As we begin the new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on 2024 and start planning for a successful 2025. Today, I’m revisiting my Top Five Credit Cards article from the beginning of this year. If you’re looking for recommendations on the best cards heading into 2025, this update is for you. If you haven’t read the original article yet, I recommend reading it first, as it goes into greater detail about some of the cards mentioned below.

These recommendations are based on my personal experiences and lifestyle, and I hope you can find value in them. That said, what works for me might not work for you. Choosing the right credit card depends on your spending habits and financial goals.

Also, for full transparency, I don’t endorse or receive compensation from any bank or credit card company. However some of the links below may be personal referral links which can earn both of us points if you decide to apply for a card (I’ll clearly indicate which links are referrals). If you’re considering applying for a card below, using my personal link as a way to support the site- thank you!

Heading Into 2025

In my original article, I framed my top credit cards as my “starting five,” inspired by a basketball lineup. As we head into 2025, three of those cards will be returning as starters, while two are moving to the bench. For reference, the original lineup included the following cards:

• Capital One Venture
• Amex Cobalt (Canada)
• Citi Strata Premier
• Jetblue Plus
• Amex PLatinum (U.S.)

The two that have been “benched” are the Citi Strata Premier and JetBlue Plus cards, replaced by the Chase Aeroplan Card and the Wyndham Business Earner Card—a sleeper pick that surprised me with its value. While both the Citi Strata and JetBlue cards remain great options, they didn’t provide as much value for my current lifestyle. Here’s why:

Citi Strata Premier

This card is still one of my favorites, offering solid earning potential in popular categories like 3x points on dining, travel, and groceries. As an American living abroad, the 3x points on international grocery stores is a standout perk. Plus, being a Mastercard, it’s accepted almost everywhere.

However, it’s no longer in my top five because I can get equal or better earning potential with other cards. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred also earns 3x on dining, but Chase points can be transferred to Hyatt hotels, my preferred brand for reward stays. Hyatt charges significantly fewer points for stays compared to competitors, which has made it a better fit for my travel goals.

JetBlue Plus Card

Jetblue was one of my go-to airlines before I moved to Vancouver. Co-branded cards like JetBlue’s can be fantastic (or not) if you’re loyal to or frequently fly a specific airline. While JetBlue is a great airline, its single route out of Vancouver (a daily flight to JFK) doesn’t fit my travel patterns anymore.

This year, I only flew JetBlue once, opting for Air Canada instead for most trips. My favorite perk of this card—a free checked bag when flying with family isn’t as valuable since I rarely flew on Jetblue in 2024 and don’t foresee many Jetblue flights in 2025. With a $99 annual fee, this card is now on the chopping block and may soon be replaced with the no-annual-fee version of the card.

Returning Cards

Let’s take a quick look at the returning cards and why they remain on my list. Don’t forget to check out my original article here for more detailed insights into these cards.

Amex Cobalt Card

This is a Canadian-exclusive card and the only Canadian card on my list, but its earning potential is unmatched. It offers 5x points on dining and grocery purchases in Canada, which is the highest earning rate I’ve seen for those categories. The annual fee is reasonable at CA $155.38 ($107.66 USD), paid in monthly increments of $12.99 CAD.

Whether you enjoy dining out or cooking at home, this card is a no-brainer if you reside in Canada. The value it provides for everyday purchases makes it a powerhouse in my wallet.

If you’re interested in this card you can apply here using my personal referral link which includes a 24,000 point sign up bonus, 9,000 more points than the current advertised offer.

Capital One Venture Card

This card earns 2x miles on all purchases, no matter the category, making it my go-to for everyday spending. It’s simple, reliable, and hassle-free—my “swipe it and go” card. Since it’s a Mastercard, it’s also my top choice for shopping at Canadian Costco locations and for most non-food or non-travel-related purchases. Its versatility and straightforward rewards structure keep it locked in my rotation.

Amex Platinum Card (U.S. Version)

If you’re a traveler, this card is a must-have. At $695 the annual fee is steep, but you’ll easily offset the cost if you’re able to take advantage of this card’s many perks. This card remains in my wallet because of its exceptional travel benefits, including:

• Access to Amex Centurion and Priority Pass Lounges.
• 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines.
• Comprehensive travel insurance benefits.

