2015 Credit Card Strategy

Earlier I posted about my 2015 Elite Status strategy.  As I mentioned in the post, part of my elite status strategy is to continue to hold certain credit cards that provide elite status benefits.  Here's an overview of my 2015 credit card strategy:


Airline Credit Cards:

While I have half a dozen airline credit cards, I'll be looking to cancel all of them in 2015 unless I can score a retention bonus.

Hotel Credit Cards:

1)  American Express Starwood Preferred Guest is a card that I'll keep forever despite the $65 annual fee.  Since I've had the card for 11 years, it helps keep my credit score high.  I also earn 3x SPG points on Starwood spend which is a nice benefit.  I probably average $1,000 in SPG spend a year so the 3,000 incremental SPG points that I earn make the fee much more manageable.

2)  Chase IHG Rewards Club Select is also a keeper despite the $49 annual fee.  Since we typically go to Vegas once a year and I can leverage the free night at the Venetian or Palazzo.  Pretty sweet to get a free night in Vegas for $49.

Flexible Points Credit Cards:

1)  Chase Sapphire Preferred is a keeper even with a $95 annual fee.  This is my primary credit card given that the majority of my spend earns bonus points (travel and dining).

2)  Chase Ink Plus is a business card I just picked up for All the Right Points.  I'm working on the 50,000 point bonus this quarter.  Annual fee (normally $95) is waived for the first year.  Even with the fee, I'll keep the card given the 5x earning potential at office supply stores, cable, and telecom.  I spend enough on my cable and cell phone bill per year that earning 5x on that spend easily pays for the $95.

3)  American Express Business Gold Rewards is another business card I just picked up for the blog.  Annual fee (normally $175) is waved for the first year.  This is a great card that earns 3x points on airfare spend but not worth the $175 in my opinion.

4)  Chase Freedom is a no annual fee card that I'll be keeping for all eternity.  Paired with the Sapphire Preferred and Ink Plus, I can earn 5x points on bonus categories and leverage those points to transfer to Singapore Airlines, Hyatt, United, etc...

All in, I'm looking at $209 in annual fees this year.  That could be more if I pickup additional cards throughout the year.  I'm perfectly fine with that number as I feel the benefits far outweigh the fees.  Emily's cards compliment mine (we have some duplicates but not that many) and enable us to get the most out of our annual fee cash outlay.