A simple page of the cards we currently have, why we got them, and how we use them.
To preface, both of us have credit scores in the upper 700s. When we do open a new card we will typically get a small dip in our score but it goes back up pretty quickly. We have no missed payments and we never carry any balances.
Parker
Venture X: This card is incredible. We opened it for the sign-on bonus back in 2021 and for the high-end travel perks. The bonus at the time was 100,000 miles. Gets 2x on all purchases so we use it for everything. We love it. Check out our post.
Venture One: Previously had the Venture card but downgraded to save on the annual fee when we opened the Venture X. Still a great card. Gets 2x on all purchases with no annual fee. The Venture card at the time had a bonus of 75,000 miles. No miles were earned or lost with the downgrade.
Delta Amex Gold: Opened this back in 2021 to get a large sign-on bonus of 75,000 points and to have a card that gets us free checked bags with Delta. We don’t use it much as it mostly gets us 1x on purchases. We keep it to get free checked bags, main cabin boarding, and discounts on award flights. Check it out.
Barclays Aviator Red: We opened this card in 2024 to earn the 60,000 AAdvantage point sign-on bonus needed for a trip to Japan. Similar to the Delta card it gets us the basic American Airlines benefits. We’ll likely keep it until we no longer have use for it. To learn more about why we chose this card, check out our Plan for Japan.
Amex Business Gold: This card is no small-time card but we’ve done it anyway. We opened it in 2024 for the 130,000 sign-on bonus, and to utilize some of its higher-tiered spending categories. It’s also now our doorway into the Amex world as we’ve previously struggled to get in due to what’s commonly known as “Pop-Up Jail.” Check it out.
America First: We’ve had this card for as long as we’ve loved credit cards. We don’t use it, but it’s no annual fee card that lengthens our credit history.
Past cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred: It’s a great card with solid benefits and sign-on bonuses. Unfortunately, Chase closed the account on us and we no longer have it. Earned 80,000 points from the bonus. Great card even if we lost it.
Chase IHG Premier: Great card for hotel status and benefits. Would’ve really liked to keep this card but Chase closed us down again. High points are earned on specific spending and great perks when staying at IHG hotels. We still have a large stash of points earned from opening this card. Mexico and Japan.
Laynie
Venture: Opened this primarily because we closed down mine and realized it was still a good card to have and so we could refer it to others. The sign-on bonus earned us 60,000 miles. Gets 2x on spending and has solid benefits.
Delta Amex Gold: Opened this back in 2021 to get a large sign-on bonus and to have a card that gets us free checked bags with Delta. We don’t use it much as it mostly gets us 1x on purchases. We keep it to get free checked bags, main cabin boarding, and discounts on award flights.
Barclays Aviator Red: We opened this card in 2024 to earn the elevated 75,000 AAdvantage point sign-on bonus needed for a trip to Japan. Similar to the Delta card it gets us the basic American Airlines benefits. We’ll likely keep it until we no longer have use for it.
America First: We’ve had this card for as long as we’ve loved credit cards. We don’t use it, but it’s no annual fee card that lengthens our credit history.
Past Cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred: It’s a great card with solid benefits and sign-on bonuses. Unfortunately, Chase closed the account on us and we no longer have it. Earned 80,000 points from the bonus. Great card even if we lost it.