My favorite credit cards! (For an average Joe)
My credit card bundle and why I chose them
(Personal only! Business cards coming soon)
When I say “Average Joe” I mean someone who pays rent, travels a little here and there, and shares a card with their spouse!
- Amex Gold (Daily driver)
My girlfriend and I actually use this card as our shared card. It has great points for restaurants and grocery stores as well as travel.
The benefits include Uber credits, restaurant credits, and many others! It does come with a $250 annual fee but if you use the benefits, it more than pays for itself!
If you don’t use the benefits it offers, the fee can be steep!
It also has no foreign transaction fees, and has no spend limit. Which is a huge overlooked bonus because our emergency fund is in a HYSA and depending on the day or location we are in, we might not be able to access it immediateltly. So we can always rely on the Amex Gold
- BILT mastercard
This card allows us to pay our rent without a 3% service fee, and gives us points for it! This comes out to roughly 2500 points a month, from money we would have spent anyways!
- Affinity plus credit union card
This is one of my first credit cards and is the card that I use for just myself. It averages 2 points per dollar spent, which is fine. I do not use it much because most of the things I buy are either for my business (using a business card) or for both Alyssa and I (Use the gold card)
I have churned a handful of cards and still hold them to increase credit limit, but I do not actively use them. These are the only cards we really use.
Also want to plug my favorite credit card website of all time, Yourbestcreditcards.com not a sponsor, just the best one out there.
Building the perfect credit card strategy, especially when you’re sharing finances or just starting to optimize your spending, can feel like a puzzle. After years of using different cards, I've really refined my approach to get the most out of every dollar, and I want to share some insights that have worked for me and my partner. First, let’s talk about finding the best credit card for multiple users. My experience with the American Express Gold card as a shared daily driver has been a game-changer. When we started using it, we learned that clear communication is key. We added each other as authorized users, which is a fantastic way to build credit together while pooling points. For couples, look for cards that offer excellent rewards on shared expenses like dining out and groceries, where you spend the most together. The Amex Gold’s dining and grocery multipliers are truly hard to beat for "daily use" spending, and those Uber credits and restaurant credits really add up, helping offset the annual fee. Plus, having no foreign transaction fees is a huge plus for those shared vacation moments, ensuring we save money when traveling abroad! Next, let’s dive into creating your ideal credit card "bundle" – essentially, the best 3 credit cards to have for different spending categories. My personal trio, centered around the Amex Gold, BILT Mastercard, and Affinity Plus Credit Union card, covers almost all bases: The Daily Driver (Amex Gold): As I mentioned, this is our go-to for most joint spending. It’s perfect for food-related expenses, ensuring we're constantly earning points that we can later redeem for travel or other experiences. Think about where you spend the most with your partner or family – a card that excels in that category should be your primary shared card. The Specialized Bill Payment Card (BILT Mastercard): This card is a no-brainer if you pay rent. The ability to "pay your rent and get points!" without a 3% service fee is incredibly rare and valuable. It's a prime example of how a specialized card can fill a specific financial need. Before BILT, I was leaving so many points on the table just from rent payments. It’s essential to identify your largest fixed expenses and see if there’s a card designed to reward you for them. The Reliable Cashback/Personal Card (Affinity Plus Credit Union card): While our Amex Gold is shared, I still use my Affinity Plus card for my own personal purchases. It reliably offers 2% cash back on everything, which is a solid base rate. Having a simple, high-earning cashback card is a great backup or primary option for individual spending. It’s a good example of a card that provides consistent value without complex categories. Ultimately, building your own "best credit card trio" isn't just about picking three random cards; it's about strategically covering your main spending categories – whether it’s for "daily use," "for rent," or everyday personal expenses – and maximizing your rewards. Consider your lifestyle: do you travel a lot? Eat out often? Have high rent? Tailor your choices to your habits. This thoughtful approach has allowed me to earn significant rewards while keeping my finances organized, truly turning my everyday spending into valuable points and cashback.
