I have a feeling the US Bank AR is going to be the core centerpiece of your Setup for a long time, so much value to be found there. Definitely makes sense the spend on the Plat was a bit higher with the honeymoon spend, so exciting! Love the data-driven approach & the spending frequency chart is definitely a helpful illustration to support your overall spending breakdown. Great video as always Stan!

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

I think you're right Matt! Unless they change the card or something, this card is going to be a main part of my setup for (hopefully) many years to come. It's definitely cool to analyze your expenses and see where your money is going so it was fun to do this exercise for the video! Appreciate it bro!

Love the data-driven approach you took towards evaluating whether your core and supporting cards are really being used as such. Also YES completely agree with calling it "highly subsidized" travel ... if one doesn't appropriately budget for those expenses that aren't covered with points/miles/statement credits, the eventual travel bill might be uncomfortably shocking. Awesome stuff Stan!

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Monty! Yeah, I think it's super important to analyze your transaction data so you can make those data-driven decisions to figure out what card is still working / needs replacing. And yes, it's also important to make sure that the travel you're getting "for free" isn't going to break the bank where you get there and start splurging at that Waldorf Astoria/Ritz Carlton/Grand Hyatt!

I can't lie - i love the math driven set ups. Sounds like I need to open a deposit account with BofA

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Luke, you need to!! 5.25% cash back is no joke, and I know you can get there! Self-Directed brokerage with Merrill w/ S&P500, easy-peasy - hah!

@LukesPointsandMiles

5 ай бұрын

yeah that might take me some time unless i can convert some stuff but I can definitely do it mid 2029. Until then I'm stuck with these awesome travel points. @@TheCreditFrog

@yurig2530

5 ай бұрын

No, you don't, there are better cards on the market, without requirements of deposit.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

@@yurig2530 Depends on what you’re looking for!

@yurig2530

5 ай бұрын

​@@TheCreditFrogI'm mostly looking for 5x or more, and Citi setup with Curve is unbeatable right now.

Very Nice. You Do Your Research! You make me want to look at Bank of America Cards again.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

I learned it from the grandmaster who does his research - Mr. Sledge!! Thank you sir. BofA cards are legit with the PH boost!

Solid setup backed with data! Thanks for the detailed overview brother! 10k soon!🚀

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Of course César!! Love data-driven decisions. I appreciate your support. Hopefully will get to 10k soon!

I feel like we’re all playing checkers and you’re playing chess when it comes to credit cards. I always learn something new from your videos. Thanks Stan!

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Jake! That's a really nice compliment, and I really appreciate it, but I think we all have something to add! We're all learning how to get maximum value together! I'm happy to hear that you learn something from my videos as that is my goal with each one!

USB AR + BILT + Plat is such a good setup. I think im gonna work towards that for mine too

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

I agree Jake! Definitely work towards that setup. If I remember correctly, you have 2 of the 3 cards already so you're almost there!

Great video stan. Excellent to see the breakdown of your stats. Im gona have examine my spend as well. Seems like you came up with a great system for your core setup. I just finished earning 2 subs myself, so im pivoting back to my core setup but im always reviewing it for updates

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Doc! Definitely check out your spend - I think it's a very eye-opening experience and can help tailor your setup to something you may not have even though of before! Congrats on finishing the 2 welcome offers! They come and go, but your core setup will always be there so it's not something to be underestimated. Great that you're reviewing it always for improvement 👍!

Solid setup Stan, definitely agree that once you've created your core setup, it's more about what you're planning to do rather than switching it up all the time, the only time I personally change things around is when I want to hit a welcome bonus offer, other than that, nothing really changes.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Nice Eric! Yeah, the core setup is always the most important since it's what you fall back on, but since we're all trying to get welcome offers, they're definitely going to be a major player here and there. Glad to hear you're on team consistent instead of switching it up a lot!

I love how you stick to cards based on your use and not hype. I’m still working on racking up points, but at almost 200k MR, I think I’m ready for a quick weekend trip on spring break! Love your content. - Ivan

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Ivan! Gotta work on burning those points for that next great redemption! Spring break would be as good as a time as any to use them!

