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Offers for the avianca lifemiles
As a full-time digital nomad and
Right now, I have 11 active credit cards that I utilize for nearly every purchase I make. Of my 11 cards, eight charge annual fees that add up to an amount some might find excessive — but I come out well ahead every year.
Here's how.
My 11 Cards That Charge $3,269 in Annual Fees
Right now, I carry 11 credit cards with annual fees totaling $3,269. Here's the breakdown of the eight that have annual fees:
- American Express Platinum Card®: $895 annual fee
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: $795 annual fee
- Citi Strata Elite℠ Card: $595 annual fee
Capital One Rewards - avianca lifemiles American Express® Elite Card: $249 annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: $150 annual fee
- Citi Strata Premier® Card: $95 annual fee
- Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card: $95 annual fee
Five of these cards are general travel
I also have the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, the Chase Freedom®, and the Apple Card, none of which charge an annual fee. I rarely use the Capital One VentureOne, but I like to keep it open for extra available credit and a longer credit history.
That brings me to a total of $3,269 in annual fees each year. When you see it written out like that, it might look unnecessary or even irresponsible. But I use these cards to unlock nearly $7,000 in annual value.
How I Unlock Nearly $7,000 in Annual Value From Statement Credits
My list of statement credits is seemingly endless. Maximizing each of these credits takes work — especially the ones earned monthly. Sometimes I forget about a credit and leave money on the table, which is why AwardWallet's tracking tools come in so handy.
Almost $4,500 in credits I find easy to use
The Platinum Card® has the most credits of any other card in my wallet. Some are more challenging to maximize, but these I find easy to redeem:
- Up to $600 Hotel Credit on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings (of two nights or more) through Amex Travel ($300 semi-annually). I frequently go on weekend trips and can easily justify booking through a travel portal to save $300.
- Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit for incidental fees charged by a selected qualifying airline. I travel full-time with my cat, so I use this credit for pet fees when we fly.
- Up to $300 Digital Entertainment Credit ($25 each month) is incredibly easy to use. I use my credit for a Disney, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle, which allows me to watch favorites like Project Runway, Broad City, VEEP, and all my favorite holiday movies.
- Up to $300 Lululemon Credit ($75 per quarter) is also an easy sell. Lululemon has some excellent, high-quality clothes. I always pick my Lululemon attire for long travel days, so I'm thrilled I can easily buy an item each quarter with little out of pocket.
- Up to $155 Walmart+ Credit is useful even if you aren't a frequent Walmart shopper. I use my credit to enroll in Peacock so I can rewatch Parks and Recreation while I work.
- Up to $400 Resy Credit ($100 quarterly). I used to find this difficult to use, as it's only valid for U.S. Resy restaurants. However, I now buy gift cards to eligible restaurants and give them to my parents. I love being able to gift a quarterly date night.
- Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
- $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM late check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
The Sapphire Reserve is the newest card in my wallet, and I'm surprised by the credits it offers:
- The $300 annual travel credit couldn't be easier to use. I used mine before my card even arrived in the mail.
- Up to $500 credit for stays with The Edit ($250 twice per year) is a bit trickier, but not impossible. The one con is that The Edit program is very small, so it can be challenging to find an affordable hotel that qualifies. However, I used one of mine to offset a two-night stay in Auckland, but I'm not sure how I'll use the other.
- Up to $250 credit for select Chase Travel Hotels is advertised as being available through December 31, 2026, but I'm really hoping it'll extend into 2027, as it's extremely easy to use. It also stacks on The Edit credit, which means you can stay at a luxury hotel for a fraction of the cost.
- The $300 dining credit ($150 semi-annually) is harder to use than the Resy credit because far fewer restaurants are eligible. However, I can still buy gift cards for my parents to use whenever they please.
- Up to $288 in Apple TV and Apple Music subscriptions is my favorite credit now that it applies to existing Apple One subscribers. I get a $16 monthly discount on my subscription, for a total value of $192 per year.
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases.
