Does anyone have any recommendations for good everyday spender credit cards? I currently have the Chase Freedom Unlimited which is great for dining and the 1.5% on everything but I’m not sure how to feel. Everyone always shoves the basic choices like AMEX, Chase, CapitalOne down your face but are there any other good ones? I am a recent graduate with no debt obligations and currently live at home to save up money so really my only expenses are currently groceries, going out (dining and entertainment category), spending on tech and clothing, and then very few travel (some flights not so much hotels).
On top of this, even if there are any other better options, is it even worth canceling/opening another card?
Appreciate any guidance in advance, thanks!
Best Credit Card for an Everyday Spender?
byu/FinanceNewbe inCreditCards
Posted by FinanceNewbe
15 Comments
The CFU is ok for everyday spending, but I think most people will earn more cash back with Wells Fargo Active Cash or Citi Double Cash because they earn 2% on everything. I’m assuming you don’t spend half your money on dining and drug stores.
Problem is there aren’t cards that cover your exact categories at more than 2x. The Blue Cash Everyday has 3x on grocery and online shopping, but not entertainment. The Savor card has dining and entertainment but not groceries. This is why often people will suggest a flat rate card like the unlimited that gets 1.5 – 2% on everything. Well Fargo active cash is great for this. But then you need to decide…do you want to save up points you can use for travel/shopping or do you want straight cash back? I personally feel you already have a great card in the Freedom Unlimited. Save those point up and eventually get a Sapphire Preferred so you can fully utilize those points for travel.
I assume you are looking for a “one card only” setup;
Robinhood 3% card
Amex Blue Biz Plus (2X pts on everything)
If you want to be fancy, pick up a USBAC too for travel perks
> Everyone always shoves the basic choices like AMEX, Chase, CapitalOne down your face but are there any other good ones?
I’m a little surprised those were the recommendations you got. The typical recommendations for catch-all credit cards are the Wells Fargo Active Cash, Citi Double Cash, and Fidelity Rewards. CapOne and Chase only have 1.5% cards which aren’t considered competitive for cash back catch-alls, and the only AmEx cards that fit the bill are business cards. Otherwise those issuers are better at capturing specific categories of spending like dining, groceries, and gas at 3% or so.
Nothing is going to hit all your spending perfectly. The Capital One Savor card would probably serve you well with 3% on dining, groceries, entertainment and streaming.
Robinhood 3% catch all, Citi Double Cash, or Wells Fargo Cash Active.
I’m a big fan of the Fidelity Cash Back Credit Card. 2% cash back on any spend but the kicker is that you can have that 2% auto-reinvested in your brokerage account. I barely even track my cash back and this way it’s an automatic savings method.
My other main cards are BofA for online shopping at 3% cash back, and Amex gold for restaurants & groceries.
And do not cancel cards, especially when you’re starting out. If you plan on retiring any – ask to see if you can downgrade it or have a recurring sub like a netflix on the card and just throw it in a drawer. The longer you keep your cards open, the stronger your credit score will be.
Bread Rewards is 3.75% on grocery, gas, dining and utilities and 1.25% on everything else. Paired with a 2% catch all card is a pretty simple setup for everyday use. Only missing major category is travel. Only downside is the Bread card is through Comenity Bank, and fingers crossed has never given us any problem.
If you use Verizon the Verizon Visa is 4% on gas, grocery and dining and you can use it for autopay for $10 per line discount.
My cards are….
1) Amazon Prime Visa – for Amazon purchases
2) wells Fargo Autograph – 3x pts for dining, gas, streaming services, trravel/hotel, and cell phone.
3) Cap One Savor – 3% cash back for streaming services, dining, and groceries.
4) Wells Fargo Active Cash – 2% cash back for all shopping besides groceries, liquor store runs, annual fees like car insurance, taxes, and anything nocovered by the 3% or 3x categories covered by Autograph and Savor.
Is this ideal? No. But, this is simple for me and I have no annual fees on any of the cards.
If I had to go with one card it would be the Active Cash card because it is 2% across the board no matter what.
capital one savor.
Get a 2% cash back card and call it a day
Unless you want to try to get into the few 3% cards that exist
Robinhood Gold which requires annual membership fee
Aven 3% currently offering 3% on first 20k
AOD also 3% nerfed to 18k annually
Or
Try to get a few 5% cards for specific categories
PayPal debit card 5% on groceries
5% card Citi custom for gas or restaurants
2% Citi double card which then you can upgrade to another 5% card for gas or restaurants
Get 3 5% cards for gas, groceries and restaurants and a fourth 3% catch all card
You to be covered and won’t have to play or worry
BofA PR with Platinum Honors
A credit card that I am thinking about getting is the PNC cash unlimited card.
No annual fee
2% cash back on all purchases.
No foreign transaction fees.
Cell phone protection.
Apple Card, 2% everything
Capital one venture X is my catch all card