Credit cards..

[mike@ec]

assuming us watch aficionados aren't financially strapped.. I was curious which credit cards my fellow TRF's prefer to use and why ?

I love my AMEX, (for the customer service and reward points) and have a VISA (rebate card) as a backup or for those retailers that don't accept it.

[elderboy02]

I like my Discover card. I never carry a balance and I get rewards dollars that I can redeem during checkout at Amazon.com

[Angrypuppy]

AMEX gold rewards, and a debit card. That's it.

[warren G.]

I only use two credit cards and one debit card at the moment.

My CC are AMEX blue preferred and Discover.
And my Debit card is my Chase VISA.

From my experience, more places are accepting AMEX. So far, my experience with AMEX has been pretty good. I was dealing with a few disputes early this year, and they took care of it in a flash. I really don't use my Discover much, unless I'm buying something from their 5% category rotation.

If you want a good cash back card with no fees. I highly recommend the Chase Freedom, and Discover card. If you're a big spender, the new Capital One QuickSilver card is a really interesting card ; no fees, unlimited 1.5% cashback.

[mike@ec]

I was debating if I should upgrade from AMEX gold rewards ($150 CDN annual) to the platinum ($750 CDN annual)..

but after looking at all the perks, and I only travel once or twice a year, I think GOLD, lets me earn the points faster with double points on gas, groceries etc.

[powerfunk]

I like AmEx because every so often there are random perks like being able to buy tickets a day early, etc. Also the automatic rental car insurance up to $25k is great. I have a JetBlue AmEx which makes sense for me because I live in a JetBlue hub.

[warren G.]

Originally Posted by mike@ec

I was debating if I should upgrade from AMEX gold rewards ($150 CDN annual) to the platinum ($750 CDN annual)..

but after looking at all the perks, and I only travel once or twice a year, I think GOLD, lets me earn the points faster with double points on gas, groceries etc.

yeah I wouldn't upgrade to Platinum if that was the case.

[mike@ec]

but to those that do travel, the AMEX platinum offer amazing perks (airline credits, lounge passes) those alone make up the $750 CDN fee

[joe100]

I use my debit for most thing but I carry amex.

[Rockrolex]

I use a Chase Milage Plus Club card for most purchases since I live at a United hub and get double points on most purchases. I then convert the points to upgrades on most UA flights. I also have an AMEX Platinum card for a primary backup and to pay for tickets to Broadways shows (which we see a lot of), and a Capital One Visa as a deep backup. I use a USAir Mastercard to buy tickets on US Air flights; that gets me into Group 2 for boarding.

I do not have, nor would I use, a debit card. For me, a debit card would not make sense.

[eeh100773]

Originally Posted by mike@ec

I was debating if I should upgrade from AMEX gold rewards ($150 CDN annual) to the platinum ($750 CDN annual)..

but after looking at all the perks, and I only travel once or twice a year, I think GOLD, lets me earn the points faster with double points on gas, groceries etc.

AMEX Platinum's not worth it, unless you are a frequent traveler. I recently went back to Amex green from Platinum, just wasn't worth it.

[mfer]

AMEX Blue (superior cash back)
MC as backup (decent points I use solely for gift cards)

[wantonebad]

I've had AMEX Platinum for 20 years, I need it for travel. My annual fee (just paid in August) is still $495 when did it go up to $750? Cause if I get hit with $750 next year I'm done with platinum.

[mike@ec]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

I've had AMEX Platinum for 20 years, I need it for travel. My annual fee (just paid in August) is still $495 when did it go up to $750? Cause if I get hit with $750 next year I'm done with platinum.

$750 is Canadian Dollars

sorry just checked the AMEX site $699 is CDN price

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by mike@ec

$750 is Canadian Dollars

sorry just checked the AMEX site $699 is CDN price

My mistake, sorry!

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by elderboy02

I like my Discover card. I never carry a balance and I get rewards dollars that I can redeem during checkout at Amazon.com

X2 on Discover.... when I retired I have no need of AMX anymore.....Im sure not paying money for any credit card. I have Wells Fargo Visa .....thats it.
I use Discover 99 percent of the time now.

[SaddleSC]

AMEX Platinum + Debit Card

[bayerische]

The Amex platinum card is great, since wife and I travel a lot.

Another good card for travelers is Diners Club Premium.

[ronburgundy]

This is a hobby of mine. I have AmEx Platinum for travel perks, airport lounge access, airline credit, etc. I have AmEx Starwood Preferred Guest card for shopping and some spending, I use AmEx Blue Cash Preferred (6% back on groceries, 3% on gas) for gas and groceries, which pays me about $50 a month. I use Chase Sapphire Preffered for 2X points dining and booking some travel. I think my favorite points are Starpoints and Ultimate Rewards (Chase Points). Chase Sapphire Preferred has the best customer service IMHO. You don't even have to press a button when you call, you just call, they answer. I have a Discover IT card and will use it for 5% cash back holiday online shopping this quarter.(capped at $1500) I like the Chase points because they transfer 1:1 to my Southwest Rapid Rewards account also. In many cases, transferring the points to an airline rewards account is the best way to maximize the value of the points.

