Credit Card Shopping: The Best

I decided to attack shopping for a credit card. The summary of results below.

The cards that offer "rewards" turn out to return 1 to 1.3% when you break down the true value of a "point" or "mile". And you have to jump through all their hoops to redeem their currency. In the end, cash rewards cards are preferred over frequent flyer cards. I'm shifting everything that direction. None of the cards below have annual fees. Business and personal cards are listed.

I'll be running everything from my utility bills to my gas to groceries to anything I can through a credit card before paying it off everything month. Doing so will save approximately $1,000+ cash back a year.

Amex:
Amex Costco Business: Earn 4% back on gas up to $6,000, 3% on eating out, 2% on traveling, and 1% on everything else. They send a check out once a year with what you accumulated. App.
Amex SimplyCash Business: Earn 5% cash back on wireless service and office supplies , 3% on gasoline up $12,000 per year, and 1% on every other purchase. Plus, it is automatically credited to your statement each month. App.
Amex Costco Personal: Earn 3% back on gas, 3% on eating out, 2% on traveling and 1% on everything else. They send a check out once a year with what you accumulated. App.

Additional Benefits:
Extended Warrenty: Extends the term of the original manufacturer's warranty up to one additional year. Damage/Theft Protection: Protects purchases against accidental damage and theft for up to 90 days from purchase. Other Benefits here half way at bottom.

I consider Amex the single best card for customers (and usually the worst card in fees for business owners).

VISA

Penfed Rewards Card: 5% Gas, 2% Super Market, 1% other, no annual fee (3% thru the summer on Electronics & Home Improvement). Requires "membership": that unless you have military ties means you can apply via an "exception":$20 one time "donation" to a non-profit they specify plus $5 one time setup fee (paid with credit card over the phone). They require 2 years income tax returns for verification. :( Took 35 minutes to apply on phone!
Fort Knox Visa Platinum Cashback: 5% Gas, 1.25% all other retail purchases. Asked about the defintion of "retail purchases." Appears to cover "everything except gas." They required the first page of my tax return from my business and personal returns. :( 1.25% is the best catch-all cash back I've seen.
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Failing qualifying for any of these cards, which require good credit and good income, any card that offers 1% cash back with no annual fee is a decent card. I have a Bank of America card that fits this description which was much easier to obtain than the above.
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I'll post new findings here for credit card research.