My 5 Favorite Credit Cards Right Now!!!

[@cruisingwithcaptaincliff]

Howdy brother-in-arms - I have CSP, Venture X, and Aspire Card. I used the Diamond status for loyalty matching with MSC, and I became Diamond with them without taking any cruise. MSC is one of my sixth cruise lines with 70-cruises under my belt. Not bad for retired US Army officer that didn't planned on cruising:). I'm using my Hilton points and FNC to stay at Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam and Rome so that took care of the $450 annual fee since I got into Aspire before the $550 which I'll probably product change to Hilton honors no annual fee. I am also OG in credit card with my first in 1993 The Military Star card which I still have haha. I got into the habit of paying my balance in full every month so it makes sense to play this credit card offers. Again, thanks for sharing!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@cruisingwithcaptaincliff let us know how you like the Waldorf in Rome. We’re schedule to stay there next summer!!

[@jefflange2340]

Big thanks for recognizing the AAA card. It's amazing how many CC channels seem to ignore this card, possibly because there's no catchy "ecosystem".

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@jefflange2340 sadly there is no referral program for it so it won’t be popular on KZbin. Haha

[@Tonys_Finance]

Hi Luke! How do you make the most of your Citi ThankYou points? Any specific transfer partners that have given you great value?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@Tonys_Finance I’ll be really honest. I haven’t done a ton of citi thank you point redemptions. I think my last one was I emptied the stash to avianca with a bonus.

[@billwright2176]

Love my csr with Lyft at x10. If you know your good for 15K for groceries why not do the FNC and earn x6 on the Surpass why doing it. .

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@billwright2176 I’ve gotten the $15k FNC cert several times. At the moment I don’t have a surpass so I will be focusing on cash back and transferable points.

[@tbark87]

I like that you left this open with the ‘right now’. Lot of people seem too locked into their setup and are frankly a bit religious/clanish about their bank allegiances. Right now, these cards are helping you meet your goals. In 6 months… 🤷🏼‍♂️, we’ll see.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@tbark87 oh this will definitely change quite frequent

[@_iErik]

Are you driving a lot of Citi referrals and/or are you putting a lot of spend through the Strata or Citi portal? I’ve never had Citi consider waiving a fee for me (as much as I love their cards, overall).

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I dont have any way to refer for a Citi Card. I didn't put much spend on the premier at all. Sign up bonus and then a few hundred. Citi waives my Business AA fee and i never ever use it.

[@czrs85]

I was just looking at flights. Headed to Seattle for a week. Well, looks like Alaskan has a very interesting CC offer this month. Basically get the card and get a free ticket.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@czrs85 that sounds good. I don’t recommend airline cards but I also seem to get a lot of them for bonuses.

[@czrs85]

@@LukesPointsandMiles I agree. But free bag and a free ticket for your companion is definitely worth it. At least for the year.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@czrs85 💯!

[@albertchi9666]

Hello Uncle Luke, when redeeming cash back for AAA daily advantage, would it allow us to deposit cash back into outside bank or only into Comenity Bank? Thank you

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@albertchi9666 to deposit cash you have to call them. Because of that I just do a statement credit and then transfer the money I would’ve used to pay to my cashback account

[@albertchi9666]

Thank you!!​@@LukesPointsandMiles

[@aridgard23]

This was first time coming across you channel. This was a great video. I liked and subscribe.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

thank you sir!

[@davidprettoofficial]

Uncle Luke, I’d love to see you and the P2 go all in on the Citi Ecosystem as an experiment, and just use the Venture X/CSR for lounges, CDW.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@davidprettoofficial idk the player 2 is really big on chase. (Trifecta plus ink plus ihg)

[@geraldalves9107]

Over a month in and I already love the Surpass. It is stupid easy to amass a ton of Hilton points and I'm on pace to hit $15k of spend before the end of the year to get another FNC on top of the FNC from the SUB. By the first year of my account anniversary, I hope to have amassed 3 total FNCs to then use for a few domestic Conrad/Waldorf Astoria locations!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@geraldalves9107 the surpass is legit

[@WealthOfOpportunity]

Interesting list! Regarding the AAA card what are some examples of merchants you’ve found code as grocery we might not normally expect ? :)

[@WealthOfOpportunity]

@@LukesPointsandMiles haha feel free to delete your comment and I’ll remember. This is big league

[@StarFruit37]

I got 5x at Walmart so keeper card for me.