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, a statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for a maximum of $300 annually when you dine at restaurants part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $324 annually.
- Member FDIC
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
The Citi Strata Elite might not offer as many credits, but they are quite lucrative:
- Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit of two nights or more booked through cititravel.com. Just like the credit on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings, I can easily redeem this credit for a weekend trip with friends or family.
- Up to $200 Annual Splurge Credit℠ on a choice of up to two of the following brands: 1stDibs,
American Airlines
- Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
- Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
- Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
- Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- 12X – Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com.
- 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com.
- 6X – Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time.
- 1.5X – Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
My Capital One Venture X is my go-to credit card, thanks to its return on my day-to-day purchases and simple benefits. The $300 annual travel credit never lasts more than a few days once my card renews.
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
The Citi Strata Premier requires a little more sleuthing — a $100 annual hotel benefit off a single hotel stay of $500 or more means I'll still spend a bit out of pocket. Still, I can use it.
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- 10X on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases
- 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants
- 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets
- 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations
- 1X – Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
Finally, the Delta Gold Card gives me a $100 Delta Stays Credit. Last year, I used it to offset the cost of a three-night booking in Johannesburg, South Africa. I haven't used it this year, but I'm sure I will.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer: As High As 80,000 Bonus Miles + Earn a $250 Statement Credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount. Offer ends 11/04/2026.
- Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: With your $120 Rideshare Credit, earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after your first Card renewal when you use your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
- When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, you can earn: 2X miles on Delta Purchases, 2X miles at restaurants, 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets, 1X miles on all other eligible purchases. Every mile you earn brings you closer to the places you want to go. Turn them into your next trip, use them for seat upgrades, and more.
- Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get your second bag free when flying domestically.
- $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
- Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- Send money, split purchases, and focus on the moments that matter - with Send & Split®. Powered by Venmo and PayPal. Enrollment Required. Terms apply.
- Terms Apply.
- 2X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 2X miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
As long as I max out each of these credits, I'll receive $4,497 in statement credits each year. Keep in mind that many of these are purchases I'd make anyway. Regardless of my status as a Platinum Card® holder, I'll still subscribe to a Disney bundle, travel and pay pet fees, and shop at Lululemon.
Although it's easy for me, it's certainly not for everyone. I have to book nine separate hotel reservations through five different travel portals each year to take full advantage of these credits. That's in addition to the non-hotel credits, which each require enrollment, merchant selection, or dedicated booking.
If you don't want to go through the trouble, this strategy might not work for you.
An additional $2,399 in credits that I find challenging to use
Although the Platinum Card® has plenty of credits I find easy to use, it has almost as many credits I find challenging to use.
- Up to $200 Uber Cash ($15 each month plus $20 in December when you add your card to your Uber account). This is only valid for rides or orders in the U.S., and since I'm rarely in the U.S., I don't get much value from this benefit. Same goes for the up to $120 in statement credits for an auto-renewing Uber One membership. However, I'm hopeful this will change now that Uber One benefits will be available in 45+ countries.
- Up to $219 CLEAR+ Credit. I'm not in the U.S. much, and my home airport in North Carolina doesn't have CLEAR lanes, so I haven't found this membership particularly useful. It's easy to enroll, but I probably wouldn't pay for a membership if I weren't a cardholder.
- $200 Oura Ring Credit. I love my Apple Watch, so I don't feel much need to purchase an Oura Ring. I might consider using the credit to gift an Oura Ring to someone who really wants one, but since it costs at least $349, it's still a lot out of pocket.
- The $300 Equinox Credit covers an Equinox+ digital subscription. At the risk of embarrassing myself, I haven't opened the app once since I enrolled a year ago. While I technically “take advantage” of this benefit, I'm not sure it counts if I don't actually use it.
- Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Similarly, the Sapphire Reserve offers several credits that I don't maximize:
- Up to $300 in StubHub credits ($150 semi-annually) sounds nice on paper, but virtually everyone I've known who has used StubHub has gotten scammed. I wish Chase had partnered with Ticketmaster instead. Although it has its own problems, I prefer buying concert tickets directly from the artist and not on resale. I used my credit to buy tickets to a Gracie Abrams concert in May 2027, but I'm not confident the tickets are real.
- Up to $420 in DoorDash credits and a DashPass membership are also hard to use when you don't live in the U.S., but they're a great perk for those who do.
- Up to $120 in Lyft credits is also very U.S.-specific, so I can't maximize this benefit.
- Up to $120 in Peloton credits is nice if you already subscribe to Peloton, but I don't, and I don't plan to.
In addition to these, most of my other cards have credits I don't fully maximize.
For example, the Citi Strata Elite‘s $200 Annual Blacklane® Credit is simple to use, but not as valuable in my book. It's doled out in $100 semi-annual credits. I recently looked into reserving a Blacklane car for an early morning trip to London Gatwick Airport (LGW), but the ride would cost more than £250. Meanwhile, a taxi cost just £99, which would mean I'd pay substantially more, even after the statement credit, to go with Blacklane. Plus, Blacklane only operates in select destinations.
The Delta Gold Card also offers up to $120 in rideshare credits, but once again, it's for U.S. rideshare purchases, so I don't use it. I could also earn a $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in purchases, but I don't use that card regularly enough to earn it.
If I figured out how to maximize these credits, I'd earn an additional $2,199 in annual statement credits. If I earned the Delta flight credit, that would bump up to $2,399 in extra value each year.
My Portfolio Changes Over the Past Year
I first wrote this article in 2025, when I paid $2,724 per year in annual fees. Since then, my annual fees have grown by over $500 as I've made a few changes to my portfolio.
Two of my cards — the Freedom Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Amex — are closed to new applicants, but these are new additions to my wallet this year.
That's because I used to be a cardholder of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, which charges a $250 annual fee. I originally applied for the card a few years ago to take advantage of (at the time) a best-ever offer.
However, it offers few benefits beyond Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status, which I already get with my Platinum Card®, so I requested a product change to the Marriott Bonvoy Amex. Now I pay less in annual fees, and I get a free night award worth up to 35,000 points each year.
I also decided to downgrade my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Although it seems to be everyone's favorite travel card, I simply didn't use it enough to pay the $95 annual fee. That's especially true considering I added a new premium card to my wallet this year: the Sapphire Reserve.
Maximum Earning Potential on Every Purchase
Beyond maximizing statement credits, I get a lot of value from my cards through earning. At minimum, I earn 2X miles on every single purchase. To keep things simple, I'm not factoring in the points I'll earn if I book flights, hotels, car rentals, or attractions through a travel portal.
Transferable points earnings per $1 spent:
- Flights: 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) with the Platinum Card®
- Hotels: 4X with the Sapphire Reserve
- Airbnbs: 3X with the Citi Strata Premier
- Dining: 6X during Citi Nights using the Citi Strata Elite, 3X during other times using the Sapphire Reserve, Citi Strata Premier, or Citi Strata Elite
- Groceries: 3X with the Citi Strata Premier
- Gas: 3X with the Citi Strata Premier
- Rotating quarterly bonus categories: 5% back (up to $1,500 spent) with the Freedom Card
- All other purchases: 2X using the Capital One Venture X
Co-branded points earnings per $1 spent:
- Hotels: 6X on Marriott purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy Amex
- Flights: 2X on purchases made directly with Delta with the Delta Gold Card, 3X on Avianca with avianca American Express Elite Card
- Restaurants: 2X at restaurants worldwide with the Delta Gold Card or the avianca American Express Elite Card
- Supermarkets: 2X at U.S. supermarkets with the Delta Gold Card
- Travel: 2X with avianca American Express Elite Card
- All other purchases: 2X using the Marriott Bonvoy Amex
Other Cardholder Benefits Worth Noting
There are countless other benefits that don't have a specific value that I enjoy with my cards, including:
- Platinum Card®: Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection®, value with Fine Hotels + Resorts®, travel insurance, and hotel and car rental elite status.
