Apple Card Named Best in Customer Satisfaction for Fourth Year

[iMac The Knife]

At that point in her life the FICO score is mostly meaningless. The only relevant issue is for auto and home insurance which use FICO scores for ratings.

I get over $1K back each year on my Costco CITI card and pay only $65 each year which is the Costco membership. Seems like a better deal than paying $250 a year. Amex is good if a person flies Delta a lot.

You neglected to include this part of my post: "$250 per year, but I get all of that back and then some in credits from different services I use (Uber, dining, etc). Therefore, it costs me $0 out of pocket each year." The Costco card, which I also have (I only carry two cards), doesn't offer 4x the rewards points on dining and groceries. If I traveled more, my Amex Gold would be even more beneficial, but I still get 3x the points on airfare and 2x on hotels when I do travel.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

As someone deep in the Amex ecosystem, the only card that can match the Apple Card is the Blue Business Cash-back (2%, no fees, and the 1yr extended warranty of the premium cards).

Only downside to the Amex cash-back is it only applies as a statement credit. Additionally, and this could be good or bad, an Amex business card doesn’t affect your personal FICO score unless you default.

IMO people that factor in credits and other “perks” to justify an annual fee are insane. Points based rewards are also a terrible value, confusing, and come with massive limitations. Cash back is king!

 

[WarmWinterHat]

As someone deep in the Amex ecosystem, the only card that can match the Apple Card is the Blue Business Cash-back (2%, no fees, and the 1yr extended warranty of the premium cards).

Only downside to the Amex cash-back is it only applies as a statement credit. Additionally, and this could be good or bad, an Amex business card doesn’t affect your personal FICO score unless you default.

I get 3% back on groceries, fuel and online shopping with my AMEX, which is the majority of my spending. It even includes the Apple store, if ordered online. Everything else is 1% other than the various deals that change month-to-month. That's a lot better than Apple's offering.

Statement credit or cash is all the same to me.

 

[trip1ex]

You neglected to include this part of my post: "$250 per year, but I get all of that back and then some in credits from different services I use (Uber, dining, etc). Therefore, it costs me $0 out of pocket each year." The Costco card, which I also have (I only carry two cards), doesn't offer 4x the rewards points on dining and groceries. If I traveled more, my Amex Gold would be even more beneficial, but I still get 3x the points on airfare and 2x on hotels when I do travel.

yeah it just depends on whether a person uses the benefits (over and above those of other cards) enough to justify the extra cost.

 

[iMac The Knife]

yeah it just depends on whether a person uses the benefits (over and above those of other cards) enough to justify the extra cost.

Oh, I agree. If you aren't taking advantage of the benefits of the card, it would be better to find another card that would better suit your needs.

 

[victorvictoria]

My wife and I have more credit cards than I can keep track of.

If Amazon has it, I use their prime card for the 5% credit on purchases from them (including Apple products!). For everything else, I use either the Apple card (via Apple Pay. I've never used the physical card), and if Apple Pay isn't accepted, I use my Fidelity card. Both have insanely high limits ($25 & $30K), and Fidelity rebates 2% on EVERYTHING. Neither charge foreign currency transaction fees, so that's a big plus when we travel.

Only fault I find is the titanium Apple Card slips out of my wallet, unlike the plastic cards.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

In the UK we don’t have the option of using an Apple Card as it’s still US only so far as I am aware.

Not sure if the US has a drastically different card fees model to the UK - many retailers here reject AMEX as their fees are too expensive, and as such it’s not that compelling as an offer for consumers. While we have cashback and rewards cards, many with no annual fees, you’re doing well if you get 0.5% paid back to you in some way. Chase has recently started offering a more competitive debit card with I think 1% cashback, but we could do with more competition and challenger brands to shake the market up a bit.

My BarclayCard is a pathetic 0.25%

 

[zinacef]

You neglected to include this part of my post: "$250 per year, but I get all of that back and then some in credits from different services I use (Uber, dining, etc). Therefore, it costs me $0 out of pocket each year." The Costco card, which I also have (I only carry two cards), doesn't offer 4x the rewards points on dining and groceries. If I traveled more, my Amex Gold would be even more beneficial, but I still get 3x the points on airfare and 2x on hotels when I do travel.

