Best credit card for 1st year associate Forum

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

How does all this work with firm reimbursement? So if I get an Amex gold and order food when I’m working late, would I be credited twice - once by the firm and once by the Amex promo for Uber eats. If that’s the case it seems like Amex gold would be a no brainer bc I’d assume I’d need to order food at least once a month which would almost help the Amex pay for itself. Same thing with roses home from the office

As someone who has an Amex Gold, you could use grubhub. The receipt would look normal and then $10 credits back to your statement. For Uber Eats that will show up on the receipt as a deduct to your bill so IDK. Firm likely would still reimburse the whole bill but it looks worse for you. Abusing expenses can actually get you fired so I’d tread carefully. Of course you can always keep your points or cash back.

[Anonymous User]

How does all this work with firm reimbursement? So if I get an Amex gold and order food when I’m working late, would I be credited twice - once by the firm and once by the Amex promo for Uber eats. If that’s the case it seems like Amex gold would be a no brainer bc I’d assume I’d need to order food at least once a month which would almost help the Amex pay for itself. Same thing with roses home from the office

As someone who has an Amex Gold, you could use grubhub. The receipt would look normal and then $10 credits back to your statement. For Uber Eats that will show up on the receipt as a deduct to your bill so IDK. Firm likely would still reimburse the whole bill but it looks worse for you. Abusing expenses can actually get you fired so I’d tread carefully. Of course you can always keep your points or cash back.

Thanks, yes I meant Grubhub (couldn’t remember who they had a deal with), that effectively brings the Amex gold price down to 130 for me bc I don’t think I’ll expense any rides since I’m living so close to the office

[dazed123]

How does all this work with firm reimbursement? So if I get an Amex gold and order food when I’m working late, would I be credited twice - once by the firm and once by the Amex promo for Uber eats. If that’s the case it seems like Amex gold would be a no brainer bc I’d assume I’d need to order food at least once a month which would almost help the Amex pay for itself. Same thing with roses home from the office

As someone who has an Amex Gold, you could use grubhub. The receipt would look normal and then $10 credits back to your statement. For Uber Eats that will show up on the receipt as a deduct to your bill so IDK. Firm likely would still reimburse the whole bill but it looks worse for you. Abusing expenses can actually get you fired so I’d tread carefully. Of course you can always keep your points or cash back.

Thanks, yes I meant Grubhub (couldn’t remember who they had a deal with), that effectively brings the Amex gold price down to 130 for me bc I don’t think I’ll expense any rides since I’m living so close to the office

The $120 Uber Cash can be used for rides or eats

Also if you are considering an Amex card then I'd apply through Resy as they tend to provide higher SUBs
https://resy.com/amex-offers?date=2022-08-03&seats=2

[Anonymous User]

Anyone like the citi premier, with the current bonus

Am also interested in this one as someone who wants a travel card but is skeptical about getting enough usage out of the Amex platinum perks to justify the fee. I also value the flexibility of not having to book vacations directly through the credit card company to get the extra points.

[Anonymous User]

Amex platinum IMO is overkill for a first year salary. $695 fee and hardly any cash-like benefits. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a better deal. $550 fee and the $300 travel credit is essentially cash, as it can be used on any travel (subways, buses, taxis, rideshare, train fare, airfare, etc.) and you will always spend that $300 in NYC

I have the CSR too and it’s a great card. Its categories (dining and travel 3x, which become 4.5x with the book travel with Chase portal multiplier) are international as well, so if you find yourself traveling you can carry on earning the 3x internationally.

Highly recommend getting the “Chase Trifecta” if you get the CSR, i.e. getting both the Chase Freedom (which is the Chase Freedom Flex now I think?) and the Chase Freedom Unlimited as well. With the CSR’s multiplier, the Freedom’s 5x categories become a 7.5x, and the Unlimited’s flat 1.5x becomes a 2.25x. Both are no annual fee cards.

The Freedom’s categories often have groceries one quarter of the year, so pair that with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred or another groceries card and you will be earning upwards of 3x on groceries year round.

Just be careful of the Chase 5/24 rule (not sure if still a thing, been years since I applied), which is that Chase doesn’t grant you a new card if you have had 5 new cards (from anyone not just Chase) in the last 24 months. So I would get your Chase cards first and out of the way before getting others.

Chase cards just make a lot of sense for people who don’t travel enough for Amex to be worth the fees (also I’ve found Chase travel redemptions to be better for Economy tickets).

Edited to add: the Freedom and Freedom Unlimited are also Ultimate Rewards cards, so you can easily transfer the points you earn over to the CSR. Therefore my multiplier point above. With most of your spend on these three cards, only one of which has an annual fee, you’ll be racking up UR points in no time.

