https://www.usbank.com/dam/documents/pdf/deposits/consumer-pricing-information/revised-deposit-products.pdf

Surprised no one posted this. Received a letter from USBank with checking and saving account changes.

The most noticeable change is the tier changes. Minimum starts at 20k and now we got Pinnacle tier at 250k. The free checking now is only available on their primary tier starting at 20k.

Both pinnacle and premium share the same saving interest rate lift. No word on the credit card smartly Change yet.

Anything else worth mentioning?

Just got the offer after being on the waitlist for a couple of months, but I’m currently waiting on a vehicle order to come in estimated time is 6 weeks and the Robinhood card has a deadline to accept of 28 days. Obviously I’m not going to take the credit hit so close to the car purchase but it kinda sucks missing out on the 3% cash back card since I’m only doing cash back and this would have been the best card I could have gotten.

Would the runner up best cash back card be the fidelity 2% ?

Experian: 757

CL: $10,500

Bank Relationship: None

Other Cards: WF Active Cash, Best Buy Visa, AMEX Gold, Venture X (applied this past December). Currently at 3/24

I've been eyeing the CSP and was going to get it instead of the Venture X but decided to wait. Luckily I secured a better sub 🔥

I currently have the Savor (approximately 10 months old), and my plan is to get the VX to run the C1 duo. I am currently pre-approved using the capital one pre-approval tool, but have seen the occasional DP suggesting that pre-approval is not always 100%, and I don’t want to waste a triple pull.

I have been waiting to even check the pre-approval tool for several months because my credit score in the app (via credit wise) has been saying I am stuck at a mediocre 622. I am 3/24, but 9/24 including AU accounts (which aren’t supposed to impact the score). Credit wise provides a Vantage Score 3.0.

However, yesterday out of curiosity I decided to check the actual bureaus to see what was driving my score down so much, and was surprised to find that the scores there were much different than what credit wise provides. My FICO 8 score on Experian is 744, and my Vantage Score 3.0 on Equifax is 724 as of yesterday. Those numbers seem more accurate to me based on my profile, and maybe what capital one is seeing for the pre-approval? Experian also lists the VX for me as an “excellent chance of approval card”. I know that is mostly a marketing tactic, but just more evidence consistent with the pre-approval.

The one thing I am stuck on is I could not find a way to get my Trans Union score for free. I signed up at myannualcreditreport, but haven’t gotten anything via email and don’t know how long that takes, if they will instead mail something to my house, and if those reports even have scores on them when they get here. I am worried that the 622 score reporting on credit wise is my accurate Trans Union score, and really don’t want to get denied when Experian and Equifax are reporting solid scores just based on Trans Union vantage score.

So thinking about things I can do to inflate that mystery Trans Union score, assuming it is right now at a 622, I can’t do anything about my new accounts, I only have 2 inquiries in last 24 months so that shouldn’t be an issue, I have 100% payment history, mix of credit always reported as exceptional (bunch of student loan accounts), so the only thing left I am looking at that I could actually change is utilization. On the 3 accounts that are actually mine I have about 2% utilization, and even across the other 6 accounts where P1 is the primary account holder we sit at about 6%, but I am also an AU on one of my parent’s cards (my oldest account at 35 years even though I am only 23), and recently they have maxed out the card and are carrying that balance month to month. This leads my overall utilization to report as anywhere from 28% (Experian) to 32% (Equifax). Both bureaus list “percentage of credit used too high compared to total available credit” or something similar as things dragging my score down.

So my thought was, I don’t want to lose my “oldest account” by asking them to take me off as AU, but I also can’t control if they want to carry a balance on their own card. So if I can’t control the numerator, maybe I can try to control the denominator by raising my total amount of available credit. My two other cards (from US Bank) are at 12k and 13.5k, while my Savor is only at 5k (starting limit). Since it has been 10 months since I opened the card I feel like they would give me an increase, which after a month would improve my utilization, but I don’t want this choice to somehow mess up my chances of getting the VX given I already have the pre-approval. I have been denied at places like US Bank for reasons like “maximum amount of unsecured credit reached”, and I don’t want a similar thing to happen at C1 just because of one card. I should also mention I have both checking and savings accounts with C1, opened about a month ago.

Tl;dr Is there any upside or downside to asking for a CLI on my savor when trying to get approved for VX? Or am I overthinking it and should just go for it since the tool is showing pre-approved consistently? Thanks, and sorry for the long post!

