Credit Cards

For some people, credit cards are scary or a sign of struggle, but if you know how to use them, then you can essentially use the credit card issuers’ money, to buy things from everyday items to aspirational travel. I’ve created a guide on credit cards, which is linked below if you’d like to learn more about the basics.

Once you get the basics down and would like to learn more about specific cards that I personally use or plan on applying for soon, then continue to the card reviews below. And if you happen to apply using my referral link, you’ll be helping me out (and possibly getting a better deal for yourself as well) without any cost to you.

CREDIT CARD BASICS GUIDE

CAPITAL ONE CARDS

The Capital One Venture X is a Premium Travel credit card with a welcome offer of 75,000 miles and an annual fee of $395. The key features of this card are a $300 travel credit that can be used for things like flights, hotels, and car rentals from inside the Capital One travel portal as well as 10,000 bonus miles every year. There is also a network of luxury airport lounges that you gain free access to with this card.

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

    Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel.

    Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary.

    Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

    Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, plus unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases

The Capital One Savor (formerly the Savor One) is a no-annual-fee card with a welcome bonus of $200 (or 20,000 points). This card stands out as a great earner of points with multipliers in common spending categories such as dining and groceries.

  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

    Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores, plus 1% on all other purchases.

    Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.

    Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

    0% intro APR for 15 months

CHASE SAPPHIRE CARDS

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a Premium Travel credit card with a welcome offer of 60,000 miles and an annual fee of $550. The key features of this card are a $300 travel credit that can be used for anything travel related as well as points being worth 1.5x more when used in the Chase Travel Portal. There is also a network of luxury airport lounges that you gain free access to with this card.

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points
    after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel

    $550 annual fee; $75 for each authorized user

    No Foreign Transaction Fees

    Earn 5x total points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.

    Earn 10x total points on hotels (excluding The Edit) and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.

    Earn 3x points on other travel worldwide after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.

    Earn 10x total points on Chase Dining purchases with Chase Travel.

    Earn 3x points on other dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.

    Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

    Get 50% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.

    $300 Annual Travel Credit

    Complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with up to two guests, including every Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club location, after an easy one-time enrollment in Priority PassTM Select.

    Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit

    Special benefits during your stay with The Edit

    No blackout dates or travel restrictions on flights booked through Chase Travel

    1:1 point transfer

    24/7 access to a Customer Service Specialist

    Travel and protection coverage

    Ultimate Rewards points do not expire as long as the account is open

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a Mid-Range Travel credit card with a welcome offer of 60,000 miles and an annual fee of $95. The key features of this card are a $50 hotel credit that can be used for booking a hotel in the Chase Travel Portal as well as points being worth 1.25x more when used in the Chase Travel Portal.

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points
    after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's up to $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel

    $95annual fee; $0 for each authorized user

    No Foreign Transaction Fees

    Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel.

    5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit.

    Earn 2x on other travel purchases.

    Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.

    Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).

    Earn 3x points on select streaming services.

    Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

    Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel. Points don't expire as long as the account is open.

    1:1 point transfer

    Travel & purchase coverage

    24/7 access to a customer service specialist

    Ultimate Rewards points do not expire as long as the account is open

CHASE FREEDOM CARDS

The Chase Freedom Flex is a no-annual-fee card with a welcome bonus of $200 (or 20,000 points). This card stands out as a great earner of points with rotating quarterly categories that will earn 5 points per dollar spent within those categories among other multipliers.

  • Earn a $200 bonus
    Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

    No Annual Fee

    Foreign Transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

    0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers

    Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate.

    Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel.

    Earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.

    Earn 3% cash back on drugstore purchases.

    Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

    No minimum to redeem for cash back.

    Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a no-annual-fee card with a welcome bonus of $200 (or 20,000 points). This card is a great “catch-all” card that earns at least 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases.

  • EARN A $200 BONUS
    Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

    No annual fee

    Foreign Transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

    0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers.

    Unlimited 1.5% cash back is just the beginning

    Earn 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services

    Earn 3% on drugstore purchases

    Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel.

    Earn 1.5% on all other purchases.

    No minimum to redeem for cash back.

    Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.

CHASE BUSINESS CARDS

The Chase Ink Preferred is the brother to the Chase Sapphire Preferred and is also a Mid-Range Travel credit card with a welcome offer of 90,000 points and an annual fee of $95. This card has earnings multipliers in common business spending categories such as shipping and advertising. Like the Sapphire Preferred, your points are worth 1.25x when used for booking via the Chase Travel Portal.

  • 100,000 bonus points
    after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel rewards when you redeem through Chase Travel

    $95 Annual Fee

    No Foreign Transaction Fee

    Earn 3X points on shipping and other select business categories. Terms apply.

    Earn 1X points on all other purchases – with no limit to the amount you can earn.