[@Sinisterniinja]

My top 5 are: USB altitude reserve, USB shoppers cash rewardx2, Hilton surpass, Hilton aspire

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@Sinisterniinja nice set up

[@Ritchie_The_CEO]

Well, now I know to avoid that Margaritaville.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@Ritchie_The_CEO it’s awful. Maybe just get a beer there.

[@d.bulldozeTravelsofaHeadbanger]

I switched over to CSR and have got some killer domestic travel out of it. The grocery category is tough. Im using Discover right now for the 5x. Ill probably switch over to Savor or Citi after the 90 day category for the rest of the year and like you said buy points or travel.

[@Xavier_ID.]

Nice group of cards 👍🏼

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@Xavier_ID. thanks for stopping by!!

[@czrs85]

I've already got the venture x. So I went ahead and picked up the Venture just for the welcome offer and the credit. Instead of the metal card, I will be using the plastic one for a month.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@czrs85 great bonus!!

[@czrs85]

@@LukesPointsandMiles it's like saying no to $905.

[@johnt9418]

AA world elite MasterCard and Marriott boundless card for me currently

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@johnt9418 nice!

[@wearediy1569]

Hi Luke. Nice thorough review. Any tips for when calling in to try to get the annual fee waived on the Citi Strata? I have it for the past 2 years and will call in to request they waive the annual fee. Any tip is appreciated. Thanks!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I just tell them I’m thinking about canceling and I wanted to check and see if there are any offers on the account that will help with my decision.

[@druiz012]

Love the list. I definitely need to step up my hotel game. Diversify my stays away from Hyatt. 😅

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@druiz012 yeah I would love to be 100% loyal to one but I really like hotel cards and hotel points. Ahah

[@Sivic50]

Great video, Uncle Luke. Is buying airline gift cards one of the ways you can liquidate the Aspire quarterly credit from home? I've looked through some other videos of yours on this card and wanted to see how you liquidate it. Thanks in advance!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I don’t think gift card purchases will normally work. But there are other ways

[@Leoprieto74]

5th Citi AAdvantage Executive 4th Amex Hilton Aspire And My Top Three: 3rd Amex Delta Reserve Biz 2nd Amex Marriott Brilliant 1st Amex Platinum 👑

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@Leoprieto74 nice top 5

[@kevinManhattan]

Actually very nice top 5.

[@Leoprieto74]

@@kevinManhattan 👍

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@kevinManhattan Thanks!!

[@JuanGarcia-hr1wf]

Nice video Luke. I would say my 5 favorite cards would be the USBAR, CSR, Citi Strata Premier, BILT and Savor One

[@DavidGarciajrtx]

is that the pelagos?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@DavidGarciajrtx yes sir!!

[@jamesyu613]

My favorite card is my CSP and IHG cuz I can take advantage of the free anniversary FNC when traveling if not I just usually use my ccc for groceries 5%

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

My player 2 just got the ihg card

[@jamesyu613]

@@LukesPointsandMiles nice congratulations on the new card

[@INSP.BLAISE]

Luke Great vid! Where do you buy your tshirts lol

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Amazon. Cheap ones.

[@jimmyjames6492]

Nice selection! Top cards right now = 🥇SavorOne 🥈Venture X 🥉Hilton Aspire 🏅Delta Reserve Thanks for the info + video!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@jimmyjames6492 I like your style jimmy!!

[@WhatsThePoints1]

I have the Reserve for the SUB but don’t think I’m quite a Delta FF enough to justify it in year 2, especially holding the biz plat already I could hit gold status of I open a personal Delta plat by year end but not sure it’ll be worth the opportunity cost, but at least I could hold into silver status after closing the biz reserve if I keep both delta plats open

[@VuzeYT]

Luke does capital one allow customer to downgrade or upgrade the venture line up. They have venture one at $250 plus 75k sign up bonus for the venture one $95 annual fee card. I want something long term.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@VuzeYT they do allow product changes but no one knows how or which cards they’ll allow.

