4 Credit Cards That I’m Adding to My Wallet in 2024

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All information about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® product was collected independently by Slickdeals and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

At the start of every year, I like to review the credit cards in my wallet to determine which are serving me well and which aren’t—especially since most of them carry annual fees. In the process, I can also identify gaps in my credit card rewards strategy. For example, I might find that I have too many high-annual fee credit cards with overlapping rewards. If I have a lot of upcoming travel plans, getting an airline credit card could help me reach elite status faster and upgrade my overall travel experience.

Luckily, some exceptional credit card welcome bonuses will help me replenish my rewards balance and earn more points and perks throughout the year. Here are four credit cards I’m adding to my wallet in 2024:

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Rates & Fees

• Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
• APR22.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
• Annual Fee$550
• Sign-Up Bonus 60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info

  Earn 60,000 bonus points after using your card to spend $4,000 within three months of account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)

This card features an annual credit for travel purchases, which can offset the annual fee, plus bonus points when you sign up. You'll also get free access to tons of Priority Pass lounges and restaurant options around the world, along with access to the upcoming Chase Sapphire Lounge network.

• Overview
• Pros & Cons

Overview

If you’re looking to elevate your travel experience, look no further than the Chase Sapphire Reserve. When you first get approved, you’ll earn a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months—that’s worth at least $900 in travel-related spending booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and potentially more if you transfer your rewards to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners.

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Pros

• An array of premium travel perks including access to Priority Pass lounges
• Easy-to-use $300 travel credit that helps offset card's annual fee
• Generous rewards rates for spending

Cons

• High annual fee may be a deterrent for some
• Perks are starting to get stale relative to newer competition

When the Chase Sapphire Reserve® first launched in 2016, I assumed I’d soon have the shiny new card in my wallet. Somehow, it didn’t happen until this year. At the time, I already had a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which suited my needs better. I also had too many premium credit cards and couldn't justify another high annual fee. Plus, Chase's 5/24 rule meant that I had to wait a little longer before applying for new cards. 

But since downgrading my Sapphire Preferred to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, there’s been a void in my wallet. I recently pared back my premium credit card collection, so it made sense to go for the Sapphire Reserve to fill that premium spot. 

The Sapphire Reserve's $300 annual travel credit is versatile enough that I knew I’d use it. The card’s complimentary Priority Pass Select membership is one of the few that still includes restaurant access and the card’s travel protections are some of the best around. I can also easily earn the 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within three months of account opening with my normal expenses.

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

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• Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
• APR18.49% - 24.49% (Variable)
• Annual Fee$0
• Sign-Up Bonus $750Cash Bonus More Info

  Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening

Business owners looking to earn a high rate of cash back on common business expenses like office supplies and internet could get a lot of value from this card. The trade-off for the high cash-back rate, though, is a lower spend cap than you’ll find with other Ink Business cards.

• Overview
• Pros & Cons

Overview

The Ink Business Cash® is legendary for its offer of 5% cash back for purchases at office supply stores and on many telecommunications services, with no annual fee. And while 5% cash back sounds great, these rewards can be much more valuable when paired with another Chase credit card that allows transfers to airline miles or hotel points. In addition to earning excellent cash-back rewards, it also includes competitive introductory offers and provides cards for employees at no additional charge.

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Pros

• No annual fee
• 5x back on a broad array of business spending categories
• Robust travel and purchase protections
• Don't need a full-fledged business to apply

Cons

• Businesses that don't spend on the category bonuses won't benefit

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card was at the top of my list for 2024 and I ended up applying for it in January. The card has a generous welcome bonus and I like the card's 5% cash-back rate on the first $25,000 spent at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services every account anniversary year. It also earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.

While I normally use my Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express for business expenses, the Ink Business Cash is a great addition to my wallet. When I max out the 2X bonus category on my Amex Blue Business, I can switch to the Ink Business Cash and continue earning 2-5% on my largest spending categories. Plus, the card has no annual fee and since I also have a Chase Sapphire Reserve®, I can convert my cash back to valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

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Secure application on issuer’s website

• Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
• APR21.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
• Annual Fee$99
• Sign Up Bonus 140,000IHG One Rewards Points More Info

  Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $700 (140,000 IHG One Rewards Points * 0.005 base)

Aside from its astounding sign-up bonus, this card offers tons of value, especially for loyal IHG customers, like a free Reward Night on your account anniversary and Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member. Plus, it offers a Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA Pre✓® fee credit every four years, and IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at a variety of hotels.

• Overview
• Pros & Cons

Overview

Frequent customers of IHG hotels and other people who enjoy earning rewards nights for hotel stays and premium hotel status should consider picking up this card.

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Pros

• Generous rewards rate on IHG Hotels and Resorts purchases
• Automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status which gets you perks like upgrades
• Free reward night every account anniversary, with the potential to be worth hundreds of dollars

Cons

• Has an annual fee
• Only makes sense if you plan to stay at IHG properties

In the ten years or so I’ve been collecting points, I never saw much value in having an IHG credit card or elite status. But when I earned Platinum elite status after living in a hotel for two months for work, I understood the hype. I stayed at several Kimpton properties since achieving Platinum status and every stay has been phenomenal. While I’ve had status with Hilton and Hyatt before, I have never received as many suite upgrades as I have as an IHG Platinum elite member.

With my status expiring, I’ve decided to extend it with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. The card includes automatic Platinum status, which normally requires completing 40 nights or earning 60,000 base points. The card’s $99 annual fee is well worth it, even if I end up with just a single upgrade throughout the year.

As an added bonus, the card offers an annual free night award at hotels, worth up to 40,000 points. Cardholders also get the fourth award night free on consecutive night bookings, a $100 statement credit, and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 in a calendar year. To top it off, new cardholders can also earn a sizable welcome bonus after meeting the spending requirements. Overall, the IHG One Rewards Premier is an excellent card that I’m excited to add to my wallet since it will pay for itself multiple times over.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

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I’ve been getting flyers for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® for months and ignoring them. Until I realized I have a lot of upcoming travel with American and it would be nice to have perks like free checked bags, preferred boarding and 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases. Some of these perks are reserved for elite members or those willing to pay extra for them. Since I am neither (but still want to enjoy these benefits), the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Card is a good option.

Aside from the aforementioned benefits, cardholders who spend $20,000 or more in a card membership year receive a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount, which provides an extra incentive to put the most rewarding purchases on this card. You can rack up points easily with the card's 2X miles at restaurants, gas stations and eligible American Airlines purchases. The card’s $99 annual fee is also waived the first year, allowing me to test the benefits for a full year before deciding to commit long term. Plus, every dollar I spend on this card earns one Loyalty Point, helping me earn elite status faster.

Bottom Line

You may look at the above list and wonder how I will meet the thousands of dollars in combined credit card spending requirements. For starters, I’ll be spreading these applications out. By being strategic and timing my applications correctly, I’ll increase my approval odds and give myself plenty of time to meet the spending requirements.

This list might also change altogether depending on new sign-up bonuses. Banks compete for customers, which often results in lucrative welcome bonus offers. If I see an enticing new card promotion, I might be persuaded to swap it for one of the cards on my current list.

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