Green Light
Proceed through a Green Light without hesitation, would get any card identified with a green light without giving it a second thought. All these are elite Credit Cards
Yellow Light
Proceed through a Yellow Light with hesitation but still run a yellow 9/10 times, would get any card identified with a yellow light but think twice or take a step back before applying
Red Light
Proceed through a Red Light with a good reason (wife’s about to give birth) would only get a card identified with a red light for a GOOD reason (going on a cruise or need to build your credit)
AMAZON PRIME BUSINESS CARD
Green Light
-Good return on intro spend
-Great card if your business uses Amazon a lot
-Get a prime membership and unlock massive savings with no annual fee
Pros:
-Eligible Prime Members get a $125 amazon.com gift card upon approval and earn an additional $100 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases excluding those at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods
-Earn 5% cash back or 90 days to pay interest free on US purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods
-Earn 2% back at US restaurants, US gas stations, and wireless phone service from US providers
-No annual fee
-No foreign transaction fees
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance and Baggage Insurance Plan
Cons:
-Earn 1% cash back on everything else
-Must keep the account open for 12 months or Amex can take back your intro bonus
-Benefits pretty exclusive to Amazon usage
-High APR and no late payment benefits on purchases outside of amazon brands (if that is important to your business)
AMTRAK GUEST REWARDS
Yellow Light
-Good return on intro spend
-$79 annual fee
-Cardmember anniversary bonuses
-Trains are cool
Pros:
-Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening
-3 points for every $1 spent on Amtrak travel
-Get 5% back each time you redeem Amtrak reward travel
-Complimentary Station Lounge Pass each year
-Annual Companion Coupon at account opening and annual renewal (worth up to $300 in Amtrak travel)
-Annual Upgrade Coupon at account opening and annual renewal (worth up to $150 in Amtrak travel)
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Keep your bonus points if you close your account
Cons:
-$79 annual fee that isn’t waived for the first year
-2 points for every $1 spent on travel purchases (airlines, car rental, hotels, cruises, and rail other than Amtrak)
-1 point for every $1 on everything else
-No travel insurance, purchase protection or any of those other great benefits
-Points exclusive to Amtrak
UBER CREDIT CARD
Yellow Light
-OK return on intro spend
-No annual fee
-Big cash back on Ubers
-Good card if you use Uber at least 4 times a month
Pros:
-Earn $100 Uber Cash after spending $500 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening
-Earn 5% back in Uber Cash on purchases with Uber, Uber Eats, and JUMP
-Earn 3% back in Uber Cash on purchases at restaurants, bars, hotels, and airfare
-Mobile phone protection if you purchase your phone on the card
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-No annual fee
Cons:
-Earn 1% back in Uber Cash for every $1 spent on everything else
-Rewards exclusive to Uber Cash
-Uber Cash is automatically and only transferred to your Uber account once you earn $50 in Uber Cash
EXPEDIA REWARDS VOYAGER CARD
Yellow Light
-OK return on intro spend
-$95 annual fee that can pay for itself with Global Entry
-Expedia Rewards Voyager OVER Expedia Rewards
Pros:
-Earn 25,000 Expedia Rewards bonus points after spending $2,000 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn 4 Expedia Rewards bonus points per $1 spent on Expedia purchases
-Complimentary Expedia Rewards Gold Status
-No foreign transaction fees
-Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck every 4 years
-5,000 Expedia Rewards bonus points anniversary gift after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your card the annually
-If you cancel your card you keep the bonus points
Cons:
-Points exclusive to redemption with Expedia
-$95 annual fee is not waived for the first year
-Earn 2 Expedia Rewards bonus points $1 spent on entertainment purchases
-Earn 1 Expedia Rewards bonus point per $1 spent on everything else
-Citi got rid of all their travel insurance and purchase protection benefits
AMAZON PRIME REWARDS VISA
Yellow Light
-5% cash back on Amazon purchases
-Good travel coverage for a card with no annual fee
Pros:
-Random Amazon.com gift card amount? Can someone fill me in?
