Does anyone else feel like this year is going by incredibly slow? Well I’m glad because there is a lot of points and miles-related stuff I want to knock off my list and I need all the time I can get. One of those things is to get a hold of my credit card strategy for 2025. I have some trips planned that I need to top off my points balance for. While I picked up some new cards last year, I need a few more and I also need to reconsider existing cards in my wallet.
Here’s a closer look at my my credit card strategy for 2025:
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Credit cards I’m keeping this year
I have a total of nine credit cards that hold a permanent place in my wallet. These cards offer recurring perks and generous rewards that make keeping them long-term worthwhile. Some of these cards have high annual fees that are offset by statement credits and perks.
Others have no annual fee and seemingly no everyday use, but I keep them because they have a high credit line and/or are one of my oldest accounts. Closing those cards could hurt my credit, so I keep them long-term to avoid that from happening.
Citi Prestige Card
I’ve been threatening to downgrade my Citi Prestige for years now, but it has grown on me. No, it has no purchase or travel protections, but it earns a ton of points: 5X points on dining, airline and travel agency spending, 3X on hotel and cruises, 1X on everything else.
Considering dining is a huge spending category for me, I get my money’s worth with this card. Plus, seemingly every quarter, I’m targeted for a 5X bonus on grocery and drugstore purchases. That’s huge for me.
The $250 annual travel credit is flexible enough that I can use it without worrying about the card’s lack of travel protection. I often check out of hotels with this card or I use it for checked bags and seat upgrades.
The Citi Prestige is the last remaining card with Priority Pass Select membership that includes dining access. I like putting this perk to use when I’m flying out of SFO’s Terminal 2 or 3, which have decent restaurants.
The card’s Global Entry/TSA Precheck application fee credit gets renewed this year, which helps offset more of the $495 annual fee. My sister has yet to apply for Global Entry, so I’ll be using this credit to cover her fee.
While I’ve only used the fourth-night-free hotel benefit once, it could come in handy during a family trip to Europe this summer. Overall, the Citi Prestige earns its keep every year thanks to its generous reward structure and perks. I’ll be holding on to it for 2025.
Related: Global Entry enrollment interview on-arrival
Expedia OneKey+ Card
The Expedia OneKey+ Card was a wildcard for me. Normally I don’t like booking through OTA’s or using cash back cards for travel. But this card has a $99 annual fee and includes $100 in annual travel cash, making it an easy card to justify keeping.
The card earns 3% cash back on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo bookings and with the Platinum elite status upgrade, this increases to a combined 9%. Cardholders also earn 3% cash back at gas station, grocery stores and dining; plus 2% on all other purchases.
It includes Expeida OneKey Gold status, which offers up to 20% savings on select hotels. I got upgraded to Platinum status courtesy of Expedia and it has already saved me hundreds of dollars on hotel bookings at VIP Access properties. Overall, this card is a keeper and I’ve already accrued over $800 in rewards between the welcome bonus and purchases.
I don’t have an affiliate link for this card, but I still think it can offer a substantial boost for any travel you might have coming up. The card offers $400 in OneKey Cash after you spend $3,000 in the first three months of account opening.
World of Hyatt Card
I only use my World of Hyatt card at Hyatt hotels and the occasional large purchase. The card earns 4X points at Hyatt hotels and comes with an annual free night valid at a Category 1-4 hotel. It offers another free night after $15,000 in spending per calendar year. Every year, I get at least $250 out of these free night awards, easily recouping the card’s $95 annual fee.
The World of Hyatt card includes Discoverist status, which isn’t useful beyond earning 10% bonus points. However, it also earns two tier-qualifying nights towards elite status for every $5,000 spent. Throw in the card’s five annual elite night credits and I usually manage to make my way to Explorist status via card spending. In fact, this card offers so much value I may pick up the business version later this year.
Related: Why I paid my taxes with the Hyatt card
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is my go-to card for business expenses. It earns 2X points on all purchases (up to $50,000) and has no annual fee. Plus, I often get a ton of savings and points from Amex Offers. This one’s a long-term keeper.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Bilt Mastercard
The Bilt credit card is a no-brainer if you’re renting. It’s the only card that lets you charge rent to your credit card and earn points, at no annual fee. The card also earns 5X points on Lyft rideshares, Bilt Neighborhood dining partners and 2X on travel. Plus, every month during Rent Day, Bilt offers some kind of perk, like airline/hotel elite status, 100% transfer bonus on rewards, etc.
I initially got the Bilt Mastercard because it was the only transferable currency to American AAdvantage. That’s changed, but I still get value out of being a Bilt Rewards member and having an alternate source to top off my Hyatt card.
Related: Bilt limits double Rent Day rewards
Citi Double Cash Card
I don’t get much daily use out of the Citi Double Cash Card, but I use it to autopay all my household bills. It’s a 2% cash back card, earning 1% cash back when you make a purchase and 1% when you pay it off. That’s about as good as it gets with household bills. Since I have a Citi Prestige Card, my Citi Double Cash rewards can be used as Citi ThankYou points.
