s2

Didn't know where else to post this so this seemed like the appropriate forum.

I'm currently using Blue from American Express as my credit card...partly because it used to have price matching, and mostly because it looks really sick. However, since AMEX is not accepted all over the place I'm looking at getting another card in the form of either a VISA or a Mastercard.

So I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on a good card to go with. Airline miles or the sort aren't that important to me, cash rewards would probably be the best...Online billing/statement viewing is mandatory. Also if the card looks really cool then that is a definite plus, call me shallow but I'll keep using Blue as long as it looks as sick as it does in it's current incarnation.

Thanks in advance!

sizemic1

go to cardweb.com

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DarkFury

Personally, I say look for a card that will give you the "extra" benefits that you most want...

Some folks like "air miles", and others like "cash back" or "credits towards your favorite purchases"...

Personally, my current favorite is my Shell Citibank Mastercard which gives me bacy 5% on gas purchases, 1% on other purchases (with no limit on how much I get back), plus it gives me the buyer guarantee that provides an extra year's warranty on purchases and it is accepted virtually everywhere.

BTW.. I use AMEX Blue as well... but I still tend to use the Mastercard more.

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ski

I don't think anyone here's surprised you picked that one. I bet the HEMI had something to do with that choice

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And closer...

DarkFury

Actually, I had it way before I got the HEMI...

But still... gas is ALWAYS needed, so it just makes sense one way or another.

Markel

I've had a Citibank card for quite a while that used to give 2% rebate. They lowered it to 1%, but it give 5% on gas and groceries. However, there is a $300/year maximum rebate which I've already exceeded, so I picked up the Chase PerfectCard which gives 3% on gas (6% for the first 3 months) and 1% on everything else. Once My Citibank card gets into the next year, I'll tell my wife to use it only for groceries, and we'll use the Chase card for everything else. One advantage of this card is that I can use it an any gas station (meaning, the lowest price in town gets lower).

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ray

Citibank offers some of the best cards, rates, points plans in my opinion. I would check them out.

bachviet

I have a Chase Freedom mastercard (used to be a Chase Shell card) and I get 5% back from gas purchase and 1% from everything else. I don't think you could get this card anymore but you could always find the same deal with other CC.

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tinge_of_crimson

I love to shop at Amazon so I got their card. You get $30 off the first time you use it and for every 2,500 points you earn you get a $25 Amazon gift certificate.

BrewMaster

I use the MBNA Elite Rewards Visa because I like the choice of getting airline tickets or gifts or gift certificates. My Elite Rewards card is the only no annual fee travel rewards card I've found. They give 1 point per dollar spent and you can use those points on airline tickets, gift certificates, or other items. Not a bad deal IMHO.

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Jihforce

AMEX Blue with rewards program
Visa Sony Card. Cuz i like free electronics.

Bires

I was in the EXACT same boat. Got the Amex for pricematching (and it had good points benefits, too) I got the Citicard for 1% cash back and 5% on gas/groceries. Now I just use the Amex for internet (because of the return protection)

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Five years...

brain

Just get the American Express Centurion card.

Memo

Man Ever sine this thread I've been trying to get a credit card and I finally got one! Was able to get the Citibank Platinum Select MasterCard w/ Dividents for College Students! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. $1200 limit, 14.74% APR. I have one question though, that'a DPR? It says I have 0.05477% DPR on cash advances.

DarkFury

"Daily Percentage Rate"

Basically they are chargin' you by the day when you borrow direct cash.


Personally, I advise against borrowing cash against the card... you'll find yourself in debt in no time.

Memo

Ok. Ya, I don't plan on borrowing cash or carrying any charges. I just want to build some credit.

This DPR thing. Let's say I had the 0.05477% DPR on Purchases, not just on Cash Advances, but I paid my bill on time in full at the end of the month, would I still be paying extra?

Markel

You will be hit with interest on the cash advances from the day you get the money. There's no "free lunch" (grace period) on cash advances.

DarkFury

Exactumundo...

Basically, borrowing cash on a credit card is a definite no-no (as I stated earlier)

Memo

Well now reviewing my agreement further it also shows a 0.04038% DPR for Purchases. I guess I should just cut up this CC? I don't want to pay interest on anything.

InfiniteNothing

No... you see, what they do is they calculate your average daily balance so if you bought a 300 stereo system on day 30 your ADB would be $10. So you'd get your credit card statement and that's due in a few weeks. If you pay your $300 in full, you don't have to pay any interest. If you do, then you multiply that $10 by your .04038 to get how much interest you pay next month. I hope I didn't make this more complex than I needed to to explain two concepts at once.

ADB=average of your balance each day for the pay period
Cash= pay interest no matter what
Credit= pay interest only if you don't pay your bill off in full

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DarkFury

More or less... you need to start building your credit and these kind of credit card is the path to building it.

Just be smart with it... and it will be all good. Good luck mang.

Memo

Damn ok! I'm just weary of all the numbers cause I don't want to get ****ed in the ass. I know lots of people in debt and I don't plan on being one of them.

ray

Building credit is a necessity if you ever want to buy a home. My suggestion is to use your credit card for 1) emergencies (ie: need to get a plane ticket to see ailing mother) and 2) small purchases that you know you can pay off in full each month.

The last thing you want to do is carry a huge balance. With an APR as high as 14% I wouldn't want to carry a balance over a couple hundred bucks. If you are forced to carry balances, DO NOT MISS a payment...because when you do, they will jack up your APR even higher and your credit history will be negatively impacted.

attgig

getting ****ed in the ass cuz of debt is usually not because of the "tricky" language on credit card agreements, but people buying more than they can afford....

just keep your spending low. I actually asked to have my credit limit lowered because i was spending too much. it helped me limit my spending.

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DarkFury

I do understand where you are coming from...

However here's what worked for me...

#1 - Only use the card for things that you could've paid cash for up front (or you know that you will have the cash for... and pay the balance off when the statement is due and not accrue any finance charges.

#2 - Use the card in emergency situations... but don't make every situation an "emergency". Those late night pizza hunger pains are not a good reason to go use the CC... go make yourself a PB&J sammich and move forward with it.

#3 - Progress your spending... eventually making a big purchase to build your credit rating. Personally, I'd recommend going for a "same as cash" deal and not the CC to do this... but whatever it takes makes it all good on your credit report.

and #4 and most importantly... PAY ALL OF YOUR BILLS ON TIME!!! Don't incur any late fees... as these are the true killers of your credit. Once you are proven "trustworthy" of credit... it will fall out of the sky upon you. At that point, you have to have the discipline to not take on more than you can handle.

Hell... I must get about 20 letters a month (and 4 e-mails a day) asking me to refinance my house or take out some kind of loan... I just shake them haters off... and move forward.

Good luck... and use your credit wisely.

ApltnHkyMutt

Well said DF.. i coulnt have said that better my self.

ski

YES. My roommate spends about $13 a weekend, or about $50 a month on "drunk" food" Over a year, that equates to a nice gift that you said you couldn't afford for a girlfriend.