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Curtis Arnold, founder of CardRatings.com: Arnold once swore by his American Express Blue Cash card, but this year he's taking advantage of a special promotion on his Chase Platinum Rewards card.
"I haven't used this card in a long time, and they sent me a mail solicitation that promised me $1,000 (cash back) if I'd charge $48,000 on the card during 2008, or $500 for spending $24,000," he said. "This amounts to an amazing 2.08% overall rebate, no strings attached. I'm a happy camper."
Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com: Hardekopf uses American Express Blue Cash everywhere it's accepted and the Chase Free Cash Rewards Visa card (1% cash rebate on all purchases) otherwise.
Ron Lieber, managing editor of FiLife (and a million-mile frequent flier): Lieber, who's written columns for The Wall Street Journal about his prowess in wringing the best from rewards programs, uses the Starwood American Express card for everyday use and the Costco TrueEarnings American Express card at restaurants to get the 3% cash back for dining purchases.
Justin McHenry, research director for IndexCreditCards.com: McHenry's No. 1 card is an Orchard Bank 2% MasterCard that offers -- you guessed it -- 2% back on purchases.
"For whatever reason, this card offer only pops up occasionally, and one of the benefits of my job is that I know about new offers and jump on the best ones," he said. "As far as I know, you can't get your hands on it at the moment."
Another hard-to-get card McHenry uses is a Chase Cash Plus Rewards that gives a 5% rebate on gas, groceries and drugstore purchases, plus 1% everywhere else. He's heard Chase bank branches may still offer it, but it's not available online.
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Randy Petersen, publisher of InsideFlyer Magazine and WebFlyer: Petersen is another fan of the Starwood American Express, as well as Diners Club. In the past, he's used an Amtrak MasterCard when the other two aren't accepted (although with Diners Club becoming a MasterCard, that problem has vanished). Petersen still likes the Amtrak card because it has no annual fee, and he can earn train travel, frequent-flier miles or hotel stays.
Ben Woolsey, marketing director for CreditCards.com: Woolsey uses a Citi Platinum Select MasterCard that offers 5% cash back on gas, grocery and drugstore purchases for the first six months and 2% on those purchases thereafter; other purchases get a 1% rebate. After he hits the $300 annual cap for that card, he switches to a Discover More card that offers 5% cash back on spending categories that change quarterly and up to 1% on other purchases.
He's thinking of switching to the Fidelity Investments 529 College Rewards American Express card, though, because he and his wife just had their second child.
Published Jan. 7, 2008
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