The cards I actually carry.
An honest, first-person extension of my story — not a sales page. These are the cards I keep in my own wallet, and why.
Straight up: These are cards I actually carry and use. Nobody pays me to recommend them — if that ever changes, I'll say so right here.
My everyday carry
Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795)
This is the one I reach for most. The points are the best for transferring to travel partners and redeeming for trips — nothing else I carry comes close. The benefits add up to more than the annual fee, but only if you actually use them. That's the whole reason I built this app: so I can stay on top of every credit and know I'm coming out ahead.
Learn more →Amex Platinum ($895)
Honestly? It feels good to pull this one out of my wallet — I've got the mirrored card. Beyond that, it's the Centurion Lounge access and the status upgrades on rental cars and hotels. It pays for itself if you take advantage of all the credits — and there are a lot of them to track, which is exactly what this app is for.
Learn more →Amex Blue Cash Preferred ($95)
The no-brainer I never think about. Every grocery store except Whole Foods, gas at the pump and inside the station, plus the streaming credit — the cash back covers the $95 fast. It's the card I recommend first to anyone nervous about getting into the points game.
Learn more →Chase Amazon Prime Visa (no annual fee with Prime)
If you've got Amazon Prime, this one's automatic: 5% back on every Amazon purchase and at Whole Foods. Pays for itself easily — the other great "toe in the water" card if you're just starting out.
Learn more →The next tier
Apple Card (no annual fee)
Purely the Apple world — the iPhone loan program, Apple One, and Apple products. Nothing to overthink.
Learn more →Discover it Cash Back (no annual fee)
Kept purely for the rotating 5% categories. Easy extra cash back when the quarter lines up.
Learn more →Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ($650)
Automatic Platinum Elite status, an annual free night, and the dining credit. Between the free night and the credit it clears the $650, and the status — upgrades, late checkout — is what makes the stays better.
Learn more →Delta Reserve, Amex ($650)
The companion fare is the real draw, plus the Resy and Lyft credits. It takes more work than the others to come out ahead — more to remember to use — but it pays for itself when you stay on top of it.
Learn more →Hilton Honors Aspire ($550)
Diamond status (upgrades, breakfast) and an annual free night good at nearly any Hilton — if you stay at Hiltons, that night alone can cover the fee. The resort and airline credits are bonus on top, but only if your travel actually fits them.
Learn more →IHG One Rewards Premier ($99)
Automatic Platinum Elite status (upgrades, late checkout) and an anniversary free night that covers the $99 on its own. Easy keeper.
Learn more →Atmos Rewards Ascent ($95)
The Companion Fare is the whole reason it's here — once a year you bring someone along for $99 plus taxes, which clears the $95 in a single trip. The catch, like any airline card: it only pays off if Alaska or Hawaiian flies where you're going.
Learn more →Bottom tier — the ones I keep an eye on
Capital One Venture X ($395)
The $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles roughly cover the fee, and the lounge access is nice. But it overlaps with what my Bilt Palladium already gives me, so this is one I'm always weighing — does it still earn its keep?
Learn more →Bilt Palladium ($495)
The $400 hotel credit, $200 Bilt Cash, and Priority Pass lounge access can cover the fee, and it still earns points on rent. But the "float" that made the old Bilt card great is gone, and the lounge access overlaps with my Venture X — so between that and the high fee, it's one I watch closely.
Learn more →