I'm just starting to get into the points game and actually use it smartly (or as much as I know) so I can travel more. I got the Capital One Venture because there was a good SUB and I knew it was a sure chance of me getting that card than the Venture X. I want to stay in Hyatt resorts/hotels but also open to other cards that are flight focused. I would also like lounge access for international flights, I'm not as concerned with domestic flights.
CREDIT PROFILE
- Current credit cards you are the primary account holder of:
- Capital One Venture, $10,000 limit, 01/2026
- Amex Everyday Preferred, $9,500 limit, 07/2020
- Citi Simplicity, $5,000 limit, 09/2024
- FICO scores with source: 759 (Experian, FICO 8), 691 (Citi, Equifax)
- Oldest credit card account age: 6 years. I had a credit card in my name 12 years ago but closed that account 8 years ago.
- Cards approved in the past 6 months: 1
- Cards approved in the past 12 months: 1
- Cards approved in the past 24 months: 2
- Annual income $: $105,000
CATEGORIES
- Ok with category-specific cards?: Yes
- Ok with rotating category cards?: No
- Estimate average monthly spend in the categories below.
- Dining/coffee $: 250
- Groceries $: 250 (Trader Joes) 50 (Farmers market/local) 50 (Whole Foods/Aldi/local chain)
- Gas $: 160
- Travel $: 90 (flights) 25 (Lyft) 85 (Airbnb/Hotels)
- Using abroad?: not extended use, just for trips
- Other categories or stores: Internet, streaming subscriptions (~10), business subscriptions (photography related, ~4)
- Other spend:
- Pay rent by card? No
MEMBERSHIPS & SUBSCRIPTIONS
- Disney bundle subscriber: Yes
- Open to business cards: Maybe, I don't do enough business that adds a considerable amount to my income but I do have a lot of expenses
PURPOSE
- Purpose of next card: Travel Rewards
- Travel rewards preferences: Hyatt, open to any airline
- Cards being considered: Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, Amex Gold
ADDITIONAL INFO
I opened up a Citi card and a Discover It card for balance transfer. I closed the Discover card last year through a debt management program. I don't use the Citi card now but it's still open. I got into debt due to interest rate accrual from a very large charge but have managed to pay everything off and have consistently paid all balances off for several months. I was able to raise my credit score in the last few months. Since I'm applying for a new card, I want to either upgrade my AmEx or change it to a no-fee. No collections. No loans, all paid off.
Looking for a new card and finally getting into the points game after paying off all my debt
byu/shutterbug00 inCreditCards
Posted by shutterbug00