I recently got an offer in the mail that I thought was pretty good. No interest for the 1st year and no annual fee, 15,000 reward points when you spend $250 within the first 3 months which equals to $200 for plane tickets, hotel rates or cruise rates. Just wanted to get some feedback of people that have this card. Are you happy with the benefits? I currently have only 1 other credit card.
Don't have the card but it's not worth the signing bonus in my opinion. Chase Freedom is one of the best (if not the best) general purpose cashback credit cards and they do a $200 sign up bonus at least a few times a year. Several airlines have branded cards that will give you two round-trip tickets for a certain amount spent in 3 months. Southwest and United come to mind. Amex is a great perks company but not a great rewards company. Depending on how much you spend per year on credit cards I might avoid it. As a graduate student I spend maybe a grand average per month. I really utilize cash-back and reward points.
It's best to own at least 2 cards if you really want to cover all of the cashback options. Chase Freedom is good but, just like other cards, the categories for 5% cashback changes during the year. Your best bet, would be a Chase Freedom (or Discover cashback card, same thing) and an American Express blue cash card, which offers 3-2-1 cashback year round, 3% on groceries, 2% on gas and department stores, and 1% on everything else. This way, you can combine the two cards to get the most cash back.
I don't know about the Blue Sky Amex card. I think it would depend on what you want to use it for. If it gives you bonuses for the travel you are likely to use, that's great. If you have a different Amex card with points already earned that will transfer it may be even better. Though if it's just for travel that you'll use it, you may want to consider a Platinum Amex card. That card has a huge $450 yearly charge. That might well be reason enough to never get one. But if you travel enough or plan on doing a lot of traveling in the near future, the perks will easily more than make up the $450 depending on how many points you already have. There are things like free admission into the club lounge (including a spouse and up to 2 kids) of any air line except one that isn't compatible. You can choose an airline and any fees except tickets such as baggage fees, more foot room seats, ordering food or alcohol on the plain, etc. and they will pay you back up to $200. In addition if you spend a certain amount in the first 3 months you get 25,000 point bonus. Add to that the fact that any points spent on travel will get you 20% more value for those points. If you already have points with Amex on another card you can transfer them over to the platinum card. Internationally, they wave the 2.7% fee for currency exchange on anything you buy. There are numerous hotel upgrades and late checkout perks available at no extra cost, plus rental car upgrades as well. There is also the concierge service is really nothing special but can be a definite convenience while travelling. The other thing is that you can use the card for 6 months and switch back, and the fee will be pro-rated. So if travel is what you want to use the card and perks for you may want to at least check it out. If it isn't travel, then don't even think about the Platinum card and huge yearly fee.
How can you beat Fidelity AMEX- 2% cash back on everything? I don't see another card out there that is better, I am not interested in having to carry 2 or 3 cards and having to remember which to use for each purchase.
