2016 was a record year for the credit card game. New credit cards came out, and sign on bonuses ballooned to lucrative records. Perhaps the biggest story of the year was the release of the Chase Sapphire Reserve with its 100,000 point sign (apply for this asap) on bonus worth $1,500 in travel and the ability to earn 3x points on travel and dining. Certainly, I signed up for that card as soon as it came out, which helped me fly for free for yet another a year.
If you didn’t take advantage of 2016’s record year, 2017 is looking a continuation of 2016’s fruitfulness. I expect more competitions between the banks, especially as interest rates increase, to occupy a space in your wallet for 2017. Consumer debt will probably skyrocket as it always does in America, but it is key to never carry a balance when hustling credit cards. Here are the cards I will be looking to add to my repertoire this year:
Current Inventory
Active Cards
- Chase Freedom
- Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Chase Ink Plus
- Citi Premier
- Citi Prestige
- Merrill+ Visa Signature
- Delta Gold AMEX
- Capital One Quicksilver rewards
- Bank of America CashRewards
- USBank (from college)
Canceled within last year:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Citi AA Platinum Select Mastercard
- Chase United Mileageplus
Will cancel in 2017:
- Chase Ink Plus
- Citi Prestige
- Delta Gold AMEX
American Airlines Aviator
I had the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select mastercard for the past year as the 50k miles sign on bonus is lucrative. I canceled it before the annual fee hit as it’s a pretty worthless card for someone that does not regularly fly American. I did however, enjoy having group 1 boarding and free checked bags. Thankfully, Barclaycard has an almost identical card for American Airlines as Citi does.
The annual fee is not waived but there is NO required spend like the Citi AAdvantage card. Therefore, with this card, you are paying $95 for 40,000 AA miles, a great deal in my opinion. Plus you still get group 1 boarding, free checked bags, and 10% back on your redeemed miles.
Estimated value of bonus: $500
Card Benefits |
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American Express Platinum
Chase really raised the bar with its Sapphire Reserve card and I expect other banks to play catch up, which means the consumer benefits. Specifically, I think AMEX will look to revamp their offerings, especially with their platinum cards. At the end of 2016, they changed their platinum cards to earn 5x points on Airfare booked directly with the airline. I expect more changes to come in 2017 as they respond to Chase’s Sapphire Reserve.
In my opinion, the AMEX Platinum is a card to have but not to use. Just by owning the card, it gives amazing perks like automatic gold status on Hilton and SGP, as well as Delta and Centurion lounge access. I’ve found myself flying Delta more often these days so having the option of Delta lounges would be nice. However, American Express points are not as valuable as Chase Ultimate Rewards points so my spending will always go to Chase.
Nevertheless, the current sign on bonus of 40k points is mediocre at best and I will wait until their bonus is increased to at least 75k before pulling the trigger.
Estimated value of bonus: $600
American Express Platinum Benefits |
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Chase Ink Preferred
I picked up the Chase Ink Plus literally days before it was discontinued and received a cool 70,000 point sign on bonus with no annual fee in the first year. The Chase Ink Preferred took its place and is offering an 80,000 points sign on bonus with no annual fee in the first year. It does come with a high spend requirement ($5k in 3 months) but if you can manage that, then this is totally worth it. Chase points are my favorite rewards structure. After getting this card and obtaining the sign on bonus, I will have near 400,000 total Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which is worth at least $6,000!
Estimated value of bonus: $1,200
Chase Ink Preferred Card Benefits |
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Chase Hyatt
The Hyatt card has probably one of the most lucrative sign on bonuses of any card. It offers two free nights at worldwide Hyatt hotels. This applies to all Hyatt hotels. This means the cash value of the bonus is dependent on the hotel you stay at.
You could stay at the at say the Grand Hyatt in Bangkok for $175 a night, giving you a cool $350 worth of rewards. OR, if you were me, you would book two nights at the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa where rooms regularly go for over $1,000!
Estimated value of bonus: $1,500
I’ll have my girlfriend get this card as well, and we will book a 4 night stay in the Park Hyatt Maldives using both of our bonuses which will save us at least $4,000!
Chase Hyatt Card Benefits |
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Jetblue Plus
I don’t get to fly Jetblue much but I firmly believe they are the best US based airline, which isn’t saying much when your main competition is Delta, American, and United. They offer ridiculous cheap flights to the Caribbean nowadays and at some point, I will want a quick fix of scuba diving. Their miles structure (Jetblue Trueblue points) is straight forward and largely based on the current ticket price in dollars, equateing to around ~1.6c to 1 trueblue point.
Estimated value of bonus: $480
Jetblue Plus Card Benefits |
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Delta Platinum AMEX
I’ve found myself flying Delta more often these days. Their Skymiles program has gotten a bad reputation, famously being called SkyPesos. It’s true. It’s not the best program in the world but I have found some very good redemptions especially on international flights to Europe, and South America.
At the end of 2016, I applied for the Delta Gold AMEX which offered 50k miles, and $100 Delta statement credit which I used for a domestic flight. The AMEX Delta Platinum offers more of the same, as well as 10,000 miles towards qualifying for elite status (Silver status is only 25,000 miles). The 70,000 delta miles is worth the upfront fee and the yearly companion ticket will more than pay for the annual fee.
Estimated value of bonus: $800
Delta AMEX Platinum Card Benefits |
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Chase Marriott Premier
I haven’t been interested in hotel credit cards historically. I prefer to stay in Airbnbs normally, or I will travel to places with no hotels and stay in a guesthouse/dive resort. Every now and then, it is nice to experience the finer things in life and there is a plethora of credit cards out there that will let me do it for free. Marriott has recently merged with Starwood, creating the largest hotel network in the world. With the sign-on bonus on this card and depending on the hotel tier, I can stay many nights for free.
Estimated value of bonus: $800
Chase Marriot Card Benefits |
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Hilton Citi Reserve
Similar to Chase Hyatt, the Hilton Reserve also gives TWO free weekend night certificates as its sign on bonus. These are redeemable for almost all Hilton properties in the world. It’s slightly less valuable than the Chase Hyatt since you can’t combine two bonus offers for one stay as there are only two nights in a weekend.
Like the Chase Hyatt credit card, this includes their ultra luxurious Conrad Hilton and Hilton maldives properties. Two free weekend nights could easily net you a savings of over $2,000.
Estimated value of bonus: $1,500
Hilton Citi Reserve Card Benefits |
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Hilton HHonors AMEX
The last one is just because I can. The sign on bonus has been much higher in the past so I will wait until I see a sign on bonus of 75,000-100,000 before pulling the trigger. There is also no annual fee and small spend requirements so why not for a few free nights at a Hilton hotel?
Estimated value of bonus: $400
Hilton HHonors AMEX Card Benefits |
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Continue Reading:
- 2017 Credit Card Inventory Update
- Credit Card Inventory Update 2018
- Credit Card Inventory Update 2019: My Credit Card Strategy For The Year
- Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Preferred: How To Get Both Cards
- Credit Card Inventory Update 2023: My Strategy For The Year
- Why Chase Credit Cards Are the Absolute Best Credit Cards
- The Ultimate Spreadsheet To Track Credit Card Churning
- How I Travel The World And Fly For Free
- Do You Need A Business To Get A Business Credit Card?
- Ultimate Guide To Applying For Multiple Chase Ink Business Cards
- How To Save For A Trip To The Maldives Without Actually Saving Money
- How To Waive The Delta MQD Requirement By Living Abroad
Great choices. I am planning to get a new card soon.
No time like the present!
Ballin’ on bonuses
Get me some cards down here in sunny SA!