The way that you go from one card to the next is interesting, often choosing the next card with somewhat similar features, rather than just simply going through each card family one by one. It kept me eager to see what card would come next.
Looks like I have a pretty average portfolio of cards, but that's perfect for my needs right now. I'm living very frugally while building an emergency fund, so I have limited spending and don't travel enough to justify any annual fee card. What Daniel says at the end of the video about everyone's situation being different is incredibly important to remember as you go along your journey.
@@kessarychlick2117 Currently, I have a Discover Cash Back (occasional useful categories), Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% catch-all), the Costco card (already have a membership, and it gets 4% on gas), and a card with my local credit union that I hope to upgrade soon to one that will be a 2% catch-all. Eventually, I plan to get a better card for groceries (probably the SavorOne if it/the environment haven't changed drastically at the time I apply).
capital one's access to lounges is honestly the best feature for me lol. i take cheaper flights with layovers sometimes because I get free lounge access in most airports in the world, which means free meals, coffee, etc.
With credit cards there's always a balance between what you gain and what new behavior is incentivised. In the end they are designed for you to spend more not less 👀
That's why I feel like my Freedom Unlimited is so good for me and also why I'm eyeing the Freedom Flex. I don't travel and am focusing on earning points for cash back by using my card for everyday purchase. I earn hundreds of dollars every couple months, it's great
@@musek5048Only if there are no limitations. There is a citi card that offers 5%, but is capped at 500/m. I’m eyeing the Robinhood Gold card that will be 3% back on all purchases. In the end, if you aren’t paying off your balances each month, you’re looking at negative cash back.
Savor one sounds like the easiest and most efficient for me. Thanks for the list!! This is exactly how I make decisions in video games and now with my finances lollll love a good tier list.
Savor is a great card! But Capital one imo just absolutely SUCKS with boosting credit limits. I think because I started out with them when my credit was shit I got put in one of those buckets. I’m getting $15k limits out the gate with Chase and $9k for discover but capital one I’ve had the cards for years and can’t get above $5k and my savor card still only $2300 😭 but I good card
Venture X vs CSR value proposition varies highly depending on what airports you frequent. My home airport is BOS and my secondary airport is PVD, which makes Saphire lounge access at Logan and priority pass experience credits at Logan and Providence extremely valuable. If your home airport is DFW, then the capital one lounge access might be more valuable.
Thank you for this super clear overview, much appreciated! Also thank you for not over-ranking the Amex Platinum which has become a joke in my opinion (let's not forget that despite the $700 annual fee, you now have to pay $50 per guest to get access to airport lounges, and that includes YOUR OWN KIDS. Ridiculous).
@@Daniel_Braun I got a Discover IT card about 3 months ago. What card should I get next if I want to build my credit history faster? I tried applying for the Chase Freedom Flex but weirdly my application was rejected for not having enough Credit History.
Capital One Venture and Amex Gold were the best decisions I made for myself. Surprised you didn’t mention the standard Venture card! Nevertheless, took me about a week getting used to ‘what card gets swiped where’, but it’s just muscle memory now and I’m reeling in the points between each card!
Very well made video! Kinda off topic *this comment is just a personal opinion* the transitions you use while editing are kind of harsh/fast on the eyes and when you use them frequently it can make a viewer feel like they are being whipped around on a roller coaster. I know you didn’t ask, but personally I think if you dialed the transitions down in motion/quickness/harshness or made those larger faster transitions less frequent it would be a little easier to watch without feeling almost motion sick. Again this is just a personal opinion, absolutely no hate, and free advice if you want to take it into account. Feel free to ignore it if you don’t like it, I just was noticing that while watching the video. The rest of the video is excellent!
This is honestly the nicest way to give feedback that I’ve ever received - and it’s super helpful so thank you so much! I completely understand what you mean and actually agree that the transitions can be toned down a bit, so I’ve already passed that info on to my editor. A few other people said the same thing Thanks again for being an awesome person with helpful feedback that’s critical in the best way possible! 👍
Pretty much with you on all of the rankings in general! I definitely need to consider the SavorOne as I (maybe) close out my Amex Green which was amazing in the first year given the welcome bonus, but like you mentioned doesn't see THAT much value otherwise. Would love the Amex Gold but with the new welcome bonus changes, out of luck. Both the Amazon Prime and Bilt cards are great to have, but also not sure if they're worth burning a 5/24 slot for, so we'll see! Awesome breakdown Daniel!
Agree with pretty much all of your picks here Daniel! The Capital One Duo is super underrated so cool to see it getting some love from you in the S Tier. The only changes I would make is potentially adding the Bilt Card to the S Tier & the Aspire a bit higher, but overall these were great picks & everyone has different travel/spending preferences. Great video as always Daniel!
I messed up my credits real bad back in 2020. Im just now building it back again and not being reckless. I had a capital one secured card and just got upgraded to an unsecured card and my score is now a little over 700. Im also getting an apartment next month and I’m very interested in the BILT credit cards. Do you think it’s a hard to get approved for??? Especially with my history
My only gripe with Capital One is they don't seem to like me. The cards are super good though. Opened a SavorOne when my credit was average (mid 600s) and they only gave me $600. Fast forward to now in the low 800s and about $90k in revolving limits across a few banks they still won't raise it. I guess I could close it and re-apply to try and get out of their "bucket" system but I have annual fee waivers for AMEX Gold/Plat so I pay $0/yr for both of these. Once I start having to pay for those I'll probably try to get back in to the Cap1 cards.
This is a really cool video! I find i have a lot of c tier credit cards but I do use a different strategy to take advantage of it in a different way. I go for no annual fee, 0% intro PURCHASE APR, some type of signup bonus, and a reward rate of some form. I actually get most of these through mail ins. What i do is i put my usual purchases on a %0 apr card, save the amount i owe on that card on a 5% high yield savings account, pay minimum monthly payments, then pay the whole balance off as the intro APR is about to expire. You collect rewards, signup bonus, and interest with this method. I only do cash reward or statement credit rewards as well.
You do know that your credit utilization makes up 30% of your credit score. It sounds like your maxing out the card and using all if not most of your credit limit. That will drop your score drastically including the credit hit by applying for the card.