-5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases if your have a prime membership
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Can redeem rewards balance on Amazon.com or for cash back, gift cards, and travel at Chase.com
-Extended Warranty Protection, Purchase Protection, Baggage Delay Insurance, Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Luggage Reimbursement
Cons:
-Unknown sign up bonus
-Only 2% cash back for purchases at gas stations, drug stores and restaurants
-Only 1% cash back on everything else
-No free anniversary night
EXPEDIA REWARDS CARD
Yellow Light
-OK return on intro spend
-No annual fee
-Better off getting the Citi Rewards+ Card
Pros:
-Earn 15,000 Expedia Rewards bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn 3 Expedia Rewards bonus points per $1 spent on Expedia purchases
-No annual fee
-No foreign transaction fees
-Complimentary Expedia Rewards Silver status
-Earn 1 Elite Qualifying Hotel Night towards Expedia Rewards Gold status for every $2,500 in purchases made on your card annually
-If you cancel your card you keep the bonus points
Cons:
-Points exclusive to redemption with Expedia
-Earn 1 Expedia Rewards bonus point per $1 spent on everything else
-Citi got rid of all their travel insurance and purchase protection benefits
UPROMISE MASTERCARD
Yellow Light
-Good return on intro spend
-Forces you to save for a child’s college
-Beware of the 0% intro APR balance transfer
Pros:
-Earn a $100 Cash Back Bonus after spending $500 in purchases on your card within the 90 days of opening
-Receive a 15% cash back bonus when your Upromise account is directly linked to an eligible 529 College Savings Plan
-Upromise round up lets you round up your purchases to the nearest dollar (difference between the purchase price and round up goes into a 529 College Savings Plan)
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers
Cons:
-Earn 1.25% cash back on every purchase
-If you make a balance transfer, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including the balance transfer) off
-Balance transfers must be posted within 45 days of opening the account
-3% balance transfer fee
BARNES AND NOBLE MASTERCARD
Yellow Light
-Get something in return for opening the card
-No annual fee
-Good to build credit with if you’re a Barnes and Noble user
Pros:
-Earn a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card after your first purchase with the card
-Earn 5 cash back on all Barnes and Noble purchases
-Earn 2 points for every $1 spent at restaurants
-Get a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card every time you accrue 2,500 points
-Earn 12 months of Barnes and Noble membership after spending $7,500 in a year on your card
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers
Cons:
-Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on everything else
-If you make a balance transfer interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including the balance transfer) off
-Balance transfers must be posted within 45 days of opening the account
-3% balance transfer fee
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee
LOWE’S BUSINESS REWARDS CARD
Yellow Light
-Instant $100 bonus for being approved
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months
Pros:
-Get $100 cash back upon approval. Cash back is earned automatically as a statement credit
-Earn 3 points for every $1 spent at US restaurants, US office supply stores, and wireless telephone services directly from US providers
-Earn 2 points for every $1 spent at Lowe’s
-Get 5% off everyday at Lowe’s on eligible purchases
-Access benefits with Lowe’s ProServices, including Discounted Delivery, Bulk Rate Pricing, and the Business Replenishment Program
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR on purchase for 6 months
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
Cons:
-Points can only be redeemed for Lowe’s or American Express Gift Cards
-Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
-Must keep the account open for 12 months or Amex can take back your intro bonus
-2.7% Foreign Transaction Fee
AMAZON BUSINESS CARD
Yellow Light
-Low return on intro spend
-No annual fee
-Huge savings on Amazon purchases with no annual fee
Pros:
-Earn a $100 Amazon.com gift card upon approval and an additional $100 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases excluding those at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods
-Earn 3% cash back or 60 days to pay interest free on US purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods
-Earn 2% cash back at US restaurants, US gas stations, and wireless phone service from US providers
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-10 Free Priority Pass Lounge visits per year
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
Cons:
-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else
-Low value intro bonus
-Benefits are pretty exclusive to Amazon
-Must keep the account open for 12 months or Amex can take back your intro bonus
