32 Credit Cards in My Wallet 2024 | Current Credit Cards

As of June 2024 my wife and I have over 32 open credit and charge cards. Because I was active duty military for 12 years, only the business credit cards have annual fees charged on them. We get over $12,000 a year of fees waived.

Some of the benefits we receive by having so many cards open are: airport lounge access to American Express Centurion Lounge and Priority Pass, $2,350 of airline fee credit annually, $1,420 Uber Cash annually, $600 travel credits, top hotel elite status, top rental car status, free travel insurance, and $800 of free Saks Fifth Avenue purchases annually.

When I was active duty, my wife and I were both listed in the Military Lending Act database, and so were eligible for MLA benefits, which include annual fee waivers on Chase, Citi, and US Bank cards. See special American Express Protections for active duty servicemembers and their spouses.

Since 2015 we have opened over 46 cards. My credit score is currently 811-820 according to Credit Karma and Credit Sesame.

There's a common misconception that opening that many credit cards will damage your credit. It doesn't.

If anything, it might improve your credit score because of the way credit scores are calculated. I recommend both sites to check your credit score for free.

The most popular cards for active duty, Guard, Reserve, and military spouses on my site since 2018 are:

1. The Platinum Card^® from American Express
2. American Express^® Gold Card
3. Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Card
4. Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card
5. Citi^® Premier^® Card

You can compare the:

• Amex Platinum vs the Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Amex Gold vs Amex Platinum
• Chase Sapphire Reserve vs the Chase Sapphire Preferred

I recorded episode 8 of the Military Money Manual Podcast where Jamie (podcast co-host and fellow active duty Air Force pilot) and I talked about what cards we have in our wallets. You can listen below:

Physically Managing Lots of Credit Cards

I keep my cards in a leather credit card binder I purchased on Amazon for less than $15. It keeps the cards I don't use daily organized.

For daily use, I have a Travelambo Front Pocket Minimalist Leather Slim Wallet RFID Blocking Medium Size. About 3 years ago I purchased the 5 top rated wallets on Amazon.

I returned the other 4 and kept the Travelambo. This is the best wallet for credit cards I have found after trying all the others.

Credit Cards I Carry Daily

Right now, I'm carrying my veterans ID, driver's license, some cash, a list of goals I want to accomplish, and some small photos. The credit cards I carry daily are:

• American Express Gold Card, 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000  and 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000. Amex Gold Card Review (terms apply)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve, 3x points on travel and dining, Chase Sapphire Reserve review
• Chase Freedom Unlimited, 1.5x points on everything, best cash back cards for military
• USAA ATM Debit card – my USAA review

What I Look for in a New Credit Card

The 3 primary things I care about when evaluating a new credit card are:

1. The welcome bonus, like the massive points you can earn on the Amex Platinum
2. The ongoing benefits of holding the card, like travel credits or free hotel nights
3. The categories I can earn extra points in, like restaurants and groceries with the Amex Gold or travel and dining with Chase Sapphire Reserve

I update a list of the best credit card welcome bonuses each month. I also have an exact recommended order military servicemembers and spouses should open up cards to maximize their points earnings in my best credit cards for active duty military guide.

I have earned millions of points and miles just from welcome bonuses. I redeemed those points and miles for tens of thousands of free hotel and resort stays and airline tickets. Learn how to maximize your military credit cards benefits in my free course, the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course. Over 11,000 graduates have given the course a 5 star review since 2019.

I'll explain exactly how to get your fees waived, which card to get first, and how to maximize your points.

I have also received thousands of dollars in cash back welcome bonuses.

The ongoing benefits of a hotel card, for instance, can be higher automatic elite status and an annual free night. For instance the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card gives you automatic Diamond status. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card gives you automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status.

The 32 Credit Cards I Have Right Now

Other than my Capital One business card, I do not pay any annual fees on these cards thanks the Military Lending Act or MLA.

This saves my wife and me over $12,000 per year. I can walk you through how to save your first $695 annual fee in my Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course. The course is 100% free for you.

