From new mothers to frequent flyers: Listed below are the bank cards TPG staffers use

Staff October 19, 2022

0 15 15 minutes read

Working at TPG, we get this query so much: “What bank cards do you’ve gotten?” Folks ask what playing cards we use and what playing cards they need to get regularly. The brief reply: It varies.

No two folks have the identical state of affairs. The fitting bank card(s) in your pockets can differ based mostly on the place you reside, your loved ones make-up, journey targets, the place you spend cash regularly and different components.

Reasonably than attempting to clarify all the things, let us take a look at some examples of TPG staffers from numerous backgrounds to see what bank cards we use regularly. From digital nomads to canine mothers, new dad and mom to new entrants within the workforce, it’s best to see somebody who has one thing in widespread along with your state of affairs and that will enable you get a greater understanding of what could possibly be a very good bank card in your pockets.

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Lynn Brown, options author

I reside in New York Metropolis however journey fairly a bit, each for work and for enjoyable — normally alone — and whereas I wouldn’t think about myself a “luxurious” traveler per se, I’m an enormous fan of charming, funky or historic accommodations. I additionally like to eat out!

Rising up, I used to be all the time advised to be very cautious with bank cards to keep away from entering into an excessive amount of debt and that opening new bank cards may damage your credit score rating. I’m nonetheless unlearning a few of that, in addition to studying about factors, miles and the final advantages of those sorts of bank cards total. I’ll admit that I’m nonetheless fairly cautious of bank cards with giant annual charges, however I did join two not too long ago after options from my TPG coworkers: the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card and my newly acquired American Categorical® Gold Card. I selected these two playing cards as a result of they appeared like good starter playing cards for me contemplating my spending habits. The Amex Gold permits me to earn 4 factors per greenback on eating, together with Uber Eats, and I get $10 in Uber Money every month as a perk from the cardboard, which I can use on Uber Eats. The Enterprise card presents 5 miles per greenback on accommodations and rental automobiles booked by way of Capital One Journey.

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Neither of those playing cards comes with too many “dislikes” up to now, although I did get a little bit of sticker shock from the annual charge on the Amex Gold Card, which is $250 (see charges and charges). I used to be additionally a bit disillusioned to search out that reserving accommodations by way of Capital One Journey and different portals imply that I can’t get credit score for these nights by way of lodge memberships like Marriott Bonvoy. Nevertheless, up to now I’m discovering the advantages outweigh the negatives total.

JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS MIAMI

Jacob Miles, affiliate video producer

I reside in Columbia, South Carolina, and I’m new to utilizing bank cards.

Nevertheless, after becoming a member of the TPG workforce I discovered how helpful they are often. I exploit the Financial institution of America® Custom-made Money Rewards bank card, which I discover to be an awesome starter bank card. It permits me to vary the bonus class for further rewards month-to-month, so I can make certain it matches my plans. I are inclined to journey fairly sporadically with my pals, so it’s nice for getting rewards from eating places or groceries. I hope to begin touring solo extra in 2023, and this card will likely be nice for that too.

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Capri Whiteley, social media advertising and marketing supervisor

I reside in Charlotte, North Carolina, however typically reap the benefits of my remote-worker standing to quickly reside elsewhere. I am an enormous fan of street journeys and budget-friendly lodge stays since I am nonetheless in my “broke school child” mindset, regardless of being two years out of school.

As a beginner to the factors and miles recreation, I received my first rewards bank card lower than a 12 months in the past. The Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card was beneficial to me as an awesome first card because it earns 3 factors per greenback on eating and 5 factors per greenback on all journey bought by way of Chase Final Rewards journey. Since meals and journey are by far my high spending classes, it has been an awesome match. However now that I am beginning to get the hold of the sport, I am getting the itch for my subsequent card.

I am going to seemingly be getting the American Categorical Gold Card so as to add a extra elevated choice to my pockets with perks like as much as $120 in annual eating credit (enrollment is required to make use of this profit), a $100 expertise credit score on The Resort Assortment bookings with Amex Journey (requires a two-night minimal keep) and 4 factors per greenback at eating places (together with takeout and supply) and on as much as $25,000 in annual purchases at U.S. supermarkets (then 1 level per greenback after that). That is good since my post-college style is beginning to get a bit extra … costly.