Your setups are always so unique smd you talk about slept on cards that no other cardtuber really talks about (USBAR, BofA, etc) Makes for interesting setups for sure

@TheCreditFrog

4 ай бұрын

Thanks! Yeah, I'm happy that my setup is pretty unique, but I think a lot of people are starting to come on to the USB Altitude Reserve, which is great because this card deserves more attention for being so awesome!

I just grabbed a US Bank Altitude Go secured card, I’m done playing with crap approval odds with US Bank ha in a year it will graduate and I will be all set! I love the no FTF and solid rewards of the Altitude Go. ✊

@TheCreditFrog

4 ай бұрын

Very nice! Congrats on the approval and that’s a nice choice from the US Bank lineup!

I don't use the BILT feature to pay directly from the bank account, but it's still only about 10% utilization so I don't think it matters. My rent is around $1600 and my bank account gives me ~4.5% so that's like getting about $70/yr extra, lol.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Haha, yeah, if you wanted to do a mini-arbitrage by holding the rent on the card and getting some HYSA money, I guess that would be something to think about too! For me personally, I just like the simplicity of just being able to pay my rent, get the points, and move on to the next thing!

Ideal core setup: you only need 2 cards: 1. Altitude Reserve for in-person transactions 2. A card with online category, such as AT&T AM (3-4x) or BofA CCR (3-5.25%) + Curve. CCR can be converted to MC, so you can use it with Curve. Everything which goes via Curve codes as online. This also works for in-person, so you don't really need AR anymore.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Sounds like a nice setup using the Curve card! I heard that it's no longer open to new applicants and their cash back program has closed.

@yurig2530

5 ай бұрын

@@TheCreditFrog yes, no cashback anymore, but it's still very useful. You can join a waitlist.

Thanks for the great info + video!

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Of course, Jimmy James!

hi Stan, did Chase mention any deadline date for the Hyatt personal & biz cards SUB promo? cant find any... thanks

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

I'm not sure when the promo is ending. Your guess is as good as mine!

Nice job. Both BoA Black Cards also offer 3.5% on Dining. I know the point was not to cover in detail but the Elite card has insurance on rental cars, discount on rental cars, baggage and delay insurance on flights, payments for canceled flights, and 4 Priority Passes allowing 3 people per pass and the Priority Pass includes restaurants with $28 credit per person. If you fly even 5 times a year and do not use another travel card, the Elite card is pretty solid even at $550 of course this assumes you have 100k with BoA/ME. Also, the $300 and $150 offsets are annual not broken up into $20 monthly credits like AMEX and the $300 airline offset you are not forced to pick an airline of choice. For me, the Elite and Red Rewards are all i need, I could see a 2nd Red Rewards for another 5.25%. Both cards, rewards straight to your account no hassle with redemption. BoA travel portal is worthless most of the time, that is my biggest grip with BoA Elite Card.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Forest! Yeah, the PR Elite has some pretty nice benefits as you mentioned, with a pretty flexible Priority Pass and some pretty nice statement credits that are much more flexible than similar ones found on Amex. I had the same experience with you regarding the BofA Travel portal. When the card first came out, Southwest was an airline on the portal which was pretty nice, but SW has since left the portal and the flights on there (at least for me) sometimes cost even more than the what's advertised directly on the airline. It makes that 20% airline redemption bonus not as valuable. This is part of the reason why I'm going to transition to the PR card at my next renewal for the PR Elite! Thanks for providing a lot of good information on the PR Elite and it's benefits!

I've been trying to figure out what my setup should be. There was a time I used to travel a ton and got a ton of value from my PlatAmex, but those times are in the rear view mirror for me. I love Amex, and would even consider myself somewhat of an Amex fanboy. But it is annoying that I can't downgrade my Amex to a NAF card that suits me for now, until I'm ready to upgrade to the PA again. Is this what they call "golden handcuffs"? Or would these be Platinum Handcuffs?

