A few months ago, I got the idea to do a “mock draft” for top credit cards to see what the “best” portfolio would be. Â Of course “best” can be defined in different ways by different people, but I thought that it would be a fun exercise. Â Now, with fantasy football season upon us, it seemed like a good time to do it.
In addition to myself (Dan), Ian and Sam from the Points With a Crew team, we invited Miles the Monkey as well as Richard Kerr from Award Travel 101.
Draft order snaked, meaning that every other round went backwards, to make it a little more fair for the people at the back of the draft order.
Ground rules for the credit card mock draft
Chase 5/24 is not a factor, nor any other Amex once per lifetime or Citi 24 month rules
Assume you have no other cards or points
Signup bonuses DO matter, but if a card fluctuates between good and bad signup bonuses and it’s currently at a low point, feel free to make the argument for it at a higher bonus with your pick
You can’t pick a card that is not currently open to new applicants (Ink Plus / AT&T Access More / etc)
No prepaid cards
Cards issued by foreign banks are fine as long as they’re available to the general (US) public
Credit card mock draft chat log
The chat transcript below has been lightly edited, mostly to correct card names and typos and remove extraneous comments that were not relevant (trash-talk remained).  As well, all links were added by me after the fact.  I’ve also bolded the picks in case you want to skim past all the banter and trash talk 😛
pointswithacrew (Dan Miller – Points With a Crew)
has joined #mockdraft
thepointsjock (Richard Kerr – Award Travel 101)
has joined #mockdraft
snyderman (Ian Snyder, PWaC and Points Miles Life)
@thepointsjock prize is the adulation of my millions of readers….
snyderman
5….is so limiting it’s not even funny
pointswithacrew
@snyderman just wait till you have to pick the 21st best card and the top 20 are all gone 🙂
sdoyon
yeah seriously
snyderman
Yeah…..I literally just put a ? for that in my spreadsheet.
thepointsjock
You made a spreadsheet?
pointswithacrew
#seriouschurner
thepointsjock
The best GMs go off feel
thepointsjock
For the draft
thepointsjock
Go with the instincts
snyderman
Yeah…we’ll see. I *never* watch or care about drafting
pointswithacrew
yeah @thepointsjock the commish already has his eye on you based on your pre-draft questions. i’m waiting for you to pull some sort of shenanigans
thepointsjock
Ruh roh
pointswithacrew
once we have a @milesthemonkey sighting we can go ahead and get started
snyderman
I boiled things down to plan A & plan B
milesthemonkey
i’m here!
thepointsjock
Bourbon time
milesthemonkey
was incognito
snyderman
@thepointsjock have a couple too many, and then let’s roll
thepointsjock
You’re the commissioner and playing?
pointswithacrew
Does anyone have any last minute questions before we start?
thepointsjock
I’m throwing a flag
pointswithacrew
@thepointsjock yup #lifesnotfair
milesthemonkey
are we taking apr and balance transfers into consideration? asking for a friend
thepointsjock
Zzzzzz
pointswithacrew
@milesthemonkey “best” can be defined however you want. if you have a leet balance transfer plan, you do you 🙂
thepointsjock
You’re doing it wrong
milesthemonkey
should i start things off then?
pointswithacrew
@milesthemonkey go ahead – you are pick #1
thepointsjock
First picks always flop
thepointsjock
Taking a long time to type a card
milesthemonkey
Since I haven’t been able to get one in real life and I do think it’s the best “premium card” we’re gonna stick the Chase Sapphire Reserve in our wallet
thepointsjock
Don’t have it, not gonna get it
milesthemonkey
Sapphire Reserve – even though the sign up is only 50k, I think the UR are strong, the Travel credit is the easiest to claim, and I appreciate the rental car bennies and the lounge access
thepointsjock
Want some #weaksauce with those fries?
pointswithacrew
lol @ the trash talkin – love it!
pointswithacrew
i’m up with pick #2
pointswithacrew
I am glad that @milesthemonkey took the CSR – I’m not sure if I’d have been able to pass it up had it slipped to #2, but I am taking the Chase Sapphire Preferred and I would have taken a hard look at it at #1.  It’s got a good signup bonus (50K + 5K), no annual fee first year, lets you transfer Chase URs to travel partners AND you can use your URs for cash points too if you want.
