What cards to round out my wallet?

[JustKeepSwmng]

I'm setting up a new auto loan in the coming days after my car got totaled a few weeks ago and figured before it hits my reports it would be a good time for an app spree for some cards. Auto loan I am applying Navy, BOA (long term customer) and dealer FS and going for an EV, and I have free charging. Scores will be all 740-780 FICO

Hoping for help picking 1-3 cards.

Here is what I already:

Amex Gold NPSL

Amex BCP $6k 

BOA UR $1.5k

BOA Platinum MC $3k

Cap 1 Platinum $6.8k

Cap 1 Quicksilver $4k

Apple $7.5k

Highest spend is groceries hands down. Have a lot of streaming not currently covered by any category. Have a lot of upcoming travel in the next 8 months (international and domestic, hotel stays). United Hub, and mostly Star Alliance for the intl flights.. currently the cost of those trips are about $15k-20k and I have no real travel card to maximize benefits. Note that then will not be able to travel more than 2x a year from 2027-2028 due to work restrictions. So I don't know if that matters for a high AF travel card. 

Cards I'm looking at: 

- Amex Platinum addtl card vs upgrading my gold, they are only offering 50k SUBS for upgrade. 
- Navy Flagship

- CITI Strata/Premier

- CITI CCR 

- BOA CCR

- United Explorer

Any others that fit better? 

[ptatohed]

Do you prefer Cash Back or Miles/Points?

[JustKeepSwmng]

With the short term travel, then a lull for two years was open to thoughts on whether miles would be worth it. I think cash back would be better given the rest of spend categories and more immediate nature of the benefit. But open to thoughts. 

[ElvisCaprice]

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@JustKeepSwmng wrote:

With the short term travel, then a lull for two years was open to thoughts on whether miles would be worth it. I think cash back would be better given the rest of spend categories and more immediate nature of the benefit. But open to thoughts. 

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     If you don't know by now, travel points over cash back, then I would say cash back is your best option.   There is just far too many variables  and dedication to make travel points work, sounds like it's not your cup of tea for optimization.  

     If I were you, I would get laser focused on cash back with BofA.  I see you already have two of their CC's.  If you have the investment to move, 100k, your good to go for one of the best available cash back setups with BofA/Merrill.  There are tons of posts on how to set this all up.  And with the Custom Cash Rewards CC's you could be getting 5.25% cash back on most of your spend.  

[Vinjints]

It looks like food is covered between the BCP and Gold. With the non-covered streaming, does that not count on the BCP?  Considering your two BOA cards, if you have PH I would definitely look at the CCR. 

It doesn't look like you have a 2% catch all. What are your other high spend categories?

I don't know how Navy would feel about getting an auto loan with them and then immediately adding a CC. 

[JustKeepSwmng]

I played the points game with my ex P2 w his Amex Platinum and United cards, and it was worth it for travel redemption... but priority then was 5 star hotels in European destinations etc and easy to maximize benefits w Amex travel MR system+ United points. 

Now travel is mostly work, or with a bunch of kids and the 5 star trip and first class seats isn't a priority because I'm travelling w 3-4 kids usually 🙃

I am a deal hunter though, so was looking to be convinced. But yes, as you said it's a lot of work and I have less time to manage  it than I used to. 

I have a current BOA offer in my portal for 6% (3+3) on the CCR, which then drops to 5% after a year. And yes I have the PR bump. I'll search for the BOA set up. I just joined Navy and was wondering if I should look into to moving everything over there, I've been annoyed with the low SL w BOA compared to the PR level and 15 year relationship w them. 

[JustKeepSwmng]

Yes I'll look into BOA CCR especially with the 6% offer right now. 

Most of my streaming is in a bundle w Verizon, which isn't covered w BCP. I'm running the numbers on that discount vs making individual subscriptions and then putting on a card. 

The only way I use a catch all 2% is through Apple Pay on my shopping (clothes, electronics, skincare, lifestyle, gifts bla bla). Which would be my second spend. I also use my BOA debit PR offers a lot for random brands/stores like Nike/Adidas etc where I get anywhere from 5-10 CB offers. I pay kid's tuition/club sports, w my Apple 1%, BOA 1.5% or the Gold MR. 

[FicoMike0]

The two travel cards I have are navy flagship, $49 af and usb connect, 0 af. Flagship pays 3x on travel, connect pays 4x. Both cash out at $.01/ point. Connect is a pretty easy winner. I still keep the flagship because it pays for prime. Flagship also pays 2x on everything as a catchall.

I'd also suggest the aven 3% on everything, up to $10000, as a catchall. Make sure you get the 3% and not their 2% heloc card.

[aplast]

I think the Venture X would serve you well for a couple years. 2x catch all, and a good current sign up bonus. You could take a look at things in the future if your travel slows down. 

[JustKeepSwmng]

Oh good tip. For some reason didn't look at the Venture at all. I should be okay with Cap 1 two low level cards and get an additional, or can you PC/upgrade with them?