As someone who is super deep in the credit card points game, this is the correct answer. Followed very very closely by Amex Platinum as others have described. One thing that gives CSR a slight edge is that, as most credit card points blogs agree, Chase points are a bit more valuable than Amex points because of their flexibility.

So it sounds like the base question is whether or not to buy into the chase or Amex ecosystem - or do ppl really play both

[Anonymous User]

Amex platinum IMO is overkill for a first year salary. $695 fee and hardly any cash-like benefits. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a better deal. $550 fee and the $300 travel credit is essentially cash, as it can be used on any travel (subways, buses, taxis, rideshare, train fare, airfare, etc.) and you will always spend that $300 in NYC

I have the CSR too and it’s a great card. Its categories (dining and travel 3x, which become 4.5x with the book travel with Chase portal multiplier) are international as well, so if you find yourself traveling you can carry on earning the 3x internationally.

Highly recommend getting the “Chase Trifecta” if you get the CSR, i.e. getting both the Chase Freedom (which is the Chase Freedom Flex now I think?) and the Chase Freedom Unlimited as well. With the CSR’s multiplier, the Freedom’s 5x categories become a 7.5x, and the Unlimited’s flat 1.5x becomes a 2.25x. Both are no annual fee cards.

The Freedom’s categories often have groceries one quarter of the year, so pair that with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred or another groceries card and you will be earning upwards of 3x on groceries year round.

Just be careful of the Chase 5/24 rule (not sure if still a thing, been years since I applied), which is that Chase doesn’t grant you a new card if you have had 5 new cards (from anyone not just Chase) in the last 24 months. So I would get your Chase cards first and out of the way before getting others.

Chase cards just make a lot of sense for people who don’t travel enough for Amex to be worth the fees (also I’ve found Chase travel redemptions to be better for Economy tickets).

Edited to add: the Freedom and Freedom Unlimited are also Ultimate Rewards cards, so you can easily transfer the points you earn over to the CSR. Therefore my multiplier point above. With most of your spend on these three cards, only one of which has an annual fee, you’ll be racking up UR points in no time.

As someone who is super deep in the credit card points game, this is the correct answer. Followed very very closely by Amex Platinum as others have described. One thing that gives CSR a slight edge is that, as most credit card points blogs agree, Chase points are a bit more valuable than Amex points because of their flexibility.

So it sounds like the base question is whether or not to buy into the chase or Amex ecosystem - or do ppl really play both

You could totally play both but idk where biglaw associates have both the time and money to spend to maximize the payoffs. Pick one or the other based on personal spending patterns imo.

[legalpotato]

Just LOL if you haven't been invited to apply for the SullCrom exclusive credit card.

SullCrom Credit, Logo Out.

[Anonymous User]

JDooley, please advise.

[Anonymous User]

Amex platinum IMO is overkill for a first year salary. $695 fee and hardly any cash-like benefits. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a better deal. $550 fee and the $300 travel credit is essentially cash, as it can be used on any travel (subways, buses, taxis, rideshare, train fare, airfare, etc.) and you will always spend that $300 in NYC

I have the CSR too and it’s a great card. Its categories (dining and travel 3x, which become 4.5x with the book travel with Chase portal multiplier) are international as well, so if you find yourself traveling you can carry on earning the 3x internationally.

Highly recommend getting the “Chase Trifecta” if you get the CSR, i.e. getting both the Chase Freedom (which is the Chase Freedom Flex now I think?) and the Chase Freedom Unlimited as well. With the CSR’s multiplier, the Freedom’s 5x categories become a 7.5x, and the Unlimited’s flat 1.5x becomes a 2.25x. Both are no annual fee cards.

The Freedom’s categories often have groceries one quarter of the year, so pair that with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred or another groceries card and you will be earning upwards of 3x on groceries year round.

Just be careful of the Chase 5/24 rule (not sure if still a thing, been years since I applied), which is that Chase doesn’t grant you a new card if you have had 5 new cards (from anyone not just Chase) in the last 24 months. So I would get your Chase cards first and out of the way before getting others.

Chase cards just make a lot of sense for people who don’t travel enough for Amex to be worth the fees (also I’ve found Chase travel redemptions to be better for Economy tickets).

Edited to add: the Freedom and Freedom Unlimited are also Ultimate Rewards cards, so you can easily transfer the points you earn over to the CSR. Therefore my multiplier point above. With most of your spend on these three cards, only one of which has an annual fee, you’ll be racking up UR points in no time.

As someone who is super deep in the credit card points game, this is the correct answer. Followed very very closely by Amex Platinum as others have described. One thing that gives CSR a slight edge is that, as most credit card points blogs agree, Chase points are a bit more valuable than Amex points because of their flexibility.

