The Cash Back Card Tier List (Beginner, Specialty, High Spender)

[@FlintIronstag23]

I have moved almost all my spending to the Fidelity Visa 2% card. The rewards go to funding an investment HSA I have with them. My other 5 cashback cards I just use for small reoccurring expenses to keep them active. Helping fund my retirement seems like a better use for my rewards right now. Plus it requires no thinking about which card I should be using for different purchases.

[@colin1818]

I'm running nearly the same strategy. Except I actually have the money going into a 529 for my son.

[@edsta714]

@@colin1818 I hear they factor 529 for grants/scholarships so it can work against you. I’m considering a Roth IRA instead. Wife and I are expecting next month.

[@colin1818]

@@edsta714 - You can't just contribute to an IRA for a child. They have to have an earned income and their own tax return before they can open one. You might consider a taxable account in something like an UTMA or an UGMA. But the truth is - who knows what the rules will be in 18 years?

[@edsta714]

@@colin1818 I can do under my plus 1’s name that will have minimum income.

[@stowedinenberg4375]

@@colin1818 I am currently a sophomore at the University of Florida, my parents set me up a 529 and it had like 40k, which is good and all, but I hope you make enough to actually pay for a four year university or that you save like over 150k cause school is very expensive and that 529 will run out unless you have an ample amount.

[@mayachelsie4072]

Amex Blue Cash Everyday, Cap 1 Quicksilver, Chase Freedom Unlim, and Chase Saph Preferred.

[@AngelPerez-uq6br]

I watch so much AskSebby because I enjoy his video and been watching him before I was even old enough to apply for a credit card but I would watch him during my lunches in high school or in class. And today is the day I just realized I never subscribed but that changed (,:

[@AskSebby]

Thanks for watching! and subscribing :)

[@b787sotelo]

Loved your video. My cash back set up is the following... -Blue Cash Preferred for Groceries (6%) & Streaming services (6%)... I spend over $4000 on groceries & streaming combined so the $95 annual fee is fine. -Citi Custom Cash for gasoline only (5%) -US Bank Cash + for home utilities (5%) & Cell Phone Provider (5%) -Citi Double Cash (2%) for everything else. -Target redcard (save 5%) I also have to the Chase Freedom Flex, and Freedom Unlimited, but both are rarely used.

[@AskSebby]

I still think the Citi Custom Cash is underrated (despite how much I talk about it).

[@rcelio1]

Thanks as always! Clear, well organized information. Much appreciated.

[@AskSebby]

Glad it was helpful! :)

[@ericlancaster2889]

"Or grow out of American Eagle". lol 😂

[@ericlancaster2889]

@@deschutesfelix I have no idea, but I giggled.

[@AskSebby]

No shade, I don't pay attention to what ppl wear.

[@PointsPassport]

@@deschutesfelix I was totally thinking that too!

[@PointsPassport]

@@AskSebby Thanks for confirmation! lol

[@mattf2732]

It's worth mentioning that you can use Rakuten, RetailMeNot, BeFrugal, etc to earn discounts and cashback either in additional categories that you do not have covered or to stack on top of your card purchases. I used this when making a large computer purchase and was able to use a massive 12% + 2% cashback.

[@AskSebby]

Yep, basically double (or triple++) dipping on top.

[@kurtybee2]

Savor, Target, Amazon, double cash, discover, and Costco. That is my cash back setup.

[@wbeck4]

Target Redcard is great.

[@user-io9mt4mg7q]

Why don't you have any chase cards?

[@PointsPassport]

@@wbeck4 Tons of value if you shop at Target for sure!

[@Penguin_Tree]

this vid made me look up and realize that ducks unlimited doesnt do 5% back on gas anymore which is sad

[@amherst2013]

Time to get propel card!

[@PointsPassport]

Not anymore!

