<p>Our most used credit card gives us 2% “cash back” by adding it to our younger daughter’s 529 account. They are going through some changes, (basically kicking me off the account) and H and I don’t need to save that much more for D3 through this method anyway.</p>
<p>We would like a new credit card without a huge annual fee, that accrues flexible points or money. I’m not too interested in frequent flier miles since all airlines become irritating at some point and I don’t want to be locked into one. We already have a Costco Amex and a Capital One card for international transactions. Any ideas? </p>
<p>I have a Capital One card that pays 1.5% cash back on all transactions, and a Bank of America card that pay 2% back on groceries and 3% on gas. I use whichever card is appropriate for the purchase I am making. </p>
<p>I think I also got an additional cash back award at the outset.</p>
<p>But check to see what’s currently available.</p>
<p>I do not pay any annual fees for credit cards. </p>
<p>Ha ha @greenwitch you have the same credit cards we do. But you have me thinking – what is up with the 2% for college one? Thanks for the heads-up on that. The only other card we have is a TJX card that mostly is for the kids to use in emergencies so I can keep track of their purchases more easily, I don’t think there is a fee. If you do shop at Marshall’s or TJMaxx they give you a lot of coupons for $10 or $20 off.</p>
<p>We shop ALOT on Amazon.com so their visa card works for us.
Through Chase bank I think.
Points back to spend on Amazon and % back on other purchases too. No annual fee.</p>
<p>jym626, I was thinking of Amex but our current Costco Amex gives H and I different card numbers so it makes checking the receipts against the bill a lot more cumbersome. Does the Open Amex do that also? </p>
<p>LBowie, It’s strange, but we got a letter saying, “due to changes to our online services, accounts will only be accessible online to the primary account holders and guarantors”. Apparently I am only an “authorized user”. What they don’t know is that I am the one who takes care of all the billing each month and while we could set up a whole new online system in H’s name for either of us to use, neither of us think it’s worth the effort to do that for a card we will be leaving soon and for a company that set up this silly and unnecessary hurdle for us to jump. </p>
<p>We use a Marriott Chase card. I like it because it gives points, but also gives “elite nights” toward Marriott status. The status has already provided us with a number of nice perks, including upgrades and concierge lounge access. Also, because of multipliers, it generates a lot of points–we’re staying for five nights in London this summer on points. It has an annual fee, but it also gives you one free night automatically which is worth more than the fee. Our card has a chip.</p>
<p>We use the Citicard Thank you card. It gives us points that we turn into gift cards to pay for DS’s college text books which works really well for us because if I got cash back it would get “lost” in the regular budget. You can use the points for other things too. It has no annual fee and the chip. </p>
<p>I have CapOne Spark business Visa. $59/year and 2% cash back on ALL purchases. We love getting $$$$. We also use our free business Costco AmEx, but only get 1% on most purchases, 2% back on travel & dining, and 4% back on gas (use for Costco purchases and gas mostly). </p>
<p>Every year, we get a few nice checks, more than offsetting the $59. S likes the Chase Sapphire card that gives points and is free first year and $95 after that. Gave him a nice signing bonus. </p>
<p>I guess the question is also whether the OP carries a balance. APR is only relevant for individuals who carry a balance or use their card to get cash advances. </p>
<p>I use the Capital One Quicksilver. 1.5% cash back on everything, no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee. It’s not chip and pin yet, but when I asked customer service, they said they would be converting to chip and pin later this year.</p>
<p>calmom - I don’t carry a balance.
shrinkrap - I have a USAA Visa, but it’s the card I keep in a drawer in case H or I are robbed of our wallets and we have to cancel all our other cards. Maybe I should dust it off! </p>
<p>I don’t carry a balance either. Am hoping all credit cards will convert to chip and pin, sooner rather than later. CapOne never mentioned it to me, but I never asked. </p>
<p>@HImom – we have a Chase Sapphire also but it does not have an annual fee. I think they tried to charge one quite a while back and after calling two years on a row to cancel the card, they have never charged a fee since. The rewards program is not great, but not terrible. Ignoring promotions, one point per dollar spent, and the points translate into $100 gift card for 10,000 points, or a flat 1%. Am Ex’s rewards program is not quite as generous. The free Costco AmEx that pays a flat 1.5% (after the first $5K or so) is our most heavily used card.</p>
<p>@greenwitch – I actually like that Costco separates the charges by account #. I find it easier to review the bill that way, but I don’t retain receipts and instead perform a reality check periodically on line. (I don’t wait for the monthly statement.)</p>
<p>Maybe the Sapphire preferred card with mire points has the annual fee, can’t remember because I cancelled due to fee after I got signing bonus and used it for nearly a year. </p>
<p>Presently, I have two Amex’s: Costco and Gold. Earning points better on Gold, but wanted to keep the Costco for the obvious shopping reasons and also because of travel/rental car rates have saved us so much. Always get check back in excess of Costco fee.<br>
So I called to cancel the Gold (got it at a time when they offered 50,000 pts and waived first year fee) when the free year was up. Amex rep offered up 20,000 points if we continued (yes, $75 fee). I value those points at ~ $.02 each, so more than offset the $75 fee. and the points help get Goskids back home periodically…</p>
<p>Infuriatingly, no chip and pin (and not everyone takes Amex)…so that’s why we have a Marriott Visa…and DH has lots of miles from previous work life…so beneficial to keep. And also why we have a United Visa–because of DH’s previous work like, he has Million Miler status…so beneficial to keep. Miles/points/perks/freebie nights are like cash back to us…</p>
<p>So I guess what I’m saying what works for me may not be beneficial to others…there are a lot of options out there…just need to find what fits your needs…</p>