[Sixshooter]

Amex basic green for me. And a debit card for the smaller day to day stuff.

[tfly212]

I am kind of a fiend. Here is my list and the main perks. My building allows rent to be paid with a credit card with no fee so I have gotten creative to maximize the return. I travel a fair amount so getting and maintain status is a big deal to me. With this setup I hit Delta Gold Medallion before I even board a plane each year.

Amex Platinum - $200 airline fee credit (I take my dog on a flight once a year, so that gets covered). 4 hour grace period with hertz (pick up a care at 2 PM you have until 6 PM the following day). Airline Club access (except UA) when traveling on that airline. SPG Gold status.
Delta AMEX Platinum - 20K MQM if you hit the spend thresholds + delta skypesos
Delta AMEX Reserve - 30K MQM if you hit the spend thresholds + delta skypesos
Hilton Reserve Visa- Gold status + a free night each year and 2 free nights for a sign up bonus
Hyatt Visa Signature - Platinum status + 1 free night each year and 2 free nights for signing up

[brandrea]

CIBC Aerogold Infinite. Great travel protection, insurance and I cash in my miles for AMEX Gift certificate cards which I used on my last Rolex purchase

[Watchflair]

Recently upgraded to an Amex platinum not sure I see the value to be honest. I was going to switch back to gold but they waived the fee for a year on the platinum when I called to switch back, so of course I kept it. Also, I have a Chase Sapphire Preferred 2x point on restaurants and no foreign transaction fees. Also, a fairly low annual fee.

Found when I was just in Belgium and the Netherlands that the majority of places didn't accept Amex... Used my Visa more often than not.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Watchflair

Recently upgraded to an Amex platinum not sure I see the value to be honest. I was going to switch back to gold but they waived the fee for a year on the platinum when I called to switch back, so of course I kept it. Also, I have a Chase Sapphire Preferred 2x point on restaurants and no foreign transaction fees. Also, a fairly low annual fee.

Found when I was just in Belgium and the Netherlands that the majority of places didn't accept Amex... Used my Visa more often than not.

Yeah, some countries in the EU are really poor on accepting Amex. Luckily Finland is pretty good, but many stores don't advertise accepting Amex, due to the higher percentage they charge.

But visiting the EU, one cannot only bring an Amex card. You'll definitely need a Visa or Mastercard to accompany it.


On the other hand trying to pay with a Diners Club card in the US isn't exactly easy. It should work on the Discover network, and it has a Discover logo on the back of it. But trying to convince the clerk at a shop that this is the case is hard to say the least.

[bayerische]

Amex just upped the annual fee on the Platinum card from 550 euro to 700 euro a year. It's a lot, but I still get more perks for it annually than what it costs. But it's getting close to the point where it doesn't "pay".

[Monte Cristo]

I use my AmericanExpress the most, but most retailers in Australia charge I higher transaction fee on AMEX than they do on VISA or MasterCard, or they will charge a fee for AMEX but chage nothing for the other cards, which means those AMEX rewards points end up costing you a fair bit.

I prefer GreekExpress best (ie. cash)

[69mach351]

Chase Sapphire Preferred. We mainly use it for the travel rewards, but it is extremely flexible on what you can redeem with your points, so we like it. If you use it wisely, you can rack up points in a hurry. If you go through chase's website, you can look at a lot of businesses, can get better deals, and a lot more points for transactions (worth up to 10 or 15% of the transaction).

The customer service is awesome too.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Monte Cristo

I use my AmericanExpress the most, but most retailers in Australia charge I higher transaction fee on AMEX than they do on VISA or MasterCard, or they will charge a fee for AMEX but chage nothing for the other cards, which means those AMEX rewards points end up costing you a fair bit.

I prefer GreekExpress best (ie. cash)

I see, it's prohibited to put a credit charge fee ontop of purchases here. Seller has to take the hit.

[69mach351]

Originally Posted by bayerische

I see, it's prohibited to put a credit charge fee ontop of purchases here. Seller has to take the hit.

I talked to our finance department at an old job, and they said the same thing - but government can add the 3% or whatever, to it. Some sellers do it or find ways around it, but to my knowledge, they are not supposed to.

[Tripp11]

American Express Platinum for us as we easily cover the annual fee. $200 airline credit, Global Entry credit, Priority Pass credit, airport lounge access, and all of the upgrades and perks which come with booking thru the Fine Hotels and Resorts portal. Also many other partners offer you premium/gold status just for being a cardholder...such as Hilton Honors and Hertz just to name two.