I Ditched My Apple Card for This—Now I Earn DOUBLE the Rewards!

I Ditched My Apple Card for This—Now I Earn DOUBLE the Rewards!

The Day I Realized My Apple Card Was Costing Me Money

I’ll never forget the moment it hit me. I was sitting at a café with a friend, both of us swiping our credit cards to pay. She got 4x points on dining. I got… 1% back.

That’s when I knew something was wrong.

For over a year, I’d been a loyal Apple Card user. The sleek titanium card felt premium. The instant cashback in my Apple Wallet was satisfying. And as an iPhone lover, the seamless integration was unbeatable.

But then I did the math.

Turns out, my Apple Card was leaving hundreds of dollars in rewards on the table. Once I switched, I started earning twice the cashback—sometimes even more.

If you’re using the Apple Card for everyday spending, you might be making the same mistake. Let me break down exactly why I switched—and which card helped me maximize every dollar.

---

Why I Loved (and Eventually Left) the Apple Card

The Good: What Made Me an Apple Card Fan

When Apple launched its credit card in 2019, I was one of the first to sign up. The no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and instant cashback were huge selling points.

• The titanium card was gorgeous—no raised numbers, just a minimalist Apple logo.

• Daily Cash was instant, landing in my Apple Cash account right after each purchase.

• Apple Pay integration was flawless, making checkout a breeze.

For Apple users, it felt like the perfect card.

The Bad: Where the Apple Card Fell Short

But over time, I noticed three major drawbacks:

1. Limited High-Value Cashback

   • Only 3% at Apple and select partners (like Uber and Walgreens).

   • 2% only if using Apple Pay (otherwise, just 1%).

   • No bonus categories for groceries, gas, or dining—where I spent the most.

2. No Sign-Up Bonus

   • Most top cards offer $200–$1,000 in welcome bonuses.

   • The Apple Card? Nothing.

3. Weak Travel Perks

   • No airport lounge access.

   • No travel insurance.

   • No airline/hotel transfer partners.

The Turning Point: When I Realized I Was Missing Out

One day, I compared my annual rewards with a friend who used the Chase Sapphire Preferred®.

• My Apple Card rewards: ~$300/year

• His Chase rewards: ~$900/year (plus a 60,000-point sign-up bonus worth $750 in travel)

That’s when I knew—I needed a change.

---

The Card That Doubled My Rewards (And How It Beats Apple Card)

After researching, I switched to the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Card. Here’s why it was a game-changer:

1. 3% Cash Back on Dining, Groceries, and Entertainment

• Apple Card: 1% (unless using Apple Pay for 2%).

• SavorOne: Flat 3% on dining, groceries, and entertainment (movies, concerts, streaming).

2. 10% Back on Uber & Uber Eats

• Apple Card: 3% on Uber.

• SavorOne: 10% back—way better for ride-sharing.

3. No Annual Fee (Just Like Apple Card)

• Both cards are free, but SavorOne offers more high-value categories.

4. Sign-Up Bonus ($200 After Spending $500)

• Apple Card: No bonus.

• SavorOne: Easy $200 cashback after minimal spending.

5. No Foreign Transaction Fees

• Just like Apple Card, great for international travel.

---

Apple Card vs. Top Competitors (Which One Wins?)

To show the real difference, here’s a detailed comparison table:

Who Should Stick with Apple Card?

✅ Die-hard Apple fans who prioritize design and Wallet integration.
✅ People who shop a lot at Apple/Uber/Walgreens (for 3% back).
✅ Minimalists who hate fees and want simple cashback.

Who Should Switch?

🚀 Foodies & entertainment lovers → Capital One SavorOne (3% back)
✈️ Frequent travelers → Chase Sapphire Preferred (3x on dining & travel)
💳 Flat-rate cashback seekers → Citi Double Cash (2% on everything)

---

How Much More I Earned After Ditching Apple Card

After switching to SavorOne, my rewards skyrocketed:

• Dining & groceries: Went from 1% → 3%

• Uber rides: Went from 3% → 10%

• Entertainment (Netflix, concerts): Went from 1% → 3%

Annual Rewards Comparison:

• Apple Card: ~$300

• SavorOne: ~$600+ (plus the $200 sign-up bonus)

That’s double the rewards—just for using a different card!

---

Final Verdict: Is the Apple Card Worth It?

The Apple Card is great for Apple loyalists who want a sleek, no-fee card. But if you want maximum rewards, it’s not the best choice.

Best Alternatives:

🥇 Best for Food & Fun: Capital One SavorOne (3% on dining, groceries, entertainment)
🏆 Best for Travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred (3x on travel & dining, $750+ sign-up bonus)
💵 Best Flat Cashback: Citi Double Cash (2% on everything)

My Advice? (I Ditched My Apple Card for This—Now I Earn DOUBLE the Rewards!)

If you’re using the Apple Card for daily spending, you’re likely missing out on serious rewards. Try one of these alternatives—you might be shocked at how much more you earn!

---

What About You? (I Ditched My Apple Card for This—Now I Earn DOUBLE the Rewards!)

Are you team Apple Card or have you found a better rewards card? Let me know in the comments!

---

Read More: 9 No Annual Fee Credit Cards That Act Like Premium Travel Cards