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Hah! Definitely Platinum handcuffs, if anything you could always go down to the Amex “Traditional Green” for $55 AF, but tbh there are so many luxury travel card options that are not as intense as the Platinum that you could choose from! It may even be better to go to Greener pastures (Iike the Amex Green which is definitely another downgrade path to consider at $150AF!)

After downgrading your Preferred Rewards Elite to Customize cash reward, how long do you have to wait before apply for the Elite again to get intro bonus?

@TheCreditFrog

12 күн бұрын

I don't think there's a set time for when you can get the welcome offer again.

Will you do a vid on all the credit cards that you have, and why you have them?

@TheCreditFrog

3 ай бұрын

Yup, I'll be doing a video on that!

When it comes to the Premium Rewards Elite (PRE) and Premium Rewards (PR) card, I tried to product change from the PR to the PRE, and I was told they're separate products. Not sure if that's the case the other way around, though. I actually still have both, and I'm able to move the points from the regular PR to the PRE. I kept the PR because I have an AU card for that one, so my wife can use it, and I can move those points over to the PRE. I'm still on the fence if I'm going to keep it, but I like the card so far. I'm striving for a simple card solution; I don't want to juggle like 6 cards trying to find the perfect card for each transaction. Life's complicated enough without making it worse.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Oh interesting Shad! That's weird that you couldn't go from PR to PRE. I was told that the other way was possible by CS, but didn't go through with it when my AF hit last year. I wouldn't mind keeping the PRE around, but I've noticed that I don't use the BofA Travel Portal enough to take advantage of the 20% redemption boost on the PRE. For my use case, I think the PR is going to be an overall better fit. I hope I can change the PRE to a CCR because I was told it was possible, but some have commented that this was not possible for them. I'll definitely have to do a follow-up once my PRE AF hits so I can get the data point to share with everyone! I agree, less cards is better if you can organize it that way!

Bank of America unlimited is free too with $.01 redemption.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Great card! Definitely worth considering if you don’t want to pay the $95 AF on the PR on not planning to use it internationally!

Does the BILT card work on mortgage payments same as the rent, or is there something special about it having to be only rent payments?

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Some have said that they have been able to use as mortgages, but not officially. Officially, Bilt is working on making this happen! Not sure myself because I still rent.

I just got my USBAR 🎉

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Oh man!! Congrats 🎉!! That is huge! A great card that will change the way you look at credit card categories.

Great video. How are you using the redemption for US bank reserve card points. I am assuming you use your Marriot cards for hotel and Amex platinum for flights so not sure how this card would benefit me and wondering if you have any thoughts .

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Thanks! I personally calculate my available rewards and when I have an upcoming travel redemption (could be air travel or hotel), I selectively use the card for that purchase to get that 1.5X redemption. If I need to get a rental car, this card works great for that too! Otherwise, you're right, I use my Marriott card for hotels and Amex Platinum for flights otherwise.

Great setup. That Altitude Reserve is making more and more sense to me. If only I could product change from the Go.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Joker! The USBAR is for sure my favorite card. Is it not possible to PC from the Altitude Go?

@thejokerspeaks

5 ай бұрын

@@TheCreditFrog I just product changed from the Connect to the Go, which was my only option. I'll definitely give it a try in about a year or so. If not, I may build a stronger relationship as you did, apply and get the signup bonus too.

Great content as always! Thx Stan!

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Of course, Dugroz! Appreciate it!

Hey Stan, great analysis! Just curious, what type of transactions are you using the mobile wallet/Altitude Reserve on? In thinking about my own spend, I can’t think of many situations where I use mobile wallet. I have a B of A customized cash card and have it set to online shopping. It gets a lot of use.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Hey Paul, thanks! I use it for basically all transactions. Anything where I can use a tap to pay terminal on. This basically covers (most) restaurants, gas, groceries, and some transit! I also put 3X travel on the card too, mostly to make the RTR 1.5X redemption multiplier kick in! Mobile wallet category is the best!

