Comments on: Get Free Money: Comparing Cash Back (Rebate) Credit Cards http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/ A premiere personal finance blog, established 2003. Within, Flexo discusses his own experiences with money, and he and other authors comment on a wide range of personal finance topics. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:50:42 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: credit card user http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-84799 credit card user Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:53:16 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-84799 "Nevertheless, this isn’t a good option for everyone.For example, if someone plans on applying for a loan in the near future, applying for a number of credit cards will temporarily lower the applicant’s credit score. " If you are going to apply for only one credit card (i mean cash back credit card) it doesn't lower your score much. So it isn't a reason. But mind that cash back credit card is profitable only if you have high money tornover on your card. If you don't spend much you cash back credit card wouldn't give you so much advance. “Nevertheless, this isn’t a good option for everyone.For example, if someone plans on applying for a loan in the near future, applying for a number of credit cards will temporarily lower the applicant’s credit score. ” If you are going to apply for only one credit card (i mean cash back credit card) it doesn’t lower your score much. So it isn’t a reason. But mind that cash back credit card is profitable only if you have high money tornover on your card. If you don’t spend much you cash back credit card wouldn’t give you so much advance.

]]> By: Miller http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-75516 Miller Wed, 27 Dec 2006 01:29:48 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-75516 You probably left it off because its a points card, but I highly recommend the Citi mtvU card for students out there. 5% back at restaurants and book stores (includes Amazon!) and some other random stuff (movie rentals, blah blah blah). Anyway, its technically points, but you get 1:1 dollars on student loan rebates. Woohooo!!! Since we talking about it, my Citi Plat Div Select card was also reduced to 2%, but my Chase Rewards wasn't... its still at 5% for markets/pharm/gas. Maybe I just got lucky?? I know they offer this card new only giving 3% now... still better than Citi's 2% though. You probably left it off because its a points card, but I highly recommend the Citi mtvU card for students out there. 5% back at restaurants and book stores (includes Amazon!) and some other random stuff (movie rentals, blah blah blah). Anyway, its technically points, but you get 1:1 dollars on student loan rebates. Woohooo!!!

Since we talking about it, my Citi Plat Div Select card was also reduced to 2%, but my Chase Rewards wasn’t… its still at 5% for markets/pharm/gas. Maybe I just got lucky?? I know they offer this card new only giving 3% now… still better than Citi’s 2% though.

]]> By: Credit Card Cash Back Rewards Hound http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-74136 Credit Card Cash Back Rewards Hound Mon, 18 Dec 2006 04:15:28 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-74136 To easily calculate which cash back card (or combination of cards) is best for your spending profile, I'd recommend the free rewards calculator at http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/ . To easily calculate which cash back card (or combination of cards) is best for your spending profile, I’d recommend the free rewards calculator at http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/ .

]]> By: Blaine Moore (First Time Home Owner) http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-73844 Blaine Moore (First Time Home Owner) Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:16:41 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-73844 I use the Discover platinum when they offer 5% on gas and groceries; right now the 5% categories aren't things I regularly spend money on. As such, I usually use a geico rewards visa card, which gives me 3% on those categories and 1% otherwise. It is only good towards my insurance bill, but I will definately spend the money on insurance twice a year so it works out well for me. I use the Discover platinum when they offer 5% on gas and groceries; right now the 5% categories aren’t things I regularly spend money on.

As such, I usually use a geico rewards visa card, which gives me 3% on those categories and 1% otherwise. It is only good towards my insurance bill, but I will definately spend the money on insurance twice a year so it works out well for me.

]]> By: Free Money Finance http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-73833 Free Money Finance Fri, 15 Dec 2006 11:21:15 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-73833 Star Money Articles for the Week of Dec. 11... Here are interesting posts and news this week from the MoneyBlogNetwork members and beyond: AllFinancialMatters advises on the best place to roll over a retirement plan. MightyBargainHunter lists 118 ways to save money in college. Five Cent Nickel list... Star Money Articles for the Week of Dec. 11…

Here are interesting posts and news this week from the MoneyBlogNetwork members and beyond: AllFinancialMatters advises on the best place to roll over a retirement plan. MightyBargainHunter lists 118 ways to save money in college. Five Cent Nickel list…

]]> By: whoDean http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-73701 whoDean Wed, 13 Dec 2006 21:17:20 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-73701 The Chase Cash Plus Rewards is THE absolute best rewards card out there, 5% at grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores, 1% otherwise, you earn points each month that you can redeem immediately. The Cash Plus Rewards is the best because it has a high $750 annual limit on rewards ($600 cash). The Chase Cash Plus Rewards is THE absolute best rewards card out there, 5% at grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores, 1% otherwise, you earn points each month that you can redeem immediately. The Cash Plus Rewards is the best because it has a high $750 annual limit on rewards ($600 cash).

]]> By: kirkwalsh.com http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-73446 kirkwalsh.com Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:14:28 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-73446 The Carnival of Personal Finance... Welcome to the December 11, 2006 edition of The Carnival of Personal Finance. With the end of the year coming up, I decided to highlight the posts that deal with tax planning strategies for the end of year. There are a lot of great submissions, so read... The Carnival of Personal Finance…

Welcome to the December 11, 2006 edition of The Carnival of Personal Finance.
With the end of the year coming up, I decided to highlight the posts that deal with tax planning strategies for the end of year. There are a lot of great submissions, so read…

]]> By: fivecentnickel.com http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-73368 fivecentnickel.com Sun, 10 Dec 2006 04:27:31 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-73368 Weekly Roundup - 12/08/06... Here’s a quick look at some of the personal finance articles that caught my eye over the past week. JLP warns against getting sucked into the minimum payment trap. Flexo has a rundown of rebate credit cards. MBH sold his soul (and his phone num... Weekly Roundup – 12/08/06…

Here’s a quick look at some of the personal finance articles that caught my eye over the past week.

JLP warns against getting sucked into the minimum payment trap.
Flexo has a rundown of rebate credit cards.
MBH sold his soul (and his phone num…

]]> By: ASAP Credit Card http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72887 ASAP Credit Card Thu, 07 Dec 2006 01:31:08 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72887 Unfortunately, the Citi Dividend card lowered it's cash back reward from 5% to 2%. This was a major blow; especially for existing card holders who suddenly had their program terms changed. In my opinion, the 2 best offers left are the AMEX Blue Cash and Discover Platinum cards. Both still offer 5% cash back with unlimited rewards. But if you want a Visa or Mastercard, you'll have to stick with the Dividend card, or possibly the Chase Freedom card. Unfortunately, the Citi Dividend card lowered it’s cash back reward from 5% to 2%. This was a major blow; especially for existing card holders who suddenly had their program terms changed.

In my opinion, the 2 best offers left are the AMEX Blue Cash and Discover Platinum cards. Both still offer 5% cash back with unlimited rewards. But if you want a Visa or Mastercard, you’ll have to stick with the Dividend card, or possibly the Chase Freedom card.

]]> By: Ed http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72712 Ed Tue, 05 Dec 2006 21:06:03 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72712 I just called Citi and I'm supposedly still getting 5% on gas, groceries, convenience stores, and drugstores. Unfortunately Citi can't do math and have totally botched rewarding me properly. Also, Citi doesn't tell you what category your purchases go into, so you have to work harder to reconcile this. Has anyone found a good way to take the online statement and put it into Excel so you can do quick calculations yourself? I can't seem to do it without having to do tons of cumbersone formatting. Thanks I just called Citi and I’m supposedly still getting 5% on gas, groceries, convenience stores, and drugstores.

Unfortunately Citi can’t do math and have totally botched rewarding me properly. Also, Citi doesn’t tell you what category your purchases go into, so you have to work harder to reconcile this.

Has anyone found a good way to take the online statement and put it into Excel so you can do quick calculations yourself? I can’t seem to do it without having to do tons of cumbersone formatting.