-High APR and no late payment benefits (if that is important to your business)
COSTCO ANYWHERE VISA
Red Light
-No intro bonus
-No annual fee if you have a Costco membership
-Good cash back if you frequently shop at Costco
Pros:
-4% cash back on the first $7,000 spent on your card at gas stations each calendar year
-3% cash back on restaurant and travel purchases
-2% cash back on all purchases from Costco and Costco.com
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-There are some periodic discounts that Costco offers if you use the card for big purchases
Cons:
-1% cash back on all other purchases
-Cash back comes in the form of a reward certificate after your February billing statement closes that if redeemable for cash or merchandise at US Costco Warehouses
-If you cancel your card before February you lose your cash back for the year
-Card is only available to you if you have a Costco membership
PRICELINE REWARDS VISA
Red Light
-OK return on intro bonus
-No annual fee
-Waste of a hard inquiry
Pros:
-Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening (that’s enough for a $100 statement credit)
-Earn 5 points for every $1 spent on priceline.com purchases
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers
Cons:
-Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on everything else
-If you make a balance transfer, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including the balance transfer) off
-Balance transfers must be posted within 45 days of opening the account
AARP VISA
Red Light
-OK return on intro spend
-No annual fee
-Chase Freedom OVER AARP Visa
Pros:
-Earn $100 bonus cash back after spending $500 in purchases on the card within 3 months of opening
-3% cash back on purchases at restaurants including fast food and gas stations
-Lots of options for cash back use; direct deposit, travel, gift cards, AARP membership
-No annual fee
-Extended Warranty Protection
Cons:
-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee
-Better off with a Chase Freedom card
DISNEY VISA
Red Light
-OK bonus after your first purchase
-No annual fee
-Waste of a hard inquiry
-Chase Freedom OVER Disney Visa
Pros:
-Earn a $50 statement credit after your first purchase on the card
-0% intro APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages
-10% savings on select Disney merchandise
-No annual fee
-Baggage Delay Insurance, Credit Card Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty Protection
-10 cool Disney themed cards to choose from
Cons:
-1% in Disney Rewards cash for every $1 spent on your card
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee
-Better off with a Chase Freedom card
WALMART REWARDS CARD
Red Light
-No intro bonus
-No annual fee
-Only 2% cash back on in-store purchases
-Waste of a hard inquiry
Pros:
-Earn unlimited 5% cash back per $1 spent on all purchases at Walmart.com
-Earn 5% back per $1 spent in Walmart store for the first 12 months after approval when you use your Capital One Walmart Rewards Card with Walmart Pay
-Earn 2% back per $1 spent in Walmart stores and Walmart and Murphy USA fuel stations
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Travel Accident Insurance
Cons:
-No intro bonus
-Earn 2% cash back on for every $1 spent on dining and travel
-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else
-Loose your cash back if you cancel your card
AT&T ACCESS CARD
Red Light
-Low return on intro spend
-No annual fee
-Rewards + OVER AT&T Access
Pros:
-Earn 10,000 Thank You Points after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-2 points for every $1 you spend on online retail and travel websites
-No annual fee
Cons:
-Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend on products and services purchased directly from AT&T
-Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on everything else
-If you cancel your card you lose your ThankYou points
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee
DISNEY PREMIER VISA
Red Light
-Great return on intro spend
-$49 annual fee to save 10% on Disney merchandise
-Chase Freedom OVER Disney Premier Visa
Pros:
-Earn a $200 statement credit after making $500 in purchases on the card within 3 months of opening
-0% intro APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages
-10% savings on select Disney merchandise
-Flexibility to redeem Disney Rewards Dollars for a statement credit towards airline travel
-Baggage Delay Insurance, Credit Card Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty Protection
-10 cool Disney themed cards to choose from
Cons:
-2% back in Disney Rewards cash per $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and Disney locations
-1% in Disney Rewards cash per $1 spent on all other purchases
-$49 Annual Fee not waived the first year
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee
-Better off with a Chase Freedom card
BUYPOWER CARD
Red Light
-No intro bonus
-No annual fee
-It will take at least 20 years to acquire enough points for a car
Pros:
-Earn 5% cash back on your first $5,000 in purchases on your card every year
-Earn 2% cash back on everything else
