BEST ISRAELI CREDIT CARD

[Jkhein]

When I opened my student account at Leumi, they gave me a CC with some kind of promotion that for the first 36 months, for each month I spend 600 NIS, I get 41.6 NIS deposited into my account. Works out to roughly %7 cash back. Not bad at all...

+1
promo is still on in Geula branch.

[MnM1130]

my husband had an amex green card there for many years. one day he didnt have enuf money in his bank- 1 DAY and they shut down all his CC's even though he had it for more than 6 yrs. thats israel for u. than we just used american cards cus it wasnt worth using it all together. we called to transfer the points from amex, the best possible place was delta- and for 6+ yrs of spending (my husband wasnt a cheapo- and for 2 yrs of the beginin of our marriage E/T went on the card) we got around 5k points i think... (i forgot exact numbers)

[rots5]

When I opened my student account at Leumi, they gave me a CC with some kind of promotion that for the first 36 months, for each month I spend 600 NIS, I get 41.6 NIS deposited into my account. Works out to roughly %7 cash back. Not bad at all...

why is that good? its much more worth it to use ur SP, i have the same exact offer, (from the leumi on paran) and it just like a waste bec i would rather build up my credit on my american cards so i can sign up for better offers...

[Saver2000]

why is that good? its much more worth it to use ur SP, i have the same exact offer, (from the leumi on paran) and it just like a waste bec i would rather build up my credit on my american cards so i can sign up for better offers...

Why is more worth it to use SP??

If building credit is your only reason,  then that's true for you but maybe inapplicable to someone else. . . 

[yhakak]

Why is more worth it to use SP??

If building credit is your only reason,  then that's true for you but maybe inapplicable to someone else. . .

It also depends how much you spend...If i understand correctly the leumi deal is capped at 600 NIS, i for example spend a lot more than that on my CC a month (groceries, insurance, gas, etc...) If i put 4000 NIS on my CC and get an average of 1.07% in UR points i'm more or less getting the same cash back as leumi, and i don't have to be a student (btw, the israeli banks will raise your fees the minute they decide you're not a student anymore...)

[Moishebatchy]

why is that good? its much more worth it to use ur SP, i have the same exact offer, (from the leumi on paran) and it just like a waste bec i would rather build up my credit on my american cards so i can sign up for better offers...

It also depends how much you spend...If i understand correctly the leumi deal is capped at 600 NIS, i for example spend a lot more than that on my CC a month (groceries, insurance, gas, etc...) If i put 4000 NIS on my CC and get an average of 1.07% in UR points i'm more or less getting the same cash back as leumi,

I don't understand you guys... why are you automatically assuming I have to put EVERYTHING on the Leumi card? What's wrong with putting on 600 NIS, and THEN switching to my SP for the rest of the month?

 

and i don't have to be a student (btw, the israeli banks will raise your fees the minute they decide you're not a student anymore...)

BTW, that's why I chose Leumi over other banks - they have the highest qualifying age bracket for students (you can stay a student the longest).

[yhakak]

I don't understand you guys... why are you automatically assuming I have to put EVERYTHING on the Leumi card? What's wrong with putting on 600 NIS, and THEN switching to my SP for the rest of the month?

true enough...i just usually have a minimum spend on some card or other i have to hit 

[Moishebatchy]

true enough...i just usually have a minimum spend on some card or other i have to hit 

And 150 bucks makes such a big difference, that it isn't worth %7 of free money?

[Red]

BTW, that's why I chose Leumi over other banks - they have the highest qualifying age bracket for students (you can stay a student the longest).

What's their age limit?

[Moishebatchy]

What's their age limit?

Don't remember exactly. Something like 32-34.

[Red]

Don't remember exactly. Something like 32-34.

Thanks, I can remain a student on my Bank Hapoalim account until 35.

[L'Chaim]

Thanks, I can remain a student on my Bank Hapoalim account until 35.

+1, still annoying to have to bring a paper every year...

[Moishebatchy]

Thanks, I can remain a student on my Bank Hapoalim account until 35.

So maybe it was 38, then? I really don't remember. Just that it was the best. 

[Red]

+1, still annoying to have to bring a paper every year...

Yea it really is annoying, but as long as it keeps everything free...

[L'Chaim]

So I came back to israel after 3 months to find out that my CC is canceled. 
I spoke to the bank and apparently I had a outstanding balance that I payed too late, IIRC it was a day or two after the next months' bill, so they canceled my card.
Now they tell me that I have to wait a few months so they can see if if money comes in before I can apply for a new card.
So seeing no other option is offered to put money aside as a guarantee. They agreed, but the limit they could give me is only 80% of the money I had to put away (for a year!!).
Now I'm waiting to get my new card (AMEX, yay!) and finally sign up for some good phone plan.

#goingnutsinisrael

[Jkhein]

Now I'm waiting to get my new card (AMEX, yay!) and finally sign up for some good phone plan.

#goingnutsinisrael

Whats the deal with the amex and how were you able to get it?

[L'Chaim]

Whats the deal with the amex and how were you able to get it?

Not deal, I have no idea what card it is, when the lady at the told told me that she got me an AMEX, she sounded as if she got me the best card on the market. It's just issued by AMEX but doesn't mean anything.

[Yossi.]

Now I'm waiting to get my new card (AMEX, yay!) and finally sign up for some good phone plan.

why do u need to wait for your israeli card to get a phone plan?

[L'Chaim]

why do u need to wait for your israeli card to get a phone plan?

I don't have to, that just the way I do it.

[L'Chaim]

Received my card today! 
It's called AMEX Blue. (dunno what that means)
The lady at the bank was amazed that I got such a nice card and showed it to her colleagues