MCFlyer

The title says it all..

Looking to pick up a new credit card that would benefit people like us.

My wife and I love to travel so I'm interested in finding a card that would provide good hotel rewards and other travel perks. I've heard AmEx is good but any additional advice would be great!

Thanks again!

MCFlyer

labbats

The Truth About Credit Card Debt - daveramsey.com

Credit cards are bad. Read the above with an open mind.

Best of luck to you whichever way you decide.

JohnnyDingus

I like the chase sapphire card. I don't know how travel is but all my points can be redeemed on Amazon.com. Haven't paid for products on Amazon in over a year!

C130

I used to look at Ramsey's advice and blow him off, but now I am starting to think he is on to something. But mathematically, if two people both spent the same amount each month, only one put it on his CC and the other paid cash, the CC guy would be ahead, assuming he didn't pay any fees etc. But I think Ramsey's point is that it is one helluva assumption to think that both people in this example will spend the exact same whether they used plastic or cash. Plastic money does definitely flow more freely in most people's households versus cash.

But there are many things that I am pretty sure I would be buying anyway, so I use credit cards to at least get the reward money that is already built into the price of those goods anyway (I think the stores assume everyone is going to use plastic, and they mark up everything by an additional 5% or so to account for the fees that they get fleeced on by the CC companies).

But here goes:

Gas: we use the PenFed Platinum Rewards Card. 5% auto-cash rebate on all gas, no matter where or when. I think you have to be military to join the credit union, however, but this is all the business I do with them. I am pretty sure that I would have to buy gas whether or not I paid in plastic or cash, so I disagree with Ramsey here.

Groceries not from Costco: Amex Blue Cash. 6% cash back on groceries, after you pay $70 annual fee, I think. You have to request the cash back, which is the only downside. I am pretty sure that I would have to buy groceries whether or not I paid in plastic or cash, so I disagree with Ramsey here.

Also, if you are military, make sure you click on the SSCRA link and request the fees to be waived. They waive all of the fees on all of my Amex cards.

Costco: Costco Amex. 2% cash back at the end of the year, no fees. Only drawback is they mail you a check at the end of the year. I am pretty sure that I would have to buy groceries and supplies from Costco whether or not I paid in plastic or cash, so I disagree with Ramsey here.

Delta Travel: Delta Amex. Free bags and miles. I am pretty sure that I would have to travel, whether or not I paid in plastic or cash, so I disagree with Ramsey here. See above about getting the fees waived for military.

Hotels: Marriott Rewards Premier Card (The black one). 5 x points on Mariott hotels. $85/year, but they give you a "free" night each year, so it pays for itself if you travel for liesure. I think the first year is no fee. I am pretty sure that I would have to travel with work, whether or not I paid in plastic or cash, so I disagree with Ramsey here.

Online: Amazon.com Chase Visa. 5 x points on all Amazon purchases, immediately convertible to cash off your Amazon purchase. No fees. I am pretty sure that I would have to buy useless electronics, toys, and books either way, so..........wait, I totally agree with Ramsey here. If i had to pay cash for Amazon purchases, I would save all that money. Ha ha.

Of course, all of these cards are set to auto pay and we have not had a balance - ever - or ever plan on having a balance. And in the end, the only real fee we pay is for the Marriott Card, which we get a room for in exchange.

Oh, and the black Marriott card (as opposed to the gray one) has no foreign transaction fees, which is huge. I got burned bad on fees in Canada one time using the old gray Marriott card. So I use the Marriott card for all international travel and purchases.

EvilMonkey

I use the American Express Blue Sky card. I pay everything I can on it. Every $7,500 gets me $100 off a travel purchase, which usually equates to a free hotel stay for my MUTA 6 drills with the Guard. No annual fee.

kingairip

Wait!! What's this? Can you explain that a bit? What is the "SSCRA" link? Does Am Ex waive all fees for military folks (even retired military)?

CFIfornow

For those who like cash back Citi just came out with a new 2% on everything card. Fidelity also has a 2% card but the reward has to go into one of their accounts.

C130

On the far bottom right of your home page, after you log into your AMEX account, there should be a link for "servicemember benefits." There is a link there to have your account reviewed for military benefits.

I received a letter in the mail asking for verification that I was on active orders, but I never sent them anything at all. Either way, they scoured all 4 of my Amex accounts and refunded all of the annual fees.

In short, I think it is for active military. But you hit the link anyway and have them review your account. You never know.

kingairip

I'll try. Thanks for the info!

BoredwLife

Capitol One Quicksilver Visa is 1.5% cash back, no fee and $100 if you spend $500 in the first 3 months. The big deal is that is has ZERO international transaction or processing fees anywhere in the world.