I'm looking to get more into the credit card game and seeing what people recommend. Right now I just have a few basic credit cards with normal cash back. I wanted to get more into the travel cards, and was mostly looking into the United cards since I'll be traveling on them the most, and either a Hilton/Marriott card for stay credits and status upgrades. I was also looking at the capital one venture x for primary rental car insurance. I don't commute so I don't see much real advantage to the United cards with the club membership, but was more curious if there are better card options that would earn you more points or discounted travel on United? Same goes for the Hilton or Marriott cards, if there are better options for stays and status? Any real world experiences on the best options would be great.

 

None. It’s a stupid game that most of us have been baited into. Opt out. If you don’t think you spend more with a credit card, you’re wrong. https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt...p-credit-cards

 

Half of the US doesn't contribute to their 401k either, so maybe I shouldn't?

Flew 91k for 8 years, had an AMEX with 5% cash back on hotel&travel, no yearly cost. Paid my bill every month, because company reimbursed me at 2 least weeks before bill was due. Put over $60k/year on it (75 in my best year, spend a lot of time in awesome hotels in the Vineyard & Carmel). Would have been pretty stupid to not have cashed that +$24k.

If you can't budget you have problem. If you can't pay off your credit card as a 121 pilot you are beyond help.

 

Are you a 121 pilot? Airline stays will get you 0 credit for pretty much every hotel. And if you are not a 121 pilot, this is the worst place to ask for advice.

 

Definately do a Marriot and/or Hilton branded credit card. Put spend on it, get status, fly for free for vacations and then stay for free with points.

 

I have never paid a cent of credit card interest and have flown myself and family all over the world in confirmed business class multiple times thanks to them.

 

Yeah some of Dave Ramsey's advice is great. Some of it is bad.

 

Ramsey people don't realize or won't admit that if you use credit cards like cash (ie only spend money on them you already have), you can get a lot of benefits from them.

Financially disciplined people can get a lot from CC benefits. I have never paid a cent of interest on a CC and gotten many hotel stays, car rentals and plane flights free.

That being said, the majority of people who aren't financially disciplined and overspend end up making the CC companies a lot of money thru interest payments.

A good resource is the "Points guy" website. It talks different cards, their benefits, and helps you narrow down a choice based on what you want to do with your points.

 

If you commute, the club access is really nice. I use my card to earn points and typically buy employee discount tickets with some points thrown in to make the cost neglegible. Couple hour sit for the commute home? Hit the club for snacks and drinks. It's the only way to commute.....

 

Correct.

The annual fees are a real cost the question is if you get your money's worth. The Hilton or Marriot AMEXs have primary rental car insurance as an option and either Gold or Diamond/Platinum? status. Status gives a water bottle and some food and beverage credit so it really depends on how often you stay if the fee pays you back but at least when you do you will get more points (from the status plus the credit card bonus). So decide how much each status is worth to you and pick your card accordingly. The highest tier card also has rebates for certain transactions so that's another offset.

The airline card is the same story, use it to buy 20% discount tickets for at least double miles and PQP/loyalty points for status. It also provides a discount for onboard purchases (do pilots do that?) The higher fee card gives lounge access (it's crowded and has a waiting list) and more points for faster status. Decide how much fee is worth it to you and how much you will get as a return on your spending (depends on your spending level).

Just pay off the damn balance every month, only a fool borrows money at 22-29%.