How to Climb The Credit Card Ladder in 2024

[@humphrey]

Make sure to subscribe 🫵I’ll be doing some in depth reviews of cards in the future!

[@gregbaxter6162]

You’ll do it the same way you did it in every other year. Stop making repeat videos as everyone else

[@kaimulai5178]

It’s important to know that credit cards are not always a good thing to get to the highest “tier” as described in the video. It’s best to only get a credit card that matches what you actually spend. If getting a credit card would lead to you spending more or buying things you would not otherwise buy, you should not get the card. So the best credit card for you might be in what Humphrey calls the “novice” tier, but that doesn’t mean it’s worse than others. That just means you’re being smart with your money!

[@humphrey]

Correct!!! Thank you for commenting that.

[@CaedenV]

It's all about the right tool for the job. I haven't looked recently, but when I had a card with miles I found that the options in the portal were a good 20-30% higher than just buying a flight on my own. So I got in the habit of buying the flight myself, and taking the 2-3% cash back rewards for putting the flight through my card. Again, not the right call for everyone, but that is how the math hashed out when I was looking for myself. The other issue is that I want to play as passive a game as possible. My fidelity card is 2% back on everything and is my daily driver. Most store cards like Amazon, Lowes, home depot, etc. offer 5% off or 5% back, so we use store cards for store purchases. And that is as complicated as we get. If I have to micro manage my spending to get the full benefits of normal card benefits, then I'm likely to forget and not use the rewards... Which is really what they are counting on.

[@husky8204]

Well put! For me, I don’t have use for anything beyond the novice cards. I don’t have a lot of expenses and don’t care about points enough to pay for a card. At least for now.

[@charlesschmuckatelli7888]

True story! Most of the benefits are for travel cards...not for everyone!

[@brandonkoeller7478]

yeah, maybe you get a venture one instead of a venture?

[@TheIgnoredGender]

I just stick with tier 2. Cash back with no annual fees. And I rarely travel or stay at hotels to make the others worth it.

[@humphrey]

Nice 👍

[@kevinv2441]

Same here, currently on savings mode. No time to travel!

[@nowayjose1313]

Same here. The Chase Freedom Unlimited is my everything card and I get hundreds in cash back every year.

[@abdullahamir52]

I am still in tier 2. But I think the American Express gold would be a bargain. I regularly use Uber and go out to restaurants (at least once a month). Since I am already doing this, I don’t see the downside of not getting this

[@Human_Organic]

this guy seems like he would make an excellent dad - hope he finds his person

[@OneFast340]

Simp

[@cupidok2768]

What car can I use for groceries

[@TheSimpleDollarShow]

The U.S. credit card market might be the only one needing a “tier list” to keep things organized 😆 Great video, Humphrey!

[@humphrey]

So true!

[@thndr_5468]

Do other countries pay in sheep or something?

[@ayakitokugawa]

Come to Hong Kong lol

[@TheSimpleDollarShow]

@@thndr_5468 - No, the U.S. has significantly more card options and rewards complexity compared to any other part of the world.

[@TheSimpleDollarShow]

@@thndr_5468 - No, the U.S. just has an incredible amount of credit card choices compared to most other parts of the world.

[@SootYourself]

Amex blue is definitely worth it for the average American. It covers a little bit of everything, such as groceries, fuel, tolls, and streaming!

[@BL-zf9fg]

Humphrey out here callin people noobs in the thumbnail 😂

[@humphrey]

lol 😂

[@thestaticisreal]

Discover it student was my first credit card, would definitely recommend over all the secured cards

[@kevintanis7368]

Just want to say thank you for your recommendation of the chase saphire card in a past video. I opened it rite before my trip to Switzerland got my bonus points and saved a ton in foreign transaction fees paid it all off now have roughly $800 in points !!

[@humphrey]

Amazing! I love to hear that 🫡

[@MarkReese]

Awesome to see you cover credit cards 😃👊💯

[@humphrey]

thanks Mark!