- Sapphire Reserve: Phenomenal travel protection,
IHG One Rewards - Citi Strata Elite: 4X American Airlines Admirals Club® Lounge Access Passes, plus added value with The Reserve by Citi Travel®.
- Capital One Venture X: 10,000 bonus anniversary miles, access to Capital One Lounge and Landing.
- Delta Gold Card: TakeOff 15 flight discount, first two checked bags free.
- avianca American Express Elite Card: Silver elite status, LifeMiles+ membership.
Plus, I get a Global Entry application fee credit and Priority Pass Select membership from several of my cards. I also have access to Citi, American Express, Chase, and Capital One transfer partners. In other words, I have an endless list of hotels and airlines I can transfer points to for maximum value.
Potential Changes to My Credit Card Lineup
As any award traveler knows, diversifying your portfolio is key. There are two huge gaps in my current credit card lineup: I don't earn any Wells Fargo Rewards points or Bilt Points. To solve that problem, I'm interested in both the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey® Card (Rates & Fees) and Bilt Palladium Card (Rates & Fees).
The Autograph Journey is enticing because of its earning potential:
- 5X points per $1 spent with hotels
- 4X points per $1 spent with airlines
- 3X points per $1 spent on other travel and restaurants
- 1X points per $1 spent on other purchases
I don't currently earn 3X on general travel purchases with any other credit card. The low $95 annual fee means it's an easy addition to my wallet. I'd also get 5X on hotels booked direct, which exceeds any of my other cards.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's $600 toward your next trip.
- Earn unlimited 5X points with hotels, 4X points with airlines, 3X points on restaurants and other travel, and 1X points on other purchases.
- $95 annual fee.
- Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
- Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
- Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- 5X points per $1 spent with hotels
- 4X points per $1 spent with airlines
- 3X points per $1 spent on other travel and restaurants
- 1X points per $1 spent on other purchases
I've waffled on Bilt cards for a long time. As a digital nomad, I don't pay rent. I'm interested in the Palladium Card because it's the only card that currently offers a welcome bonus that awards Bilt points: 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 3 months + $300 of Bilt Cash. However, the $495 annual fee makes me pause, considering I'm already paying thousands every year.
- Earn points on housing payments with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
I'm also very interested in the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card, even though I've never flown Alaska Airlines before. Why? Well, the 25,000-point Global Companion Award is a nice perk. However, I'm really interested in earning unlimited 3X Atmos Rewards points on all foreign transactions. As someone who spends 11 months out of the U.S. each year, I make quite a few foreign transactions.
- 3X points on eligible dining, foreign transactions, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
- 1X point on all other purchases
- 10% points bonus with an eligible Bank of America® account
I could probably be talked into another hotel card — maybe the new
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Go further when you book with Chase Travel℠. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
- Member FDIC
- 3X points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
- 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
Bottom Line
Of all the statement credits I receive, I find $4,497 worth easy to use, and $2,399 available but harder to earn or redeem. These credits alone more than justify the $3,269 I pay in annual fees each year.
On top of these credits, I earn anywhere from 2X to 6X points per dollar on non-travel portal purchases, and I can transfer the points I earn to dozens of airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. This provides even greater value from my cards, especially since I use credit cards for every purchase I make (apart from ATM withdrawals).
Finally, I enjoy access to a multitude of airport lounges, elite status perks with my favorite hotels and airlines, bonus points each year, and discounts on award redemptions. All in all, even though I spend a few thousand dollars in credit card annual fees each year, I think I get enough value to justify keeping each of these cards in my wallet.
If my travel habits or financial goals change, I can always downgrade a card or avoid applying for new ones. Until then, I'm happy with my lineup.
How does your card portfolio compare? Let us know in the comments below.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (Rates & Fees), Citi Strata Premier® Card (Rates & Fees), Bilt Palladium Card (Rates & Fees), and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