[@kevinwong4419]

When you mentioned the Platinum honors setup you missed mentioning the premium rewards card, which gets a flat 2.63% at least on all purchases, 3.5% on dining/travel.

[@PointsPassport]

Good catch Kevin!

[@MarkReese]

PROBLEM: I want all of them 😆✌️💳

[@PointsPassport]

Can never have enough cards!

[@MarkReese]

@@PointsPassport - Lol yep that’s how I feel sometimes 😁👊

[@2Eaglez]

Chase Freedom Unlimited - dining and drugs store. AMEX Blue Preferred - groceries and gas (less than 15k miles per year total for 2 vehicles) and Citi Double or Fidelity for everything else.

[@stevenwoo2881]

Great video and another terrific job of doing a cash back round up. So many cash back cards on the market and really hard to keep track of all of them. My current setup includes the citi double cash, the amazon prime rewards, apple card, chase freedom, discover it, and target red card. Would like to do the amex or chase trifecta but not enough spend or travel to offset the fees. Again, great video and keep up the good work!

[@user-bc7cb8uu7e]

I love my Amex set up and I've been thinking about running it add a cash back set up. Only issue is that I currently have the vanilla Platinum. I'm getting a bit tired of having to think about how to use my points effectively, but I guess if I target >1.25cpp instead of my current >1.5cpp target, I may not have to think so hard anyway.

[@joemama69448]

Ease of use is a huge factor for me. I don't like jumping through hoops for prime travel redemptions.

[@venchenzo4493]

citi double cash also charges 3% foreign fees while fidelity rewards charges 1% foreign fees, at least with fidelity you are always getting something back.

[@KanyeRaeJepsen]

My first credit card is a Discover student one. I wish I had seen this video sooner.

[@ecomwithTrevor]

Discover it student is a good card to start with! Don't worry, you aren't missing on much since it's your first card and you need to build up some prior credit history.

[@KanyeRaeJepsen]

@@ecomwithTrevor yes, thanks sir

[@VicInCommentSection]

I'm super curious about what viewers follow this channel and watch most of Sebby's videos. Are most people new to credit cards, experts, or somewhere in the middle. Anyone wanna share? I'll start. I'm somewhat of a low to medium churner, with over 40 credit cards and I apply for 12 to 15 credit cards per year. I pay approximately $2,500 to $3,500 in annual fees per year.

[@ecomwithTrevor]

How much are you spending to utilize all these cards?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Great video, Sebby!!! I will always keep a cash back setup just in case travel gets, umm, restricted.

[@J03AMG]

Been waiting for this video! Thanks Seb!

[@AskSebby]

Hope you enjoyed it! :)

[@PointsPassport]

Great video Sebby, not many points and miles people who cover Cash Back as well!

[@AskSebby]

Thanks!

[@kwfown]

I was actually just rewatching your vid on the BAC cash back setup! Should be hitting Platinum status in a few days. Any thoughts on Chase’s CPC vs BAC’s Preferred Reward systems?

[@iChefShotty]

Loved the video!...Love earning points more 💳

[@SolidLiquidFox]

Will this video create another Credit Shifu feud about tiers? Ah, the good old simpler times of early credit card youtube drama...

[@StevenKell]

Did I miss the golden age?

[@HenryDavidFloyd]

Was the "grow out of American Eagle" a direct jab at that white AE sweatshirt he always wears?

[@saangtoaikaa9211]

I am a young investor with a Charles Schwab brokerage account. I travel maybe just once or twice a year. Amex Gold + Amex Platinum Charles Schwab (Converting MR points to cash at 1p = 1.25c) looks appealing What card should I apply for first? Any suggestions?

[@The_Angry_Angiographer]

Running a Chase setup including an OG Freedom and CSR. I am looking to get a freedom unlimited soon. I'm in the middle of a mortgage refinance and thusly missed out on 5% on grocery because I didn't want to get a new card during this process. Also have an Amazon Prime card and Target RedCard Debit. May product change one of my 2 DoubleCash into a Costco card as well... Much to think about.

