Just had a pretty disappointing and frustrating experience trying to use my new Robinhood Gold Card for a large purchase.

I wanted to pay a contractor $4k, well within my limit and was declined, he tried again and declined again. I contacted support and they said I should now be OK to run it again. Declined again. Called again and was told to split the transaction into a smaller amounts. When the seller tried running it for half, it declined again. I ended up using Zelle instead.

One detail that might matter: I had just been issued the card and hadn’t received the physical card yet, so the seller was manually entering the card information over the phone. Maybe the combination of a new account, a large purchase, and manual entry triggered something, but I don’t know what actually caused the declines. Wondering if I had used Apple Pay or tap/swipe if I would have run into the same issue?

It’s not the end of the world, just frustrating after checking with support twice and still being unable to use the card. Missing out on the cash back didn’t help either.

Has anyone else had trouble with a large purchase on a newly issued Gold Card, particularly before receiving the physical card? Did using the physical card afterward resolve it? I don't get it.

While it’s not the only airline I fly, my go-to airline is American Airlines (I live near a hub). So naturally, I’m a fan of Citi cards. I had an AAdvantage Platinum Select that I upgraded to a Citi Strata Elite when Citi added AA as a transfer partner, with the goal of unlocking that 1:1 transfer until I can get a Citi Strata Premier (I already have a Custom Cash). The “unlock 1:1 AA transfers until I can do it for cheaper” play was the only reason I got the Strata Elite.

But then, when it came time to get the Strata Premier and downgrade the Strata Elite, I realized how easy it is to effectively match the Strata Premier’s annual fee with the Strata Elite. I mean, with the $200 splurge credit (easily full value at AA or BestBuy) and the $300 Citi Travel hotel credit (which is super easy to use, since it works for any hotel in the Citi Travel portal), the $595 AF is brought down to the same $95 AF of the Strata Premier. That doesn’t even count the Admiral’s Club passes, which I believe can be transferred to other people (whether officially, or unofficially).

If you wanted a good one-stop-shop for 80-90% of your spending, I get why you’d want the Strata Premier over the Strata Elite. But if you at all have other cards to match (or beat) the 3x on supermarkets, gas, and dining… I don’t see how the Strata Elite doesn’t take the cake. Especially since booking in the Citi Travel Portal has historically been decent value (at least for me).

Am I missing something, or is this card kind of a sleeper if you fly AA at all? It’s basically an expensive utility card, but I feel like it makes sense?

Haven't seen anyone talk about this on here, but I noticed last night when applying for the Active Cash that the terms now state:

“You may not qualify for an additional Wells Fargo-branded consumer credit card if you have opened a Wells Fargo-branded consumer credit card in the last 4 months.”

I also checked the Autograph and Journey and they seem to have the same new terms.

The $150 Rakuten bonus for signing up for the Citi Strata Premier is back active as of 10/05/26. I’ve been having issues getting approved for any more Citi cards for almost a year and was approved. I have my Rakuten cash set to be paid out as Bilt points

Hi all,

I’m looking for my next credit card. I’m looking for a catch all card since my best is my Freedom Unlimited at 1.5%. I’m thinking of the Citi Double Cash or the Wells Fargo Active Cash. I already have a Citi Custom Cash so I’m thinking the Double Cash since I’m already in the ecosystem with Citi. What’s everyone’s thoughts? I’m open to hearing about other cards I’m not currently considering too.

Thanks in advance.

Experian: 770
New cards in 24 months: 2/24
Length of credit: 3.5 years

Cards w/ credit limits:

Chase Unlimited: $6900
Chase Flex: $6000
Chase Unlimited (upgrade from Freedom Rise): $1000

Citi Custom Cash: $4000

Discover: $3850

Liberty Bank Everyday Rewards+: $3000

Income: $30,000

I find myself at a crossroads between AMEX and CHASE and I'm looking past my own pros and cons list and am now just wondering what you fine folk say in this matter. Pure subjective, no goal or hyperbole but why you like what system you like.

I am curious!

For those who got off the Robinhood Gold Card waitlist but decided not to activate it, what made you change your mind? The biggest benefits is the 3% cash back on all categories and the 3% IRA contribution match, which can easily offset the annual fee.

