Which Credit Cards do we hold?
No gatekeeping! We thought it would be helpful for you to hear about which credit cards we hold and why.
Starter Cards
Discover it
Annual Fee: $0/ year
Key Perks: Starter Card (Link starter card blog link)
When I swipe: Whenever Amazon is in the 5% back category!
Why?
TravelFree loves this card. The Discover card was my first credit card, and it’s an outstanding place to start. Its also an anchor to my credit history, which is why I have no plans to cancel it any time soon. With a rotating 5% cash back category, no annual fee, and a fantastic digital banking UI, this is as good as it gets for a starter card. Plus Discover matches your cash back in your first year
Freedom Unlimited
Annual Fee: $0/ year
Key Perks: 1.5% back on all purchases
When I swipe: Anything not food, flight, hotel; primary NYC subway card
Why?
When you pair this card with a chase card that earns a multiple on all cash points (like a sapphire preferred or business preferred, 1.25X), you can effectively earn 2.25% back on all purchases.. Which is.. not bad all. I downgraded my Sapphire preferred to this card after holding it for a year and receiving my 100K sign up bonus. The 99$ fee for the sapphire wasn’t worth it! I’ll probably never cancel this card!
Everyday Card
American Express Gold
Annual Fee: $250/ year
Key Perks: Access to Amex travel portal, 4X points on dining and groceries, $120 Uber credit, $120 grubhub credit
When I swipe: Pretty much everything! This is my default card unless I can earn better points for a purchase on another card.
Why?
I love the Amex Gold. This is might just be my favorite card. It’s heavy, metal, a shiny gold color, and I get 4X back on my largest expense… eating & drinking… The card easily pays for itself. Between Uber/Uber Eats and Grubhub I full maximize the credits to offset its annual fee. I’ll keep this card forever, barring significant change to the card from Amex. When using the perks correctly, this card is essentially $10/year!
Seriously, this cards the real deal.
Premium Card
American Express Platinum
Annual Fee: $699/ year
Key Perks: $300 Equinox credit, $200 Uber cash, $189 Clear credit, $200 airline credit, $240 digital entertainment credit, Centurion Lounge Access, $800 phone protection
When I swipe: Travel, usually flights
Why?
The value I’ve received from the platinum has easily paid for the card for the several years I’ve held. The Amex platinum, when timed correctly, offers a very appealing new member welcome bonus. I’ve seen as high as 150K points + 10X back on groceries for first 6 months, with a 6 month spend requirement. The bonus + the cards benefits easily pay for the card. IF you’re an equinox member the card’s value is all upside.
The phone insurance is also a nice to have - after I cracked the back of my phone, I qualified for a $800 check that covered the cost of my phone.
NOTE: with the airline credit, you can generally purchase United gift card’s though United’s Travel Bank. This is essentially cash value as these can be used to purchase flights! More Here.
I’m keeping as long as the value I review outweighs the fee.
United Quest Card
Annual Fee: $250/ year
Key Perks: $125 in United credit, Free Checked Bags, 2x on all United purchases, earn status
When I swipe: Anything United
Why?
This is my least-used card, and one that I will likely cancel next. This card helps you build status with an airline quickly, while also offering other small perks that add up if you tend to fly United frequently. My opinion on this card is that its a “one and done” - use it for the signup bonus on the first year cancel it after that.
Travel Cards
United Explorer Card
Annual Fee: First year free, then $95/ yr
Key Perks: $100 for Global Entry/Pre-Check, Priority boarding, Free checked bag, Unlocked expanded Saver Award seats
When I swipe: Anything United, hotels
Why?
This is my most recent card, and doesn’t get much usage, however I don’t see myself discarding any time soon. For only $95 it offers a ton of premium benefits. As a general rule, if you see this card with a 60K or more sign up offer, it’s really a no brainer. United is my preferred airline - and while I do have premier status, the Explorer card unlocks United’s expanded “saver awards” for their mile redemption. This can be huge! I recently booked a round trip flight from NYC to Orange County for only 18K miles. Without the Saver Award rate it was 32K miles, or $400. Card paid for! Plus the first year is free 😎
The Misfit Cards
BILT Rewards (for rent)
Annual Fee: $0/ year
Key Perks: Ability to pay for rent without an additional fee, ONLY card that can transfer rewards directly to American Airlines
When I swipe: Rent and the NYC Subway (minimum 5 purchases a month required)
Why?
My most significant fixed expense every month is my rent. The Bilt rewards card allows me to earn points on something I was paying for already - the golden egg. Of course, make sure you pay off your balance immediately, rent is the last thing you should be adding to a long-term credit card balance.