Mannnn I know how hard this video must have been to make 🤣 Just trying to figure out where to start is TOUGH. Also I’ve heard of a few people who actually got that Luxury Card and I remember whoever told me about it, didn’t have the heart to tell them it was a bad card 😂 Great Rankings here Daniel! Some of these I never had an opinion on so it was good to see your insights on them, especially the U.S. Bank Cards. And I think you’re spot on with the Platinum for most people 100%
I actually have a US Bank card, since it was the bank I grew up with and it's a perfect card for my current situation as a college kid, already tied to my bank, and with surprisingly good cashback and no foreign transaction fees. It helped me get a decent card as my first one rather than another bad bank card or student card. I do not think I will continue to use it much once I am out of college and add better travel program cards and things like custom cash, but have definitely appreciated it so far.
A tip for your next video.......I was looking for a link to a spreadsheet or your website with a spreadsheet....I was even hoping that I could pause the video and look at your rankings, but you have the different credit cards stacked on top of each other so I can't read which ones they are.
Definitely see why you rank AMEX platinum where it is but all you need are 4 benefits from this card to offset the fee. Especially if you add authorized users.
It’s wild for me. I actually find the Amex green card as my s tier card instead of the gold. Especially since I am near a city so the 3x on all travel is awesome.
For people living around a city then the Green card can definitely earn some good points! I really just wish they either had some credits or a lower annual fee + a better sign up bonus. For the right person, the Green card can be good - but I still see the Gold as the better option for most people (assuming the credits make sense for them). Appreciate hearing some of your perspective because it's gonna be different for everyone! 👍
@@marco6350 might not be a go to card since it’s for one specific airline company, like I said I travel for work and they always book United so I’m getting perks without having to spend my own money. I’m sure I would have got the normal chase card if this wasn’t the case :)
Frequent cruisers spending thousands of dollars could find the green card very valuable as it is one of the only cards which counts cruise line bookings as travel.
Although not a points card, the Citi Anywhere Costco Visa gets you 3% here as their travel category is broader than most and includes cruises, and it doesn't require use of a travel portal. For a card that got its extended warranty coverage nerfed last year, this still makes me hold onto the card alongside its 4% gas rewards.
Great video, Daniel! If Bilt adds a welcome offer, even as much as 15k points, I'm giving up my 5/24 status even though I have been waiting for a CSP for so long ha!
If Bilt adds a welcome offer than it right up to the S tier for them! Or if they remove the 5 transaction per billing cycle requirement which I forgot to mention here as well. But such a solid card overall and I love having it in my wallet 👍
How you're able to plug so many of your other detailed card/duo/trifecta videos shows what an impressive catalogue you've built. Love the content as usual!
Appareciate the ranking videos but can we get some chapters so we can jump to the ones that are actually relevant to us? Took me forever to find the section with my cards. Also would be nice if you could list all the cards reviewed in the description even if you dont write out the rankings.
Thanks Julian! Just checked the schedule and that's gonna be a great game! So cool to see the teams that will be in the Big 10 next year for some great match ups
One more thing with the chase sapphire preferred is that they offer an additional 10% of what you pay in points at the end of every anniversary year for your account opening. Basically if you spend $10000 with that card, you’ll get an extra 1000 points at the end of the year. Not a huge difference but this does help offset the annual fee a little bit.
I think it’s interesting how good the Chase cards are, yet none of them are really S-Tier. Somehow they don’t quite make it but still deliver S-Tier value. But this video is S-Tier. Well done Daniel!
Considering changing my CFU to a CFF. Currently have a CSP as well. Can’t get a signup bonus right now. If Chase took out other categories on the CFU and gave it a base 2% cash back, it would be perfect IMO.
Not a bad list but the sapphire reserve seems to be my favorite. Just the bonuses alone are worth over $1250 a year, TSA is worth a lot and it's 5x not 3x if bought through their rewards portal for traveling. You also need to compare the different visa bonuses which is important for traveling and insurances.
To me the Saphire Reserve is by far the best - I make between $1500-2K a year using only this card and that's after my yearly premium payment for the card - but I pay the card off every month also....
10:25 I thought that was a typo seeing those annual fees but I looked it up and my mind was completely blown lol 🤯 I can't imagine spending that much just for a credit card!
I think the Chase Freedom Unlimited should be in the A tier also because the only difference between the unlimited and the flex is the flex gets the quarterly cash back but everything else is pretty much the same
@@RebelTvShkaif you don’t fly very often, travel points are useless. I’m in the same boat where I wouldn’t end up using the travel points so it would just be a waste of
Yeah, idk how you can talk about the Apple Card without talking about the savings account. It’s basically a high yield savings account with no fees or minimum balance. And idk how using Apple Pay is a detractor for 2% cash back when virtually every store accepts Apple Pay. The 3% cash back could use some sprucing up, but it’s not a D-level card.
You don't need an Apple card for a savings for 4.5%. You can get Savings accounts completely free that pay more than that. A credit card isn't why that is available AT ALL. It also doesn't offer anything special for a variety of cases outside maybe an apple purchase. So not much.
Interesting rankings and I agree with many of your picks. But I would move some of these around. For instance, the BILT card is specifically for a renter which really limits its appeal. Same for the Hilton card, the Ink card, and other special case cards. I would put these at a C tier. The Apple Card is most definitely NOT a D tier card. Are their some minor problems with it? Sure. But its utility of being a 2% card doesn't change.
Daniel, do you consider Chase UR points to be worth more than Cap One points/miles? Seems like the Cap One duo has better spending multipliers than Chase, but it’s all for naught if the points aren’t as useful/valuable! I know it depends on the use case but what’s your opinion? Thanks
What are your thoughts on Bank of America Cash Back? 1% All Purchases 2% On Groceries 3% on your select category. 200$ welcome bonus If you bank with BoA or use their investment branch Merill Edge, if you have 25k stored or higher, it improves the cash back. 100k is where it caps out. Over 2% on all other purchases Over 3%on Groceries Over 5% on your select category. Any thoughts on this?
I use BofA Premium Rewards card with $95 annual fee with $200 in Airport Incidental/TSA benefit and since I'm BofA Platinum tier I essentially get 3.5% back on travel and dining and 2.62% back on everything else. This is extremely hard to beat with anything else. All the other hoops and carrying a deck of cards just to maximize benefits seems stupid.
