I’ve been on a hunt for a the “perfect” travel card setup that works for me for about 6 months now (yes I know 🙃). However, with all the hours of research I’ve put into the various options out there..I keep running into a wall on whether or not it is truly the best for my interests. I don’t like to have more credit cards than needed nor unnecessarily run hard inquiries for any reason so I’m not into the whole churning thing. I simply want to maximize the way I use my credit cards that, in return, benefits me.
Currently, I travel approx. 2-3 times per year, domestically. However, I’m in my 30’s now and I want to expand my travel ventures to international destinations. Possibly 1-2 international while still doing my 2-3 domestic travel per year..give or take.
I would like to use points earned to subsidize my personal travel in the future. Lounge access would be nice but not necessary (Reside in Florida, for reference).
I consider myself to be a little credit card savvy and want a fairly simple setup but am willing to put in the work to maximize points when booking personal travel.
Thank you for the help!
CREDIT PROFILE
\* Current credit cards you are the primary account holder of:
\* Discover $8500, 02/2014
\* Care Credit $20k, 05/2016
\* FICO scores with source: Experian 821 TransUnion 796 Exquifax 816
\* Oldest credit card account age: 12 years
\* Cards approved in the past 6 months: 0
\* Cards approved in the past 12 months: 0
\* Cards approved in the past 24 months: 0
\* Annual income $: \~70,000
CATEGORIES
\* Ok with category-specific cards?: Yes
\* Ok with rotating category cards?: No, as I already have Discover for this
\* Estimate average monthly spend in the categories below.
\* Dining $: 150
\* Groceries $: 400
\* Gas $: 120 in personal car
\* Travel $: 600-800 flights, 500-1000 hotels, 300-400 car rental
\* Using abroad?: Yes, Eventually
\* Other categories or stores: Online Shopping $150
\* Other spend: Streaming Services $80 Entertainment $120
\* Pay rent by card? Only to fulfill SUB, if it is a perk then great
MEMBERSHIPS & SUBSCRIPTIONS
\* Costco or Sam's Club member: N/A
\* Big bank customer: 1 credit card each with Discover and Care Credit.
PURPOSE
\* Purpose of next card: Travel Rewards
\* Travel rewards preferences: Miles Points/Cashback Rewards
\* Cards being considered: Venture X paired with Savor
ADDITIONAL INFO
These credit cards will likely be used exclusively for travel expenses and the categories that are available for each. I do not intend to use these as a daily card unless can be used as a “catch all” card.
Note: I am aware that I am essentially doing the same thing as what I’ve been doing by researching on my own. I simply want the opinion another in case I am overlooking what would ultimately make more sense before I settle with a decision.
Thank you to all! 🙂
Best Travel Card setup for me?
byu/Admirable_Cap2841 inCreditCards
Posted by Admirable_Cap2841
3 Comments
I would look at the venture x for international and the Bilt palladium for domestic or Citia strata primiere
I think the Cap One VX + Savor is a great overall combo as the VX makes for a great catch-all and the savor gives you extra on the grocery and dining spend. the $300 travel credit covers most of the AF and after year 1 you get 10K miles on your card anniversary.
C1’s transfer partners aren’t as strong as chase or bilt but there’s still good redemptions to be had and it is a combo you don’t have to think about as much.
I have a Savor and trying to get a VX but will just have to play the waiting game for now
Your options are wide open here!
One major consideration here should be travel protections and insurances. The Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, and Venture X are the winners there.
Maximizing your spend is the next key consideration. The two winners for that are the Sapphire Reserve (4x hotels/airlines) and the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey (5x hotels/4x airlines). Both of those are also 3x dining. Wells Fargo offers 3x on general travel and the companion cards would offer 3x on gas and streaming, plus 2x on everything else.
My summation would be this:
– If you care about the various protections and want lounge access and can make the perks and credits worth the annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great card for what you need. You can also optionally pair it with a Venture or Venture X to be your catch all
– If you want to fully max out earnings rates and can live without lounges and the travel protections then the three Wells Fargo cards are a great option for you. The Autograph Journey would get you great rates on travel and dining, the Autograph would cover gas and streaming, and the Active Cash would be your catch all with 2x on everything