Carson’s Recommended Credit Cards
9 Cards
If you want to optimize your spending while maximizing your rewards, here are the cards I recommend and personally use. Use my referral links to earn your bonus, and feel free to message me with any questions.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 Miles
Worth $1,088
When you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening Worth $1,088 in value based on Carson's valuation of 1.45¢ per point.
Annual Fee
$395
Minimum Credit Requirement
Excellent
Benefits
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card includes over $502 in annual credits.
Rewards
Rewards percentage based on MaxRewards' valuation of 1.45¢ per Capital One point
Hotels (Capital One Travel), Rental Cars (Capital One Travel)
10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Flights (Capital One Travel), Vacation Rentals (Capital One Travel)
5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
Every Purchase
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
Fees
Foreign Transaction
None
Balance Transfer
Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate
Cash Advance
5% of the amount of the cash advance, but not less than $5
Late Payment
Up to $40
Rates
Purchase APR
19.49% - 28.49%
Transfer APR
19.49% - 28.49%
Cash Advance APR
28.49%
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Welcome Offer
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points
Worth $225
After you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Worth $225 in value based on Carson's valuation of 1.5¢ per point.
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Minimum Credit Requirement
Good
Benefits
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express includes over $250 in annual credits.
Rewards
Rewards percentage based on MaxRewards' valuation of 1.5¢ per Membership Rewards point
Office Supplies, Client Dinners
2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners
Purchases Up To $50,000
2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
Everywhere
1x Points
Fees
Foreign Transaction
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Balance Transfer
None
Cash Advance
None
Late Payment
Up to $39
Rates
Purchase APR
16.74% - 28.49%
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus points
Worth $1,125
After you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Worth $1,125 in value based on Carson's valuation of 1.5¢ per point.
Annual Fee
$95
Minimum Credit Requirement
Good
Benefits
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card includes over $406 in annual credits.
Rewards
Rewards percentage based on MaxRewards' valuation of 1.5¢ per Ultimate Rewards point
Travel (Chase Travel)
5x On travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
Dining
3x On dining
Gas, EV Charging
3x On gas & EV charging
Online Groceries (Excluding Walmart, Target, and Wholesale Clubs)
3x Online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)
Streaming Services
3x On top streaming services
Vacation Homes
3x On vacation homes
All Other Travel Purchases
2x On all other travel purchases
All Other Purchases
1x On all other purchases
Fees
Foreign Transaction
$0
Balance Transfer
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Cash Advance
Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Late Payment
None
Rates
Purchase APR
19.24% - 27.49%
Transfer APR
19.24% - 27.49%
Cash Advance APR
28.49%
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Welcome Offer
Earn $1,000 bonus cash back
Worth $750
After you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening. Worth $750 in value based on Carson's valuation of 1.5¢ per point.
Annual Fee
$0
Minimum Credit Requirement
Good
Benefits
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card includes over $240 in annual credits.
Rewards
Rewards percentage based on MaxRewards' valuation of 1.5¢ per Ultimate Rewards point
Business Purchases
1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
Fees
Foreign Transaction
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Balance Transfer
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Cash Advance
Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Late Payment
None
Rates
Purchase APR
16.74% - 24.74%
Transfer APR
16.74% - 24.74%
Cash Advance APR
28.49%
Chase Freedom Flex®
Chase Freedom Flex®
Welcome Offer
Earn a $200 Bonus
Worth $200
After you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening! Worth $200 in value based on Carson's valuation of 1.5¢ per point.
Annual Fee
$0
Minimum Credit Requirement
Good
Rewards
Rewards percentage based on MaxRewards' valuation of 1.5¢ per Ultimate Rewards point
Bonus Categories
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate.
Travel (Chase Travel)
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
Dining, Drugstores
3% on dining and drugstores
All Other Purchases
1% on all other purchases.
Benefits
The Chase Freedom Flex® includes over $40 in annual credits.
Fees
Foreign Transaction
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Balance Transfer
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Cash Advance
Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Late Payment
None
Rates
Purchase APR
18.24% - 27.74%
Transfer APR
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers
Cash Advance APR
28.49%
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Welcome Offer
Earn a $200 Bonus
Worth $200
After you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening Worth $200 in value based on Carson's valuation of 1.5¢ per point.
Annual Fee
$0
Minimum Credit Requirement
Good
Rewards
Rewards percentage based on MaxRewards' valuation of 1.5¢ per Ultimate Rewards point
Travel (Chase Travel)
5% Cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
Drugstore Purchases, Dining at Restaurants (Including Takeout and Eligible Delivery Service)
3% Cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
All Other Purchases
1.5% On all other purchases
Benefits
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® includes over $40 in annual credits.
Fees
Foreign Transaction
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Balance Transfer
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Cash Advance
Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Late Payment
None
Rates
Purchase APR
18.24% - 27.74%
Transfer APR
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers
Cash Advance APR
28.49%
Discover it® Cash Back
Discover it® Cash Back
Welcome Offer
100% match on all cash back earned in the first year
Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to the match.
Annual Fee
$0
Minimum Credit Requirement
Good
Rewards
Everywhere
Fees
Balance Transfer
5%
Cash Advance
$10 or 5%
(Whichever Is Greater)
Late Payment
$41
Return Payment
$30
Rates
Purchase APR
17.49% - 26.49%
Transfer APR
17.49% - 26.49%
Cash Advance APR
28.49%
Prime Visa
Prime Visa
Welcome Offer
Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card
Worth $150
Instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members Worth $150 in value based on Carson's valuation of 1¢ per point.
Annual Fee
$0
Minimum Credit Requirement
Good
Rewards
Rewards percentage based on MaxRewards' valuation of 1¢ per Amazon point
Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, Chase Travel (Eligible Prime Members)
5X back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership.
Gas Stations, Restaurants, Local Transit And Commuting (Including Rideshare)
2X back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare).
All Other Purchases
1X back on all other purchases.
Fees
Foreign Transaction
$0
Balance Transfer
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Cash Advance
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Late Payment
None
Rates
Purchase APR
18.74% - 27.49%
Transfer APR
18.74% - 27.49%
Cash Advance APR
28.49%
SoFi Unlimited 2%
SoFi Unlimited 2%
Annual Fee
$0
Minimum Credit Requirement
Good
Rewards
Rewards percentage based on MaxRewards' valuation of 1¢ per SoFi Rewards point
Everywhere
2x Points
The Average Card Holder Misses $1,200+ In Credit Card Value Every Year
MaxRewards automatically tracks, activates, and maximizes every bonus, offer, and benefit across all your cards—so you never leave money on the table again.
Add my referral code carsonf49 so we both benefit!