We talk a lot about the ultra-premium credit cards with expensive annual fees, but there are plenty of people interested in credit cards with more modest annual fees. Luckily, there are some great $95 credit cards that can be supplemented with fee-free cards for a great travel rewards strategy.
Best $95 travel credit card combo
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Giant Mailbag
(01:20) – Melissa writes in with a question about locking in Hyatt prices before May 20th
(04:48) – Jonathan writes in offering a few key data points to update our Hyatt points advance article, which you can find here
Card News
(08:48) – American Express adds $300 in ChatGPT credits on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Business Gold Cards
(12:40) – See our updated resource for the best cards for Priority Pass here
Crazy Thing: Priority Pass Restaurants
(16:04) – Priority Pass Restaurants
Awards, Points, and More
(18:02) – Mastercard Launches Mastercard Airport Dining Experience (‘Taste By/Of Priceless’ Airport Lounges)
(22:13) – JetBlue and United Unlock Reciprocal Loyalty Benefits
(25:51) – Read Nick’s post about Citi Travel for rental cars here
(30:49) – Read more about Sixt offering prepaid fuel for $49.99 for rentals in the US for Sixt ONE members here
(34:31) – Points Path Pro now shows United discounted cardholder pricing
(36:23) – Read more about how to keep airline miles and hotel points alive here
Main Event: Best $95 travel credit card combo
(37:37) – We’ll focus on which combination of credit cards might make sense for someone to use, but we’ll stick to a $95 annual fee budget. We’ll focus on transferable points and include cash back that can be converted to transferable points
(40:27) – Capital One
(42:21) – Chase
(47:54) – Citi
(52:03) – Wells Fargo
(56:07) – Other considerations
(1:01:05) – Best Mixed-Bank $95 Wallet
(1:10:40) – Nick’s pick for best $95 wallet
(1:13:39) – Greg’s pick for best $95 wallet
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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
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I think BoA is always worth discussing, as a $95 card with over $100 in value, and a 2.62 catch all
Admittedly the BoA nerfs severely hurt this card so it will become less attractive
Chase is secondary in NY so equivalent to others on that basis for many of us.
I’m just trying to read the bottom lines from the youtube transcript (love you guys but not listening to an 80 minute podcast…) and feel like these are maybe recommendations for more advanced players not Average Joe and Jane (who are going to feel like they are doing something wrong by getting a business card).
In my judgment, for the regular joe, there’s just no beating the Citi $95 quadfecta (even the trifecta without the custom cash is excellent). Can stay within one easy to understand ecosystem that you don’t have to run a mortgage through or get a business card for. Get a minimum of 2x on everything and 3x on many, many things that depending on spending could easily bring one’s average to above 2.5x. And if you go abroad just use the Strata Premier.
Two years ago, would have said just get a CSR/CSP and a F.Un. or equivalent. Not anymore.
Usbank Smartly 1.0, Bilt Obsidian $95, Paypal Debit (two or more if possible with P2) because a lot of people buy groceries at Costco, Walmart, and/or Target. Surprised Greg didn’t say $95 Wells Fargo Premier Autograph for travel protections.