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People are always asking me what is the best credit card. That’s an impossible question to answer as there are credit cards that are good for spending, there are credit cards good for benefits provided, and there are credit cards with big signup bonuses.
Even among credit cards that are good for spending there are cards that offer big bonuses for specific categories and there are cards good for everyday spending.
So, which is the best card for everyday spending?
–The Citi Double Cash® Card sets the minimum standard with 2% cash back per dollar spent and no annual fee, though it has no signup bonus. There is a 3% foreign transaction fee.
You can view credit card offers by clicking on the “Other Credit Cards” tab on top of the DansDeals banner to view links for card offers. You can click on the link that says “View all card offers by issuing bank” and scroll down to view all card offers from the bank of your choice. Here’s How To View Credit Card Offers On This Site.
-The Capital One Spark Cash for Business Visa also offers 2% cash back, but it also comes with a $500 signup bonus for spending $4,500 and has no foreign transaction fees. It has a $59 annual fee that is waived for the first year.
-The Barclaycard Arrival Plus™ World Elite MasterCard® gives 2 points per dollar plus a 5% rebate every time you redeem your points for travel. You can select to redeem points for travel expenses that you have already charged to your card. That’s an effective 2.11% back per dollar spent. It comes with 50K points for spending $3,000 and you’ll get another 2.5K points as a rebate when you redeem those points. There are no foreign transaction fees. It has an $89 annual fee that is waived for the first year.
-The Starwood Consumer AMEX and the Starwood Business AMEX have the ability to transfer points into dozens of different airlines at a 20K:25K ratio, effectively 1.25 miles per dollar spent everywhere. Plus you can transfer 1 Starpoint into 3 Marriott points, which makes for lots of awesome mileage transfer possibilities. Plus these versatile points are an awesome deal at many hotels. With any mileage currency it’s possible to use them in a place where the points will be worth 0.5 cents each or 25 cents each, but overall it shouldn’t be hard to get a minimum value of 2.25% back per dollar spent. These cards come with a 25K signup bonus and have no foreign transaction fees. The $95 annual fee is waived for the first year.
-The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Visa earns 1.5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent. The card is marketed as 1.5% cash back, but it actually awards 1.5 points per dollar, which is much more valuable than 1.5% cash back when used properly. If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card/Reserve or Ink Bold/Plus/Preferred you can transfer those points into airline miles or hotel points. If you have a Sapphire Reserve you can also redeem those points for 1.5 cents each towards travel, which means that you should only transfer points into miles if you can do better than 1.5 cents each if you or someone in your household has a Sapphire Reserve. Between transfer partners like United, Singapore, Southwest, Hyatt, and more, it shouldn’t be hard to get a value of at least 1.7 cents per point. As this card earns 1.5 points per dollar, that would impute a minimum value of 2.55% back per dollar spent. There is a 17.5K point signup bonus if you apply with a free additional user and a 3% foreign transaction fee. There is no annual fee.
You can view credit card offers by clicking on the “Other Credit Cards” tab on top of the DansDeals banner to view links for card offers. You can click on the link that says “View all card offers by issuing bank” and scroll down to view all card offers from the bank of your choice. Here’s How To View Credit Card Offers On This Site.
-The Blue Business Plus Credit Card From American Express earns 2 AMEX Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on up to $50K of spending per calendar year and can transfer points into airline miles and hotel points. If you have a Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN you can also get a 35% rebate (or 50% if you’re grandfathered) when redeeming points for paid tickets. Between transfer partners like ANA, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Delta, El Al, and Singapore, it shouldn’t be hard to get a value of at least 1.55 cents per point. As this card earns 2 points per dollar, that would impute a minimum value of 3.1% back per dollar spent. Normally this card won’t have a bonus, but for a limited time only you can get a 20K signup bonus. There is a 2.7% foreign transaction fee and no annual fee.
You can view credit card offers by clicking on the “Other Credit Cards” tab on top of the DansDeals banner to view links for card offers. You can click on the link that says “View all card offers by issuing bank” and scroll down to view all card offers from the bank of your choice. Here’s How To View Credit Card Offers On This Site.
Other cards don’t offer a compelling value per dollar, but it can make sense to put everyday spending on the card for the benefits it offers.
-The JetBlue Plus World Elite Mastercard offers Mosaic status for spending $50K annually. Mosaic status includes free changes and cancellations on JetBlue tickets for the Mosaic member and for everyone on their itinerary, 2 free checked bags, 15K bonus points for earning Mosaic status every year, free Even More Speed checkin and security access, early boarding, 3 additional points per dollar spent, free alcoholic beverages onboard, discounted or free Even More Space seats, and a dedicated Mosaic 24/7 customer service line. Mosaic members can even buy a cheaper flight and then switch onto a more expensive flight within 24 hours of their flight without paying anyting.