-0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Can redeem earnings for statement credits up to $250 per calendar year on vehicle care and GM extras
Cons:
-No intro bonus
-Rewards can only be used on GM purchases (vehicles, service, or extras)
-Loose your cash back if you cancel your card
NFL EXTRA POINTS
Red Light
-OK return on intro bonus
-No annual fee
-Waste of a hard inquiry
Pros:
-Earn 10,000 bonus points after making $500 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening (enough to redeem for $100 cash back)
-0% intro APR for 6 month on NFL ticket purchases from any participating NFL team ticket office
-0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers
-No annual fee
-20% off purchases at NFLShop.com
Cons:
-Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on NFL tickets, in stadium purchases, NFLShop.com, and team pro shops
-Earn 1 point per $1 spent on everything else
-If you make a balance transfer, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including the balance transfer) off
-Balance transfers must be posted within 45 days of opening the account
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee
-3% balance transfer fee
STARBUCKS REWARDS VISA
Red Light
-Bonus stars have weak value
-$49 annual fee
-Chase Freedom OVER Starbucks Rewards Visa
Pros:
-Earn 6,500 Stars after you spend $500 in purchases on the card within 3 months of opening
-300 Bonus Stars when you add your Starbucks Rewards Visa to your registered Starbucks account
-Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Extended Warranty Protection, Purchase Protection, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
Cons:
-$49 annual fee
-Earn 1 star for every $2 you spend at grocery stores, transit, internet, cable, and phone service
-Earn 1 star for every 4 dollars spent everywhere else
-On average about 125 stars will get you 1 free sandwich or coffee at Starbucks, spending $500 at restaurants would get you 1 free coffee or sandwich
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee
-Better off with a Chase Freedom card
CABELA’S CLUB CARD
Red Light
-You’ll get $20 for being approved!
-No annual fee
-Only 2% cash back on in-store purchases
-Waste of a hard inquiry
Pros:
-Earn $20 in CLUB points upon approval and extra $10 in points after making 5 purchases on your card within 30 days
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
Cons:
-Earn 2% back in CLUB points for every $1 spent on all Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s purchases
-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else
-Rewards exclusive to Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
-9.99% APR on purchases at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s is not that great
-Loose your cash back if you cancel your card
BASS PRO SHOPS CLUB CARD
Red Light
-You’ll get $20 for being approved!
-No annual fee
-Only 2% cash back on in-store purchases
-Waste of a hard inquiry
Pros:
-Earn $20 in CLUB points upon approval and extra $10 in points after making 5 purchases on your card within 30 days
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
Cons:
-Earn 2% back in CLUB points for every $1 spent on all Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s purchases
-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else
-Rewards exclusive to Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
-9.99% APR on purchases at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s is not that great
-Loose your cash back if you cancel your card
COSTCO ANYWHERE VISA BUSINESS
Red Light
-No intro bonus
-No annual fee if you have a Costco membership
-Good cash back if you frequently shop at Costco
Pros:
-4% cash back on the first $7,000 spent on your card at gas stations each calendar year
-3% cash back on restaurant and travel purchases
-2% cash back on all purchases from Costco and Costco.com
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-There are some periodic discounts that Costco offers if you use the card for big purchases
Cons:
-1% cash back on all other purchases
-Cash back comes in the form of a reward certificate after your February billing statement closes that if redeemable for cash or merchandise at US Costco Warehouses
-If you cancel your card before February you lose your cash back for the year
-Card is only available to you if you have a Costco membership
BUYPOWER BUSINESS CARD
Red Light
-No intro bonus
-No annual fee
-It will take at least 20 years to acquire enough points for a car
-GM owner’s ONLY
Pros:
-Earn 5% cash back on purchases of GM parts, accessories and service at authorized GM Dealers
-Earn 3% cash back on purchases at restaurants, gas stations, and office supply stores
-0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Can redeem earnings for statement credits up to $250 per calendar year on vehicle care and GM extras
Cons:
-No intro bonus
-Earn 1% cash back for every $1 spent on everything else
-Rewards can only be used on GM purchases (vehicles, service, or extras)
-Loose your cash back if you cancel your card