Ultimate Credit Card Usage Guide: What To Use In Every Situation
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- Опубліковано 9 тра 2024
- Today we share with you what credit cards to use for every situation.
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We share how to maximize the value of each card. We will also share the best card to use for every situation. We'll present our best stack of 5 cards to get the most out of your credit card experience.
Credit Cards Mentioned:
💳American Express Gold Card: www.dailydrop.com/credit-card...
💳Amex Platinum: www.dailydrop.com/credit-card...
💳IHG Premier: www.dailydrop.com/credit-card...
💳World of Hyatt: www.dailydrop.com/credit-card...
💳Chase Ink Preferred: www.dailydrop.com/credit-card...
💳Chase Sapphire Reserve: www.dailydrop.com/credit-card...
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DISCLAIMER: The opinions in this video are for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell the stocks mentioned, or make any financial decisions based on them. Always do your own research to determine the best course of action for yourself.
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Preparing for retirement with this info is key! Wonderful!!!!
I feel like you read my mind! A few days ago I binged all the ‘what cards to get’ videos and my head was spinning thinking about what card to use when! This is SO helpful, thank you!
Love that!
I must admit you changed my perspective on the usefulness of my IHG Premier card. Nice video.
Thanks!
I have researched points and miles, and I'm familiar with points value in the US, but I loved hearing the perspective of people who traveled to places I will go to and who stay in the kind of places I would stay. Using your numbers, it looks like IHG and Marriott points are worth more outside the US while Hyatt and Hilton stay about the same. Thank you!
This is so helpful! Thank you!
We are just starting out in the points game. This has been very helpful, thank you!
Excellent explanation!
You’re THE BEST! Thanks!
super appreciated!
Thanks!
This was a great video. Perfectly broken down. I’m not sure how you feel about the Venture X card but could you add it to this type of info. Thanks for the videos you make. Love them
This is the video I have been trying to find!
Awesome!
Perfect! Thank you for this information. This is exactly what I needed to know. Love your videos!!
You are so welcome!
Great video. It’s exactly what I was working on. Your charts are very helpful. Thank you. Safe travels.
Thanks, you too!
Another great credit card strategy video.
Thanks
You guys have great information! Could you give yours thoughts on the new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card. Thanks
This was an excellent video! I learned some valuable information about the Amex Gold card (4X points on groceries). I'm wondering if you also have a chart on point transfer partners (hotel and airline) for Amex and Chase?
great stuff as always
Thanks so much!
I’m getting the IHG asap. I do home health and buy a lot of gas!
Thank you. This is exactly what I was hoping you'd share. I am looking to start earning those welcome bonuses so I know which cards to start with as I won't start my international travel for at least a year. You two are the best!!!
Glad it was helpful!
Pre pay is good idea
Another awesome video. Very usable for us. I may have to overcome my bias against Amex (from my experience of being an online retailer). This is a great breakdown.
Thanks!
Thanks for the great content! Doesn't AMEX charge foreign transaction fees?
Really great information!
The wife and I already travel between 3 and 6 months out of the year, and are beginning to look at traveling even more.
Between the two of us, we already have the Chase Sapphire, a Hilton card and a Marriott card. Thanks to your info I'll be looking at a Hyatt card next.
I wonder if you would be willing answer a question about postal forwarding, as in, what do you do about this?
Hi guys!! LOVE your channels!! Been preparing for early retirement for a couple of years now and will be doing so at the end of the year!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Great info!! I applied for the IHG card via your link and have had it for almost 3 months now. I will be getting 60,000 "welcome points" in June PLUS all the points I've accumulated by using the card for gas and other monthly expenses!! THANK YOU!
That is awesome!
Thank you, this was extremely helpful! So clearly presented - were you two teachers in a prior life??? And the chart is genuis 🙂 I just used your link to click through to an ever better welcome offer on the Amex Gold card - thank you!!
Wow, thank you!
Great video. For Amex Platinum, what are the airlines you use for Europe and/or Asia, that Amex points can be used for? Thank you!
Very interesting. It must be the age in me, but where do your bills catch up to you, and do you have banks all over the world to draw your money from? We moved our son's girlfriend up from one state where she lived to the state where we live. She wanted to open a bank account here but needed two proofs of local address first. Same with getting a driver's license. So, she will be using our address for now. Sorry for being so nosy lol. I was just wondering how that works when moving so much. Love you both!❤
I am working in my IHG bonus offer. My family of now 3, spends $1000 a month on groceries, and $400 out to eat and take out. I know that's pricey but I buy high quality ingredients.
That's about what we used to spend in the US too, those Amex points from the Amex Gold add up on groceries!