The big downside to this card was the cap on rewards, I believe capped at $2,500 in spending every quarter. If you spend more than $10k a year on your card, it ends up being less rewards (multiplied by how much more you spend, like if 50k/yr then it's a massive difference). Also the 2% on everything is way more for me personally. Random things like car insurance, house repairs, etc add up to more than the 1% difference in the one 3% category
Citi custom is s tier 5% back on any one category Get another 2 citi cards and project change them to custom Now you have 3 cards giving you 5% categories. Then you get an aaa travel for 5% gas Then the other aaa for 5% on groceries. Thats now 5 categories at 5% If you need more Get us bank + which gives you 5% in 2 categories but have to activate each month. If you need more get a different us bank card and project change them to us cash+ for 9 categories that will cover 95% of all your spending.
I have 2 of them but I have heard of people having 4 of them. The best roi is chasing sign on bonuses for cards that cover a specific category that you will use. And just get 2 cards a year. I get 400+ dollars a year in sign on bonuses plus whatever my cards % I make. The problem is everywhere I go now charges more money to use a cc so just having a card I get the sign on bonus with and throw the rest in the sock drawer. I have some cards I use 1-2x per year just so they cant close my accounts
Could you do a video on how the credit age averages out? I’m a little confused on how it work. Will the age really matter if I leave a 5 year gap between card A and B? Or would a 6 month gap be better?
For the Apple Card…Realistically in most of the US Apple Pay is accepted. Even at restaurants… 2% cash back is nice especially since they put it into a 4% APY savings account…. Plus the security is unmatched by any card. I don’t like how you didn’t mention those benefits. Besides that good video. I learned stuff
It would go right alongside the Blue Cash Everyday in the B tier for me. It’s similar to that card and the main reason people should get it is if the math makes sense for their earnings to be worth the annual fee - that’s basically why I didn’t get to mention it. Very good card though for the right person that wants cash back!
Great video Daniel! I have a better understanding of what cards I should apply to. I have question, Capital One offers a “Savor One for good credit” card for those who don’t qualify for the Savor One. What are your thoughts on cards for good credit that Capital One is offers? Is it worth applying for? Thank you!
Looks like I am hanging around B tier but 2 cards that I found that I never see in rankings on the two AAA credit cards. You don't need a membership for them and you can choose either one. The travel card is 5% on gas, 3% resturant/grocery, and 1% everything else along with no travel exchange fees. The Daily Advantage is 5% grocery, 3% pharmacy/gas, and 1% everythign else. I have one, my wife the other, and we rake in cashback with them like crazy.
Those sound amazing! I never heard of them. I got lucky that my bank, PNC, sold me on the PNC cash rewards, 4% gas 3% dining 2% grocery 1% everything else.
I started my credit 2 years ago with capital one platinum and a year ago got the chase freedom flex, i have a 4k credit limit that i always keep under 1k utilitization, my credit score on experian is 716 and on myfico 736, do you think its too soon or my score is too low to apply for the freedom unlimited to get closer to having the chase trifecta?
I think your odds are good. But you can also look online for pre-approval and pre-qualification with any bank to see if the odds are in your favor. With Chase, you can also make an appointment with the bank to meet and better your relationship with them and to see if they can advise you further. The sign-up bonus for the CFU is really good right now so it is worth pursuing your trifecta.
I'm still FIRST, But to business, I am right now carrying the CSP, CFU, Amex Gold, and VX which I recently picked up with 90K bonus. I am really loving my VX more than I thought I would, but I will see how it fairs after the first year. Your Ranking is about right! Great vid as always Daniel💥
Great video Daniel! Unfortunately for me the S tier cards with the Capital One cards are the ones I probably won’t be able to get since Capital One is too stingy with me. Otherwise I’d love to get those cards.
Personally, I like the Apple card when I’m at work because if I eat in the cafeteria which will have a pizza oven a grill and full kitchen, Chase and Citibank don’t consider a restaurant but as a hospital purchase. But since they have Apple Pay, I at least get 2% back when I decide I want some ribs and a salad for lunch. Seems to work well with my setup with my other 4 cards
I think the D grade is harsh. The physical card? Yes but when you do Apple Pay you universally get 2% which is up there with the best cash rewards cards out there. Not to mention Apple Card has the absolute top tier UI.
@wingsuitzero Nah I think D is right. There's nothing really special about it and having to jump through hoops to get cashback vs literally just getting the cashback with no strings attached is not the same. Other cards have bonuses and many of these cars have 3%-6% cashback options for pretty popular categories. I wouldn't even bother with ESPECIALLY after the bank that sponsored it is having issues with it and they are potentially screwing that whole thing up even more. So nah, it deserves D imo.
One thing that’s nice about the Apple Card is there’s a low barrier to entry and no fees. It was one of my first credit cards and as a college student it was really convenient in that regard. It’s not a great card now that I’m far removed from my college days but it was nice to have to build credit
Technically just while on active. It’s my understanding they won’t follow up for some time but eventually they will cut off the annual waiver. Not clear how they find out
I did enjoy platinum on active duty but when I joined reserves, they hit me with $690 annual fee. I almost shed tears lol. I downgraded to green amex and I got some money back around $220. The excess from the platinum annual fee.
Could you pay your property taxes with bilt? I don’t have rent/mortgage but maybe property taxes could be a good way to use that? Taxes are expensive here in NY
A note of caution about the PayPal cashback mastercard: your credit limit is going to be a fraction of what you might expect, causing your utilization to spike if you use it as intended with the catch-all 2% rate
I thought the credit bureaus took into consideration ALL your available credit? Like my Amex is $10k and another is 5k etc. They just look at the utilization percent per card?? Guess I should be asking for a credit increase.
Good video! I stick with no annual fee cards and I figure once I average it out I don't earn anymore than I would if I paid for a card like the amex or whatever. Gotta know how you personally spend money. I got the chase prime card, red card, citi double cash, citi costco visa, scheels card (only signed up for that bonus lol), discover card which I've had for ages, and a few local cards. Works for me because I know what I buy.
Personally I haven’t liked it much, but it can vary from person to person. Marriott points are just tougher to get consistent value from. But I agree, the Ritz card path would be an ideal reason to get the Boundless first! I’m considering an upgrade to that but we’ll see
I don't agree with you when it comes to the green. It can be a good replacement for the Platinum and Gold in the traditional AMEX trifecta. For someone who doesn't want all the luxury travel benefits from the Platinum and for someone who spends more on eating out vs groceries. Still getting 3x on travel, transit, food, 2x on groceries, and everything else. All for $150 AF vs $945
Did same this year. Downgraded from platinum to green. Got cash back for the annual fee I paid on platinum. It sucked cos I used platinum for free in military when I was on active duty. When they charged me $690 annual fee, I almost cried. Then I downgraded. I might drop it eventually if it doesn't serve my needs.
