Credit Cards
As of Jan 2026, the credit card rewards max out at flat rates of 2%. You can get variable rates from 1 to 6% based on category, but you would need to mentally track.
A good idea to start with 2% card and increase cards gradually to get better rewards.
Late Fees
Current issue with credit cards is the late fees are very high. Therefore, you should always autopay it with your debit/savings/or/checking accounts.
You can ask to remove a 1 time late fee per year at most banks.
Recommended Credit Cards
Note: Mastercard sometimes is not accepted, so should have a VISA backup
- Wells Fargo - Active Cash Card
- 2% general
- American Express - Blue cash card
- 3% general (not accepted averywhere)
- Chase - Freedom Unlimited
- 5% on travel
New Card Bonus
Most credit cards give you bonuses from $100 to $1000 when you create a new card.
- You need to spend a certain amount in the few first months to receive rewards
- E.g. $1000 in first 3 months to get back $300
If buying multiple cards, get the bonus for one, and apply for another after bonus is recieved.
Credit Card Limit
You can only open 5 credit cards within 24 months (5/24 Rule). Will be denied if exceeds.
Fees
Some credit cards have a yearly fee. These allow you to get higher percent back or freebies.
2% back cards
- Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
- RECOMMENDED due to having store front
- $200 reward when spend $500 in first 3 months
- Citi Double Cash Card
- US Bank Smartly Card
- Apple Card (only via Apple Pay)
- Fidelity Rewards Visa Card
- SoFi Credit Card
- TD Double Up Card
- Amex Blue Business Plus/Cash Card
Credit Unions
A credit union is a not-for-profit financial institution. The ones in WA (I live in WA), give 0->1.5% back :(.
- https://www.firsttechfed.com/help/faqs/membership-faqs
- West Coast Credit Union
- 2% gas/groceries/homegoods, 1% for rest
- Just donate $15 for Computer history museum membership to be eligible
Cards
NOTE: American Express (AE) cards are not accepted everywhere, so you should have a backup.
- AE - Blue cash card
- 3% back per year up to $6k on Online/Groceries/Gas (in each category)
- $200 bonus
- Best for Groceries
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- 6% back per year up to $6k on Groceries and selected streams
- 3% on transit and gas
- $250 bonus
- $95 fee annually after first year, need to math it up
- Best for travel && Restaurants
- Chase Freedom Unl
- 5% back + 1.5 on everything else
- 3% on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants
- $200 intro offer
- Entertainment
- Capital One Savior
- $200 Intro offer
- 8% for entertainment but must be purchased through https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/benefits/entertainment/... dumb
- Online Purchases [no, AE better]
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards
- 3% on catagory, so online shopping works
Cards to get
- Freedom Unlimited: Travel (5%) & Restaurants/Drug Stores (3%)
- AE Blue Cash: Online/Groceries/Gas (or preferred) (3%)