I recently received a flyer outlining the current bonus reward categories for the Chase Freedom card. For those that are unaware, Chase has decided to jump on the rotating reward category bandwagon with this card.
Now instead of getting a higher level of rewards in a standard set of categories, the categories will change seasonally. For this summer July through September you can get 5% cash back on gas stations and restaurants. All other purchases will receive 1% rewards.
Take a road trip, visit family or explore the restaurants in your area this summer. It’s easy to get 5% cash back on up to $1, 500 spent between July 1 and September 30, 2012 on gas and restaurants.
You have to opt-in to receive the bonus each time it changes. To do this with Chase, you need to either call 1-866-920-1533 or visit the Chase website.
If you’d like to take advantage of this, then I recommend setting up an automated reminder so you won’t forget to re-enroll for the next round. I’ve set mine up as both an e-mail and SMS reminder for mid-September since both the Citi and Chase categories will change on October 1.
I must admit I was very skeptical about the Chase Ultimate Rewards debit card but now I’m a believer.
My wife got her’s first and after I saw how much in cash she was redeeming each month I signed up immediately.
Just yesterday I redeemed my points and got $125 cash back. Over the last 3 months I’ve earned over $600 cash.
Yeah, Sam’s is the lone holdout that makes me want a MasterCard. Fidelity does have a 2% card, but it’s Amex. Since I already have an Amex that pays me an average of 1.95% in straight cash back, without the need for a Fidelity account, I’m happy to stick with it.
What I really want is one card to rule them all… That is, a MasterCard with sweet rewards. Unfortunately, I’ve had a hard time finding such a card.
I only have VISA cards, but so far, have never run into any problem with them not being accepted. MasterCard used to have an awesome Platinum Select card, but they changed it on me, and I stopped using it. If you still want that Schwab card, I think I remember Fidelity has one that’s similar.
I almost never fly anywhere, so I don’t even look at the miles cards. I really like the Citi Forward card (5% on restaurants, bookstores, and a few others). I took a look at the Amex Blue, but I didn’t like that the first couple thousand dollars are at such a low rate.
Basically, from what I have seen, there are very few good “all purpose” cards anymore. You can get excellent returns on most purchases, but it means having 3-4 different cards, and knowing which to use at different times.
Seth: I’ve never been a huge fan of rotating reward categories because I don’t like having to think about it when making a payment. That being said, I just booked a couple of plane tickets with my Chase card, and it was nice to get 5% cash back.
My old standby is Amex Blue Cash, with which I average just shy of 2% cash back without thinking about it. With rotating categories at 5% and multiple cards, you can goose it higher, but it takes additional work.
Schwab used to have a straight 2% cash back Visa, which was a great deal (though I never got around to applying for it).
What I’d really like is a great MasterCard cash back rewards card, because it’s accepted nearly everywhere, including Sam’s Club.
I’m really not liking the new changes very much. I’m thinking my Citi Forward card is becoming superior. What are your thoughts on the (new) Freedom card vs. other cash back/rewards cards?