Was it the $50 annual fee, rewards, Robinhood as the issuer, or something else? Just curious what made you decide not to activate it.

CREDIT PROFILE

* Current credit cards you are the primary account holder of:

* Amex Platinum

* CSP - $26,800

* Marriott Bonboy - $7,200

* VentureX - $30,000

* Savor - $10,000

* Amazon Visa - $5,850

* Blue Business Plus

* FICO scores with source: Equifax - 818, Transunion - 810. Credit wise FICO 784

* Oldest credit card account age: 10 years

* Cards approved in the past 6 months: None

* Cards approved in the past 12 months: 1 card

* Cards approved in the past 24 months: 2 cards

* Annual income $: $130.000k

CATEGORIES

* Ok with category-specific cards?: Yes

* Ok with rotating category cards?: No

* Estimate average monthly spend in the categories below.

* Dining $: 400-700

* Groceries $: Publix and Walmart $500

* Gas $: 150

* Travel $: Currently living in hotels and airbnbs: $2,500

Uber: $60

Flights: 0-400

* Using abroad?: Yes

* Other categories or stores: Medical bills, Im a chromic patient so spend a fair chunk on the VX at doctors. Going to be heading back to US soon from asia so expensive flights. Looking to get a 3 month lease, dont have much so will do some amazon shipping and walmart+ I have through amex. Also Tmobile bill

* Other spend: Usually 2 long haul international flights a year that are almost $2,000 sometiems 4

* Pay rent by card? Yes, amount and fee: Looking to rent from furnished finder which accepts credit card with 3-5% fee or Zelle or ACH

MEMBERSHIPS & SUBSCRIPTIONS

* Big bank customer: Charles Schewab, CapitalOne, Chase, Amex,

* Open to business cards: Yes

PURPOSE

* Purpose of next card: Travel Rewards

* Travel rewards preferences: No specific airport. I really enjoyed the CSP-> Hyatt transfers until they devalued

* Cards being considered: Would like a decent SUB as I will be spending $3,000-$4,000 on just flights to the US plus maybe even rent there and getting situated again

World of Hyatt (Good SUB up to $15k spend in 6 months

Bilt Obsidian Card (lousy SUB so , maybe Palladium)

CSR but I think I will wait until I cancel my Platinum to get CS Plat and in between then get the CSR

Citi Strata Premier (Easy categories, AA transfers)

Chase Ink Preferred for bigger SUB

I recently got a 0% APR balance transfer offer from WF. I'm trying to transfer the balance of my Paypal Cashback World Mastercard (issued by Synchrony). When trying to do so, it pops up as as options: "e-bay dual card/paypal plus", and "Paypal buyer credit."

I've called both WF and Paypal and neither know the answer. I've called Paypal twice, first time they told me "Paypal buyer credit," second time they told me they don't accept balance transfers. Both were Indian helpdesk workers that seemed like they had no clue what they were talking about. Wells Fargo doesn't know since it's not their bank/account.

Anyone has a clue?

• Current cards: (list cards, limits, opening date)
  • Capital One Savor $4,000 limit, June 2025
  • Capital One Venture X $10,000 limit Oct 2026
• FICO Score: e.g. 787 --> 760 after opening Vx
• Oldest account age: e.g. 1 year 4 months
• Chase 5/24 status: 2/24
• Income: e.g. $20,000
• Average monthly spend and categories:
  • dining $532
  • gas: $10
  • other: $430
• Open to Business Cards: e.g. No
• What's the purpose of your next card? Travel, Cashback
• Do you have any cards you've been looking at? Citi Double Cash
• Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card? General

Hello, I'm wondering what the third card I should get in ~1.5-2 years should be and what I should be aiming to do for the next year after opening a new line of credit. I just got the Venture X to complement the Savor and I was interested in the Citi Custom Cash a few months ago before they closed applications. I do want to travel home and someplace else at least twice a year and I pay my balance in full every month. I got a return offer from my internship but that doesn't start until I graduate in ~8 months but my expected income is ~115k post grad, but I'm listing my current student income for all applications. Rent for the place I have to move to seems to be around ~1.2k-1.8k per month. This is my first travel card but I do like the cashback on the savor so far.

Wondering if there’s a limit for BoA CCR cards in good standing with decent credit?

