{"id":197251,"date":"2025-10-03T14:00:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T14:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/03\/the-best-credit-cards-for-a-diversified-wallet-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2025-10-03T14:00:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T14:00:26","slug":"the-best-credit-cards-for-a-diversified-wallet-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/03\/the-best-credit-cards-for-a-diversified-wallet-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"The best credit cards for a diversified wallet – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

You’ll hear this ad nauseam at TPG: When it comes to the best credit card<\/a>, there isn’t one.<\/p>\n

And by that, I mean there’s no single card that magically fits every individual’s specific needs. For example, one of my biggest expenses is groceries<\/a>, so I have a card that earns a high reward rate in this category.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, one of my friend’s biggest monthly expenses is her rent, so she has the Bilt Mastercard\u00ae<\/a><\/span>* in her wallet to net Bilt Points (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year; use the card five times each statement period to earn points) on every rent payment she makes without incurring a transaction fee (see rates and fees<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Though the Bilt card can be an asset for nonrenters, it’s not in my wallet because I don’t rent and choose to prioritize other products that provide me more value.<\/p>\n

I’d tell you that one of the best cards you can get is the American Express\u00ae Gold Card<\/a><\/span> because it earns excellent rates in two of my top bonus categories. My friend would say the same about the Bilt card \u2014 and that’s what I love about credit card rewards. There’s an ideal product for every kind of budget and spender.<\/p>\n

If you’re thinking about your first \u2014 or next \u2014 card, check out the four that I love and recommend the most.<\/p>\n

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

Related: Should you pay your rent with Bilt? We crunch the numbers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Comparing my top picks for the best credit cards<\/h2>\n

My top four credit cards earn points and cash back, the reward currencies I currently find most valuable. Here’s how they stack up.<\/p>\n

<\/picture>\n
\n

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter<\/p>\n

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG\u2019s experts<\/p>\n

\n
\n

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy<\/a>. You may unsubscribe at any time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Card name<\/b><\/th>\nWelcome offer<\/b><\/th>\nEarning rates<\/b><\/th>\nAnnual fee<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae<\/a><\/span><\/b> (see rates and fees<\/a>)<\/span><\/td>\nEarn 125,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • 10 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 31, 2027), with a maximum of 50,000 points<\/li>\n
  • 8 points per dollar spent on all purchases made via Chase Travel\u2120 (including The Edit)<\/li>\n
  • 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)<\/li>\n
  • 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly<\/li>\n
  • 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide<\/li>\n
  • 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$795<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
American Express Gold Card<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/td>\nFind out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)<\/li>\n
  • 4 points per dollar spent on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar)<\/li>\n
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with an airline or through amextravel.com<\/li>\n
  • 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked through amextravel.com<\/li>\n
  • 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$325 (see rates and fees<\/a>)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/td>\nEarn 175,000 points after spending $6,000 within the first six months of card membership.<\/span><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • 14 points per dollar spent at hotels in the Hilton portfolio<\/li>\n
  • 7 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and dining at U.S. restaurants<\/li>\n
  • 3 points per dollar spent on all other eligible spending with the card<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    <\/td>\n
$550 (see rates and fees<\/a>)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Blue Cash Preferred\u00ae Card from American Express<\/a><\/span><\/b><\/td>\nEarn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of account opening.<\/span><\/td>\n\n$0 introductory offer for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees<\/a>)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Chase Sapphire Reserve<\/h2>\n

The Sapphire Reserve remains my all-time favorite card, even after the annual fee increased<\/a> from $550 to $795.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Chase<\/div>
THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First, this card earns my favorite reward currency: Chase Ultimate Rewards<\/a> points. I love that this currency is transferable, and I typically move points from my Sapphire Reserve account to loyalty programs like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club<\/a>, United MileagePlus<\/a> and World of Hyatt<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In fact, earlier this year, I used 15,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to fly back home to Pennsylvania after a quick jaunt to Oahu, Hawaii, saving me over $300. Though this redemption was more or less on par with TPG’s October 2025 valuation<\/a> of Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents apiece, I always prefer booking a flight when there’s a transfer bonus since that means I get to keep more of my points for future travels.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, no bonuses were available when I booked my flight, so I still used my points to avoid paying more than $300 for a one-way ticket.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/div>
CLINT HENDERSON\/THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Aside from offering high-value points, the Sapphire Reserve also features solid earning rates in some of my top spend categories (Lyft, flights, hotels and dining) and is the perfect travel companion thanks to world-class insurance and protections, including primary rental car insurance<\/a> and trip delay reimbursement<\/a>. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees when you make purchases abroad.<\/p>\n

Then there are the statement credits, which, if used in their entirety, more than offset the card’s annual fee.<\/p>\n

Three of my favorites include:<\/p>\n