Thanks

]]> By: dimes http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72706 dimes Tue, 05 Dec 2006 20:14:03 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72706 I have a Discover Platinum and that's it. While perhaps not as generous as some of the other cards out there, they don't tend to change their rules all the time. I used to have a reward card with points that "never expired" until one day they started expiring. Very frustrating. I have a Discover Platinum and that’s it. While perhaps not as generous as some of the other cards out there, they don’t tend to change their rules all the time. I used to have a reward card with points that “never expired” until one day they started expiring. Very frustrating.

]]> By: Flexo http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72702 Flexo Tue, 05 Dec 2006 19:32:31 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72702 I seem to be still getting 5% back on some purchases on my Citi card, though not consistently. I think my small-name gas station doesn't report itself as such to CitiBank. I did leave cards that gave you "points" off this list, but I'll probably post a list for those as well sometime in the future. I seem to be still getting 5% back on some purchases on my Citi card, though not consistently. I think my small-name gas station doesn’t report itself as such to CitiBank.

I did leave cards that gave you “points” off this list, but I’ll probably post a list for those as well sometime in the future.

]]> By: Lazy Man and Money http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72682 Lazy Man and Money Tue, 05 Dec 2006 15:49:52 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72682 For some reason my Citi card still gives me 5% rebates. I'm not alone, either. Boston Gal's Open Wallet reported the same thing a couple of days ago. Still I use my Chase Rewards which gives me 5% on gas, groceries, and drug stores. I'm surprised it didn't make the list. Maybe it's because it gives you points, that you can trade for cash instead of simply "cash back." My other favorite card is Chase Business card. I don't know what business I have, but they offered it to me, and I took it for the rewards. It gives 3% at restaurants, office stores, and home improvement merchants. For some reason my Citi card still gives me 5% rebates. I’m not alone, either. Boston Gal’s Open Wallet reported the same thing a couple of days ago.

Still I use my Chase Rewards which gives me 5% on gas, groceries, and drug stores. I’m surprised it didn’t make the list. Maybe it’s because it gives you points, that you can trade for cash instead of simply “cash back.”

My other favorite card is Chase Business card. I don’t know what business I have, but they offered it to me, and I took it for the rewards. It gives 3% at restaurants, office stores, and home improvement merchants.

]]> By: moneysmartlife http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72609 moneysmartlife Tue, 05 Dec 2006 05:30:53 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72609 I've been using the AmEx Blue Cash for a few years now and have a word of warning that may apply to the others as well. AmEx Blue pays their rewards once annually. If you fail to meet their cash back terms one time the whole year, you lose all your rewards for the entire year. Luckily I've avoided this by reading the terms and conditions closely and making sure I'm in compliance. Make sure you do the same or it's bye-bye cash back. I’ve been using the AmEx Blue Cash for a few years now and have a word of warning that may apply to the others as well. AmEx Blue pays their rewards once annually. If you fail to meet their cash back terms one time the whole year, you lose all your rewards for the entire year.

Luckily I’ve avoided this by reading the terms and conditions closely and making sure I’m in compliance. Make sure you do the same or it’s bye-bye cash back.

]]> By: Sun http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72595 Sun Tue, 05 Dec 2006 03:23:57 +0000 http://www.consumerismcommentary.com/2006/12/04/comparing-cash-back-rebate-credit-cards/#comment-72595 I used to use three cards to cover my day-to-day charges: Citi Dividend for gas and groceries, AMEX TrueEarning for Costco, and Fidelity 529 for everything else. The Citi card is no longer in my wallet any more after it eliminated the 5% program. There are many credit card rewards degrades recently and it looks like this is becoming a trend. If everybody else is giving back less, why should one rewards more? On one hand, these credit card companies claim they want your business. On the other hand, they will take it back whenever they feel they don't have to be generous any more. I used to use three cards to cover my day-to-day charges: Citi Dividend for gas and groceries, AMEX TrueEarning for Costco, and Fidelity 529 for everything else. The Citi card is no longer in my wallet any more after it eliminated the 5% program. There are many credit card rewards degrades recently and it looks like this is becoming a trend. If everybody else is giving back less, why should one rewards more? On one hand, these credit card companies claim they want your business. On the other hand, they will take it back whenever they feel they don’t have to be generous any more.

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