Thread: Help needed with Chase Freedom vs. AmEx Blue Cash

Hi,

I have both the Chase Freedom and the American Express Blue Cash.

I'm grandfathered in with the Chase Freedom for now with 3% cash back on 3 popular categories and 1% cash back on everything else with a $250. check sent when I reach $200 in rewards. I think that's basically equivalent to 1.25% cash back on everything else.

I've heard Chase may take me off this program soon although I suspected they would do that last year and I got by the entire year with no changes made to my account. (When they introduced their Sapphire program, I contacted them to opt out and said I didn't want to change anything.)

My questions is, should I switch to the AmEx Blue Cash? My year is about to renew on that card. I much prefer AmEx for customer service but want to get the maximum cash back.

I spend about $30k a year on credit cards and try to run all my purchase through a cash rebate card.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

I got at least 3 $250. checks from Chase last year, probably because I sometimes use their rewardsplus shopping website for additional cashback. But, I've not been too happy with Chase's customer service so I'm thinking I may just switch to AmEx Blue Cash.

(Twice last year, Chase forced a fraud cancelation on my Freedom card and they were for my own charges, not fraud). They had to change my number and it was a hassle. Conveniently, both times this happened was right after I received a rebate check. This has not actually happened to me 3 times. Very suspicious.

Below you will find my sponsored reviews for some of the cards mentioned above:

American Express Blue Cash review
Chase Freedom review
Citi Forward card review

Hope this helps!

-CreditCardGuru

Hey Everyone!
I need help choosing my first credit card. I am 24 and I don't really have much of a credit history but I currently do have a debit card with BOA that I have been using a lot since the past 5 years. I also pay for rent & utilities which I hear go towards your credit in a small way.

I am considering one of two cards, either the American Express Blue Cash Everyday/Preferred OR Chase Freedom. I keep getting Chase's cards in my mail box so I am assuming I would be approved for this card although I am edging towards the Amex card because I feel the cash rewards that don't rotate in categories fits me better. My question here is that my income is $40k, so considering my background can anybody give me an idea on what sort of credit limit range can I expect from both cards or if Amex will even approve me in the first place.

Look forward to your replies.
Thanks

I'm leery about using Citi and Chase. I may just try out that Fidelity Card. I love Discover. They quickly give you your cash back with no hassle. You can redeem small amounts too.

Originally Posted by khaos

Hey Everyone!
I need help choosing my first credit card. I am 24 and I don't really have much of a credit history but I currently do have a debit card with BOA that I have been using a lot since the past 5 years. I also pay for rent & utilities which I hear go towards your credit in a small way.

I am considering one of two cards, either the American Express Blue Cash Everyday/Preferred OR Chase Freedom. I keep getting Chase's cards in my mail box so I am assuming I would be approved for this card although I am edging towards the Amex card because I feel the cash rewards that don't rotate in categories fits me better. My question here is that my income is $40k, so considering my background can anybody give me an idea on what sort of credit limit range can I expect from both cards or if Amex will even approve me in the first place.

Look forward to your replies.
Thanks

To give you guys an update, I applied for the American Express Blue Cash Everyday card today through the phone, everything went through and then they asked me to fax them a IRS 4506t form & I won't get fully approved until I do that. They said they need it in order to verify my income as I don't have any bad credit but I don't really have a credit history. I am on the fence about faxing them a document that would enable them to my personal information, but then again I was just wondering if anybody else had to do this and if this is common.

@khaos

I just recently app'd for and got those exact same 2 cards. 2k CL on amex and 3k CL on Freedom ~ this is with a ~770 experian score but, like you, I have a young credit history so I think that's why these limits weren't higher.

If you have any specific details you're curious about feel free to PM me.

Originally Posted by ryanp

@khaos

I just recently app'd for and got those exact same 2 cards. 2k CL on amex and 3k CL on Freedom ~ this is with a ~770 experian score but, like you, I have a young credit history so I think that's why these limits weren't higher.

If you have any specific details you're curious about feel free to PM me.

Hey RyanP,

Well Amex is still in the process of verifying my 4506t form, they said it takes 48 hours to verify the documentation & then they'll make a decision. The process has been a very long and drawn out one since their systems were down on Friday. Hopefully the wait would be worth it & I get approved for the card with a decent credit limit. Otherwise my only other options are the Chase Freedom or I would have to venture out into the world of credit unions.