The Best Credit Cards post was originally published in September 2018 and updated in June 2019
When I started earning points and miles, I failed to understand the importance of transferable points. Today, I have a portfolio of credit cards that helps me to earn as many points as possible.
In this article, I’ll cover the credit cards in my wallet and which bonus categories I use them for. I’ll also dive into which credit cards I plan to apply for next.
Personal Credit Cards
Chase Freedom
The no annual fee Chase Freedom is my OG card that’s great to apply for if you’re just starting out. The reason is because of the simplicity in its earning structure. Like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the cash back earned from this card can be converted into Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
The Freedom earns 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories (i.e. gas stations, grocery stores, streaming services) every quarter. If you’re able to align your spend with these categories, you can earn cash back quickly.
The Chase Freedom becomes even more valuable when you pair it with an Ultimate Rewards card. The Ultimate Rewards cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Ink Business Preferred. If you have one of these cards, you can convert your cash back into Ultimate Rewards points.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is another no annual fee card with a simplified earning structure. This card also earns cash back that can be converted into Ultimate Rewards points.
For new cardmembers, the Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 3% cash back on all purchases in your first year. The card will then earn 1.5% cash back every year thereafter. With that said, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is what I use for purchases like Amazon. The reason is because these types of merchants are not in a bonus category.
Similar to the Chase Freedom, this card becomes more valuable when you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Ink Business Preferred. When you pair it with one of these cards, you can convert the cash back that you earned into Chase points.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is my workhorse card but it does come with a $450 annual fee. The fee is actually $150 when you take into account the $300 travel credit each anniversary date.
What makes this credit card shine is that it earns 3X Chase points on dining and travel. A significant portion of my monthly personal expenses are in dining and travel, so this card allows me to easily earn Chase points.
In addition to earning 3X, the card offers a priority pass membership (lounge access) and the highest tier status with National. I’ve received a ton of value using both of these benefits, especially when I’m on the road.
Chase World of Hyatt
The World of Hyatt credit card was added to my wallet because it will help me to to earn top tier elite status in the Hyatt program. For those wanting to earn Hyatt elite status, you should consider picking up this card.
With its sizeable welcome offer, 9X earning at Hyatt, and 2X earning for travel, restaurants, and gym memberships, the World of Hyatt credit card can help you to earn Hyatt points directly with your spend.
Citi ThankYou Premier
The $95 annual fee Citi ThankYou Premier is one of several Citi credit cards that earn valuable ThankYou points. Like the other transferable point programs, the ThankYou points that you earn can be transferred directly to its airline partners.
The ThankYou Premier earns 3X points on travel (including gas) and 2X points at restaurants and entertainment. Entertainment includes things like concerts, sporting events, movie theaters, and streaming services.
Business Credit Cards
Chase Ink Business Preferred
The $95 annual fee Chase Ink Business Preferred was the first business credit card that I added to my wallet. What’s attractive about this card is both the welcome offer and its bonus categories. The card earns 3X Chase points on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone, social media, and search engine advertising.
In addition to earning 3X, the Ink Business Preferred also has one of the best cell phone protection policies. If you pay your cell phone bill with this card, the insurance coverage kicks in.
Chase Ink Business Cash
The no annual fee Chase Ink Business Cash is the newest business credit card to my wallet. It’s a cash back card that needs to be paired with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Ink Business Preferred, if you want to earn Chase points.
The Chase Ink Business cash comes with a sizeable cash back welcome offer. In addition, the card earns 5% cash back at office supply stores, internet, cable and phone services. The Ink Business Cash also earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants.
American Express Blue Business Plus
The no annual fee American Express Blue Business Plus (Learn More Here) is a card that I picked up when the welcome offer was 10,000 points. The card earns Amex points that can be transferred directly to an Amex airline partner.
The Amex Blue Business Plus earns 2X Amex points on all spend, similar to the 1.5X earning structure of the Chase Ink Business Unlimited. For all of my non-bonus business category spend, this is the card that I use.
American Express Business Gold Rewards CLOSED APRIL 2019
The $175 annual fee (waived the first year) American Express Business Gold was another card on my radar like the Blue Business Plus.
The card earns 3X Amex points in your choice of 1 of 5 categories. The categories are: 1) airfare purchased directly from airlines, 2) US purchases for advertising in select media, 3) purchases at US gas stations, 4) US purchases for shipping, 4) purchases at US computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases.
