💳 What’s in My Wallet for 2025

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When it comes to credit cards, I look for three things: strong rewards on spending, perks that justify the annual fee, or a welcome bonus that’s too good to pass up. If a card checks one (or ideally all) of those boxes, it earns a spot in my wallet, at least for a while.

In this post, I’m sharing my 2025 credit card strategy—my goals for the year, which cards I’m keeping or cutting, and how I decide what’s worth adding. Whether you're after points, cash back, or just a simpler setup, I hope this helps you build a wallet that works for you.

Also, if you’re looking at new cards this year, I’d really appreciate you using the links below (some of them are referrals) or the ones you can find on our Best Cards Page. However, if you find a better bonus somewhere else, please go for it because I always want you to get the best deal!

🎯 My Credit Card Goals for 2025

Setting clear goals each year helps me stay focused and make sure my cards are actually aligned with how I spend. Here are my top priorities for this year. 

• Maximizing Everyday Earnings: I want to squeeze the most value from every dollar I spend, but I won’t chase marginal gains. Unless a new card provides at least $200 in ongoing value—or a welcome bonus worth $750–$1,000—it’s likely not worth it compared to other opportunities.
• Building Transferable Points Pools: I continue to prioritize flexible points programs like Capital One, Amex, Bilt, Chase, and now Citi. These give me the best redemption options with airlines and hotels.
• Snagging More Welcome Bonuses: Since both Amy and I are under Chase’s 5/24 rule, we’ve got room to open new cards. Business cards are especially appealing because they often don’t count toward that limit and offer massive bonuses.
• Maintaining Lounge Access: We travel often with our kids, and lounge access has become essential—quiet space, snacks, even play areas. It’s a perk I won’t give up.
• Leaning Into Cash Back (When It Makes Sense): While I still love points, I’m also optimizing for cash back where it offers better value. With cards like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card (3.28% back with Platinum Honors status), sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to “buy” points at a premium.

🔎 A Look Inside My Wallet: Current Credit Cards

Here's a rundown of the cards I currently have and why I'm keeping them (or not). Fun fact, I don't actually carry a physical wallet much anymore thanks to Apple Pay.

Chase

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: It makes all my Chase points much more valuable, unlocking transfer partners and offering 1.5x points in the portal. Plus, it earns 3x on travel and dining, and the lounge access is great. It also has excellent primary rental car coverage, which is a nice add-on.
• Prime Visa Card: We keep this for 5% off Amazon purchases, especially when we need purchase protection that gift cards wouldn't provide. It has no annual fee.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: I love this card. It's been instrumental in helping me achieve Globalist status with Hyatt, and it comes with valuable perks like points rebates and credits for Hyatt stays.
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card: This card helped us get closer to the Companion Pass this year, thanks to its welcome bonus counting towards status. The Companion Pass is incredible, allowing a nominated person to fly free (just paying taxes and fees) for the year you earn it and the following year.
• Chase Freedom Flex®: We love this card for its 5x rotating quarterly categories. We typically hit the bonus cap in two or three quarters a year.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card earns 1.5x on everything, but we rarely use it except for drugstores, where it gets 3x points. I'm considering product changing it to another Freedom Flex to double down on those 5x categories.
• United Gateway℠ Card: This is my wife's oldest card and has no annual fee. We don't use it for spending, but it helps her credit history, so we'll keep it.
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Good for separating personal and business expenses and earns 3x on some bill payment platforms we use for the business.
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Earns 5x on phone and office supply purchases. While we don't spend a ton in these categories, it has no annual fee, so there's no real downside to keeping it for those elevated points.

American Express

• American Express® Gold Card: Our primary card for dining and groceries, earning a fantastic 4x points. We get good value from its credits, making it a positive return on investment.
• The Platinum Card® by American Express: We have two of these, initially opened for welcome bonuses. We kept a second one after guest access was removed for Centurion Lounges, wanting to ensure family access. However, since we hit the $75,000 spend this year on a business card to get guest access, we might not need both. We're evaluating whether to cancel one based on perk value and retention offers. It's also my go-to for 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines.
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: I upgraded to this card because I'm close to Lifetime Platinum status with Marriott, and this card gives me Platinum status for the year, which counts towards that goal. Definitely keeping it through next year.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: We have two of these and plan to keep them as long as they offer an annual free night certificate. These certificates, combined with free Hilton Diamond status, provide tremendous value, often used for stays worth thousands of dollars a night.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Opened for a huge welcome bonus and its ongoing perks. These include free checked bags on Delta, a companion certificate, and a 15% discount when using miles to book Delta flights, making my Delta miles more valuable.
• American Express® Business Gold Card: This card earns 4x points in our top two spending categories, which provides decent value, so we'll keep it as long as it covers the annual fee.
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: We're evaluating this card because Dell perks have been devalued, and we'll see if new perks emerge.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Got this a while ago to help earn elite nights towards Marriott status. This year, we're relying on the Bonvoy Brilliant for status, so this card's primary value is its free night certificate (capped at 35k points). It's probably a wash in terms of value, but not a card I'm excited about using often.
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: My oldest card, held for over 20 years. I keep putting a few charges on it each year to maintain its long credit history.