Even if you only travel a few times a year, the lounge access and travel perks alone make it worthwhile. If you’re considering this card, I recommend comparing it to the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Venture X to see which best fits your needs.

New Cards

Chase Aeroplan Card

• My Favorite Quality: Aeroplan 25k Status
• Current Sign-Up Bonus (SUB): Up to 100,000 points
• Annual Fee: $95
• Website: Chase Aeroplan Card

This is Air Canada’s co-branded card with Chase. For those unfamiliar, Aeroplan is the name of Air Canada’s rewards program. Interestingly, this card is available only to U.S. residents, as Air Canada partners with other banks in Canada.

Canada’s airline market is essentially a duopoly, with Air Canada and WestJet controlling about 80% of domestic flights. Even though I primarily fly between Canada and the U.S., I often find myself on Air Canada. The Chase Aeroplan card offers better earning rates and perks than Air Canada’s Canadian cards for a much lower annual fee, making it an easy choice for me.

The card earns 3x points on dining, groceries, and Air Canada flights. My favorite perk is 25k Aeroplan Elite Status, which is valid for two years just for holding the card. You can maintain the status by spending $15,000 per year on the card. The elite status, combined with the large sign-up bonus and solid earning potential, makes this card a huge win. Additionally, it offers a free first checked bag, like most premium airline cards.

Barclay Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card

• My Favorite Quality: Diamond Status Match to Caesars / 8x Points on Gas Purchases
• Current SUB: Up to 80,000 points
• Annual Fee: $95
• Website: Wyndham Rewards Card

This is the only business card on my list and my sleeper pick from 2024. The Sub’s on business cards have been phenomenal as of late and many offer exceptional value, as does this card. However, some of its best perks are disappearing in 2025.

This card was my sleeper pick for 2024, and it seems the rest of the points and miles community has caught on, as my favorite perk will not be returning in 2025. Ironically, I can’t even remember the last time I stayed in a Wyndham hotel. So why get this card?

Wyndham’s relationship with the Caesars Rewards program that’s why. Points earned on this card transfer directly to Caesars Rewards, and it offers an unmatched 8x points on gas and 5x points on marketing and utilities—making it easy to rack up points quickly.

The card also provides automatic Diamond Status at Wyndham hotels, which previously allowed you to match to Caesars Diamond Status. This perk alone covers the $95 annual fee, as Caesars Diamond members avoid expensive resort fees, receive an annual $100 celebration dinner, and even had access to free cruises.

Unfortunately, starting in February 2025, you’ll no longer be able to match Wyndham Diamond Status to Caesars, and point transfers to Caesars will be capped at 30,000 per year. Because of this, my sleeper pick for 2024 may just be a one hit wonder. However if you frequent Wyndham hotels or can take advantage of the points I think this card will be a winner for you!

Cards I’m Eyeing for 2025

Let’s move onto a couple of cards I’m excited about adding to my portfolio in 2025.

Chase Ink Business Preferred Card

This card is widely considered one of the most versatile business card on the market. It earns 3x points on shipping, advertising, utilities, and travel, while providing access to Chase’s valuable Ultimate Rewards program. The current sign-up bonus is a generous 90,000 points after $8k spend in 3 months and with a few expensive appliance upgrades on my radar I’m strongly considering adding this too my wallet.

Alaska Airlines New Premium Card

Alaska Airlines has announced plans to release a new premium card later this year and I’m particularly interested because it’s slated to offer 3x miles on all eligible foreign purchases. As an American living abroad, nearly all my purchases qualify as foreign, making this a strong contender for my new swipe-and-go card in 2025.

These were my most valuable cards in 2024, and while most are staying in place, I anticipate a few changes in 2025. The landscape of points and miles is always evolving, and new rules and devaluations may affect the value of these programs over time. As banks, airlines, and hotels require more points for fewer rewards, it’s essential to stay informed and adjust your strategy.

That said, if you’re making responsible purchases and paying off your balance in full each month, the rewards game can be incredibly rewarding!

Beyond free travel, consider how you can profit from these companies by investing in them. In 2024, American Express, Visa, and Mastercard returned approximately 60.70%, 22.40%, and 24.78 respectively. American Express was one of my top picks in my free e-book “The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Buying Your First Stock” which you can download below to learn how to invest in the stock market.