Hey I have a question,

I’m trying to help my younger sibling build credit. I wanted to add them as an authorized user on one of my accounts. I have an +800 credit score, but on that particular account I have a balance, utilization is at 13%. Will this negatively impact my sibling?

I bought a computer at Best Buy through Citizens Pay. About six months ago, I switched cell phone carriers (went to Mint which has been great) and I needed to get a new number. Now every time I try to log on to my Citizens Pay account, it needs to verify my info by sending a code to my old phone number. As I’ve explained several times to customer service I NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO THAT PHONE NUMBER.

I have called FIVE TIMES to get this changed - one time I was told my phone number had to be changed on my credit report before they could update it on Citizens Pay. I thought that was ridiculous but I did it. No change.

Yesterday I called once more and was assured the number has been updated. IT HASN’T. And - no offense to the people answering phones for Citizens Pay - they’re doing the job they were hired to do - but there is a definite communication problem with everyone I’ve spoken to.

Any advice for escalating/resolving this? It’s so incredibly stupid that a bank is creating so many barriers to a customer VIEWING THEIR ACCOUNT! (I’m mad.)

Any advice on contacting someone who can actually help via email or phone?

My wife and I are in the market for a credit card to maximize our points/cashback. Will break down both of our cards. We like to travel but typically find the cheapest route rather than sticking to one airline or hotel line. Target red card gets us 5% off 80-90% of our groceries. Otherwise the biggest expenses are dining and gas.

CREDIT PROFILE

• * Current credit cards you are the primary account holder of: (list cards, limits, opening date): 
  • Me: Local Credit Union Card since 2014 ($5k limit). Discover It since 2019 ($8k).
  • Wife: Local Credit Union Card since 2008 ($2.5k limit). Target Red Card since 2018 ($650 limit).
• * FICO Scores with source (see note on FICO score sources below): 
  • Me: 804 through Discover, FICO Score 8 from TransUnion Data.
  • Wife: 786 through Experian.
• * Oldest credit card account age with you as primary name on the account: 
  • Me: 11 years
  • Wife: 17 years
• * Number of personal credit cards approved for in the past 24 months: 
  • Neither of us have applied for a credit card since 2018. No credit check since 2020.
• * Annual income $: 
  • Me: $90k
  • Wife: $100k

CATEGORIES

• * OK with category-specific cards?: Yes
• * OK with rotating category cards?: Yes
• * Estimate average monthly spend in the categories below. Only include what you can pay by credit card.
  • * Dining $: $500
  • * Groceries $:  $500, 90% through Target on the Target red card.
  • * Gas $: $260
  • * Travel $: $300 hotels, $700 flights, $500 Airbnb, $200 car rental. We mix up road trips and flights. Typically go airbnb rather than hotels. If we do hotels, it's usually a budget friendly hotel rather than a specific nicer brand. Our flights are typically Delta or Sun Country. We like to travel based on what's cheapest rather than funnel it through one place.
  • * Do you plan on using this card abroad for a significant length of time (study abroad, digital nomad, expat, extended travel)?: No
  • * Any other categories (examples: phone/internet, insurance) or stores (example: Amazon) with significant, regular credit card spend (the more you specify, the better): No, mostly dining, groceries and gas.
  • * Any other significant, regular credit card spend you didn't include above?: No
  • * Can you pay rent by credit card? If yes, list rent amount and if there's a fee for paying by credit card: N/A, homeowner

MEMBERSHIPS & SUBSCRIPTIONS (delete lines that don't apply)

• * Current member of Amazon Prime?:Yes
• * Current Verizon postpaid customer?: No
• * Current member of Costco or Sam's Club? Yes
• * Currently paying $13.99/month or more for Disney Bundle (Disney+ / Hulu / EPSN+) or other Hulu services? No
• * Current member of Chase, US Bank or any other big bank?: US bank member, no credit card. No other big bank activity.
• * Active US military?: No
• * Are you open to Business Cards?: (these are an option if you have any kind of side gig, such as selling on eBay or Etsy)No

PURPOSE

• * What's the purpose of your next card (choose ONE)?: (first credit card, balance transfer, saving money, travel rewards)
  • Maximizing points/cashback.
• * Do you have any cards you've been looking at?
  • Chase Sapphire
    • We like to travel but are worried the transfer partners aren't companies we typically use, which may offset/negate the benefit.
  • Capital One Venture
    • Seems of interest but it it's turns into applying credit to travel, are we better off with a cash back card rather than travel specific?
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited
    • No annual fee and 3% back on dining, plus 1.5% on everything else.