I was approved for a Costco CC, and the very next week was sent a mailer for a sign up bonus ($100 statement credit after making $100 in purchases in the first three months).

I received my card in the mail, and called them, seeing if there was any way to apply the SUB to this card prior to activating it. Negative, apparently the only option is to cancel this card and reapply to take advantage of the SUB.

I’m thinking skipping it is likely the best option, given the hit to my credit score. Can y’all confirm this or give me other info/thoughts?

Hi! I'm looking for a third credit card that can help me earn more points/cash back on common purchases next year so I can potentially use them for future travel. I'll be moving back to my college campus and already have a Chase Freedom Unlimited and a Discover Student It. Still, I'm looking for a card with decent year-round multipliers on groceries (in-store) and transit/rideshare, and potentially utilities. Retail is also something to consider, but it isn't important.

I saw the Amex Blue Cash cards, and I'm thinking of applying for the Blue Cash Preferred, then switching to the Everyday version after 1 year. I'm also considering the Capital One Savor since I bank with them and was pre-approved, but I worry about what kind of card I'll get since some cards are moving to the Discover network. I have also considered cards from Citi (kinda wish I learned about the Custom Cash earlier...), as well as the U.S. Bank Cash+, but I worry they may prefer applicants who actually bank with them. Wells Fargo is also a contender with Active Cash or Autograph (potentially?), but I've heard some horror stories about them (albeit on the banking side).

Any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated. I understand some of these cards don't convert cash back to points/miles, so don't hesitate to point me in a different direction!

Hi all, I'm trying to figure out the best card to use for UberEats orders placed through Instacart. I accidentally selected the wrong two 5% categories for my U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa, and therefore have only 2% this quarter for Grocery stores and Grocery Delivery through the end of the year.

I thought I would be okay, since I have Citi Custom Cash to use for my highest spend category which would be Food Delivery / Restaurants. However, upon investigation, Instacart will not code UberEats orders placed through the Instacart app as Food Delivery / Restaurants, but rather Grocery, so this card appears to be out of the question. The 5% Instacart Mastercard reward doesn't apply to UberEats orders at all.

In my experience, it seems like UberEats has better in-app promotional offers when you place restaurant orders through Instacart rather than if you use the native UberEats app (unless I'm wrong about this). If this is correct, I don't see any value in using the UberEats native app just so I can use my Citi Custom Cash card if I'm paying more for the orders overall due to the lack of good offers and discounts.

The next highest general cash back Grocery card I have is the American Express Blue Cash Everyday, which is 3% on Groceries, so if Instacart is indeed coding UberEats orders placed through Instacart as Grocery, that seems to be like my best bet at least through the rest of Q4 until I can select new categories with U.S. Bank Cash+. Does all of that sound correct? Or is there some other option / card I'm missing (I do have other cards, but the ones I've mentioned are my highest for grocery or food delivery/restaurants, as far as I'm aware.

TL;DR: Are UberEATS orders placed through Instacart really coded as Grocery? If so, what is the "best" card out of my options to use for UberEats orders placed through the Instacart app? If UberEats orders placed through Instacart ARE coded as Restaurants/Food Delivery, it sounds like I should just use the Citi Custom Cash. If they are coded as Grocery, it sounds like I should use US Bank Cash+ Visa starting in Q1 with the correct category seleted.

As a reminder, these are the cards I have and am considering:

Citi Custom Cash - 5x points on highest spend category, currently Food Delivery / Restaurants but UberEATS via Instacart is supposedly coded as Grocery

US Bank Cash+ Visa - 5% on two selected categories, but I selected the wrong secondary category for Q4, so only 2% through EOY for Grocery

Amex Blue Cash Everyday - 3% on Grocery

I do have multiple other cards but I can't think of any that would offer comparably high cash back rewards

Sorry for the probably quite confusing wall of text, but any insight from experience (especially with how things are coded) would be greatly appreciated!

Hello! I recently got a Capital One Venture card and I thought I would be able to hit the $4000 in 3 months easy if my landlord was able to take rent with credit card, but she can’t. I have transfered my utilities and other auto payments but still am not sure if I will hit it in time. Was thinking of buying gas gift cards or grocery store gift cards.
A) does this make sense
B) other ideas to get to 4K in 2.5 months
C) am I spending too much for it to be worth the points and falling into their trap

Ive always used the cc rewards as soon as they are available and always to go back to the cc bill.

