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American Express Platinum

This has been our primary spending card since early 2023, where American Express is accepted. This card generally comes with a large sign-up bonus, as well as many travel benefits including a complimentary Priority Pass membership, enhanced travel protections, and Hotel and Airline spending statement credits. It’s our #1 go-to card.

Chase Bonvoy Boundless

Our primary hotel credit card is the Boundless card from Marriott, primarily because of the overly generous sign-up bonus of 5 free nights after meeting a small minimum spend requirement within 3 months of account opening. This card also has up to 17X points earning on Marriott transactions providing great value when staying at their hotels.

Barclays AAdvantage Red Aviator

With Jackson’s long relationship with American Airlines, this is one of our our two secondary spending cards anytime American Express is not accepted. No foreign transaction fees, travel benefits on American, and a $99 domestic companion voucher after minimum spending requirement each year make this is another great travel card.

Barclays Miles & More

While we mainly fly with American Airlines and the OneWorld alliance but wanted to have options when booking rewards flights in certain regions. This card had a good sign-up bonus and since we frequently fly to Zurich it also made sense for us to have a Star Alliance associated credit card. This card also has great benefits when it comes to lounge access and a companion certificate within the Lufthansa Group.

Bank of America Cash Rewards

Good cash back card with 3% back in one category of your choice and 2% back on grocery store and wholesale club spending. Good credit card for beginners who are already banking with Bank of America, and a card that comes with a strong initial cash back sign up bonus.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

As many publications point out, the Sapphire Preferred card is generally the best all-around travel credit card on the market today. We use it is one of our two secondary spending cards where American Express is not accepted because of it’s generous points earning, year end points bonus, and enhanced travel protections to list just a few benefits.

Citi AAdvantage MileUp

This is a good emergency card for us because of the large credit limit we have with it because of a long banking relationship with Citi and the fact that it has no annual fee. The card does offer good benefits for a no fee card with 2X points earned on grocery and wholesale purchases alongside 25% off inflight food and beverage purchase on American Airlines.

Goldman Sachs Apple Card

Great for Apple purchases and when paying with ApplePay both in-stores and online. Added flexibility and 3% cash back when making purchases at Apple and select retailers. No annual fee makes this card a good addition to your wallet if you’re already in the Apple eco-system.