    Redeem your rewards for travel, cash back, gift cards, experiences, and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards

    1:1 point transfer

    Employee cards at no additional cost

    Travel & purchase coverage

The Chase Ink Cash card is a no-annual-fee card with a welcome offer of 75,000 points. This card has great multiplier categories like office supply stores, cable, internet, phone, and gas stations.

  • Earn up to $750 bonus cash back
    Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months after account opening plus earn a 10% Business Relationship Bonus.

    No Annual Fee

    Foreign Transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

    0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases

    Earn 5% cash back in select business categories.

    Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants.

    Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases – with no limit to the amount you can earn.

    Redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards

    Employee cards at no additional cost

    Fraud protection

The Chase Ink Cash card is a no-annual-fee card with a welcome offer of 75,000 points. This card is the brother to the Chase Freedom Unlimited and is a great catch-all card that earns 1.5 points per dollar spent.

  • Earn $750 bonus cash back
    after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening.

    No Annual Fee

    Foreign Transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

    0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases

    Earn unlimited 1.5% Cash Back rewards on every purchase made for your business.

    Redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards

    Employee cards at no additional cost

    Fraud protection

AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDS

The American Express Blue Business Plus is a no-annual-fee business card that earns 2 points per dollar spent. The welcome offer isn’t the greatest, but it’s a free card that can be a great entry into the American Express ecosystem and a way to store your Membership Rewards points with no-annual-fee.

  • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points
    after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening.

    No Annual Fee

    Foreign Transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

    0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases

    Earn unlimited 2x points on every purchase made for your business.

    Employee cards at no additional cost

    Can spend above credit limit

    Extended Warranty on purchases

    Purchase Protection

    Secondary Car Rental Insurance

    Baggage Insurance Plan

OTHER CARDS

The Chase World of Hyatt credit card is a brand-specific hotel credit card with a $95 annual fee and a welcome offer of up to 60,000 Hyatt points. The primary features of this card are earning large amounts of Hyatt points per dollar spent in different categories and an annual free night credit to use at certain properties within the Hyatt brand.

  • Up to 60,000 Bonus Points

    30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.

    $95 Annual Fee

    No foreign transaction fees

    Earn 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualifying purchases at Hyatt Hotels. Plus, up to 5 Base Points from Hyatt per eligible $1 spent for being a World of Hyatt member.

    2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting as well as fitness club and gym memberships.

    1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on purchases anywhere else you use your card.

    1 free night every year

    An additional free night if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year

    2 qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card.

    Automatic elite status

    5 tier qualifying night credits toward tier status every year

    Travel & purchase coverage

    Contactless - Just Tap To Pay

The Wyndham Rewards Business Earner credit card is a brand-specific hotel credit card with a $95 annual fee and a current welcome offer of up to 80,000 Wyndham points. The primary features of this card are earning large amounts of Wyndham points per dollar spent in categories like Gas and Utilities as well as 15,000 anniversary points per year. This card also provides holders Diamond Status which is Wyndhams highest status and gives a 10% discount on awards bookings.

  • Up to 80,000 Bonus Points

    40,000 Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 40,000 More Bonus Points by spending $15,000 in the first 365 days.

    $95 Annual Fee

    Earn 8 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases made at Hotels by Wyndham as well as on qualifying gas purchases.

    Earn 5 points per dollar spent on eligible marketing, advertising and utility purchases.

    Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resort down payments).

    Receive 15,000 bonus points each anniversary year—that’s enough for up to two free nights at participating properties.

    Automatically receive a Wyndham Rewards DIAMOND member level and enjoy perks like suite upgrades, welcome amenity at check-in, and more.

    Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Cardmembers can save even more on our Best Available Rate at participating Hotels by Wyndham.

    Redeem 10% fewer Wyndham Rewards points for award bookings

    Redeem your points for free nights at participating Wyndham Rewards properties, online shopping, gift cards and so much more.

    Complimentary Employee Cards offer you more control over business expenses and improved tracking by adding employees to your account at no additional cost.

    Extended Warranty protection provides valuable features that help you manage, use, and extend the warranties for eligible item purchases.