[@TheBigFatTater]

That U.S. Bank Cash+ card IS cash.

[@TheWoodlandsRunner]

I disagree that cash users pay the credit card users. Here is why. Cash transactions have a higher degree of error versus a credit card transaction (wrong change given or fake bills etc). Therefore, the credit card fee the merchant pays is to compensate for a much more accurate transaction. Your employee also has a harder time stealing money from a credit card transaction. So the real question is, what is the loss provision that merchants calculate for daily errors in cash transactions? Is it higher or less than 3%? If the loss provision is higher than 3%, then the credit card user is subsidizing the cash user.

[@Tu_Padre31]

I have years of retail management experience, and trust me, its FAR LESS than 3%. Usually less than 0.01%

[@austindavid981]

I like the double cash with a category card like the Citi Costco

[@hashtagX2]

the shade @ American Eagle is insane.

[@hashtagX2]

great vid either way

[@mikebell958]

I'm using the tier 2 and 4 setup

[@ezioaltairac]

Where does someone go who grows out of American Eagle?

[@aggrodkreg4321]

Banana Republic?

[@mitchellhorner3316]

That’s awesome to know about CITI… product switching across anything so you don’t have to worry about any potential downgrade path. 🤓

[@arey256]

I would to run a chase trifecta. But I’m not sure which ones to run

[@Astralkiller47]

For the AMEX Gold what would be the break even point or Annual spend if only used for dining and groceries?

[@sincere355]

We would spend about $10k on grocery and restaurants and the rewards would be $396 so that is Net of $146.

[@Astralkiller47]

@@sincere355 Got it, thanks!

[@planetholly8]

Will you talk about the Elan Max cash preferred card. Apparently it’s the credit union version of the US Bank Cash Plus. I’m wondering if it’s easier to get.

[@bfourney]

Hey Sebby I'd love to see you do a video on how to maximize a single $50k transaction that's generally not included in a bonus category. It can be broken up to hit multiple Sign Up bonuses or whatever has the best ROI.

[@AskSebby]

Basically multiple intro bonuses. Sounds like tax bill on your end? www.asksebby.com/free-card-consultation

[@bfourney]

@@AskSebby It's for cost of goods sold materials for a large project from a couple distributors. I just received the amex biz gold and amex bbp to hit about a 100k MR SUB for the initial $10k order after chase denied me for the ink cash, even though I already have their biz preferred and I'm under 5/24 with about 750 credit.

[@bfourney]

@@AskSebby I'll check out that consult when I get about a month out from the order date, it's about 6 to 8 months out still I'm guessing.

[@JacksonWelch]

Great video!

[@AskSebby]

Thanks! :)

[@Trey_Dobbs]

What kind of microphone do you use for your videos?

[@mattk2370]

Chase trifecta, got the CSP for the SUB and 1.25 point redemption, but not sure about my plan long term

[@eridium]

Sebby I want to share something with you about: on many occasions I did not get my cash/points back on Rakuten. I wondered why. I was certain to activate a shopping trip. I usually load up my cart and activate Rakuten right before checkout. It took me months to realize that you cannot switch tabs. This surprised me as whenever I shopped, I'd use multiple tabs to compare products, and the final shopping cart was always unified. So I came to think Rakuten was unreliable. It was user error that cost me thousands of points before I finally learned this. Perhaps it's a detail worth sharing with your viewers. Never leave the tab opened by Rakuten. Your old shopping tab will still be open. Ignore it and stick to the Rakuten tab until the purchase is complete.

[@drzshory]

I have also had issues with Rakuten, in 2018 I purchased 3 flights at an average cost of $550 each and was expecting a huge cash back reward ( I think $70+ reward). They never paid me, I put in a claim and they said because Expedia didn't pay them, they couldn't pay me. Ridiculous. I would've never used Expedia for the flight purchase if it weren't for the cash back that Rakuten promised me. Expedia does not provide the same flight/delay protection that some credit cards do. Since then, I haven't used them and I just focus on credit cards for cash back.

