I Have 3 Credit Cards I Use Regularly. Here’s How I Picked Them

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Before deciding on which three credit cards to use, I took a few simple steps. Here’s how I picked the right cards for me and my spending. 

I’m a big fan of using credit cards to build credit and earn rewards. In fact, I have three credit cards that I use for all of my purchases. I was very careful in selecting the three cards I use to make sure they were the right fit for my lifestyle. Here’s how I picked them.

I evaluated my spending and aimed to find a card that offered bonus rewards on top spending categories

The first step I took when deciding which credit cards to get was to take a close look at my spending. That’s because different cards offer bonus rewards for different things. For example, some cards provide extra rewards for booking airline tickets, others for buying gas or for dining out in restaurants.

The bulk of my personal spending is on travel and on Amazon, so I knew I wanted cards that would give me bonus rewards for purchases on these three things. Then, I wanted the best “general purpose” rewards card to use for all of my other purchases so that I wouldn’t get stuck just earning 1% cash back on other things I buy (which is what many cards pay for purchases that don’t fall within their special bonus categories). As a result, I ended up with:

One card that offers bonus cash back on travelOne card that offers bonus cash back on Amazon.com transactionsOne card that pays me 2% cash back on every purchase

It was pretty easy for me to figure out what I spend the most on. I use a program that breaks my spending up into categories so I can see where my money is going. If you don’t do that, you can look back at existing credit card statements or bank statements to see where you’re spending the most.

Once you know your spending habits, just search for a card that gives you added rewards for those purchases.

I check for fees and cardmember benefits

Once I knew what kinds of cards I was looking for, I made a list of those that offered bonus rewards for my desired spending areas. Then, I looked at the other things those cards offered including the following:

Annual fee: This is the yearly amount I’d pay to be a cardholder, if any.Foreign transaction fee: I wanted at least one card I wouldn’t have to pay extra to use outside of the U.S.Purchase protections: Some cards offer extended warranties, return protection, and price protection. I wanted at least one card to offer this for big purchases.Travel insurance: I wanted a card that provides benefits like trip interruption coverage, rental car insurance, and lost luggage insurance.Other cardmember benefits: I was looking for a statement credit for TSA precheck as well as airline lounge access.

You should consider what cardmember benefits are important to you when choosing a card. My list is a pretty good start for most people — but you may also see other benefits that are attractive to you, like statement credits for flight incidentals or free checked bags.

In some cases, you’ll find a card with an annual fee is the best fit if the benefits and added rewards you’ll earn justify the fee. You may also find that one card stands out as offering the benefits you value and a rewards program that matches your spending. If you do, that’s the card for you.

Finding the right cards is worth the effort

If you haven’t taken these steps to pick the cards in your wallet, consider doing so today. You may find the card you have is a good fit, but you may also find there are better options out there that offer great benefits and a rewards program that you can maximize.

The three cards I found using this technique have earned me thousands of dollars in rewards and have made my travels a lot more enjoyable when I get to relax in the airline lounge. By taking the time to check out these criteria, you can make the most of the cards you’re using, too.

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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Christy Bieber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon.com. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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