    No foreign transaction fees

POSSIBLE CARDS DOWN THE LINE

This card is a pretty good $95 annual fee card that would give access to the Citi transfer partners. Comes with a decent sign-up bonus and earns 3 points per dollar on airlines, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging. Also has a $100 annual hotel credit, but only if you spend $500 or more on that single stay. This isn’t too high on my list.
https://www.citi.com/usc/lpaca/citi/rewards/stratapremier/ps/index.html

This is a really great no-annual-fee card that has a $200/20,000 point sign-up bonus and earns 5 points per dollar on your highest qualifying spend category each month up to $500 in spend. Qualifying categories are Restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment.
https://www.citi.com/usc/LPACA/Citi/Cards/CustomCash/ps/index.html

This is a no-annual-fee card that has a $200/20,000 point sign-up bonus and earns 2 points per dollar spent broken up into 1 point earned at the time of spend, and a second point earned when you make your credit card payment on that spend.
https://www.citi.com/usc/LPACA/Citi/Cards/DoubleCash/ps_A/index.html

This is a charge card with a $150 annual-fee with a moderate sign-up bonus of 40,000 points. It comes with a credit for CLEAR Plus an earns 3 points per dollar on restaurants worldwide, transit including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, subways, flights, hotels, tours, campgrounds, and vacation rentals. To apply, you can use my referral link here: https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/bluebusinessplus-credit-card?ref=HERIBSDDlS&xl=cp10lf

This is a charge card with a $325 annual fee and a pretty good sign-up bonus that can vary on how to access the application. There are multiple credits on this card including a $120 Uber cash credit and $120 dollar dining credit, both broken up into $10 monthly credits that do not roll over if unused, and it also earns 4 points per dollar on restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 per year and U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year. To apply, you can use my referral link here: https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/bluebusinessplus-credit-card?ref=HERIBSDDlS&xl=cp10lf

This is a charge card with a $695 annual fee and has multiple versions like the Charles Schwab or Morgan Stanley version. Both of these have a few benefits that are unique to them. This card is packed with various credits and has access to a wide array of airport lounges, more so than most other cards. The sign-up bonus varies but is typically quite high. To apply, you can use my referral link here: https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/bluebusinessplus-credit-card?ref=HERIBSDDlS&xl=cp10lf

This is a no-annual-fee card with a $100/10,000 point sign-up bonus but is not typical in the earning categories and percentages. It earns 4 points per dollar on “self-care”, select sports, recreation, entertainment, and “Impactful Purchases”. Read more about what these categories include at the link below.
https://creditcards.wellsfargo.com/attune-credit-card/

This is a no-annual-fee card that has a $200/20,000 point sign-up bonus and is a great “catch-all” card as it is simple. It earns 2 points per dollar on all spend. https://creditcards.wellsfargo.com/active-cash-credit-card/

This is a no-annual-fee card that has a 20,000 point sign-up bonus and earns 3 points per dollar on dine-in, take-out, catering, food delivery, gas, EV charging, subways, ride shares, parking, tolls, some streaming services, some phone plans, and travel.
https://creditcards.wellsfargo.com/cards/wells-fargo-autograph-visa-credit-cards/

This card is a $95 annual fee card with a 60,000-point sign-up bonus. It comes with a $50 annual statement credit for airline purchases. It earns 5 points per dollar on hotels, 4 on airlines, and 3 on restaurants and other travel.
https://creditcards.wellsfargo.com/cards/wells-fargo-autograph-visa-credit-cards/

CO-BRANDED CARDS

Many credit card issuers also have partnerships with other brands to issue their cards. Above, you can see two that I plan on getting soon, and that is the Hyatt credit card that is issued by Chase and the Wyndham Rewards Business Earner credit card issued by Barclays. There are many partnerships like this. If you have a brand loyalty to something like a specific airline, or specific hotel chain, it might be beneficial to get some of these. Some are even good enough that they are worth it even without brand loyalty. Some of the more popular cards are:

  • Southwest and United Airlines cards issued by Chase

  • Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG cards issued by Chase

  • Amazon Prime card by Chase

  • American Airlines cards issued by Citi

  • Costco card issued by Citi

  • Delta cards issued by American Express

  • Hilton and Marriott cards issued by American Express

  • Amazon Business card by American Express

  • Wyndham cards issued by Barclays

  • American Airlines and JetBlue cards issued by Barclays

There are many many others as well. If you have a brand you enjoy, there’s a good chance there is a card for it. You just have to read the benefits and cost of ownership for the card to see if it’s worth it for you. For me, personally, obviously I plan on getting the Hyatt personal card from Chase, and already have the Wyndham business card from Barclays, but a few others that might be on my radar are one of the Amazon cards as they offer 5% cash back on all Amazon purchases and I shop a lot on Amazon, the American Airlines Executive card from Citi as I value lounge access pretty high and would like to have access to Admirals Club lounges, and any no annual fee cards on the list as I can at least utilize sign-up bonuses that could give me a free flight or free hotel night. However, I do need to keep my 5/24 Chase status in mind. (See my credit card guide linked at the top to know what 5/24 status is)

Disclaimer: All credit card images displayed on this website are the property of their respective banks and issuers. They are used here solely for informational and illustrative purposes. The opinions expressed on this website are my own and do not reflect the views, endorsements, or positions of any bank or card issuer. This site is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any bank or financial institution. Some of the links provided on this website are referral links, and I may earn a commission if you choose to use them.