What’s in My Wallet
Simple formula I use throughout: Sticker Value × Usage Factor = My Valuation
I’ve collected more credit cards than Apple Wallet could handle. No joke — I once hit a bug where my wallet app ran out of space for new cards. You can adjust the usage factors below for your own lifestyle to see if a card makes sense for you.
TL;DR
People always ask me what card they should get.
If you want to build a points & perks wallet, here’s the roadmap:
- Premium card → lounges, credits, strong earn on travel
- Hotel card → annual free night certificates pay for themselves
- Rent card (Bilt) → free points on rent
- Airline card → only if you fly one carrier a lot
- Everyday cards → fill gaps, add no-fee keepers
Quick Navigation
- Step 1: Premium Cards
- Step 2: Pay Rent with Bilt
- Step 3: Hotel Cards
- Step 4: Airline Cards
- Step 5: Everyday Cards
- Wallet Value Summary
- Notes & Disclaimers
Step 1: Premium Cards (Pick One as Your Foundation)
Premium cards overlap on lounges/insurance/credits. I only count unique perks. (Priority Pass is available across them, so I don’t double-count it.)
Amex Platinum (2025 Refresh)
Annual Fee: $895
My Valuation: $2,255.88
Net Value: +$1,360.88
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Entertainment Credit ($240/yr, monthly) | I subscribe to YouTube Premium. | $22.99 × 12 = $275.88 |
| Fine Hotels & Resorts / Hotel Collection Credit ($600/yr, split semi-annually) | I book FHR ≥2×/yr (free breakfast, late checkout, hotel credit). | $600 × 1.0 = $600 |
| Dining Credit (Resy) ($400/yr, quarterly) | Always use. | $400 × 1.0 = $400 |
| Airline Fee Credit ($200/yr) | Always use. | $200 × 1.0 = $200 |
| Lululemon Credit ($300/yr) | I’d spend ~$300 anyway. | $300 × 1.0 = $300 |
| Uber Credits ($200/yr, monthly) | Rides/Eats. | $200 × 1.0 = $200 |
| Walmart+ Membership ($155/yr) | Wouldn’t pay for it. | $155 × 0 = $0 |
| Uber One Membership ($120/yr) | Wouldn’t pay for it. | $120 × 0 = $0 |
| Centurion + Delta Sky Club | ~10 visits/yr at ~$20 value. | $20 × 10 = $200 |
| Saks Fifth Ave ($100/yr, split semi-annually) | Use but discount 50%. | $100 × 0.5 = $50 |
| Equinox Credit ($300/yr) | Digital app only (~10%). | $300 × 0.1 = $30 |
Why I value it even more: 5× on flights (~10% back at 2¢/pt), Centurion lounges, strong travel protections, purchase/phone protection.
Referral Link: Apply here
Capital One Venture X
Annual Fee: $395
My Valuation: $530
Net Value: +$135
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Credit ($300/yr) | Always book ≥$300 portal travel. | $300 × 1.0 = $300 |
| Anniversary Miles (10k/yr) | Redeem ~1.5¢. | 10,000 × 0.015 = $150 |
| Capital One Lounges | ~2 visits/yr. | $20 × 2 = $80 |
Why I value it even more: 2× everywhere is my default for “misc” spend.
Referral Link: Apply here
Chase Sapphire Reserve (2025 Refresh)
(I don’t currently hold it; I’ve had it in the past. Several perks are temporary through 2027.)
Annual Fee: $795
My Valuation: $1,221
Net Value: +$426
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Credit ($300/yr) | Use fully. | $300 × 1.0 = $300 |
| The Edit Hotel Credit ($500/yr, split semi-annually) | Two-night min; use half. | $500 × 0.5 = $250 |
| Dining Credit ($300/yr, split semi-annually) | Use half. | $300 × 0.5 = $150 |
| Apple TV+ & Apple Music ($250/yr thru 2027) | Value at half. | $250 × 0.5 = $125 |
| DashPass Membership ($120/yr) | Wouldn’t pay. | $120 × 0 = $0 |
| DoorDash Promos ($300/yr, monthly) | Use half. | $300 × 0.5 = $150 |
| StubHub Credit ($300/yr, split semi-annually) | Use half. | $300 × 0.5 = $150 |
| Lyft Credit ($120/yr, monthly) | Value ~80%. | $120 × 0.8 = $96 |
| Peloton Credit ($120/yr thru 2027) | Wouldn’t use. | $120 × 0 = $0 |
Why I value it even more: If you’re deep in Chase (Freedom/Ink), the uplift + credits can tip the math.