[@marcocuentas6784]

Links to led lights and speakers in the background?

[@dwalker6868]

Thank you

[@amherst2013]

tier 5% sebby bro! Anything interesting going with cap one or well fargo or citi?

[@isobel64]

Has any Verizon user figure out a way to use the freedom flex AND keep the auto pay discount?

[@SleepyWavves]

What lights are you using on your desk

[@MidCenturyMikey]

Did you touch base on the 2% Citi Master card and the Costco city Card, a way to merge them?

[@Thelivingatlas]

Awesome video

[@AskSebby]

Thanks! :)

[@frankjames4743]

Thanks Sebby

[@AskSebby]

:)

[@rodrigobarrera6436]

i have a large property tax bill coming up for some investment properties approx $16k i believe they charge me 2.8% fee to pay with credit card, how would you pay in this situation?

[@nickv4073]

Dont use a credit card for this. There is no card that will pay you cashback more than 2.8% so you will lose money.

[@patrickwilson4902]

I was thinking about paying my property Taxes 2 with a credit card. So there is a fee 2.8% if pay by credit card 💳?? The man that's trying to build-up my credit score from Indianapolis 🇺🇸

[@andrewkim7700]

I spend almost 5,000 a week on department stores to sell online. is there a 3% cashback card for only department stores?

[@kawasakifly]

Seems like there isn’t much love on the wells fartgo propel card. I love mine!

[@PointsPassport]

The Propel card is such a sleeper card! I think people just have a hard time fitting it in their line up when there are ton of other great cards out there to get before it.

[@WeaverWrestler]

I applied for the US bank cash+ card and was declined. Is it because my credit score and payment history is too good? I dont keep a balance and my credit score is over 800.

[@kapikyuubi]

Is per quarter every month or every 3 months

[@tyrusch]

Really pushing that label maker lol

[@harryallenpearce89]

2% card Everything else is a hobby.

[@Kelvinjan]

Currently running the chase trifecta and was able to get the freedom unlimited before the grocery intro 5% back offer expired. My CSR renewal comes up in March and I may downgrade pending the pandemic outlook until it gets better. I’m also going to give chase a call to see if there’s any renewal offers.

[@masoompatel11]

Definitely call Chase. I got a $250 statement credit after calling last week.

[@Kelvinjan]

@@masoompatel11 yeah I’ve been hearing a mix of offers. Will definitely give it a shot and if they don’t offer anything good, I’ll downgrade.

[@masoompatel11]

@@Kelvinjan I’ve been hearing $150 to $250. I think their goal is to offset the AF between the statement credit and travel credit. Good luck!

[@Kelvinjan]

@@masoompatel11 being able to renew last year at $450 rather than $550 was nice. If they offer $150-250 it may be within reason for me to renew. Thanks for the heads up.

[@DragonXslash4]

Yes

[@tdoan1]

I'm about to make a significant purchase on a medical device that will probably require me to carry a balance for at least several months - first time in a long time. I'm considering applying for a new card (I have an excellent credit rating) so definitely want a 0% APR for at least several months. I'm curious what card might also give me the best bonus, like cash back. It looks like the Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex are good options. Any other recommendations?

[@VincentPascual]

Both Freedom cards have a 15-month 0% APR period. I’d go for the Unlimited. I assume that the merchant wouldn’t fall under a 5x quarterly rotating category. In addition to the $200 welcome bonus, you’ll still be earning UR points for the purchase. So it’ll be 1.5x on the Unlimited vs. 1x on the Flex if the purchase doesn’t fall within a 5x category. Other cash back cards from issuers such as Amex, BofA, and Wells Fargo also have 0% APR periods of 15 months or less on purchases. But redeeming cash back can be annoying on these cards (e.g. Amex only lets you redeem as statement credits, WF requires you to redeem in increments of $25). I would go with Chase because UR points are much easier to redeem as cash back, if that’s how you want to redeem them. You can redeem just $0.01 if you want, and you can transfer cash back rewards to a non-Chase account.

