I’m asked almost every day, “What’s the best credit card I should get?” Some people narrow it down to something like, “What’s the best credit card for grocery shopping?”
As I always say, everyone’s budgets, travel goals, and travel needs are unique. What works for you might not jive with what your best friend does.
And that’s totally fine.
But when people ask me, “Which card are you using?” my answer is generally “Um, for what exactly? Groceries? Travel? Gas? Amazon stuff?” And then we go from there.
My wife and I generally add new credit cards to our wallets several times a year. Plus, different credit card issuers introduce various promotions (i.e., Amex Offers, Pay Yourself Back, Chase Offers, etc.). So, our wallets’ credit card slots look different from time to time.
Right now, here’s what we’re using for purchases you and I may have in common.
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Racking Up Points on One Card
First of all, Mrs. Carley recently signed up for the card_name. The card earns 3X at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, hotels, and on air travel. (All other purchases earn 1X.) She added me as an authorized user.
We’ll use a combination of those bonus categories and some reimbursed purchases to hit the minimum spending requirement relatively quickly. So, that’s our main card at the moment.
Airfare
This one depends on which carrier I’m flying — and whether or not I’m using any certificates or points.
If I book:
- a reservation on points/miles, I pay some balance with my Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It earns 3X on travel (after the annual $300 travel credit is exhausted) and also carries good trip interruption, delay, and cancellation protection — for even just a portion of my trip paid on the card. The Amex cards can’t say the same thing.
- an airfare and pay the entire cost in cash (which is rare), I generally use The Platinum Card® from American Express. That earns 5X American Express® Membership Rewards® for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Terms apply. Enrollment required.) Plus, because the entire fare is paid with The Platinum Card, it then qualifies for Trip Delay, Cancellation, and Interruption Protection. (Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.)
- a Delta Companion Certificate booking, that goes on The Platinum Card® from American Express for the bonus points earnings. And, no, the cash/paid portion of a Delta Companion Certificate trip doesn’t need to go on a Delta Amex.
Amazon
My personal/consumer card_name is our current go-to for Amazon purchases. That card earns 3% cashback on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Plus, the card carries a $0 annual fee. (Rates and Fees. Terms apply. (Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars redeemable toward statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.)
Business-related Amazon purchases usually go on my card_name. Now, hear me out on this. Yes, it earns only 1X on the surface. But remember the card features a 35% rebate when paying with points on select airfares purchased through Amex Travel. And those rebated points can be used again. And again. And again. And… (Terms apply, enrollment required.)
“But, schmuck,” you may say, “why don’t you have the card_name or the card_name or one of the personal Amazon cards from Chase?!”
The answer is simple: both my wife and I hold six Amex credit cards. Neither of us can get another Amex card without canceling one of the existing ones — and we’re thinking about doing that. As for the latter, we’re both far over Chase’s 5/24 rule.
So, it will be a while before either of us are eligible for a new Amex or Chase card. (Hey, if they don’t want our business, that’s up to them. But as for Capital One and Citi? We’re getting along pretty well — and have stockings set up for them by our fireplace this Christmas.)
Cell Phone Bill
I charge $10 of my monthly Verizon bill to card_name. It offers up to $120 annually ($10 monthly) in statement credit for wireless telephone service purchases made directly from a U.S. wireless provider. (Enrollment required.)
The balance goes on our company’s card_name. That earns 5% cash back (5X Chase Ultimate Rewards®) on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year.
Dining
I usually put dining purchases on my card_name. That earns 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. They become more valuable when I use them to pay with points on those Amex Travel purchases I talked about earlier.
I know someone else who swears by the card_name because it earns 3X on dining.
But, again, we’re going card_name for those purchases until we accumulate the $4,000 minimum spending requirement.
Gas Stations
Our Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is our go-to for gas. It earns 4% cashback on eligible gas (and EV charging) purchases for the first $7,000 per year. (Then 1% thereafter.)
Hotels
I generally use a hotel loyalty program’s credit card — if I hold one — when staying at one of their properties. For example, I’ll use my card_name when staying at a Holiday Inn, Kimpton, InterContinental, etc.
I’m traveling for business soon. My client is putting me up at a property affiliated with a credit card I don’t have. (Nor do I think I really need it. Hint: the initials M, G, M might be part of the Rewards program.) In that instance, I’ll use my card_name because it earns 3X on travel.
Internet
Here’s another instance when the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card comes in handy. We love the 5% cash back/5X Chase Ultimate Rewards® on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services and at office supply stores.
Streaming Services
Here’s another spilt-a-roo extravaganza.
We have the Disney+ bundle (Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu). We also watch Peacock. All of that goes on The Platinum Card® from American Express because it features a monthly “entertainment credit.” Cardholders can earn up to $240 in annual statement credits ($20 monthly) using their Platinum Card to pay for purchases made with select merchants. Eligible providers include Audible; Disney+ bundle or individual components (Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu); New York Times; Peacock; and SiriuxXM. (Terms apply and enrollment is required.)
We pay everything else (HBOMax, Netflix, etc.) with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express because it earns 6% cashback on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
Supermarkets
Again, the card_name is likely going to tackle most of that spending for a month or so.
But we usually put those purchases on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. That earns 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars redeemable toward statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.)
Non-Bonused Spend
For most non-bonused spending, I use the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. That earns at least 2X per dollar on eligible purchases. (Here’s why the Cap One Venture X is worth your consideration.) This is stuff like medical bills, doctor visits, wine/liquor shop purchases, etc.
Final Approach
So, that’s pretty much what I’m up to right now. What are you doing for your travel rewards goals?
To see rates and fees for the card_name, please visit this link. Terms apply.
To see rates and fees for the card_name, please visit this link. Terms apply.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday Card® from American Express, please visit this link. Terms apply.
(Rates and Fees.)
To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link. Terms apply.
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please visit this link. Terms apply.
To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link. Terms apply.
To see rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, please visit this link. Terms apply.
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