@Andrwyng’s Recommended Credit Cards for 2016

Wrote this for my brother who just entered the work force and wanted to build up credit with a good credit card. Hi Vincent!

These pros and cons are simplified and skips some smaller side-benefits, but I think it should provide all the real data you need. No referral link bullshit, I’m keeping it real.

Some of my current credit cards. I might know what I’m talking about.

Recommended no-fee cards

Chase Freedom

Pros:
5 points per dollar on rotating categories (e.g. Restaurants, Amazon, Groceries, Gas, etc).
100 points =$1 in cash (possibly more if used for travel)
No annual membership fee
Small signup bonus — spend $500 within 3 months of opening the card and get 15,000 points ($150 in cash) free

Cons:
Need to activate your 5% off every 3 months
Charges extra fees in foreign countries

Citi Doublecash

Pros:
2% back on everything you purchase on the card. No need to think about it. No annual fee

Cons:
Charges foreign transaction fee

Recommended Premium Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred

**Especially good for international travel. Signup offer is quite generous.**

Pros:
2 points per dollar spent on Dining and Travel (1pt for everything else)
100 points = $1 cash or $1.25 towards travel
No foreign transaction fees
Big signup offer — currently: spend $4000 in the first 3 months of opening the account and get 50,000 points ($500 in cash) free

Cons:
$95 annual fee

American Express Blue Cash Preferred

Pros:
6% cash back at grocery stores
3% cash back on gas
1% cash back on everything else

Cons:
Charges foreign transaction fees
$95 annual fee

Recommended Deluxe Cards

Chase Sapphire Reserve

**Worth it if you have the credit history and spend a decent amount on restaurants and travel**

Pros:
3 points per dollar spent on travel
100 points = $1 cash or $1.50 towards travel
Huge signup offer — currently: Spend $4000 in the first 3 months of opening the account and get 100,000 points ($1000 in cash) free
$300 in free travel credits per year (pay for a $20 uber? automatically refunded to you up to a total of $300 per year)
Free airport lounge access (availability depending on airport/lounge)
No foreign transaction fees

Cons:
Huge $450 annual fee
Requires great credit history

Citi Prestige

**Only worth it if you go through the hassle of booking hotels through them**

Pros:
3 points per dollar spent on travel
100 points = $1 in gift cards (not cash!) or ~$1.50 in travel
$250 free travel credits
When you book 4 nights in a row at the same hotel through the their booking service (done through the phone, unfortunately not online), they will refund you the 4th night for free
No Foreign Transaction fees
Signup bonus of 40,000 points if you spend $4000 within 3 months of opening the account

Cons:
Huge $450 annual fee
Requires great credit history