-The Delta Gold AMEX and the Delta Platinum AMEX waive the requirement to spend a minimum amount on Delta flights to earn elite status if you spend $25K in a calendar year on the cards. Plus the Platinum card gives the ability to earn elite qualifying miles based on spend.
-Spending $25K/year on the United Explorer card earns 10K bonus miles and waives the requirement to spend a minimum amount on United flights to earn Silver, Gold, or Platinum elite status
-Lots of other cards have threshold bonuses. The Chase Ritz Carlton card gives Marriott and SPG Gold status for spend $10K/year and Platinum status for spending $75K/year. The Chase Marriott gives an elite credit for every $3,000 spent. The AMEX Hilton Surpass and Citi Hilton Reserve award diamond status for spending $40K/year. The Citi Hilton Reserve also gives a free hotel night for spending $10K/year. The Chase Southwest cards give companion pass status if you earn 110K points in a year. The Chase BA cards gives a free companion certificate on award tickets for spending $30K/year. The Citi AA Executive card awards 10K elite qualifying miles for spending $40K/year. My grandfathered Ink Bold Exclusives card gives 167,500 miles if you spend $100K/year, etc, etc.
Arguably the Blue Business Plus card is the best option for everyday spending thanks to 2 points per dollar, but another card may be the best option for you, depending on which miles you value the most or if you just want cash back. For example if you get a value of 2.1 cents per mile from Hyatt or United then you would be better off with Freedom Unlimited thanks to earning 1.5 points per dollar. Or if you get a better value out of Alaska or JAL miles or Starwood hotels than average, you may find the best option is using a Starwood card. If you live abroad and just want cash back you may that the Capital One Spark card is the best option.
Which card do you use for everyday spending?
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41 Comments On "What Is The Best Credit Card For Everyday Spending?"
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I use the Citi double cash card. No annual fee. 2% actual cash back in the form of check, direct deposit, or statement credit. Your choice. I don’t really travel, so 2% cash is better than anyone is paying for any points or miles.
ED and EDP?
I started using the Fidelity card recently, at unlimited 2% cash back, no annual fee, and a small signup bonus (I think it was $150 cash). Caveat is you need to have an account with Fidelity and roll the rewards dollars into that if you want to get the full 2% back.
Reason I didn’t sign up earlier was it used to be Amex, but has recently changed to Visa. This seems like a better deal than the Citi card and Capital One card, for those with a Fidelity account or anyone who wants to open one, free.
@Chabadrox:
That’s not true. As the post says, you can earn 2 points per dollar on AMEX Blue Plus.
You can easily sell those for much more than 2%.
@hvaces42:
Aren’t they outclassed by Blue Plus for everyday spending?
@YGX:
What’s the advantage over Citi Double Cash?
Chase Freedom Unlimited (also have the Sapphire Reserve). Used to use the Citi double cash which is also a great card as mentioned above but am aiming at building points for planned travel IY”H.
@Yossi:
Freedom Unlimited+Sapphire Reserve is a great combo for travel.
@Dan:
The signup bonus. Plus, not sure how the “1% now, 1% later” deal works with Citi, but Fidelity gives it all “now.”
@YGX:
You get the full 2% with Citi when you pay your bill. That’s easier for most people than opening a Fidelity account, getting rewards dollars, etc.
A $100 signup bonus doesn’t change the math much. If you’re after a signup bonus then go for the Capital One 2% card. That card also has no foreign transaction fees.
Though you can do better than all of those by earning 1.5-2 points per dollar, even if you wind up selling the points instead of using them.
Does the Capital One Spark Cash for Business Visa affect your personal credit score?
@dan
I have the Blue Business Plus Card and Amex EveryDay Card
Now that I have the blue business plus card, should i close the everyday card? Whats the point? I know about the 20% bonus points if i make 20 transactions but thats still less that the blue business plus card.
I use the Citi double cash for everyday spending in USA.
The capital one Quicksilver for eveyday spending when abroad (the quicksilver has no annual fee or a foreign fee)
The Amex blue business plus card for high purchases as Amex is the best customer service in case I have issues.
@Dan:
Also fidelity is not your best bet for an investment account and company. So many better options out there and now your money is locked in.
Dan, you forgot to mention the Freedom for the lucky folks who still get 10 + 10 🙂
I travel to limited destinantions. I find hotels significantly cheaper on Priceline rather than using points.
