My Favorite Credit Cards, Savings Accounts, and Cash Back Apps
I earn a commission or bonus miles/points when you use the links on this page to apply for accounts. Using these links helps support the work I do on YouTube and Facebook. Just click/tap on the card or logo to apply or open an account! I love all of these companies and cards, but I put my favorites at the top.
If you try to use a link and it gives you a message about being expired or invalid, please reach out to me directly for a new link at erin.estrella@gmail.com
SoFi is my favorite bank for online checking and savings accounts! They offer one of the highest savings account interest rates I've been able to find (currently 4.3%) . Sign up using my link and receive $25 after funding your account with at least $10. Earn up to $300 when you set up direct deposit.
Wise used to be one of the highest-earning places to park your US dollars, but recently reduced their rate and is currently earning 4.44% APY. Wise can be used to convert between several different currencies at optimal exchange rates. Sign up using my link and receive a fee-free transfer of up to $14,000 MXN. Even if you don't plan to use Wise to convert currencies, you can open your USD account and set it to earn interest, and simply transfer funds from any regular bank into it, and start earning today.
MY FAVORITE PERSONAL / TRAVEL CREDIT CARD
Chase Sapphire Preferred - $95 annual fee, with benefits that quickly outweigh it.
Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards bonus points and a $300 Chase Travel credit after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
$50 annual hotel credit
3x points on Online Grocery
3x points on most streaming services
3x points on dining (including fast food and Uber Eats)
5x points on travel booked via the Ultimate Rewards portal
2x points on all other travel / transportation
Free DashPass membership, saving you $$ on DoorDash fees every time
Points are worth 25% more when transferred to this card (from other UR-earning cards such as Freedom Flex, Ink Cash, etc.) to redeem for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal. That means 60,000 points = $750 instead of $600. You can also transfer your points to airline and hotel programs such as United and Hyatt.
MY FAVORITE BUSINESS CARD
American Express Business Platinum gives you tons of benefits for $695/year:
Lounge access: Centurian Lounge, International American Express Lounges, Delta Sky Club, Priority Pass Select
$200 statement credit every 6 months for US purchases with Dell/Dell.com
$200 airline fee credit each year
$20/month cell phone bill credit when you pay your cell bill with this card
Hilton Honors Gold status, and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
5x points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.
1.5x points on purchases over $5,000
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✔®, and CLEAR
No foreign transaction fees
Buy flights at amextravel.com and get 35% of your points back on eligible first and business class fares, and any fare class with your selected qualifying airline
NEW MEMBER BONUS: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $20,000 in the first 3 months.
MY OTHER FAVORITE BUSINESS CARD
American Express Business Gold gives you several benefits for $295/year:
4X Membership Rewards points on the top 2 categories where your business spent the most each billing cycle:
U.S. wireless telephone service
Transit/rideshare/taxi/ferries/tolls/parking
U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
U.S. purchases made directly from select technology providers of computer hardware, software, and cloud solutions
U.S. purchases at gas stations
U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
No foreign transaction fees
$100 experience credit at The Hotel Collection + room upgrade upon check-in when available.
NEW MEMBER BONUS: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months.
FOR ALL UNITED AIRLINES TRAVELERS
There is a United MileagePlus credit for every type of person/traveler:
Gateway offers 20,000 bonus miles after just $1,000 spend in the first three months, and no annual fee
Explorer offers up to 60,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months, with a $0 intro annual fee and then $95/year. Free first checked bag, and 2 United Club passes each year (This is the card I prefer out of this set!)
Quest offers 60,000 bonus miles + 500 Premier qualifying points after $4,000 spend in the first three months. It has a $250 annual fee, but you get a $125 annual United purchase credit, 3x miles on United purchases, 2x on all other travel & dining, two 5,000 mile anniversary award flight credits, and free first & second checked bags
Infinite offers 80,000 bonus miles after $5,000 spend in first 3 months, carries a $595 annual fee, includes United Club membership, 4x miles on United purchases, and a 10% discount on United Economy Saver Awards. Free first & second checked bags
United Business Card is what I use, and currently offers 50,000 bonus miles after $5,000 spend in the first three months. $0 intro annual fee and then $99. Free first checked bag, 5,000 mile anniversary bonus when you have this and a personal United card, 2 United Club passes per year, and employee cards an no additional cost
United Club Card currently offers 50,000 bonus miles after $5,000 spend in the first three months, annual fee of $450, and includes United Club membership, free first & second checked bags (I prefer the regular United Business Card)
APPLY HERE, personal cards will show up but if you want the business cards click the upper-right link that says "Are you a small business owner?"