Thanks on touching base with the BoA cards.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

You bet! They are awesome!

does the 5x gas & 5x dining & 5x groceries for the Chase IHG Premier applies outside US? thanks

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Yes, it should apply outside the US!

@trendscatcher

5 ай бұрын

Yes, the 5x worked on my family trip to Costa Rica.

Excellent analysis! ✊

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Shawn!

Why the BoA Customized Cash Reward cards over the Citi Custom Cash? Feels like there is more upside for the Citi product without giving up much on base earning rate.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

I already bank with BofA and have PH status. I don't have any Citi products. So I'm with BofA at this point, but the Citi Custom Cash is a strong card, no doubt!

You used the Bilt card 46 times last quarter. Was there any headache remembering to use it 5x a month?

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Hah! Not at all. It was pretty fluid and just using the card naturally, I cleared that limit with no issues!

Great video as always Stan. Interesting to see how everyone spends on their cards differently. I have a personal question if you can help me. I am moving overseas permanently soon, and need help on a second credit card suggestion. Currently have the chase sapphire preferred. Also, I have the no annual fee Hilton card and a Savor one. Called up Capitol One and they would not ship a card out with a foreign address. Chase and Amex would.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Thanks! Hope all goes well with the move. From my perspective, I don't have any solutions for shipping out a Capital One card to a foreign address. I know UPS offers PO boxes with real addresses so that may be something to look into, but I don't know if you have to register a US main. I think your setup is solid to capture a lot of elevated categories overseas.

@Jes1919

5 ай бұрын

I was just going to cancel the Savor one and keep the Amex and chase. Those are the only two credit cards companies based on my research, that allows you to have have a foreign address.@@TheCreditFrog

Hello Stan, how does real time reward work when you abroad and your US phone number isn’t working?

@TheCreditFrog

24 күн бұрын

Hi. Unfortunately, you can’t. RTR is dependent on your ability to get text messages. Also, most international purchases don’t qualify for RTR, but YMMV

@albertchi9666

24 күн бұрын

@@TheCreditFrog thanks for sharing your knowledge Stan!! Will you still get the mobile wallet multiplier when used abroad?

@TheCreditFrog

24 күн бұрын

@albertchi9666 You’re welcome! If you use Apple Pay, it should still count for the 3X multiplier!

@albertchi9666

24 күн бұрын

@@TheCreditFrog thank you Stan!

do you use the CLEAR credit from the MS Platinum? I think only Platinum and Green has this benefit, it might be useful depending on where and when you fly out of.

@yurig2530

5 ай бұрын

Also Hilton Aspire. But clear is mostly useless. I used it before,then stopped using it, and didn't see much difference.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Yes, I use the CLEAR credit on the MS Platinum! Was pretty meh compared to TSA Pre-Check, but now that more people have it, I've noticed CLEAR is becoming more and more useful!

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

@@yurig2530 Had that experience initially, but the past few trips I've done, CLEAR has helped me skip the TSA Pre-Check line, which has become increasingly longer!

@TheCreditFrog, are you now putting rent actually on your Bilt Mastercard given it will help you acquire higher status and, therefore, better transfer bonuses on Rent Day?

@TheCreditFrog

3 ай бұрын

Yup, I've been paying rent on my Bilt Mastercard since I got it!

@cws-07

3 ай бұрын

@@TheCreditFrog In the video, you indicated that you were paying rent via BiltProtect Debit. I know spending from BiltProtect Debit earns points for rent, but does it also count towards status?

@TheCreditFrog

3 ай бұрын

@@cws-07 Bilt rent or BiltProtect Debit both earns points for rent, but after the program was updated, those rent points no longer count towards status regardless of how you pay for your rent! So you have to get points for status through other means.

@cws-07

3 ай бұрын

@@TheCreditFrog Okay, I understand now. I thought you might be able to earn towards status if you used the card, but not if you used BiltProtect Debit. That's unfortunate. Thanks for the replies. By the way, I love all of your vidoes, but your strategy videos are my favorite!