Hello, I’m about to move to London for school and was looking for some advice. I currently have a Chase Freedom Rise card which will soon auto upgrade to the Freedom Unlimited card. I’ve also recently gotten approved for a CapitalOne Savor card, which I got for the no foreign transaction fees as well as 3 percent on dining and groceries.

I’m currently looking at the Wells Fargo Autograph card to add onto my rotation. It also has no foreign transaction fees and provides a 3 percent point reward on transit, which is the only major category I’m missing right now as I’ll be using the tube a lot. I think I’d have a decent chance at it, as I’ve been able to build up to a 745 credit score (Vantage, 731 temporarily after getting the CapitalOne card), but I’m not sure if splitting my points up between three cards and taking another credit score hit will be a good move in the long term. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it greatly.

As a foreward I am not interested in Marriott / Choice / Wyndham or Hyatt. I understand that Hyatt is a good program, but I am not interested in WoH card. I have been doing research on these two: - IHG premiere personal and business - Hilton Surpass

It has been a tough decision to pick between these two. I've tried to list the two and see where the differences are and I still can't decide. Would like to get some more perspective on this. The status is just part of the deal since both cards offer it.

• Call outs:
• Don't need to list your whole setup and what you do.
• Not looking for a travel agent.

TL;DR deciding between IHG premier / Hilton Surpass. Think surpass is the right call due to elevated offer but am putoff due to high redemption cost. Could take IHG but don't want to burn a 5/24 at least till I'm confident on the decision. Which one makes more sense?

This is when the comparisons start:

Welcome offers

IHG - 140k bonus after 3k spend - 140k * .005 = $700 - 99AF = 601 - 601 / 3000 = .20 * 100 = 20% return on spend.

IHG business - 140k bonus after 4k spend - 140k * .005 = $700 - 99AF = 601 - 601 / 4000 = .15 * 100 = 15% return on spend. (base)

• 60k bonus after 9k spend
• 60k * .005 = $300
• 300 / 9000 = .03 * 100 = 3% return on spend. (extra)

overall looks like 7% return. My math could be wrong here.

Hilton - 130k bonus after 3k spend + FNC - 130k * .005 = $650 + $375 - 150AF = $875 - 875 / 3000 = .29 * 100 = 29% return on spend.

FNC calc - low bound 30k - high bound 120k - 150k / 2 = 75k * .005 = $375

Summary - IHG premiere - 20% return on spend - IHG business premiere - 7% return on spend - Hilton Surpass - 29% return on spend (17% base) Just seems like the business premiere's welcome offer isn't as great as I thought it was. Hilton is still good for elevated at nearly 30%

Status - IHG plat vs Hilton:

Both appear to do the same thing, but hilton appers to be F&B credit vs IHG which offers breakfast. From what I've read folks with IHG platinum don't get anything? and folks with Hilton Gold say it's better than Marriott Gold.

Redemptions

IHG - redeem 3 get 4th night free - redemptions for IC and Kimpton around 40-70k - redemptions for HIE / HI / Voco: 20-40k average - Can buy points at .005 cpp (during bonus offer) - Example Voco Chicago at $251 cash price / 35k pts = .007

Hilton - redeem 4 get 5th night free - redeeming clears resort fees - redemptions at Hilton / Hamption Inn / HGI around 42-75k - Waldorf Astoria up to 420k points (chicago) - can buy points at .005 cpp (during bonus offer) - Example Hilton Chicago at $423 cash price / 70k pts = .006 - Example Hilton Austin at $212 cash price / 69k pts = .003

I think IHG comes out ahead here. Hilton unless it's a cheap or low redemption area which I think is oversears it just doesn't seem to work out. Maybe for Hilton I am looking in the wrong city when it comes to redemptions at least for the midtier. For the upper tier that is when the uncapped FNC's become so important because that opens to the door to LXR / SLH / Conrad / WA etc. Though an argument could be made IHG with it's 40k FNA that can be topped off to get a redemption.

Free night awards IHG - 40k FNA each year ($200 value)

Hilton - FNC with 15k spend ($375 value)

These are close, I can see justification for both sides. IHG you can get FNA, buy points and then redeem and potentially get a long stay. Hilton you can spend $15k rack up points somewhere between 60k - 90k and get an uncapped FNC. One could argue return on spend is 2%-5% for the FNC, but IHG you don't have to spend a dime to get 40k and you probably already have points laying around to use for topoff.

