My credit cards, why I have them & how I maximize my reward potential!

I've recently written about the things you need to consider when looking for a credit card to apply for. Probably would have made more sense to tell you first what I have and why I chose this combination, so here you go!

	​AAdvantage Platinum	Capital One Venture X	Chase Sapphire Preferred	United Explorer	United Business
Annual Fee	$99	$395	$95	$95	$99
all other purchases	1x	2x	1x	1x	1x
airline purchases*	2x	NA	NA	2x	2x
dining	2x	NA	3x	2x	2x
hotel (when purchased on local hotel website)	NA	NA	2x	2x	NA
gas stations	2x	NA	NA	NA	2x
local transit	NA	NA	NA	NA	2x
office supply stores	NA	NA	NA	NA	2x
online groceries	NA	NA	3x	NA	NA
select streaming services	NA	NA	3x	NA	NA
other travel	NA	NA	2x	NA	NA
bank rewards portal**	NA	10x/5x	5x	​NA	NA

*By airline purchases, it means using that card to make purchases with that airline, ie. using the American Airlines to purchase flights on American, not on another airline **Chase, Capital One & other banks have their own rewards portal where you can book travel & other experiences, if you book through those portals, you will get extra points/miles. Often, if they offer a travel credit with that card, you need to book through their portal to use it.

NA - if it is not an applicable category, that category just falls in the 'all other purchases' category

A benefit they all share is $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit. This can only be used once every 4 years, which is fine since you don't need it more often than that anyways. Getting Global Entry is a no-brainer, it makes your life so much easier at the airport. It includes TSA PreCheck & smooth entry into USA from abroad. I haven't waited in a line since I got it about 5 years ago. All of them have no foreign transaction fees. Most USA credit cards have this as a benefit.

I'm gonna highlight the benefits I really use out of each card that is not a part of earning points. Click each dropdown to find the info on each card.

American Airlines (AAdvantage Platinum)

This one I actually do not use a whole lot anymore. I used to fly almost primarily American as a kid (this was just my family's preference). This will get me 1 free check-in luggage on American flights. I won't close it because it's my longest credit line (thanks to my parents), so it wouldn't be smart for my credit score to do so. If I only fly once per year on American, I think I still get enough value out of it.

Capital One Venture X

The best thing about this card is the Priority Pass membership. Even better, your additional cardholders (which are also free), get their own membership. They can use it without you (the main accountholder). For this alone, I think this card is worth it! You also get a $300 credit for a hotel, must be booked on the Capital One Travel Portal. In most of my travel, I use airbnb, however, I can always use a hotel every once in a while. I like to use this credit for a splurge. Last year, my husband and I went to the Dusit Thani Resort in Krabi. That place turned my adventure traveler husband into a resort person. Miracles do happen!

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Initially, I got this card with the mindset of maximizing mile potential for United Airlines. This card gets 3x points on dining whereas the United ones only get 2x. So when eating out, I solely use this one. For Airbnb, this card gives me 2x points & the United only 1x. I can transfer Chase points to United miles at anytime 1:1. There are other categories ie. streaming & online groceries, but I don't use them. There is also a $50 hotel credit, you have to book on the Chase portal. I don't really use this one. Yeah I know, it hurts to watch money burn. But I don't stay in hotels often enough, and I have to use the $300 one from Capital One first.

United Explorer

Worth it already for the first free checked bag. You also get 2 united club one-time passes per year. If I fly over SFO, I use them, otherwise I'm set with my priority pass. There are additional United related benefits, ie. priority boarding & 25% back on inflight purchases. These just don't make or break my decision in having this card. I've been considering upgrading or just getting the United Quest card. Soon I may be spending more time in the US, then it will probably make sense to do so.

United Business

More or less same use as United Explorer. There are some extra categories where I can earn more miles. I especially like the local transit category. I spend a lot of time in Europe so spend a good amount in that category. Or if I'm in the USA, the gas money goes quick. There's an anniversary bonus of 5k miles for having this and the Explorer card.

This is not financial advice. Signing up for a credit card is an important financial decision and you should do so carefully with your own research and/or help from a financial professional. This is not an advertisement. Some of the links are referral links and will give me extra airline miles or travel points if you use them to sign up. Thank you!