Capital One

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: We opened two of these for the 100k point welcome offer when they launched. They've been our primary "everything" card for 2x points. We definitely only need one now, especially since Capital One allows easy transfer of miles between card members.
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus: This had a huge welcome offer, and we used it for a lot of spending to get 2% cashback on everything. However, I feel there are more lucrative ways to earn rewards now, so I haven't been using it much and it's likely time to part ways.

Bank of America

This year, we've added four new Bank of America cards, mainly driven by their Platinum Honors status. If you have $100,000 deposited with Bank of America or Merrill Lynch (even a self-directed brokerage account counts), they multiply your card earnings by 1.75x.

• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card: With Platinum Honors and the 25% boost when redeeming points for travel, it effectively becomes a 3.28% cash back card on everything and 4.4% on travel and dining. It's a nice everyday driver for cash back.
• Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card: Similar to the Premium Rewards Elite for general spend, and you can transfer points to the Premier Rewards Elite for boosted travel redemption.
• Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card: This card offers 3x base earnings on up to $50,000 a year in a chosen category, which becomes 5.25% back with Platinum Honors. Since it's a no-annual-fee card, it definitely pays for itself.
• Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card: Opened this year because we've been flying Alaska more. It helps with Alaska status, offers an annual companion certificate and free checked bags. Interestingly, earning status on American Airlines (via a Citi card) has proven more valuable for flying Alaska than earning status directly with Alaska.

U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: We opened two when there were rumors it was being shut down. While no longer available for new applicants, this card effectively provides 4.5% cash back on mobile pay (like Apple Pay) and travel purchases due to its real-time rewards program. This is compelling for mobile wallet spend, especially at places like Costco.

Citi

I've been exploring the Citi ecosytem this year. Ep #228 is a deep dive into Citi’s credit card lineup and Citi ThankYou Points if you want to learn more. 

• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: Opened for a great welcome bonus and to get into the Citi ecosystem. It earns 3x on flights, hotels, gas, groceries, and dining, making it a good all-around card. I'm using it to build up Citi points for unique transfer partners.
• AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard: I'm using it for other spending not only to earn American miles but also loyalty points for status. The unique aspect is that both the primary and employee cardholders (which my wife Amy has) earn loyalty points, helping both of us earn status.

Bilt

Bilt Mastercard® (rates and fees here): Even though we don't rent, this is my last core credit card. Bilt consistently offers amazing Rent Day promotions, which have previously included 100% transfer bonuses to partners like Air France, Air Canada, and British Airways. Plus, it's a no-annual-fee card that allows earning points on rent payments without fees. My 2024 goal was to get Bilt Platinum status for those monster transfer bonuses, and I'm currently pursuing that.

Other

Target RedCard™: Technically a debit card, but it earns 5% back on Target purchases. We often use Target gift cards for slightly better savings, but it's a no-annual-fee card that doesn't impact credit, so no downside to keeping it.

🤝 Matching the Right Card to the Right Category

Now I'm going to walk you through the major spending categories in my life, the cards I use in each, and some strong alternatives—so you can see how I think about maximizing rewards in a way that actually fits real-world spending. Also, note that I generally skip cards that only earn 5–6x on $500/month if they don’t justify the effort to open.

🍽️ Dining & Restaurants

My Pick: Amex Gold which earns 4x Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x, including Takeout and Delivery in the U.S.

→ Alternatives (Points): 3x on Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited, Bilt, Wells Fargo Autograph℠, Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card, American Express Green Card®, Capital One Savor.

→ Alternatives (Cash Back): BoA Premium Rewards Elite (4.4%), Verizon Visa® Card (4% uncapped for Verizon customers).

🛒 Grocery Stores & Supermarkets

My Pick: Again, I use the Amex Gold since I can earn 4x points on up to $25,000 per calendar year (it's 1x thereafter) in purchases at U.S. supermarkets. 

→ Alternatives: Citi Premier (3x), Capital One Savor (3%), Verizon Card (4% uncapped).

🧳 General Travel

My Pick: For general travel, I use Chase Sapphire Reserve® for 3x points, U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve for 4.5% on travel. However, I am now questioning if Bilt should be my primary card here since I could earn up to 4x with bonuses.

→ Alternatives: Amex Green (3x). BoA Premium Rewards Elite (3.5% or 4.4% for flights with Platinum Honors).

Pro Tip: While some cards offer 5x or 10x points in travel portals, I generally avoid them for hotels due to lack of elite night credit and status perks. For flights, managing bookings directly with the airline can be a hassle if booked through a portal. However, some airline travel portals have started to support New Distribution Capability (NDC), allowing direct management of bookings, which makes it compelling for those specific flights.

✈️ Flights

My Pick: Amex Platinum for 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel^® (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, which we never come close to, and 1x thereafter). Pro tip: always consider travel protections for flight delays, cancellations, or lost bags, which some cards offer.

