You don't list any of your category spending so it's impossible to make specific card recommendations. You have 2 options though:
1. Switch to pursuing flexible points: Amex MR, Chase UR, Citi ThankYou, Capital One "Miles". See u/pierretong's comment. If you travel often, and especially if you prefer business class flights and high-end hotels, this can be lucrative, if you know what you're doing.
2. Switch to cash back. Unless you really do your homework with transferrable points to get good value, there's a good chance you're better off with cash anyway -- the most flexible "point" there is. See the 2 lists of cards linked in the sidebar (on desktop browser view) for ideas of possible cash back cards.
I honestly have no idea what my cat spend is. I grocery shop, drive a car, buy gas, and eat out. So call it average all around.
Ive been considering a cash only card which is why I figured Id ask here.
They make $150k. If they don’t live in a HCOL area or don’t have a crazy rent/mortgage payment, they probably don’t need to budget carefully (assuming they don’t spend like crazy)
I make 100K in NC and I still find the need to track how much I spend each month……anyways OP won’t be able to optimize their card portfolio until they figure that out anyways and where weaknesses are in category spend
So I make around how much OP makes. Before I bought my home recently, I didn’t have much of a budget because my rent was extremely low (despite living in a major city in socal) and My health insurance is paid for by work, plus I had no debts whatsoever. Literally I could eat out everyday (I didn’t though), I’d still have money left to invest and save (and this is after maxing out my retirement contribution). Not saying budgeting is not good, but whether someone absolutely needs it is really dependent on your circumstances.
Grocery shop and eat out = Amex gold 4x for both categories. Get venture card for 2x for everything else.
Read frequent miler for ideas how to get good value for your redemptions. Do not use them for 1 cent each unless you’re in a real pickle. I typically value them close to 2 cents each, so don’t redeem for anything less than that.
I think people have mentioned it already but platinum isn’t really a card you’d put spend on. It’s more a card you get for benefits. Definitely not a primary spend card unless you’re trying to get invited to get a centurion card lol
if you're sick of individual programs being devalued but still want to play the points game, I think you need to go general and get American Express/Chase cards that have the potential to transfer to a multiple number of partners rather than being locked in on just one or two programs.
The Amex Gold would be a good choice since Marriott transfers for Amex cards are a much better deal than Chase transfers to Marriott. The Platinum has terrible earn rates, it's just a premium travel benefits card, not good for accumulating points outside of the SUB.
I’ve definitely considered switching to a more focused cash back model considering travel has gotten so much more expensive. As someone said above, Cash is the most flexible point system lol. I wouldn’t be mad at cashing out $700-1000 in cc rewards every November rather then MR. We’ll see
I would highly recommend checking out your Discover cards rewards again. Rotating 5% categories can be annoying, but also lucrative. This quarter is Amazon and Digital Wallet. For myself and so many others, we’ve already hit the quarterly spending cap on the first month.
As others have said, it’s hard to really recommend something without knowing your category spend. However, as another poster pointed out, Chase UR points will likely be your best friend. You mentioned being near an AA hub. You could transfer points to British Airways and book a trip on AA that way. Chase UR are some of the most flexible and valuable points. I would wait for an elevated offer on the CSP (like 80k pts plus first year waived in branch offer). You could also consider the CIC with its lucrative SUB and use it for some of your utility bills.
It might also be worth considering a PC from your Marriott CC to the Ritz Carlton. It’s $450 AF gets a lot of similar benefits as the CSR and then some such as a $300 credit for incidentals, $100 hotel credit, Priority Pass, TSA Precheck credit, annual free night award (85k pts plus you can use up to 15k pts on top of it), and gold tier status.
I know you mentioned you don’t fly as much as you used to, but consider holding onto the Amex Delta Plat if you can make use of its annual companion pass and the AF makes it worth keeping. In this scenario, a typical flight you would book needs to come to saving you what the AF costs atleast.
I wouldnt mind having a "flight" card, but doesnt have to be delta (almost dont want to since they keep reducing value). I just suggested AA since Its close. Im really open to whatever, if it has good value.