Thanks! Haha yeah I tried to cover a lot here so I had to keep things moving. Obviously there's still a ton of cards that I could cover like those - I'd say for BoA cards like the Customized Cash and the AAA card, those would go in the B tier as solid cash back options. The thing about no annual fee cash back cards is that there's usually little to dislike, but the upside is limited compared to travel rewards. So those would be some examples of more solid B tier cards that I think are worth it for people on Team Cash Back!
with the capital one and discover (possible) merger, what do you think would happen with the discover cards? i’m finally at good credit to be able to consider a discover card.
Costco Citi card is S tier for me. 4% back on gas with no annual fee. 3% on travel and restaurants is decent too. I only use the Venture X and Costco card right now. Oh and Amazon Prime card for 5-6% back is decent, no annual fee as well.
Lounge access with the platinum card makes it worth it for us. It makes the worst part about traveling (the airports and layovers) more enjoyable. It also gives us TSA global for free and we take advantage of the monthly 15 dollar Uber eats credit. They also always have great perks at the lounges Free alcohol, actually good food that is free and things like masseuses yes also free. It’s a great experience
Apple Card at D is pretty harsh imo. These days 90% of places have Apple Pay as an option, even some sit down restaurants I’ve been to offer Apple Pay through QR codes on the receipt. 2% cash back is pretty average but good in the sense that it’s basically universal. Pair that with really straightforward UI/UX to manage your card and it’s really not that bad as a catch all card, or at least a secondary card.
Is there a reason you wouldn't both have the Amex Plat and just add the second person as an additional member for $195, rather than paying $325 for the separate Gold card?
I actually do agree that it's a good card for beginners. Just not the best card when comparing to other options when considering the overall credit card market. Useful for explaining beginner concepts though
Would you be able to do a tier list for those of us that have to book through applications like Concur? It’s quite common in business settings. I found the reserve to be my favorite because it gave me 3x back on all my work trip spend categories. I feel like there are better cards though.
Engaging, informative, and to the point. You cleared up all the credit card confusion I had into a nice 20 minute video. You earned a sub from me! Well done.
I got a B’s and C’s Just like my high school report card.
😂 Hilarious and clever comment - definitely deserves a pin
😂😂😂 good one
😂
No need to brag man
My one and only card thus far wasn't even mentioned 😂😂
It's so refreshing seeing someone get straight to the point. You absolutely will get my subscription. Great stuff!
Thank you so much for saying that and for subscribing! Truly means a lot to me!
Same
Agree
same
The way that you go from one card to the next is interesting, often choosing the next card with somewhat similar features, rather than just simply going through each card family one by one. It kept me eager to see what card would come next.
Looks like I have a pretty average portfolio of cards, but that's perfect for my needs right now. I'm living very frugally while building an emergency fund, so I have limited spending and don't travel enough to justify any annual fee card. What Daniel says at the end of the video about everyone's situation being different is incredibly important to remember as you go along your journey.
What card do you prefer because I live very frugally as well.. I only buy groceries and gas
@@kessarychlick2117 Currently, I have a Discover Cash Back (occasional useful categories), Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% catch-all), the Costco card (already have a membership, and it gets 4% on gas), and a card with my local credit union that I hope to upgrade soon to one that will be a 2% catch-all. Eventually, I plan to get a better card for groceries (probably the SavorOne if it/the environment haven't changed drastically at the time I apply).
Amex Gold
@@kessarychlick2117 Savor easily
capital one's access to lounges is honestly the best feature for me lol. i take cheaper flights with layovers sometimes because I get free lounge access in most airports in the world, which means free meals, coffee, etc.
With credit cards there's always a balance between what you gain and what new behavior is incentivised. In the end they are designed for you to spend more not less 👀
Agreed. That’s why I like a simple 2% card and paying balance off every month so I’m not incentivized for any particular purchase.
That's why I feel like my Freedom Unlimited is so good for me and also why I'm eyeing the Freedom Flex. I don't travel and am focusing on earning points for cash back by using my card for everyday purchase. I earn hundreds of dollars every couple months, it's great
@@TH-camSupportOfficialUS so would a 5% card with no annual fee not be worth it?
@@musek5048Only if there are no limitations. There is a citi card that offers 5%, but is capped at 500/m. I’m eyeing the Robinhood Gold card that will be 3% back on all purchases. In the end, if you aren’t paying off your balances each month, you’re looking at negative cash back.
no sh!t lol
Chill with the transitions I’m getting dizzy
😂
Between that and the flying hands....I keep feeling like I need to dodge his fingers
Actually absurd edit
Thats because you are old 🙄😮
@@ElJefe360naw its overly edited
Savor one sounds like the easiest and most efficient for me. Thanks for the list!! This is exactly how I make decisions in video games and now with my finances lollll love a good tier list.
Savor is a great card! But Capital one imo just absolutely SUCKS with boosting credit limits. I think because I started out with them when my credit was shit I got put in one of those buckets. I’m getting $15k limits out the gate with Chase and $9k for discover but capital one I’ve had the cards for years and can’t get above $5k and my savor card still only $2300 😭 but I good card
Venture X vs CSR value proposition varies highly depending on what airports you frequent. My home airport is BOS and my secondary airport is PVD, which makes Saphire lounge access at Logan and priority pass experience credits at Logan and Providence extremely valuable. If your home airport is DFW, then the capital one lounge access might be more valuable.
Find myself at IAD, DFW, and DEN at least 5-10x per year so it was an easy choice
Thanks for the hard work on this Dan. That looked like a lot of work to go through all of that.
Thank you for this super clear overview, much appreciated! Also thank you for not over-ranking the Amex Platinum which has become a joke in my opinion (let's not forget that despite the $700 annual fee, you now have to pay $50 per guest to get access to airport lounges, and that includes YOUR OWN KIDS. Ridiculous).
The B tier is damn competitive.
Very competitive! Some great cards in the B tier that can help out anyone's setup
@@Daniel_Braun I got a Discover IT card about 3 months ago. What card should I get next if I want to build my credit history faster? I tried applying for the Chase Freedom Flex but weirdly my application was rejected for not having enough Credit History.