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Daniella Ramirez, affiliate editor

I at the moment reside in a one-bedroom house with my accomplice in south Charlotte. For us, touring is reserved for particular events, however once we do, I’m fast to make use of any obtainable money again I’ve obtained. I solely use two bank cards: Capital One Quicksilver Money Rewards Credit score Card and the Apple Card.

As a latest 2021 school graduate, I knew I needed to apply for my first bank card. On the time, I didn’t know what card was the most suitable choice for me. I believed you needed to have a very good credit score rating to use for any card. My dad and mom advised me to look into Capital One as a result of college students with restricted or no credit score historical past might be authorized for a bank card. On high of that, my Quicksilver card earns limitless 1.5% money again on purchases and has a $0 annual charge.

After about half a 12 months of getting this card, I wished to open up one other line of credit score. My objective was to have an Apple Card for its limitless Every day Money incomes and different advantages. However I knew it will be slightly tougher to get as a result of I used to be nonetheless constructing my credit score on the time. After just a few extra months and a few persistence, my credit score rating was lastly excessive sufficient for me to use.

It was very rewarding to have the ability to acquire the cardboard. As a 23-year-old, I understand how essential it’s to construct good credit score with the intention to purchase a house, journey or purchase a brand new automotive. Being not too long ago married has amplified these wants and needs.

The knowledge for the Apple Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Common Orlando. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

Tarah Chieffi, household journey author

I journey typically with my husband and three younger sons, however I additionally take plenty of solo journeys to theme parks in Florida and California to cowl these locations for work (although it doesn’t really feel very similar to work).

I’m a considerably latest convert to the concept of carrying multiple bank card in my pockets, however I’ve added fairly just a few throughout my time up to now at TPG. At the moment, The Platinum Card® from American Categorical, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Categorical Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card are getting essentially the most frequent use.

As a result of I’ve been spending a lot time in airports currently, the Amex Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Reserve have ensured I can entry a Centurion, Precedence Go or Delta Sky Membership lounge for a meal and a quiet place to work or name dwelling (enrollment is required for choose advantages). After a latest red-eye flight, my Precedence Go membership (because of my Amex Platinum card) received me one free hour within the Minute Suites to sleep earlier than my connecting flight dwelling.

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is my first lodge rewards card, however the welcome provide of three free nights (every value as much as 50,000 factors) after assembly the preliminary spending requirement was too good to cross up. I made that my major card whereas I used to be working towards the welcome bonus and used one in all our free nights throughout a household trip to the Grand Canyon. I redeemed the opposite two nights throughout an journey to Germany with my husband to have fun our anniversary.

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Erica Silverstein, cruise content material editor

I reside in Northern Virginia with my husband and two children; my supreme trip entails outside areas and climbing, however you possibly can normally discover me doing trip rental street journeys with the household or crusing the seven seas alone or with my girlfriends.

For years, my important bank card has been the United Explorer Card. Regardless of being surrounded by factors and miles specialists, I by no means handle to fly one airline sufficient to get elite standing, so I get my perks by way of my bank card. I selected United as a result of that’s the airline I fly most frequently from my dwelling airport — Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD). I exploit this card predominantly to get a free checked bag for me and a companion, Group 2 boarding, two United Membership passes per 12 months, higher award availability and a pair of miles per greenback spent on United Airways purchases. This 12 months, I additionally found the $100 International Entry credit score, which was not obtainable the primary time I signed up for this system, so I used to be thrilled to resume my International Entry membership free of charge.

Now that I’m with TPG, I clearly needed to up my bank card recreation. I’ve lengthy been wanting lounge entry for all of the instances I disembark a cruise ship and wish to attend a number of hours for my flight. I thought of the Amex Platinum (a TPG staffer favourite), however the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card received me over with its entry to Precedence Go, Capital One lounges and Plaza Premium lounges, an annual $300 journey credit score (which I used to melt the blow of a reasonably expensive one-night keep in London) and its one-time trip rental credit score (as a household traveler, I desire leases to accommodations). I’m now attempting to determine if I’ll get as a lot worth from the cardboard throughout the second 12 months and whether or not it’s value paying the hefty annual charge once more.