Referral Link: None (not currently held).
Step 2: Pay Rent with Bilt (No-Brainer)
Bilt Mastercard
Annual Fee: $0
My Valuation: Positive (formula-based)
Net Value: Positive
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent Points | 1 pt/$ on rent @ ~1.8¢ value. | (Monthly Rent × 12) × 0.018 |
| Transfer Partners | Hyatt + AA favorites. | included above |
Why I value it even more: Literally free points on rent.
Referral Link: Apply here
Step 3: Hotel Cards (Second Priority)
Hilton Aspire (Amex)
Annual Fee: $550
My Valuation: $1,550
Net Value: +$1,000
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Free Night Cert (annual) | Redeem at $500+ Hiltons. | $500 × 1.0 = $500 |
| Hilton Diamond Status | Breakfast/upgrades/lounge (~10 nights/yr). | $40 × 10 = $400 |
| Hilton Resort Credit ($400/yr, split semi-annually) | Use fully. | $400 × 1.0 = $400 |
| Airline Incidental Credit ($250/yr) | Use fully. | $250 × 1.0 = $250 |
Why I value it even more: Diamond perks can be worth hundreds. I’ve used the FNC at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, Conrad Tokyo, and Napa Carneros Resort (SLH with Hilton) for ~$1,500 stays.
Referral Link: Apply here
Hilton Surpass (Amex)
Annual Fee: $150
My Valuation: $700
Net Value: +$550
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| $50 Quarterly Hilton Credits ($200/yr) | Always use. | $200 × 1.0 = $200 |
| Free Night Cert (after $20k spend) | I always hit it. | $500 × 1.0 = $500 |
Why I value it even more: Cheapest path to keep Hilton Gold + a free night.
Referral Link: Apply here
Hilton (No-Fee)
Annual Fee: $0 • Net Value: Keep-alive
Why I keep it: free keeper that maintains history.
Referral Link: Apply here
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant (Amex)
Annual Fee: $650
My Valuation: $1,000
Net Value: +$350
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Free Night Cert (85k) | ~$500 hotels. | $500 × 1.0 = $500 |
| Dining Credit ($300/yr, monthly) | Use fully. | $25 × 12 = $300 |
| Platinum Status | ~5 nights/yr upgrades. | $40 × 5 = $200 |
| 25 Elite Nights | Not useful to me. | $300 × 0 = $0 |
Referral Link: Apply here
Marriott Boundless (Chase)
Annual Fee: $95
My Valuation: $250
Net Value: +$155
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Free Night Cert (35k) | ~$250 hotels. | $250 × 1.0 = $250 |
| 15 Elite Nights | No value. | $150 × 0 = $0 |
Referral Link: Apply here
Ritz-Carlton Visa Infinite (Chase)
Annual Fee: $450
My Valuation: $900
Net Value: +$450
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Free Night Cert (85k) | ~$500 hotels. | $500 × 1.0 = $500 |
| Priority Pass (unlimited guests) | Host family/friends ~10×/yr. | $40 × 10 = $400 |
Referral Link: No referral — apply for Boundless, then product-change.
IHG Premier (Chase)
Annual Fee: $99
My Valuation: $200
Net Value: +$101
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Free Night Cert (40k) | ~$200 hotels. | $200 × 1.0 = $200 |
| 4th Night Free | I’ve never used this. | $0 |
| Platinum Status | Minimal upgrades. | $0 |
Referral Link: Apply here
Step 4: Airline Cards (Optional)
Alaska Atmos Ascent
Annual Fee: $95
My Valuation: $400
Net Value: +$305
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Companion Fare (annual, $6k spend) | Always use on ~$400+ tickets. | $400 × 1.0 = $400 |
| Free Bag | Covered by status. | $30 × 0 = $0 |
Referral Link: No referral — apply directly with Alaska/BoA.