Capital One Venture and Amex Gold were the best decisions I made for myself. Surprised you didn’t mention the standard Venture card! Nevertheless, took me about a week getting used to ‘what card gets swiped where’, but it’s just muscle memory now and I’m reeling in the points between each card!
Can you rank cards for those of us that don’t travel? No flights, no hotels, no partner programs, just straight up cash back setup.
Yeah I can definitely look to make a Cash Back only ranking video with a similar tier list!
Take a look at PNC Cash Rewards Visa Credit Card.
It has 4% on gas, 3% on restaurant, 2% on groceries for the first $8000 in a calendar year.
Found a card?
@@Doggmatic_Found a card?
@Messup7654 I ended up going with "Bilt," which is more of a travel card, but works pretty well.
Very well made video! Kinda off topic *this comment is just a personal opinion* the transitions you use while editing are kind of harsh/fast on the eyes and when you use them frequently it can make a viewer feel like they are being whipped around on a roller coaster. I know you didn’t ask, but personally I think if you dialed the transitions down in motion/quickness/harshness or made those larger faster transitions less frequent it would be a little easier to watch without feeling almost motion sick. Again this is just a personal opinion, absolutely no hate, and free advice if you want to take it into account. Feel free to ignore it if you don’t like it, I just was noticing that while watching the video. The rest of the video is excellent!
This is honestly the nicest way to give feedback that I’ve ever received - and it’s super helpful so thank you so much! I completely understand what you mean and actually agree that the transitions can be toned down a bit, so I’ve already passed that info on to my editor. A few other people said the same thing
Thanks again for being an awesome person with helpful feedback that’s critical in the best way possible! 👍
Pretty much with you on all of the rankings in general! I definitely need to consider the SavorOne as I (maybe) close out my Amex Green which was amazing in the first year given the welcome bonus, but like you mentioned doesn't see THAT much value otherwise. Would love the Amex Gold but with the new welcome bonus changes, out of luck. Both the Amazon Prime and Bilt cards are great to have, but also not sure if they're worth burning a 5/24 slot for, so we'll see! Awesome breakdown Daniel!
Don't close ur CC, even if you don't use them, unless there's annual fee upkeep, then get rid of them. Keep your credit line high
I never comment or rarely subscribe. But you were straight to the point, nice editing and no bullshit. You got a new sub.
Thank you so much for that! Really glad to hear you liked it!
Agree with pretty much all of your picks here Daniel! The Capital One Duo is super underrated so cool to see it getting some love from you in the S Tier. The only changes I would make is potentially adding the Bilt Card to the S Tier & the Aspire a bit higher, but overall these were great picks & everyone has different travel/spending preferences. Great video as always Daniel!
I messed up my credits real bad back in 2020. Im just now building it back again and not being reckless. I had a capital one secured card and just got upgraded to an unsecured card and my score is now a little over 700. Im also getting an apartment next month and I’m very interested in the BILT credit cards. Do you think it’s a hard to get approved for??? Especially with my history
The Bilt is truly S tier..just booked a hotel in Italy with Hyatt points transfer.. all earned from paying for the roof over my head!
@@Jiggy609 Love that!!
My only gripe with Capital One is they don't seem to like me. The cards are super good though. Opened a SavorOne when my credit was average (mid 600s) and they only gave me $600. Fast forward to now in the low 800s and about $90k in revolving limits across a few banks they still won't raise it. I guess I could close it and re-apply to try and get out of their "bucket" system but I have annual fee waivers for AMEX Gold/Plat so I pay $0/yr for both of these. Once I start having to pay for those I'll probably try to get back in to the Cap1 cards.
@@Jiggy609The day they accept Mortgage payments as well is when it can go to S tier.
Wow this video was informative, straight to the point, and well made. Subscribed, thanks!
This is a really cool video! I find i have a lot of c tier credit cards but I do use a different strategy to take advantage of it in a different way. I go for no annual fee, 0% intro PURCHASE APR, some type of signup bonus, and a reward rate of some form. I actually get most of these through mail ins. What i do is i put my usual purchases on a %0 apr card, save the amount i owe on that card on a 5% high yield savings account, pay minimum monthly payments, then pay the whole balance off as the intro APR is about to expire. You collect rewards, signup bonus, and interest with this method. I only do cash reward or statement credit rewards as well.
Thanks Mikey! That's a really strategic process you having going on, but that makes sense if you're keeping track of everything and managing it well 👍
You do know that your credit utilization makes up 30% of your credit score. It sounds like your maxing out the card and using all if not most of your credit limit. That will drop your score drastically including the credit hit by applying for the card.
Mannnn I know how hard this video must have been to make 🤣 Just trying to figure out where to start is TOUGH.
Also I’ve heard of a few people who actually got that Luxury Card and I remember whoever told me about it, didn’t have the heart to tell them it was a bad card 😂
Great Rankings here Daniel! Some of these I never had an opinion on so it was good to see your insights on them, especially the U.S. Bank Cards.
And I think you’re spot on with the Platinum for most people 100%
I actually have a US Bank card, since it was the bank I grew up with and it's a perfect card for my current situation as a college kid, already tied to my bank, and with surprisingly good cashback and no foreign transaction fees. It helped me get a decent card as my first one rather than another bad bank card or student card. I do not think I will continue to use it much once I am out of college and add better travel program cards and things like custom cash, but have definitely appreciated it so far.
The S-Tier Capital One Duo is underrated. I’ve been using these cards for a while and don’t really think I need any other card than these two.
A tip for your next video.......I was looking for a link to a spreadsheet or your website with a spreadsheet....I was even hoping that I could pause the video and look at your rankings, but you have the different credit cards stacked on top of each other so I can't read which ones they are.
Definitely see why you rank AMEX platinum where it is but all you need are 4 benefits from this card to offset the fee. Especially if you add authorized users.
these constant transitions are INSANE
Lol annoying af 😂
It’s good to have every now and then! But it’s just a little too much haha just gotta dial it back like 40% 😂
Insanely over the top!
Had an Apple Card ad for this video 😂😂
Love this video I’m finally deciding to get a credit card (trying to build my credit) and I loved the way explained everything 👏🏽
It’s wild for me. I actually find the Amex green card as my s tier card instead of the gold. Especially since I am near a city so the 3x on all travel is awesome.
