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Best credit cards for your coronavirus stockpiling
News reports are circulating that people around the world are rushing stores to stock up on dry goods, toiletries, medicine, water, etc. I’m not going to comment one way or another on whether this activity is hysteria or prudence, but a lot of people are partaking. Being the points nerd that I am, I thought to myself ” I hope they’re using the right cards.” Since I’m based in the States, I thought it’d be helpful to detail the 3 cards I think offer the best return on your purchases. This way you can not only stockpile for an possible quarantine, but if armageddon doesn’t strike, you can also stockpile some points for your next vacation – let’s be honest…the travel industry has been badly bruised and if/when this finally clears up, I’d guess we will see quite a bit of award availability. Without further adieu…here are the best credit cards to use for coronavirus stockpiling.
Also…none of the links in the post generate income for the blog – they link to posts detailing referral offers that often have readers links in them.
American Express Gold 4x on U.S. Groceries
The American Express Gold card is already my most used card. It earns 4x on dining worldwide and 4x on US grocery stores, up to $25k annually. If you’re coronavirus stockpiling at a grocery store…this card should be in your wallet.
Learn More about the American Express Gold Card
American Express Everyday Preferred up to 4.5x on U.S. Groceries
The American Express Everyday Preferred card comes with a guaranteed 3x on purchases at U.S. Grocery Stores. The $6k annual cap is much lower than the Amex Gold, but the Everyday Preferred card comes with a hidden feature. If you make more than 30 purchases in a month ( at any vendor, separate purchases, not items ) you earn a 50% bonus on all purchases that month. Meaning…that 3x suddenly turns into 4.5x. The Amex Everyday Preferred card comes with a $95 annual fee, and has been on list of cards to pick up for quite some time. If you’re coronavirus stockpiling at US grocery stores and want a lower annual fee…this is a good option
Learn more about the American Express Everyday Preferred
Chase Ink Business Cash for 5x + 2.5x stack via Rakuten
The Chase Ink Business Cash is a fantastic card that earns 5x at Office Supply Stores. Why is that so great? Because you can purchase gift cards for your favorite retailers and earn 5x points on them. For instance…if you’re looking to pick up water, cleaning supplies, filters, garbage bags, etc – Lowe’s and Home Depot can hook you up. If you can find masks…they’d be there as well. But don’t go straight to the store…buy a gift card via Office Max/Office Depot and earn 5x points on them. If you’re coronavirus stockpiling and willing to use a portal to access gift cards to use at your favorite retailers that aren’t grocery stores…this could be a great NO ANNUAL FEE business card to use.
Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Cash
Rakuten:
Currently Rakuten is offering 2.5% back. You know how much we love Rakuten because they offer the option to earn American Express points instead of cashback: 1% = 1 Membership Rewards. That means that you’ll earn 5x via Chase and another 2.5x on Amex for the same purchases.
Use our referral to earn $10 back on a $25 purchase.
Lowe’s and Home Depot
You can purchase these gift cards on the Office Max/Depot website and even have them delivered to your house. Again…if you use Rakuten to populate the officedepot.com website, you’ll earn an additional 2.5x on your purchases.
Costco, Sam’s Club, Grocery Stores, etc.
Another great option is to straight up buy Visa gift cards that can then be used for purchases at Costco, Sam’s Club, Grocery Stores, etc. You will pay a fee to activate Visa gift cards so you need to factor that into the cost. As you can see below, they’re currently running $5.95 which is a bit over 1% fee. I added some extra images to show you what to select and the option that allows for free shipping. I’m assuming the 2.5x Rakuten bonus works on non-3rd party gift cards, but I could be wrong. Please let me know if this doesn’t work. Either way…it’s still a great option to earn bonus points on Costco purchases, etc.
Recap
These are all techniques you should be taking advantage of during normal times, but many people are buying volumes more than usual and I’d hate to see anyone leave valuable points on the table. Also…none of the links in the post generate income for the blog – they link to posts detailing referral offers that often have reader’s links in them.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
A Monkey Miles favorite for beginners and point pros alike because it earns unlimited 1.5x Ultimate Rewards with no annual fee.
♥ Earn 20k Bonus Points or $200 after $500 Spend in 3 months
♥5x on travel purchased via Chase Travel
♥3x on dining and drugstores
♥1.5x on all purchases, unlimited
Learn more
Good grief. Encouraging this behavior is highly irresponsible.
“I’m not going to comment one way or another on whether this activity is hysteria or prudence, but a lot of people are partaking.”
Did you not read the article? Personally, I think you’re an idiot if you don’t buy at least some things as stores are running low.
I wasn’t aware of the Rakuten stacking. Great point
I know this is meant to be funny or cute but is in poor taste. In fact, many medical and dental practices are having a hard time obtaining even basic supplies like masks and gloves amid this hysteria. Again I know that you aren’t trying to be irresponsible but this is actually irresponsible. Is the next post about which card to use when you go into the medical clinic to be treated for coronavirus?
I think the only thing that could have been worse on this blog post is if it included affiliate links to specific store products or Amazon items.
Stockpiling, aka hoarding, is neither hysterical nor is it prudent – it’s unnecessary. If you wanted to write an article about grocery shopping have at it. Tying Coronavirus to credit card bonus points is distasteful.
Absolutely unnecessary…cut to Hong Kong, China, Italy, Korea, Japan where people are quarantined for 14+ days. I’m sure those people are ecstatic they didn’t have extra supplies
So tell me, what supplies are you hoarding now. What essentials are you stockpiling so that you’ll sit comfortably during the upcoming catastrophe while knowing that your neighbors will be deprived of those same things. And while your answering, assure me that you’re your purchases are getting the maximum amount of credit card bonus points.
Is it stockpiling or hoarding? I always get the PC terms mixed up. Nevertheless, I bought enough stuff to make sure my family is taken care of should a mass quarantine be enforced. If you haven’t taken proper action as an impending pandemic swept across the world…that’s on you Ed
I assume that most of us come to this site for the insights and recommendations regarding travel information, credit card benefits, bargain opportunities, etc. I find it to be a valuable source for reliable information. I appreciate that the subject matter is always presented in a light-hearted tone. After all, Miles is a monkey!
I applaud Miles for taking a tongue-in-cheek tone in noting the absurdity of the crazies that are hoarding for an uncertain disaster. It’s normal behavior for a segment of our population to behave this way in certain circumstances. Think about a pending winter storm or threatening hurricane; suddenly the grocery stores are sold out of bread, milk, etc. Such behavior is predictable. I doubt that any hoarders are stocking up to reap credit card points.
Miles, when I read your piece, I laughed out loud…. I got it, the way you intended it. Then, I read all the comments by those offended by your writing. Remember, in the age of political correctness, we have those that are just waiting for something to offend them. Stay the course.
Gerry – thanks so much 🙂