Updated: Current Summary of Good Cashback Credit Cards - did I miss any?

Update 1 (12/15/04): I've reorganized the list, and included the various suggestions from the thread so far.
Update 2 (1/8/05): I'm done with my applications, but I've included some of the new offerings in the lists.

In the spirit of SIS, I'm planning an Application-O-Rama in the coming days. My credit report has been cleaned up (paid off the 0% money, no recent inquiries), and my FAKO's (care of PrivacyGuard's free offer) are around 750.

In particular, I'm looking to apply for any and all half-way decent CäshBack cards. No earning limit on the Cäsh Back is a definite plus. For reference, here's the old best rewards CC thread. Since business credit cards have other considerations, I refer discussion of those to the Business CC thread, where Advanta, CapitalOne, and BankOne all have reasonable offers. Here's the list of ones I found and ones I already have that seem reasonably good.

I have:
BankOne's Free Cash Rewards - flat 1% ($600/year at $60K)
Principal/InfiniBank Cashback - tiered, up to 1.4% average ($575/year at $40K)
Åmerican Express Platinum CäshBack - tiered, 1.5% unlimited starting at $6K, revolve bonus
American Express Blue Cash - tiered, up to 1.5% (3% everyday) at $6K (max $50K), revolve bonus
Discover Platinum - tiered, 1% unlimited starting at $3K

I will probably apply for:

MBNA's Stockback Visa - up to 2% based on monthly purchase levels, best at $6K/month of spending
Fidelity/MBNA's Investment Rewards MC - 1.5% flat ($1500/year at $100K), requires Fidelity account
Chase Ultimate Cash Awards MC - tiered, 1.5% starting at $6K. No limit, bonuses for everyday purchases and/or revolving balances
AT&T Universal's Cash Rewards - 5% promo on everything til 3/05, 1% (5% everyday) after ($300/year)
Citibank Dividend Platinum Select - 5% everyday (promo 5% everything), 1% otherwise ($300/year)
Citi Driver's Edge - 5% for 9 months, then 1% (max $1000/yr), submit auto expense to redeem
Chase Perfect Card - 1% flat uncapped, 3% or 6% (promo) on gas, annual fee for low use
CapitalOne GoCash Rewards - 1% flat, terms vary, look for: no fee, unlimited rewards vs $500/year, and 2% everyday bonus
National City Cashbuilder - tiered, up to 1.4% average ($1000/year at $70,500)
PenFed's Platinum Rewards Visa - flat 1.25%, miliary service or one-time $25 fee to join

I wish I could apply for, but they seem discontinued or invite only:
MBNA's 10% cards (HGW1/HGW4) - promotional 10%, max $25/month
Household Bank's 2% card - 2% flat ($400/year), targeted invites only

I'm less interested in these, but for reference, here are some "specialty purchase" cards:
Chase Profit Card - 3% on your choice of gas, dining, or groceries; 0.5% otherwise, uncapped, revolve bonus
Discover specialty cards - reverse tiered, 5%/3%/1% on your choice of gas, dining, education, or home improvement
Amex/Costco True Earnings - 1% flat, 2% travel and 3% dining (max $100K/year), Costco membership required

And as an aside, these aren't cash but worth mentioning:
Merill+ Visa - 2% towards plane tickets (or 1% towards gift certs) and nice perks
Citi Platinum Select - 1 year 0% offer, $50 credit
Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards - 5% food/gas/drugs, 1% else (max $75K), redeemable towards various gift cards
MBNA/Fidelity 529 College Rewards - 2% flat ($1500/year at $75K), deposited into a 529 plan
Chase Subaru card - 3% flat towards a car (max $500/year)
GM card - 10% promo, otherwise 5% flat towards a car (max $500/year)

Any other suggestions? I don't want to miss anything good since my credit won't be this good for a while . TIA.

Nice summary. Thanks!

I also like the Chase Profit card with 3% rebate for certain catalog, it has discussed on this board

A nice, unadvertised feature of the ATT Universal and Citi Dividends cards is that after you redeem Cash Back (after earning $50), you'll earn an additional 1% for 90 days. This makes the standard earnings 6% for grocery drug & gas/2% everything else, and the ATT promo earnings even higher (10%/6%). You can find this discussed about Citi here: Citi dividend extra 1% but I've found it to be true on my ATT Universal card also. As they don't advertise this, YMMV.

chenshop said: but why not discussing Citi Upromise Card? it looks just great! 10% back on grocery.

Because you never know what earns the rewards and what doesn't. It is NOT 10% back on ALL grocery purchases.

76hhma said: The charter-member Chase Freedom card gives 5% rebate toward any gas purchase.

