My ALL NEW 2025 Credit Card Strategy (Only 3 Top Cards)

[@MarkReese]

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[@oaklandtoindy]

I'm all for creating content but Mark changes his strategy every two weeks LOL

[@EZPNZ]

Keep the body guessing!!

[@meej6452]

I got a simple 2 card set-up. The Capitol One Venture X and IHG Premier. It literally covers everything I need and want.

[@rambosidi7634]

Great video

[@MarkReese]

Thank you!

[@Superslimjimmy]

I recommend waiting to sign up for a Southwest Business card until you can also sign up for a Southwest Personal card in the same year. When the offers are high enough, the combination of the two sign on bonuses can be enough to get you a companion pass for the current year and the following. The companion pass effectively doubles the value when you spend all of those freshly earned points.

[@MarkReese]

A great way to do it for sure!

[@gibranespinoza6603]

Would love to get the Cap1 Savor (would really love if there were a SavorX variant to compete/beat with the AMEX Gold) and Marriott Boundless so I can start the Ritz PC clock.

[@sandyb6468]

I have the Capital one Venture X. It’s fine but I don’t love it. The $300 travel credit is available but booking flights through the portal frequently costs more than booking directly with the airlines. As for the Priority Pass lounge access, I’ve never once gotten into a lounge with it. Either the lounge quit taking it or they were crowded and weren’t letting in PP holders. Maybe it’s better in lounges outside of the US.

[@MarkReese]

Definitely better outside of the U.S. There are fewer than 100 PP lounges in the U.S. while there are over 1,000 abroad.

[@gregb5876]

I value AA points at 2 cents , partially because of the flexibility booking with miles affords me, so I consider the bonus categories of the AA Platinum card to be worth at 4%. Throw in the MilesUp card, and you 4% on groceries too.

[@trevorfurtis4812]

What ever happened with your Citi setup last year?

[@MarkReese]

Sitting on 100K points right now. Haven't redeemed them yet.

[@SolidLiquidFox]

Waiting for that possible AA transfer partnership?

[@MarkReese]

@ - Nah. Leaning toward cash back or transfer to an international partner for a trip.

[@MemphisMike777]

My 2 cards for 2025 will be the Amex Gold card and the Amex Blue Business Plus card. I love me some MR points! 😊 Cheers!

[@wittynclever]

I would love to see a review of the Capital One transfer partner program. This is the main reason I haven't moved over to that ecosystem.

[@m8tyone]

I strongly recommend the Aeroplan for their transfer partners. You don’t even have to fly Air Canada.

[@newagain9964]

Nah. AC is in midst of changes. Not a good time to get into them if u haven’t already. Check back in 6+ mos

[@SpartanOfFinance]

This year is getting the Citi cards setup. Possibly the venture X too.

[@davidprettoofficial]

Citi setup pairs so well with the USBAR

[@ctrushfan8575]

My main 2025 strategy has to do with American Airlines cards. I just got the Aviator red. Later this year, I'll try to get the Citi AA card $99 AF version. I've seen a lot of data points about Barclays offering to upgrade customers Aviator red to the Aviator silver. I'm tempted to accept that to see how Citi handles that card when the barclays portfolio moves to Citi. Right now they have no equivalent for it.

[@javier4233]

Goal right now is to get the savor to complete my capital one duo. Worst case scenario I'll probably product change my quicksilver to savor if I can't get approved

[@JPANMoney]

This video is interesting because I'm starting my card setup and decided to go for the Cap1 Duo. Just received the Venture X. Waiting a few months to apply for the Savor. If Bilt starts accepting mortgage payments I'm gonna jump on that one so fast to complete the setup... unless i find something else I feel like i can work well with. Thanks great video!

[@MarkReese]

Congrats on the Venture X!

[@dayanareve1]

I have the prime card for years and I have never heard about the 10% rotating bonus!!!!!😮

[@donaldomere]

Can one hold ritz Carlton and bonvoy brilliant at the same time? What card do you think I should have for a family for a tricity domestic trip, flying delta(have 300*4) vouchers and no plan on staying at Marriott (residence inn). Chicago, Boston and phili

[@MarkReese]

1. Yes you can. 2. Quote: "...and no plan on staying at Marriott." Response: If you have no plan on staying at Marriott, then it makes no sense to get either card.