[@lewis20002000]

Ain't nothing wrong with some negativity 😂😂😂🤣😅😂. The travel protection and the primary CDW is hard to beat, if the AMEXP would match those two categories exactly, I would get rid of the CSR.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@lewis20002000 the platinum is def a strong card

[@mrright1716]

🔥

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@mrright1716 🙏🏾

[@CesarJoel]

Great picks Uncle Luke! The Aspire is by far my favorite card👑 Thanks for the information mi hermano!🫵

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@CesarJoel thanks for stopping by, mi hermano!!

[@adrianchitocontigo]

Does anyone know if the Venture X $300 credit count towards the SUB?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I don’t think it’s a rebate anymore - it’s an actual coupon or credit. So I could be wrong but I don’t think it will count.

[@terenceada9140]

Chase Sapphire + World of Hyatt are my current combo. The Hyatt's in Asia are excellent. Great video!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@terenceada9140 nice I can’t wait to visit Asia

[@trenchbais4001]

My set up too as Im primarily in Asia. CSR+HYATT 💯🔥

[@freerex1042]

Hi Luke, if you take out the annual fee from the Amex Plat or Chase Saphire reserve, which would you go for? Im looking into SCRA benefits

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@freerex1042 shoot! No Af then that’s easy. Both.

[@kaieaikb]

Why is no one talking about how the sapphire reserve removed the $15 Instacart credit?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@kaieaikb probably because it was a temporary credit and it was scheduled to drop. They replaced it with more door dash credits they can be used at grocery stores

[@kaieaikb]

@@LukesPointsandMiles thank you for the heads up! I didn’t catch that

[@isoplayers]

Never knew Citi waives the Strata fee if you call, good to know!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@isoplayers try it with all your Citi cards

[@CallMeLani]

CSR right out the gate! You already know how I feel about it. Glad to hear your quickly finding value

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@CallMeLani I’m still evaluating it. I’m really torn.

[@RichColemanTx]

It's my favorite card and so underrated

[@kevinManhattan]

Love your top 5 Luke! I wish we were in Ohio so we can hit the bench together one day! My 5 most used cards: USBank AR, Venture X, Chase Reserve, Amex Plat, and Citi Custom Cash. (+Hilton Aspire as honorable mention)

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@kevinManhattan that’s a big league lineup sir.

[@wearediy1569]

Hi Luke. Nice thorough review. Any tips for when calling in to try to get the annual fee waived on the Citi Strata? I have it for the past 2 years and will call in to request they waive the annual fee. Any tip is appreciated. Thanks!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I would just call and tell them you’re thinking of canceling. Ask if there are any offers that can help you decide.

[@RoMoReviewsit]

I also just switched to the CSR from the CSP. If they ever bumped it to 4x dining it would shatter the competition. Wish chase would do this!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

I agree. But Chase still needs a gas or grocery bonus as well.

[@RoMoReviewsit]

@@LukesPointsandMiles get the ink biz cash. It has 5x on internet/cell phone bill and 2x on gas. Its what i use.

[@thejokerspeaks]

1. Venture X 2. Hilton Aspire 3. BILT 4. Hilton Surpass 5. Capital One Spark Plus

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@thejokerspeaks ooo that’s interesting. I didn’t include biz cards.

[@katbax55]

Cap1 Spark is a horrible card (business)... interesting tho

[@seanbanks9062]

Ha! That Margaritaville in FLL is hot garbage 😂

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@seanbanks9062 yes!!!!!

