Question
So I have quite a few miles cards, but what is the best for cash back?
Answer
So I have quite a few miles cards, but what is the best for cash back?
http://personal.fidelity.com/products/checking/content/mcplatplus.shtml
If you have an Fidelity (cash managment) account, Fidelity/MBNA has 1.5% rebate up to $1500/yr.
If you have an 529 account with Fidelity, Fidelity/MBNA has 2% rebate toward its 529 account.
Answer
http://personal.fidelity.com/products/checking/content/mcplatplus.shtml
If you have an Fidelity (cash managment) account, Fidelity/MBNA has 1.5% rebate up to $1500/yr.
If you have an 529 account with Fidelity, Fidelity/MBNA has 2% rebate toward its 529 account.
Is there a max limit on the 529 one?
Answer
Is there a max limit on the 529 one?
I believe it's $1500/yr.
Citi has a couple of 5%/1% cards but they are limited to $300/yr; 5% rebate is at gas, grocery and drug stores...
Answer
My US Credit Card Comparison Table (http://www.andrewcram.com/frequentflyerCC.html) includes a variety of cards (cash back is the last section) from the major players. There is a lot of fine print with cashback cards so you will be reading a lot - still the table might have some useful info for you.
Answer
THanks Andrew. Any chance you'll update with the Fidelity cards?
Answer
THanks Andrew. Any chance you'll update with the Fidelity cards?
Chance = Yes, Strong chance in next few days = Not really ;) I am trying to get some non-FF related things done this week....
Answer
So I have quite a few miles cards, but what is the best for cash back?
I have several but these two are my favorite.
Chase PerFect 1% on everyday purchases and 3% on gasoline. The rebate is reflected on the following billing cycle. Also have a specials at sign-up.
PenFed Visa Platinum 1.25% cash rebate. The rebate is also reflected on the following billing cycle.
Answer
Chance = Yes, Strong chance in next few days = Not really ;) I am trying to get some non-FF related things done this week....
What!?!?! You mean you have a life??? :D
Answer
What!?!?! You mean you have a life??? :D
Not really but every now and then I make the attempt to get one! :D
Answer
OK - Fidelity cards added (as well as the new JetBlue Amex)...
Answer
thanks Andrew!
Answer
reading through the fine print on this card, it appears that you can actually get the rebate in cash if you don't open a 529 account. has anyone tried that?
Answer
reading through the fine print on this card, it appears that you can actually get the rebate in cash if you don't open a 529 account. has anyone tried that?
Wow! where is that link? If you are correct then that means a 2% cash back card which is too good to be true. Details please.
Answer
reading through the fine print on this card, it appears that you can actually get the rebate in cash if you don't open a 529 account. has anyone tried that?
The fine print on the online application states that you must open a fidelity managed 529 account to receive payment and that this must be transfered to the account and if not the points you earn expire after one year so from my reading you can not get cash.
Answer
ATT Universal Cash Rewards Card. 5% on supermarket, gasoline, and drug store purchases; 1% on everything else. Can accumulate up to $300 cash reward in a calendar year. No fee. www.universalcard.com
Answer
Chance = Yes, Strong chance in next few days = Not really ;) I am trying to get some non-FF related things done this week....
You mean miles and life are not the same thing?! I have been misled by this forum. :(
Answer
Earn based upon the following monthly spending thresholds:
$0-$1,500 = 0.5%,
$1,501-$3,000 = 1%,
$3,001-$5,000 = 1.5%,
$5,000 - $6000= 2.0%.
Nothing earned for purchase >$6000/month. Only bad thing about the card is that it takes between 3-5 weeks for MBNA to send the information to stockback and for stockback to then send you a check/direct deposit at ING or whatever other payment method you choose.
http://www.stockback.com/
https://wwwn.applyonlinenow.com/USapp/Ctl/redirect?CV_sourceCode=HV67&CV_MC=A000001NHK
Answer
ATT Universal Cash Rewards Card. 5% on supermarket, gasoline, and drug store purchases; 1% on everything else. Can accumulate up to $300 cash reward in a calendar year. No fee. www.universalcard.com
This sounds just like the terms for Citi Dividend. Is the cash rebate automatically applied to your balance or do you have to request a paper check, like Citi Div?
