The Master 2% Back/No AF Thread (Don't Settle for Less!)

[cv91915]

Not sure if this technically qualifies to make the list, but the no-AF Alliant Platinum Rewards card awards 2 points/dollar spend, valued at 1 cent per point when redeemed for statement credit or deposit into an Alliant account, minimum $20 redemption.

 

Looks like a good candidate to me. Why the hesitation to recommend?

[policebox]

I have the 2% PayPal card. My DW got a preapproval with SUB for the Fidelity card. I'd like to pull the trigger on it, but she wants me to explain to her why we would want this card since we already have a 2% card. The $100 SUB isn't sufficient to persuade her. I'm sick and need to get a credit app fix. How do I get her to see the light? Daddy needs his medicine.

Edited June 3, 2018 by policebox

[Kat58]

I have the 2% PayPal card. My DW got a preapproval with SUB for the Fidelity card. I'd like to pull the trigger on it, but she wants me to explain to her why we would want this card since we already have a 2% card. The $100 SUB isn't sufficient to persuade her. I'm sick and need to get a credit app fix. How do I get her to see the light? Daddy needs his medicine.

 

When I start feeling this way, I usually just stalk someone instead.

[bigpoppa09]

 

I have the 2% PayPal card. My DW got a preapproval with SUB for the Fidelity card. I'd like to pull the trigger on it, but she wants me to explain to her why we would want this card since we already have a 2% card. The $100 SUB isn't sufficient to persuade her. I'm sick and need to get a credit app fix. How do I get her to see the light? Daddy needs his medicine.

 

When I start feeling this way, I usually just stalk someone instead.

 

[ivymike]

 

Not sure if this technically qualifies to make the list, but the no-AF Alliant Platinum Rewards card awards 2 points/dollar spend, valued at 1 cent per point when redeemed for statement credit or deposit into an Alliant account, minimum $20 redemption.

 

Looks like a good candidate to me. Why the hesitation to recommend?

 

 

Only that the payout is technically in points, not directly in cash.

[cv91915]

Cards that Pay 2% on All Purchases with No AF (No Strings)

 

Alliant CU Visa Platinum Rewards Earns 2 points/$1 spent, which is 2% cash back when redeemed as a statement credit or deposited into an Alliant account.

Blispay (First Electronic Bank) This card has an ongoing offer of 6 months/no interest for purchases over $199. Reports only to Experian.

Citi Double Cash This card pays 1% back per $1 spent + another 1% back when you pay your bill. I'm not a big fan of the 1% + 1% gimmick on this card, but the math works.

FNBO Complete Rewards Visa Signature 2% back when redeemed into any checking account. The linked product page suggests that you can only get 2% when redeeming to an FNBO account, however the account terms say that you received 2% back when redeeming via ACH to any checking account. CAUTION: Other redemption choices like travel are worth as little as 1%.

State Department FCU Premium Cash Back+

Cards that Pay 2% on All Purchases with No AF (Other Account Requirements)

Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card (Elan) Points are redeemable to a Fidelity retirement, brokerage, 529 or checking ["Cash Management"] account).

PayPal Cash Back Mastercard (Synchrony) Requires a PayPal account.

PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature Has checking account or military service requirements to earn 2% (otherwise a ho-hum 1.5% back)

Cards That are Disguised as 2% Cards But Are Not

Capital One Venture - Not only does this card have an annual fee of $95, but you only get a 2% return if you redeem points against recent travel purchases. If you haven't made any recent travel purchases your points will only get you 1% in redemption value. Charging a $95 AF for a card that pays as little as 1% back when you aren’t paying attention is obscene. This card calls its points "miles," which is a term most people know as the unit of currency earned in airline frequent flyer programs, however no airline accepts Capital One's "miles," which are worth 0.5¢ to 1.0¢ each toward particle board or pickled beets or hotel stays. TURD.

Cards That are Disguised as 2% Cards But Are Not AND Have Other Requirements

Navy Federal Flagship Visa Signature You can only get this card if you are currently a member (or can become a member) of this credit union, which is infamous for freezing your bank accounts and preventing you from accessing your own money "for your own protection," and other hijinks that make them unbearable to deal with. The card itself has a flat 2 points/dollar reward structure paired with an indefensible $49 annual fee. BOWL WINDER.

