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Review: American Express Gold (2024)

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The American Express Gold Card was refreshed in August 2024 with a few changes. It remains a mid-to-high tier card centered around restaurants and groceries. It may not be the best option for most people, but the card is flexible enough to be worth looking into, particularly for high spenders. The annual fee has been raised by $75 in exchange for up to $184 in new credits. Whether this is a great value depends on each person.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • $325 annual fee (previously $250)
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 4x points on dining (restaurants, takeout, and delivery including UberEats) (up to $50,000 spent annually, then 1x)
  • 4x points on groceries (up to $25,000 spent at U.S. grocery stores each year, then 1x)
  • 3x points on flights
  • 2x points on hotels booked through AmexTravel.com (with potential bonus perks for booking something from The Hotel Collection)
  • 1x points on everything else
  • Metal card (choose from 3 color options: Gold, Rose Gold, or limited-edition White Gold)

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Review: American Express Blue Cash Everyday

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In July 2022, AMEX updated its Blue Cash Everyday (BCE) credit card to become more competitive. Previously, the only point to the card was a downgrade option (to avoid multiple annual fees on the Blue Cash Preferred). Now that the BCE is potentially useful, let’s take a closer look.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee
  • 2.7% foreign transaction fee
  • 3% cash back on groceries (up to $6,000 spent per year)
  • 3% cash back on gas (up to $6,000 spent per year)
  • 3% cash back on online retail purchases (up to $6,000 spent per year)
  • 1% cash back on everything else

Previously, the card earned 3% back on groceries, 2% back on gas and retail, and 1% on everything else.

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The Top 15 Credit Cards For 0% APR

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0% APR can have a variety of applications. Sometimes you need more than 30 days to pay for something, or need to increase the amount of cash on hand. This is usually the best way to solve that problem while avoiding interest. Credit cards normally have 15-20% APR, and it’s rarely worthwhile to pay interest on card purchases. One of the downsides here is that most of the below cards require a minimum credit score of 650+. People who really need 0% APR often have lower credit scores. If you fall into this category, check to see if you’re prequalified before applying. Most banks have this option. Search “[bank name] prequalification” and their website should pop right up.

Most of the below cards also have 0% APR on balance transfers, but balance transfers almost always have a fee associated with them. It’s better to put new purchases on a 0% APR card instead of trying to do a balance transfer. Note: This list is current as of December 2021 and is subject to change.

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Anti-Churning Rules and Chase 5/24 Explained

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“Churners” seek sign-up bonuses and other rewards by opening lots of credit cards. In most cases, they’re legitimate customers who want extra cash back or free travel. A lot of credit cards offer great rewards and bonuses. As people become more educated about credit cards (CCs) some inevitably want to maximize (or abuse) the system, despite risks to their credit scores.

As a result, banks have implemented rules (sometimes unofficially) to deter churners. They naturally aim for a positive ROI on customers. Here’s a compilation of the most important things to keep in mind. Keep in mind that this isn’t a comprehensive list of all rules/guidelines, and things are subject to change.

As a side note, some banks might shut you down if you go too hard and fast. They can take away points or close your cards. We recommend applying for 1 new card every 3-4 months, to start. If you have higher risk tolerance, maybe apply for a new card every 2-3 months, once your credit history is pretty well-established. Don’t go overboard. Start with credit cards that you’re likely to use on a regular basis, and pay your balance in full every month.

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Review: American Express Blue Cash Preferred

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The American Express Blue Cash Preferred (AMEX BCP) credit card is a mid-tier card for groceries, streaming, and getting around. It can be a decent card for everyday use, and/or a complement for premium cards like the American Express Platinum. The annual fee can effectively pay for itself over time, depending on your spending habits, although other options might be better.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • $95 annual fee (usually waived the first year)
  • 2.7% foreign transaction fee
  • 6% cash back on groceries (up to $6,000 in annual spending, then 1% back)
  • 6% cash back on select streaming
  • 3% cash back on transit
  • 3% cash back on gas
  • 1% cash back on everything else
  • AMEX Offers

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The Top 5 No-Fee Credit Cards For Restaurants

Credit Card Roundups /

“Restaurants” includes dining in, eating out, takeout, food delivery, and more. A 2021 CNBC article said the average American household spends $3,675 per year with restaurants. To maximize cash back rewards without annual fees, these are the best options. Note that cards with annual fees may have greater rewards. But if you don’t want to deal with fees, these are the top 5 credit cards to consider.

As always, to see which credit card is best for you, you’ll need to understand your spending habits. Everyone has different preferences and lifestyles, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. If you do find something that should be on this list, feel free to contact us for updates.

 

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The Top 5 No-Fee Credit Cards For Groceries

Credit Card Roundups /

Only a few credit cards are worth considering if you want maximum cash back on groceries without annual fees. A 2021 CNBC article said the average American household spends $5,174 per year on groceries. To optimize cash back rewards without annual fees, this page showcases the best options. Anything not on this page is likely worse.

As always, do your research to see which credit card is best for you. Everyone has different habits and lifestyles, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. If you do find something that should be on this list, feel free to contact us for updates.

Note: cash back for the “grocery” category typically excludes large wholesale clubs (Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, Wal-Mart). Some smaller shops also don’t count as grocery stores, although it’s pretty hit-or-miss.

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The Top 5 No-Fee Credit Cards For Gas

Credit Card Roundups /

Gas is a spending category which applies to most people. A 2021 CNBC article said the average American household spends $2,218 per year on gas. To maximize cash back rewards without annual fees, we’ll show you the best options here. Even cards with annual fees are rarely as good as these top credit cards.

If you happen to know about a credit card which should be here, feel free to let us know so we can update this list.

Note that gas-station-specific cards are rarely worthwhile, especially when gas prices are high. Sunoco for example gives a perpetual discount of $0.05 per gallon, but if gas is $3 per gallon, 5% cash back cards give triple the value (at $0.15 per gallon). Rewards programs (like through T-Mobile Tuesdays) may give additional discounts.

 

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Review: Navy Federal Credit Union More Rewards American Express

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The Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) More Rewards credit card is an uncomplicated card which earns 3% cash back in popular categories. It’s a solid low-maintenance card which most people will find good for everyday spending. it may not have perfect earn rates, but More Rewards has multiple earning categories and great benefits.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 3x points on groceries
  • 3x points on gas
  • 3x points on transit
  • 3x points on dining
  • 1x points on everything else

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Review: American Express Gold (2021-2022)

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Note: This review is from 2021, and significant details have changed. Check out our updated 2024 review!

The American Express Gold Charge Card is a mid-to-high tier card for food and travel. It earns a decent amount of points at restaurants and grocery stores, and has benefits to offset the high annual fee. It’s one of the more flexible cards from American Express, and it wouldn’t hurt for most people to take a look.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • $250 annual fee
  • Zero foreign transaction fees
  • 4x points on dining (restaurants, takeout, delivery)
  • 4x points on groceries (up to $25,000 spent at U.S. grocery stores)
  • 3x points on flights
  • 1x points on everything else
  • Metal card
  • AMEX Offers

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