Long story short, wife is going to get credit card for her work that she can put business expenses on and company will reimburse every month. Considering points, hotel miles, cash back, etc. what do you recommend? She'll be putting about $20K/month on it. Thanks.

If you travel, Chase Sapphire Reserve card. The annual fee is obviously higher than most but the benefits are pretty awesome. We take a couple of nice free vacations every year.

Need more info. What do you prefer: airline miles, hotels, cash back etc? Where will you be traveling to, what is your main airport? For example, if you live in Houston then a United card makes the most sense since IAH is a United hub, and has more direct flights out of IAH than any other airline. DFW is an American Airlines hub so if you live in Dallas then the American Airlines card makes the most sense. ATL is a Delta hub etc etc.

Choose the card that makes the most sense for you and your needs, and where you live.

Agswinning said:

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If you travel, Chase Sapphire Reserve card. The annual fee is obviously higher than most but the benefits are pretty awesome. We take a couple of nice free vacations every year.

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Cant beat access to the lounges as well

AMEX Platinum is another one to consider

ea1060 said:

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Need more info. What do you prefer: airline miles, hotels, cash back etc? Where will you be traveling to, what is your main airport? For example, if you live in Houston then a United card makes the most sense since IAH is a United hub, and has more direct flights out of IAH than any other airline. DFW is an American Airlines hub so if you live in Dallas then the American Airlines card makes the most sense. ATL is a Delta hub etc etc.

Choose the card that makes the most sense for you and your needs, and where you live.

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Sorry for not providing more information. We have 3 and 4 year old boys so not traveling much right now, but intend to before too long. I'd say hotels and/or cash back would be the preference for now.

What hotel brand do you prefer?

Four Seasons Landscaping said:

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What hotel brand do you prefer?

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Used to travel weekly for work and always stayed in Hilton's and enjoyed them, but I'm sure the hotel world has changed drastically since then.

agcrock2005 said:

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Four Seasons Landscaping said:

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What hotel brand do you prefer?

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Used to travel weekly for work and always stayed in Hilton's and enjoyed them, but I'm sure the hotel world has changed drastically since then.

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Look at the AMEX Hilton Aspire card for your wife. $450 fee, but if she stays at Hilton exclusively, it'll pay for itself quickly.

As mentioned by others, I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Someone once did the math on how much you would need to spend annually on traveling related items to make it worthwhile, and it was only just above $3000. Sounds like that won't be an issue for your scenario.

agcrock2005 said:

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ea1060 said:

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Need more info. What do you prefer: airline miles, hotels, cash back etc? Where will you be traveling to, what is your main airport? For example, if you live in Houston then a United card makes the most sense since IAH is a United hub, and has more direct flights out of IAH than any other airline. DFW is an American Airlines hub so if you live in Dallas then the American Airlines card makes the most sense. ATL is a Delta hub etc etc.

Choose the card that makes the most sense for you and your needs, and where you live.

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Sorry for not providing more information. We have 3 and 4 year old boys so not traveling much right now, but intend to before too long. I'd say hotels and/or cash back would be the preference for now.

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Honestly, for your needs right now I think the Citi Double Cash might be the best option. Its not the sexiest card out there, but its a straight 2% cash back on all purchases and no annual fee.

Irish 2.0 said:

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agcrock2005 said:

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Four Seasons Landscaping said:

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What hotel brand do you prefer?

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Used to travel weekly for work and always stayed in Hilton's and enjoyed them, but I'm sure the hotel world has changed drastically since then.

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Look at the AMEX Hilton Aspire card for your wife. $450 fee, but if she stays at Hilton exclusively, it'll pay for itself quickly.

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Bingo. Scrolling down to post the same. Biggest side benefit is Priority Pass select for airport without a United Club or when I'm flying SWA

Impossible to beat the Amex Aspire if you like Hilton. The $450 gets covered pretty quickly

AgCPA95 said:

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Irish 2.0 said:

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agcrock2005 said:

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Four Seasons Landscaping said:

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What hotel brand do you prefer?

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Used to travel weekly for work and always stayed in Hilton's and enjoyed them, but I'm sure the hotel world has changed drastically since then.

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Look at the AMEX Hilton Aspire card for your wife. $450 fee, but if she stays at Hilton exclusively, it'll pay for itself quickly.

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Bingo. Scrolling down to post the same. Biggest side benefit is Priority Pass select for airport without a United Club or when I'm flying SWA

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SWA flying out of IAH has made my travel experience wonderful since I have the AMEX Platinum...