[@itskelvinn]

Best type of free is humphrey

[@Kel.Vision]

14:28 I love Humphrey! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Midway_CV-41]

Thank you for the video, helped me learn a few new things about the credit scene in the US and what to work forward to.

[@humphrey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Courtney-Alice-Gargani]

Great video. Travel rewards great. Some can you get cash.

[@humphrey]

Absolutely!

[@objc]

The plain chase sapphire is a great card, the preferred and reserve are like an all inclusive resort, you have to pig out on stuff you don’t really like to get the full benefit. I’d rather not feel roped into spending money on specific things because I paid to do that!

[@AnthonyVenture]

I liked this a lot Humphrey! I love talking up the Capital One Secured Platinum because it’s literally, for a lot of people, the only reason a lot of us are in the points and miles game to begin with 😂 Myself included ha. Also, the “flex on the haters” category as some others mentioned is necessary 😆

[@ChaseCulotta]

Hey Humphrey, can you please do an updated video of what’s in your Roth IRA?

[@Urduhkhan]

I have to say, the Alaska Airlines Visa is one you missed in the mid range. It's about 100 dollar annual fee and it gives you AKAir miles for every dollar you spend. It also has a host of bonuses elsewhere. It used to include free entry to the AKAIR board room, but they have changed that to a 25 dollar fee. (Because it was so crowded apparently) You might look into it. When you first sign up for the card they might offer you as many as 100k miles which is easily 2-3 coach or 1-2 first class round trip tickets just about anywhere they fly. Considering even a coach ticket in alaska can cost you 700 dollars round trip, this is a pretty solid ROI for several years at least.

[@GeekyNerdThao93]

I like the amex gold but man the grocery stores that its actually usable at is not very big. None of the stores i buy groceries at are even on the list.

[@madi7816]

Why no mention of discover?

[@larsfreeburg1535]

I would say some of it is possible instability from the Capital One buyout but also there are just better options than discover.

[@Bangpaulxu]

Thanks for this video. Finally moving back state side after two decades overseas. This video is super informative! I have a silly question, which card would be best to pay property tax and homeowners insurance on to get most cash back?

[@shizzlenizzle]

Great question

[@Karen.c.h]

I love the Amex blue cash everyday. I had a gold card. I am not a traveler. That card wasn’t that beneficial, but kept it for years . Actually I only have cards with no annual fees now (I guess your novice tier) now.

[@MsBabyJ24]

This is such great information! Thank you!

[@YossefDV]

Thanks for another informative video! Would it be possible to comment on how transitioning between cards or even closing credit lines could impact credit and scores? Is it worth keeping a previous credit card if you “upgrade” to one of a higher tier? 🙂

[@hardeez1]

That's why I don't open or close any because it will hurt my credit age which is almost 9 years

[@sazlefraz]

Can you do a vid on best cards for buying gas?

[@ZERO_SVN]

I've been in tier 2 for a while. Amex blue for 3% gas, grocery & online. Plus it's one of the oldest cards I own. Another old card: chase freedom for rotating 5% category. Discover for 5% rotating cats as well plus no foreign transaction fee. Amazon visa for 5% Amazon and other perks, target red for 5% target spends. But the one I use the most is Costco visa: 4% gas, 3% food & travel (no foreign fee also), 2% Costco. However, I am considering moving to tier 3 for: higher cb on dining & travel (my highest spend categories), higher base cb for other purchases, spend credits, lounge access, sign on bonus & pts game. Amex platinum looks good, but not accepted in many places internationally so chase sapphire or venture x look decent. Please do a deep dive on tier 3 cards. 🙏

[@Joenzinator]

The Amex gold would be hard for me since I don't use those specific restaurants or Uber. Without those perks, I'd need to spend $18k on food before it became better than my current card with a lower fee.

[@hardeez1]

Chase freedom and chase sapphire preferred for me

[@tbarg86]

Would you recommend specific travel cards like with united ?

