Credit cards - Which do you use, and why?

[FreedomGundam]

So the question is pretty simple. Which credit card(s) do you use, and what are the benefits with it that keep you using it?

I'm mainly asking because my current main credit card, the Best Buy Reward Zone Visa from Chase, is being closed at the end of February. I'm not sure on the exact details, but Best Buy is terminating the card with Chase, and might look into other options down the line.

Which puts me in a bind. I use that card pretty exclusively because of what it gets me. The points collect towards Best Buy gift certificates at a usual rate of 1.25% (nothing special there). But buying things at Best Buy (which I do relatively often) doubles that to 2.5%, and buying games at Best Buy (which I do quite a lot) triples it to 3.75%. Not to mention the occasional "Preorder this game and get an bonus XYZ amount of points!" promotions from their website.

So I'm looking for a new card to get. Based on what I've researched online, one of the best cards to get based on the value of the rewards is the Scotiabank Scene Visa card (paired with a regular Scene points card for extra accumulation). But that essentially comes back with only movie passes as rewards, and I'm not sure I want to restrict myself to just that.

Two other things of note: I'd rather not pay any annual fee (duh), and since I clear up my balance at the end of every month, I'm not particularly concerned about the interest rate on unpaid balances either.

Any recommendations?

[Metroplex79]

Primary Card: RBC Avion Visa (since 2005)

Con for you, $120 annual fee + $50 for co-app. I used to be an RBC employee, so there was no $120 charge, but even after I was no longer an employee, I decided to keep it. Honestly, $120 a year isn't bad....when you consider Toronto's TTC monthly pass is more ($133.75 reg or $129.75 with discount plan). The points rack up quickly anyways. I've used the points to send my mom on 2 trips already, currently have almost enough for 3 tickets to the US.

Backup Card #1: RBC Shoppers Drug Mart MC

I used it like the Scene Visa, only at Shoppers and nowhere else. It throws extra points onto my Optimum Card. It's free as well. I transfer the points to my mom's card for free groceries because she shops there more than I do. I've had this card for a few years, not sure if I even broke $500 in a single year yet.

Backup Card #2: Scotiabank Scene Visa

I only use them at the movies, so tickets and concession stands. The bill itself doesn't rack up fast at all, but it helps throw extra points onto my Scene Card. I also had this for a few years, don't think I got to $300 in a year yet.

[Beechy]

Feel free to post pics....



Papa needs a new pair of shoes.

[Grimlock4Prime]

Originally Posted by Beechy

Feel free to post pics....



Papa needs a new pair of shoes.

Haha!

[CanBot]

I use no fee cards that offer unfortunately only about 3% at best (restaurants) and 1% of everything else.

The key is to put EVERYTHING on the card, pay it off monthly, and enjoy your reward. But all it takes is one late fee and you're hooped.

Costco credit cards are good for this, plus they have lots of extra things like double insurance, baggage loss insurance...stuff like that.

If you even make $150 a year, and pay NO card fees, that's like a free MP just for using a credit card. Beats using cash!

[Tekkamanraiden]

I like my amazon one so far, works similar to the best buy one.

[Metroplex79]

Originally Posted by Beechy

Feel free to post pics....



Papa needs a new pair of shoes.

Here you go.

[ConvoyGTR]

I just use a BMO Mastercard that I got signed up for at the same time I signed up for a bank account, many years ago.

I donno about value, as I don't care, but it has air miles. So, it has that. I've never looked up how many I have, nor do I care.

[FreedomGundam]

Originally Posted by ConvoyGTR

I just use a BMO Mastercard that I got signed up for at the same time I signed up for a bank account, many years ago.

I donno about value, as I don't care, but it has air miles. So, it has that. I've never looked up how many I have, nor do I care.

Yeah, I have one of those too as my secondary card. Problem is, the benefits (ie, the Air Miles) really aren't great.

I've been leaning towards the Amazon.ca card:
> 1% cash back on regular purchases (not amazing, but not bad either)
> 2% cash back on Amazon.ca purchases (very nice, I do get stuff from Amazon.ca fairly often, though I wish this bonus was extended to all Amazon regions)
> no bank fee on foreign currency purchases (so the usual ~2.5% fee that's charged for currency exchange is non-existent; considering the amount of stuff that I normally import from Japan or buy in USD, this is almost already a 2.5% instant cash back)

[Cheers Ian]

PC Mastercard - I get PC points - which combined with the PC Plus membership and PC accounts - the points tend to rack up very quickly.