Irish 2.0 said:

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AgCPA95 said:

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Irish 2.0 said:

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agcrock2005 said:

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Four Seasons Landscaping said:

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What hotel brand do you prefer?

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Used to travel weekly for work and always stayed in Hilton's and enjoyed them, but I'm sure the hotel world has changed drastically since then.

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Look at the AMEX Hilton Aspire card for your wife. $450 fee, but if she stays at Hilton exclusively, it'll pay for itself quickly.

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Bingo. Scrolling down to post the same. Biggest side benefit is Priority Pass select for airport without a United Club or when I'm flying SWA

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SWA flying out of IAH has made my travel experience wonderful since I have the AMEX Platinum...

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Havent flown SWA out of IAH yet, but damn it sucks flying out of Hobby without any lounges there lol. Total first world problem.

AgCPA95 said:

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Irish 2.0 said:

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agcrock2005 said:

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Four Seasons Landscaping said:

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What hotel brand do you prefer?

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Used to travel weekly for work and always stayed in Hilton's and enjoyed them, but I'm sure the hotel world has changed drastically since then.

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Look at the AMEX Hilton Aspire card for your wife. $450 fee, but if she stays at Hilton exclusively, it'll pay for itself quickly.

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Bingo. Scrolling down to post the same. Biggest side benefit is Priority Pass select for airport without a United Club or when I'm flying SWA

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The only issue is that the OP said they dont do much traveling and would prefer the card to get hotel points or cash back. Not sure the $450 fee would be worth it if the OP isnt traveling a lot and using the lounges.

ea1060 said:

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Irish 2.0 said:

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AgCPA95 said:

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Irish 2.0 said:

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agcrock2005 said:

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Four Seasons Landscaping said:

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What hotel brand do you prefer?

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Used to travel weekly for work and always stayed in Hilton's and enjoyed them, but I'm sure the hotel world has changed drastically since then.

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Look at the AMEX Hilton Aspire card for your wife. $450 fee, but if she stays at Hilton exclusively, it'll pay for itself quickly.

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Bingo. Scrolling down to post the same. Biggest side benefit is Priority Pass select for airport without a United Club or when I'm flying SWA

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SWA flying out of IAH has made my travel experience wonderful since I have the AMEX Platinum...

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Havent flown SWA out of IAH yet, but damn it sucks flying out of Hobby without any lounges there lol. Total first world problem.

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It is hard out here for a pimp...

True. I guess it depends on what the 20K in purchases/month is. If you're doing $3-5K/month at restaurants of that $20k, you'd get 21k-35k Hilton points/month with the 7x. Hilton hotel gets 14x. It will greatly depend on where the expenditures are. Another good card and not as high of an annual fee is the AMEX Gold too.

If you and your wife are not actively working to accrue points through a real focused manner (using multiple cards and willing to research and shop for points opportunities), I'd suggest going with one of the $95-125 hotel cards. Hyatt, IHG, Marriott and Hilton all offer one through Chase or AMEX.

With those you can build up lots of points, you will earn a free night every year and you usually get some level of status that will make stays a little nicer. You will be travelling soon with those kids and you've got some time to really accrue points.

I'd suggest picking a brand and going with that. If you go to each hotel's website you can see the family of brands covered and they all have high end luxury properties and interstate family friendly properties. See what appeals most to you. Maybe do a little points research on how to maximize some card benefits. While you're at it, replace whatever card you use with the same card (not as an authorized user, but your own card). You'll spend more but you'll accrue more points faster and both get a bonus night each year.

Marriott Bonvoy Business AMEX

Hilton Honors Surpass Card - AMEX

IHG Credit Card - Chase

World of Hyatt Credit Card - Chase

If you want to dig into the world of points, get an AMEX Gold, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve (along with one of the freedom cards and the Ink business card) and dig into those worlds.

And remember, just because its a business, doesn't mean she only needs to use a business card.

Irish 2.0 said:

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agcrock2005 said:

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Four Seasons Landscaping said:

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What hotel brand do you prefer?

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Used to travel weekly for work and always stayed in Hilton's and enjoyed them, but I'm sure the hotel world has changed drastically since then.

---

Look at the AMEX Hilton Aspire card for your wife. $450 fee, but if she stays at Hilton exclusively, it'll pay for itself quickly.