So it sounds like the base question is whether or not to buy into the chase or Amex ecosystem - or do ppl really play both

VISA is also accepted in far more places than Amex, so Preferred and Reserve cards can compliment as no-FX fee cards when traveling abroad.

[Anonymous User]

Anon because of my unique CC swag. I rock Citi Double Cash ($0), Amex Gold ($250), and Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550).

[Anonymous User]

Anon because of my unique CC swag. I rock Citi Double Cash ($0), Amex Gold ($250), and Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550).

Why split the Amex and chase points?

[Anonymous User]

Anon because of my unique CC swag. I rock Citi Double Cash ($0), Amex Gold ($250), and Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550).

Why split the Amex and chase points?

I was a long time Amex customer and didn’t want to say goodbye. And I like the 4x for restaurants and groceries. I only use the Gold card for food/drinks. I’m also not a first year so my spend and income are a bit higher. As for the CSR, it’s just a great card, VISA means accepted everywhere credit cards are taken, and the $300 transportation credit effectively makes it a $250 fee. Double cash is great if no bonus category would be triggered on CSR or the Gold.

[TheGreatestGunner]

There is no one size all answer and a lot depends on what your firm’s reimbursement policies are, what airline (if any) they default to, if you’ll be on work travel a lot, and what the hotels are like.

Generally, you’ll want to get the credit card churning flowchart, follow that, then get (at the end):

1. triple points dining card.
2. Airline you use card.
2b. Hotel you use card if you stay in hotels a lot.
3. General cash back.

I like Costco as well since you can buy almost anything there.

[Anonymous User]

There is no one size all answer and a lot depends on what your firm’s reimbursement policies are, what airline (if any) they default to, if you’ll be on work travel a lot, and what the hotels are like.

Generally, you’ll want to get the credit card churning flowchart, follow that, then get (at the end):

1. triple points dining card.
2. Airline you use card.
2b. Hotel you use card if you stay in hotels a lot.
3. General cash back.

I like Costco as well since you can buy almost anything there.

The thing I don’t get about the flowchart is why it seems to preference chase cards (even if you aren’t going to get enough cards to where 5/24 applies).

Would it be crazy to start with citi premier or cash back and then eventuallly get amexes depending on what you stated (and instead of csp reserve)

[Anonymous User]

There is no one size all answer and a lot depends on what your firm’s reimbursement policies are, what airline (if any) they default to, if you’ll be on work travel a lot, and what the hotels are like.

Generally, you’ll want to get the credit card churning flowchart, follow that, then get (at the end):

1. triple points dining card.
2. Airline you use card.
2b. Hotel you use card if you stay in hotels a lot.
3. General cash back.

I like Costco as well since you can buy almost anything there.

The thing I don’t get about the flowchart is why it seems to preference chase cards (even if you aren’t going to get enough cards to where 5/24 applies).

Would it be crazy to start with citi premier or cash back and then eventuallly get amexes depending on what you stated (and instead of csp reserve)

Probably because Chase points are generally considered the most valuable. First, because of flexibility in redemption (lots of travel partners, a flexible and easy to use booking website for direct spend, an option to redeem for cash at $0.01/point, etc). Second, because you can redeem at 1.5x via CSR.

As someone who has both, I’ve generally found redeeming my Chase points to be easier than redeeming Amex.

[Anonymous User]

There is no one size all answer and a lot depends on what your firm’s reimbursement policies are, what airline (if any) they default to, if you’ll be on work travel a lot, and what the hotels are like.

Generally, you’ll want to get the credit card churning flowchart, follow that, then get (at the end):

1. triple points dining card.
2. Airline you use card.
2b. Hotel you use card if you stay in hotels a lot.
3. General cash back.

I like Costco as well since you can buy almost anything there.

The thing I don’t get about the flowchart is why it seems to preference chase cards (even if you aren’t going to get enough cards to where 5/24 applies).

Would it be crazy to start with citi premier or cash back and then eventuallly get amexes depending on what you stated (and instead of csp reserve)

Probably because Chase points are generally considered the most valuable. First, because of flexibility in redemption (lots of travel partners, a flexible and easy to use booking website for direct spend, an option to redeem for cash at $0.01/point, etc). Second, because you can redeem at 1.5x via CSR.

As someone who has both, I’ve generally found redeeming my Chase points to be easier than redeeming Amex.

Gotcha, that makes the CSR seem a lot more appealing despite fewer other Amex perks

[Anonymous User]

Chase is also popular because they have United and Southwest as domestic airline partners and Hyatt as a hotel partner. Hyatt points are generally seen as incredibly valuable as you can frequently get value for 1.5 or even more than 2 cents per point. That being said, Chase has the highest annual fee if you factor in the credits provided by the 3 most popular travel card setups (chase, amex, capital one). At this point I find it is hard to justify going with Chase unless you really prefer one of the 3 partners I listed above.