[@donaldomere]

@ sorry Mark I meant to say “I plan on staying at Marriott “😂

[@MarkReese]

@ - If Ritz-Carlton properties aren't on your list, then I'd look into the Bonvoy Brilliant. However, if you plan to stay at entry-level brands (e.g. Residence Inn), then I probably consider the Bonvoy Boundless from Chase instead. That's because Platinum Elite status won't mean much at those brands, it'd likely be a huge waste of the 85K certificate to redeem it at those types of properties, the $100 property credit won't be used (only valid at Ritz & St. Regis), etc. Neither the Ritz-Carlton nor the Bonvoy Brilliant were designed to provide value at entry-level properties.

[@CarlosXCastroX]

I have some Avios points. Live in the west coast. do you know the best way to redeem them?

[@MarkReese]

There's no one answer for that. It's going to come down to the destination, flight availability, partners, time of year, and more. Use this as an initial guide: upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/how-to-redeem-british-airways-avios/

[@JohnPavlish]

What happened to your Citi cards? I remember you were on a simple setup with Citi. I’ve gotten Amex, Citi, Chase setups but mostly just use the BoA with the boost. I’ve been like you too of just one airline card and several hotel cards for the free nights.

[@MarkReese]

Still keeping the Citi cards for future reviews & comparisons!

[@jordan23ww]

Great video! Thank you for sharing!

[@Superslimjimmy]

Why use the Signify over your Amex BBP? Is it because of the 50k limit? Do you value the Wells Fargo transfer parters more highly?

[@MarkReese]

I prefer cash back for business expenses. Amex points are awful for that. There are also occasional moments where Amex isn't accepted or the transaction fee is higher.

[@robertlowrie8446]

Mark: "Here is my new, simplified credit card strategy." Also Mark: "These are my 10 hotel cards."

[@Cristian145]

I was only half paying attention. I look back at the video and I see a screen full of hotel cards. I thought I autoplayed into a ranking hotel cards video.

[@MarkReese]

😂

[@iLOVEsarrycrey]

Started moving more general spend to venture X. Used to dislike capital one but starting to warm up. Savor maybe but not sure if it’s worth coming off the Amex gold. Exec plat for AA is the way to go.

[@UTubeVidWatcher]

What happens to the Amex Gold, and the Amex Platinum, and the Chase Trifecta, and the Citi Trifecta?!?

[@MarkReese]

I keep them open to make reviews & comparisons to help other people.

[@jaws2003]

I thought with the airline credit card, you can get another 5x back if you sign up for free in their rewards program? So when you buy your American Airlines ticket, you can have 7x total.

[@MarkReese]

Sure. I don't add in the rewards from the program itself because they have nothing to do with the credit card.

[@jaws2003]

@MarkReese ok then. I get it now.

[@mattleathen445]

Will the PP and CapOne lounges cover your trips? The Amex lounge footprint and quality feels hard to give up. (Granted, my home airport only has an (Amex) escape lounge)

[@MarkReese]

Yep I'm good w/ C1 Lounge + PP ✈

[@jamesrocco2401]

The smart thing to do would be to wait for the new Alaska Airlines premium card.

[@SolidLiquidFox]

That card will dominate in May when it gets released

[@jamesrocco2401]

@ Is it definitely coming out in May? Their website says “summer 2025” which, to me, means after June 21st. Where did you get that info.?? Thanks

[@SolidLiquidFox]

@@jamesrocco2401 check frequent miler. I specifically recall seeing May when it was announced.

[@La.aviator]

4:10 says capital one prime visa instead of chase

[@MarkReese]

Yep mistake on my part. Thanks 👍

[@CW-lg1gy]

How do you justify the annual fees on all those hotel cards?

[@MarkReese]

1. Redeem the certificates for hotel nights that cost more than the annual fees. 2. As a business expense for this channel. I get cards to make reviews & comparisons with first-hand experience, and therefore am able to make more in-depth content and answer questions.

[@solgershon3419]

Great Video! when do you get under 5/24?

[@MarkReese]

Likely in the 2nd half of the year (July).

[@gregb5876]

What's your P2 setup?

[@MarkReese]

No P2 setup.

[@mannymac82]

No Amex cards in the core?

[@MarkReese]

Nope ✌

[@adocloja]

Mark just want to let you know that you video editing skills are second to none.

[@MarkReese]

Not mine, but glad you like it! All credit goes to my video editor.

[@pit5000]

Will you be getting the Bonvoy boundless at any point for another free night?

[@MarkReese]

No plans for that at the moment. Lately, I've been having a bit of a falling out with free night certificates. They can't roll over from 1 year to the next and they're quite restrictive. Not sure how much longer I'll bee using this hotel card strategy.

