/r/YNAB had a post about 2018 credit card bonuses yesterday that had me go through all of my statements for 2018 and compile all the data. I thought /r/personalfinance would be interested in the results and maybe spark some ideas for people just joining the credit card reward game.
| 2018 | Total Spent | Total Rewards | % Cash Back (with Sign Up Bonus) | % Cash Back (w/o Sign Up Bonus) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Double Cash Back | $40,849.58 | $804.99 | 1.97% | 1.97% |
| Chase Freedom | $4,076.42 | $183.54 | 4.50% | 4.50% |
| Discover IT | $1,691.44 | $81.85 | 4.84% | 4.84% |
| US Bank Cash+ | $3,487.57 | $346.98 | 9.95% | 5.65% |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | $516.18 | $157.75 | 30.56% | 1.50% |
| Totals | $53,129.44 | $1,575.11 | 2.96% (Average) | 2.40% (Average) |
Citi Double Cash Back
Our main credit card. All transactions go on this card to get the 2% cash back (CB) unless they fit into better CB category on other cards (see below). With Citi DCB, you actually earn 1% CB twice, 1% on purchases and 1% on payments. Its likely I have a lagging payment to get that extra 0.03% CB.
Chase Freedom
Used for its rotating 5% CB categories.
One thing I did find out while compiling this data is that the 5% is a bonus on top of the 1% CB reward (Chase says this, but I never put it together). So, all purchases made earn 1% CB, but if they are in the 5% category, they earn an additional 5% CB, totaling 6%, which is great!Edit: Thanks u/gman10515, that last statement was very wrong. I've done too much math today.
Discover IT
New for me in 2018, has a similar function to the Chase Freedom in that it has rotating 5% categories. Unlike the Chase Freedom, its a straight 5%, not 6% total. However, in October 2019, Discover will match all rewards earned from the past 12 months. So, they will eventually be worth 10% CB, which is mainly why I got the card. Looking forward to that one...
US Bank Cash+
Again, similar to Chase Freedom as it has 5% categories, but this time you can choose your own from a list! I have mine set to "Home Utilities" and "Cell Phone Providers". So, my electric, natural gas, and Verizon bills all earn 5%!
The CB functions like the Chase Freedom in that everything earns 1%, then the 5% is a bonus on top, earning 6% total. Score!u/ajd3886 pointed out that I was wrong about this too. You only get 5% with this card, not 6%. Wishful, and wrong, calculations.I was putting my Comcast bill on there for a few months thinking that it was a "Home Utility", but, its not, so that bill was only earning 1% CB. Sad day...
The card had a $150 sign up bonus when we applied. This is reflected in the first percentage column. The second percentage column reflects only the money we actually spent on the card.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Opened in 2018 strictly for the $150 sign up bonus, hence the 30% overall CB figure.
Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. I'm always open to earn more rewards! I hope everyone finds this as insightful as I do. Now I'm on the prowl to pump up those percentages!
Submitted February 05, 2019 at 01:33PM by dolszews89 http://bit.ly/2WLMLWb
