One of the things I've learned over the years is that these programs definitely do change. I started out with the GE Rewards MasterCard. I then moved to a US West 2% uncapped card (shows how long I've been playing this game!). Then Discover Private Issue... Then I moved to the American Express CashBack card... and now I've actually got a Delta SkyMiles card (that I didn't pay for, through a special promotion at the time) with double points for certain purchases.

Here is the list of what I'm currently using, in order of preference, and why I use them:

1. American Express Cash Rebate Card - 1.5% cashback uncapped. This card is no longer available, but the Blue Cash from Amex is 1.5% until you spend $50K. I use this card for everything EXCEPT gas, groceries, and drugstores
2. Citi Dividend Platinum Select - used because of the 5% on everyday purchases. I put all gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases on this card to maximize the 5% cash rebate.
3. Chase Cash Plus® Rewards Visa® Card - Same as the Citi Platinum Card but used once I hit the limit on the Citi card OR if someone only takes Visa.
4. Discover Platinum Restaurant - carry for all restaurant purchases to get a 5% discount on all eating out! (Unfortunately, Discover has recently stopped offering this card to new or switching customers. As of this date, they are still grandfathering those that have already switched.)

American Express Cash Rebate Card

The American Express Cash Rebate Card used to be the Optima Rebate card. The rebate is an annual rebate equal to the following percentage of your annual level of purchases: .25% for the first $2,000, .5% for the next $3,000, and 1.5% in excess of $5,000. If your account is carrying a balance, you will receive an additional .5% rebate for that billing period.

Too bad you can't actually get this card anymore - it's been superceeded by BlueCash by American Express.

Click to go to the Card Comparison Charts!.

If you charge a lot of money, Amex Cashback is your first choice for any expense - charitable donations, groceries, gas, dry cleaning, taxes, mortage payments - anything you can possible get on the card.

One other subject that should be mentioned is anniversary dates and how that plays with your rebate. GE Rewards was based on a July 1-June 30 cycle, so if you start charging up the card in May, you are, in effect, wasting money. Discover Card, on the other hand, works on an anniversary system, where the year period starts immediately when you get the card, so there is no real downside to getting started with it. Fleet is on a calendar year.