[@ryanschmidt8468]

I have the Savor. Now that it's discontinued, I've considered switching to the Venture X. But its main benefit is purchasing travel THROUGH capital one travel. But from my experience, plane ticket prices are often higher through them than they are through a normal travel site, so I genuinely don't understand the incentive.

[@levischain8351]

What about Discover cards? I currently have the basic Discover it card and want to know what tier that would be in.

[@TeklaTch]

Hey Humphrey! Love your videos. So I actually have a question - I have had student credit card for a year now but I graduated. I was told closing the credit card due to credit length is not a good option. What can I do?

[@levischain8351]

How about the Robinhood gold card? There's no annual fee (but you do need Robinhood Gold which is $50 a year), and there's 3% cash back, which is the highest I've seen.

[@jalaniz40]

Any thoughts on navy federal cards?

[@AshJun17]

For the international watchers - note that Amex gold rewards differ by country. I'm in the UK and our benefits are no where near as good as the US-so much so that I'm considering cancelling mine as its not really worth the fee.

[@stevenluo9516]

This video is only for U.S. audiences and the financial products in these types of videos are generally only available in the U.S. If you're from basically any other country, you will not find this information applicable to your situation at all. So many European audiences come to these videos and get so confused.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

I'm starting to look into the best card for someone getting into more travel. About 2-3x a year for work.

[@supercruchynoodle]

Have you seen the centurion wrist band collab with Prada? So unusual to have a fancy wrist band “credit card”

[@kotertsenn]

Not him using the league challenger logo in the thumbnail 😂 great vid

[@richard1493]

Amex appears to be very lenient in approving military members for the Platinum card. My first credit card was the Platinum when I was 24, and the youngest Marine of mine that got approved for one was 19 with no credit history.

[@hardeez1]

I pay $0 fee for chase sapphire preferred because I'm grandfathered in

[@nicolehaw1088]

Lucky nice how did that work, I have. Nothing with chase but my mother has for yrs wonder if I can get grandfathered in

[@stephans1990]

And another thing, this whole credit system also seems arbitrary to me and a perverse incentive to spend more just to build "a credit history". When I applied for a mortgage here in the Netherlands, all I needed was proof of employment.

[@humphrey]

Wow that’s nice. Yeah I suppose

[@leightonmoreno3855]

Credit score is noob for debt to income ratio

[@stephans1990]

@@leightonmoreno3855 From what I understand it also takes into account other factors like spending pattern and previous debts. I heard advises like purposely carrying a certain amount of debt to build up a history. Pay off specific cards but don't pay others off in full for other reasons and that if you never held a debt in your life, it will make it more difficult to get a mortgage.

[@zarifshoeb]

I mean you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot. I use mine to buy and pay for things I would’ve used anyways that way I’m not overspending. Also, with your daily expenses you can still build good credit. They aren’t looking for you to spend; instead they want to make sure you pay back everything in time to increase your reliability with debt.

[@Gdafu866jds]

I got the capital one platinum secured card last December, so almost 6 months now, score went up like 60 points to 597 now. But I want a higher limit, I want to start an Amazon FBA business. What do you think my next credit card I should apply for? If I can get like 3k-5k credit that'd be ideal but I think I still have some climbing to do

[@SoldierBoy3064]

My credit score is 667 and has been dormant for like 10 years...i have an income of 4,500 a month and i pocket 2,000 a month What should i do?

[@shaunwilliams2312]

14:28 Humphrey proper but wit the smoke if anyone wanna take it there.

[@Alexcv215]

When you upgrade tiers within a company like chase or citi or amex, do you keep the previous tier open and have to keep using it or is there a way to literally roll the old card into a new tier? I am going to have 5 different Citi cards all open while working my way up?

[@lv1543]

What would you rank the amazon prime visa by chase?

