The Five Essential Credit Cards You Need in Your Wallet
Are you tired of sifting through countless credit card offers, trying to figure out which ones are worth your time and money? Look no further. After years of experience and research, I have narrowed down the five essential credit cards that everyone should have in their wallet. These cards will not only help you earn rewards and cash back, but they will also save you money on your biggest expenses.
📌 Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Built MasterCard: The Ultimate Card for Renters
3. AMX Gold Card: The Best Card for Dining and Groceries
4. Capital One Venture X Card: The Top Choice for Travel
5. Capital One Savor One Card: The Ideal Catch-All Card
6. Chase Freedom Flex Card: The Perfect Addition to Your Wallet
7. Conclusion
8. FAQs
1. Introduction
Credit cards can be a great tool for earning rewards and cash back on your purchases. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right ones for your needs. That's why I've put together this guide to help you navigate the world of credit cards and find the five essential cards that you need in your wallet.
2. Built MasterCard: The Ultimate Card for Renters
If you're a renter, the Built MasterCard is a must-have in your wallet. This card is the only credit card that allows you to earn cash back on your rent payments. With the average American spending 30% of their monthly income on rent or mortgages, this is a significant expense that can add up quickly. The Built MasterCard allows you to earn one point per dollar spent on rent payments, without having to pay the usual 2-4% transaction fee.
Not only does the Built MasterCard save you money on your rent payments, but it also offers 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on all other purchases. Plus, the card has no annual fee, making it a great option for anyone looking to save money on their monthly expenses.
Pros:
- Earn cash back on rent payments
- No transaction fees on rent payments
- 3x points on dining and 2x points on travel
- No annual fee
Cons:
- No welcome bonus offer
3. AMX Gold Card: The Best Card for Dining and Groceries
If you're someone who spends a lot of money on dining and groceries, the AMX Gold Card is the perfect addition to your wallet. This card offers 4x points on restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US, and 4x points on US supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year.
In addition to the high earning rates on dining and groceries, the AMX Gold Card also offers a variety of other benefits, including a $120 dining credit, a $120 Uber cash credit, and a $100 experience credit for booking two or more nights through the AMX Hotel Collection.
Pros:
- High earning rates on dining and groceries
- Additional credits for dining and Uber
- Transfer partner program
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons:
- High annual fee of $250
- No welcome bonus offer for new cardholders
4. Capital One Venture X Card: The Top Choice for Travel
When it comes to travel credit cards, the Capital One Venture X Card is a top contender. This card offers 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One travel portal, 5x miles on flights booked through the portal, and 2x miles on all other purchases.
In addition to the high earning rates on travel, the Capital One Venture X Card also offers a variety of luxury travel benefits, including a $300 travel credit, a $100 Global Entry or TSA pre-check credit, and access to two new Capital One lounges.
Pros:
- High earning rates on travel
- Luxury travel benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Low annual fee of $95
Cons:
- No welcome bonus offer for new cardholders
5. Capital One Savor One Card: The Ideal Catch-All Card
For all other purchases, the Capital One Savor One Card is the perfect catch-all card. This card offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 2% cash back at grocery stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
In addition to the cash back rewards, the Capital One Savor One Card also offers a variety of other benefits, including a 15-month 0% APR intro period on purchases and balance transfers, and a $200 cash back welcome bonus offer for new cardholders.
Pros:
- High earning rates on dining and entertainment
- 0% APR intro period
- Welcome bonus offer for new cardholders
- No annual fee
Cons:
- No luxury travel benefits
6. Chase Freedom Flex Card: The Perfect Addition to Your Wallet
The Chase Freedom Flex Card is a great addition to any wallet, offering 5% cash back on quarterly rotating categories, such as PayPal, wholesale clubs, and select charities. In addition, the card offers 5% cash back on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The Chase Freedom Flex Card also offers a $200 cash back welcome bonus offer for new cardholders, and a 15-month 0% APR intro period on purchases and balance transfers.
Pros:
- High earning rates on rotating categories
- Welcome bonus offer for new cardholders
- 0% APR intro period
- No annual fee
Cons:
- No luxury travel benefits
7. Conclusion
By strategically using these five essential credit cards together, you can avoid having to apply for hundreds of different cards and still have an S-tier setup. The Built MasterCard is perfect for renters, the AMX Gold Card is ideal for dining and groceries, the Capital One Venture X Card is the top choice for travel, the Capital One Savor One Card is the perfect catch-all card, and the Chase Freedom Flex Card is a great addition to any wallet.
8. FAQs
Q: What is the best credit card for earning rewards on rent payments?
A: The Built MasterCard is the only credit card that allows you to earn cash back on your rent payments.
Q: What is the best credit card for earning rewards on dining and groceries?
A: The AMX Gold Card offers 4x points on restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US, and 4x points on US supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year.
Q: What is the best credit card for earning rewards on travel?
A: The Capital One Venture X Card offers 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One travel portal, 5x miles on flights booked through the portal, and 2x miles on all other purchases.
Q: What is the best catch-all credit card?
A: The Capital One Savor One Card offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 2% cash back at grocery stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Q: What is the best credit card for rotating categories?
A: The Chase Freedom Flex Card offers 5% cash back on quarterly rotating categories, such as PayPal, wholesale clubs, and select charities.
