Update: honestly appreciate the reality checks. i knew my setup needed simplicity too, but was just afraid to cancel anything. First step at least, platinum has to go
Hi hello, I'm on the fence about the Freedom Unlimited or Bilt Palladium as a better catch all card option. Freedom Unlimited is simple and no AF, but Bilt has strong transfer partners, can earn on rent, and 2x on everything. At the same time, I'm not sure if I want to tackle on another AF card and have to worry about more travel credits to use.
Is the extra 0.5x worth it if I'm not a big spender?–Please let me know if there are any other recs!!
- Current cards:
- Amex Gold – all dining and groceries
- CSP – catch all/Costco
- Amex Platinum – credits, large purchases (for protection)
- Discover IT – not used much, quarterly 5% (if relevant)
- Apple Card – not used much, gas sometimes if Apple Pay is available
- FICO Score: 791
- Oldest account age: 5 years, 10 months
- Chase 5/24 status: 1/24
- Income: $75,000
- Average monthly spend and categories:
- dining $70 (including credits)
- groceries: $250
- gas: $125
- travel: $100
- other: $400
- I sometimes make large purchases on a card for my mom and she pays me back
- Open to Business Cards: No
- What's the purpose of your next card? New catch all card to maximize points earning
- Do you have any cards you've been looking at? Chase Freedom Unlimited, Bilt Palladium, maybe Venture X
- Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card? General – more than 1.5x
Need a better catch all card – currently using CSP
byu/faircauliflower-9 inCreditCards
Posted by faircauliflower-9
4 Comments
Looking at your spend pattern, I don’t think extra 0.5x is worth annual fee when you’re only putting around $400 monthly in other category. That’s maybe 2400 points extra per year, which isn’t huge value compared to what you’d pay for Bilt.
Freedom Unlimited makes more sense for your situation – you already have good coverage with Gold for dining/groceries, so you just need simple catch-all that doesn’t complicate your wallet. The transfer partners on Bilt are nice but you’re already getting decent value from Chase ecosystem with your CSP. Plus at your spending level, keeping things simple usually beats trying to optimize every single purchase.
I’d stick with Freedom Unlimited and maybe look at something like Venture X later if your spending increases significantly. The rent earning on Bilt is interesting feature but not worth it if you’re not actually paying rent through the card regularly.
Is Gold + Platinum + Sapphire Preferred really making sense for you with that spend? idrk, seems like a lot of annual fees for someone spending less than $500/mo across groceries, dining, & gas combined. Not actually clear what you’re using UR for
Personally would consider consolidating down to Venture X + Gold at most. Simple 2x catch-all and 4x groceries & dining, complimentary transfer partners, still maintains good purchase and travel protections plus lounge access with a manageable set of credits and annual fees.
Otherwise maybe swap CSP with any 2x+ Visa with no FTF? Venture X, Fidelity Rewards, Robinhood Gold, PNC Cash Unlimited or BofA Premium Rewards (w/ relationship tiers), Navy Federal Flagship Travel Rewards or Navy Federal cashRewards+, etc.
Bilt Palladium would add a significant annual fee without nearly as straightforward a credit to compensate for it as the VX, and would spread your already very limited points earn rate across distinct ecosystems with different partners
Do you plan to significantly increase your spending in the next few years?
As it stands currently with such low spend I’d question what you’re earning in terms of points. You’re paying hefty fees for little benefit. I’d say cancel the CSP and Platinum and consolidate down to the Gold and a catch all for everything outside of food, maybe Venture X (this maintains your purchase protection). If you go the VX route you might even be better off with the Savor than the Gold. Right now you’re just spread too thin based on your spending.
Alternatively if you’d prefer to go with Chase then cancel the Amex cards, keep the CSP and get the Freedom Unlimited.
I don’t think your income warrants having both the Amex Platinum and Gold. I’d cancel the Platinum.
You simply don’t spend a lot of money to be playing the CC game. Just put all your spending on the Gold or CSP and cancel the other one.