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Caroline English, director of promoting

I am a brand new mum or dad, dwelling with my accomplice in New York Metropolis.

Earlier than having a child, my major factors ecosystem was Chase Final Rewards. I’m an enormous fan of those factors, and I really like utilizing the Chase Final Rewards portal to ebook journey. In late 2019, I made a decision to develop my horizons and get the Amex Gold to begin dipping into the Membership Rewards factors ecosystem. I used to be primarily pondering of utilizing these factors to reap the benefits of the periodic gross sales for reserving Delta award flights with simply 5,000 miles. I might cowl my journey purchases with my Chase Sapphire Reserve and my meals and grocery purchases with Amex Gold.

Now that I’ve a 4-month-old, I simply hand over no matter card is best. I do know it’s dangerous, and I’m most likely leaving so many factors on the desk, however my rewards on each my Chase and Amex playing cards are ok that I don’t suppose it is definitely worth the psychological power of determining which one can incrementally enhance my factors complete throughout my present section of sleep deprivation with a new child. Each time I get fuel, I open my TPG app to assist me bear in mind which of my playing cards earns essentially the most factors for fuel as a result of it’s slightly “in a single ear, out the opposite” proper now. I do suppose that I ought to most likely get a Goal RedCard at this level, although, since I purchase loads of diapers and would like to get 5% again on these purchases.

As soon as I begin touring once more, I additionally plan to get the Capital One Enterprise X. Most of the perks that Erica talked about above are enticing to me.

The knowledge for the Goal REDcard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Zach Griff, senior aviation reporter

I reside in New York Metropolis and journey regularly for quite a lot of causes — between work journeys for TPG and private journeys with my spouse, household and pals, I’m typically on the go.

Eating, journey and groceries are my greatest expense classes. I exploit a mixture of bank cards to maximise my earnings from on a regular basis purchases. I exploit the Amex Gold primarily for eating and groceries as a result of it earns 4 Membership Rewards factors per greenback spent in every of these classes (restricted to the primary $25,000 of grocery purchases per 12 months, then 1 level per greenback). For journey, I normally put that spending on my Chase Sapphire Reserve, which earns 3 Final Rewards factors for each greenback spent.

For my non-bonus spending, I’ve been getting an awesome return with my new Capital One Enterprise X, which earns 2 Capital One miles for every greenback spent. I’ve not too long ago been utilizing these transferable factors for redemptions by way of Turkish Airways Miles&Smiles. Whereas it’s a little bit of a distinct segment program, it presents loads of worth for a lot of Star Alliance companions. It is value a glance.

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Ryan Smith, bank cards author

My accomplice and I reside in Orange County, California, and take a mixture of journeys to nature, huge cities and off-the-beaten-path locations every year as I attempt to go to each nation on the earth.

My spouse and I every have over 20 bank cards proper now. Nevertheless, there are 4 bank cards which have common locations in our wallets. We love The Platinum Card from American Categorical for its perks like airport lounge entry, the flexibility to get free streaming companies and its month-to-month Uber Money (which we use for Uber Eats). We buy airfare with this card because it earns 5 factors per greenback. Enrollment is required upfront for a few of these advantages.

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We love the Citi Premier® Card for the actual fact it earns 3 factors per greenback at supermarkets, on fuel purchases and on flights and accommodations while not having to buy in a sure manner (similar to in a particular reserving portal) to earn these further factors. One other card we use on the grocery store, and likewise at eating places, is the Amex Gold. Cardholders earn 4 factors per greenback at eating places worldwide and on takeout and supply within the U.S. and 4 factors per greenback on the primary $25,000 of annual purchases at U.S. supermarkets (then 1 level per greenback). For something that does not earn bonus factors, I are inclined to put these purchases on my World of Hyatt Credit score Card to assist me earn a free evening award after spending $15,000 on the cardboard every calendar 12 months.

