Daniel Braun’s Favorite Credit Cards
Hey, I’m Daniel and I talk about how to maximize value from credit cards on my YouTube channel while also developing smarter everyday personal finance habits. I hope that sharing my thoughts and my experiences with these topics can help you to become better with your money!
These are some of my favorite credit cards right now.
Advertiser Disclosure: Your Best Credit Cards has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Your Best Credit Cards and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Commissions do not affect or prioritize placement within our results and not all cards displayed earn us a commission. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone.
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9 Cards Available:
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,313
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,313
The simplest of the Chase Business cards, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card earns a flat 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points for every dollar spent on the card except Lyft rides, where it earns 5X points through March 2025.
It is best used in conjunction with a Chase Ultimate Rewards card that is enabled for points transfers to airline/hotel partners, such as the Chase Ink Preferred, Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Sapphire Reserve, as you can transfer points from this product to one of those.
0% APR Intro Offer
Get 12 months of 0% Interest (17.99% - 23.99% thereafter) on purchases on your new card account for 12 months (Terms apply).
Please note: The Estimated Rewards Value of an Ultimate Rewards point earned from this card assumes that you have a Chase Ink Preferred, Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Sapphire Reserve as well, which allows portal redemptions worth 1.25 - 1.5 cents per point and the opportunity for even greater value with airline and hotel transfer partners. If you do not have one of these cards, points would be worth a flat 1 cent per point and this bonus would be worth exactly $750.
Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Annual Fee:
$0
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,313
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,313
The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card generously offers an excellent 5x on up to $25,000 annually at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services as well as 5X on Lyft rides. It also offers 2x on up to $25,000 annually at gas stations and restaurants.
Businesses with a lot of spend at office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot can really clean up.
Get a 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases,17.99% - 23.99% thereafter.
Please note: The Estimated Rewards Value of an Ultimate Rewards point earned from this card assumes that you have a Chase Ink Preferred, Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Sapphire Reserve as well, which allows portal redemptions worth 1.25 - 1.5 cents per point and the opportunity for even greater value with airline and hotel transfer partners. If you do not have one of these other Chase cards, points would be worth a flat 1 cent per point and this bonus would be worth exactly $750.
Capital One Venture X Credit Card
Annual Fee:
$395
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,200
Annual Fee:
$395
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,200
Capital One Venture X Credit Card Earn Rate
- 10X Capital One Miles on hotels and car rentals when booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X Capital One Miles on airfare booked via Capital One Travel - which utilizes Hopper.
- 2X Capital One Miles on everything else
Capital One Venture X Credit Card Benefits
Capital One launched this card with a laundry list of benefits which are very impressive. You'll quickly see that the annual fee is wiped out and then some by the benefits.
- Up to a $300 credit annually for bookings made on Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary (equal to $100 towards travel)
- Unlimited access to Capital One Lounges and also to 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges internationally + two guest passes (Effective January 1, 2023, Priority Pass non-lounge airport experiences (like dining, retail shopping and spa discounts) are not part of the Visa Infinite® benefit program for Venture X cardholders.)
- Up to $100 in statement credits for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
- Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status (top tier!) for primary cardholders, authorized users and account managers. The status is valid until Dec 31, 2024.
- Primary Car Rental Collision/Damage Coverage
- Authorized Users can be added for no fee and they also get their own Priority Pass membership.
- Cardholders can earn up to 100,000 miles per year for referring friends, who can then experience the unparalleled benefits Venture X has to offer (up to 4 referrals per year; 25,000 miles awarded per referral)
- No foreign transaction fees
You can transfer to several airline and hotel partners. See the full list of Capital One Miles transfer partners and transfer times.
If you used our Credit Cards Optimization Tool to find this card, please remember that the 10X and 5X bonus rates only apply to travel booked through the Capital One Travel Portal.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Review
Annual Fee:
$95
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,050
Annual Fee:
$95
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,050
Perhaps the best "starting out card" in miles and points.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a low annual fee, unlocks transfers from this and any linked Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card to airline and hotel partners, comes with excellent built-in trip delay insurance, primary car rental CDW coverage and earns 2x points on travel and dining.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Earn Rate:
- 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
- 5X total points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3X points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.
- 3X points on select streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- 2X Ultimate Rewards points on all travel purchases
- 1X points on all other purchases
Important Note on the 5X multiplier for travel: This card is listed as earning 5X on travel. You will only receive 5X if you book your travel via the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel portal (using cash). Hotels booked via the portal are prepaid will not earn hotel points or provide hotel loyalty program benefits. If you book travel directly with a provider, you will earn 2X instead of 5X.
Instacart Benefits
- 6 free months of Instacart Express
- $15/quarter in statement credits
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card DoorDash Benefits
You'll get free access to DashPass which gives you $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Chase Will Let you “Pay Yourself Back”
Chase Sapphire Preferred cardmembers can always use their points to book travel via the travel portal where they get 1.25 cents per point.
Now, you can redeem in the same manner for selected rotating categories. Instead of using a “portal” to make the purchases, you just pay as you normally would and then go into the Chase website to “pay” for that purchase with points. You will get the same 1.25 cents per point in value as you get booking travel. The feature is branded “Pay Yourself BackSM“.
