The one credit card TPG staffers can’t live without
At The Points Guy, we don’t just cover credit cards and travel. We live this stuff so we can bring you first-hand experiences. We’re always talking about the latest credit card offers, flight deals, ways to accumulate extra points and more, but we don't always get to share our personal picks for items we cover. So, I asked our staff the following question: The Credit Card Police have come to your house to confiscate all of your cards but will allow you to keep one. Which one would it be and why?
I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by some of the cards my coworkers chose. Not only will you see the usual card suspects, but you'll also notice some under-the-radar options worth a closer look.
Sign-up for the TPG daily newsletter to get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
Summer Hull, director of content
My pick is the Chase Sapphire Reserve for many reasons. I love that the card lets me earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, two spending categories that many of my purchases fall within. Having the ability to transfer those points to partners like United, Hyatt and Southwest is also a highlight for me. Additionally, the easy-to-use $300 travel credit (with a generous definition of travel) helps ease the pain of the card’s $550 annual fee.
What continues to sell me on this card, though, is its built-in travel protections. Whether a kid gets sick right before a trip and we have to cancel or an airline strands us with severely delayed or canceled flights, this card has my back.
For more information read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Related: How I used Chase’s trip cancellation coverage to recoup $800 in non-refundable airfare
Clint Henderson, senior news editor
If I could only have one card in my wallet, I'd choose The Platinum Card® from American Express. Despite the annoying “deal hunting” or “extreme couponing” aspect of this card, I will happily continue paying the exorbitant $695 annual fee (see rates and fees) because it gives me guaranteed Gold elite status with Marriott, Hilton and several car rental companies. I'm also a huge fan of the card's Amex Offers, which have saved me hundreds of dollars over the years, and its many annual perks, including up to $200 in annual statement credits to apply toward a stay at participating hotels, monthly statement credits for Uber rides and an annual credit to cover up to $200 in incidental charges with an airline of my choice.
Plus, I like that I earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights (up to $500,000 in total purchases each calendar year) and have the option to hang out in Centurion lounges (even though they are too often crowded).
Related: 10 things to do when you get the Amex Platinum
For more details, read our review of the Amex Platinum.
Benét Wilson, senior editor
The Amex Platinum is the one card I'll never give up, even with all of its "lifestyle" changes launched in 2021. Added perks include an up to $189 Clear Plus credit to cover your annual membership, a $155 statement credit for a monthly Walmart+ membership (Subject to auto-renewal; Plus Ups are excluded), and $20 statement credits each month (up to $240 every year) for Audible, Peacock, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and SiriusXM, among other digital entertainment options.(Enrollment Required) I know the card’s hefty annual fee can be intimidating, but the statement credits plus its access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection and automatic elite status in select hotel loyalty programs more than pay for the card. Another bonus: I can transfer the points I earn to 19 airline partners, as well as three hotel partners.
Related: 80,000 points: How to maximize the Amex Platinum welcome offer
Juan Ruiz, credit cards editor
Without question, my go-to card is the American Express® Gold Card. I'm a foodie and spend an inordinate amount on dining out and purchasing groceries to test my chef skills at home. The 4 points I earn per dollar spent on those food categories is a strong earning rate. Plus, I rack up valuable Membership Rewards points that I can transfer to a variety of Amex travel partners and redeem for 2 cents apiece, according to TPG's valuation.
For more details, read our review of the Amex Gold.
Madison Blancaflor, travel editor
Compared to many TPG staffers, I’m still relatively new to the credit cards game — I signed up for my very first points credit card only two years ago. I’ve added a few more to my wallet during the past couple of years (including a recent upgrade to the Chase Sapphire Reserve), but looking at my full credit card lineup, the one card I could not live without is my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. I will scream praises about this card forever. Although it’s not my most-used card these days, the earning rates, redemption options, low annual fee and travel protections make it a no-brainer to keep.
Related: How I used Chase Ultimate Rewards to book my trip to Croatia
For more details, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
Katie Genter, senior reporter
I choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card as the one card that must stay in my wallet. If I was limited to one card, I'd want it to provide solid travel and shopping protections, Priority Pass lounge access and at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, all of which are covered by the Capital One Venture X. Although I prefer the transfer partners of other credit card currencies, there are plenty of valuable options with Capital One's 17 airline and hotel partners. Plus, this card is affiliated with Visa, so I can more easily take advantage of its lack of foreign transactions fees while traveling abroad than I could with an Amex, which still isn't accepted by some overseas merchants.
Related: Your ultimate guide to Capital One’s 17 airline and hotel transfer partners
Fore more details, read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Alejandro Carlo, software engineer
I'm going off the beaten path with my choice: the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card (no longer open to new applications). The Propel has many of the benefits an Amex card has, such as travel accident insurance, lost baggage coverage, secondary car rental insurance in the U.S., purchase and return protection, cellphone insurance and extended warranty coverage — all for no annual fee. Plus, you'll earn 3 points per dollar spent on purchases that fall within popular categories like travel, dining, gas and streaming services. Redeem your points in the Wells Fargo Rewards portal for cash back or air travel.
The information for the Wells Fargo Propel Amex Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: The best Wells Fargo credit cards
For more details, read our full review of the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card.
Caroline Tanner, travel writer
Like Madison, I, too, am a big fan of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. It's the first card I got when I started at TPG thanks to my coworkers' recommendations. It not only offers a low annual fee but also provides a number of redemption options, including with hotel partners like Hyatt.
Related: The 8 best credit cards with annual fees under $100
Stella Shon, credit cards writer
Add me to the group of TPG staffers who love the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. Even though I only earn 1 point per dollar spent on non-bonus purchases, many items I'm buying fall within one of Chase's bonus categories. Not to mention, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are more valuable to me than a random airline or hotel currency. I also like that the card offers some of the most comprehensive trip and purchase protections available with a credit card.
Related: The 9 best credit cards with travel insurance
Bottom line
While TPG staffers chose a variety of cards as their favorites, one stood out from the rest:
Credit card | Votes |
|---|---|
| Capital One Venture X | ✔ |
| Amex Platinum | ✔✔ |
| Amex Gold | ✔ |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | ✔ |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | ✔✔✔ |
| Wells Fargo Propel | ✔ |
With its low annual fee, impressive travel protections and array of redemption options, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card remains a top pick among TPG staffers.
Despite some major changes in 2021 that came along with another increase in it's annual fee, the Amex Platinum still made the cut. One unexpected pick for me was Alejandro's choice of the Wells Fargo Propel (no longer open for applications), though its surprisingly solid list of benefits for a no-annual-fee card more than supports his selection. I'm happy to see that the new Capital One Venture X make the list, too, since it has generated some serious buzz since it launched in late 2021.
If you're considering adding a credit card to your wallet, check out these helpful TPG credit card guides:
- Best rewards credit cards
- Best travel credit cards
- Best airline credit cards
- Best hotel credit cards
- Best cash-back credit cards
- Best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
- Best gas credit cards
- Best credit cards for groceries
- Best credit cards for entertainment spending
- Best credit cards for everyday spending
Related: The cards TPG staffers are keeping, canceling and downgrading
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, please click here.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.