Notes
4X Points at U.S. Supermarkets 4X Points on Restaurants $120 Dining Credit Earn 3X Points on Flights Personal opinion: 4x at grocery stores and restaurants is more than enough to offset the annual fee, and with the $120 dining credit, this card is a no brainer.rypcronin's Referral Link
Notes
If you are a business owner or if you are able to get the fee waived, 4x earnings at gas stations is huge. This is a staple in my wallet.Notes
This is one of the newer cards in my collection. I never would have had use for this card before Covid hit. Previously, I would save all of my Membership Rewards and redeem them for travel. 2020 changed everything though. If you're not traveling, this card allows you to transfer your points into a Charles Schwab brokerage account. Any points that you might be earning with your Gold or Green cards, you can combine them all and then cash out with Schwab. Not only that, but your Uber credits can be combined with your credits from the regular Amex Platinum. With the way the stock market has been going, this card is invaluable. Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you're approved! http://refer.amex.us/RYANCj7sP?xl=cp01Notes
Even though I am firmly planted in the American Express points ecosystem, if you're looking for a stand-alone travel credit card, this is it. Unlike the Platinum, you will earn points at restaurants in addition to airfare. You'll still get Priority Pass. But what I really love about this card is the $300 travel credit. With Amex, your travel credit is limited to a singular airline of your choice. With the Reserve, there are many more options available to you. I use mine for EZ-Pass, airport parking, and parking meters. And lastly, outside of the US a lot of places don't accept Amex. If I leave active duty military, I will likely keep this and cancel my Platinums.Notes
What can I possibly say about the Platinum which hasn't been said already? The favorite card of active duty US military members, and for good reason. Priority Pass, Uber credits, Saks Fifth Avenue credits, and it often comes with a great bonus. However I do want explain the reason why I don't have this ranked as my number 1 card. Living in a military town, this card is ubiquitous. Go to any bar, coffee shop, restaurant, or grocery store, and you're guaranteed to see someone paying with their Platinum. There's no denying the card's flashy appeal. But unless you're purchasing airfare, you're not earning by using your Platinum. Instead, you should be using your Gold card for those kinds of day-to-day purchases. But as a travel card to use in conjunction with your Gold, the benefits still justify the fee.rypcronin's Referral Link
Notes
Often features excellent sign-up bonuses, free nights, easy to redeem, and Hilton Diamond status.rypcronin's Referral Link
Notes
Usually comes with a big bonus, but also big spend requirement to get that bonus. Not worth keeping unless you're a business owner who frequently travels, or are able to get the annual fee waved. The main perk to having this card outside of the sign-up bonus is the Dell credits.rypcronin's Referral Link
Notes
Churn and burn. Get when the bonus is good, and then downgrade to a no annual fee card after one year. You automatically get Delta Select with this card, however if you set your airline to Delta for the Gold or Platinum, you can simply buy Delta Select and be reimbursed. Not only that, but the Platinum will also give you access to the Delta Skyclub, so having this in your waller really isn't necessary for the casual traveler. This card is only worth it if you don't have to pay the annual fee, or are a regular and loyal Delta flyer and value Medallion status.rypcronin's Referral Link
Notes
Get this when the bonus is good, reap your points, and upgrade to another Gold where the earnings are much better. However, if your home airport utilizes the CLEAR program, this would be the only scenario in which I strongly endorse this card. If that applies to you, the $150 annual fee is well worth it.rypcronin's Referral Link
Notes
My least favorite Amex card. Get this when the bonus is good, take advantage of your free night, and cancel after the one year mark (if you aren't getting the fee waved). Unless you're often staying in Marriott properties, this card makes it difficult to justify. If you have the Platinum, you don't need the Bonvoy to obtain elite status. From personal experiences, you can find better deals at Marriott properties when redeeming Amex Membership Rewards versus Marriott points.rypcronin's Referral Link
Notes
If you value cash back or use Ultimate Rewards as your main points ecosystem, then any of the Freedom cards are a must. The 5% rotating categories are usually easy to earn in (grocery stores, gas stations, Target, restaurants, Amazon). As a stand-alone card, you only get cash back or statement credits, but if you pair with a Reserve card, you can transfer your cash back to Ultimate Rewards and use for free travel.- 12
Prestige
Notes
I wish I had more better things to say about this card, but the truth is, if I wasn't getting the fee waived, I wouldn't hold it. Part of it is simply because I have found it much easier to earn a lot more points with American Express cards. That being said, I still think it's good to have a MasterCard in your collection when traveling overseas, as I have encountered random pockets throughout the world where it is preferred over Visa. Notes
My first credit card, a straight 2% cash back, no matter the category. As simple as it gets. Despite all of the credit cards I own, there still are occasions where I need to make a purchase and none of my cards will give me more than 1%. In those instances, I use this.Notes
If you value Ultimate Rewards, are a business owner, or are willing to take advantage of the Staples/Office Depot offers and do a little bit of manufactured spending, there is money to be made holding this card. Unfortunately most of these benefits no longer apply to me. There are some great sign-up bonuses that occasionally pop up with this card though, so worth checking up on occasionally.Notes
Decent if you regularly fly United and don't want to pay the Platinum or Reserve annual fee. My advice: Fly Delta if you can. This card only grants you two United Lounge passes a year, as well as free in-flight drink vouchers. Which if you really think about it, isn't a great deal. Most domestic United flights average around three hours, and you're going to pay an annual fee to get free Sutter Home wine or a warm Miller Lite? No thanks. Churn and burn. Cancelling this when I leave active duty military.- 16
JetBlue
Notes
I like JetBlue as an airline, but I don't care for Barclay's customer support. I could look past bad customer support if the benefits justified it, but that's not the case here either. Churn it and burn it. This was one of the first cards I got when I discovered credit card churning. Knowing what I know now, I wish I could go back in time and never apply for this. It took up a Chase slot and after getting the bonus I have pretty much kept it in my sock drawer ever since.