The American Categorical Centurion Lounge on the Denver airport. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Katie Genter, senior factors and miles author

My husband and I offered or donated most of our belongings and moved out of our Austin, Texas, house in 2017 to change into digital nomads. Though we purchased an RV throughout the pandemic, we’re now again to spending most of our time outdoors the U.S. hopping international locations and dwelling out of accommodations whereas working remotely.

Like Ryan, my husband and I’ve greater than 20 bank cards every proper now. We do not carry all of our playing cards on the street, however we do carry a number of lodge bank cards — together with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card, IHG Rewards Premier Credit score Card and World of Hyatt Credit score Card — to earn bonus factors on our lodge payments. And we supply our Amex Platinum playing cards for Centurion Lounge entry, 5 factors per greenback on flights booked immediately with airways (as much as $500,000 of those purchases per 12 months) and entry to reserving accommodations by way of the Tremendous Lodges + Resorts program.

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We love incomes 5 factors per greenback on eating and journey businesses with my Citi Status® Card (which is now not open for sign-ups) and getting 3 factors per greenback spent at fuel stations, supermarkets and accommodations with the Citi Premier® Card. Better of all, each Citi playing cards allow us to double dip on rewards with the SimplyMiles and Citi Service provider Provides packages.

The knowledge for the Citi Status Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

The Ink Enterprise Most well-liked Credit score Card continues to carry a key place in our wallets because of its 3 factors per greenback on common journey bills (on as much as $150,000 spent in mixed purchases in choose classes every account anniversary 12 months). And the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card is a comparatively new addition to our wallets, however we love two advantages of reserving flights by way of the Capital One journey portal with the Enterprise X: price-drop safety and incomes 5 miles per greenback spent. Plus, we use the Enterprise X as our on a regular basis spending card because of its incomes charge of not less than 2 miles per greenback on all purchases.

Andrea Rotondo, director of content material operations

My husband and I reside close to Jacksonville, Florida. I’ve three playing cards in my pockets that I exploit for 99% of my day by day spending: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum and the World of Hyatt card.

I do not embody an airline-branded bank card on that listing as a result of I am lifetime Gold on American Airways and, after I fly, I usually both ebook award tickets in top quality or enterprise class or simply purchase the seat I need. So, discipline upgrades aren’t a motivating issue for me. Whereas American’s transfer to Loyalty Factors piqued my curiosity, the potential advantages did not transfer me sufficient to vary my spending habits.

Again in January, I made a decision to commit a very good chunk of my day by day spending to my World of Hyatt card. I earned top-tier Globalist standing with Hyatt the earlier 12 months and loved the perks. My favourite advantages are waived resort charges on each award stays and paid stays (on sure room charges), free breakfast or Membership entry and room upgrades. And, frankly, Hyatt staff do an awesome job of constructing Globalists really feel welcome and appreciated. That satisfied me that it was definitely worth the spending if it helped guarantee I preserve my Globalist standing for 2023. Quick ahead just a few months and I had a well being disaster that put me on the no-fly listing for 3 months. In hindsight, I may need extra severely considered shifting my spending habits since I needed to cancel three Hyatt-based journeys throughout that point interval. I did not, although, and now it would simply take just a few end-of-year weekend getaways to ensure I hit Globalist standing for subsequent 12 months. It offers me a very good excuse to ebook a visit to see my nephew carry out in a faculty musical this fall and go to pals that I will not in any other case meet up with earlier than the 12 months’s finish.

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I then evenly distribute the remainder of my spending to my Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum. I really like each of those playing cards for the versatile factors that may be transferred to different loyalty packages. I’ve transferred Chase Final Rewards to my Hyatt account on quite a lot of events. And I like the choice of transferring Amex Membership Rewards factors to ANA, the place I can typically ebook business-class awards to Europe for fewer miles than if I used miles from one other airline.

I’ve different bank cards, however these three are my favorites and the place I’ve targeted my spending in 2022. As we close to the top of the 12 months, it is time for me to reassess my plans for bank card spending for subsequent 12 months and see what playing cards could also be lacking from my pockets.