Shandril said:beethovengirl said:
And there's always AMEX BlueCash [after $6,500, of course].

Just for those wondering between AMEX Blue Cash 5% after $6,500 (1% before), the break even point vs the Chase Freedom at 3.75% is if you spend annually more than $20,800 per year in gas/groceries/Drugstore. For our family of 4, we're probably not big spenders but that's not even close. We're even not reaching $10,000 in those categories.

Even if you count the Chase Freedom at 3% CashBack, it takes $13,000 annually in those categories to break even compared to AMEX Blue Cash. So for us, it's pretty clear cut Chase Freedom >>> AMEX Blue Cash.
That's not how I view the difference. I do not use my AMEX BlueCash on EDP *until* I've hit the $6,500 threshold. So, to me, what matters is the difference between 0.5% and 1% (1.25%, I suppose) on non-EDP up to $6,500. On $6,500 of non-EDP, the Freedom card nets you $32 - $50 more. So if I use my AMEX BlueCash for $6,500 of non-EDP, I can recoup that $32 by spending $1,600 on EDP after I've hit the $6,500 of non-EDP. that's very easy, IMO. [at the 3.75%/1.25% rate, you recoup the $50 after $4,000 of EDP]

Of course, if you're a big spender, the other issue is the 3% CashBack stops after the first $600 per billing cycle on the Chase Freedom card. Really annoying restriction which forces us to use two cards. Not a big deal but a hassle.
whoa, I never read the fine print closely enough, I guess. thanks for pointing that out!

beethovengirl said:palffyfan said:beethovengirl said:palffyfan said:looks like this is the end of the 5% rewards cards..
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards almost a 5% rewards card for grocery, gas, and d/s?

Not even close. Last month I had decided to close my Citi Platinum Dividend Select card (the other 5% card that was terminated last year) now that the new benefits were completely useless to me and the customer rep suggested I try out the Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards, promising the same benefits as the Platinum Div Select card, with the option of using those rewards as cash to pay off the monthly bill. Believing her crap, I agreed and received the new card shortly, but after accessing their online system, I noticed that their points get converted on a 2 to 1 ratio of points to cents, making the cards equivalent to a 2.5% card (if not worse). End up calling again and cancelling the card the same day I received it..
Well, sort of...

6,000 ThankYou Points are redeemable for a $50 gift card, and you get Five ThankYou Points for every $1 spent on purchases at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations for 12 months and one ThankYou Point thereafter.
Diamond Preferred Rewards
So... useless after a year certainly, but it gives 4.2% on EDP the first year [assuming I did the math correctly].

Also, at the moment, I'm using my Discover gas card for gas, since it has the potential of 10% Cash Back on gas.

Well first of all, I personally could care less for gift cards---I want either Cash Back or statement credit. This is the best Citi has to offer me with regards to that. Additionally, your card becomes useless once the promotion runs out, so I don't think the card is nearly as good as Cash Rewards/Rewards Plus/Old Citi Div Plat Select..

I keep hearing 6,000 points for $50 GC is such a rip off over and over again. I agree.

However are people really that impatient that they can't wait for the dozen(s) of cards that offer $100 GC for 10,000 points?

"Actually it isn't cool because what you said isn't true and you said I said things that I didn't"

Oh, that's right...i forgot you were the one who has all the right answers...a thousand pardons oh great master of knowledge.....

looks like it's time for me to break out the AMEX Blue, Just got an Email about using card for bill pay. Was surprised how many of my bills can be paid with it, Even my car insurance, So hitting the $6,500 should not take long. I know my wife will be happy with not having to keep track of which card to use for what, For now on it's Blue for everything that will take it.

DickWhitcomb said:I keep hearing 6,000 points for $50 GC is such a rip off over and over again. I agree.

However are people really that impatient that they can't wait for the dozen(s) of cards that offer $100 GC for 10,000 points?

thats with the Rewards Plus card, however, 10000 points = $100 with it

So I guess the good news is my $200 worth of existing Chase Rewards will be worth $250 after 7/15. My Chase Rewards were capped at $300 per year so I should still earn a $250 check per year (I use the card for $500 - $600 per month on groceries).

Wayne

What is the change? I haven't got an email. Can you please provide detail.


scott1961 said:looks like it's time for me to break out the AMEX Blue, Just got an Email about using card for bill pay. Was surprised how many of my bills can be paid with it, Even my car insurance, So hitting the $6,500 should not take long. I know my wife will be happy with not having to keep track of which card to use for what, For now on it's Blue for everything that will take it.

Love said:What is the change? I haven't got an email. Can you please provide detail.

Looks like it's new,
AMEX

Introducing American Express Bill Pay, a new and simple way to pay your bills online. With this service, you can easily pay bills from over 100 companies with your American Express® Card.

Whether you choose to make one-time or set up automatic payments, American Express Bill Pay can help you streamline the way you pay your bills.



Earn points, miles or Cash Back by paying bills with an eligible, enrolled American Express Card
Ensure that your bills are paid on time with our automatic bill payment feature, or select the one-time payment feature that gives you the comfort of authorizing bill payment for each bill
Access one secure, convenient site to pay your bills and review payment history

Wireless
Insurance
Phone/Long Distance
Internet Service Providers
Cable/Satellite
Subscription Services

I have two of these cards (one for me, one for the wife) Assuming I get the letter, my plan will be to set up auto charging of no more than three categories of bills to each card. Example, card 1 gets insurance, ezpass, and cable. That gets me 3% on items I was getting only 2% (thanks to a grandfathered fidelity card) previously. Stick the cards in the drawer, auto billpay them, and enjoy the extra 1%.

We knew it was coming, just make the best of it.