[@stevenluo9516]

0:48 Objection - misstatement of fact. If you have an existing relationship with a financial institution (checking and savings account) with NO (not bad) credit, you are recommended apply for a novice-level credit card (Level 2 under other frameworks) within that financial institution. Or if you are a student, apply to a student credit card with Capital One student card 1:32.

[@daveied]

Can you max out a card and pay it off immediately or never go above 30%

[@arafathshiyam]

That should be fine. Main thing is to pay off your card.

[@daveied]

@@arafathshiyam thank you!

[@stevenluo9516]

Fine, as long as you keep your utilization under 10% when you apply for new credit cards or loans. You may also risk getting your account closed if you go above 30% and do not appear that you will be able to pay that off.

[@willharris5562]

I don’t think this should be a hot take but breaking even on a card’s fee isn’t worth it. You can get a free or cheaper card and not struggle to break even.

[@willharris5562]

Specifically applies to something like Amex gold as I’m not convinced most people use their 2 $10 credits every month, or it they do, they spend money just to use the credits

[@implode9186]

​@@willharris5562I think those cards are more useful for high income people that travel often, I think the no annual fee cards are better for everyday use

[@34skyline]

U.S. BANK ALTITUDE RESERVE is other great card too surprise it did not make it on your list, I’m getting this card next

[@matthewgrierson677]

how would i cancel my bank of america card or figure out what perks i currently have?

[@PinkRose0910]

Read the information that’s available in your monthly statement.

[@BoywithLoveeee]

People need to understand that although the credits will help you pay off the annual fee, you still need to spend a lot of money. If you’re not gonna spend on something or don’t like to spend a lot then getting the premium cards are not for you.

[@johnwick860]

having 2 double cash is so underrated

[@THETOOTHPICK1534]

If I’m an authorized user on my dad’s Amex (to help build my credit while in school) but I want to apply for the Amex blue card as my own account is there any issue with this?

[@vincentyou7994]

None at all! You’re probably young if you’re in school and an authorized user with your dad so this is actually a great step! Educate yourself on possible pitfalls and don’t carry a balance and you’ll be set!

[@THETOOTHPICK1534]

@@vincentyou7994 thanks for the reply and advise!

[@Ascorbicon]

I don’t see how most people would travel and stay at hotels enough to justify those travel points perks. Most of the credit cards are designed to give you a credit for Uber or Hotel stays to incentivize you to spend more and generate more money at a partner organization to the credit card company. Most people are probably ok with getting cash back, paying off the whole credit amount, building credit, and not worrying about the little details of “did I get the most rewards to justify the annual fee for this card?”

[@stevenluo9516]

Which is why I don't like AmEx Gold or Plat cards over Capital One Venture X or even Chase Sapphire Reserve.

[@nedrog]

who is d barrett

[@alexrouthier6811]

Can you make a video abut the best Canadian card

[@paulfeasal6024]

You need to pay pack your credit you used that month. Otherwise the credit card companies are taking advantage of you. However your credit won't build the fastest that way.

[@coziii.1829]

Ok I WAS a cash only guy for most of my life . Just turned to credit cards when I retired at 45 . Found out to travel and to do other things you need a credit card , plus all the perks I missed. But I had no credit score since all things was cash. I make 30 k a month and I have to start with punny cards with only 3000 limit and have to wait every six months to upgrade or to get increased. Plus getting others is like crazy . Cause I already have others and won’t give lol.

[@samuricexful]

I want to be like this C F Frost fellow one day.

[@jason9532]

So you are a homeowner. That's why you didn't include the bilt card. Good for you.

[@Raphanne]

You collect them all like Pokemon cards. ^^

[@feilox]

Premium Tier should be called "AF Tier or Manual spend tier"

[@stephans1990]

As a non US citizen, I really don't get the dependency on creditcards. Why pay potentially hundreds of dollars for creditcards? I pay 3 euro's a year for a debit card that immediately deducts all payments from my bank account. I do have a mastercard, but it's purely for vacations outside of Europe.