American Express Cards

American Express extends special protections to comply with the Military Lending Act (MLA) and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

• The Platinum Card® from American Express x8 – I have upgraded several Green and Gold cards to this card so now I get $1600 of Uber Cash annually, $1600 of airline fee credits, $1600 of annual hotel credit, $2000 of annual entertainment credits and $800 of Saks Fifth Avenue credit (enrollment required). 5x points on flights booked directly with the airline or amextravel.com and travel insurance makes this my card of choice for airline purchases. (terms apply)
• American Express® Gold Card – a daily driver for me with 4x Amex Membership Reward points on US supermarkets and restaurants. (terms apply)
• American Express Green Card – good welcome bonus (terms apply)
• Platinum Card for Charles Schwab from American Express – cash out Amex Membership Rewards points for 1.25 cents each (terms apply)
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card x3 – 2 for me and 1 for my wife. You can upgrade the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card to another Hilton Honors Aspire card. (terms apply)
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card x2 – I upgraded an Amex SPG Luxury (no longer available) to my second Bonvoy Brilliant. Annual free night worth up to 85,000 Bonvoy points on each card. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees. (terms apply)
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card – annual companion pass lets you fly up to Delta One in the lower 48 states and you only pay for 1/2 tickets. If you have a Hawaii or Alaska address, you can use the companion pass for a flight back to the mainland. (terms apply)
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – great way to earn Amex Membership Reward points. Amex Business cards do not waive annual fee for military with any cards opened after January 2020. (terms apply)
• American Express® Business Gold Card – Amex business cards can be a great way to earn extra Amex MR points (terms apply)

American Express^® Gold Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year- includes OCONUS Commissaries
• 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees – great for the 4x on restaurants when traveling for fun, OCONUS TDY, or PCS!
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: You can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment required.
• Go explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• Read my full review of the Amex Gold card for military, terms apply
• Enrollment is required for select benefits
• $325 Annual Fee* See more details about American Express protections for you and your spouse 

The Platinum Card^® from American Express
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• $695 annual fee. See more details about military protections for you and your spouse 
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
• Earn 5x points on airfare booked directly with airline or on amextravel.com up to $500,000 per calendar year
• Earn 5x points on prepaid hotels at amextravel.com
• $200 Annual Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. Note that The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card^® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $200 Uber Cash: Explore your local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings! Download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at 1 qualifying airline
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• This is a MAJOR time saver–$120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®! Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Complimentary access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection® lets you visit more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting. You can love the lounge life with more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
• Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit, enrollment required
• Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Enrollment is required for select benefits
• The Platinum Card^® from American Express – learn how to apply
• Read my full review of the Amex Platinum card for military, terms apply

Chase Cards

Chase waives all annual fees for military servicemembers and dependents on their personal credit cards (not business cards) as long as you are on active duty after 20 Sep 2017 and open the card after that date.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve – lower sign up bonus than the Chase Sapphire Preferred (compare the Reserve vs Preferred) but the $300 annual travel credit, 3x points on dining and travel, and global Visa acceptance makes this a must have card for every military servicemember. Compare the CSR vs the AMEX Platinum to see which is the best military credit card.
• Chase Ink Business Unlimited – the Chase Ink business cards are an excellent way to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Reward points and do not count against your 5/24 Chase card limit. You do NOT need an LLC to open business credit cards.
• Chase Ink Business Cash – Business credit cards frequently come with the best welcome bonuses. You can compare the Chase Ink Business Preferred vs Chase Ink Business Cash
• Chase IHG One Rewards Club Premier – annual free night with this card makes it worth keeping even if you had to pay the annual fee…but you don't!
• Chase World of Hyatt – Hyatt offers beautiful hotels and resorts around the world. While not as big as Hilton or Marriott, it is growing rapidly. The Hyatt card offers an annual free night and complimentary elite status. Should be part of every military servicemember's hotel credit card collection: Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG.
• Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card x3 (cash back credit cards for military) – 5% cash back on rotating categories like Netflix, gas, Costco, and groceries. My first credit card after graduating college means I'll keep this one for a long time. I have multiples of this card because of downgrading other cards. Compare the Chase Freedom Flex vs Chase Freedom Unlimited.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited^® Credit Card (best cash back cards for military) – 1.5% cash back on all purchases. A great fall back card if what your buying doesn't fall into a bonus category for another card.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• $550 annual fee waived to $0 for US military + spouses with Chase MLA policy
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
• 3x Points on other Travel (airfare, hotels) after earning the $300 travel credit
• 3x Dining restaurants, takeouts, delivery
• Chase Ultimate Reward Points redeemed through Chase Travel℠ are worth 1.5 cents, a 50% bonus.
• Priority Pass lounge and restaurant access with over 1300+ airport lounges worldwide
• Up to $120 application fee credit for Global Entry every 4 years
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Primary coverage with Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• No foreign transaction fees, Member FDIC
• Learn more in the Chase Sapphire Reserve review

