My 26 Credit Cards Ranked
A 9-Year Journey to Maximizing Rewards and Building an 800+ Credit Score
After nine years of credit card optimization, I've collected 26 cards—some became daily drivers, others gathered dust in sock drawers, and a few were product-changed or canceled. This comprehensive tier list ranks every card based on personal experience and value received.
Credit Card Collection Timeline
Wells Fargo Student Card
Chase Freedom
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase Freedom Unlimited, Amex Gold
Amex Platinum, Chase Ink Business Cash, Freedom Flex
Multiple cards including Bilt Mastercard, Citi Custom Cash
Premium cards including Venture X, Amex Business Platinum
Tier Ranking System
| Tier | Description | Number of Cards |
|---|---|---|
| S Tier | Exceptional value, daily use cards | 2 |
| A Tier | High value, frequent use cards | 6 |
| B Tier | Good value, situational use cards | 5 |
| C Tier | Moderate value, occasional use cards | 8 |
| D Tier | Low value, rarely used cards | 5 |
Bilt Mastercard
No annual fee • Earn points on rent payments
Why S Tier: Unparalleled value for renters, exceptional transfer partners, no annual fee
Capital One Venture X
$395 annual fee • 2x miles on everything
Why S Tier: Easy annual fee offset, premium travel benefits, excellent catch-all card
Chase Freedom (Original)
No annual fee • 5% rotating categories
Why A Tier: Exceptional category bonuses, cornerstone of Chase trifecta strategy
American Express Gold Card
$325 annual fee • 4x restaurants and groceries
Why A Tier: Top-tier food category bonuses, valuable credits offset annual fee
Citi Custom Cash
No annual fee • 5% on top spending category
Why A Tier: Unbeatable category bonus for no annual fee, ultimate flexibility
Chase Freedom Flex
No annual fee • 5% rotating categories
Why A Tier: Additional 5% category capacity, valuable benefits package
Discover it Card
No annual fee • 5% rotating categories
Why A Tier: Effectively 10% back first year, complements Chase categories
Chase Sapphire Reserve
$550 annual fee • Premium travel benefits
Why A Tier: Premium travel benefits, excellent travel insurance, lounge access
Card Issuer Distribution
| Issuer | Number of Cards | Highest Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Chase | 10 | A Tier |
| American Express | 6 | A Tier |
| Citi | 3 | A Tier |
| Capital One | 2 | S Tier |
| Wells Fargo | 3 | S Tier |
| Discover | 1 | A Tier |
| Other | 1 | S Tier |
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95 annual fee • Solid travel card
Why B Tier: Excellent beginner travel card, but outgrown by premium options
Chase Freedom Unlimited
No annual fee • 1.5% cash back
Why B Tier: Solid catch-all card, but outperformed by 2% cards
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
No annual fee • Business catch-all card
Why B Tier: Essential for business spending, separates business/personal expenses
Amex Blue Business Plus
No annual fee • 2x points on business purchases
Why B Tier: Excellent business catch-all card, weak signup bonus
Amex Business Platinum
$695 annual fee • Premium business card
Why B Tier: Massive signup bonus value, high annual fee limits ongoing value
Key Lessons From 9 Years of Credit Card Optimization
- Start with no-annual-fee cards to build credit history without pressure to keep cards open
- Focus on Chase cards early to maximize value before hitting 5/24 rule limits
- Product change instead of canceling to preserve credit history length
- Time applications around large purchases to meet signup bonus requirements naturally
- Consider business cards to separate expenses and access additional signup bonuses
- Prioritize cards with ongoing benefits that offset annual fees
- Don't fear annual fees if the math works in your favor through credits and benefits
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Subscribe NowFinal Thoughts
Building a optimized credit card portfolio takes time, strategy, and ongoing management. The most valuable cards in my collection share common traits: they either offer exceptional ongoing benefits that offset annual fees or provide category bonuses that align with my spending patterns.
While having 26 cards might seem excessive, this approach has allowed me to maximize signup bonuses, maintain an 800+ credit score, and fund extensive travel through points and miles. The key is focusing on cards that deliver real value rather than collecting cards for the sake of it.
Remember that the best credit card strategy is personal—what works for my spending and travel habits may not be ideal for yours. Focus on cards that align with your spending patterns and financial goals, and don't be afraid to cancel or product change cards that no longer deliver value.
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