Differences between credit cards (accept, AMEX, cost, get)
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I don't have an Amex card but I think even the green one has a pretty large annual fee. The bill also has to be paid in full every month.
If you are not able to pay the bill in full, don't buy the item.
That's just common sense.
I'd hate to see that people are eschewing certain cards because they want to carry a balance.
I don't have an Amex card but I think even the green one has a pretty large annual fee. The bill also has to be paid in full every month.
Our AmEx is with Costco -- it's the platinum card. The card doesn't have an annual fee, but Costco does, which is autobilled to our AmEx. And it does give rewards.
We use that one primarily as our business card, and rack up enough purchases that we get a yearly rebate check near 150 bucks, so the 50 buck fee to Costco pays for itself.
Diner - well... don't even bother with this one anymore.
Many large businesses (Big 4 CPA firms too) still use Diners Club for their official T&E card, although since 2004 they have a MasterCard card number and can be used anyplace MasterCard is accepted. Discover purchased Diners from Citi in 2008 but the cards are still part of the MasterCard network.
I use Discover whenever I can (which is most places), but they have little acceptance outside the US. Their customer service is outstanding - I recently went through a tax audit and needed to get statements from over 3 years ago and it was no problem, no fee or anything. Because MC and Visa aren't centralized like Discover, YMMV with customer service depending on which bank issued the card.
I remember my dad had a Carte Blanche at one time, but those have gone the way of the dodo.
If you are not able to pay the bill in full, don't buy the item.
That's just common sense.
I'd hate to see that people are eschewing certain cards because they want to carry a balance.
No need to snipe at me.
The OP was asking about the difference between various credit cards. I have no debt at all and pay my cc bill in full every month so my common sense is just fine thanks.
I have one of each (MC, Dis, Amex, Vis). I use Discover for all my day to day stuff as the rewards are nice, I have about 500 bucks in cashback right now that I can get. Personally I think Amex service is the best, they never try to sell me any 'acct protection' when I call.
I currently have a Discover and 2 Visa cards. I ended up with 2 Visa because the 2nd is a rewards account that gives me basically the same rewards as my Discover. This way, I no longer feel bad at all when I have to use Visa. I have been contemplating closing the 2nd Visa and getting an Amex but in a lot of ways, I am just wasting my time and thought. It's not like it really matters in the least. I'm set and have no limitations to do what I need and I don't like changing things around because I've learned very quickly that seemingly quick changes for some stupid benefit usually turn out to be a waste of time and effort.
Oh, and I guess I now have a check card / atm card only because I went with a big bank and it's basically an automatic. I used an atm for the first time in my life about a week ago...good thing I knew my PIN. Was quite upset it only allowed $20 increments. I needed a few $10s.
I have AmEx blue cash. i get 5% on gas grocery and pharmacy purchases. and 1.25% on all else. i rarely run into a place that doesn't accept it, and some places only accept AmEx.
AmEx has the reputation of being the card of people who spend more money, so AmEx charges merchants a large fee. Also, the perks are amazing. Any item that has a warranty the warranty is doubled. 90 day purchase protection even if you smash it - up to $1,000 for the claim. All sorts of perks. And my interest rate is like 8%. it all depends on your credit. AmEx vs MasterCard isn't a big difference on rates offered. You'll find all sorts of cards with all sorts of rates no matter which one you go with.
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