The annual fee is now $325/year.

 

[nutmac]

Only thing it lacks are the good supplemental insurances available with the free AMEX cards.

We don’t use our Apple Card for buying any big ticket items (including apple products) that can benefit from warranty extension and supplemental coverages.

I would personally love Apple Card Travel Edition, perhaps partnered with American Express and using their Gold ($325/year) as a template:

• $299/year annual fee
• Complementary AppleCare+
• 10% Apple One cash back
• 5% cash back on Apple and travel
• 3% cash back on Apple Pay
• 2% cash back on everything else
• Global lounge access
• Complementary Global Entry
• Gold status at various hotels and rental car chains
• Travel insurance

 

[webkit]

Secondly, the Amex gold and plat cards are charge cards. There is no credit limit as you are expected to pay off the balance in full each month. The Apple Card is a credit card.

Amex Gold and Platinum cards are kind of a charge/credit card hybrid. You can still keep a balance and use the "pay over time" feature (with high interest rates similar to regular credit cards).

 

[MacBookPro88]

I just use this card for Apple purchases. I get way better perks and rewards on other cards.

 

[webkit]

Some of this is simply a popularity contest. Apple Card has a lot of users who are Apple fanboys who will want to speak as positively as possible about their experiences with Apple and its products. Other companies that are or have been in Apple's "co-branded credit card" category include Hilton, Costco, Amazon, and PayPal which I don’t think have near the level of "fanboyism" as Apple. That's not to say the Apple Card still isn't a good product for what it is.

 

[raythompsontn]

You neglected to include this part of my post: "$250 per year, but I get all of that back and then some

No, I did not. I took what you posted to mean you paid $250 a year and got $1K back, a net of $750. My Costco card netted me $1.3K last year.

I travel some on long trips on planes. The 3% back on the Costco card for travel is a good benefit. I looked into the Delta branded Amex card and it was not a good match for my needs.

The Apple Card will allow 12 months to pay for major Apple purchases. Unless the items are purchased using the veterans discount. Bummer.

To each their own. That is why there are dozens of cards.

 

[AppliedMicro]

Are you are referring to credit card transaction fees in general? If so, there's nothing that can be done about that. If you want to use a credit card, you have to pay those fees.

Of course something can be done about it: Your government could start regulating the oligopoly of credit card schemes and how they set their (interchange and other) fees - and adopt policies to increase cost efficiency for merchant businesses and consumers alike. Just like the European has done quite successfully.

Then again, we‘re talking about the United States of America-Washington here. Where such regulation that would benefit smaller businesses and consumers is probably illegal, unconstitutional, successfully branded as „socialism“ by lobbyists and/or where consumers are happy to pay more for same or worse service in the name of „free enterprise“… Or all of those things.

 

[BaldiMac]

Some of this is simply a popularity contest. Apple Card has a lot of users who are Apple fanboys who will want to speak as positively as possible about their experiences with Apple and its products. Other companies that are or have been in Apple's "co-branded credit card" category include Hilton, Costco, Amazon, and PayPal which I don’t think have near the level of "fanboyism" as Apple. That's not to say the Apple Card still isn't a good product for what it is.

Ah yes. Huge controversy. People who are highly satisfied with Apple products say they are highly satisfied with Apple products when asked how satisfied they are with Apple products.

How will we ever account for that madness?!?!?

 

[iMac The Knife]

Of course something can be done about it: Your government could start regulating the oligopoly of credit card schemes and how they set their (interchange and other) fees - and adopt policies to increase cost efficiency for merchant businesses and consumers alike. Just like the European has done quite successfully.

Then again, we‘re talking about the United States of America-Washington here. Where such regulation that would benefit smaller businesses and consumers is probably illegal, unconstitutional, successfully branded as „socialism“ by lobbyists and/or where consumers are happy to pay more for same or worse service in the name of „free enterprise“… Or all of those things.

