what credit card should i get

[slug420]

im an idiot for not doing this 3 months ago so I could have gotten rewards or whatever from the few grand I spent after I moved but oh well, better late than never right?

I want to get a credit card. Mostly so I have something in case there is an emergency and my funds have to be low, but also so I can save with some of the rewards or cash back or whatever on daily things like gas and groceries that I currently use my debit card for....

So what CC has the best interest rates, reputation, incentives, and/or rewards?

With a credit card can you log on to the company's website to see your charges for the month kind of like logging into a bank's website to check on your account? or do you just have to keep track and hope theres no surprises you forgot about at the end of the month?

 

[eting_pro5]

Citibank Driver's Edge always appealed to me...use your rewards to buy any type of car

http://www.citibank.com/us/cards/cardserv/drivers/index.jsp

 

[Sveivo]

So what CC has the best interest rates, reputation, incentives, and/or rewards?

I'm not sure which is the best but I've had a Student Visa from US bank for about 6 months. My interest rates are reasonable (though I do pay it off completely every month). The cool thing is that US Bank was very quick about processing my application, took about 2 weeks to get the card! Citi bank, for example took over a month!

If you're a college student, you will be eligible for this one here. You'll be able to look at your transactions online at usbank.com and stuff like that.

The way I found it is that I went to visa.com and clicked on "student cards."

Good luck.

 

[mp5jeff]

been using chase myself for a while now, no problems with them and you get points each purchase to get free stuff, depending on the cc you choose of course, i have a shitload of points but i never use them because well, the stuff they have i don't need.

 

[girth]

Citibank Driver's Edge always appealed to me...use your rewards to buy any type of car

http://www.citibank.com/us/cards/cardserv/drivers/index.jsp

I didn't check your link but the last time I checked into driver's edge it was stupid - it was 1% earnings with a max of $300/year --- which is actually WORSE than most cash-back cards now days. Might as well just get the cash back so you can spend it on anything you want.

So my suggestion is either go with 1 of the many cash back cards that offer 3% cash back at most stores or go with the GM card, which offers 5% earnings toward GM cars. The GM card is nice because they often offer specials where they'll double your earnings on certain vehicles....but obviously it's only good if you ever plan to buy a GM car. I have my GM earnings basically maxed out right now but there's literally 0 GM cars I'm interested in that I can actually afford....so it's going to waste. So I'd recommend a cash-back card. All cards offer some form of online account management.

 

[goldstar]

You can log onto the bank's website to check your charges as they accrue-with some time lag between transaction and posting. I don't think there is one best credit card or bank. I have never applied for a card but I get constant offers to accept pre-approved cards. Probably because I have a good credit rating. I wait until I get the best offer in terms of a fixed, low interest rate and then I go with that card. I'll stay with that card unless I get a substantially better offer. I only have one card at a time-I do not like the idea and see no reason to have multiple cards. That can get you into trouble. IMO, a low interest rate is better than "rewards."

 

[cbcbd]

Basically there is no one true best card. Just pick what type of rewards work for you best - like mileage, or cash towards something, or just cash.
I use a Citi card that I get 1% cash back with everything and a little more with other things. I can get a check when I have accrued $100 or more.

I got an American Express Blue card recently only because they have good buyer protection and extend the warranty on purchases, which is good whenever you are buying shifty things online.

And yes, you can do everything online with credit cards just like with your bank account, like checking all your balances/charges, and also paying your bill.

 

[mazdaspeedpower]

I also have been thinking of getting a CC, I dunno which one I'm gonna get yet, but I plan on going to my bank, and talking to them about it, all I care about, is a low interest rate, rewards are a secondary thing. I plan on using to help build my credit rating. Basically use it for small things, and pay it off right away. Thats a good way to build up the credit rating a bit, but one must be careful with a credit card, so as not to overspend what the budget allows.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

Credit cards are evil. If you ever have the need for money (i.e. emergency) take out a bank loan.