Hi Again. We’ve been traveling a lot with Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Capital One Venture X, and the Amex Platinum. We’ve never had a specific hotel branded card. If we started with just 1 of these cards, should we start with the Hyatt or IHG? Thanks and happy travels!
wow great video, helps a lot thanks. love the banner in the video. you should make it smaller and keep them up. also add our kids youtube channel.
Thanks!
Great video. Am I confused about your chart? Your chart said 10X points on flights booked with Amex platinum. It should be 5X, correct?
Nice vid. But do you guys ever stay at higher end hotels? Conrad’s, Waldorf, Park Hyatts, intercontinentals, ritz? That’s where Hilton & Hyatts shine. For budget travelers I agree with the points value, higher end hotels? Not so much . I have CC for all except for Hyatt(I consider my Chase points Hyatt points) and I’m consistently getting way more than 2CCP on Hyatt and 1CPP on Hiltons(Ofcourse strategically choosing properties). I don’t spend on branded cards since I value flexible currencies a lot more. Amex Gold for food, Saphhire Reserve for Travel and Freedom Unlimited for everything else.
We stay at intercontinental quite often. We got upgraded to a $1200 a night Conrad Tokyo suite last week, but these aren't normal point redemptions and throw the calculation out of whack, because we would have paid that, so it's just an inflated price, not the real value.
You forgot the Amtrak card. Lol. I mostly use that one for groceries now that I no longer need the spend for the welcome offer.
How long should I wait before applying for a new card? Every six months?
I have about 16 cards. I pay fees but haven’t paid for a hotel or flight in quite a while.
Do points on Cards expire, what is their shelf life?
Great review as always. Since the Gold Card doesn’t cover groceries outside of the U.S., what is your card of choice for grocery shopping when traveling?
Great question, in that case it falls into the everything else category so we use IHG.
And if you want the Amex gold, get it before getting the platinum. I tried to get the gold but because I already had the platinum, I was not eligible for the gold bonus so didn’t bother applying for gold.
Perfect. 👍💰 Thanks for the breakdown. 📚🧠💡💪
Sorry, but did you mean 5 cards between the 2 of you?🤔 Or each?👍
Between the 2
what about capital venture x
Which card is good for booking cruises?
Hi guys: great job!!
Question what do you do with the other cc , like airlines etc, cancel ( will ding credit score)??
We have so far held on to the "mistake" cards that we got. We may get rid of some this year though. We have 2 we don't like.
FYI nothing dings credit scores . In fact cards with good lines get you more cards . The caveat is trying to scale too fast . Annual fees also are a factor depending on the value you get from them. For example I fly American a lot but have lifetime staus. The American card only want for the sign up bonus and the first free year. If you fly American a few times a year and don’t have status, then the free bags may be worth that 99 fee after the first year. Just don’t spend on that card u less there is some promo or bonus.
First, thanks for another awesome video. You two are so informative and inspiring. Second, I have two questions: 1. When booking through the Chase portal as part of getting your 26x points on IHG, do you have any issues with your elite status being honored at check-in? When I have booked hotel stays through AmEx portal, sometimes the hotel will not honor the elite status perks because the hotel views it as a stay booked though a third party. 2. Using your IHG Premier as your everyday card, does that mean you prefer earning IHG points over points that can be transferred to other partners like the Chase and AmEx points?
The 26X is only if you book through IHG not a portal, so you should always book through the hotel. Yes, if you use the portal, benefits will usually not be applied. IHG point we just earn to use at IHG not to transfer.
@@GroundedLifeFinances Thanks! You two are a real treasure.
Amex cards when you travel? Do most grocery stores in Europe take Amex?
What do you do with points?
I dont have this card yet, but the Amex Green also offers 3x for vacation rentals like Airbnb. Would you consider that? And also, I personally had troubles finding places that would accept Amex in Vietnam and Malaysia. Have you had any difficulties?
My current plan is to go on one big vacation per year on points until we retire in 14 years, make sure we are completely out of debt by then (mostly our house), and then adapt your plan to our needs. Almost no one in our state takes American Express, but I just finished my IHG bonus and I got my husband started on the Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus. Should that be sufficient for now, since we're planning so far ahead?
Thank you for all the information. I am getting the five cards you recommended. Can I charge my adult son and daughter hotel and airfare charges to my cards in order to get points and count points toward status upgrades? I won’t be on the trip with them. Thanks in advance.
Great summary of how to use which cards for which expenses. What about the Capital One Venture X card? I tend to use that card for most of my expenses. Am I goofing up?
It's a good card, but it earns 2X points on most things, so it's leaving some points on the table in the dining, grocery and travel categories.
@@GroundedLifeFinances Thanks.Oh, one more question.I already have the Amex Platinum card but it sounds like I need the Amex Gold as well to get maximum value. Should I just stay with the Platinum or get both?