I'm not sure what the United States did to upset you so much. Regardless, I wouldn't trade living here over living in any other country on this planet.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

I get 3% back on groceries, fuel and online shopping with my AMEX, which is the majority of my spending. It even includes the Apple store, if ordered online. Everything else is 1% other than the various deals that change month-to-month. That's a lot better than Apple's offering.

Statement credit or cash is all the same to me.

You don’t get the extended warranty on purchases and you’re capped on all the categories you mentioned then it’s only 1%…might work for some but the extra warranty is a game changer and wouldn’t give it up for the extra 1% over my business card which literally anyone can get.

 

[ninecows]

You don’t get the extended warranty on purchases and you’re capped on all the categories you mentioned then it’s only 1%…might work for some but the extra warranty is a game changer and wouldn’t give it up for the extra 1% over my business card which literally anyone can get.

You don’t need a credit card to get extended warranty. You just need to live in a country where the law makers are more concerned about consumer rights than corporate profits.

 

[iMac The Knife]

The annual fee is now $325/year.

I was talking about 2024, and it was $250. Next year when it goes up, it won't matter because I will take advantage of the over $400 in credits that I can get, so it will still cost me $0 per year.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

You don’t get the extended warranty on purchases and you’re capped on all the categories you mentioned then it’s only 1%…might work for some but the extra warranty is a game changer and wouldn’t give it up for the extra 1% over my business card which literally anyone can get.

I'll take a look at it. I don't care about credit reporting.

Thanks for the info!

 

[iMac The Knife]

You don’t get the extended warranty on purchases and you’re capped on all the categories you mentioned then it’s only 1%…might work for some but the extra warranty is a game changer and wouldn’t give it up for the extra 1% over my business card which literally anyone can get.

What do you mean you don't get the extended warranty on purchases? If I buy a TV with my Amex Gold card, I get a 12 month extended warranty at the end of the manufacturers warranty, as long as the warranty offered is less than five years in length. The Amex extended warranty offers the same protections as the original manufacturer's warranty as well.

 

[MacAddict1978]

It was cool when it came out in 2019 but today it's been outclassed by so many other cards with better rewards like Fidelity 2%, amex gold and plat, etc.

Amex gold has a HEFTY fee though. Compared to no fee cards, 2% back when using Apple Pay is decent. Now that Apple Pay can work outside of Safari it increases opportunity for 2% back and most retailers accept it.

I think their missed opportunity is a Fee based card with better rewards. Amex Gold and up have fees starting at like $300-$600 a year. However, Amex Blue cash Preferred is $99 and gives you 6% at grocery stores and streaming subscriptions, 3% on gas, transit, parking, and 1% everything else. I make that fee back fast.

There are not really any great dining cards out there... throw out a $99/year falvor of Apple Card with 6% on dining and 5% on Apple purchases. Maybe a gas or grocery teir for 3%, and keep 2% on all other Apple Pay and 1% on the rest.

Considering Goldman wants to break up, I don't see any major changes occurring until Apple finds a different partner which doesn't sound like it's been going well....

 

[mdatwood]

IMO people that factor in credits and other “perks” to justify an annual fee are insane. Points based rewards are also a terrible value, confusing, and come with massive limitations. Cash back is king!

The problem with only doing cash back is that it's usually less than the value of other perks assuming you can use them. Take the Venture X card, $395/year fee, but you get a $300 travel credit each year. Add in Priority Pass and other perks and you easily go beyond the fee. Obviously if someone doesn't travel much, then it's not the right card for them.

 

[Vulkan]

This is the best card I have, because of the deep integration it has with the system. Also I had the experience where somehow the card was flagged in fraudulent activity and it took a tap and a few chats and I had a new card issued. Super painless

 

[lcseds]

Card sucks. Used it once to buy directly from Apple website. Six months later, dozens of charges show up from Tik Tok. Ran the card to the limit. I questioned them about security since the account was used only once, a direct Apple purchase, then never again. Nor did it ever leave my safe. They of course had little to say. It was a pain in the ass getting those reversed. Never again with those clowns. Wouldn't trust JD Powers for anything anyway.