 

[cbcbd]

I also have been thinking of getting a CC, I dunno which one I'm gonna get yet, but I plan on going to my bank, and talking to them about it, all I care about, is a low interest rate, rewards are a secondary thing. I plan on using to help build my credit rating. Basically use it for small things, and pay it off right away. Thats a good way to build up the credit rating a bit, but one must be careful with a credit card, so as not to overspend what the budget allows.

If you're going to pay it off right away anyway why worry too much about the interest rate. I mean, it's good to have a low one, but if you want you can always start out with one and then try to negotiate with the CC company for a lower one.

 

[cbcbd]

Credit cards are evil. If you ever have the need for money (i.e. emergency) take out a bank loan.

Agreed. I hate using my credit cards. Before I started really using CC I would just use my bank check card which just takes money right out of my account - much simpler and easier to keep tabs on your finances that way...
but then there are the obvious rewards that I had to take advantage of or it'd be just silly not to - like the cash back

 

[CGCG04]

You should get an AMEX...thats what my dad got me for while im at school. Instead of worrying about interest rates, you just pay a yearly fee which isnt really too bad and pay off the entire balance at the end of every month. I juts like it better this way cuz i always make sure i have the money available before i buy anything and im just trying to build good credit while im in college.

I also have been thinking of getting a CC, I dunno which one I'm gonna get yet, but I plan on going to my bank, and talking to them about it, all I care about, is a low interest rate, rewards are a secondary thing. I plan on using to help build my credit rating. Basically use it for small things, and pay it off right away. Thats a good way to build up the credit rating a bit, but one must be careful with a credit card, so as not to overspend what the budget allows.

 

[slug420]

I think I am more interested in rewards than a good interest rate.

I mean I am 24, I have made it this - far through college, and relocating for a job, and a couple moves, and buying a condo and a few cars - without one, so I dont plan on spending more than I can pay off immediatly, and I have really good credit so I am not concerned about building credit. My reasoning for getting a card was pretty much just the rewards. I mean I have a mastercard debit card now and I use that for at least 75% of the purchases I make, paying bills, gas, groceries, toys etc....so why not save 3% on all of that right?

So i guess the question is which card has the best rewards period.

Citi?

 

[Greg S]

Personally my wife and I use a Citibank card, but what you'll find is that most cards give you 1% back on all purchases and 3% on gas and groceries with a maximum reward of $300 per year. Which works out to $25,000-30,000 in spending per year. It's unlikely that you'll spend that much in one year so most any of the cards will do, just remember that reward cards usually have higher interest rates so you don't want to carry any balance.

 

[slug420]

3% is the most any credit card gives you in rewards?

do the rewards go farther in the form of frequent flyer miles?

 

[2words]

i say dont get one at all. then you won't be like me, in school with apart time job trying to pay $2500 off.. sucks. but if you have to have one maybe that no hassle card..(yupnope)

 

[txrxs]

<---pwnd by credit card debt

 

[Rawyzf]

AMEX blue is good, I have used that for majority of thing and you get points. Interest rate is reasonable (7.9% fixed)

Otherwise I have my trusty dusty Chase for those places that still haven't stepped up to taking AMEX yet.

I was thinking about the Capital One Prime Rate lock, but not sure about it yet.

 

[girth]

The best rewards available is the GM card. Period. I've twice had rewards up to $6000 available to me after having it for just 5 years. No other card can offer you nearly $1000 per year. Obviously that's only good though if you buy a GM car! A subaru card is also another thing to look into if you're into Subbies. I think they offer 3% rewards.

Honestly, I think most people are best off with this. 5% cash back on some stuff, 1% on everything else.
http://citi.bridgetrack.com/usc/dividend/generic/div/default.htm?BTData=C02117A74667D6658534D4CABB0A1ACAB8B928C83F6E1E6F829F3C62&BT_TRF=105497&app=UNSOL&sc=4T4Z6EZ4&m=NMR1000000W&langId=EN&siteId=CB&B=M&sid=DIVmr369778124&EMAIL_ADDRESS=&eps2=kkHIBm0vwD076leWClDhvQ%2A%2A&BT_TX=1&ProspectID=EFD9525D27824EB9947D91E1EC3E7CCC

 

[slug420]

if only boston whaler or regulator offered cards like the GM one