@TheCreditFrog

3 ай бұрын

@@cws-07 I appreciate that! Thanks so much for your support!

I recently product changed my US Bank Altitude Connect to an Altitude Reserve, inspired partly by your arguments in its favor. The US Bank product change process is indeed weird, from a slow online change process, to wondering from quite a few data points, as to whether I’ll get an unpromised (accidental?) sign up bonus. I’ll let you know. But I have the same issue with lack of parking coverage, and I also want no foreign transaction fees on that. Which leaves me the Sapphire Reserve (which I can’t apply for til December) or the Autograph. I cancelled my WF Active Cash because of their horrible customer service and don’t want to go that way. I wish there were a Visa version of the Amex Green!

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Very nice Robert! You're going to love the USB AR! I've heard that you can still get the welcome offer from a product change so definitely keep an eye out for that! FWIW, I had a welcome offer spend counter on my card when I first opened mine so not sure if you're account shows that or not. As for parking coverage, yeah, I would say CSR would be your best bet if you didn't want to go the BofA or WF route.

@robertjarrell7276

5 ай бұрын

@@TheCreditFrog I’m still waiting for the card to show up as a Reserve rather than Connect card! It’s maddening. Some people say by the time they get the counter, it’s too late to do the spend! So I’m going to spend on it as if, for at least 45 days, to see. Can’t hurt except for opportunity cost from not spending on my other cards while I’m gardening for the CSR.

@newagain9964

5 ай бұрын

US Bank just plain sucks. Customer service, IT, processes/workflows. And their couponing is even more bizarre and tedious than Amex. Believe it or now.

@robertjarrell7276

5 ай бұрын

@@newagain9964 I know, I have them as my brick and mortar bank, with various successes and failures. I’m just hoping this one card works out well, like my Cash + card. If not I’ll probably move all my banking elsewhere.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

@@newagain9964 That has not been my experience so far!

The BofA cards are only useful because you have a huge amount of money with BofA. You want to share that with us?

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

That’s the power of BofA’s Preferred Rewards system!

Thanks doc

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

You're welcome!

71 txns on USBAR in a quarter? Those are rookie numbers. I went back and looked at my card and I had 138. But I have a high maintenance wife and son to spoil....

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Hah! Contrary to what a lot of people probably think, I really do try to keep my spending way down, and since I only use credit cards to purchase things, it's easy to see how I'm doing. I will say that as someone who is not yet married with no kids, it's a lot easier for me, but for families, there's definitely more expenses that need to be done! In any case, analyzing your transactions is key to figuring out which cards work for you, and which was no longer get you value!

Yes Sir! 👍

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

💯

good setup

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Are 5x American express on flights price competive?

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Oh definitely 5X on flights and redeemed correctly can be amazing value!

@FreedomFinanceFun

5 ай бұрын

@@TheCreditFrog Thanks!

@robertjarrell7276

5 ай бұрын

@@FreedomFinanceFun You can book directly with the airline so you don’t really have to worry about pricing.

I’m first…forget the other 6 comments

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Here's a trophy for your troubles CJ 🏆. I left your participation medal in Ahmad's comment.

KZread sucks big time! Most of comments are getting removed!

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Sorry about that!

Isn't he a physician? Why would he get married? There's a new crop of freaky nurses every year.

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

It depends on what you're looking for!

@paulcaskey

5 ай бұрын

@@TheCreditFrog Clearly, I'm looking for freaky nurses, lol. I'm just horsing around. Congratulations.

First

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Almost Juan! Keith and Ahmad beat you to it! But you got 3rd 🥉

First

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Almost Keith!! 🥈

@krs1905

5 ай бұрын

@@TheCreditFrog rigged

First

@TheCreditFrog

5 ай бұрын

Congrats Ahmad!! You are FIRST today 🥇. I'll put CJ's participation medal here too when he comes here to comment. 🏅

@ItsMeCJ

5 ай бұрын

@@TheCreditFrogdon’t give Ahmad BOTH of my medals! I’ll be meeting with The Committee on your actions Stan.