For context, I'm a 31yo resident physician, income is ~62k (~roughly 500k medical school loans hanging over my head), and very new to the credit card game.
Up to this point, I was always just an authorized user under my parent's (mom's chase sapph reserve and dads chase freedom) but never had my own cards. Before applying to any cards my credit score was about 710.
I had a friend convince me to get the gold amex, so that was the first and only card I applied for, got the 100k points offer and so far its been well worth the annual fee given I wouldve spent this money on eating out regardless. So I'm completely satisfied with it but I'm definitely leaving some extra on the table with only 1% on daily purchases
Ultimately, I'm looking for a good catch all card to pair with my amex. I want to know what you reddit legends think I should do or what insight you might have on these cards. (Note: I wanted to get the capital one venture card but I did the preapproval thing and was rejected for insufficient income.)
The cards I've looked at so far:
– Chase freedom unlimited
– Chase Prime Visa
– Chase freedom flex
– Wells fargo active cash
– Citi double cash
– Citi custom cash
– Capital One Venture (pre-rejected)
Want to build up to the venture x and not sure the best way to go about doing this, if you guys have any suggestions please help a newbie out
Best catch-all card to pair with amex gold in 2026?
byu/DrMalgus inCreditCards
Posted by DrMalgus
11 Comments
Resident physician as well. Bilt 2.0 is a GREAT catch all card. Confusing system of paying rent and bilt cash; however, the math is the math, you can get 3.3x on all spend along with great travel partners.
Venture X or Bilt Palladium work well with it
Or a regular AMEX BBP, but the above two better in terms of wider acceptance for Visa/MC
What’s your home airport? IMO that’s the most important factor.
If you want synergy with Gold get a Blue Business plus (yes you can get a business card for personal use)
If you want max benefits get a C1 VentureX.
Would say the best choices overall are the AmEx Blue Business Plus, Capital One Venture X, Fidelity Rewards, or Robinhood Gold.
I like the Wells Fargo Active Cash, and the Citi Double Cash is nice too, but an AmEx heavy setup really needs a no-FTF Visa somewhere in it to cover international expenses (especially when the average AmEx charge card user will be spending a lot on international travel). That puts Fidelity and Robinhood over the other cash back choices out there.
AmEx BBP has a foreign transaction fee and is on the AmEx network, but it justifies itself by earning AmEx MR points. Keeps you in the same ecosystem and can have solid targeted sign-up bonus offers for 50k to 75k MR
As long as you dont need their help. For the 1st year, Bilt Palladium is a top notch catch all card.
Of course you dont get any credits in the traditional sense so the $500 is going to their pocket.
That said, their current SUB of $500 bilt cash + 50k points is a great starting point if you do plan on traveling.
That 500 bilt cash alone will get you 16k points in mortgage or rent.
Though them expiring at the end of the calender year is annoying if you can use them all.
If you dont want to spend that crazy $500 fee.
Your best bet is the cap1 venture. It too has a super SUB right now. Plus the $120 in GE credit more than makes up for the first year.
Fidelity 💰 cashback
As a resident I recommend cards you are willing to cancel in 1 year for the SUB or no annual fee cards.
I went down this path and there is no way you are going to justify the spend needed for some of the lowkey scam travel cards. For example, you aren’t gonna book the 2k+/night hotels needed for the Chase Edit travel credits.
I went down this same path you are asking.
My advice is get the Discover IT, CFF, CFU, Amazon Prime card, etc.
Probably any 2% catch-all would work (I know Robinhood offers 3%, but honestly seems like that could be due for a nerf someday. 2% cards have been around a long time and are probably not getting nerfed anytime soon)
Out of the two percent cards, I think a good case could be made for the Fidelity Rewards, especially when paired with the Cash management account. The cash management account can be used like your checking account, albeit with much better interest then you’d get from a bank and mortar bank. You can write checks off of it. You can use their debit card at any atm and they will refund fees. It’s almost as safe as a true checking account (money market accounts are not FDIC insured, but realistically the chance of losing money are virtually zero). Also, the card has no foreign transaction fee and reimburses your TSA Precheck or Global Entry every 4 years.
That being said, if you like City or Wells Fargo , then you’d be fine with those cards too
i went with wells fargo just because we do a lot of costco shopping and need a visa. not the only choice that would work but it made sense for us to
I am curious to see the numbers that support Amex Gold working for you. Would you organically spend on all the credits? Do you actually redeem the points for travel? The $325 AF is a force to reckon with. Gold barely pencils out compared to Savor for my family of 3.
Realistically, if you ultimately want Venture X, then consider getting Savor in the meantime. It gives 3% back on groceries, dining, entertainment, and streaming. No FTF, no AF. Only 1% back on regular spending categories, but that is not a big deal. What matters is getting the Mastercard version of Savor (not the Discover version) and starting a relationship with Capital One. Assuming you do this, do the math before your next Amex Gold AF hits. You’ll probably drop Amex Gold and stick with Savor.
You can simultaneously get a 2% catch-all card (but be sure to chill for several months afterwards). I advise against Amex BBP because it’s all but worthless overseas, and it won’t do you any good at Costco either. Instead, consider Wells Fargo Active Cash, Navy Federal Cash Rewards Plus, or Fidelity. All are strong Visa offerings with no AF. CR+ and Fidelity have no FTF, and Fidelity has additional perks if you are willing to open a cash management account with them. Citi Double Cash is another popular option, but it is a Mastercard (no Costco).
Robinhood Gold gets mentioned a lot on here, but keep in mind it has earnings exceptions, an effective AF of $60, and brokerage strings attached (like Fidelity). Factor in the SUB for AC, CR+, or DC and it would take at least $26k in spending to break even with RH Gold.
The two best options for catchall with Amex Gold is the Amex Blue Business Plus or any 2-3% cash back catchall..
The Cashback catchall I personally use now is Robinhood Gold card and previously was using Fidelity Visa with Amex Gold.
Any other options imo just adds with another portal or redemption complexity if it earns travel reward points/miles.