{"id":175402,"date":"2025-06-18T13:00:50","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T13:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/18\/credit-cards-to-apply-for-after-you-get-the-popular-cards-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2025-06-18T13:00:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T13:00:50","slug":"credit-cards-to-apply-for-after-you-get-the-popular-cards-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/18\/credit-cards-to-apply-for-after-you-get-the-popular-cards-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"Credit cards to apply for after you get the popular cards – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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When I first started out with rewards credit cards, I quickly noticed some cards got all the attention. I’m looking at you, Chase Sapphire Preferred\u00ae Card<\/a> (see rates and fees<\/a>), Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card<\/a> and, of course, The Platinum Card\u00ae from American Express<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Their popularity is understandable, as these cards come with high welcome bonuses<\/a>, solid earning rates<\/a> and a laundry list of perks<\/a>. In fact, I have two of these cards in my wallet right now, though my strategy currently substitutes the also-popular American Express\u00ae Gold Card<\/a> for the Amex Platinum.<\/p>\n

Let’s say you’ve added the most popular cards to your wallet already. What’s a points and miles enthusiast to do?<\/p>\n

Multiple factors, including your Chase 5\/24 status<\/a>, other application restrictions<\/a> from issuers and your loyalty to certain airlines or hotel chains, are worth considering.<\/p>\n

With your individual situation in mind, allow me to introduce you to 10 of my favorite choices for your next rewards card<\/a>, broken down into three categories: transferable rewards, airline and hotel.<\/p>\n

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Best cards to apply for after popular credit cards<\/h2>\n

*TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Comparing the best cards to apply for after popular credit cards<\/h2>\n

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the best cards to consider after getting the most popular credit cards.<\/p>\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Card<\/strong><\/th>\nBest for<\/strong><\/th>\nWelcome bonus<\/strong><\/th>\nEarning rates<\/strong><\/th>\nAnnual fee<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Bilt Mastercard<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nRenters<\/td>\nN\/A.<\/td>\n\n$0 (see rates and fees<\/a>)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Citi Strata Premier Card<\/a> <\/strong><\/td>\nMultiple bonus categories<\/td>\nEarn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.<\/td>\n\n
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  • Earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on cititravel.com.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 3 points per dollar spent on air travel and other hotel purchases and at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nFlexible airline statement credit<\/td>\nEarn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.<\/td>\n\n
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  • Earn 5 points per dollar spent on hotels.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 4 points per dollar spent on airlines.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 3 points per dollar spent on other travel and restaurants.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Citi \/ AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nAdmirals Club lounge access<\/td>\nEarn 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 within the first three months of account opening.<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Earn 4 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$595<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nCasual Delta Air Lines flyers<\/td>\nEarn 80,000 miles after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).<\/li>\n
  • Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees<\/a>)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
United Explorer Card<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nCasual United Airlines flyers<\/td>\nEarn 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, dining and hotel stays booked directly with the hotel.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
United Quest Card<\/a> <\/strong><\/td>\nFrequent United flyers<\/td>\nEarn 70,000 miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.<\/td>\n\n
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  • Earn 3 miles per dollar spent on United purchases.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and all other travel.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$350<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSemifrequent Hilton guests<\/td>\nEarn 130,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends Aug. 13.<\/td>\n\n
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  • Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 6 points per dollar spent on purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 4 points per dollar spent on U.S. online retail purchases.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 3 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees<\/a>)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nIHG loyalists<\/td>\nEarn five free nights (each night valued at up to 60,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.<\/td>\n\n
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  • Earn up to 26 points per dollar spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts properties.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel and at gas stations and restaurants.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 3 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$99<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nSemifrequent Marriott guests<\/td>\nEarn five free nights (each valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within three months of account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees.<\/td>\n\n
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  • Earn up to 17 points per dollar spent at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 3 points per dollar spent on the first $6,000 spent on combined grocery store, gas station and dining purchases each year.<\/li>\n
  • Earn 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Transferable rewards cards<\/h2>\n

Many of the most popular cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards<\/a> points, American Express Membership Rewards<\/a> points or Capital One miles<\/a>. However, there are other valuable currencies you can earn \u2014 and maximize \u2014 by adding one of these credit cards.<\/p>\n

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Bilt Mastercard<\/h3>\n

The Bilt Mastercard<\/a> (see rates and fees<\/a>) is worth considering if you’re a renter since it earns points on rent with no added transaction fees (see rates and fees<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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