Footprint IHG 6,629 total - 227 intercontinentals - 77 kimptons

Hilton over 8400 total - 32 waldorf astorias - 42 Small luxury hotels - 42 conrads - 17 LXRs

I didn't count six senses and regent (only 1 I could go to in Santa Monica). There are plenty of intercontinentals. I'm counting 304 - 133. With mid-tier it evens out. I only give a slight edge to Hilton just because of the uncapped FNC. Are intercontinentals on the same tier as WAs and Conrads?

Earnings IHG - Use card with hotel 26x - Travel / Gas Stations / Dining - 5x - everything else - 3x Hilton - Use card with hotel 30x - dining / grocery / gas - 6x - online shopping - 4x - everything else - 3x

Hilton here and it isn't close.

Purchase points IHG - buy points with bonus at 100% - $1000 = 100k + 100k = 200k - nights needed for redemption 140k

Hilton - buy points with bonus at 100% - $1000 = 100k + 100k = 200k - nights needed for redemption 240k - 280k

Taking the numbers based on examples. IHG wins here. At least in a vacuum if just buying points in isolation. I could see a gap being closed if someone spend $15k which would push points total to 260k - 280k or spending a few grand at the hotel and making up the difference. Still IHG's cost of entry is just that much lower and with a bonus not only can a redemption get done, there is room to spare.

Wrap-Up - Welcome offer: Hilton - Redemptions: IHG - Free night: tie - Status: Don't know - Footprint: Luxury / Hilton | mid-tier / tie - Earnings: Hilton - Purchase points for redemption: IHG

I still can't decide. I'm not sure if there is a dealbreaker with the surpass that I'm not seeing. The only glariing thing would push me over to iHG is the lower redemptions. The other thing is after the welcome offer I feel like IHG premier is gonna go on the bench and not be used agian and will just shift to just buying points. The hilton I could get the welcome offer + FNC and then go get another FNC after $15k spend, which I wouldn't mind because I could use this time to just "garden" and lower velocity of cards. With that said I have a question, if I was doing welcome offer for Hilton surpass and did the first part but wanted to spend the $15k to get the other FNC, would have to spend $12k or the full $15k?

Thanks

Not trying to be dramatic, but I’m honestly at a breaking point. I’ve got just under $14K in credit card debt, and I have zero idea how I’m supposed to pay it off when I’m barely scraping by as it is. Rent, food, gas — those alone wipe out every paycheck. I'm not overspending anymore. I don't shop, eat out, or do anything extra. I'm literally just trying to survive

I haven’t missed payments yet, but I’m close. And I know once I start falling behind, it’s going to snowball fast. I’ve called the credit card companies to try and get interest rates lowered, but either they deny it or want a full financial hardship plan that I’m scared will make things worse. I looked into balance transfers, but my credit’s already dipped too low to qualify for anything decent

I keep seeing tips online like “sell stuff,” “get a side hustle,” or “cut expenses” — but what do you do when you’ve already done all of that and still come up short? I can’t work more hours at my job, and even if I picked up gig work, it wouldn’t be enough to touch the debt and stay on top of bills

I’ve heard mixed things about debt relief, credit counseling, even bankruptcy — but I don’t know what’s a smart move and what’s just going to make my situation worse. I don’t want to give up, but I’m tired of pretending this isn’t crushing me mentally too

If anyone’s ever gotten through something like this — or even if you’re in it now — how did you manage? What was the first step that actually made a difference?

I was asked by Capital One if I wanted to upgrade my card.. I had a basic Capital One platinum credit card that (I've had for 10years+ low interest $1.600 limit) what makes turning it into a quicksilver an upgrade other than the cash back?

3 weeks ago I went to this bar/venue and forgot to close my tab. They charged my card for my total and a 20% tip. This place is only open if they have a show so I haven’t been able to go back for my card yet. Woke up this morning to a $51 charge from the bar and when I called my credit card company they said it was entered into the card reader. What should I do? Card has been marked as lost or stolen and charge was disputed when I called.

ETA: my tab of $70 was paid in full with a 20% gratuity added on the night I was there (gratuity being added to cards left behind was posted on a sign behind the bar) This is a new, separate charge that happened last night when they were open for a show. I know the best thing would have been to remember my card that night or freeze the account. Unfortunately I can’t change that now.