For people living around a city then the Green card can definitely earn some good points! I really just wish they either had some credits or a lower annual fee + a better sign up bonus. For the right person, the Green card can be good - but I still see the Gold as the better option for most people (assuming the credits make sense for them). Appreciate hearing some of your perspective because it's gonna be different for everyone! 👍
Great video. Would love to see a business card tier list in the same manner
Love this list! I got the United Explorer card for my chase card since I travel a lot for work and the company books almost exclusively on United.
Love my explorer card
I wonder why he didn’t review this card?
@@marco6350 might not be a go to card since it’s for one specific airline company, like I said I travel for work and they always book United so I’m getting perks without having to spend my own money. I’m sure I would have got the normal chase card if this wasn’t the case :)
Frequent cruisers spending thousands of dollars could find the green card very valuable as it is one of the only cards which counts cruise line bookings as travel.
Although not a points card, the Citi Anywhere Costco Visa gets you 3% here as their travel category is broader than most and includes cruises, and it doesn't require use of a travel portal. For a card that got its extended warranty coverage nerfed last year, this still makes me hold onto the card alongside its 4% gas rewards.
Great video, Daniel! If Bilt adds a welcome offer, even as much as 15k points, I'm giving up my 5/24 status even though I have been waiting for a CSP for so long ha!
If Bilt adds a welcome offer than it right up to the S tier for them! Or if they remove the 5 transaction per billing cycle requirement which I forgot to mention here as well. But such a solid card overall and I love having it in my wallet 👍
@@Daniel_Braun Solid shout on the 5 transactions! Not about if I can or cannot do them, but there's this invisible pressure to do it within the month!
How you're able to plug so many of your other detailed card/duo/trifecta videos shows what an impressive catalogue you've built. Love the content as usual!
I’m a simple guy, all I need is a 2% card for all categories. I don’t like switching cards for each payment.
Thanks for taking the time to walk through these brother!
Appareciate the ranking videos but can we get some chapters so we can jump to the ones that are actually relevant to us? Took me forever to find the section with my cards. Also would be nice if you could list all the cards reviewed in the description even if you dont write out the rankings.
great video Daniel! cant wait to see penn state play my school on 10/12/24!!
Thanks Julian! Just checked the schedule and that's gonna be a great game! So cool to see the teams that will be in the Big 10 next year for some great match ups
One more thing with the chase sapphire preferred is that they offer an additional 10% of what you pay in points at the end of every anniversary year for your account opening. Basically if you spend $10000 with that card, you’ll get an extra 1000 points at the end of the year. Not a huge difference but this does help offset the annual fee a little bit.
I think it’s interesting how good the Chase cards are, yet none of them are really S-Tier. Somehow they don’t quite make it but still deliver S-Tier value.
But this video is S-Tier. Well done Daniel!
The Sapphire Preferred is S-Tier easily
Considering changing my CFU to a CFF. Currently have a CSP as well. Can’t get a signup bonus right now. If Chase took out other categories on the CFU and gave it a base 2% cash back, it would be perfect IMO.
Got both, but I found sign up bonus online. Try to search again.
Thank you so much for doing all of this research! You saved a lot of people a lot of time and we appreciate you! ❤
Not a bad list but the sapphire reserve seems to be my favorite. Just the bonuses alone are worth over $1250 a year, TSA is worth a lot and it's 5x not 3x if bought through their rewards portal for traveling.
You also need to compare the different visa bonuses which is important for traveling and insurances.
To me the Saphire Reserve is by far the best - I make between $1500-2K a year using only this card and that's after my yearly premium payment for the card - but I pay the card off every month also....
10:25 I thought that was a typo seeing those annual fees but I looked it up and my mind was completely blown lol 🤯 I can't imagine spending that much just for a credit card!
Not sure if it fits here but Costco Citi card is something I would put it in S or A. Would be interesting to see what you think about it
I think the Chase Freedom Unlimited should be in the A tier also because the only difference between the unlimited and the flex is the flex gets the quarterly cash back but everything else is pretty much the same
I think unlimited is better than flex since some categories I might not have any use for.
I love the Apple Card for the savings account that pays 4.5% interest per month. I don’t want travel points.
That's fine, but you have to pay taxes on that interest, you don't in travel points, it's also not the highest earning card.
@@RebelTvShkaif you don’t fly very often, travel points are useless. I’m in the same boat where I wouldn’t end up using the travel points so it would just be a waste of
Sofi is another banking service that offers 4.5% on savings.
Yeah, idk how you can talk about the Apple Card without talking about the savings account. It’s basically a high yield savings account with no fees or minimum balance. And idk how using Apple Pay is a detractor for 2% cash back when virtually every store accepts Apple Pay. The 3% cash back could use some sprucing up, but it’s not a D-level card.
You don't need an Apple card for a savings for 4.5%. You can get Savings accounts completely free that pay more than that. A credit card isn't why that is available AT ALL. It also doesn't offer anything special for a variety of cases outside maybe an apple purchase. So not much.
Interesting rankings and I agree with many of your picks. But I would move some of these around. For instance, the BILT card is specifically for a renter which really limits its appeal. Same for the Hilton card, the Ink card, and other special case cards. I would put these at a C tier. The Apple Card is most definitely NOT a D tier card. Are their some minor problems with it? Sure. But its utility of being a 2% card doesn't change.
An excellent and well explained video. Thank you.
Thanks so much Darlene! Appreciate the support
Crazy we have at least 1 of every tier and multiple a and b tier ones.definitely informative
Why didn't you cover Bank of America? Am I missing something?
They’re not good unless you have preferred rewards with them
Daniel, do you consider Chase UR points to be worth more than Cap One points/miles? Seems like the Cap One duo has better spending multipliers than Chase, but it’s all for naught if the points aren’t as useful/valuable! I know it depends on the use case but what’s your opinion? Thanks
Yup I’m applying for the Citi custom cash card for sure
Get approved?😂 I want it but I’m too scared
@@davidwaits4834I have it, one of my best cards
Don’t forget that there’s always a “up to” before any of those rewards
Slightly unrelated but WHAT DO YOU USE TO EDIT?!?!? Holy smokes those transitions were beautiful and the Picture in Picture was chefs kiss
Haha thank you so much! Glad you liked it! Thats all thanks to my editor there - I am not as good with those kinds of effects if I edited on my own
I rock with my WF 2%. Hate having to keep track of everything, simple redemption once a month is all I need
What are your thoughts on Bank of America Cash Back?
