What’s in my wallet? Travel credit cards I’m currently carrying

If you love to travel, then having the right credit card strategy can go a long way in helping you attain your goals. Travel credit cards make it much easier for you to plan, with amazing welcome bonuses being the cherry on top. I’ve been in the miles and points for over 12 years. My strategy has evolved from being a solo business traveler, to traveling as a couple and now traveling with family. Here’s what my wallet looks like in April 2025.

Travel credit cards in my wallet

Over the last couple of years, I’ve slowed down my pace of travel, focusing more on longer and more leisurely international vacations . My credit card portfolio is now narrowed down to the following cards, from two issuers.

American Express

1. Amex Platinum Card (Charles Schwab): Even with the steep annual fee, I’m able to get enough value to justify the fee. Also, I love Centurion lounge access and the Fine Hotels and Resorts benefit, from which I derive a great deal of value.
2. Business Gold Card x 2: I got these when they were running the NLL offers with 140,000 points bonuses last year. While I love the points earning on business spend, I may cancel one of them and keep the other when the annual fee comes up. At the moment, you can earn a limited time welcome bonus of 150,000 Membership Rewards points, In addition, you’ll also enjoy an intro 0% APR for the first 6 months.
3. Blue Business Plus Card x 2: I love the simple 2x on all spend. Most importantly, these cards carry no annual fee. I don’t plan to cancel these cards.
4. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card: Last year, I signed up for this card when Amex was running the 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy points welcome bonus. My first experience with Platinum status has been pretty good. The dining credit is easy to use each month and I plan to keep this card long term. Right now, the 185,000 points welcome bonus is back and is set to expire in a few weeks time.
5. Hilton Aspire Card: Similar to the Bonvoy Brilliant card, this card gives me amazing perks with elite status. Also, the free night certificate and annual credits are easy to use. Right now, American Express is offering higher than usual welcome bonuses on all of their co-branded Hilton credit cards. The Hilton Aspire card is offering a fantastic welcome bonus of 175,000 Hilton Honors points. Moreover, you’ll enjoy 1 free night certificate upon approval and another each year. You simply have to pay the annual fee and renew the card.

Chase

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred: In my opinion, this is by far, my favorite travel credit card. It has an amazingly  simple value proposition and a reasonable annual fee. At the moment, you can earn a whopping 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points if you sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
2. World of Hyatt Credit card (Personal): I’m paring down my Hyatt stays this year and focusing more on Hilton and Marriott. I plan to cancel when the fee comes up later this year.
3. Ink Business Cash: A simple credit card for every day business spend at office supply stores.
4. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card: While I don’t use this card much, I’ll still keep this one. I has a $95 annual fee and the free night certificate more than pays for the annual fee each year. Chase is currently offering an amazing welcome bonus of 3 free nights, in addition to 50,000 bonus points.
5. Chase Freedom: This was my first Chase card, following by the Sapphire Preferred. Since it has no annual fee, I plan to keep it open, by putting some spend on it every now and then.

Strategy Ahead

I continue to be focused on the following strategy:

• Using Amex and Chase cards frequently to keep adding to my Membership Rewards and Ultimate Rewards points balance
• Be on the lookout for NLL offers from Amex if they come up
• Continue to stay loyal to Hilton and Marriott as preferred choices for hotel stays, given their great international footprint, in addition to the ability to earn elite status by simply having the right co-branded credit card.

The Pundit’s Mantra

I’m following a two fold strategy for some time now. When it comes to airlines, you’ll see that I have no co-branded credit cards. Most of my travel is international in nature and I see no merit in keeping any airline credit cards open, beyond getting a welcome bonus. When it comes to hotels, I’m focusing on staying loyal to Hilton, followed by Marriott. Given that I have elite status with both, it’s very convenient as the chains have presence in most parts of the world. Also, with the addition of SLH, I’m even more excited to use my Hilton points and free night certificates for upcoming trips.

By having a significant amount of Chase and Amex points, I make sure that I can book a flight with most airlines in the world by transferring points. By staying loyal to Hilton, then Marriott, I ensure that I can get a room using points in most cities around the world at a short notice.

Which is your favorite travel credit card, if you just had to carry one in your wallet? Tell us in the comments section.

In my case, it would be the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

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