[makerbreaker]

I don’t keep any AF cards for longer than the first year. With 4 “old” (8-10 years) no-fee cards, perfect payment history and an installment loan, credit score has consistently stayed above 800 even with opening and closing two new cards every year just to get the bonus. Not a frequent traveler anymore so the top tier travel benefits don’t matter all that much to me, although lounge access was my favorite when I used to travel more.

As for everyday expenditure, my go-to is BofA Travel. Despite the name, it’s not really a great “travel” card but with BofA platinum honors status, I get 2.625% cash back on everything, no AF. The points basically translate to statement credits against any food or travel charges. The categories are pretty broad and I never had any trouble using up the points.

[Anonymous User]

Chase is also popular because they have United and Southwest as domestic airline partners and Hyatt as a hotel partner. Hyatt points are generally seen as incredibly valuable as you can frequently get value for 1.5 or even more than 2 cents per point. That being said, Chase has the highest annual fee if you factor in the credits provided by the 3 most popular travel card setups (chase, amex, capital one). At this point I find it is hard to justify going with Chase unless you really prefer one of the 3 partners I listed above.

Huh??? Would you mind walking me through that math?

[Anonymous User]

Chase is also popular because they have United and Southwest as domestic airline partners and Hyatt as a hotel partner. Hyatt points are generally seen as incredibly valuable as you can frequently get value for 1.5 or even more than 2 cents per point. That being said, Chase has the highest annual fee if you factor in the credits provided by the 3 most popular travel card setups (chase, amex, capital one). At this point I find it is hard to justify going with Chase unless you really prefer one of the 3 partners I listed above.

Huh??? Would you mind walking me through that math?

You can’t ever directly offset 250 from the CSR for example

[Anonymous User]

Chase is also popular because they have United and Southwest as domestic airline partners and Hyatt as a hotel partner. Hyatt points are generally seen as incredibly valuable as you can frequently get value for 1.5 or even more than 2 cents per point. That being said, Chase has the highest annual fee if you factor in the credits provided by the 3 most popular travel card setups (chase, amex, capital one). At this point I find it is hard to justify going with Chase unless you really prefer one of the 3 partners I listed above.

Huh??? Would you mind walking me through that math?

You can’t ever directly offset 250 from the CSR for example

Well there’s the $300 travel credit bringing the cost down to $150, if nothing else...

[Anonymous User]

Chase is also popular because they have United and Southwest as domestic airline partners and Hyatt as a hotel partner. Hyatt points are generally seen as incredibly valuable as you can frequently get value for 1.5 or even more than 2 cents per point. That being said, Chase has the highest annual fee if you factor in the credits provided by the 3 most popular travel card setups (chase, amex, capital one). At this point I find it is hard to justify going with Chase unless you really prefer one of the 3 partners I listed above.

Huh??? Would you mind walking me through that math?

You can’t ever directly offset 250 from the CSR for example

Well there’s the $300 travel credit bringing the cost down to $150, if nothing else...

It costs 550 so effective price 250 after 300 credit.

[Anonymous User]

Chase is also popular because they have United and Southwest as domestic airline partners and Hyatt as a hotel partner. Hyatt points are generally seen as incredibly valuable as you can frequently get value for 1.5 or even more than 2 cents per point. That being said, Chase has the highest annual fee if you factor in the credits provided by the 3 most popular travel card setups (chase, amex, capital one). At this point I find it is hard to justify going with Chase unless you really prefer one of the 3 partners I listed above.

Huh??? Would you mind walking me through that math?

You can’t ever directly offset 250 from the CSR for example

Well there’s the $300 travel credit bringing the cost down to $150, if nothing else...

It costs 550 so effective price 250 after 300 credit.

Sorry I got it back when it was $450 and forgot about the increase.

[nordicsair]

I don’t keep any AF cards for longer than the first year. With 4 “old” (8-10 years) no-fee cards, perfect payment history and an installment loan, credit score has consistently stayed above 800 even with opening and closing two new cards every year just to get the bonus. Not a frequent traveler anymore so the top tier travel benefits don’t matter all that much to me, although lounge access was my favorite when I used to travel more.

As for everyday expenditure, my go-to is BofA Travel. Despite the name, it’s not really a great “travel” card but with BofA platinum honors status, I get 2.625% cash back on everything, no AF. The points basically translate to statement credits against any food or travel charges. The categories are pretty broad and I never had any trouble using up the points.

Really like BofA's platinum honors boosters. We use that base card, plus a pair of customized cash rewards to get 5.25% for online spending, and then the chase amazon for 5% over there. No fees for high returns on some non-exciting categories

[Anonymous User]

Consensus best cash back card?