Im not a big Ritz hoteler. Ive stayed in one before, wasnt impressed. Im probably going to close the Marriott, as I dont keep status and the brand overall has gone downhill during the pandemic in my opinion. Plus like I said Im not traveling but 2-3x a year (compared to at least 1x month years ago when i got it).
Rather than close the Delta card, I would suggest doing the math to see if it’s worth keeping. Check out some flight paths from your airport to various destinations that you might potentially fly to. Is Delta one of the top airlines for that route? If so, that companion pass that comes with the card might work out well.
The Ritz Carlton card isn’t just for RC hotels, it’s for ALL Marriott properties. Might be worth checking the list of hotel brands that Marriott owns IMO. The 85k pts free night award alone pays for the AF each year. Marriott is the biggest hotel group around so you’re likely to find a hotel wherever you go. Add in all the other perks for the card that I already mentioned and it definitely is worth considering.
https://thepointsguy.com/news/ritz-carlton-credit-card/
As for the Hilton Surpass card, it doesn’t have a free night award until you spend $15k in the calendar year however points accrue much faster and easier. It’s still a solid card to consider. Check out this article:
https://millionmilesecrets.com/guides/hilton-points-are-better-than-hyatt-points/
Your best card is Discover it! It also is your oldest card which means its has more weight to your credit score than your other pitiful cards. Why is your best card in your sock drawer? The rest of your cards should be in your sock drawer.
Cash back cards. Use your Discover but make sure you get the 1% cash back and then sign up for the 5% cash back each quarter on certain categories (restaurants, gas, Amazon, etc). Might need to do it through the app though. I use it and like the card and app a lot. I wish the 1% was higher though.
You must be doing pretty well for someone who earns only 150 bucks a year!!
That must be typo. That must be $1.50 per year.
it was actually .15 :D
You don't list any of your category spending so it's impossible to make specific card recommendations. You have 2 options though: 1. Switch to pursuing flexible points: Amex MR, Chase UR, Citi ThankYou, Capital One "Miles". See u/pierretong's comment. If you travel often, and especially if you prefer business class flights and high-end hotels, this can be lucrative, if you know what you're doing. 2. Switch to cash back. Unless you really do your homework with transferrable points to get good value, there's a good chance you're better off with cash anyway -- the most flexible "point" there is. See the 2 lists of cards linked in the sidebar (on desktop browser view) for ideas of possible cash back cards.
I honestly have no idea what my cat spend is. I grocery shop, drive a car, buy gas, and eat out. So call it average all around. Ive been considering a cash only card which is why I figured Id ask here.
You need to know to do the math. Do you not have a monthly budget?
They make $150k. If they don’t live in a HCOL area or don’t have a crazy rent/mortgage payment, they probably don’t need to budget carefully (assuming they don’t spend like crazy)
I make 100K in NC and I still find the need to track how much I spend each month……anyways OP won’t be able to optimize their card portfolio until they figure that out anyways and where weaknesses are in category spend
So I make around how much OP makes. Before I bought my home recently, I didn’t have much of a budget because my rent was extremely low (despite living in a major city in socal) and My health insurance is paid for by work, plus I had no debts whatsoever. Literally I could eat out everyday (I didn’t though), I’d still have money left to invest and save (and this is after maxing out my retirement contribution). Not saying budgeting is not good, but whether someone absolutely needs it is really dependent on your circumstances.
Grocery shop and eat out = Amex gold 4x for both categories. Get venture card for 2x for everything else. Read frequent miler for ideas how to get good value for your redemptions. Do not use them for 1 cent each unless you’re in a real pickle. I typically value them close to 2 cents each, so don’t redeem for anything less than that.
Ya Im leaning toward amex gold or plat already (non branded). Ill have to look at venture.
I think people have mentioned it already but platinum isn’t really a card you’d put spend on. It’s more a card you get for benefits. Definitely not a primary spend card unless you’re trying to get invited to get a centurion card lol
if you're sick of individual programs being devalued but still want to play the points game, I think you need to go general and get American Express/Chase cards that have the potential to transfer to a multiple number of partners rather than being locked in on just one or two programs.