→ Alternatives: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey (3x), Amex Green (3x). BoA Premium Rewards Elite (3.5% or 4.4% for flights with Platinum Honors).

🏨 Hotels

My Pick: Always use co-branded hotel cards (like the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card or Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card) because your savings and earnings on stays will be much higher. Plus, increased welcome bonuses usually include Free Night certificates which provides outsized value.

→ Alternatives: Citi Premier (3x), Wells Fargo Autograph Journey (5x). 

🚗 Rental Cars

My Pick: Chase Sapphire Reserve® due to its excellent primary rental car coverage and an earning rate of 3x points.

📱Cell Phone Services

My Pick: When it comes to phone bills, I'd prioritize cards with strong cell phone protection (i.e. cracked screen, or damaged or lost phone) over those that simply earn the most points. 

⛽ Gas

My Pick: I have EVs so this isn't a primary category for me. If I did own a car, I’d pick the Citi Premier that earns 3x points.

→ Alternatives: Wyndham Business Earner® Card (8x).

🙌 Other/Everything Else:

Costco: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve which earns 4.5% on Apple Pay is accepted at Costco. If you can't get that, the Venmo Credit Card offers 3% cashback on wholesale clubs as part of its grocery category.

Everything else: I'm always jumping between the Capital One Venture X and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve. I am also thinking about picking up a the Citi® Double Cash Card to earn 2% back on everything or keep using the BoA Premium Rewards Elite.

🚫 Reviewing and Adjusting My Card Portfolio

Once the first year is up and the annual fee posts, I reassess whether a card still delivers value—whether through perks, rewards, or if it was just about the welcome bonus. Here’s the process I follow if a card no longer pulls its weight.

1. Downgrade the Card: Many issuers let you product change to a no- or low-fee version within the same card family. This keeps the credit line open and helps your credit history. For example, Citi’s Custom Cash is a great downgrade option.
2. Ask for a Retention Offer: If downgrading isn’t appealing, I’ll call the issuer and ask if they can offer a retention bonus—sometimes it’s a waived fee or extra points for a small spend.
3. Cancel (If Necessary): If neither works, I’ll cancel—but only after shifting the credit limit to another card if possible. I always wait until after the first year, and ideally cancel within 30 days of the annual fee posting to get a refund.

👀 Cards I'm Eyeing for 2025

As usual, I'm always on the lookout for new opportunities, especially cards with exciting welcome bonuses. Here are some specific cards that are on my radar for this year.

• Venmo Credit Card: I've been spending a lot at Costco on gold lately, and this card offers 3% back in its grocery category, which includes wholesale clubs. It could be a great way to maximize earnings on those large purchases.
• A Southwest Card (for Amy): I have the Companion Pass, but Amy doesn't. With two kids, having two Companion Passes would be amazing, essentially cutting our family's flight costs in half (minus taxes and fees). A Southwest card welcome bonus could get her a long way there.
• Citi® Double Cash Card: Since I'm excited about getting more Citi points this year, adding the Citi Double Cash would allow me to earn 2% back on everything, which converts to 2x Citi points. It's a great way to boost my transferable Citi points.
• Hawaiian Airlines Cards: These cards have recently offered 75k point welcome bonuses and allow point transfers between people. When the Alaska merger goes through, this could be a way to aggregate our Alaska points.
• Capital One Venture X Business (for Amy): Since Amy is now working full-time on the business and doesn't have many business cards, this could be a great addition to her portfolio, opening up a world of new business card opportunities for us.
• Mesa Homeowners Card: A new no-annual-fee card for homeowners that earns 1x points on mortgage payments up to $100,000 a year. I'll be doing a full breakdown of this card next week, but it's definitely on my radar.

📇 Tools I Use to Manage My Cards and Maximize Value

With over 20 cards (and more on the horizon!), keeping track of everything can be a challenge. So here are some amazing tools I rely on to earn and save more.

• CardPointers Pro: This is my absolute favorite tool for managing my credit card portfolio. It tracks all my card perks and benefits—like dining or resort credits—without needing to link bank accounts, and even shows a calendar of upcoming annual fees so I know when to check for retention offers. My wife and I use it to manage our cards together, and I can create a custom view that tells her the best card to use for each category. Where it really shines is offer tracking: it manages both standard perks and card-linked offers, and with the browser extension, it can auto-add deals to multiple cards, send real-time alerts when I’m shopping, and help me avoid missing out on savings. I’ve easily saved thousands with it. You can get 30% off here or 50% off for All the Hacks members.
• Copilot: This is my go-to budgeting app. It helps us categorize all our transactions, so I can easily see exactly how much we're spending in each category, which is crucial for optimizing card usage. Get your first 2 months free with code HACKS2.
• Card Optimizer Tool: I built a spreadsheet tool that helps me analyze the earning potential of different cards based on my spending habits. It's available on my website and can help you see how adding a new card could increase your average return. It’s free for All the Hacks members.
• Kick: For business bookkeeping, Kick has been a game-changer. It simplifies tracking business and personal expenses, even when they're mixed on cards, making bookkeeping incredibly easy. You can get 50% off your first year here.