Not for MY card. They only gave me 3% after the conversion, which is why the card is in my drawer. A relative who got the card long after I did, got 5%.

xerty said: Citibank Dividend Platinum Select - as above (AT&T) with 5% promo (link anyone?)

Did I somehow miss this? When does the 5% on everything expire? And is there a specific number to call to apply? I just recently got a Dividend Platinum Select (end of Nov). If it's just through 2004, then it doesn't help, as I probably won't even be able to max out my AT&T Universal.

Also, what's this about a charter member Driver's Edge giving 2% everyday once the 5% promo is up? 'Charter' meaning that you got it when it first came out? Or is this something that you can actually apply for right now? Because all I've seen is the 5% for nine months, and 1% thereafter.

76hhma said: Universal: all 5% deals until 2/1/05, 3/1/05, 5/31/05, or 7/31/05. For 2/1/05 and 3/1/05, call to apply (search for the thread). For 5/31/05 and 7/31/05, not that easy.

Yes, I'm familiar with the AT&T deals. I was inquiring about the Dividend Platinum Select 5% on everything that was referenced in the OP. Does this exist and, if so, what are the details? I can't find anything other than a thread talking about a promo ending 12/31.

Driver's Edge 2% and Chase Freedom 5%: DE - grandfathered. Chase: mysterious criterion for the 5% deal; both not easy to get and definitely one can not apply for them now.

That's what I thought, but was confused by the fact that someone would post this in reponse to request about what cards to apply for. It's great that people have gotten it in the past, but not really of use in the context of this thread. Too bad, though. I wouldn't mind a 2% Driver's Edge card once the promos expire!

SDG: Yeah, they (2% DE and 5% Freedom) belong to the "Wish I Could Apply" list.

But it *will* result in a pull on all three CRAs. Maybe call that one last?

Chase Profit Card = 3% on dining out OR gas OR groceries (you choose), .5%/1% (balance/no balance) on eveything else

I was under the impression that the 5% gas and groceries with the Citibank Dividend Platinum Select card is not a promotion, but the normal Cash Back for this card. If there is any information to the contrary, could someone provide a link? That would change my card strategy as the 5% plays heavily in it.

I also agree with the sentiment on the Starwood AMEX. It's easily better than a 1% Cash Back card, and for those who would use the points to the fullest, it's better than almost anything out there. I was able to book a room in Vegas over New Years this year using my points at a very reasonable rate. 10,000 points per room at a selling price of ~$300 - $500 a room means I netted somewhere between 3% and 5% Cash Back. And not all the Starwood hotels are 10,000 points - that's just for the higher end ones.

Bump~~~ Nice thread

bauermj said: Man what a sad bunch. No ultra-appealing cards.

What do you want? 100% Cash Back?

bauermj said: c3 said: bauermj said: Man what a sad bunch. No ultra-appealing cards.

What do you want? 100% Cash Back?

Perhaps a 2% card or 5% for 6 months -> 1%.

They are all listed in this thread.

HawkeyeNFO said: good thread, xerty.

Hopefully there is another MBNA 10% around the corner.

Let's do it right this time...

bauermj said: I am not seeing any direct 2% CashBack or 5% for 6 months.

If you don't see them, then you should not get them.

tututmm said: American Express TrueEarnings (link,review)

+ True Cash Back-3% for eating out, 2% for traveling, 1% everywhere else, including at Costco
+ No annual fee with your paid Costco Membership
+ Exclusive business savings at At&T, FedEx? Hertz, and more
+ The flexibility to pay over time
+ Purchase Protection Plan and Buyer's Assurance Plan*
+ Customer Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

MM

http://www.pfblog.com/

Anyone know how to get the FedEx discount with AMEX ?

Thanks,
bas

Perhaps Xerty would be willing to describe how he plans to spend enough to utilize all of these Cash Back cards. I can understand why someone might like lots of 0% balance transfer cards, since one can easily invest unlimited amounts, but I am puzzled as to what types of creative strategies can be used to spend the amounts needed to benefit from these cards.

tequilasunrise said: Household, 2% straight. maybe targeted though.


c3 said: bauermj said: I am not seeing any direct 2% CashBack or 5% for 6 months.

If you don't see them, then you should not get them.

Target only, does not apply.

Don't forget the Citi PremierPass cards which were discussed in this thread.

If you charge your air tickets (or anyone's) a few times a year, it can work out to be an extremely lucrative card (think effectively 4X points on daily expenses.)

BTW, the elite card has a $75 annual fee (which is still a good deal for some) while the base card is free. This card might be the best card out there for those who fly a lot.

lkj