fees. The air miles I've accumulated have bought 8 coach and 2 first class round trip tickets from Toronto to Seattle and I still have enough miles for 5 more seats. I'd say that's pretty good value for my $600.



Maybe one of the cash back cards would be good, I'd get cash back for spending someone elses money. Can't see myself with the Gm visa .



Thanks for all the input so far.

 

[GAmes]

If you are a sportsman check out Cabelas. I too spend over 50 Gs a year and pay each month in full, so no interest (did you know credit card companies refer to us as deadbeats?). I have several G. Loomis rods and Curado reels in the boat, all free. Lots of other stuff as well.

 

[bighammer]

Cards are not the deal they used to be. I built my first house using a Northwest Worldperks VISA card. They had a deal that every 10,000 points (dollars or miles) was good for a one-way ticket voucher. We had an envelope full of them and flew all over the place-- Nice to hop, skip, & jump around the US so easily.

Now their "rewards" are totally different and it takes a lot more banked miles to fly. I don't like flying much anymore, either. Their anual fee has pushed up to $75, so I just closed that one. I still have plenty of points banked. (We should fly to Europe or something before they go under )

I just signed up for an Amazon.com VISA. No anual fee Platinum with a $25 to spend (at Amazon) for every 2500 points. They also give you $30 credit on your first puchase.

 

[BimmerAgent]

Capital One

Woodenhead, I use Cap One for personal & business. One mile per dollar spent, no annual fee, no blackouts on ANY airline, and you can redeem your points for nearly anything you want, airline tickets or merchandise. They've been workin' out well for years. Bruce

 

[SuperSteeler]

With my Chase Visa I can get 1% or put that towards gift cards at several different retailers. I have always opted for the cash back though, it's free money since I am one of those "deadbeats" GAmes was talking about.