1% All Purchases
2% On Groceries
3% on your select category.
200$ welcome bonus
If you bank with BoA or use their investment branch Merill Edge, if you have 25k stored or higher, it improves the cash back. 100k is where it caps out.
Over 2% on all other purchases
Over 3%on Groceries
Over 5% on your select category.
Any thoughts on this?
I use BofA Premium Rewards card with $95 annual fee with $200 in Airport Incidental/TSA benefit and since I'm BofA Platinum tier I essentially get 3.5% back on travel and dining and 2.62% back on everything else. This is extremely hard to beat with anything else. All the other hoops and carrying a deck of cards just to maximize benefits seems stupid.
The big downside to this card was the cap on rewards, I believe capped at $2,500 in spending every quarter. If you spend more than $10k a year on your card, it ends up being less rewards (multiplied by how much more you spend, like if 50k/yr then it's a massive difference). Also the 2% on everything is way more for me personally. Random things like car insurance, house repairs, etc add up to more than the 1% difference in the one 3% category
Citi custom is s tier 5% back on any one category
Get another 2 citi cards and project change them to custom
Now you have 3 cards giving you 5% categories.
Then you get an aaa travel for 5% gas
Then the other aaa for 5% on groceries.
Thats now 5 categories at 5%
If you need more
Get us bank + which gives you 5% in 2 categories but have to activate each month.
If you need more get a different us bank card and project change them to us cash+ for
9 categories that will cover 95% of all your spending.
How so? I’m interested. Thank you
I thought they wouldn't do a product change to a card if you already have one of that kind??
I have 2 of them but I have heard of people having 4 of them. The best roi is chasing sign on bonuses for cards that cover a specific category that you will use. And just get 2 cards a year. I get 400+ dollars a year in sign on bonuses plus whatever my cards % I make.
The problem is everywhere I go now charges more money to use a cc so just having a card I get the sign on bonus with and throw the rest in the sock drawer. I have some cards I use 1-2x per year just so they cant close my accounts
Is it just me or has your editing style gone way up since 6 months ago?
What you say about Bank of American cards for high-income customers? Thanks
Could you do a video on how the credit age averages out? I’m a little confused on how it work. Will the age really matter if I leave a 5 year gap between card A and B? Or would a 6 month gap be better?
I actually explained this in a bit more detail with an example in the middle of this video here: th-cam.com/video/3nxGdg8Wa4M/w-d-xo.html
For the Apple Card…Realistically in most of the US Apple Pay is accepted. Even at restaurants… 2% cash back is nice especially since they put it into a 4% APY savings account…. Plus the security is unmatched by any card. I don’t like how you didn’t mention those benefits. Besides that good video. I learned stuff
I’m kind of surprised the AMEX blue cash preferred card wasn’t included🥴 I was hoping to see how you rank this card
It would go right alongside the Blue Cash Everyday in the B tier for me. It’s similar to that card and the main reason people should get it is if the math makes sense for their earnings to be worth the annual fee - that’s basically why I didn’t get to mention it. Very good card though for the right person that wants cash back!
Would you make a video on P2 strategy to get sign up bonuses. Including how to rotate and get referrals?
Yeah! Thats actually a video that I’m working on right now that should be out in a few weeks 👍
@@Daniel_Braun awesome thank you I'll turn on notifications!
Great video Daniel! I have a better understanding of what cards I should apply to. I have question, Capital One offers a “Savor One for good credit” card for those who don’t qualify for the Savor One. What are your thoughts on cards for good credit that Capital One is offers? Is it worth applying for?
Thank you!
Consider the standard Venture instead of the Venture X, it still has the 2x flight miles without the huge monthly fee.
Looks like I am hanging around B tier but 2 cards that I found that I never see in rankings on the two AAA credit cards. You don't need a membership for them and you can choose either one. The travel card is 5% on gas, 3% resturant/grocery, and 1% everything else along with no travel exchange fees. The Daily Advantage is 5% grocery, 3% pharmacy/gas, and 1% everythign else. I have one, my wife the other, and we rake in cashback with them like crazy.
Those sound amazing! I never heard of them. I got lucky that my bank, PNC, sold me on the PNC cash rewards, 4% gas 3% dining 2% grocery 1% everything else.
I started my credit 2 years ago with capital one platinum and a year ago got the chase freedom flex, i have a 4k credit limit that i always keep under 1k utilitization, my credit score on experian is 716 and on myfico 736, do you think its too soon or my score is too low to apply for the freedom unlimited to get closer to having the chase trifecta?
I think your odds are good. But you can also look online for pre-approval and pre-qualification with any bank to see if the odds are in your favor.
With Chase, you can also make an appointment with the bank to meet and better your relationship with them and to see if they can advise you further.
The sign-up bonus for the CFU is really good right now so it is worth pursuing your trifecta.
I'm still FIRST, But to business, I am right now carrying the CSP, CFU, Amex Gold, and VX which I recently picked up with 90K bonus. I am really loving my VX more than I thought I would, but I will see how it fairs after the first year. Your Ranking is about right! Great vid as always Daniel💥
Great video Daniel! Unfortunately for me the S tier cards with the Capital One cards are the ones I probably won’t be able to get since Capital One is too stingy with me. Otherwise I’d love to get those cards.
Personally, I like the Apple card when I’m at work because if I eat in the cafeteria which will have a pizza oven a grill and full kitchen, Chase and Citibank don’t consider a restaurant but as a hospital purchase. But since they have Apple Pay, I at least get 2% back when I decide I want some ribs and a salad for lunch. Seems to work well with my setup with my other 4 cards
I think the D grade is harsh. The physical card? Yes but when you do Apple Pay you universally get 2% which is up there with the best cash rewards cards out there. Not to mention Apple Card has the absolute top tier UI.
@wingsuitzero Nah I think D is right. There's nothing really special about it and having to jump through hoops to get cashback vs literally just getting the cashback with no strings attached is not the same.
Other cards have bonuses and many of these cars have 3%-6% cashback options for pretty popular categories. I wouldn't even bother with ESPECIALLY after the bank that sponsored it is having issues with it and they are potentially screwing that whole thing up even more. So nah, it deserves D imo.