[@michaeldegaetano4497]

Id like the reserve. Currently have the prefered card. I use the freedom unlimited and transfer the points. I probably spend $20K per year. Im guessing I would prob benefit more getting the 50% points boost. The $550 fee tho.😮

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@michaeldegaetano4497 definitely a high AF

[@shavit10]

Luke, do you know if Citi Strata's 3x on groceries includes Walmart and Costco stores as well?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@shavit10 it’s does not

[@juliegreb6859]

The AAA card is underrated. Plus 3% at Costco/Sams club

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@juliegreb6859 💯

[@ab3040]

Wait seriously Citi just lets you have no annual fee on the Premier every single year? How much spend do you put on it?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@ab3040 they give retention offers. In all their cards.

[@Fish4Points]

Awesome top 5 lineup. Currently only have a top 2 because i'm early in the journey but the great debate is my next personal card as I am 3/24 without the AU's and come sept 11th my AF hits on my Amex Plat def. going try to get a retention offer but have no intention of canceling as I currently see it as a lifetime card with the current benefits I am getting over 1k in value without the points

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@Fish4Points platinum is such a great card

[@WhiteKitta]

OH WOW, I am AAA member since about 15 years and I didn't even know they had a credit card!!....and such a good one on top of that.... I will be getting that one, THANKS!!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Thanks for stopping by!!

[@Juanchomagro]

the infinite one is my favorite. transferred my debt with only 4% apr, has point rewards , the apr are 7% and free annual fee on first year

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@Juanchomagro I’m not familiar with this one

[@M2K-01]

Fantastic cards but thats quite a lot in annual fees.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@M2K-01 oh. I’ve cut out around $2500 in annual fees so far this year.

[@M2K-01]

I have the sapphire reserve with my wife as an authorized user. So far we have been disappointed by lounges. How would you justify keeping the reserve instead of downgrading to the sapphire preffered.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@M2K-01 I upgraded from The CSP. I just wanted to give it a year to see how I used it. This one will likely be changed to a freedom flex and keep the CIP.

[@M2K-01]

@LukesPointsandMiles I just got the Reserve for a major trip. It's coming up on a year for the Ink Preffered. I think I'll cancel the Ink Preffered this year and reapply when my reserve annual fee comes up next year before downgrading the reserve.

[@josephenrique7867]

Baller😂

[@couz96797]

Barclay Wyndham business earner credit card, C1 VX. Underrated duo. Gas and utilities card multiplayer while the VX is the catch all. Also you can transfer c1 points to Wyndham and you get diamond status and transfer from Wyndham to Caesar’s. This duo works in perfect harmony.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@couz96797 I like it!!

[@JPBuffet]

Can't wait to own that Chase card and try out that ecosystem. Thanks for the list Luke!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@JPBuffet thanks for stopping by JP!!!

[@ConstantPoints]

I like you mean 🤣. My Chase cards have been in the driver’s seat for over a year now! I might get the Reserve too. The Preferred had a good run!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@ConstantPoints I’ll be honest, I still don’t think I can recommend the CSR. It’s taking long time to evaluate it.

[@ConstantPoints]

@@LukesPointsandMiles I’ve done the math for my case before and it was worth it. The only downside is the small signup bonus for me

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@ConstantPoints makes sense. The lounges are really valuable for me and the chase offers. I’ve also been booking a lot of economy tickets through the portal

[@jun.oshima]

I like your negative videos tho😅

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@jun.oshima oh don’t worry they aren’t going away! I just need some positives for balance!!

[@DCGEMINI202]

Top 3 right now would b 3. BILT 2. WOH 1. No fee Hilton honors card These are the only cards I’m using this qtr for the bonus’s & spend categories

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Very interesting!

[@bt3299]

Heard the bilt has some changes coming

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@bt3299 🤣

[@DCGEMINI202]

@@bt3299 i only use it for rent, bills on the 1st and 6X on dining on the 1st. Besides that i never use the card

[@WhatsThePoints1]

@@DCGEMINI202 built just got a BIG nerf 😢

[@CardHunter-u2t]

Awesome video. I got the Hilton Honors card about 2 months ago for the free night + 70K points offer Amex was offering. My goal is to work my way up through the family tree to get that Hilton Aspire Card. Cheers!

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

Great plan!!