[@SolidLiquidFox]

I dropped the IHG cards for this very reason. I would rather focus on Marriott and Hyatt. May drop the Wyndham card now that it lost all its superpowers.

[@l.a.rivasesq.8841]

I can’t obtain business cards because the issuers know I’m retired.

[@mattleathen445]

Sounds like it’s time to start a new venture!

[@paulstein916]

Hey Mark! On your hotel card strategy, which cards do you consider keeper cards? You mentioned in another comment that you may be reconsidering your hotel card strategy. I just added my first hotel card and am thinking to add another one.

[@MarkReese]

Right now I'm questioning all of them 😬 I've been having certificates expire since the past 2 years had minimal travel.

[@SolidLiquidFox]

Funny how people are looking for simplicity nowadays. Chasing expensive travel cards has become more unappealing to some.

[@MarkReese]

Yep. It was quite the opposite for me several years back!

[@lashadow8]

Capital One…say no more, I am OUT. See you on the next vid Mark!

[@newagain9964]

Fr. VX is legit tho. But that’s all u need form them.

[@caribdude8151]

Yes Sir! 👍

[@nyr94yanks2000]

Wow sorry but I have never seen such a setup that is completely opposite of what I do having next to no American Express or chase cards to me makes no sense those are the keys to transfer partners and the best values for the cards which doesn't like you into using their portal which is usually a hassle and not a great deal I have zero Capital One cards and would get zero Capital One cards every time you turn around they are taking away a key benefit or closing a bank definitely at least to me far from a good strategy

[@RICHwithPOINTS]

Hi Mark - what's your redemption strategy for the Capital One Duo? Cash, Travel Portal, or Transfer Partners (if the latter, which partners)? I ran your cards through my wallet setup calculator, and you'll do well with this. Most of the cards aren't needed to maximize your net value (at least based on my own spending) but I know several cards are just there for the benefit perks.

[@MarkReese]

The C1 Duo is awful for cash back, so I won't be doing that 😬 The current focus is either redeeming as a statement credit for travel (simple domestic trips) or via transfer partners (international trip). No idea what I'll do yet as I don't have a trip in mind right now. That's why I'm earning a flexible & transferrable currency.

[@djnickdomino]

What did you do with your cards from2024? Downgrade? Cancel?

[@MarkReese]

Keep them all open for review & comparison videos to help others.

[@khanscombe619]

💯 💙

[@JaredTroy-h8i]

My road map for 2025 is to finish the Capital One Duo by getting the Venture X in about 6 months. And get the Citi Custom Cash for my transit perches. If you want to know my goal credit card set up? I’m happy to share!

[@MarkReese]

Good luck on the Venture X application!

[@JaredTroy-h8i]

@ question for you! So the Capital One Savor is my secondary grocery/ restaurant card my primary is AMEX Gold card. So I’m thinking starting in March just focusing my entire spend for those categories until I apply for the Capital One Venture X will this help my approval rate?

[@MarkReese]

@ - Are you asking if using the C1 Savor more often for the next few months will help your application for the Venture X?

[@JaredTroy-h8i]

@ yes if I focus my entire spend on those categories will it help the approval rate? When I apply for the C1 Venture X

[@MarkReese]

@ - I don't have data to suggest a for-sure answer. Personally, I would 👍

[@ChristopherMcLernon]

Wait, capital one has an Amazon visa now or was this a mistake?

[@enellive]

The one he's showing is the Chase Prime Visa card. Cap One doesn't have an Amazon card.

[@MarkReese]

Mistake on my part! It's issued by Chase.

[@robertjarrell7276]

You blew my mind with this one! Not even gonna edit 🤣🤣?

[@MarkReese]

@ - Can't edit once it's posted.

[@freemusic7307]

LOL, at least $1858 in annual fees for your hotel cards

[@MrHawaiiboy510]

The world of Hyatt card is trash. I need a whole video on why you have this card

[@newagain9964]

Hyatt biz is mid. After ru use it twice a year Still a sock drawer card

[@SOXGATORS]

😊

[@MarkReese]

🥇

[@berryzedzero]

Capital one is whack and you know it.

[@caribdude8151]

Welcome back! 😊

[@berryzedzero]

@ i’m out of the game

[@caribdude8151]

@@berryzedzero Word

[@Jp0102]

I will never be a Capital one customer

[@chrisbrown8748]

@@berryzedzeroNooooo🤣🤣🤣