@@JayandTanyaTravelthe gold card cannot be used for groceries outside of the U.S. Amex has hotel partners and airline partners. You lose value when transferring any points to a hotel chain other than Hyatt which means Amex points are only good for airlines. Mileage may vary but that has been my experience
@@ryanccc777 I agree with you on the Amex/airline value. Thanks.
Do you guys use the chase card because you bank with them?
Would you choose a Ritz-Carlton/Ink Preferred combo over the Sapphire Reserve?
Of the 3 we would take the Ink Preferred. The reason is you can get 200k referral points per year on that card!
Are cards like the Chase IHG and Chase World of Hyatt earning you Chase points that can be transferred or hotel specific points that can’t be used in the Chase portal?
What about Barclay's Wyndham credit cards or Wells Fargo Choice hotels credit cards? I have both no annual fee credit cards.
Which restaurants and grocery stores can use Amex gold for points?
I know you use the Amtrak credit card as well. Obviously when purchasing Amtrak tickets, that's the card to use. But when else is that card an ideal choice? Thanks.
It does well in the "everything else" category as well, as the points are pretty valuable if you are going to be riding Amtrak quite a bit. If we don't have Amtrak rides coming up we use something else because the points don't really transfer anywhere well.
How do I get your charts?
Isn't IHG a timeshare system?
I thought Amex plat was only 5x on flights. Is it 10x?
We applied for and got the IHG Premier Card and the Amex Gold. Waiting for them to come in so we can start earning those sign up bonuses. Can they be used to pay monthly car loans? We are just traveling in US so far in our RV but definitely going overseas in 2025.
How does acceptance look like for AMEX cards outside of north America? Especially in smaller, non chain restaurants/shops?
Surprisingly the bigger issue has been metal cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve. In places like Japan they have signs that say no metal cards. Just another reason to have a few more cards than you think you need!
So what are you using your amx points for? I am in the chase sphere mainly
We got 4 Business Class flights for 2 people with our 150k or so Amex points. It was very easy to get them in Asia. They were super valuable to us.
Just curious. Do you compare the point to dollar value for stays at hotels? For instance if a Hyatt stay is either $70/night or 7000 points/night do you figure the value of the spend to determine which you will do, or have a procedure you follow to make your decision? I know the mathematical formula but curious of what your guidelines are.
Yes, and points almost always end up cheaper as you don't pay extra fees usually. If it's close we pay cash because otherwise we would run out of points.
What do you think of capital one venture X?
It's not great for people who travel full time.
I’m a New Zealander, are any of these cards open to non US citizens?
Loved this video - great info especially the advise to prepare for travel. In that regard - should a couple each get a card (AMEX gold and IHG) or one card per couple??
We both have the IHG, as the annual fee is low and the free night you get more than covers it. One of us has the Amex Platinum and the other the Chase Sapphire as those are a higher fee.
And the AMEX Gold??
I understand that this applies to the account - I assume that whoever does NOT hold the AMEX Platinum account holds a “co” card under that account - same goes for the Chase Sapphire?
@@GroundedLifeFinances I was going to ask a somewhat related question lol. So if only one of you has the Amex Platinum card and the other doesn’t , with Amex’s rules imposed this year the main card holder cannot bring a guest into the Centurion Lounge unless they pay or you hit that crazy $$ threshold. How do you manage this situation? Does one of you have the card at the $695 and the other is an authorized user for the additional $195?
@@MichaelMechsner an important note is that the gold doesn’t cover groceries outside of the U.S. and at the moment there is no additional fee for an authorized user on the Gold so the only thing an additional card account will get you is another $250 annual fee and $240 of credits (2 separate $10 a month of use it or lose it credits) that are not always fun to have to try and use. All this plus AMEX is refreshing cards this year (I.e. raising fees and adding credits) and the general thought is the gold is up soon for a refresh so tbd.
Hi guys, we are contractors (US Govt) living in Germany for the next couple of years. We are planning on a nomadic retirement then. The main question we have is that we’re traveling to Airbnb’s and doing cruises while over here. You had talked about the Chase Sapphire reserve as a must have card. It seems like your thoughts on this card have changed.
Based on already living abroad and planning out the next two years, would you still suggest the IHG and Amex Gold to start out with? Our concern is that the Amex specifically states that it’s 4x points at US supermarkets. Any idea if this would still work in the German grocery stores? Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts.
It would not work for groceries in Germany, just dining out. We went for the Amex Platinum for Marriott and car rent status. You need either the Platinum or CSR for lounge access once you start flying alot, so one of those would work
So do you each have each card? When making flights do you book as a couple (pair) or each one of you books seperately?
We each have them but we book flights together on one reservation and card
Curious why ihg vs the chase ink where they both do 3x... Is it easier to transfer via the ink or some other reason?
If IHG and the ink both have the same points you would want the ink points, they are more valuable.