especially now that you don’t get the travel credit twice the first year
milesthemonkey
it’s not much of a premium after you back out the travel credit, but that once per cardmember year burns
thepointsjock
If you’re redeeming for 1.5 cents on the CSR you’re doing it wrong
pointswithacrew
Okay @thepointsjock you are up for pick #3
thepointsjock
American Express Business Centurion Card
thepointsjock
50% pay with points rebate still alive. Delta Platinum status. Hilton Diamond status #winner
thepointsjock
Next
pointswithacrew
what’s the annual fee on that guy?
snyderman
Dangit Richard
sdoyon
if you have to ask
milesthemonkey
that’s what i was gonna say
thepointsjock
$2500
pointswithacrew
:moneybag:
thepointsjock
If you have it you’re earning 500k Amex a year min
milesthemonkey
clearly @thepointsjock is picking up the dinner bill
thepointsjock
Means $100knin paid airfare
snyderman
We clearly didn’t define the ground rules well enough…
thepointsjock
#travelhacker
milesthemonkey
i’m reconsidering my nfl card now
pointswithacrew
@snyderman i think it’s fine – he can make the argument that a $2500 annual fee card is “the best”. i disagree
pointswithacrew
and @snyderman is up for pick #4
snyderman
Well……this left me with both my option A *and* option B on the table. RK’s pick was out of left field. But…I am going with the Chase Ink Preferred. Solid sign-up bonus worth $1,000 minimum, great UR transfer options, good earning.
thepointsjock
You buy that much Facebook ad space?
milesthemonkey
I almost went with that for my first pic
pointswithacrew
Solid pick I think. It’s too bad the Ink Plus is no longer available
thepointsjock
Biz Centurion 50% rebate pay with points is all airlines even in Y
snyderman
Yeah. Well. You pay $2,500 for that privilege
sdoyon
:money_with_wings:
thepointsjock
Pay $2,500 – get $100k and never look for Award space again and earn miles
thepointsjock
#sold
pointswithacrew
ok @sdoyon you are up for picks 5 and 6
sdoyon
awww yeah
thepointsjock
“BBVA Compass NBA”
snyderman
Spirit! Allegiant!
sdoyon
all right, #5 is gonna be The Platinum Card from American Express. MR are good for the airlines i fly, airline credit, uber credit, and 5x on airlines
sdoyon
@snyderman shhhh
milesthemonkey
wait i’m confused…how are you getting from 500k amex to $100k in travel? 50% rebate would give you $10k no?
snyderman
Poor move there ^
sdoyon
well ya know watch out
thepointsjock
You have a pine tree after your name
sdoyon
actually number #6 is the Blue Business Plus Credit Card — again use the MR and 2x up to 50K
sdoyon
Yall took the good UR cards–what am i supposed to do here other than collect MR
milesthemonkey
solid…i was hoping that’d be overlooked by the time it got back to me
snyderman
Solid now. That was my backup plan. I expected the 3 “full” UR cards to be gone
snyderman
Except with Biz Plat
pointswithacrew
@snyderman well you’re up with pick #7 if that’s what you want
snyderman
Now that I’ve committed to a UR strategy, I am going to go with the Chase Freedom Unlimited. Since I have the Ink, this earns me a minimum of 1.875% redeeming through the UR portal. Or I can always transfer to partners. Plus….I don’t have one of these and have always wanted one.
sdoyon
:sleeping:
thepointsjock
Oh man….
thepointsjock
What is this the Rams draft?
snyderman
Who are the Rams?
thepointsjock
Yea….
thepointsjock
I figured that be not appreciated here
thepointsjock
Who is next
snyderman
You
pointswithacrew
@thepointsjock you are up with pick #8
thepointsjock
Bank of America Asiana Card
thepointsjock
2x grocery stores
thepointsjock
Insane award chart
thepointsjock
Around the world in 100K in biz
thepointsjock
6 stopovers
snyderman
I knew you were gonna pull that one out.