[@humphrey]

In the US there’s a lot of rewards baked into spending on certain cards to get max value. It’s unfortunately part of our society here lol

[@kdenmf]

Did you watch the video?

[@stephans1990]

@@kdenmf yes, and his earlier video on creditcards. I know that with points you can earn back the fees. I know you need one to build credit score to be able to apply for a car loan or a mortgage. I still think it’s a perverse system that incentivizes needless spending and I’m happy my financial planning doesn’t include having to figure out what creditcard to use for which expense.

[@Phoenix88203]

@@stephans1990I use my premium cars for the perks of airport lounges, cash back, and USA CBP Global Entry (express lane for customs after foreign travel). They also have zero transaction fee for international spend, so if I go to Shanghai or Singapore or Europe, I don’t have to pay a fee everytime I use my card. It also gives me the best exchange rate so I’m not wasting my money at foreign ATMs.

[@chrispy28]

@@stephans1990 If you treat your credit card as a debit card and not spend more than you normally would, then you always come out ahead because of the rewards. Unfortunately, a lot of people haven't developed this level of discipline, so they get into trouble.

[@KevinGriffin-d4t]

Damn 2 cards I have 20

[@heroichitsuji]

Woah the comments section is empty

[@humphrey]

Yeah it’s a bit of a weird upload. KZbin didn’t serve it for like the first 3 mins

[@chivas_gold]

90k points for 4k in spending for the gold is this good ?

[@Potato5auce]

This video is not Dave Ramsey approved :D

[@humphrey]

haha def not

[@sinclairw5311]

@@humphreyGeorge Kamel either lol

[@AmyZantzinger]

Unlock the secrets to climbing the credit card tier list in 2024! Elevate your financial game with strategic insights and maximize your rewards potential.

[@ben-uh6vw]

man rlly just used league of legend as his thumbnail

[@dannahfam]

Sure, you'll get $600 cash back, but you're enticed into spending 6k that you otherwise probably wouldn't have spent. So, at least wait until you are about to make a major purchase that you definitely would have made regardless of having the card.

[@humphrey]

agreed

[@scarling9367]

Nah, I'm generally enticed to eat when I'm hungry, fill up the car when go to this thing called a job, and my kid seems to think I have to buy her clothes and stuff 😆

[@MENSA.lady2]

Better idea. Pay off your cards and destroy them. It will save you a fortune.

[@ataleoftwosillies7916]

Whodis?

[@alexgg7499]

Credit cards equals you are a slave to the lenders

[@LiquidenSSBM]

Literally not true...

[@cynthiahowe]

"Credit" is just debt in disguise, don't drink the kool-aid.

[@CaedenV]

It isn't really about drinking the kool-aid. I was in debt for years, and it took a long time to get out of debt, and another full year of not using credit at all. But then I couldn't resist the 2-5% off or cash back that I get on my cards. 2 years of funneling everything possible through my credit cards and it has already paid me back for the last 5 years of interest paid. Part of it is about saving money... But really it is more of a revenge story. I know what I am getting into, and I plan to wear the system out until the credit card companies cut up my account!

[@scarling9367]

So? Just pay it off immediately.

[@implode9186]

It was never a disguise, lines of credit has always meant loans. People confuse it with free money, it's not and never will be. Credit is a tool to show lenders you're responsible with paying back debt.

[@MusicMike747]

Despite any perceived luxury or advantages, I see credit cards as poison. Dangerous financial tools with huge downsides and risks with very little upside. Except for world travelers or businesspeople who can take advantage of points and perks, the average person doesn’t need a credit card. A Visa or MC authorized debit or prepaid card is all you need

[@implode9186]

It is a poison for those who are financially illiterate or undisciplined, but it's a tool for people who use it without taking advantage. If you pay it off every month it's better than a debit card. It shows lenders that you're responsible and sets you up for getting better interest rates on loans in the future. There are plenty of upsides. It does definitely take advantage of people who aren't financially literate tho