Travel card recommendation

CREDIT PROFILE

* Current credit cards you are the primary account holder of:

* Cashback $7,500 limit, 02/2024

* Amex Blue Cash Everyday $10,000 limit, 10/2025

* FICO scores with source: 790

* Cards approved in the past 6 months: 1

* Annual income $: 85,000

CATEGORIES

* Ok with category-specific cards?: Yes

* Ok with rotating category cards?: No

* Estimate average monthly spend in the categories below.

* Dining $: 350

* Groceries $: 200

* Gas $: cash only

* Travel $: Public transit/lyft/uber – 60

* Using abroad?: Yes

* Other categories or stores: Medical – 4000/yr

* Pay rent by card? No

MEMBERSHIPS & SUBSCRIPTIONS

* Amazon Prime member: Yes

* Netflix/Disney+/Hulu/Spotify member: Yes

* TSA Pre-check

PURPOSE

* Purpose of next card: Travel Rewards

* Travel rewards preferences: United

* Cards being considered: Chase Sapphire Preferred, C1 Venture X

ADDITIONAL INFO

I’m looking for a travel card. I’ve heard Chase made some changes to their rewards, so CSP is less enticing. Already determined C1 Venture and CSR are not a good fit. CSP seems like a better fit than C1 Venture X because of transfer partners. I could be comfortable booking through portals instead of transferring.

PayPal is being nerfed so would like good value for restaurants.

Is it worth waiting for April 1st for higher SUB or could I apply now and ask it to be honored if it goes up?

Upcoming travel:

April: ~$500 travel + booking United flight ~$2,500-3,000

Summer: a few weekend trips

December / 2027: international travel

Current setup:

PayPal debit — 5% restaurants

Amex — 3% online retail & groceries

Cashback card — 1.5% everything else