pointswithacrew
yeah me too
thepointsjock
If you don’t want it you hate Award Travel
snyderman
I do want it…but not when restricted to 5. Plus…YQ
snyderman
I hates YQ
thepointsjock
10k anniversary miles and a trip to Kroger means an award flight to Europe
snyderman
Splain.
thepointsjock
20k
thepointsjock
Buy $5k GC at grocery store
thepointsjock
Done
thepointsjock
#efficiency
snyderman
Yeah. Aint got that option out west.
pointswithacrew
@snyderman do you even have a grocery store where you live?
pointswithacrew
okay i am up with pick #9
snyderman
Yeah. It’s called “Eureka Natural Foods”. Otherwise, I forage.
milesthemonkey
lol
thepointsjock
Smoking you guys in this draft
snyderman
We also have that. :oregano:
thepointsjock
Can’t do drugs in pro sports
pointswithacrew
similar to @snyderman with a premium Chase card in my belt, and since I can’t get the Ink Plus I am going to go with the Chase Ink Cash. Signup bonus is 30K which isn’t spectacular, but gives 5X at office supply stores aka PPDG (SEE: How to get started in gift card reselling) as well as internet / phone / cable. I considered the Chase Freedom but that really only maxes out 5x on $6K a year whereas Ink Cash can get 5x up to $25K
snyderman
Solid. I thought about that, but I can’t MS office supply here.
I’m sticking with the UR train and picking up the Chase Freedom. Many thanks to @thepointsjock for steering clear of all things UR.
milesthemonkey
rotating 5x categories
milesthemonkey
15k sign up
pointswithacrew
aka the poor man’s chase ink cash
milesthemonkey
lol
thepointsjock
Enjoy earning 70k UR for J to Europe while I earn 40k
milesthemonkey
Pick #11 will be the American Express Everyday Preferred card – 3x groceires + 50% bonus when over 30 purchases in a month
milesthemonkey
gotta get in on some MR
snyderman
@pointswithacrew you’re up, unless RK has some more snark
pointswithacrew
yes i’m up for pick #12
thepointsjock
His directions were trash talk is encouraged
milesthemonkey
in a pinch i could always fly r/t using Korean for 80k 😉
thepointsjock
Haha, oh the joys of Korean
pointswithacrew
yes trash talk is fine
pointswithacrew
I am going to change directions, hop off the Chase train, and go straight cash money with the CapitalOne Spark business card. 2% everywhere and a $500 signup bonus.
snyderman
CapOne? :confounded:
sdoyon
I forgot that C1 existed for a minute…
thepointsjock
For good reason
pointswithacrew
I considered the Arrival card which also has a (sort of) $500 bonus but the restrictions on only redeeming for travel and with a $100 minimum swayed me
snyderman
Yeah…I’m still glad I have an old arrival
pointswithacrew
@thepointsjock for pick #13
thepointsjock
The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN
milesthemonkey
solid
thepointsjock
2x in 4 cat plus 3x in one
snyderman
Solid
thepointsjock
Equals 4-6% cash back towards paid airfare with my Biz Centurion
sdoyon
Hey I was gonna go for the all MR portfolio and you’re killing it
pointswithacrew
how synergistic
thepointsjock
Draft plan all comes together
snyderman
He is also paying $2,500…..
pointswithacrew
@snyderman is up for pick 14
snyderman
Since, as Jason put it at FT4RL, Cash Back is the new black….I’m going with the Alliant Visa Signature. 3% first year, 2.5% thereafter.
thepointsjock
Tax write off
pointswithacrew
@snyderman signup bonus on that?
snyderman
Zero. Nada. Zilch
pointswithacrew
ah so in order for you to make up for the $500 headstart my Spark card gives me, you’ll be spending….. hold on i don’t think my calculator goes that high
sdoyon
nerd burn
milesthemonkey
lol
sdoyon
:fire:
snyderman
Yeah well, sticking with the rules for only 5 cards….
