Below is a listing of what credit cards I currently have in my wallet and a quick explaination of why.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Although the card comes with a $450 annual fee, there are several benefits that make the card worthwhile. The $300 travel credit drops the effective annual fee to just $150, a favorable $.015/point redemption for airfare booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, and 3x points on Travel/Dining make this card a must for anyone who frequently travels for business or pleasure. I also find some value in the Priority Pass Select membership offered. I originally signed up for the card due to the incredible 100,000 signup bonus (ending March 12), but plan on keeping it for years to come.
Chase Sapphire Preferred: The only reason this card is in my wallet is for the 50,000 Ultimate Rewards signup bonus. I think I spent exactly $4,000 on the card and have never used it since. Consider the Sapphire Reserve is essentially just $55 more a year I see no reason to actually use this card anymore. I have every intention of downgrading to the Chase Freedom or Freedom Unlmited in the near future.
Citi Prestige: With a $200/year ($450 – $250 travel credit) annual fee, the card offers many similar benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve with 3x points on several ‘travel’ categories, 2x points on dining and entertainment, and 1 point on everything else. I originally got the card as a conversion from the Citi AAdvantage Executive card so I did not take advantage of the 50,000 signup bonus (rookie mistake). I used to love the Citi Prestige card, but after July 2017, with the loss of Admirals Club access and a few other perks I am not sure I will keep the card, but if I paid for more hotel I would definitely keep the card due to the 4th night free benefit offered. I may end up downgrading to the Citi ThankYou Prmier card to have a card in my wallet that earns 3x points on gas.
American Express Platinum Card: At $250/year ($450 – $200 travel credit) the platinum card is the most expensive card in my wallet, but I find tremendous value in carrying the card. For starters I receive 5x points on airfare which adds up quickly, but the real reason I keep the card is for access to Centurion lunges, Delta Sky Clubs, SPG / Marriott / Ritz-Carlton Gold Status, and Hilton Gold Status! I personally do not find too much value in the Fine Hotels & Resorts program or Travel Concierge, but they can also be extremely valuable benefits when traveling. I plan to hold on to the card for a while.
Marriott Rewards Premier: For starters the card comes with a complimentary night at a category 1-5 property annually and this benefit alone justifies the $85 annual fee. Next, each account anniversary the card offers 15 Elite nights toward Marriott Elite Status. The card also tends to offer an 80,000 Marriott point signup bonus and a 10,000 point referral bonus. Sure you earn 5x points on Marriott spend, but I can’t remember the last time I actually used this card.
BankAmericard Cash Rewards Visa Platinum Plus: Sure the card the longest name of any card in my wallet, but it is also my oldest account. I originally opened this account about 7 years ago and considering the account has no annual fee, I have no reason to ever close the card. Your FICO score is affected by the average age of accounts and since this is my oldest, closing it could have a fairly negative effect on my overall credit score. Again, I do not know when the last time I swiped this card was.
On My Radar:
Ritz Carlton Rewards Card: Considering this card for the $100 Visa Infinite domestic travel credit, 3 complimentary nights at Ritz Carlton Properties, and because of the $300 travel credit. I hesitate to open the card because I am not sure what will end up happening with the Marriott/SPG merger and if Amex Platinum card will continue to offer complimentary Gold status after the two programs are integrated.
Starwood Preferred Guest Amex: If this card offers the 30,000 SPG signup bonus (90,000 Marriott Rewards Points) again I will most likely open the card and hope it gets converted to the Marriott Rewards version in the future.
Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard: The only reason I look to open this card is to retain Admirals Club access. At $450/year with no offsetting travel credits, justifying the annual fee is difficult.
Miles and Moore 