The Cards I Actually Use
These are the credit cards in my wallet right now. I use them every week. The redemptions you see on TikTok are booked with these. I get a referral bonus if you apply through my links. I only list cards I actually use myself.
Chase Freedom Unlimited or Flex
Why I don't carry one: my Amex Gold covers groceries and restaurants, my Sapphire Preferred covers travel and the rest. I don't have room for a third Chase card without diluting my stack.
Who should consider it: anyone who already has the Sapphire Preferred or Reserve. The Freedom cards earn cash back, but if you also hold a Sapphire, that "cash back" actually becomes Ultimate Rewards points — the same ones that transfer to Hyatt and Marriott. This is the famous "Chase trifecta" strategy.
The math: Freedom Flex's quarterly 5x bonus categories. Maxing the rotating categories ($1,500/quarter spending cap) is $300/year in points at no annual fee. Pair with Sapphire and those become 30k+ Hyatt points — a full luxury hotel night.
Chase Sapphire (Preferred or Reserve)
The card I carry: Chase Sapphire Preferred. My workhorse. Almost every dollar I can't earn elsewhere goes here. 1.25x point value when I book travel through Chase. Transfers to Hyatt, Marriott, Air France/KLM, United, and more — that's where the real value lives.
The redemption I love most: transferring Chase points to Hyatt at 1:1 to book Park Hyatt and luxury Hyatt properties. A Cat 6 Hyatt at 25k–35k points/night in cash terms is often $700–$1,200/night.
My referral link works for both Preferred ($95 fee) and Reserve ($795 fee). I carry the Preferred. If you fly often enough to use Priority Pass and the Reserve's annual credits, the Reserve earns its keep. Otherwise stay with Preferred.
Welcome offer (via my link): 75,000 points on Sapphire Preferred or 125,000 points on Sapphire Reserve, after spend. Confirm current terms on Chase's site.
Chase Marriott Bonvoy
Why I don't carry one: I earn Marriott points by transferring from Chase Sapphire Preferred at 1:1, so I don't double up. But that's a corporate-traveler choice. If you stay at Marriott more than 5 nights a year, a Marriott Bonvoy card earns more on those nights, plus a free anniversary night cert that often covers a $400+ stay.
The redemption that makes the math work: the annual free night cert (35k–85k points worth) at a luxury Cat 5 or 6 property. Cash equivalent is often $300–$700 — that alone justifies the fee.
American Express Gold
My food and grocery card. 4x at restaurants worldwide. 4x at U.S. supermarkets. Earns Membership Rewards points, which transfer to Hilton, Delta, Air France/KLM, ANA, and others.
The redemption I love most: transferring Amex points to Hilton (5x ratio) for stays at properties like Hermitage Bay or Conrad Bora Bora.
Annual fee: $325. Worth it for me because I cook and dine out enough to max the 4x categories.
American Express Platinum
The lounge and luxury card. Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), 5x on flights booked direct. Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status — which is how I get free breakfast, room upgrades, and late checkout on Hilton stays without holding a Hilton-branded card. Hotel benefits at Fine Hotels & Resorts. Statement credits that more than offset the fee for a corporate traveler who flies often.
How I do Hilton without a Hilton card: I transfer Amex Membership Rewards to Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio) and use my complimentary Gold status from this Platinum for the on-property perks. That's how I booked Hermitage Bay Antigua. No annual fee for a Hilton card needed — the Platinum covers both the points pipeline and the status.
Annual fee: $695. Worth it only if you'll actually use the credits and lounges. Run the math first.
2025
New York
The Atlast Project →
Some links on this page are referral links. If you're approved for a card after applying through one of these links, I may earn a referral bonus (typically Membership Rewards or Ultimate Rewards points). I only recommend cards I personally hold and use, or cards I transparently disclose I don't carry but recommend based on the math. Card terms, fees, and benefits change — always confirm current terms on the issuer's site before applying.
Editorial independence: No card issuer has reviewed, approved, or paid for this content. Opinions are my own.
Peyton Sweeney Guides also participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
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