With so many credit cards on the market offering valuable benefits and rewards, it can be challenging to decide which one deserves an application.
Here at TPG, we understand this firsthand, as our staff members often take inventory of their own setups and weigh whether they should add a new card to their wallets. With multiple considerations at play, the decision is not always straightforward.
From lucrative welcome bonuses to refreshed perks, many factors can influence your decision. Here’s a snapshot of the cards TPG staffers are applying for right now and why.
Bilt Palladium Card
Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points and Bilt Gold status (through the rest of the calendar year in which it was earned and the following calendar year) after spending $4,000 on nonhousing purchases in the first three months from account opening. Cardholders also receive $300 in Bilt Cash upon approval.
Up to $100 of Bilt Cash earned rolls over to the next year.
Annual fee: $495 (see rates and fees)
The Bilt Palladium Card (see rates and fees) has remained a favorite across the staff since it was launched in January.
Staff product manager Mohamed Khalife said he got the premium Bilt card so he could finally earn points on his mortgage*.
He said the Bilt Palladium is also his first “catch-all card” that earns 2 points per dollar spent on everyday purchases**.
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*Choose to earn up to 1 point per dollar on rent or mortgage payments.
**Option to earn 4% in Bilt Cash on these purchases.
To learn more, read our full review of the Bilt Palladium Card.
Apply here: Bilt Palladium Card
Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard
Welcome offer: For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first five months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first 12 months, then $99
Ben Smithson, a senior points and miles writer at TPG, was recently approved for his first business credit card: the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees).
Ben said it was “much easier than expected” to be approved instantly for AAdvantage’s business card. As someone who is always looking for ways to boost his AAdvantage mile balance, he found the current welcome bonus to be a standout perk for a reasonable annual fee.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Business.
Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Welcome offer: Earn 130,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Annual fee: $150 (see rates and fees)
Credit cards writer Stephanie Stevens recently chose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card for its stellar earning rates, not just on Hilton stays but also across everyday categories like dining, groceries and gas, which weren’t well covered by her other cards.
The Hilton Surpass earns 12 points per dollar spent on eligible Hilton hotel and resort purchases and 6 points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and at U.S. gas stations.
Even though Stephanie described herself as an “occasional Hilton guest,” she said she knows she’ll still get value from the card’s automatic Hilton Honors Gold status.
To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Surpass.
Apply here: Hilton Surpass Card
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Travel writer Rachel Craft recently added the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) to her wallet.
She said she needed to rebuild her stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and she likes how her new card earns 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year (then 1 point per dollar).
To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.
Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
United Business Card
Welcome offer: Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs: Earn 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $150
Carly Helfand, TPG’s director of points, miles and credit card content, said she recently applied for the United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees).
She was drawn to the card by its welcome bonus and likes how the business card pairs well with her United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees).
Plus, now that she has a United business and consumer card, she earns a 5,000-mile anniversary bonus, a nice sweetener for something she was going to do anyway.
To learn more, read our full review of the United Business Card.
Apply here: United Business Card
Bottom line
TPG staffers approach each new card strategically. They consider their existing cards, upcoming trips and where new perks will add the most value.
There’s no single best strategy, but by reviewing your cards and goals, you can build a setup that supports your travel ambitions — just like our experts.
Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass, click here.