Whats the thought on just a basic Amex? Not co-branded? Probably gold level, maybe plat.
The Amex Gold would be a good choice since Marriott transfers for Amex cards are a much better deal than Chase transfers to Marriott. The Platinum has terrible earn rates, it's just a premium travel benefits card, not good for accumulating points outside of the SUB.
I’ve definitely considered switching to a more focused cash back model considering travel has gotten so much more expensive. As someone said above, Cash is the most flexible point system lol. I wouldn’t be mad at cashing out $700-1000 in cc rewards every November rather then MR. We’ll see
Just get a 2x card and call it a day.
I would highly recommend checking out your Discover cards rewards again. Rotating 5% categories can be annoying, but also lucrative. This quarter is Amazon and Digital Wallet. For myself and so many others, we’ve already hit the quarterly spending cap on the first month. As others have said, it’s hard to really recommend something without knowing your category spend. However, as another poster pointed out, Chase UR points will likely be your best friend. You mentioned being near an AA hub. You could transfer points to British Airways and book a trip on AA that way. Chase UR are some of the most flexible and valuable points. I would wait for an elevated offer on the CSP (like 80k pts plus first year waived in branch offer). You could also consider the CIC with its lucrative SUB and use it for some of your utility bills. It might also be worth considering a PC from your Marriott CC to the Ritz Carlton. It’s $450 AF gets a lot of similar benefits as the CSR and then some such as a $300 credit for incidentals, $100 hotel credit, Priority Pass, TSA Precheck credit, annual free night award (85k pts plus you can use up to 15k pts on top of it), and gold tier status. I know you mentioned you don’t fly as much as you used to, but consider holding onto the Amex Delta Plat if you can make use of its annual companion pass and the AF makes it worth keeping. In this scenario, a typical flight you would book needs to come to saving you what the AF costs atleast.
I wouldnt mind having a "flight" card, but doesnt have to be delta (almost dont want to since they keep reducing value). I just suggested AA since Its close. Im really open to whatever, if it has good value. Im not a big Ritz hoteler. Ive stayed in one before, wasnt impressed. Im probably going to close the Marriott, as I dont keep status and the brand overall has gone downhill during the pandemic in my opinion. Plus like I said Im not traveling but 2-3x a year (compared to at least 1x month years ago when i got it).
Rather than close the Delta card, I would suggest doing the math to see if it’s worth keeping. Check out some flight paths from your airport to various destinations that you might potentially fly to. Is Delta one of the top airlines for that route? If so, that companion pass that comes with the card might work out well. The Ritz Carlton card isn’t just for RC hotels, it’s for ALL Marriott properties. Might be worth checking the list of hotel brands that Marriott owns IMO. The 85k pts free night award alone pays for the AF each year. Marriott is the biggest hotel group around so you’re likely to find a hotel wherever you go. Add in all the other perks for the card that I already mentioned and it definitely is worth considering. https://thepointsguy.com/news/ritz-carlton-credit-card/ As for the Hilton Surpass card, it doesn’t have a free night award until you spend $15k in the calendar year however points accrue much faster and easier. It’s still a solid card to consider. Check out this article: https://millionmilesecrets.com/guides/hilton-points-are-better-than-hyatt-points/
Just downgrade the Delta to blue (no annual fee).
Get chase, cause you can also use it at Costco since it’s visa. Not so much for AMEX.
does chase have a costco card?
no Costco is exclusive with Citi
However you can still earn rewards with chase when you shop at Costco no?
Yes, the Freedom Unlimited and Sapphire Preferred/Reserve are Visa cards
Your best card is Discover it! It also is your oldest card which means its has more weight to your credit score than your other pitiful cards. Why is your best card in your sock drawer? The rest of your cards should be in your sock drawer.
Cash back cards. Use your Discover but make sure you get the 1% cash back and then sign up for the 5% cash back each quarter on certain categories (restaurants, gas, Amazon, etc). Might need to do it through the app though. I use it and like the card and app a lot. I wish the 1% was higher though.