CREDIT PROFILE
* Current credit cards you are the primary account holder of:
* BofA Customized Cash Rewards Card
* FICO scores with source: Transunion 763, Equifax 764
* Oldest credit card account age: 6 yrs
* Cards approved in the past 6 months: 0
* Cards approved in the past 12 months: 2
* Cards approved in the past 24 months: 3
* Annual income $: 82k
CATEGORIES
* Ok with category-specific cards?: Yes
* Ok with rotating category cards?: Yes
* Estimate average monthly spend in the categories below.
* Dining $: 850
* Groceries $: 250
* Gas $: 180
* Travel $: 100 @Work Parking; I am interested in traveling more
* Using abroad?: Yes(?)
* Other categories or stores:
* Other spend:
* Pay rent by card? No
PURPOSE
* Purpose of next card: Travel Rewards
* Travel rewards preferences: United Airlines, Hilton
* Cards being considered: VentureX, United Explorer/Quest
Posted by DoodSqoodA3
4 Comments
I would do one of two things. I would get the amex gold if you can orgnaically use the credits to offset the the AF. Or i would get the Venture X and Savor card. i would get the VX first and a few months later get the Savor. Savor is cash back but you can trasnfer the reward dollars to miles on the VX
How often are you traveling? Are you strictly United?
If you’re going to be flying United, I definitely think you start with a United credit card. That gets you 10% off on rewards flights now and perks like free checked bags. The United Quest card is solid. $350 annual fee, but you get a $200 flight credit, TSA precheck, Instacart credits (if you use it), Rideshare credits. It has primary insurance coverage for rental cars. It’s a solid overall travel card. You’re at 3/24 so I would start with this if you know you’re going to use the credits.
If you’re planning on playing the credit card game and getting lots of sign up bonuses, you’ll want to get the Venture X early. They’re weird about approvals for people with good credit and velocity.
For Hilton, you’re best getting a Hilton branded card.
Unfortunately, if you get a Venture X and United Quest, you’re starting to get up there with annual fees. If you add a Hilton Surpass you’re approaching $900 per year in annual fees. Which is fine as long as you’re using all of the credits.
Based on your specs in the template I’m assuming you’re newish to credit cards so i would recommend not jumping off the deep end with a high annual fee card that 1.) forces you to juggle coupons to recoup the cost and 2.) forces you to over extend your spending to chase a SUB.
Given your income, what your high spend categories are and the frequency you use united, I would go for the United Explorer. Its a $0 intro AF for the first year so you can comfortably assess if it works for your lifestyle and if it’ll be a good ROI once that $150 AF is about to kick in.
In the meantime you’ll get a free TSA pre check if you apply using that card. And If after the first year you decide to switch to another card, you can downgrade the Explorer to the $0 AF United Gateway.