• Current cards: Only 1: Macy's store card, $1000 limit, 2018 (usually making 1 purchase per year and paying it off in full).

• Experian: 767

• Equifax: 749

• Oldest account age: 7 years

• Annual income: ~$36k

• Open to business cards: no

• Purpose of next card: Looking for a no annual fee cashback card for online shopping and bills.

• Categories:

*Only online shopping, mostly through Walmart app (Walmart+ membership)

*Cellphone $25

*Internet $30

*Utilities $100

• Planning to buy a Macbook Air for $1100 this month; thought it would be nice to take advantage of the $200 welcome bonus offers I'm seeing on some cards like Wells Fargo active card, Citi double cash card, Bank of America customized cash rewards.

However, I tried the prescreening tool on the Wells Fargo and Citi website - I did NOT get pre-approved for any offers. Any recommendations for credit cards and thoughts on my chances of being approved for one of the above 3 cards?

Thank you.

Current Cards: - Chase Freedom Unlimited $3,100 limit, September 2023 - Capital One Quicksilver $3,500 limit, March 2023 - (authorized user) Discover It Cash Back $2,600 limit, October 2021

Equifax Score: 790

Oldest Account Age: (authorized user) 3 years, 6 months

Income: $20,000

Average Monthly Spending: - rent: $650 - utilities: $100 - gas: $200 - groceries: $300 - other + dining: $150

Open to business: no

Purpose of next card: To maximize rewards based on spending and use for travel

Cards I am Looking at: Chase Sapphire Preferred (pre-approved), American Express Gold Card, American Express Blue Cash Preferred

Category spending: YES

ABOUT ME: I am a 20 year old college student currently in school. I work seasonal in the summer and periodically during the school year. I love to travel, however, do not plan on traveling anywhere out of the country until around December. My traveling usually consists of budget options (staying in hostels, cheap food, etc). I am looking to get another credit card to improve my stack I already have, but do not know what has my best interest. I run into the issue of new cards having the same usage for same categories, such as Cash Freedom unlimited and American Express Gold for dining. I also want to set myself up for the future, meaning not only having cards that are primarily “cash back”. Any advice?

Edit: this is my first Amex

Wasn't necessarily sweating a HP here but figured I'd give it a shot.

Put in for the Amex Gold, got pre-approved with a 90k offer (was too lazy I tried getting 100k for a while but wasn't getting it) pending an HP for accepting.

Opened my Experian app, froze there, then logged into TU and froze. DoC says they'd pull one of the two, maybe both, so I figured why not. Went back to the app, accepted, got a notification about an attempted HP on TU, and still progressed with my Amex onboarding. Created my account and have the gold in my Google Pay already.

Only reason I thought of this was a throwaway comment I saw months ago and figured it didn't work but here we are. Here's to hoping I have an in without ever getting HPed by Amex for future products.

Check out The Mega Brands that Built America - Season 2 Episode 3 is all on how credit cards got started!

I was in the mid 600s due to carrying large balances, regularly going over 90% utilization, relatively short credit history, and opening close to 20 accounts in a very short time.... then I paid off most of the balances and obtained a car loan.. now my FICO has shot up to over 750! Once I pay off the loan I am guessing I will reach 800... finally!

Full disclosure, I am only 17 right now and I’m just trying to think up a plan for when I turn 18 in a couple of months (😮). I don’t have family to ask about being made into an AU because my parents have relatively poor credit and I don’t feel comfortable asking my aunt or brother for MORE help because I’ve already asked for so much in the last year. I currently have a checking account with Cap1, so I want to stay relatively within the ecosystem if able.

Okay, actually getting to my question: should I get the Capital One Savor Student when I turn 18 (I’ll be in college, a sophomore at that point), or should I wait, only get the Discover It Student, and build my credit with that and get a real SavorOne? Either way, I’ll probably get the Discover It Student. I’ll have a job as a nurse aid/patient care tech and maybe also as a research assistant as well at that time (✨premed✨).

I’ve also looked at the Quicksilver Student, but I’ve heard that the quicksilver is a worse card.

I know it’s likely better to have multiple lines of credit to build more credit, so I know it would likely be smart to get multiple cards, but I don’t know whether it’d be smart to wait to build credit for better SUB on savorone or just get a Savor student and/or QS student. I am confident in my ability to budget for the few things I have to worry about (school, phone bill, icloud, etc. because I’m still living with my parents and will be for the foreseeable future).