Alaska Atmos Summit
Annual Fee: $395
My Valuation: $700
Net Value: +$305
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge Membership | ~5×/yr at ~$40 each. | $40 × 5 = $200 |
| Companion Fare Certificate (25k pts/yr) | 25k pts @ ~2¢. | 25,000 × 0.02 = $500 |
| Free Checked Bag | Covered by status. | $30 × 0 = $0 |
Why I value it even more: Status accelerator for me; 3× foreign transactions is best-in-class.
Referral Link: No referral — apply directly with Alaska/BoA.
Hawaiian Airlines (Barclays)
Annual Fee: $99
My Valuation: $200
Net Value: +$101
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Companion Discount (annual) | RT Hawaii ~$200. | $200 × 1.0 = $200 |
| Free Bag | Covered elsewhere. | $30 × 0 = $0 |
| Onboard Food | Wouldn’t buy. | $10 × 0 = $0 |
Referral Link: No referral — apply directly with Hawaiian.
Step 5: Everyday Cards
Amex Gold
Annual Fee: $250
My Valuation: $240
Net Value: - $10
| Perk | How I Use It | My Valuation (Math) |
|---|---|---|
| Uber Cash ($120/yr, monthly) | Use completely. | $120 × 1.0 = $120 |
| Dining Credit ($120/yr, monthly) | Use completely via Grubhub. | $120 × 1.0 = $120 |
Why I value it even more: 4× dining & groceries (~8% back). Example: $500/mo × 12 × 0.08 = $480/yr.
Referral Link: Apply here
Amex Everyday
Annual Fee: $0 • Net Value: Neutral
Why I keep it: free keeper to age credit.
Referral Link: Apply here
Chase Freedom Flex & Freedom Unlimited
Annual Fee: $0 • Net Value: Positive
Why I keep them: Flex = 5% rotating, Unlimited = 1.5% everywhere. Great downgrade options.
Referral Link: Apply here
Amazon Prime Visa
Annual Fee: $0 • Net Value: $0
Why I keep it: 5% back at Amazon/Whole Foods (not counted separately here).
Referral Link: No referral — apply via Amazon.
Credit Union Cards
Annual Fee: $0 • Net Value: Neutral
Why I keep them: first cards I opened; great for aging credit.
Wallet Value Summary
| Card | Net Value | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | +$1,360.88 | Apply here |
| Capital One Venture X | +$135 | Apply here |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | +$426 | N/A |
| Bilt Mastercard | Positive | Apply here |
| Hilton Aspire | +$1,000 | Apply here |
| Hilton Surpass | +$550 | Apply here |
| Hilton No-Fee | Keep-alive | Apply here |
| Marriott Brilliant | +$350 | Apply here |
| Marriott Boundless | +$155 | Apply here |
| Ritz-Carlton Visa Infinite | +$450 | N/A (product change) |
| IHG Premier | +$101 | Apply here |
| Alaska Atmos Ascent | +$305 | N/A |
| Alaska Atmos Summit | +$305 | N/A |
| Hawaiian Airlines (Barclays) | +$101 | N/A |
| Amex Gold | - $10 | Apply here |
| Amex Everyday | Neutral | Apply here |
| Freedom Flex/Unlimited | Positive | Apply here |
| Amazon Prime Visa | $0 | N/A |
| Credit Union Cards | Neutral | N/A |
Notes, Strategy & Disclaimers
Referral links & welcome offers — Links are included throughout. Always double-check you’re getting the highest current offer; it can be a huge swing in points.
Paying taxes with a credit card — Processors charge ~1.8–2.0%. It can still make sense when meeting big welcome bonuses or using cards earning >2% effective value.
Quick check: Tax × Fee% vs. Points × Your Value + Bonus Value.
Autopay & reviews — I put every card on autopay and do a quick quarterly review (QBR) for accuracy.