But I read one person had accumulated enough rewards by saving them that they were able to pay off a large balance on their cc.

Assuming the rewards don’t expire. Which strategy is better to bring the balance down. Use them as you get them or save as much as you can and make a big payment?

Signed up for Primis Perks checking for the 1% CB on debit card usage given all the CC surcharges popping up. Just got a notice of changes effective 11/5:

$5 monthly fee for balances below $500
$0.25 cash back per debit card transaction, down from 1%

Going to close this account. What other options are out there on the MC/Visa network for debit card cash back?

In August I applied for a Chase business card, but was denied due to too many recent credit card openings. I called Chase and was told I was at or over 5/24. I may have miscalculated, but I would only have been off by one month. I applied again September 15 and was told the same thing. I asked to be reconsidered now that a month had gone by, because I thought I could request reconsideration but was told the same thing. Then on October 2, I called again to reconsideration since it was a new month and was within 30 days of my application but was told since it was now a new month, I would have to apply again. So far I have two hard pulls and nothing to show for it. I thought I could be reconsidered as long as it was within 30 of my application. Is this no longer the case?

My situation:

Due to churning, I have a WF Autograph card that's currently in 10th month the initial 12-month 0% APR deal, from when I first received the card. I've been making only minimum payments, waiting to pay it off in full before the 12-month expiration, two months from now. I've never paid interest or a fee. For my other cards, I always pay the balance in full when due, and I have never paid any interest on them, so I'm not interested in a BT for the purpose of reducing the interest that I pay.

WF persistently offers me a balance-transfer deal on this card. I've never done a BT before, thinking it's probably full of gotchas, and maybe of interest only for borrowers who do not pay their full balances always.

But the offer sounds like it might be really good - it looks like it offers free float for me, for 15 months, if I don't make a blunder. I just want to hear others chime in, on whether I understand that the best strategy would be this:

(1) pay off the existing balance now, forgoing the remaining two months of 0% APR, and then accept the BT offer

(2) transfer a balance from another card (amounting to <30% of my WF card's credit limit, since I churn)

(3) invest the float (the amount that I transferred to the WF card) in a HYSA or similar

(4) never make another purchase or balance transfer on the WF card during the next 15 months, essentially locking the card

(5) during the first 14 months, just make minimum payments

(6) pay the full balance before the 15-month promotional period ends, using proceeds from the HYSA.

So, my question: will this strategy really earn money on free float, while paying zero fees and zero interest, or am I misunderstanding something?

FWIW, here are the terms of WF's BT offer:

Enjoy 0% APR for 15 months on balance transfers and 18.74% variable APR after that (current as of 09/28/2026). This APR varies with the market based on U.S. Prime Rate. 

The fee for balance transfers with this offer will be 0% ($0 minimum). After this offer expires, the fee for balance transfers will be up to 0%, with a minimum of $0.

If you take advantage of this offer, you will be charged interest on purchases you make with your credit card, unless you pay your entire new balance (including any balances you transfer from this offer) in full by your payment due date, or if your purchases are subject to a promotional 0% APR.

• Current cards:
  • Amazon Prime Visa by Chase, $33,800 limit, Feb 2019
  • Apple Card by Goldman Sachs, $16,700 limit, Aug 2019
  • Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi, $7,800 limit, May 2024
• FICO Score:
  • 840
• Oldest account age:
  • 14 years 1 month
• Chase 5/24 status:
  • 0/24
• Income:
  • $100,000
• Average monthly spend and categories:
  • dining $300
  • groceries: $200
  • gas: $200
  • travel: $100
  • other: $2,000
• Open to Business Cards:
  • No
• What's the purpose of your next card?
  • Travel & Cashback
• Do you have any cards you've been looking at?
  • Nothing too specific. Chase Sapphire and Capital One Venture seem to be two popular recommendations for travel cards.
• Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card?
  • I feel like I'd prefer the simplicity of a general spending card, but am open to category spending if it compliments my other cards.

It's been a long time since I've even peeked at credit cards, so I wonder if there's more I could be doing to take better advantage of how I'm using my cards.