[minnie aubre]

 

I have the 2% PayPal card. My DW got a preapproval with SUB for the Fidelity card. I'd like to pull the trigger on it, but she wants me to explain to her why we would want this card since we already have a 2% card. The $100 SUB isn't sufficient to persuade her. I'm sick and need to get a credit app fix. How do I get her to see the light? Daddy needs his medicine.

 

When I start feeling this way, I usually just stalk someone instead.

 

 

[credit_help]

 

I have the 2% PayPal card. My DW got a preapproval with SUB for the Fidelity card. I'd like to pull the trigger on it, but she wants me to explain to her why we would want this card since we already have a 2% card. The $100 SUB isn't sufficient to persuade her. I'm sick and need to get a credit app fix. How do I get her to see the light? Daddy needs his medicine.

When I start feeling this way, I usually just stalk someone instead.

If you have Fidelity accounts with good balances, you could get approved for very good or decent limit on the card. I have the card. They gave me $27.7K starting limit. I don't use Fidelity Rewards card or Citi DC cards much though. You could convince your wife with possibility of higher limit on the card.

[nooneimportant]

Wow. Alliant should do a better job promoting their cards. I've had this card since 2013 and didn't know they increased the rewards last year. They will now get more than one or two small purchases per year.

[Konrad2012]

 

Not sure if this technically qualifies to make the list, but the no-AF Alliant Platinum Rewards card awards 2 points/dollar spend, valued at 1 cent per point when redeemed for statement credit or deposit into an Alliant account, minimum $20 redemption.

 

Looks like a good candidate to me. Why the hesitation to recommend?

Because you're intimidating.

[ftpwatcher]

Not sure if this technically qualifies to make the list, but the no-AF Alliant Platinum Rewards card awards 2 points/dollar spend, valued at 1 cent per point when redeemed for statement credit or deposit into an Alliant account, minimum $20 redemption.

I was going to recommend this one, but being late to the party I'd like to mention that Alliant Platinum Rewards 2% and no AF could be a great option to downgrade to from Alliant 3% signature card after the first year and b4 the annual fee hits.

Edited June 4, 2018 by ftpwatcher

[nemo]

Thanks for this thread!

 

Of the list of real 2% cards, I believe only the cards from SDFCU, Paypal, and Penfed have no FTF. To me, that information is as useful as the lack of AF.

[Jon77]

I've had the 2% RBFCU for a year now. It's my daily card when I'm not on Amazon (Chase) or purchasing gas/sporting (FNBO). Both 5%.

 

https://www.rbfcu.org/loans/credit-cards

 

To join, you have to be in South/Central Texas as far as I know. They've been expanding for years, so check.....

[Big Bear]

Wow. Alliant should do a better job promoting their cards. I've had this card since 2013 and didn't know they increased the rewards last year. They will now get more than one or two small purchases per year.

Which card do you have? Sounds like it's not the Platinum Rewards unless you've PC'd.

[nooneimportant]

 

Wow. Alliant should do a better job promoting their cards. I've had this card since 2013 and didn't know they increased the rewards last year. They will now get more than one or two small purchases per year.

Which card do you have? Sounds like it's not the Platinum Rewards unless you've PC'd.

Yes, I have the Platinum Rewards card. It used to be a 1% card, and apparently they increased it to 2% around the same time they came out with the 3%/2.5% card last year.

[cv91915]

🎠

[minnie aubre]

So small.

[Medion]

I understand your reasoning for not allowing the Alliant Visa Signature (the AF), but they seem to have another potential 2% card with no AF.

 

Their Visa Platinum Rewards Card gives 2 points per dollar on all purchases, and no AF. It appears that each point is worth 1 cent in cash back, making this an effective 2% CB card.

[cv91915]

12 hours ago, Medion said:

I understand your reasoning for not allowing the Alliant Visa Signature (the AF), but they seem to have another potential 2% card with no AF.

