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UPDATED: As of 7/6/22
Which credit card should I start with or which card should I get next
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Know your 5/24 status – don’t know what it is? Please read this. This is really key to planning your strategy. Know that I, and many of the other seasoned experts will refer back to this over and over again. So it pays to know your 5/24 status – the # of credit cards you opened within the last 24 months. This is not the time to guess. This entry will show you how to double check. The 5/24 rule.
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Which travel rewards credit card/s do you currently have now (if any)
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What are your goals?
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Do you have another person in the household or in your family who is or will be doing this? Possibly partner up and earn rewards together
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Do you have a small business or a side gig, a side hustle?
Kalapa Resort Canggu, Bali
Beware of the shiny card syndrome
What will you find in common with many credit card offers?
- Bonus points or rewards – This is usually the first thing that catches your eyes – the bonus, the rewards. This is the prize, some credit cards offer bonus that come in the form of bonus miles or points, or free nights at hotels, or cash back.
- Minimum spend – Before earning the bonus points or rewards, you have to meet the bank’s requirement of meeting a target minimum spend. Many of them require you to meet the spend in 3 months, others up to 6 months. So you have to be aware of the target deadline to meet these required spend. In addition, this is usually done through purchases. Balance transfers are NOT purchases and will not count towards meeting a minimum spend.
- Annual fee – while there are some cards with NO annual fee, many of these travel rewards cards do charge an annual fee. Why? They come loaded with bonus, perks, and protection. So choose wisely.
- Added benefits – look for the added bonus from these cards (elite status, Global Entry/TSA Precheck Credit, airport lounge access, and more).
5/24 checkpoint
STOP. Have you really checked your 5/24 status? Because if you haven’t….I suggest for you to stop, and check this. The 5/24 Rule.
If you are under 5/24
Are you looking for credit cards with NO ANNUAL FEE?
Personal/Consumer Credit Cards if you are UNDER 5/24 (No Annual Fee)
- IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
- Annual fee $0
- United℠ Explorer Card
- Earn up to 70,000 bonus miles
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 miles after you spend $6,000 total on purchases in the first 6 months your account is open.
- $0 for your first year, then $95.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
- Annual Fee $0
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
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- For a Limited Time Only! Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Annual Fee $0
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- Chase Freedom Flex℠
- $200 bonus cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Annual Fee $0
Business Credit Cards if you are UNDER 5/24 (No annual fee)
- Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- Earn $750 Bonus Cash Back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year.
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year.
- Annual fee $0
- Ink Business Unlimited® Card
- Earn $750 Cash Back
- Earn unlimited 1.5% Cash Back rewards on every purchase
- Annual fee $0
For a complete list of all credit cards to consider while under 5/24 (with or without annual fee)
There are many, many more credit cards out there. The ones shown above are all of the credit cards suggested for those who are under 5/24.
Want to see other credit cards for you to choose from?
If you still want to see many more credit cards, I have to a list of over 60 credit cards. Check this list to learn more.
NOTE: Offers are subject to change. This was the offer at the time this blog entry was written.
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Editorial Disclosure – The editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuers, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuers. the credit card issuers.