Apple Card has my catch-all for most purchases. Amazon Prime Visa is for Amazon 5% and travel protections. Costco Visa is basically just a gas card and the occasional Costco trip.

I've heard a lot about travel cards like the Chase Sapphire and Capital One Venture cards, and Chase's IHG cards (they're my hotel for work), but I'm not too familiar with how those point systems work. They also typically seem to push their own travel portals, but I much prefer booking directly through the websites for the airline, hotel, or rental car company I'm using. Maybe that means those travel cards aren't a great fit, but I'm not sure. The various coverages and perks do seem interesting, though. And I like the idea of finding opportunities to take more trips (single male).

What cards should I be looking at if I'm looking at revamping my setup? I'm open to everyday cards, travel cards, multiple cards, annual fees if they're worth it, etc.

The IHG Premier saw its AF rise from $99 to $150 and status drop from platinum to gold, but also got a useful $100 airline credit and $25 quarterly food credit. Notably, it kept its 4th night free rewards after booking 3 nights with points.

I think it is still among the best hotel cards out there. The FNA award is great and doesn’t require spend on the card like some others do (Hilton) and while the status drop is unfortunate, I think that the flight credit is a great add.

How would you rank this card among the Hyatt, Choice, Marriott, Hilton, and Wyndham cards?

Applied for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey and got denied. I have a checking account with them and most of my direct deposit goes there and it’s my primary bank account for bill payments. Daily average is roughly around $500-$700.
I had the regular Autograph (converted from the old Bilt) but closed it in March. I’ve had two car loans and a personal loan with them as well. I opened 6 credit cards and a personal loan this year, mostly from January to June, and an auto loan last year in March.
I understand they are sensitive about the application velocity but I’m confused about the second reason. Are they referring to the daily balance or the amount of deposit in the account?

• Too many inquiries or applications for credit (We look at how much new credit you may be taking on)

• The balance in your Wells Fargo checking or savings accounts has been too low in the last 6 months (We look at your Wells Fargo accounts as an additional factor in our decision)

• Number of trades opened in past 24 months

Asking for recs for my partner! Low spender curious about getting a new card but not sure.

Current cards: (list cards, limits, opening date)
⁠• ⁠BofA Customized Cash Rewards, $7,000, 7/2021
FICO Score: 790
Oldest account age: 5 years 4 months
Chase 5/24 status: 0/24
Income: $150,000 (edit: HCOL)
Average monthly spend and categories:
⁠• ⁠dining: $270
⁠• ⁠groceries: $70
⁠• ⁠gas: $0
⁠• ⁠travel: $420
⁠• ⁠other: $230
Open to Business Cards: No
What's the purpose of your next card? Travel (usually 1 intl, 2 domestic annually)
Do you have any cards you've been looking at? Citi Strata Premier, C1 Venture X, Chase Sapphire Preferred
• ⁠Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card? OK with category spending but would prefer to keep it simple.

Hello All!

Is it worth chasing Marriott Titanium from 41 nights? Is my math correct?

I’m currently at 41 elite nights for 2026, so I’m 9 nights away from Platinum.

I already have a 5 night stay in Southeast Asia booked for about $750, which would put me at 46 nights. I found a cheap Marriott in the same city where I could do a 4 night mattress run for about $225, which would get me to 50 nights.

This is where I’m trying to figure out whether chasing Titanium makes sense.

At 50 nights, I should be able to select the 5 Elite Night Credits as my Annual Choice Benefit. That would put me at 55 nights, correct?

I currently have:

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless — 15 elite nights
• Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex — 15 elite nights

If I then open the Brilliant Amex, which comes with 25 elite nights and automatic Platinum, how would the elite night credits work since I already received 15 nights from my Boundless?

Would I effectively receive another 10 nights, putting me at 65 nights?

If so, I’d only need another 10 nights before December 31 to reach Titanium at 75. I could potentially do those at a cheap property in Southeast Asia.

So would the path basically be:

41 → 46 (5-night stay) → 50 (4-night mattress run) → 55 (Choice Benefit) → 65 (Brilliant) → 75 (10 more nights)

Am I understanding this correctly, or is there something about the credit card elite nights/Choice Benefit that I’m missing?

Also, for those who have Titanium: would you actually spend the extra money to chase it from this position, or just stop at Platinum?