Many travel enthusiasts keep multiple credit cards in their wallet to maximize their point earning potential. I currently have 12 cards in my wallet with each card serving a different purpose. Although the annual fees may seem excessive, these cards have earned me over $30,000 in free travel over the past 5 years! Here is a list of all 12 cards in my wallet and when I actually use them. (hint: sometimes I don't....).
P.S. My credit score is above 800, so having that many cards doesn't have to hurt your credit score! American Express Personal Platinum Card Signup Bonus I got: 100k AMEX Membership Reward Points When I use it: Airfare (5x points), Car rentals (when I rent an expensive car) Annual Fee: $550 Main Perks: Priority Pass Lounge Access, Delta SkyClub Access, $200 airline credit, Free TSA PreCheck/Global Entry, $100 at Saks Fifth Avenue, International Business Class Discounts, Hilton Gold Status, Marriott Gold Status Chase Sapphire Reserve Signup Bonus I got: 60k Ultimate Reward Points When I use it: Restaurants, Hotels, Car Rentals, and other Misc. Travel Annual Fee: $450 Main Perks: Priority Pass Lounge Access, $300 travel credit, Primary Car Rental Insurance, Redeem each point for 1.5 cents of travel. Marriott Bonvoy Business (formerly SPG Business) Signup Bonus I got: 105k Marriott Points When I use it: I don’t Annual Fee: $125 Main Perks: Free night at any mid-level Marriott property, discounts for some business needs such as advertising, shipping, supplies, etc. Marriott Bonvoy (formerly SPG Personal) Signup Bonus I got: 105k Marriott Points When I use it: I don’t Annual Fee: $95 Main Perks: Free night at any mid-level Marriott property Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Signup Bonus I got: 100k Marriott Points When I use it: I don’t Annual Fee: $95 Main Perks: Free night at any mid-level Marriott property Alaska Airlines Personal Signup Bonus I got: 35k Alaska Airline Miles, plus a buy one, get one free companion ticket When I use it: For every purchase not mentioned anywhere else. (pharmacies, Costco, Target, Amazon, etc.) Annual Fee: $75 Main Perks: Free Checked Bag, Buy one, get one ticket for $99 each year Southwest Plus Signup Bonus I got: 60k Southwest Rapid Reward Points When I use it: Rarely Annual Fee: $69 Main Perks: 3k points every year JetBlue Plus Signup Bonus I got: 60k TrueBlue Miles When I use it: Grocery Stores (2x points) or JetBlue Flights Annual Fee: $99 Main Perks: Free check bag, discount on in-flight purchases, 5k bonus points each anniversary Hyatt Card (old version) Signup Bonus I got: 30k Hyatt Points When I use it: I don’t Annual Fee: $75 Main Perks: Free night at any mid-level Hyatt property each year Chase Freedom Signup Bonus I got: I downgraded my Chase Sapphire Preferred to this card, so none When I use it: On gas, pharmacies, or groceries depending on the monthly bonus category Annual Fee: $0 Main Perks: 5x points on bonus categories that change every 3 months. Transfer those points to my Chase Sapphire account to maximum value. Citi Double Cash Back Signup Bonus I got: I downgraded my Citi American Aadvantage card to this card, so none When I use it: I don’t. It’s just to keep my credit score high because it is my oldest card. Annual Fee: $0 Main Perks: 2% cash on every purchase Citi Preferred Signup Bonus I got: I downgraded my Citi Premier to this card, so none When I use it: I don’t. It’s just to keep my credit score high because it is my second oldest card. Annual Fee: $0 Main Perks: Nothing
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