What I find so interesting about earning points and signing up for credit cards is that it’s rare for two people have the exact same goal. Much of that comes down to location, but a big part comes from individual interests. That got me thinking, what cards am I carrying, and why? What goals am I working towards? Without further ado, here’s what’s in my wallet.
What’s in my wallet?
- American Express EveryDay – I’ve been using this card more and more as I try to build up my Membership Rewards balance. I generally try to use this card just 20 times a month to get the additional 20% in points.
- Amtrak Guest Rewards World – This card has a spot in my wallet this month because I’ll be taking a few trips on Amtrak, and the cafe car codes as an Amtrak purchase, which means I get three points per dollar. This card is also my go-to once I make 20 purchases on my American Express EveryDay.
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select – I got this card during the “no 24-month language” bonanza, and I’m still working on meeting the minimum spend on this card, so it’s my daily driver when I’m not using my American Express EveryDay. Once I meet the minimum spend, this card is going in the sock drawer!
- Hilton Honors Surpass by American Express – My wedding is coming up in just over three months (!!!) and the caterer is both a restaurant and an event planning company, which means that ~85% of my wedding expenses code as restaurant. Some might disagree with me for using this card, but points earned here will go a long way in paying for hotels on my honeymoon!
What are the goals?
As I said above, I’m getting married and trying to plan my honeymoon. I’ve got a few trips in mind:
- Europe – London, Amsterdam, and Meissen (my SO is a ceramics buff, hence the trip to Meissen)
- Hawaii – O’ahu and Kaua’i
- Japan – TBD
A view of Meissen, Germany–home of Meissen porcelain. Image courtesy of Adiel lo, via Wikimedia Commons.
These trips can be accomplished with a lot of the points I’m accumulating. For instance, we can fly roundtrip to Europe in business sAAver for 230,000 points and use Honors points for hotels. People often complain about the lack of AA sAAver awards, but I’ve seen them for all the trips I’ve tentatively priced out.
We also travel to see our families quite frequently, so using the Amtrak card for everyday spend gets us closer to free train travel.
Conclusion
Like I said, it’s always really interesting to see what others are carrying and why! Disagree with me? Have a better recommendation? Let me know below–maybe I can be persuaded to switch a card in!
Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
I’m currently rocking the an Amex Platinum, gold, SPG, world elite MC and Platinum plus MC. Personally my Amex are my go to, loves the perks and the rewards especially my Amex Platinum
Wow you’re getting married NOW?? I hope your partner brings a lot of points/miles with her/him. Jokes aside, congratulations & hope the best for your (big) family!
Hi Waki! This is Sam–Dan is happily married :). I’ll take your congrats though!
Interesting, my Surpass hasn’t come out of the drawer since I hit min spend. My wallet has CSR for min spend/restaurant, Chase Freedom for gas/tolls, and Sallie Mae MC for groceries for just a little while longer. Plat and Prestige will come out of the drawer for travel purchases. I’m looking for a new signup bonus to be working towards, maybe Citi Aadvantage Business or Citi Honors Reserve.
Hi Dan,
Congrats on your upcoming nuptials! You and your SO may want to consider visiting Delft in the Netherlands. I’m sure you have seen the blue and white delftware pottery before. Just a thought…
Hi James–this is Sam, not Dan, but thank you! That’s a great suggestion to run by the boss!
@Sam — You wrote, “Some might disagree with me for using this card, but points earned here will go a long way in paying for hotels on my honeymoon!”
I, too, have the Amex Hilton Honors Surpass card in my wallet and don’t understand the negativity surrounding this card. Comparing to the Citi Hilton Honors Reserve Visa Signature card — BOTH cards give you automatic GOLD status:
AMEX:
— 12x per $1 @ Hilton properties;
— 6x per $1 @ restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations (Drawback #1: ONLY within the US);
— 3x on everyday spend.
Citi:
— 10x per $1 @ Hilton properties;
— 5x per $1 @ airlines and car rentals;
— 3x on everyday spend.
Amex bonus sign-up: 100,000 points after $3,000 in 3 mo.
Citi bonus sign-up: 2 weekend night certificates after $2,500 in 4 mo.
Amex: $75 annual fee
Citi: $95 annual fee.
Amex: 2.7% FTF (Drawback #2 — and a MAJOR one¹);
Citi: NO Foreign Transaction Fee
/\/\/\/\/\
Now, for me, I’m transitioning (albeit slowly) to having more and more “flexible points” cards (Citi Prestige, Chase Sapphire, and I’ll put SPG Amex in that category), versus specific co-branded cards in the future. But I suspect I’ll be keeping this one in my wallet for quite some time to come.
_______________
¹ How stupid is it to have an international hotel chain’s co-branded credit card charge FTF’s? CLEARLY someone does NOT want you to use this card abroad!