Cash Back vs. Points: Are We Playing the Wrong Credit Card Game?

#170: Chris makes a case for cash back in your credit card strategy based on some recent changes in the points and miles world. He goes deep on strategies for every spending category and shares his analysis of how to optimize points vs. cash back for the best ROI. Link to Full Show Notes: https://allthehacks.com/cash-back-vs-points-credit-cards Partner Deals Mint Mobile: $15/mo for unlimited wireless on the nation's largest 5G network Vuori: 20% off the most comfortable performance apparel I've ever worn Superhuman: Free month of the fastest and best email with code ALLTHEHACKS Bilt Rewards: Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent 1Password: Free 2-week trial of my favorite password manager For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: allthehacks.com/deals All the Hacks Credit Card Optimization Tool v2 (w/ $10 Discount) All the Hacks Membership Credit Cards Page Credit Cards Mentioned Note: not all cards are allowed to be mentioned here, so for a full list, visit our Best Credit Cards Page Overall Spend Robinhood Gold Card Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card Discover it® Miles Higher Cash Back in 1-2 Categories U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card Citi Custom Cash℠ Card Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card Rotating Categories Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card Dining/Restaurants Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card American Express® Gold Card Travel The Platinum Card® by American Express U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card Grocery/Supermarkets Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature ® Credit Card American Express® Gold Card Verizon Visa® Card Internet/Cable/Phone Bills BMO CashBack® Mastercard® Gas Abound Visa® Platinum Card Entertainment/Streaming Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Rent Bilt Mastercard® Mobile Wallet: U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card + Real Time Rewards Resources Mentioned Wealthfront: Get $5k managed free & get a 0.5% APY boost Copilot: Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2 X (Twitter) post: Couple opened 26 credit cards in 2017 and earned 2M points Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (01:55) Chris' Personal Points & Miles History (02:48) 3 Big Changes to Chris' Credit Card Strategy (04:29) How to Take Advantage of Transfer Bonuses to Book Flights (11:49) The Basics of Cash Back (12:50) Best Cash Back Cards for Overall Spend (14:06) Cards for Higher Cash Back in Certain Categories (15:11) Other Category Spend (19:42) Best Cards for Dining (20:40) Travel Category (21:44) Uncapped Card for Gas (21:56) Cards for Groceries (22:26) Internet, Phone Bill, and Cable Category (22:35) Chris' Revamped Card Optimization Spreadsheet (26:35) Main Cards for Team Points Vs. Team Cash Back (27:44) Chris' Analysis & Category Run Through (33:42) The Biggest Takeaway on Cash Back (36:24) Cards for Spending Categories Like Rent, Entertainment, and Office Supplies (39:32) The Big Wrench: Welcome Bonuses (41:58) The Points & Miles Game With Player 2 (43:14) Credit Card Issuer Rules for Welcome Bonuses (48:03) Quick Summary and Chris’ Final Takeaway Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.