If you pick the right card for your spending habits, the reward can be a trip to D.C. for free! Photo by: Evan Berman

I’ve referenced before how I have 8 Credit Cards. I do; however, recognize that many people think that is way too many and are just looking for the answer to “Google, what is the best credit card?”. The answer, as with most things in life, is it depends. Fun, right?

That being said, here’s a quick breakdown you can use if you’re looking to add a card to your repertoire. Note that any time I write 4x (or another number), this refers to the amount of points/miles earned per dollar spent. So, a $100 dinner on a card earning 4x is 400 points.

Food and Drinks:

I love to eat and I know many of y’all do as well. If you spend a lot on food and drinks, here’s the best card for you (note that “restaurants” often includes bars and clubs even though that is not clearly communicated):

Best Choice:

• AmEx Gold Card ($250 annual fee, 4x Membership Rewards Points on restaurants AND groceries)

This is the only card available with outsized returns on both dining out and groceries.

If you dine out more often, the runner up is:

• Capital One Savor Card ($95 AF, 4% back (or 4x Miles with Venture or Spark Card) on Dining and Entertainment)

If you spend more on groceries, the runner up is:

• AmEx Everyday Preferred Card ($95 AF, 3x default or 4.5x MR on Groceries if using card >30 times per month)

Travel:

If you spend a lot on airfare, the best choice is:

• AmEx Platinum Card ($695 AF, 5x MR on Air Travel booked with airline or via AmExTravel.com)

For all other travel (hotels, car rentals, etc.), the best choices are:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 AF, 3x UR on Travel, widely defined to include parking, tolls, rideshare, cruises, etc.)
• Chase Ink Preferred ($95 AF, 3x UR on Travel, similarly defined)

Note: the Ink Preferred is a Business card.

A close second is:

• AmEx Green Card ($150 AF, 3x MR on select Travel, which includes most but not all of what is considered “Travel” for the Chase cards)

Everyday Expenses:

It is important to have a card that provides solid earnings on every purchase, no matter what.

The best choices are:

• Capital One Venture X ($395 AF, 2x Miles on every purchase)
• AmEx Blue Business Plus (or Cash) ($0 AF for both, earn 2x MR for all purchases on Plus, 2% on Cash)

Note the Blue Business Plus and Cash are business cards, though it is not difficult to qualify for one.

Gas:

If you drive a lot, gas may take up a large portion of your budget.

The best choice is:

• Citi Premier ($95 AF, 3x ThankYou Points on Gas Purchases)

Runner-up:

• Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card ($95 AF, 8x Wyndham Points on Gas)

Internet Expenses:

If you spend a lot of money on the internet– i.e. shopping on Amazon, paying bills, purchasing ads, etc. it’s important to maximize that spend.

Here is the best choice:

• Chase Ink Preferred ($95 AF, 3x on Internet, cable, and advertising purchases)

Luxury Travel Perks:

While there is a clear best choice if you want to upgrade your travel experience, there is less difference than previously. All of the below cards have a credit that can be used for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and come with Priority Pass, a group of lounges across the world, though only the non-AmEx cards.

The best choice is:

• AmEx Platinum ($695 AF, Annual $189 CLEAR credit, access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, Centurion Lounges 3 hours before your flight, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more. Additionally, $200 airline fee credit, $200 credit for and access to Fine Hotels & Resorts, a luxury collection of hotels)

Other good choices are:

• Capital One Venture X Card ($395 AF, $300 Travel Credit, Access to Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges. Additionally, Gravity Haus partnerships for skiers and access to forthcoming Capital One Luxury Hotel Collection)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Card ($550 AF, $300 Travel Credit, Access to Chase Sapphire Lounges, Access to Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection)

Summary:

This article has broken suggested cards based on a few of the most popular categories. You know what you spend the most on and that should inform your decision on which card to get. After all, earning 3x on all travel is great but if you never spend money on travel, 3x of $0 is still 0 points. My recommendations?

• Get the the AmEx Gold Card if you’re a foodie (4x on groceries and dining is unbeatable)
• Get the Chase Sapphire Reserve or AmEx Green Card if you spend a bunch on travel and dining (3x on travel and restaurants is a stellar combination)
• Get the AmEx Platinum Card if you travel at all frequently (5x on airfare and the best luxury travel perks).
• Regardless of your situation, get the Capital One Venture X (2x on all purchases and $5 of profit in annual credits, luxury travel perks)

Reach out if you have any questions, I’m happy to help you decide which is right for you. At the end of the day, remember that the easiest way to accumulate points rapidly is through sign-up bonuses. I’ll discuss which of the highest bonuses to sign up for next.

Evan