[@basilhamed3039]

Thank god we finally got a positive vibe video Luke ! I still watched all the other ones too 😂

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@basilhamed3039 haha!! There will be more negative ones.

[@caribdude8151]

Thanks! Happy weekend Uncle Luke! 👍

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

You too dude!

[@Nick-1828]

If the CSR would come with any kind of status or access to United Club lounges that would push this card over the edge. Seems like they upgraded some of the insurance, extended dash pass to 2027 and give $20 off certain door dash orders that’s broken up as 2 separate $10 off coupons per month

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@Nick-1828 I just used the dash pass to test it out. I have a dollar general on there so maybe some low priced items for $20 a month might be easy tonight convert

[@Nick-1828]

@@LukesPointsandMiles I did the same thing with my month’s worth of coupons at dollar general earlier 😂

[@newagain9964]

I’d like to get CSR. But they need to improve it. Hopefully by JAN-MAR 2025. no goofy credits pls😂

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@newagain9964 goofy credits seem to be the norm!!!! Haha

[@Nick-1828]

@@newagain9964 me too but I’m not holding my breath lol. I think this updated door dash and new insurance is their “update” which the new insurance is nice but it’s hard to put a price on insurance until you need it 😂

[@JontheDon8812]

You can call and ask Citi to waive the fee on the Strata Premier? Just like that?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@JontheDon8812 not the first year but Citi has tons of retention offers.

[@JontheDon8812]

@@LukesPointsandMiles Do they ever give you points as a retention offer?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@JontheDon8812 yes. I just did a video on Citi. They gave me 10k points to keep the premier (minimum spend req)

[@Rowdyyy_rod]

The CSR travel protections are definitely top tier until you have to deal with Chase customer service.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@Rowdyyy_rod could be worse! Haha. I think Chase uses a new 3rd party so i would likely be going through them or visa Infinite. So really not dealing with Chase at all.

[@nafeesawilliams887]

Does Walmart or target count for the 3%

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@nafeesawilliams887 for which card?

[@nafeesawilliams887]

@@LukesPointsandMiles the AAA card?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@nafeesawilliams887 mine works at Walmart for 5%. Never tried Target.

[@nafeesawilliams887]

@@LukesPointsandMiles thanks a bunch helpful for sure

[@L-Man-Gaming]

Reserve is overrated. Lounge Access and Travel insurance for 250 dollars, no thanks. Just run your Ink preferred for your x3 travel bonus. Max value.

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@L-Man-Gaming yeah I got the CSR for the experience. So I’m really giving it a good go. So far it’s underwhelming.

[@L-Man-Gaming]

@@LukesPointsandMiles did you see the new change today with dash pass? You now have two 10 dollar a month coupons for grocery and retail. Mind explaining to me why all these high end travel cards are so hell bent on wanting us not to travel and rather stay home to get value?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@L-Man-Gaming I haven’t seen it yet but I’m not Using dash pass anyway. I’ll look into it

[@L-Man-Gaming]

@@LukesPointsandMiles yeah man it’s a new perk on basically all the Chase cards but the Reserve has the best perks, but I honestly value the credits at 0. It’s like 300 dollars in value because the credits are 240 and the free dash pass is 60. So that’s 300 dollars in travel credit and 300 dollars in a grocery/retail grocery. They’re paying you to keep the card Uncle Luke! 😂

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@L-Man-Gaming ha! Sure they are!!

[@iankm1]

Let’s go baby! Always in need of a good Luke video! Hope you are enjoying FLL

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@iankm1 we’re back. It was ok!!

[@iankm1]

@@LukesPointsandMiles ohhhh, just ok? Conrad going downhill video incoming?

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@iankm1 well. The Conrad was fine. Just a little frustrating that they won’t do diamond upgrades. But the family had a great time!

[@Turnip_Tyme]

First

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@Turnip_Tyme 🥇

[@TopShottaDanzel]

I like what you said about traveling with your son to experience different cultures like James Bond. I’m trying to do the same as a single father. Subbed 🫡

[@LukesPointsandMiles]

@@TopShottaDanzel being a dad is such an important job. Sounds like you take it seriously!!!