I did a search, but the threads that came up are at least 2 years old.

What are some current CC programs that offer useful rewards? AmEx, MC, Visa, whatever.

Cash back is best.

try the citibank diamond mastercard- offers alot of stuff, so does american express blue card.

I use Amex blue. I get about $100 a year in gift cards with little effort. Good selection of stores, but no real DVD stores, I don't think.

Noticed on Wheel of Fortune (www.wheeloffortune.com), they are offering $50 (credited to your account first time you use the card) if you sign up for the Sony Rewards card. Similar rewards program, 1 point per $1 and more if its a Sony product (if only I had done this for my TV 4 mos ago). Can't vouch for it, but it is tempting me. Probably a terrible rate after the intro period, but if you pay it on time, who cares.

The GM Mastercard gives you 5% on all purchases toward the purchase of a new GM vehicle. It's a good deal if you're a GM person.

BTW, if you have a GM Mastercard, replace it with a new one. ID info for some card members may have beeen recently compromised:

http://money.cnn.com/2005/04/13/news...n=money_latest

A Universal Card through Chase that has a decent rewards program...you can cash in points for movie passes, Universal DVDs, CDs or even trips to Universal Studios and/or movie premieres...assuming you save up enough points.

check out cardoffers.com

..or this thread..

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=415608

My main card is a Citibank Dividend Platinum Select Mastercard. You earn 1% cash back on all purchases, and 5% on grocery, gas, and pharmacy purchases. You can cash out whenever you have at least $50. I cashed out my rewards before Christmas and they gave me a bonus 1% on all purchases for 90 days, which ended up paying off bigtime with Christmas spending. After my 90 days ran out, I had over $100 in rewards again; I cashed out and got the 1% bonus all over again. I happened to buy a plasma TV right after that, and now I'm almost at $100 in rewards again.

Remember though, there's a $300 cashback limit per year on that card.

If I exceed that amount in a year, my financial situation must be such that I don't need to worry about those few extra cash back dollars I'm missing out on. But you're right, there are some people who would spend $30k+ in a year.

With gas prices and going to the grocery store at 5% back it does not take 30K a year.

No. I won't have spent anything close to that amount at the end of this year and may come close to the $300 limit (because of the extra 1% bonus and an unusual big purchase). But since my normal spending pattern (about $800 per month) has never approached the limit even with the transactions that qualify for 5%, it's never been a clause that concerned me. That's why I didn't think to include that in my glowing endorsement.

I love Hilton, so I use the Hilton Amex and the Hilton visa. Amex is better. If you stay at hiltons ever, this card will get you 20,000 bonus points pretty quickly.

https://www66.americanexpress.com/ca...5100021521/0/n

I have stayed over 6 weeks worth of vacations at Hilton's absolutely free because of this card.
Also I should point out this card gives you perpetual Silver VIP status at Hiltons, and new this year you will get an upgrade to gold if you spend 20,000 per (calendar?) year.

Or, if you fly at least a couple of times a year, go for a Delta/NWA/Continental/AA/UA/etc credit card. I get a lot of free flights with my NWA Worldperks Visa!

See that's why I like the Amex Green Rewards Card. It's a $50 a year annual feee, but there isn't much I can't "launder" my points into. One time I might want a plane ticket, another time home depot gift cards, etc etc. Plus I like to use their travel stuff and if you walk into an Amex Travel center here or abroad they seem to treat you a little differently since you have a card vs someone who doesn't.

The only catch is you must pay your balance in full each month. Although you can sign up for their Travel program (it's free) that allows you to carry anything travel related (plane tickets, car rentals, hotel, cruises). It seperates it automatically on your statement. Not a bad interest rate.

The gold and Platinum cards do more (I know that the platinum card gets you into a bunch of airport airline clubs if you don't have a membership. The annual rates are a lot higher though and in terms of spending, all the cards have no limit, but the gold and platinum let you get large cash advances.

I use the Citibank Dividend card as well... Great card! If your more for frequent flyer miles and such, check out Citibank Premeire Pass card.

Check out the Bank of America Power Rewards Card. I think the link is www.bankofamerica.com/onlinebanking. From their booklet it says that you can redeem the points for giftcards at stores like Best Buy, Blockbuster, Borders, Circuit City, and whole bunch more. I used to have a regular Bank of America Visa, but I switched. You seem to earn 1 point for every dollar spent. 2500 points is the cheapest redeemable item for a 20$ gift card to a store (like Best Buy). Check it out if you're interested.

I have used Buy.Com credit card for a few years now....1% on all purchases
toward Buy.Com merchandise which along with the occasional coupon Buy still puts out and discounted merchandise on their site works nicely. No annual fee either. You can definetely get some good dvds there.

With BofA, you have to spend $120 - $125 to get a reward of $1 (2500 points/$20 or 3000 points/$25. This is only about .8%. Most other cards are over 1% on gift cards and merchandise, for example the Amex Blue only takes about $100 spend to get $1 in gift cards ($25 gift card for 2500 points).

And as of May 8th, the Blue Cash Back card will give you 5% back on everyday purchases (grocery, gas, pharmacy) and 1.5% back in cash on everything else as long as you spend $6000 per year. You can also use it to pay a lot of your bills (directv, phone, etc.) and increase your cash back.


Stew