In order to jump start your points and miles make sure to apply for the best credit cards with the best sign-up bonus offers at the time, especially after checking your individual offers through cardmatch. I will always post the most recent and up to date credit card sign-up offers. Here are – in my opinion – the best credit cards to start with. I picked one from each category of annual fee, $0/year, $95/year and $450. These are the three main categories of annual fees that most cards fall under.
If you opened less than 4 credit cards in the past 24 months, start with these three cards:
| Chase Freedom | |
|---|---|
| Sign-up Bonus: | $150 after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Earn additional $25 when you add your first authorized user and make your first purchase within this same 3 month period. |
| Earning: | 5% cash back in categories that change each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you sign up. 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
| Benefits: | Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account. Price protection; If a card purchase you made in the U.S. is advertised for less in print or online within 90 days, you can be reimbursed the difference up to $500 per item, $2,500 per year. |
| Foreign Transaction Fee: | 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars |
| Annual Fee: | $0 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | |
|---|---|
| Sign-up Bonus: | 50,000 points when you spend $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. Earn additional 5,000 bonus points after you add the first authorized user and make your first purchase in the first 3 months from account opening. |
| Earning: | 2X points on dining and travel 1X points on other purchases |
| Benefits: | Transfer points at 1:1 ratio to British Airways Executive Club, Korean Air SKYPASS, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®, United MileagePlus®, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Hyatt Gold Passport®, IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-CarltonRewards®. |
| Foreign Transaction Fee: | NONE |
| Annual Fee: | $95 (Waived for the first year) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Sign-up Bonus: | 50,000 points when you spend $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening |
| Earning: | 3x points on air travel and hotel 3x points on dining at entertainment 1X points on other purchases |
| Benefits: | – $300 Air Travel Credit each year – Transfer points to hotels and airlines programs – Bonus points are worth $1,500 when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. – Complimentary access to hundreds of VIP lounges through Priority Pass – Global Entry or TSA Pre ✔ ® Application Fee Credit |
| Foreign Transaction Fee: | NONE |
| Annual Fee: | $450 – Not waived first year |
If you have opened 5 or more credit cards in the past 24 months, start with the following three cards:
| Discover it® Card | |
|---|---|
| Sign-up Bonus: | NONE |
| Earning: | 5% cash back in categories that change each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you sign up. 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
| Benefits: | Double all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year automatically—only for new cardmembers. This means you’ll earn 10% cash back on the quarterly categories and 2% on all other purchases. |
| Foreign Transaction Fee: | NONE |
| Annual Fee: | $0 |
| Citi ThankYou® Premier Card | |
|---|---|
| Sign-up Bonus: | 50,000 points when you spend $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening |
| Earning: | 3X points on travel including gas 2X points on dining and entertainment 1X points on other purchases |
| Benefits: | Transfer points to Asia Miles, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, Etihad Guest, Flying Blue, Garuda Indonesia Frequent Flyer, Malaysia Airlines Enrich, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club |
| Foreign Transaction Fee: | NONE |
| Annual Fee: | $95 (Waived for the first year) |
| Citi Prestige® Card | |
|---|---|
| Sign-up Bonus: | 50,000 points when you spend $5,000 within the first 3 months of account opening (currently unavalaible) |
| Earning: | 3x points on air travel and hotel 2x points on dining at entertainment 1X points on other purchases |
| Benefits: | – $250 Air Travel Credit each year – Complimentary 4th Night for any hotel stay – Transfer points to hotels and airlines programs – Points are worth $625 on any airline or $500 in gift cards – Complimentary access to hundreds of VIP lounges through Priority Pass – Global Entry or TSA Pre ✔ ® Application Fee Credit – Three complimentary greens fees at more than 2,400 public and private golf courses |
| Foreign Transaction Fee: | NONE |
| Annual Fee: | $450 – Not waived first year |