pointswithacrew
@sdoyon for picks 15 and 16
thepointsjock
#boomgoesthedynamite
snyderman
@pointswithacrew <$17k the first year. Yeah.
pointswithacrew
@snyderman no because i get 2%
pointswithacrew
you have to spend 50K
snyderman
Shucks. Forgot that…..dang
sdoyon
all right, #15 is Chase IHG card. $49 night anywhere
You guys are smoking some junk tonight like Mr. Pine tree said
milesthemonkey
if you’re gonna hit 20k spend might as well hit 30k and get a companion
sdoyon
we’re made of money in this world, so yes indeed
thepointsjock
Whomp sexy
thepointsjock
Who is next* worst autocorrect of my life
pointswithacrew
back to @snyderman for pick 17
milesthemonkey
hahahahaha
snyderman
Lol
pointswithacrew
that’s the title of this blog post now “Whomp Sexy”
milesthemonkey
i may have to title a post
milesthemonkey
hahahaha
thepointsjock
Why did that autocorrect to that??!
milesthemonkey
great minds…
sdoyon
slack knows how you really feel
snyderman
I’m dying….
thepointsjock
“This is what he meant”
thepointsjock
Thanks Apple
milesthemonkey
It’s probably because Siri is dating The Rock now, or something
snyderman
I’m going with Citi Prestige for pick #17. Never had a TYP earning card, plus the bonus is at 75,000 points. Travel credit, good earning, lounge access and 4th night free benefit. Although it’s sad I can’t kill it like RK did the other day.
thepointsjock
Mhmm
pointswithacrew
#17 – our first Citibank card comes off the board
snyderman
That’s about where they rank…
thepointsjock
Next pick
pointswithacrew
you @thepointsjock
thepointsjock
#18 Citi Premier 50k bonus
thepointsjock
Combine into Etihad with my Amex
thepointsjock
Book AA pre-devalue awards
snyderman
Interesting
thepointsjock
And Czech PRG-ICN in J for 26k
pointswithacrew
all right i am up for pick #19
pointswithacrew
I am going with the American Express AMERIPRISE Platinum card. All (most of) the benefits of the other Platinum cards, including travel credit, global entry fee, Centurion and PP lounge access, etc. but with ZERO annual fee the first year. And your first 3 AUs are free, meaning I can finally take my family back to the Centurion lounges!!!! : -) No signup bonus currently though I applied for it a year or so ago with a 25K signup bonus
snyderman
I forgot that existed.
milesthemonkey
solid choice
sdoyon
one could have potentially had an all Platinum line up
pointswithacrew
@milesthemonkey is up for picks 20 and 21
thepointsjock
Switching to that Plat once I have to start paying AFs again next year
pointswithacrew
@thepointsjock right – the other nice thing about it is that there’s no downside to getting it over and over again since the amex rules only say one SIGNUP BONUS per card per lifetime. since it doesn’t have one, no biggie
milesthemonkey
I’m gonna pick up The Business Platinum® Card from American Express OPEN – 75k bonus ( although crazy high min spend) – referral bonuses are great with the card ( made 100k last year off them ), annual fee is still $450, centurion lounge access, FHR
And then with pick #21 I’m gonna take an Aviator Red. 10% back on point redemptions, 50k after first purchase, access to reduced mileage awards, and great spend bonuses
partner space isn’t terrible to asia in J, but I’ve been using AA more and more for domestic. folks live in Indiana and i can fly roundtrip for 13,500 when IND is on the list
snyderman
Space?
thepointsjock
Nope
snyderman
I can’t find a seat that ever works for me
pointswithacrew
okay back to me for pick 22 – i am going to take the Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express. Signup bonus is only 25K now but it’s been as high as 30K or 35K. In addition to valuable SPG points, this gets me into the Amex Offers game with all of my employees. I had one Amex Offer last year that was 20% off Sams Club up to $1250 that netted me $250 per card – well worth the annual fee. I picked the Business over the Personal due to the Sheraton Lounge access on the Business card
snyderman
…
milesthemonkey
wow that’s a massive offer
thepointsjock
I had fun with that one as well
snyderman
Thief. Baggins. We hates it forever.
