Airline & Other Cards
The last category is a catch-all but is championed by two key types of cards - Hotels & Airlines, but covers any unique expense card that might benefit you (Rent, Amazon, Uber).
If you see yourself spending a large percentage of your monthly expenses in a certain area, look into credit card options that reward you for that.
For example, I am a United frequent flyer and thus hold a United Quest Explorer card - It gives me outsized rewards when booking United flights (5x), free checked bags, and helps me earn United status by simply swiping the card. I also have a BILT rewards card which gives me points for paying rent! Find the value that makes sense for your spending.
Airline Cards
Delta SkyMiles American Express
$0 For The First Year, Then $99/year
Rewards: Earn 2 Miles per dollar on eligible purchases directly with Delta, at restaurants worldwide, and U.S. supermarkets, and 1 Mile per dollar on other purchases
Other Perks: First Checked Bag Free, 20% Back On In-Flight Purchases, Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding, Save 15% off when booking Award Travel with miles, $100 Delta Flight Credit
Intro Bonus: 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
United Quest Card
$250/year
Rewards: 3x miles on United purchases 2x miles on all other travel, including airfare, trains, local transit, cruise lines, hotels, car rentals, taxicabs, resorts, ride share services, 2x miles on dining and on select streaming services, 1x on all other purchases.
Other Perks: $125 annual United purchase credit, Starting with your first anniversary, you'll get 5,000 miles back in your MileagePlus® account after you take a United flight,
Intro Bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus miles + 500 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
$149/year
Rewards: 3x points on Southwest Airlines purchases. 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, 2x points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2x points on internet, cable, phone service, select streaming, 1x points on all other purchases
Other Perks: 7,500 points every year on your Cardmember anniversary, 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year, 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available, 25% back on inflight purchases, $75 Southwest® annual travel credit
Intro Bonus: Earn 50,000 Bonus PointsEarn 50,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select
World Elite Mastercard
$0 first year, $99/year after
Rewards: Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent at restaurants and gas stations, Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
Other Perks: First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 4 travel companions on the same reservation, preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, 25% savings on inflight food and beverage, Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your cardmembership year and renew your card
Intro Bonus: 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Hotel Cards
Marriot Bonvoy Boundless
$95/year
Rewards: Earn 6X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 10X points from Marriott for being a Marriott Bonvoy® member, Plus, earn up to 1X point from Marriott with Silver Elite Status, a benefit of being a Marriott Bonvoy Boundless cardmember- Up to 17X total points at Marriott. Earn 3X points for every $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining, Earn 2X points for every $1 you spend on all other purchases
Other Perks: Free Night Award every anniversary, Faster way to earn elite status (Receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year), Automatically earn silver status
Intro Bonus: Earn 5 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening
Rent Cards
Bilt Rewards Mastercard
$0 per year
Rewards: 1X on rent payments, 2x on Travel, 3x on dining
Other Perks: Get double points on the 1st, Bilt Points ranked as the most valuable rewards points
Intro Bonus: N/A
Amazon Card
Amazon Prime Visa Rewards
$0/year
Rewards: 5% back on your Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods purchases, 5% back on Chase Travel purchases, 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, local transit and commuting, 1% on all other purchases
Other Perks: 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com
Intro Bonus: $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval
