Posts: 27,160
Threads: 2,805
Joined: May 2025
For several years I have used a credit card which focused it's reward on gasoline purchases. My driving has gone from 3000 miles a month to about 800 miles (and will likely drop lower). So the 5% savings just aren't that big of deal anymore.
I'm thinking of switching to a new card that will reward in airline miles, specifically American Airline AAdvantage miles. We travel to Central America every year and would likely qualify for at least one free flight based on our usage.
But with all the changes that just took place, I'm not sure if it would be smart. I don't carry a great deal of plastic, just a card for myself and another separate account for my wife (I'm not opposed to consolidating the two accounts into one joint account).
My current card is through Chase while the AAdvantage card is through Citi. I've heard some rumblings about Citi but really didn't pay attention at the time. We pay off our bill in full each month as well.
Any advice, thoughts, alternatives or warnings?
Posts: 1,989
Threads: 146
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
If you happen to have a Schwab or Fidelity brokerage account, they both offer 2% Fixed cash back credit cards. Good on any purchase.
The Schwab Visa has an additional bonus if you travel internationally - no 2-3% surcharge on international charges.
They credit the 2% back monthly as a deposit into your brokerage account.
I like the simplicity of the Schwab card and think it's one of the best deals around.
Posts: 5,015
Threads: 283
Joined: Jul 2024
Reputation:
0
To one degree or another, all credit cards and credit card companies suck.
Just get the Citi one. I've been a Citi cardholder for 16 years. They stick to their rules. One day late is late. They rarely refund late fees, etc if you call. Amex almost always does. Amex Customer Service is the best.
But for other credit cards, there is not clear ranking, like Citi > Chase > BOA > Capital One. They all operate pretty much the same. If AA miles are what you're after, just go with the Citi one. Pay your bill on time, and you'll be fine.
Posts: 7,584
Threads: 124
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
2
Capital One is one of the worst credit card companies to deal with as a customer. You can Google them to see all the awful tricks they play on their customers to tack on fees and late payments and more.
I don't think the Schwab credit card is available anymore to new customers.
Posts: 48,066
Threads: 9,823
Joined: Dec 2021
Reputation:
0
Since you don't drive much anymore, this does not matter to you, but perhaps someone else can take advantage of.
Citi has a credit card called "Driver's Edge". This gives you the usualy 5% for one year, then 2% and 1% for gas, croceries, etc, but what is really cool, it also gives you 1 cent for every mile you drive. You send in a enrollment from with your VIN anc current mileage, and then when you get some work done, you send in the receipt (which shows VIN and mileage) and the add rewards to your account (on top of those 1/2/5% mentioned earlier). You get these rewards even if you spend very little on the card.
So in other words, each time you change the oil, 4000 miles or so, you get $40 credit. That's like getting the oil changed for free and having a couple of beers left.
The only annoying part is that you have to mail in a miles redemption form, but that's easy to fill online and print and send. it's better that mail-in-rebates since you have 90 days to do it after you get work done on the car, and if you forget, you can always redeem those money next time you get work done or when you buy a new car. The money/rewards never expires AFAIK.
Posts: 68,406
Threads: 17,248
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
7
...didn't Citi just begin charging a fee for all their credit cards.....? like $60.....
....thought I read a post hear about it.....
_____________________________________
I reject your reality and substitute my own!
Posts: 10,000
Threads: 626
Joined: Jul 2020
Reputation:
0
I would never get another Cit card.
I've been a good customer of theirs for 20 years. Never missed a payment. Never late.
They just halved my limit and kicked the interest up to 30% on my card.
No non-use penalty, tho, so I'm sticking it in a drawer and never using it again.