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I'm actually considering dumping my Hilton Aspire at the next renewal. My problem is with hilton itself though more so than the card or its benefits.

My experiences in the Covid Hilton world are very meh - Most of the in hotel executive lounges have been closed for covid, they no longer comp breakfast as part of diamond, only giving a $15 meal credit, and the overall service and quality in the hotels I have stayed at have gone to absolute crap.

I may just be unlucky.

jpd301 said:

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Irish 2.0 said:

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agcrock2005 said:

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Four Seasons Landscaping said:

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What hotel brand do you prefer?

---

Used to travel weekly for work and always stayed in Hilton's and enjoyed them, but I'm sure the hotel world has changed drastically since then.

---

Look at the AMEX Hilton Aspire card for your wife. $450 fee, but if she stays at Hilton exclusively, it'll pay for itself quickly.

---

I'm actually considering dumping my Hilton Aspire at the next renewal. My problem is with hilton itself though more so than the card or its benefits.

My experiences in the Covid Hilton world are very meh - Most of the in hotel executive lounges have been closed for covid, they no longer comp breakfast as part of diamond, only giving a $15 meal credit, and the overall service and quality in the hotels I have stayed at have gone to absolute crap.

I may just be unlucky.

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I actually kicked mine down to the free card before my next renewal. I'm lifetime Gold, so no big deal there necesarily. My thing is since COVID I've traveled once for work. I used to do 2-3 week international trips 6-7x/year and it hasn't happened.

Absolutely agree with this. The lower end hotels whose main value was breakfast are worthless with massively degraded breakfasts. Then the move to a minimal credit is a joke. Except for the luxury brands and redeeming for special trips I'd probably not choose Hilton most regular stays. I'd rather be in a Marriott without breakfast or a Hyatt place for casual small trips.

If travel isn't important, why not just a cash back card? Most credit cards are geared towards travel, and points are usually not a good value elsewhere. Some are trying to change that, for example I have the Amex platinum and they have new streaming credits, equinox, monthly Uber/Uber eats credit, etc. But still, travel is a big chunk.

Fwiw, we have Amex platinum and chase sapphire reserve, I think the Amex is magnitudes better.

Also, maybe I misunderstood your post. But want to make sure, if she's getting a card and being reimbursed, she won't be getting a business card. It'll be a personal credit card.

Yes, I meant to come back and correct myself earlier but got busy. My apologies. Her company got bought out by PE firm and corporate is not good at paying their bills timely but they're really good at approving her expense reports. So in order to get her people paid quicker she's going to get person credit card to then expense to corporate.

TLDR: Yes, she needs a PERSONAL credit card, preferably with cash-back option. Sorry to waste some of you folks valuable time.

Didn't waste anyone's time! Most like these discussions lol.

Just wanted to make sure she wasn't going to try to apply for a business card! Also, the rewards between the two vary greatly

ETA: Also, I'd say cards are harder to compare and value now than ever. They'll really depend on the user. Just some examples: Amex gets Uber pass and monthly credits, CSR gets doordash. Amex has credits for equinox (unlimited) CSR peloton (limited).

Amex also has better "offers" that aren't standard so aren't included in the values. But this year alone we've saved over $700 in these values. For example they had spend $100 at Best Buy get $100 back. Same for Home Depot. Spend $150 at hello fresh get $150 back. $200 back of booking any trip (hotel or flight) in the travel portal.

The travel insurance on sapphire reserve is the bomb. We got stranded while skiing the year when texas was frozen and chase paid for us and 4 kids for a week while waiting for flights.

We use Visa.

I've always preferred Amex products but even though it's improved vastly, still some places don't take Amex, so having also a Visa is needed.

I would get the Sapphire Reserve, your points can transfer to various airlines or hotels, etc. Do check out who they partner with on transfers - if it looks useless to you, you could look at other options. If the spend is going to be food and travel, so you could earn plenty of chase's UR points with that card, pretty quickly.

I like our spark cash card. 2% straight cash back. Downside is it hits your person credit, but also a bonus as the rewards are issued to you, not the company...

Someone mentioned Citi double cash. The math here would be pretty strong. At $20k/month that's $400/month or about $5000/year. That's a lot of free money.

20k a month the hell does your wife spend it on ?

Amex

hedge said:

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20k a month the hell does your wife spend it on ?

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Work stuff.

EDIT: If you're asking what she does, she manages operations for a lot of different locations for a medical company so they have a lot of expenses.

Like what ?