Just some background info: Currently building up my travel rewards. Me and my wife are wanting to travel more often with our young baby, her family wants to meet annually for a family reunion and so we are looking to take 1-2 trips per year.
I do enjoy cruising and so we may do that for our family reunions, but I want a card that can accompany my AMEX GOLD. I was looking at cards that would be particularly good for hotels considering I could use my Amex Gold for flights.
Currently sitting on 240k points with amex and only 6,000 with my CFU (I was redeeming for gift cards). International Travel is not out of the question as I do have some family in the Netherlands. Thanks in advance for your recommendations!!
Current cards:
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Citi Costco
Amex Blue Cash Everyday
Amex Gold
FICO Score: 736
Oldest account age: 6 years, 7 months
Income: 140k w/spouse
Average monthly spend and categories:
dining $400
groceries: $400
gas: $200
travel: $100 (did not travel much while in school)
Open to Business Cards: Yes
What’s the purpose of your next card? Travel, Hotels
Do you have any cards you’ve been looking at? Venture X, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt.
I recommend BBP as a nice catch-all card. Alternatively, the new One Key plus from WF is a good option if you are not averse to Expedia. 3% on gas, 2% catch, Mastercard, no foreign transaction fee. Good for trips to Europe. WF Autograph is decent, 3% on travel, gas, streaming, cell phone bill, internet, restaurant, and it is a Visa with no foreign transaction fee.
@Bevan
I would say BBP is a great 2% catch-all card, but more importantly, it will keep your Amex MR points safe if you ever decide to cancel your Gold. It also builds your business credit history (whether you’ve had one or not).
Dex said:
Venture X because Capital One and Amex have a lot of overlapping transfer partners. I use Amex Gold for all things food and everything else goes on the Venture X. I use the Gold’s credits organically.
Venture X gives lounge access and Global Entry too.
Dex said:
Venture X because Capital One and Amex have a lot of overlapping transfer partners. I use Amex Gold for all things food and everything else goes on the Venture X. I use the Gold’s credits organically.
Why not Savor? It works with food, groceries, entertainment, plus that cashback translates to points on Venture X, all with no annual fee too.
Chase Sapphire Reserve gets you 3X on all travel and transit, plus lounge access and the ability to redeem UR points at 1.5X in the Chase Travel portal.
@Nicholas
I don’t think 1X more in those categories is worth it to justify the annual fee. Clear (as someone who has Clear Plus) is pretty worthless. Would need to spend 10k+ a year on hotels/rentals/etc. There are better no annual fee cards like BBP for 2X catch-all, or even WF Autograph Journey at $45 annual fee with 5X hotels, 4X flights.
If you fly Delta often, a Delta Amex card might be something you want to look into. It is more of a membership card for the perks and not much for putting spend on.
If you want a simple card to stack with your Amex Gold, look at the Blue Business Plus. 2X MR on everything your Amex Gold doesn’t cover. Easy card, no annual fee, and 12 months 0% interest.
I don’t think you can get the Green signup bonus if you already have Gold.
No, but spending on the Gold when they have those other cards and wanting to travel more, you don’t have many options. It’s either drop the Gold and get something else or get the Green or Platinum.