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 space 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 December 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
Chase
- 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.
- Ink Business Cash: A simple credit card for every day business spend at office supply stores.
- 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 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.
Cards that I pay pick up soon
I haven’t yet, but I may jump into the Capital One ecosystem and pick up one of their Venture X cards. Citi Strata Elite, I’m not quite sure yet and their recent track record is yet to convince me otherwise.
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 (thanks to complimentary Gold status via the Amex Platinum Card), it’s very convenient as these 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 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.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Credit Card Offers
American Express Business Credit Cards
- Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards points with the Business Platinum Card
- Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards and enjoy a 0% intro APR on the Business Gold Card
Chase Sapphire Cards
- Earn 125,000 bonus points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- Earn 200,000 bonus points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card for Business
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss out on the deals, news and travel industry trends. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Twitter to keep getting the latest content!
