34 replies to this topic

[Acela150]

I just got a job at Target. I'm thinking after a few paychecks applying for the AGR CC.

I'm 20. I have a credit card that my Mom will let me use In Emergencies. I have looked at my credit score and it's good. I would only use the CC for gas and the rare Amtrak trip, maybe grocries. I live at home and pay small fees. Phone, Car Insurance, and other little fees.. That totals to $50 a month, Right now and will go up.

I'm looking for any advice or tips. It's not really a need but it would be something good to have for those extra points. Currently my only way of earning points is travel and the points for shopping. I'm not sold on the idea of applying for this card. I'm leaning towards no right now. If someone wants to encourage me to or back me up on the no that's ok. I'm welcome to all advice right now.

Thanks,
Steve

Sorry For Any Typos.. On a PC with no Spell Check

[Blackwolf]

Several of the major list of perks that the AGR MasterCard has over other travel/rewards cards out there are:

• No annual fee. This is a BIGGIE, and is increasingly rare for a rewards-based card. Most charge an annual fee of some type, usually around $95 a year.
• Having it is life support for your AGR account. Your points will no longer have an expiration date.
• You earn points without even trying. Just treat the card like cash and never overspend; pay it off at each billing cycle religiously!

The not so good things about the AGR MasterCard?

• The APR is awful. I have immaculate credit and yet, the APR for purchases is nearly 17%. All the more reason to never hold a balance; pay the sucker off every month!
• Aaand... Thats about it.

It is a Chase product, which I do cringe about (I'm all about Credit Unions and giving the highway salute to big traditional banks.) That said, since I use it more or less like a charge card and not a credit card, I feel a little better knowing they are not really making money from me directly. Yes, the bank does make money from each transaction by charging the merchant a percentage, but that occurs on all electronic charges these days. The cost of doing business; make money from money. However, one pretty good benefit is that if used correctly, you'll rack up points faster than you could ever believe possible and also see your Credit Score swell.




If you are going to get your own Credit Card to own, the AGR is certainly a good one. With a limited credit history they may still deny you, but you'll not know unless you apply. I'd recommend trying.

[amtrakwolverine]

Chase seams to be very picky with this card and does not always approve you by internet. A few people had to call to get the ruling reversed.

[Ryan]

I think it is a great idea, as long as you use it responsibly.

It's a great way to build up points, I put as much spending through it as possible.

Also, my APR is only 12.24%, so I'm pretty happy about that.

[benjibear]

My AGR Mastercard has an interest rate of about 15% and is the highest of all my cards. The others hover around 10-12%.

I think it is a great idea if you use it responsibly. Just because you are swiping the card instead of using cash, keep track of you expensis that you charge to the card daily if you have to. Keep track online or keep a log of all your charges. The charges add up quick and can get out of control. Plan on paying it off every month.

I would apply but don't be surprised if they turn you down at first. Credit card companies don't give out their reward cards as easy. You may need to settle for another card first but after you build your credit history up, you could probably then apply for this card. Store cards area great way to build up credit history. They are usually not very picky who they give them to. Maybe since you work at Target apply for the target card. You might get one with a low credit line to see how you do. My wife worked at a stores credit card center and she was amazed on how they gave cards to people that even just declared bankrupcy. It may have had only a few hundred dollar credit limit.

Good luck!!

[AmtrakBlue]

I'm waiting a little longer before applying. I would love to use it instead of my debit card (and pay it off each month) to earn the points, but I just came out of bankruptcy late last year and late last year I had inquired at a few banks about pre-qualifying for a mortgage...which most ran credit reports for and that made my credit score take a hit. I plan to buy the house I'm currently renting, but that plan is on hold until the landlord can get some things fixed (and he's having $$ problems himself). My credit score is not bad, but I figure I'll wait until after I buy the house before applying.

All those lost rewards points.

[the_traveler]

I agree with every one else - apply for it! They can only say no. If they do, try again in 6 months.

Pay the balance off in full each month. What I do is keep looking on line to see your balance. Many times I even pay the balance even before the closing date. (I transfer the payment right from my bank to Chase online - it's free!)

I use the card for everything I would otherwise buy with cash. (Gas, food, clothes, etc... - even coffee.) I know my expenses are higher than your expenses, but I can earn well over 1K points PER MONTH without setting foot on a train! (Not that it would ever happen!)

Also - and this is important - go to your AGR account page to sign up for the card, not the "regular" Amtrak site. At one time, the "regular" page was giving 5K while the AGR page (at the same time) was giving 6K! And they may even be offering more - like 12K, 16K, 18K or 32K!

[amamba]

I got my first credit card at age 18, and used it just as you have mentioned. Small items like gas and maybe going out to eat with my friends. As a young person, you will find that you do need to have a credit card because it will actually strengthen your credit score in the long run. As long as you pay off the balance in full each month I don't see any reason for anyone to pay cash, check or with debit cards.

So I would say go for it. I don't see any reason not to - but you just have to keep in mind the general rules of responsibility with credit. If you don't think you can be responsible and pay off the balance in full each month, then DON'T open one. But if you can handle credit responsibly, go for it.

