Credit Cards

Credits Cards categorized by the issuing bank.

Getting Started

1. Get the Discover It 5% card as your first card
   • Use a referral link for $50 credit
   • Mark your occupation as student to get the student card
   • Make sure you list an income that is >=$10,000.
   • If rejected, apply for the secured card or the Capital One Platinum.
2. Get the Chase Freedom
   • Use a referral link
   • If rejected, get the PayPal Mastercard.
   • Or get the Capital One Quicksilver or Capital One Savor One using a referral.

American Express

Amex cards earn MR points. MR points can be redeemed for cash at 0.6 cents per point. Ideally, they should be transferred to airline or hotel partners (e.g. Avios).

Do not apply for Amex cards as your first card. They will typically reject you. They're better for late-game since they will give you a card even if you've already opened a lot of cards.

• Amex EveryDay
  • 2 MR points at supermarkets
• Amex Blue Business Plus
  • 2 MR points per dollar

Bank of America

• Bank of America Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • 3% in a fixed category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs

Capital One

• Capital One Quicksilver
  • 1.5% Cashback

Citi

• Citi Double Cash
  • 2% Cashback

Chase

Chase cards earn UR points.
UR points can be redeemed for statement credit at 1 UR point = 1 cent.
With the Sapphire Preferred or Reserve cards, they can be transferred or redeemed for travel for more value.

• Chase Freedom
  • 5 UR points at rotating categories
• Chase Freedom Unlimited
  • 1.5 UR points
• Chase Sapphire Preferred
  • 2 UR points travel and dining worldwide, $95 AF
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
  • 3 UR points travel and dining worldwide, $450 AF

Caveats

• 5/24 rule. If you've gotten 5 credit cards (from any issuer) within the past 24 months, you will get automatically rejected

Discover

• Discover it Cash Back
  • 5% Rotating categories
• Discover it Chrome
  • 2% at Gas and Restaurants

Synchrony Bank

Synchrony Bank is one of the more lenient lenders. I have yet to get rejected for a credit card from them. They also give the highest credit limits among banks I've applied to.

• PayPal Cashback Mastercard
  • 3% cashback w/ PayPal checkout, 2% elsewhere
• Amazon Store Card
  • 5% cashback at Amazon
• Rakuten Cash Back Visa
  • 3% cashback on Rakuten cashback purchases

Wells Fargo

• Wells Fargo Propel (no longer available)
  • 3x on restaurants, gas, travel. No annual fee.
• Wells Fargo Active Cash
  • 2% visa card. No annual fee.