Answer
Earn based upon the following monthly spending thresholds:
$0-$1,500 = 0.5%,
$1,501-$3,000 = 1%,
$3,001-$5,000 = 1.5%,
$5,000 - $6000= 2.0%.
Nothing earned for purchase >$6000/month. Only bad thing about the card is that it takes between 3-5 weeks for MBNA to send the information to stockback and for stockback to then send you a check/direct deposit at ING or whatever other payment method you choose.
http://www.stockback.com/
https://wwwn.applyonlinenow.com/USapp/Ctl/redirect?CV_sourceCode=HV67&CV_MC=A000001NHK
wow. and that is not even weighted (would have been 1.2%). I'm thinking I should get one of these and spend exactly $6K on it a month. Can this really last? The only other with 2% on all purchases is the Fidelity 529 one, and they do it to get the management fees on your funds.
Answer
This sounds just like the terms for Citi Dividend. Is the cash rebate automatically applied to your balance or do you have to request a paper check, like Citi Div?
Yup, they are essentially same cards by same company, Citi.
Answer
I have several but these two are my favorite.
Chase PerFect 1% on everyday purchases and 3% on gasoline. The rebate is reflected on the following billing cycle. Also have a specials at sign-up.
PenFed Visa Platinum 1.25% cash rebate. The rebate is also reflected on the following billing cycle.
The Chase Cash Plus Reward Visa Card - $50 Cash Back 0% intro APR - call 1-888-787-0329. Earn $50 Cash Back or gift certificate after first purchase. Earn 5% Cash Back on qualified grocery, gas, Drugstore puchases & 1% on all other purchases. No annual fee. Limited-time offer - apply by August 31, 2005.
This is very similar to citibank's offering.
Answer
Best Cashback Cards:
Personal (As stated above):
Chase Cashback 5% (Great if you can get the $50 signup) $300 Annual Cap
Citibank Dividend Platinum MC 5% Cashback $300 Annual Cap
Small Business (Don't report debt on your personal credit report!):
Advanta Platinum MC 5% Cashback $300 Annual Cap, Primary Rental Ins
Costco Amex Cashback (3% Dining, 2% Travel, 1% Etc) No Annual Cap
All have no annual fees. Advanta has a fixed rate 7.99% Purchases with 0% for 1 yr on Balance Transfers.
For some people, cashback is a better way to go than miles/points.
Answer
wow. and that is not even weighted (would have been 1.2%). I'm thinking I should get one of these and spend exactly $6K on it a month. Can this really last? The only other with 2% on all purchases is the Fidelity 529 one, and they do it to get the management fees on your funds.
I don't think you are reading it quite right; i think it is weighted. You only earn 2% on purchases between 5-6k in spending. So I interpret this offer as exactly 1% cashback if monthly spending is 4500; then 1.5% on the next $500; then 2% on the next $1000; then nothing after that. not so good.
I really like the AT&T Universal Cash Rewards Card, as mentioned above. it is actual cash back, not funky points, and that is always nice.
Answer
I don't think you are reading it quite right; i think it is weighted. You only early 2% on purchases between 5-6k in spending. So I interpret this offer as exactly 1% cashback if monthly spending is 4500; then 1.5% on the next $500; then 2% on the next $1000; then nothing after that. not so good.
I really like the AT&T Universal Cash Rewards Card, as mentioned above. it is actual cash back, not funky points, and that is always nice.
I agree that is a possible interpretation. If so I think their material is grossly misleading. Anyone care to call and find out?
Answer
I don't think you are reading it quite right; i think it is weighted. You only earn 2% on purchases between 5-6k in spending. So I interpret this offer as exactly 1% cashback if monthly spending is 4500; then 1.5% on the next $500; then 2% on the next $1000; then nothing after that. not so good.
I really like the AT&T Universal Cash Rewards Card, as mentioned above. it is actual cash back, not funky points, and that is always nice.
I agree that is a possible interpretation. If so I think their material is grossly misleading. Anyone care to call and find out?