[benjibear]

The other thing with having a credit card is how aware are you of your spending. for me, I have always tried to pay off my balance each month. But sometimes, things just come up, car repairs, emergencies, etc. that you need to use your credit to get by. It bothers me when I can't right a check for the whole amount which makes me spend less the next month to save to pay it off.

[Texan Eagle]

OP, I am 25, just got my first job a year back, so I am in similar situation as you. I applied for AGR Credit Card few months back and got it approved with a very good (from a young man with low expenses perspective) credit limit. As someone mentioned, go for it only through your AGR account when the 32,000 bonus points offer is on. The most important thing to remember is- never forget to pay off your credit card bill in full (not just the 'minimum amount' that banks will advertise). I had opened a checking account in Chase bank (for which I had got $200 opening bonus) and have linked my AGR credit card to my checking account for automatic billpay one day before the bill is due. This is just my backup, in case I forget paying off my bill, it will do it on its own from my checking account. Most months I don't give it that opportunity, I pay off whatever I incur on the credit card right away, those high APRs scare me

[fairviewroad]

deleted.

Edited by fairviewroad, 04 May 2012 - 10:36 AM.

[Acela150]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! I've had a really busy day. Is there a way to apply by phone? If so does someone have the number? I feel more comfortable applying over the phone then through the internet. If so is there anyway to get one of those bonuses? (i.e. 32,000 for the first qualifying purchase)

Thanks a lot everyone!

Steve

[benjibear]

if you have an AGR Mastercard you also get to go to the fast track line on NTD.

[Devil's Advocate]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! I've had a really busy day. Is there a way to apply by phone? If so does someone have the number? I feel more comfortable applying over the phone then through the internet. If so is there anyway to get one of those bonuses? (i.e. 32,000 for the first qualifying purchase) Thanks a lot everyone! Steve

I would not bother with the AGR credit card until they offer you the 32,000 miles.

Lets say you sign up for the 12,000 miles offer. You may not realize it, but you just gave away your one chance to get another 20,000 points as a new cardholder. As a result you'll now have to spend somewhere between ten and twenty thousand dollars just to catch up where you would be if you had waited for a better offer.

If you don't have a clean and active credit history then I would recommend starting with a completely different card and build up your rating before signing up for the AGR Mastercard. That way you should be able to snag the 32,000 point sign-up bonus with your first purchase (when it's active) and be rewarded with a much better kickback ratio.

Make no mistake, the sign-up bonus is key to the equation.

Edited by Texas Sunset, 04 May 2012 - 09:12 AM.

[the_traveler]

if you have an AGR Mastercard you also get to go to the fast track line on NTD.

Where have you seen that? I have never heard about it! (And I don't think others have either.)

And I doubt it would work anyway. Last year at WAS, the AU Gang had timed entry reservations for XX:XX. Just before that time, we went to get in line, and were told to go to the end of the ONE line - with both timed and no reservations! Down the line, it separated into TWO lines - but both moved at the same speed!

At PHL the year before, there was TWO lines - a long general line for those without reservations and a short line for those with timed reservations. We could get right into the shorter line from the start!

[PRR 60]

if you have an AGR Mastercard you also get to go to the fast track line on NTD.

Where have you seen that? I have never heard about it! (And I don't think others have either.)

And I doubt it would work anyway. Last year at WAS, the AU Gang had timed entry reservations for XX:XX. Just before that time, we went to get in line, and were told to go to the end of the ONE line - with both timed and no reservations! Down the line, it separated into TWO lines - but both moved at the same speed!

At PHL the year before, there was TWO lines - a long general line for those without reservations and a short line for those with timed reservations. We could get right into the shorter line from the start!

Since by all accounts the reservation system last year was a disaster, that system was scrapped. This year there are no reservations, one line, with AGR Mastercard holders given a fast-track to the front of the line. How that works remains to be seen. After all, it is being run by Amtrak.

[Devil's Advocate]

if you have an AGR Mastercard you also get to go to the fast track line on NTD.

Where have you seen that? I have never heard about it! (And I don't think others have either.)

There will be no ticketing system this year, so be sure to arrive early! Space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Exhibits open at 11:00 a.m. on May 12. Are you an Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard cardholder? If so, follow the Fast-Track signs to skip the line and avoid the wait.

There are similar claims for other locations as well. Should be interesting to see how it works this year versus last year's situation.

[the_traveler]

I did not see or know that!

I guess the saying is true, "You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!" Thanks for letting me know!(Have card, will travel!)

[AmtrakBlue]

I did not see or know that!

I guess the saying is true, "You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!" Thanks for letting me know!(Have card, will travel!)

It was also mentioned in at least one other thread. In fact, I asked if someone would adopt me since I don't have an AGR card (yet). At least one person has offered to try to get me in the fast-track line with their card.

[Ryan]

Yeah, it was in the PHL NTD discussion thread.

If I'm there (which I'm leaning towards), I'm going to bring the wife's card with me, so I'll have a spare to loan out (for getting in line, NOT for spending - Amy does enough of that on her own!!!).