I use this credit card to pay for most of my flights because I chose airfare as my category to earn 3x Amex points. Pairing this card with the Blue Business Plus will help me earn valuable Amex points.
Additional Credit Cards In My Wallet
In addition to the credit cards listed above, I also have the credit cards below. These credit cards are ones that I use for a specific purpose. For example, the Southwest personal and business credit cards helped me to earn the Southwest Companion Pass.
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority credit card was one that helped me to earn the Southwest Companion Pass. For those not familiar, the Companion Pass allows to book a 2nd Southwest flight for free when you book a Southwest cash or points flight.
The $149 annual fee Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card comes with a $75 Southwest annual travel credit. In addition, the card comes with 4 upgraded boardings and 7,500 bonus points every card member anniversary.
If you’re wanting to earn the Companion Pass, apply for this card when there’s a 50,000-point welcome offer.
Southwest Premier Business
The Southwest Premier Business credit card was the 2nd Southwest card that helped me earn the Companion Pass. By combining the Southwest Premier Business and Southwest Priority cards, you’ll be close to earning the number of points required to earn the Companion Pass.
The Southwest Premier Business credit card earns 2X points on Southwest purchases and currently comes with a sizeable welcome offer. Its $99 annual fee is offset every year with the 6,000 Southwest points that you’ll receive after your cardmember anniversary.
American Express Marriott Bonvoy
The $95 annual fee American Express Marriott Bonvoy is a card that earns valuable Marriott points. Marriott is a transferable point program so the points that you earn can be transferred directly to its airlines partners.
While I don’t put as much of my non-bonus spend on this card anymore, I plan on keeping it open. The card offers an anniversary free night certificate that can be used at a property requiring up to 35,000 points per night. This free night is what offsets the annual fee.
American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business
The $125 annual fee Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business credit card (Learn More Here) is similar to the Amex Bonvoy Personal card. The Marriott points earned from this card can also be transferred directly to the Marriott airline partners.
Similar to the personal Amex Marriott, the business card receives a free night certificate at a property requiring up to 35,000 points per night every card member anniversary. The card earns 6X points at Marriott, and 4X points at US restaurants, US gas stations, US wireless phone services, and US purchases for shipping.
Credit Cards On My Radar
As I’ve continued to build out my portfolio of cards, I always keep my eye out for cards to help increase my earning potential. With that said, here are the credit cards that I’ll be focused on over the next 12 months:
American Express Platinum
The $550 annual fee American Express Platinum (Learn More Here) earns 5X on flights purchased directly from the airline, and offers Centurion Lounge access and Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta.
American Express Business Platinum
The $595 annual fee American Express Business Platinum (Learn More Here) also earns 5X on flights purchased directly from the airline, and offers Centurion Lounge access and Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta. The Business Platinum is unique in that you’ll get 35% of your Amex points back when booking an award flight.
AmEx Everyday Preferred
The $95 AmEx Everyday Preferred credit card is great to have if you regularly spend on groceries and gas. The card earns 4.5X points on groceries and 3X points on gas when you make 30 transactions per month on the card.
American Express Gold
The American Express Gold (Learn More Here) is a card that I may apply for instead of the Amex Everyday Preferred. The reason is because the $250 annual fee Gold now earns 4X at restaurants and US grocery stores. Cardmembers also receive $120 dining and $100 airline fee credits.
Bank of America Alaska Airlines
The $75 annual fee Alaska Airlines card comes with a 40,000-point welcome offer and offers a $121 annual Companion Fare. If you’re able to take advantage of the Companion Fare benefit, consider applying for this card.
Bank of America Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card
The $50 annual fee Alaska Airlines business credit card also comes with a 40,000-point welcome offer in addition to the annual Companion Fare. For those who can take advantage of the Companion Fare, you should check out this card.
Conclusion on the Best Credit Cards of 2019:
The best credit card will depend on where you spend money. By aligning your spend with cards that have high earn rates in bonus categories, you’ll be able to easily earn points and miles.
What credit cards do you use in 2019 to maximize spend? What credit cards are you eyeing? Please let me know in the comments below or by sending me an email on my contact page.
Disclaimer: If you click and/or sign up for a credit card through certain links on this site or any of my related social media platforms, I may make a commission from that click-through. The editorial content on this page and the user comments are not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are mine alone.