No it isn't weighted; you need to interpret it exactly as posted originally. I have a stockback card. Spend $6k per month and get $120 cash back. Like I said, the only bad thing is that it takes a while for the credit. For my statement that closed 7/1 cash back was processed by MBNA on 7/31, accepted by stockback on 8/17. I should get my money on 8/24. So it takes about 3-5 weeks normally after the statement closes but this time, about 6 weeks. I'm not sure if it has something to do with the statement closing date. I might need to experiment with that to see if they do something strange like process everything at the end of each month.
Answer
Hi folks,
Last week I got an invite in the mail (with an invitation code) to apply for the HSBC Mastercard. I was taken aback when I read the offer...
1% upto USD 2500 purchases
2% btwn USD 2500-5000 purchases
5% for ALL purchases about USD 5000
I read the offer multiple times for any loopholes but couldn't find any (except for an annual max of 300$). So I applied, got approved and now am waiting for the card to arrive. I'll post my experience with it in a while...
Anyone else got the same offer/using the card already?
Answer
No it isn't weighted; you need to interpret it exactly as posted originally. I have a stockback card. Spend $6k per month and get $120 cash back. Like I said, the only bad thing is that it takes a while for the credit. For my statement that closed 7/1 cash back was processed by MBNA on 7/31, accepted by stockback on 8/17. I should get my money on 8/24. So it takes about 3-5 weeks normally after the statement closes but this time, about 6 weeks. I'm not sure if it has something to do with the statement closing date. I might need to experiment with that to see if they do something strange like process everything at the end of each month.
https://wwwn.applyonlinenow.com/USapp/Ctl/redirect?CV_sourceCode=HV67&CV_MC=A000001NHK
I believe you are right, and I stand corrected. Interesting offer, if you spend over $3000 per month. You get up to 120 reward dollars back, convertable to USD on a 1:1 basis, and receivable in cash in increments of 25 USD. It's also combinable with the rest of the Stockback program, which appears to offer higher rebates for certain merchants.
Answer
deleted
Answer
Last week I got an invite in the mail (with an invitation code) to apply for the HSBC Mastercard. I was taken aback when I read the offer...
1% upto USD 2500 purchases
2% btwn USD 2500-5000 purchases
5% for ALL purchases about USD 5000
With a $300 max, it's essentially 1% on up to 2.5k, 2% between 2.5k-5k, then 5% between 5k-9.5k. At that point you hit the cap. This turns into an effective earning rate of 3.16% which is not too shabby at all.
The only cash card I could see on HSBC's web site is a flat 1% back. So the offer you got is definitely nice. One caveat with HSBC: I know Household Bank (an HSBC subsidiary) is moving to a 3% forex conversion fee. Presumably HSBC will be as well (if they're not already there).
Answer
I've been reading all the threads I could find which deal with forex fees over the past few weeks, and I'm supremely confused. My Amtrak MC will be soon obsolete (assuming that MBNA/BofA add the 3% forex fee as of Oct. 1st), and I've yet to figure out which card I should switch to. We do a lot of forex transactions, so the difference between 3% and 1% or 0% is substantial. Ideally, I'd like a card that has no annual fee, charges no forex fee (or just 1%), and offers some sort of reward program (points, miles, cashback, you name it, I'll find a way to use them). So far, the only bank which seems to fit these requirements appears to be Capital One. Am I missing something? I don't think I qualify for one of the VISA/MC offered by military associations. I also checked the Juniper Bank Harvard Alumni Association MC. It appears that anyone can apply for it (even a UH-UCSC alumna like myself!) or am I wrong? Does anyone have any experience with this card or its reward program?
Answer
Well, MBNA does offer Amex credit cards like its MBNA Rewards card which only has a 1% foreign currency fee but I don't know if you want an Amex or not. You also could probably take your existing amtrak card and keep your credit history by changing to the MBNA Rewards card. It has worldpoints which obviously is crappy unless you charge a lot in which case you can get 1% back after you spend $25000 dollars. Plus if you have any dining or travel expenses through January 1, 2006 they are offering double points meaning that you could in theory reach 2% cashback on those particular purchases. Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
JC
Answer
You may want to check out the Merril+ Visa. It's issued by MBNA. I couldn't find out any mention of a foreign conversion fee on the website.
It gives 1 of their miles per dollar spent. You can get additional benefits if you spend 20K or 50K. Those benefits are calendar year based.