With that said I want to use as few cards as possible.
So which 2 -4 cards should I have in my wallet?
@Dan that is a business card. I am a consumer. I know you’ll prob be disappointed in me, but I’m not into the idea of getting business cards without a legitimate business. Citi double cash card is consumer and simple. No hocking with selling points or making up fake businesses.
So basically Blue Business Plus has the highest value/$ ?
I use Amex Everyday, 2% on groceries plus 10% bonus for 20 swipes in a month. Why isn’t it on the list?
I applied for amex blue business plus but was very disappointed that it doesnt offer return protection. Dan do you think they will start offering return protection in the near future?
@Yoel:
Yes.
@jacob:
Only for groceries.
@Josh:
Wish I still had that!
@ash.genroc:
Depends on where you fly to know which miles to focus on.
@Chabadrox:
Fair enough, though even Freedom Unlimited would earn more.
@Jeremy:
Yes.
@Brian:
Because this list is for everyday purchases, not for category bonuses.
Blue Plus is much better for everyday purchases.
@Elliot:
Unlikely.
I have the AMEX Everyday Preferred. If I downgrade it to a regular Everyday card, will I lose my membership rewards points?
I saw a post about certain business credit cards that don’t effect your credit score. I was wondering which ones those are.
US Bank Altitude Reserve. Get 3% cash back on mobile wallet spending. Use Samsung Pay, which you can swipe at virtually every credit card terminal. Not so great for online purchases, but for everyday spending, it’s hard to beat 3% !
@Michael:
You won’t lose points.
@Danielle:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/115102
@Ken:
The issues are that:
-It has a very high annual fee.
-They will shut down your account without warning if you buy gift cards or spend too much on mobile payments compared to regular spending.
-The points can’t transfer into any miles.
Therefore I’d spend on the free Blue Plus AMEX before that.
@Elliott The Blue Business Plus does have purchase protection, if that’s worth anything. The big one for me is price protection.
I think for the random Joe-Shmoe who doesnt transfer points… and just wants cash back, the Discover It is “IT”! 3 points on everything across the board. They have a few cards with “miles” “cashback” and some more, so opening every year one either for myself or my wife is easy.
Dan. I think the citi double cash card is effectively less than 2% because I don’t think they give you the one percent if you take the rewards as a statement credit.
I’m a fan of the Amex blue cash preffered 6% on groceries and 3% on gas..after those hit their limit the card is useless I guess
I use the Fidelity VISA. 2% back immediately. And the money is not locked into Fidelity. You can easily transfer it to other bank accounts. I think it’s the simplest way to go for everyday spending.
@Ira: Then don’t take the reward as a statement credit! Problem solved.
What’s the best card for transferring the point into ElAl points?
Best chase non hotel card to charge hotel stay?
@Spender: good pice of info on the fidelity. Figured it had to go into an investment account.
@Miz: if you take it as cash you can get taxed on it and be given a 1099 the tax implications to be taxed 30-40% on the cash back is crazy.
I use Blue business plus for general spending, Amex everyday/GOLD for groceries, Amex Gold/Chase ink for gas, freedom for bonus categories. These cards work for me in sync with sapphire reserve and Amex business platinum.
Any reason to keep my personal platinum, sapphire preferred, united explorer or ink? I feel like I spend too much on annual fees? Any advice would be appreciated!
Amex Everyday card for Uber and groceries. 2x points on both plus 20% bonus if you make 20+ purchases in billing cycle. Chase freedom for that quarters 5% bonus.
Do you get the 20% extra points on the signup bonus with the everyday card if you make 20+ purchases in the first month???
@Elliot: since when does Amex buy have return protection? Just got this card and did not realize that. In certain areas the only card I use is Amex due to that, may have to change things…
You say can easily sell AMEX membership rewards points for much more than 2%. Who buys them?
@Shmuel:
AMEX Blue Plus.
@Me:
-Personal Plat gives 5x on airfare+$200 on Uber+$200 airline fee credit. Depends how much you use the 5x.
-Downgrade Sapphire Preferred to Freedom.
-United gives expanded award space.
-Which Ink do you have?
@mikeb:
No.
@Marc:
I didn’t say that.
Then I must have read it wrong, but this is what your post on June 16th, 2017 at 11:52 am said:
Dan Says: @Chabadrox:
That’s not true. As the post says, you can earn 2 points per dollar on AMEX Blue Plus.
You can easily sell those for much more than 2%.
@Marc:
I said 2 points can easily be sold for more than 2 cents, not that each point is worth more than 2 cents.
What’s the best cards/points to go for a israel trip mileage 2 adults 2 children?