One thing that’s nice about the Apple Card is there’s a low barrier to entry and no fees. It was one of my first credit cards and as a college student it was really convenient in that regard. It’s not a great card now that I’m far removed from my college days but it was nice to have to build credit
I think the Boundless should go a bit higher. Marriott properties are much wider than Hyatt so it can help out in a pinch more easily
I would not put the gold card and the black card in the same category as the Apple card. That’s crazy to do that. I would put it in the F column.
It might as well be in the same. Nothing really special about the apple card.
Just dropped my Amex Platinum last week to switch to Venture X. Glad you agree 😂
I’m claiming first!!
Always honorary first no matter what CJ! 🥇 😂
The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum with the active duty annual fee waiver, is king.
Does the active duty annual fee waiver last for life or is it just until you leave active duty?
Technically just while on active. It’s my understanding they won’t follow up for some time but eventually they will cut off the annual waiver. Not clear how they find out
I did enjoy platinum on active duty but when I joined reserves, they hit me with $690 annual fee. I almost shed tears lol. I downgraded to green amex and I got some money back around $220. The excess from the platinum annual fee.
Could you pay your property taxes with bilt? I don’t have rent/mortgage but maybe property taxes could be a good way to use that? Taxes are expensive here in NY
Wells will be bringing a new autograph for $95 a year but with x5 on travel and stuff will be really good. Employee here
Thanks for the comment! I’m really excited to see what Wells Fargo will be offering this year with new products!
A note of caution about the PayPal cashback mastercard: your credit limit is going to be a fraction of what you might expect, causing your utilization to spike if you use it as intended with the catch-all 2% rate
This happened to me too, not sure why Synchrony is so stingy with their limits
I have a 8000 dollar limit on it
I thought the credit bureaus took into consideration ALL your available credit? Like my Amex is $10k and another is 5k etc. They just look at the utilization percent per card?? Guess I should be asking for a credit increase.
@@neighner2392 They actually look at both
@@neighner2392 can never hurt to ask for one
Good video! I stick with no annual fee cards and I figure once I average it out I don't earn anymore than I would if I paid for a card like the amex or whatever. Gotta know how you personally spend money. I got the chase prime card, red card, citi double cash, citi costco visa, scheels card (only signed up for that bonus lol), discover card which I've had for ages, and a few local cards. Works for me because I know what I buy.
Whew, that was alot of info and you pulled it off well. Thanks!
The boundless is extremely good, don’t sleep on it’s power. After all that card is the precursor to the Ritz now
Personally I haven’t liked it much, but it can vary from person to person. Marriott points are just tougher to get consistent value from. But I agree, the Ritz card path would be an ideal reason to get the Boundless first! I’m considering an upgrade to that but we’ll see
Straight to the point. Like it... New subscriber here...
I don't agree with you when it comes to the green. It can be a good replacement for the Platinum and Gold in the traditional AMEX trifecta. For someone who doesn't want all the luxury travel benefits from the Platinum and for someone who spends more on eating out vs groceries. Still getting 3x on travel, transit, food, 2x on groceries, and everything else. All for $150 AF vs $945
Did same this year. Downgraded from platinum to green. Got cash back for the annual fee I paid on platinum. It sucked cos I used platinum for free in military when I was on active duty. When they charged me $690 annual fee, I almost cried. Then I downgraded. I might drop it eventually if it doesn't serve my needs.
Remarkable that you cover so many so quickly. Would love to know how you rank BOA cards too. AAA cards?
Thanks! Haha yeah I tried to cover a lot here so I had to keep things moving. Obviously there's still a ton of cards that I could cover like those - I'd say for BoA cards like the Customized Cash and the AAA card, those would go in the B tier as solid cash back options. The thing about no annual fee cash back cards is that there's usually little to dislike, but the upside is limited compared to travel rewards. So those would be some examples of more solid B tier cards that I think are worth it for people on Team Cash Back!
with the capital one and discover (possible) merger, what do you think would happen with the discover cards? i’m finally at good credit to be able to consider a discover card.
came for the credit card discussion. subbed for the penn state mug
Costco Citi card is S tier for me. 4% back on gas with no annual fee. 3% on travel and restaurants is decent too. I only use the Venture X and Costco card right now. Oh and Amazon Prime card for 5-6% back is decent, no annual fee as well.
Best card for utilities? Should we just look for the highest cashback card, like 2% ish?
Stupid question but does a business have to get a “business” card or can they get any credit card under the business name?
Lounge access with the platinum card makes it worth it for us. It makes the worst part about traveling (the airports and layovers) more enjoyable. It also gives us TSA global for free and we take advantage of the monthly 15 dollar Uber eats credit.
They also always have great perks at the lounges Free alcohol, actually good food that is free and things like masseuses yes also free. It’s a great experience
Apple Card at D is pretty harsh imo. These days 90% of places have Apple Pay as an option, even some sit down restaurants I’ve been to offer Apple Pay through QR codes on the receipt. 2% cash back is pretty average but good in the sense that it’s basically universal. Pair that with really straightforward UI/UX to manage your card and it’s really not that bad as a catch all card, or at least a secondary card.
My Wife : Amex Platinum
Myself : Amex gold
We both are looking for good 2nd cards to pair with. Any suggestions?
Is there a reason you wouldn't both have the Amex Plat and just add the second person as an additional member for $195, rather than paying $325 for the separate Gold card?
You slept on the Apple Card at least for beginners, there’s no easier card to start with, easiest to pay off and understand!
I actually do agree that it's a good card for beginners. Just not the best card when comparing to other options when considering the overall credit card market. Useful for explaining beginner concepts though
@@Daniel_Braun I agree with you on that as well!
You should rank airline credit cards! Ive always wondered if i made thw right decision.
What you think of Alaska airlines to get flight point or is venture just better. We just want to be able to fly cheaper. You have a video?
Would you be able to do a tier list for those of us that have to book through applications like Concur? It’s quite common in business settings. I found the reserve to be my favorite because it gave me 3x back on all my work trip spend categories. I feel like there are better cards though.
You ranked the Amex Everyday Blue cashback card at B, but I’m wondering how you would rank the preferred version of that card?
Bank of America travel rewards card?
Engaging, informative, and to the point. You cleared up all the credit card confusion I had into a nice 20 minute video. You earned a sub from me! Well done.
Thank you so much! Really glad to hear that you liked the video 👍