Every year, I get a ton of value out of using my Citi ThankYou points through Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and Air France-KLM Flying Blue. I’m also eyeing a Wyndham Rewards redemption in Mexico later this year, so this card is handy for racking up those points. No annual fee = long-term keeper.
Citi Rewards+ Card
Years ago I downgraded my Citi Premier Card to the Citi Rewards+ Card. Since this account is pretty old and has a high credit limit, closing it down would hurt my credit. So I’m keeping it long-term and it’s not that bad because it has no annual fee.
The Citi Rewards+ Card also has some useful perks: 2X points at grocery stores and gas station (up to $6,000 spent) and rewards are rounded up to the nearest 10 points. For example, if I use it to pay for a $2.90 subway fare or a $1 store trinket, I’ll earn 10 points. I’m sure as inflation takes its toll, this perk will become less valuable. But in the meantime, I’ll keep using this card for occasional purchases and hold onto it long-term.
Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card
The Ink Business Cash Credit Card has been a long-time staple in my card portfolio, in one form or another. The card has no annual fee and earns 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services every year.
Meanwhile, the first $25,000 spent at gas stations and restaurants earns 2% cash back and all other purchases earn 1% back. I make good use of that 5% bonus (if you know, you know) and am able to convert my cash back to points since I have a Sapphire Reserve card. The Ink Business Cash has no annual fee, so I’ll be holding on to it long-term.
Note: If you sign up for the Ink Business Cash with my referral link, you’ll earn up to $750 in bonus cash: $350 when you spend $3,000 in the first three months and another $400 when you spend $6,000 in the first six months. I’ll receive a 20,000-point bonus if you’re approved.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a staple in my wallet because it checks all the boxes: It earns valuable rewards, includes extensive travel protections, and a $300 annual travel credit that’s easy to redeem. I use my rewards mostly for Hyatt transfers or to top off my Aeroplan balance. If I decide down the line it’s not worth it anymore, I can always downgrade to a Sapphire Preferred or one of the no-annual-fee Freedom cards.
Regardless, some variation of this card will be with me for a long time. If you’re looking to get your own Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, please consider using my referral link. I’ll earn a 10,000-point bonus if you’re approved and you’ll receive
The card has a 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 in three months.
If you sign up with my referral link, I’ll earn a 10,000-mile bonus if you’re approved. Before applying for a Chase card, be sure to review Chase’s application rules, especially the 5/24 rule.
Credit cards I’m product-changing
Sometimes, a card doesn’t work out in the long run, or its benefits are significantly reduced. I don’t want to keep paying a high annual fee for a card that doesn’t serve me, so I’ll often downgrade these cards in order to maintain the credit line and long-term positive impact on my credit score.
Other times, I might need to upgrade a card because doing so opens up more reward opportunities. This year, I’ll be downgrading one of my long-term cards and upgrading a more recent acquisition:
Related: Navy Federal More Rewards American Express Card review
Amex Hilton Aspire to Hilton Honors American Express Card
The Hilton Aspire Card has been in my wallet for about five years now. Every year, I got tons of value out of the top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, annual Hilton credit, $200 airline credit and annual free night. It was well worth the $450 annual fee…until things changed. So much is changing about this card that isn’t worth it for me anymore:
- My annual fee, due later this month, is increasing by $100 (to $550).
- The airline fee credit is changing to $50 per quarter and valid on Amex Travel flight purchases only.
On top of this, the Hilton Diamond status is not as useful since the pandemic-era policy of replacing free hotel breakfast with a daily credit has become permanent. A $15 food and beverage credit barely covers a glass of orange juice in some markets, so it’s a major downgrade.
Yes, Hilton Diamond members still receive complimentary breakfast abroad, but I’m perfectly find downgrading to a Hilton Honors American Express Card and settling for Hilton Gold status from my Amex Platinum Card. I’ll still receive free breakfast and, in my experience, hotels often extend this benefit via lounge access. So I’ll get to retain some benefits without paying an annual fee.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Related: What’s the difference between Hiton Gold and Diamond status?
Capital One Venture to Venture X Rewards Credit Card
I like my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It earns 2X miles on everything and I get a ton of value from Capital One’s transfer partnerships. I also loved visiting the Capital One lounge in Denver earlier this year and unwinding in the relaxation room after a long day of travel. The card’s 50% discount at Capital One cafes is a nice incentive on days when I want to work out of a coffee shop.
However, with Capital One dropping the two annual lounge visits for Venture Cardholders, I want to switch to a card with better access. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a $395 annual fee but includes a $300 travel credit when booking through Capital One Travel.
Considering the card earns 10X rewards on these bookings, using the credit won’t be difficult. Switching to the Venture X Card won’t end up costing me more since the $300 credit will offset the $395 annual fee, bringing me down to $95.