 

Their Visa Platinum Rewards Card gives 2 points per dollar on all purchases, and no AF. It appears that each point is worth 1 cent in cash back, making this an effective 2% CB card.

That one's already on the list.  I'll bump the list so it's closer to the end of this thread.

[cv91915]

Cards that Pay 2% on All Purchases with No AF (No Strings)

 

Alliant CU Visa Platinum Rewards Earns 2 points/$1 spent, which is 2% cash back when redeemed as a statement credit or deposited into an Alliant account.

 

Blispay (First Electronic Bank) This card has an ongoing offer of 6 months/no interest for purchases over $199. Reports only to Experian.

 

Citi Double Cash This card pays 1% back per $1 spent + another 1% back when you pay your bill. I'm not a big fan of the 1% + 1% gimmick on this card, but the math works.

 

FNBO Complete Rewards Visa Signature 2% back when redeemed into any checking account. The linked product page suggests that you can only get 2% when redeeming to an FNBO account, however the account terms say that you received 2% back when redeeming via ACH to any checking account. CAUTION: Other redemption choices like travel are worth as little as 1%.

 

State Department FCU Premium Cash Back+

 

 

Cards that Pay 2% on All Purchases with No AF (Other Account Requirements)

 

Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card (Elan) Points are redeemable to a Fidelity retirement, brokerage, 529 or checking ["Cash Management"] account).

 

PayPal Cash Back Mastercard (Synchrony) Requires a PayPal account.

 

PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature Has checking account or military service requirements to earn 2% (otherwise a ho-hum 1.5% back)

 

 

Cards That are Disguised as 2% Cards But Are Not

 

Capital One Venture - Not only does this card have an annual fee of $95, but you only get a 2% return if you redeem points against recent travel purchases. If you haven't made any recent travel purchases your points will only get you 1% in redemption value. Charging a $95 AF for a card that pays as little as 1% back when you aren’t paying attention is obscene. This card calls its points "miles," which is a term most people know as the unit of currency earned in airline frequent flyer programs, however no airline accepts Capital One's "miles," which are worth 0.5¢ to 1.0¢ each toward particle board or pickled beets or hotel stays. TURD.

 

Cards That are Disguised as 2% Cards But Are Not AND Have Other Requirements

 

Navy Federal Flagship Visa Signature You can only get this card if you are currently a member (or can become a member) of this credit union, which is infamous for freezing your bank accounts and preventing you from accessing your own money "for your own protection," and other hijinks that make them unbearable to deal with. The card itself has a flat 2 points/dollar reward structure paired with an indefensible $49 annual fee. BOWL WINDER.

[hegemony]

if the math works for your spending to cover the AF, alliant 2.5% (3% first year) is better.

[Konrad2012]

Starting 5 SEP 18, NFCU Flagship earns 3% on travel and entertainment.

 

Getaways

• airline and train tickets
• hotel stays
• car rentals
• travel agencies
• cruises
• campgrounds and RV parks
• timeshares
• tourist attractions
• boat rentals
• airports
• motor home rentals

Commutes

• ride-sharing services
• bridges, tolls and ferries
• parking
• bus lines
• limos and taxis
• commuter transport

Entertainment

• public golf courses
• aquariums
• amusement parks

It will also give up to a $100 statement credit towards GE/PreCheck applications. 

 

[ivymike]

CrapOne Spark Cash for Business is a flat 2% cashback card, but:

 

It's a CrapitalOne card

It's a business card

It's a business card that reports to CRAs

It's no-AF only for the 1st year

 

Citizens Bank Cash Back Plus almost makes the cut.  No AF or FTF but only 1.8% cashback.

[Medion]

On 8/29/2018 at 10:00 AM, hegemony said:

if the math works for your spending to cover the AF, alliant 2.5% (3% first year) is better.

 

Yup, at just under $12k annual spend. But CV has already addressed why he doesn't want it on the list. I can't fault him there.

 

On 8/29/2018 at 9:49 AM, cv91915 said:

That one's already on the list.  I'll bump the list so it's closer to the end of this thread.

 

That was my mistake. I failed to read the entire thread before posting. Mea culpa.

[cv91915]

bump