MY FAVORITE CASH BACK APP/SITE
Rakuten! Earn actual money of different percentages when you shop online. When you reach a certain threshold, they send you a check. Get a $30 starting bonus when you sign up using my link.
Get a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Surfshark is my favorite VPN, which I use mostly for work purposes now that I'm living abroad; However, there are some non-work uses that are pretty compelling, such as different Netflix libraries, ability to use HULU abroad, and occasionally different airfare pricing. If you use my link you'll get 3 months free when subscribing to a plan that's longer than 1 month, unlimited devices, and roughly $2.50 US per month locked in. NICE!!! TIP: Combine this with the Rakuten for an added bonus of 20% cash back.
Chase's newest card, and it's amazing. No Annual Fee! Quarterly rotating 5% categories (currently Walmart and Paypal). Also, earn 5% on travel purchased through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3% at restaurants (including cafes, delis, etc.) 3% at drugstores, and 5% on groceries (excluding Walmart and Target) up to $12,000 in the first year after account opening!
You guys, this is an incredible value for a NO ANNUAL FEE card. You can transfer points earned to a premium card to get 25% more value when redeeming for travel. It's a no-brainer. Everyone should have this card.
Welcome bonus: Get $200 (in the form of 20,000 Ultimate Rewards points which makes it worth more) after spending $500 in the first three months. APPLY HERE
Chase Ink Cash - Business Card - NO ANNUAL FEE
Earn 5% on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year at: Office Supply Stores, Internet, Cable, and Phone Services.
Earn 2% on the first $25,000 spent at Gas Stations and Restaurants.
Pro Tip: Transfer points to the Chase Ink Preferred or Chase Sapphire Preferred to redeem them for travel at a value of 25% more per point.
Get 75,000 Ultimate Rewards Points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
Chase Ink Unlimited - Business Card - NO ANNUAL FEE
Earns 1.5% on every purchase with no limits.
Pro Tip: Transfer points to the Chase Ink Preferred or Chase Sapphire Preferred to redeem them for travel at a value of 25% more per point.
Get 90,000 Ultimate Rewards Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.
Chase Ink Preferred - Business Card - $95 Annual Fee
Earn 3% on the first $150,000 spend in combined purchases each account anniversary year on Shipping Purchases, Internet, Cable, Phone, Online Advertising (Facebook, Google, etc.), and Travel.
Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. For example, 100,000 points are worth $1,250 towards travel (instead of $1,000). You can transfer all your Ultimate Rewards points to this card to redeem them at this value!
Get 90,000 Ultimate Rewards Points after you spend $8,000 in the first 3 months.
Earn 20,000 Ultimate Rewards Points after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
No Annual Fee!
Earn 1.5% "cash back" (better value if you use points, which is what you actually earn) on all purchases.
There are also some great additional earning opportunities like 5% gas stations, 5% travel through the chase portal, 3% dining & takeout/delivery services. APPLY HERE
Earn 10,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new card within your first 6 months, plus other bonuses.
Earn 2x miles at restaurants, supermarkets, and Delta purchases.
$0 annual fee.
First checked bag free, priority boarding, no foreign transaction fees. APPLY HERE
Disney Visa: No Annual Fee (THIS IS THE ONE I RECOMMEND)
Bonus: Earn a $150 statement credit after you spend $500 in the first 3 months
Earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all purchases.
Alternately, Disney Premier Visa: $49 annual fee
Bonus: Get a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 in the first three months
Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on grocery, restaurants, gas stations and most Disney locations. Early 1% on all other purchases.
Both Cards: Enjoy Disney Vacation and Shopping Perks.
Traveling Mailbox gives you a physical address with many locations to choose from, plus the ability to read all your mail online and choose anything that you want forwarded to you wherever you are in the world! There are a variety of plans available! More information here.
MY FAVORITE GIFT CARD APP
Get 3 vouchers for 35% cash back when you use my link for the fluz app! Anytime you are about to buy something online or in store you can instantly buy a gift card which rewards you with a % cash back automatically. Then use the gift card to complete your purchase.
Watch this video to learn how easy it is to pay with Fluz.
Drop is a free app that gives away millions in cash rewards every day. Get started with this offer and you'll have $5 in your account right away.
Just link your credit card accounts (all the big ones work: Chase, Citi, Bank of America, American Express, CapitalOne, etc.) and select your bonus offers in the app to start earning points.
Add offers, scan your grocery receipts, and get PAID actual money.
Rebate Key is a great way to MS (manufactured spend) to meet minimum spend requirements for new credit card bonuses. Buy products shown on their 'Deals' at deep discounts, up to 100% off, and they'll send you a payout via paypal. Sort the deals by "Highest Discount" to find items you can purchase for a 100% refund.
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