Related: Capital one Venture Card Benefits
Credit cards I’m canceling
Sometimes a new credit card just doesn’t work out. Its perks aren’t worth the annual fee and I’m not using it enough to earn meaningful rewards. This year, there are two such cards on the chopping block:
Citi AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard
I got the Citi AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard a few months ago and I’m dangerously close to the spending requirement deadline. Granted, I got this card for the generous welcome bonus of 65,000 miles after $4,000 spent within four months of account opening. The $99 annual fee is waived the first year, I needed a card that earned AAdvantage miles after Bilt dropped American as a transfer partner.
The earnings aren’t bad at 2X rewards on AA purchases, gas, rental car bookings and telecommunications merchants. Plus, you’ll earn 1 Loyalty Point on every dollar spent, which is a great way to accelerate your way to AAdvantage elite status.
The card’s free checked bag benefit is useful for times when I have to travel with a checked bag, while preferred boarding and 25% in-flight purchase discounts are solid perks. But am I going to spend $30,000 on this card to earn the Companion Certificate? No. But for the time being, I’ll use it for business expenses and figure out some other method to stock up on AAdvantage miles.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
I have tried to break up with The Platinum Card® from American Express numerous times but it keeps pulling me back in. First, I canceled the card and got an incredible American Express® Gold Card offer. Then I was going to cancel that card until I was offered 100,000 points to upgrade from Amex Gold to Platinum. Now I keep getting lucrative mailers for the Amex Platinum Business card.
As much as I love the splattered paint design on my card and as much value as I get from the numerous Amex Offers I’m targeted for, I don’t like paying the $695 annual fee. There are too many annual credits to keep track of. Yes, I signed up for Walmart+, the Hulu bundle and Uber credit. But would I have purchased these services otherwise? No.
I have to remind myself to redeem the airline fee credit and I will probably forget to put the hotel credit to use. When I tried to redeem my $50 Saks credit last quarter, I ended up paying $65 for a tube of lipstick. Granted, it was Chanel lipstick that “cost” me “only” $15 out of pocket, but still. Having this card feels like work and I’m not into it. So when the annual fee is due, I will probably downgrade this card yet again.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Related: 6 steps tog et approved for a Capital one Card
New credit cards I’m applying for
I’m not big on acquiring new credit cards unless there’s a very specific purpose behind it. Sure, welcome bonuses are nice but I like to play the long game and avoid playing credit card musical chairs. I earn most of my rewards through card spending and retail arbitrage.
Still, I will acquire a new credit card if I want to diversify my rewards or get access to new perks. Here are three credit cards I’m applying for this year:
Related: Everything you need to know about Buying Groups
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
I know I said having the Amex Platinum card felt like work, but The Business Platinum Card® from American Express seems like a better fit (there is a business/work pun in here somewhere but I’m too lazy to find it). Assuming there’s an attractive bonus offer, I’ll probably switch to this card for a few reasons:
First, it’s great for large purchases since it earns 1.5X on $5,000 or more. The $120 in annual wireless credits is a practical way to offset the $695 annual fee. The card now offers a $50 quarterly credit at Hilton hotels, which helps recoup part of the credit I’m losing by downgrading my Hilton Aspire Card.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Wells Fargo Autograph
Wells Fargo has been on a roll lately, introducing no less than four new credit cards (two of them co-branded with Expedia). The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is a contender at the moment, earning 3X rewards on dining, travel, gas, transit, streaming and phone plans. It covers pretty much every major spending group and with the introduction of transfer partners, the points are more valuable than ever.
The best part? The Wells Fargo Autograph Card has no annual fee and even provides $600 in annual cell phone protection and no foreign transaction fees. The 20,000-point welcome bonus isn’t the best but at least it’s attainable with a $1,000 spending requirement within three months of account opening.
Honestly, the only reason this card doesn’t get more hype is because there is no affiliate commission. Otherwise, I think this should be a go-to for most people since it has such a generous reward structure with valuable transfer partners. If I ever decide to bow out of the points game, this will be the card I’ll retire with.
Related: Capital One application rules
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card currently has a generous welcome offer of 70,000 points and a Famous Companion Fare after you spend $3,000 within 90 days of account opening. Alaska miles are incredibly valuable thanks to the Mileage Plan program’s vast partnerships.
Alaska also has reasonable redemption rates, with flights between the West Coast and Japan costing just 75,000 miles one way on Japan Airlines. I also appreciate the Famous Companion Fare, which is pretty helpful during times when airfare costs are high and saver awards aren’t available.
I stocked up on some miles by transferring Hawaiian miles to Alaska Mileage Plan via Amex Membership Rewards, but I can always use more. The Alaska Airlines card is a great way for me to do that. Plus, the card provides a 10%bonus on all rewards earned with the card. The $95 annual fee is pretty standard for an airline card.
Bottom line
My credit card strategy is focused on maximizing rewards and benefits while maintaining good credit. I’ve managed to do that pretty successfully for over a decade by re-evaluating my wallet every year. Furthermore, I either keep or downgrade cards that with high credit limits and/or long history. It’s always good to play the long game.
Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