[@iamcool69inu]

I love the video like always but I wish you would’ve gone more into detail into the Cite trifecta. I currently don’t have anything with Cite, but I’m looking on getting the Costco Citi Card because That’s usually where most of my money goes to and I want to grow form that platform

[@ravenstarheels]

I am happy with my discover card....I don't see that I'm going to be approved for anything else.

[@wewhoareabouttodiesaluteyo9303]

The only better options I think would be Chase Unlimited 1.5% everything else and double cash 2% on everything else. I think Chase Unlimited also gets you 3% on dining and gas (which beats the 2% Discover Secured It/Chrome get you).

[@Phobrobian]

Sebby how can one become an angel investor in yotta? Thanks

[@cheder6]

Accredited Investor

[@vthomlinson]

Was that American eagle comment a jab at credit shifu?

[@neutralsportsfan17]

Who?

[@Konuvis]

I'm really just looking for 1 keeper card to complement my player 2's Sapphire Reserve.

[@calbarton]

I would suggest a good 2% all around cashback card like the Citi double, SoFi, or Paypal Mastercard.

[@VincentPascual]

I would suggest the SDFCU Premium Cash Back+, which is also a 2% card. This is a Visa card (some merchants don’t accept MasterCard) and has no annual fee or foreign transaction fee.

[@claudiataupier7115]

What label maker are you using?

[@itrthho]

Looks like a Brother brand

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

Citicard. Set it and forget it.

[@livantarkovsky2007]

Yo! I own the exact same label maker model! :D

[@livantarkovsky2007]

I hate it, the refills are insanely expensive for what they are

[@AskSebby]

Yikes, haven't had to refill yet.

[@jeremiahsams2848]

What's a player 2?

[@ezioaltairac]

A spouse/significant other

[@jeremiahsams2848]

@@ezioaltairac thank you. I thought it was something about video games.

[@watcanw8357]

Grahm Stephan sent me

[@AskSebby]

Hii! :)

[@watcanw8357]

​@@AskSebby Hi :)

[@XxRonnie86xX]

What about the Chase Freedom Unlimited? I’m surprised you did not bring that one up but you brought up the Flex and Double Cash cards up when the Unlimited card has more advances. Thoughts? I have the Southwest Primer card and stopped using it because I wanted to see how much I would get in cash back. Since I have yet to pay for a flight in 5 years because of the Southwest card. But now seeing what is out there I wanted to try out a cash back card. I have had my Chase Freedom Unlimited since March and I really like it. But I just want to make sure I am maximizing what is out there for cash back. Let me know. 🤙🏽

[@AskSebby]

If you're running pure cash back, 1.5% doesn't move the needle vs. the 2%. Flex and Unlimited share the other categories (dining). CFU works well in a non-cash back setup though :)

[@XxRonnie86xX]

@@AskSebby But is there not a cap on the Flex for dining? Because this month is not even over and I have already spent $2K in dining for the 3%.

[@AskSebby]

Chase Flex doesn't have a cap for dining though. The $1,500 cap is only on the rotating categories. Dining is independent of that: www.asksebby.com/credit-cards/chase-freedom-flex

[@BitRoel]

Why u remove my comment?

[@OroborusFMA]

Flex, flex, baby.

[@calbarton]

freedom flex, freedom flex, aye!! 🔥

[@Alvin_1914]

Cash back Sebby!!!!

[@AskSebby]

💵💵💵

[@mattwalter6207]

Discover hater.

[@joedaddy12300]

First 😂

[@AskSebby]

🥇

[@TravelBossNas]

Second!

[@AskSebby]

🥈