Comments on: Discover Open Road Rewards Changing (and Some Alternatives)

By: nickel

nickel — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:34:13 +0000

Well, even after the Driver’s Edge 6% promo runs out it still offers 3% on gas, groceries, and drugstores + 1% on all else, AND it has a high reward limit ($1k). What’s the Chase Freedom limit? Assuming it has a high reward limit, then it’s virtually identical to Driver’s Edge.

The best combo might be something like Driver’s Edge or Freedom for gas and groceries and Amex Blue for all else until you hit $6500, then concentrate on Amex.

By: Patrick Szalapski

Patrick Szalapski — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:28:53 +0000

Once my Driver’s Edge card runs out, there’s gotta be a better rewards cart. Blue makes you do penance for $6500 (4-5 months for me) before you get the good rate, and “Capital One No Hassle Premium Cash Card” only gives 1.25%?

For many people, wouldn’t the Chase Freedom card be better than any of the above, giving 3% cash back on Groceries, gas and quick restaurants?

By: Patrick Szalapski

Patrick Szalapski — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:15:17 +0000

One car per Driver’s Edge account, regardless of the number of cards issued.

By: Norm

Norm — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:23:32 +0000

I’ve been looking at the Driver’s Edge card for awhile. The main thing that attracts me is the points for miles driven. (I already have a card that is 5% for gas/groceries/pharmacies and 1% for everything else).

How does it work with multiple cars in the family? Would you need two cards in order to get the mileage counted for two cards or do they let you tie multiple cars to one card?

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 15:05:19 +0000

I have participated in the Discover “Get More”® program since they introduced it. I use my Discover as my primary card. They seem to be racheting down the limits for the last several offers (up to 5% on $2000, $500, $400 so far this year). I think it would be cool to be able to select your categories for the 3 month period from a list, say 5% on gas over the summer (which is actually the current deal) and 5% on online retailers around Christmas. The 5% back to school offer (which I used to defray tuition for a month) was sweet too. They have the previous 2 Get More offers still on their site and the next offer set to run Oct-Dec. I’d prefer an updated list of the next 3 offers (in case I might be timing a purchase…)

Discover sent me a notice that they are changing/introducing some sort of balance transfer promotions and the terms might vary. I don’t do much with balance transfers or play the 0% transfer game, so I didn’t think it was too necessary to scour for details.

A simple Visa/MasterCard program run similar to Discover’s would be GREAT, but I’m not sure I’d want to change/update my # everywhere. I sure don’t need another card to track and I’ve got a longer history with my current MasterCard too.

By: Gaming the Credit System

Gaming the Credit System — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 05:25:19 +0000

I’ve had my Citibank Shell Mastercard for about 2 years now and I think it’s great. I get 5% back on all gas at Shell stations, which is where I buy my gas most of the time anyway. The caveat is that the 5% is in the form of a credit towards future gas purchases, but at least it’s calculated and applied monthly (no long delays like with some other cards).

I was initially excited about the Discover Open Roads card, but I got turned off when I saw the limit. $1200 a year in gas purchases is just not feasible for me (I have to drive a lot for my job). I probably spend 2 to 3 times that.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:36:17 +0000

For the past 3 years, I’ve been using a reward card from Chase – 5% on gas/groceries/drug stores, 1% everywhere else — you don’t have to reach a certain amount of charges before the 5% is effective, and I think I can get up to $600 cash back per year.. They haven’t changed the terms on this deal ever since I signed up… However, I don’t think they’re offering this to new customers, unfortunately.

By: specialkindofstupid.com

specialkindofstupid.com — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 18:56:10 +0000

Thanks for the tips.

Pairing two cards together sounds like a good suggestion. Initially, I think the Capital One card will be a good “beginner” reward card for me. I can easily do the math since there are no tiers, I can request a check payment online, and I don’t have to worry about annual fees.

At least initially, “simplicity” is what I need.

By: nickel

nickel — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:23:08 +0000

Scott, I agree that the BP card can be a good option if you buy most/all of your gas at BP locations. But if not, then I think you’re better off with a card whose best rewards aren’t tied to a specific brand of gas. Also note that the BP card doesn’t provide elevated rewards for grocery and drugstore purchases like the Driver’s Edge card does.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:19:56 +0000

I mentioned this in another discussion, but we have a Chase/BP Visa card that pays:
5% on all BP location purchases
2% on travel/dining
1% on everything else

Unlike many of the Discover offers, these rebates are unlimited, and there’s no minimum amount to spend before they kick in. Rebates are paid in $25 increments by check, BP Gift Card, or charitable donation.

By: jane st. clair

jane st. clair — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:39:13 +0000

I recently signed up for the Discover More card and I noticed that you only get 5% for the Get More purchases on the first $400 you spend. It was hard to find that information–it took me about 15 minutes of scouring their web site. I don’t know if this is a change, but I thought I would mention it. I like my Chase Freedom card because they seem to be very upfront about their terms, unlike most of the other reward cards.

By: nickel

nickel — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:08:18 +0000

Like I said, I'm a big fan of Driver's Edge, especially with 6% off on gas, but... The rewards are either pseudo-cash (ThankYou Network) or you have to jump through hoops (albeit small ones) to get straight up cash. Still, 6% on $3/gallon is a pretty nice discount. The Capital One No Hassle card looks promising regular purchases because, well, 1.25% > 1%. But they don't reward gas, groceries, etc. with a higher percentage. That's why I suggested partnering it with another card such as Driver's Edge. Aside from that, the best overall card that I've recently run across may be Blue Cash from AmEx. While they have reduced rewards for the first $6500, you get 5%/1% thereafter and no annual fee.

By: specialkindofstupid.com

specialkindofstupid.com — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:01:56 +0000

Naturally, right before I begin the process of acquiring a rewards credit card (mainly for gas purchases), one of the “contenders” changes its terms. Thanks, Discover.

The Capital One No Hassle card sounds appealing. What is the best “cash back” rewards card? The best “here’s a check…don’t worry about calculating points…have a nice day” rewards card?