That makes sense, but my current fleet consists ofUnderstood, but I think the PR is superior to the UCR, except in edge cases.Just to make sure you're aware of the option, the BoA Unlimited Cash Rewards card would get you 2.625% cash back on everything with no annual fee. There is a foreign transaction fee, though.1 Because I put pretty much everything on my cards, $50k+ annual, I am thinking that getting PRE or USBAR will get me more cash back, since I don't live the miles/points route for award travel. Also maybe the perks for these high AF cards maybe useful. With PRE cash back, I could get 3.3% redemption cash, and with USBAR 4.5%, agreed with more hoops.
The AF can be offset by GE and the incidentals credit, which is reasonable to achieve since it is only $100.
With no FTF, and slightly better protections, enables one to use it extensively WW [worldwide] (including in the US) without worry and a lot of transactions get coded as 'travel or dining' which gets me back 3.5% instead of 2.625%
Of course, with PRE, PR is redundant.
-- One Customized Cash Reward (CCR) Visa with a grandfathered no FTF (inherited from the awesome old Schwab Visa 2% card which then migrated through FIA to BankAmericard!)
-- One CCR MasterCard (converted from a 10 year veteran Better Balance MC which was previously an affinity card)
-- One Unlimited Cash Reward (UCR) MasterCard (also auto converted from a 10 year veteran Better Balance MC which was previously an affinity card for many years)
I plan to use UCR for 2.65% cash back for all domestic purchases, except for categories or deals available on other cards
Then use CCR Mastercard for category 1 and CCR Visa for category 2. When traveling, set UCR Visa category to Travel and use it with 0 FTF until category spending is maxed out. Then use Fidelity 2% (also 0 FTF) if necessary.
I also use PenFed for 5% gasoline cashback and Chase and Discover for categories, which can be lucrative. I use Amex Blue for grocers and some great Amex offers.
My old USAA (formerly 2.5% now 1.5% cashback, 0 FTF) and Capital One Quicksilver (1.5% cashback, 0 FTF) will be sock drawered except for monthly small balance credit charges to stay active and get that $1/month credit.
The demise of the USAA 2.5% card inspired me to revisit Bank of America with Merrill Edge. Thanks USAA!
PR sounds great, but I don't need any more cards and the annual fee has very limited utility for my existing card collection.
Statistics: Posted by criticalmass — Fri Dec 22, 2023 12:23 am — Replies 6368 — Views 749727