TravelStrategies: * AARP Credit Card

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Annual Fee

No annual fee

Typical Signup Offer

100 dollars

$500 initial spend

($90 net value, .19/$)

Signup Bonus Chart

Bonus Categories

3% Restaurants

3% Gas

1% Everywhere Else

3% Foreign Transaction Fee

The AARP credit card can be a useful no-annual-fee option for earning bonus rewards on restaurant spending. However, most people will be even better off by using a card, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, that earns even higher rewards. Best Credit Cards for Restaurant Spending.

Jump to

• Signup Bonus
• Other Notable Benefits
• Bonus Categories
• Getting Rid of the Card

Collecting the Signup Bonus

• Most people shouldn't bother getting this card, just for the signup bonus. After subtracting the opportunity cost of using the card for $cash of spending, the calculated net value for the initial year is $100 ( cents per dollar spent). It isn't very much, but it is better than nothing..

After subtracting the opportunity cost of using the card for $500 of spending, the calculated net value of the sign-up is $93 (19 cents per dollar spent).

• This card is NOT affected by the Chase 5/24 rule. You can still get approved, even if you have acquired more than five new credit cards over the past two years.

However, if you've been signing up for lots of credit cards, there is some risk to trying to get additional Chase cards. When Chase pulls your credit report for your application, they take a look at your overall number of accounts and recent inquiries. If you've been very active, there is a small chance that Chase will cancel all of your existing cards, due to screening procedures related to "breakout risk". If you don't want to risk losing access to your existing Chase cards, you might avoid signing up for any new Chase cards, once you've signed up for over 10 cards in the past two years. On the other hand, most people have been able to safely get new Chase cards even though they are well over that number.

• You can earn the signup bonus once every two years. You are eligible for a Chase signup bonus, if you haven't already earned one, from the same card, during the past two years.

Other Notable Benefits

• Access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection. As with all Visa Signature cards, you'll get access to Visa's luxury hotel program. Whenever you book one of the 900+ participating hotels, you'll receive a set of valuable benefits, including free breakfast, late check-out, and a $25 food and beverage credit. The Visa program has slightly weaker benefits than the other luxury hotel programs, but includes a larger number of more affordable hotel options and a best price guarantee. Take Advantage of Luxury Hotel Programs for Valuable Extra Perks.
• Access to Visa Signature Offers. Your card entitles you to a set of special offers available from Visa.

Bonus Categories

• There are better options for your restaurant and gas purchases. 3% cashback is more valuable than what you would get from a good general-purpose reward card, but you can earn even more valuable rewards with other cards. Best Credit Cards for Restaurant Spending. Best Credit Cards for Gas Spending.
• You don't want to use this card for your everyday spending. You'll earn higher rewards from a good general-purpose reward card. Get a Great General Purpose Reward Card and Use It for All of Your Spending.

Getting Rid of the Card

If you are collecting signup bonuses and there is any chance you want this card again, don't cancel it. You are likely to be blocked from getting it again by the 5/24 rule. In the meantime, there is no annual fee.

If you are under 5/24 and maximizing Chase business card signup bonuses, it may be worthwhile to close this card (or at least lower the signup bonus), to reduce your total accounts with Chase and the possible risk of a shutdown. TravelStrategies:* AARP Credit Card/Main

TravelStrategies:* AARP Credit Card/Page