Here’s a list of the credit cards I currently use, which I’ll keep updated over time. If you’re thinking about applying for any of these, I’d truly appreciate it if you use the referral links in each card’s summary—it’s a great way to support the site at no extra cost to you!
Capital One Venture X
This is my first and only premium travel card, and it’s easily one of the best for everyday spending. With 2x miles on all purchases, it’s my go-to when a category bonus isn’t available. The card also comes with Priority Pass lounge access, making airport travel much more comfortable, plus a $300 annual travel credit that helps offset the annual fee.
Beyond everyday spending, Venture X offers valuable perks like Global Entry/TSA PreCheck reimbursement and solid travel protections. It’s a keeper in my lineup because it combines premium benefits with a straightforward rewards structure, making it one of the most well-rounded travel cards out there.
Capital One SavorOne
After starting my first job, I realized my Discover card wasn’t earning enough cash back, so I picked up the SavorOne for its great rewards on dining and entertainment. It was also a smart move for increasing my credit limit, which helped build my credit profile early on.
While I don’t use this card often anymore since I have better point-earning alternatives, it still has no annual fee, so it makes sense to keep it open for credit history purposes. If you’re looking for a solid no-fee card with strong dining and entertainment rewards, this is still a great option.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
This is the ultimate beginner travel card, and I’ll probably keep it forever. The strong bonus categories, low annual fee, and access to Chase Ultimate Rewards make it a must-have for anyone serious about earning points. Chase’s travel portal and transfer partners offer some of the best redemption options, making every point stretch further.
While the Sapphire Reserve has more perks, I don’t see enough value in paying the higher annual fee when I already get lounge access and premium benefits through my Venture X. If I’m not working on a welcome bonus, I work this card into the mix every month.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom lineup is great for cash back, but when paired with a Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, the rewards become transferable Ultimate Rewards points, making this card even more valuable. I got mine during a special promo offering double points for a year, meaning I earned 3% on all purchases and 6% on dining—a huge boost for everyday spending.
While I don’t use this card much now since my Venture X covers most of my non-category spend, it’s still a top choice for beginners. If Chase brings back a double points promo, I’d highly recommend grabbing it as a way to rack up valuable points quickly.
American Express Gold
The ultimate foodie card, and easily one of my favorites. Food is a huge part of my travels—whether I’m exploring new cuisines abroad or experimenting in my own kitchen. With 4x points on dining and groceries, this card maximizes every food-related purchase, making it a must-have for anyone who loves to eat.
Beyond the rewards, the monthly dining credits—$20 for Grubhub, Uber Eats, and $7 for Dunkin’, plus $100 in Resy credits split between two halves of the year—help offset the $325 annual fee. Even if you don’t use food delivery, you can always do pickup. If you’re serious about earning points while indulging in great food, this is the best card out there.
American Express Blue Cash Preferred
My most recent card was a weird one. I bought a home and needed to find a 0% intro APR to finance some of the home-building projects I was working on. I had been looking at this card because of some of it’s bonuses like 6x points on groceries, and 3x back on streaming. There were some other cards out there, but this one had some benefits I could see myself using in the future without getting a card I would never use.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
This is my only non-bank credit card so far, and I got it mainly for the amazing welcome bonus—5 free nights at any Marriott property (up to 50k points per night). I used those points for an unforgettable stay in Paris, which I highly recommend checking out [link to your Paris post]. The Marriott Bonvoy program has a vast network of properties, making it easy to redeem points for great stays worldwide.
The $95 annual fee is easily justified by the free annual night award (up to 35k points), which can cover stays worth much more. While I enjoy Marriott, I love the Hyatt brand and will likely be adding their card to my lineup soon!
Discover it Chrome
This was my first-ever credit card, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. Discover and Capital One both offer great options for building credit before diving into the world of travel points. The Discover It Chrome is especially useful for beginners, with 2% cash back on gas and dining and the Cashback Match feature in the first year.
While I now focus on points-based cards, I still recommend Capital One for beginners, since you can eventually convert cash back into miles. However, if you’re just looking for a simple, no-annual-fee card with solid rewards, Discover remains a great option.
Flying Resources 