If you all could give me more insight and more suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated! ☺️

Went to a new hair salon with good reviews on Google; the job was to bleach touch up for the roots (I have bleached hair already), color, and a hair cut. The stylist fried my hair. So damaged I had to find another stylist to trim it short. Am going back to ask for a refund, I however doubt they will, so I'm thinking the last resort will probably be disputing the charges. Chase card paid from Google pay, $270 after tips.

If - I have to go for the dispute route, how should I present my case to Chase? Thank you!

Does BOA Premium rewards elite pirotry pass restaurant got a a cap off. $28 per person and $56 per day or per month or per year. Can someone help me what's the limit

I have a Guitar Center card. It has a 6-month no interest promo on most purchases. I'm currently paying off a $300 audio interface. My plan is to pay it off on time so I don't incur interest. It is my understanding that if I am late at all on paying it off in full during the 6-month promo time, I will get hit with interest for the entire 6-months.

I agreed to do an open mic this coming Wednesday. I want to pick up an $80 distortion pedal from Guitar Center today. It will have the same 6-month no-interest promo if I use the same card. My question: If I continue to pay on time, how will I know if they're counting my payments towards the first purchase or the more recent purchase? I'm afraid that if I make this purchase and adjust my monthly payments to continue to be on time for each plan, they will put my entire payment towards my newest purchase instead of the older one, risking the interest hit.

I’m a beginner in the credit card game and I’m team cash at the moment as I don’t really travel much. This is my credit card as for now:

-Cap1 savor for groceries and dining

-Bofa customized rewards for online shopping

-Discover it to take advantage of the 5% rotating categories

-Apple card for anything else.

I have a quicksilver as my first credit card and I’m thinking about closing it as it has a low credit limit and it only has 1.5% cash back.

Currently using the BoA CC card as a catch all with gas as my 3% category, up until I hit the $1000 minimum to get the $200 sign up bonus. Will pivot to Amex BCE till I hit the $2000 limit for the $250 SUB (have 6 months to do so), and use Apple Pay's 2% as a catch all.

My question is: should I continue churning and burning, or wait until Feb 2026 to attempt to get a Chase Card (Flex/Unlimited/SP)? I'm considering migrating my FCU accounts to Chase this summer.

Current cards:

Amex BLE $4,000 limit, Mar 2025

Apple $2500 limit, Mar 2025

BoA Custom. $1500 limit, Mar 2025

Cap1 Savor Student $3000 limit, July 2024

Amazon Visa $1800 limit, Feb 2024

Discover It Student $3300 limit, Jan 2024

FICO Score: 742

Oldest account age: 2 years 7 months

Chase 5/24 status: 6/24

Income: $39,000 incl. scholarships, grants

Average monthly spend and categories:

dining $400

gas: $400

tuition: $150

Open to Business Cards: Yes?

What's the purpose of your next card? Cashback for now

Do you have any cards you've been looking at? Not yet, anything with a $200+ SUB or Chase cards

Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card? Yes

Hi Everyone,

I heard that as per the Consumer Credit Fairness Act passed in 2022, the statute of limitations for credit card debt is 3 years. Even if you made a payment or acknowledged debt it doesn’t restart the 3 years statute of limitations and the case will get dismissed in court. I’m in NYC.

Is this correct?

A little over a year ago, I signed up for the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card. It comes with a hefty $595 annual fee, but also includes Admirals Club access, loyalty points and miles per dollar spent, and I received a 70k mile sign-up bonus.

I fly about once every other month, and one of the biggest perks for me has been the Admirals Club membership. For those unfamiliar, the Executive Card gives you Admirals Club access as long as you're flying American Airlines that same day. That means for every round trip, I can use the lounge twice — once on the way there, and once on the way back.

Personally, I value each Admirals Club visit at around $50. So if I’m flying 6 times a year (roughly every other month), that’s about $600 in lounge value alone — basically covering the annual fee.

Another perk is that I now have AAdvantage Gold status. I’m still figuring out how much value I’ll get from that, but I’ve read that it opens up the potential for upgrades (though I’m not holding my breath). You need 40k loyalty points to qualify, which works out to about $3,333 in monthly spend on the card — though flight activity helps speed that up.

So here's my question: Given my usage and the value I’m currently getting, are there other cards that might be a better fit? I’m curious to hear what others in a similar position have done.