My 3 Rules for Travel Cards

I get asked all the time how I decide which travel card to open next. Honestly, it comes down to three rules I run every card through before I apply.

Rule 1: The welcome bonus has to be worth it. I’m not opening a card for 20,000 points when there’s a version of that same card offering 75,000+ elsewhere. Welcome bonuses are where almost all the value lives, so I always check whether a card is at its current best offer before applying.

Rule 2: The points have to be flexible. I lean towards cards that earn transferable points-like Chase Ultimate Rewards-instead of cards locked into one single airline or hotel. Flexible points mean I can decide later where they’re most valuable, instead of being stuck with miles for an airline I never fly.

Rule 3: The annual fee has to make sense for how I’ll actually use the card. A high annual fee isn’t automatically a bad thing - it’s only bad if I’m not using the benefits that offset it. Before I apply, I map out exactly how I’ll use what the card offers. The first year with a card is usually where you’ll get the most bang for your buck.

Key Takeaway:
Every card I open has to pass all three rules - a strong bonus, flexible points, and an annual fee that pays for itself. If a card only checks one or two boxes, I skip it.