Citi Cards

My Citi^® Premier^® Card is annual fee waived thanks to MLA. Citi Prestige is also MLA fee waived.

Citi Strata Premier^℠ Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou(R) Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
• 70,000 points are redeemable for $700 in gift cards at thankyou.com
• Earn 10 points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions through CitiTravel.com
• Earn 3 points per $1 spent at at restaurants and supermarkets
• Earn 3 points per $1 spent on Gas Stations, Air Travel, and Hotels
• 1 point per $1 on everything else
• $100 Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
• No foreign transaction fees
• $95 annual fee waived for military with Citi military policy

Citi^® AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after making $7,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
• Admirals Club^® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation

Capital One®

I have 2 Capital One cards: Capital One Venture X Rewards Card and the Capital One® Spark® Business Cash card.

The Capital One Spark Business Cash card was offering an insane 200,000 point welcome bonus when you spend $50,000. (Note: offer is no longer available.)

I was able to hit the welcome bonus on this card and earn $3,000 cash back. That was a nice check to receive!

Capital One Venture X Rewards Card
Learn how to apply at our partner's secure site

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
• $300 annual travel credit for hotels, airfare, rental cars, and other travel booked through Capital One Travel portal
• 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary (at least $100 of travel)
• 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
• Complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network
• Receive up to a $120 credit for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
• Up to 4 free authorized users (with Capital One Lounge access)
• $395 annual fee, terms apply
• No foreign transaction fees, good for OCONUS military families or TDY servicemembers
• $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Read the full Capital One Venture X Rewards card review
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Card – learn how to apply

Welcome Bonuses on my Credit Cards

With these cards and the ones I've closed, I received the following cumulative welcome bonuses:

• 575,000 Hilton Honors points
• 480,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 420,000 Amex Membership Rewards
• 310,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
• 250,000 American Airlines miles
• 100,000 IHG Points
• 60,000 Citi Thank You Points
• 75,000 Delta Skymiles
• 50,000 Hawaiian Airlines miles
• 50,000 Hyatt Points
• $3,700 cash back

I also receive the following recurring benefits annually:

• $1,420 Uber or Uber Eats credit ($100 per month, $220 in December)
• $2,350 annual airline fee credit
• $750 credit at Hilton hotels and resorts
• $600 travel credit
• Domestic first class companion pass on Delta

I also max out my “refer a friend” for cards every year, which results in the additional points with no spending:

• 550,000 AMEX Membership Rewards (can cash out at 1.25 cents per point = $6875 minimum per year)
• 240,000 Hilton Honors points
• 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points
• 55,000 Delta Skymiles

I pay $0 in annual fees thanks to the Chase Military Lending Act and Amex MLA policy The Spark Cash card is a $95 annual fee not waived for military, but I will probably close the account before the annual fee posts.

The Next Credit Card to Open

I keep this page updated with the best credit card welcome bonuses available to military servicemembers. I also have my recommended order to open credit cards for military servicemembers and their spouses.

Personally, I have maxed out my Chase 5/24 and Amex 5 credit card limit (not charge cards like the Platinum). My wife still has a lot of Amex cards she is eligible for so she will probably open more of those this year.

Impact on Credit Score

Opening up this many credit cards has not impacted my credit score.

Here are my March 2020 Credit Karma credit scores:

And here are my June 2023 CreditKarma scores:

Over the years my score has fluctuated a bit but never dipped below 760 for very long and is usually over 800.

Frequently Asked Questions