The only requirement is that the merchant category be in one of the specified categories and you must “Pay yourself back” within 90 days of purchase.
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers get the same opportunity, but at a higher 1.5 cents per point cash-out rate.
If you apply for a Chase credit card and don't get an instant approval, you may want to call the Chase reconsideration line.
Note: You will only be approved for a Chase credit card if you have applied for fewer than 5 personal credit cards within the last 24 months from any issuer. (Business cards do not count against the total, except for Capital One and Discover, but are subject to the policy). Learn more about the 5/24 rule here.
You also cannot be approved for a Sapphire Preferred if you currently have this card or a Sapphire Reserve card and/or if you have received a bonus on this card in the past 48 months.
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$350
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$350
The Chase Freedom Flex is the evolution of the Chase Freedom card, long a staple of the Chase card portfolio.
0% APR Intro Offer:
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24% - 27.99%.
The Freedom Flex takes the best part of the Chase Freedom (rotating quarterly 5X bonus categories) and adds a ton of new features:
Chase Freedom Flex Earn Rate:
- 5X on travel when purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal*
- 5X on rotating quarterly bonus categories (max of $1,500 per quarter in spend; activation required – same as existing Freedom card)
- 5X on Lyft rides through March 2025
- 3X on dining (including takeout and delivery)
- 3X at drugstores
- 1X on everything else
(* Keep in mind, booking via the portal for hotels means that you won’t, in most cases, earn any hotel points / stay credits nor have any hotel elite status honored. For airlines, the fares are generally the same or similar, however, it does mean that you have to deal with Chase for changes instead of the airline directly – and that can be a big hassle.)
Instacart Benefits
- 3 free months of Instacart Express
- $10/quarter in statement credits
Note: Our rewards optimization calculator will count all travel on this card at 5X, but please note the limitations around that above.
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$320
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$320
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card earns ThankYou points which are worth a penny per point (1% cash back) unless you also have a Citi Premier card or Prestige in your Citi portfolio.
Assuming you do, then these should combine to your overall ThankYou pool once linked.
You will earn 5% cash back (as ThankYou Points) on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, with 1% cash back thereafter. You do not have to select anything at any time. It's automatic.
The eligible spend categories are:
- Restaurants
- Gas Stations
- Grocery Stores
- Select Travel
- Select Transit
- Select Streaming Services
- Drugstores
- Home Improvement Stores
- Fitness Clubs
- Live Entertainment.
You'll earn an unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The 5X applies to your top category each month.
O% Intro APR Offer - New Purchases and Balance Transfers
0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months.
After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% - 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
Please note: If you are finding this card in your results for our Rewards Optimization tool, due to system limitations the tool will calculate a maximum of $6,000 per year for your top categories at 5%, but it will not factor in exact monthly spend.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$200
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$200
This no-fee card offers food and entertainment-centric cash back bonus categories.
Get 3% on dining, 3% on streaming, 3% on entertainment, 3% at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart(R) and Target®) and 1% everywhere else. Plus, earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
Also, earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Terms apply.
Uber Benefit
Automatically earn 10% back on qualifying purchases on Uber and Uber Eats plus complimentary Uber One membership, through November 14, 2024
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 19.74%-29.74% variable APR after that.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Review
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$0
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$0
A no-fee Chase card offering 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points on everything, except as noted below. It's best combined with a Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Ink Business Preferred to unlock the power of transfer partners.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Earn Rate:
- 5X on travel when purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal*
- 5X on Lyft until March 2025
- 3X on dining (including takeout and delivery)
- 3X at drugstores
- 1.5X on everything else
NOTE: This card can be used as cash back or as an Ultimate Rewards points card. In valuing your rewards, we assume you also have a Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred, or Chase Ink Business Preferred. You can then transfer points from this card to one of those to unlock the power of transfer partners. If you have this card without one of the above cards, your rewards value will be lower with each point worth exactly 1 cent.
Instacart Benefits
- 3 free months of Instacart Express
- $10/quarter in statement credits
0% Interest APR Intro Offer:
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
Note: Our rewards optimization calculator will count all travel on this card at 5X, but please note the limitations around that above.
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$0
Annual Fee:
$0
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$0
The Citi Double Cash® credit card is one of the "gold standards" in cash back cards.
This card earns a flat 2% cash back in a slightly different way.
You will earn 1% cash back twice: first when you make the charge, then when you pay. That's 2% total.
Cash back will be earned in the form of ThankYou Points, redeemable for cash or combinable with your other ThankYou points.
You can redeem your points directly for cash or you can convert Double Cash points to JetBlue. And if you have a Citi Premier or Citi Prestige, then you can also transfer them to Citi's participating travel loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio, making this card worth a look for points and cash aficionados alike.
Balance Transfer Offer
0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% - 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
Chase Ink Preferred
Here’s how we calculated your Rewards Value:
Point Value X Multiplier = Rewards Value
X =
Here’s how we calculated your Bonus Value:
Point Value X Bonus = Bonus Value
X =
Meet Dave
Dave’s spent the last 15 years traveling the world in first class using his miles and points. After analyzing the unique credit card spending habits of thousands of MilesTalk readers over the years, he developed YourBestCreditCards.com.