Another question I heard the Chase Sapphire Reserved Metal card accepted in Thailand. I heard a lot of countries are not accepting metal cards🤷♀️
We have not had a problem in Thailand, but in Japan there are signs up where it isn't accepted, quite a few places won't take metal cards.
I used the Chase Sapphire Reserve extensively in Chiang Mai and Phuket. No problems at all.
Question: If I have the IHG ONE premiere card -- will my purchase of points through the IHG sale be considered eligible for points on the IHG card? What card would you use to buy the IHG points (at the 80% or 100% bonus)?
We used ours yes to complete the offer, but you only get the 3X on the points
Where would you throw in the Amtrak credit card? I know you recommended it on another video, but I’m having a hard time figuring out where it would fit into broader purchases
We don't really use it unless it is for buying Amtrak tickets, which we do alot. But it is also a good "everything else" card, if you are going to be riding Amtrak frequently.
Thank you. do you have any tips or recommendations for hitting elite status with Amtrak?
speaking of receiving mail at a hotel, can you get an Amazon order while in the road?
You can ship orders to Amazon lockers
After a year your credit card needs renewal and when this happen, do you get another 165k points again?
How would my groceries from Walmart count? Ty
I'm interested in this, as well.
Question: I thought the AMEX Gold 4x points only works on restaurants, takeout, groceries in the US. Do you also 4x points when spending in those categories outside the US? Thanks!
Restaurants takeout is worldwide and US. Groceries only US
The restaurants is worldwide, which makes it super valuable.
Do you both hold a Amex Platinum or do you have an AU card/pay for your lounge access for whoever doesn’t have the card?
One has Platinum and one has Chase Sapphire Reserve, but we don't need both as they both get us into priority pass lounges.
@@GroundedLifeFinances so no Centurion lounges for you guys?
Are IHG points only for IHG stays? Or can they transfer to flights?
Also 5x travel would that apply to air bnb?
Remember when we used to get travelers checks 😆
Haha yes!
❤❤❤
Point of clarity. You say to book flights directly with the airline, but then talk about using Amex points for booking flights. I thought you had to use a portal to use the points. So is that still booking directly with the airline?
I think they meant use the Amex to buy the tickets to get more points. Plus you can transfer points from Amex to most airlines to use the points. I hope that helps 😊
What is your link for the Chase Business card so you get credit if I sign up?
Thanks! It is here: www.dailydrop.com/credit-cards/ink-business-preferred-credit-card?via=grounded-life-travel
@@GroundedLifeFinances Thanks, one more please- the IHG card
Hate to ask but what was your best card for cruises🤷♀️
Either of the Chase cards with 3X travel if booking with the cruise line, but the Amex Platinum gives special on board credit if booking with Amex through their cruise program. So either of those.
Discover card?
Which card should be used for booking cruises?
The Chase cards with 3X travel would be best Sapphire Reserve or Ink Preferred. The Amex Platinum also gives extra on board credit if you book with Amex, so either of those.
@@GroundedLifeFinances Great, thanks! I have gotten the IHG premier biz card and the AmEx platinum.
@@GroundedLifeFinances Great, thanks! I have the IHG premier biz card and the AmEX premier. 😊
@@GroundedLifeFinances Thanks for the great videos!! Doesn't the Amex Green card also have 3x for travel?
I went to the Chase IHG Premier and it is saying 5X points on dining. What is your reasoning for using the Amex Gold for dining at only 4X points?
Amex points are worth 2 cents and IHG .8 cents so even though it's only 4X you get more value because the points are more valuable
@@GroundedLifeFinances Thanks, I'm starting to put the pieces together. Thanks for all your help.
When is the best deal to purchase IHG points?
it's 80% now but likely to see 100% later in the year
What time of year do you usually see the 100% points bonus for IHG? I have a trip planned in October and I’m debating on the 80% bonus offer going o. Right now.
I paid $2500 for 450,000 points. It’s unbelievable how many few points are needed in SE Asia.
Are these cards for American only or no?
Some of them are, like the IHG.
I have never seen Hilton that low in value
0:17
Thank you for the videos on credit cards and travel. We are 3 years away from starting full time traveling and trying your strategy. We are a little confused about getting multiple Chase cards that we can't find a great answer for. If you get Marriott Chase Bonvoy Boundless card, how soon can you get an IHG Premier Chase card and get all of the signup bonus for the new card?
Thanks!
I have been watching a lot of your videos and am really enjoying the content. I am 40 and interested in starting a UA-cam channel. Are you offering a coupon code for your UA-cam course? Thank you!
wyndham business earner gets you 8X on gas. Better than IHG
Rob, what's your email address? I have an article i want to send you and Allie about something that's going on right now with Rewards Cards....I'm sure you'll be curious to see. Thanks. JP Porto