pointswithacrew
@milesthemonkey yeah made me wish i had more AU cards
pointswithacrew
over to @thepointsjock for pick 23
thepointsjock
Hmm
pointswithacrew
any russian bank cards still left?
snyderman
He wants the Allegiant card
thepointsjock
Barclaycard Arrival Plus $500 sign up
thepointsjock
Cuz why not
thepointsjock
Cover all the incidentals
thepointsjock
On a trip
snyderman
Not bad.
thepointsjock
World elite master card gives me primary CDW
thepointsjock
With no country exclusions
snyderman
That I didn’t know.
thepointsjock
Just rewrote benefits
pointswithacrew
@snyderman for pick 24 where he can not pick the spg biz card
snyderman
I’m up. I was waffling between an MR earning card, but I feel I must pick the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express PERSONAL card now. Standard 25k bonus, best value hotel points, huge array of airline transfer partners. Sans Sheraton lounge access, though. (SEE ALSO: 3 SPG transfer partners you do NOT want to use)
thepointsjock
But you can’t MS
thepointsjock
It’s a dud for you
snyderman
I didn’t say I can’t. I said I can’t with office supply.
thepointsjock
Or grocery store
thepointsjock
You’re apparently too busy foraging for weed
thepointsjock
Amongst the pines
pointswithacrew
and back to @sdoyon to finish us off with pick 25
thepointsjock
“NavyFed GoFar Rewards”
sdoyon
i mean since i’ve probably got the weakest team here
snyderman
Your fav, man
sdoyon
If you were thinking Amtrak Guest Rewards® World Mastercard®, you’d be correct :steam_locomotive:
snyderman
Yas
thepointsjock
…..
sdoyon
Why have a great team when you can have a team of punters
thepointsjock
That doesn’t even make sense
snyderman
That’s what I always tell myself
thepointsjock
Snyder I’ll teach you to sport
sdoyon
i mean actually i really do like the Amtrak card, happy to turn in my membership card
pointswithacrew
okay thanks everyone – before you go, we’ll go in draft order with a concluding paragraph. Please assess your portfolio, cards you think went too high / low / not at all, talk about any other strategy you haven’t mentioned yet, and pick a winner. and since i’m sure you all think your team won, pick the team you thought was best BESIDES your own :slightly_smiling_face:
pointswithacrew
@milesthemonkey you’re first
pointswithacrew
Here are the final portfolios, for your reference
Miles – #1 Chase Sapphire Reserve, #10 Chase Freedom, #11 American Express EveryDay Preferred, #20 American Express Business Platinum card, #21 Barclay Aviator Red
Dan – #2 Chase Sapphire Preferred, #9 Chase Ink Cash, #12 CapitalOne Spark Business, #19 American Express Ameriprise Platinum card, #22 American Express SPG Business
Richard – #3 American Express Business Centurion, #8 Bank of America Asiana Card, #13 Amex Business Gold Rewards, #18 Citi Premier, #23 Barclaycard Arrival Plus
Ian – #4 Chase Ink Preferred, #7 Chase Freedom Unlimited, #14 Alliant Visa Signature, #17 Citi Prestige, #24 American Express SPG personal
Sam – #5 American Express Platinum card, #6 American Express Blue for Business, #15 Chase IHG card, #16 Chase British Airways card, #25 Amtrak Guest Rewards World
milesthemonkey
I was pretty happy with what I landed. I was really aiming to pair up a couple UR cards and maybe something in the MR mix with either a hotel or airline card. I’d go with PWAC for best lineup – good blend of UR and MR and SPG – tough to beat his lineup and VERY LOW on fees, nearly nil that first year. I’m not a huge cash back guy but the reasons for the Spark were compelling. I really liked @sdoyon play with the IHG and BA cards.
pointswithacrew
My take – I was not surprised to see the 3 Chase premium cards go off the board in the top 4 – having a premium Chase card is a huge deal since without it, Ultimate Rewards are essentially worthless. My team clearly won – I have solid cards for UR, MR and SPG points. Besides me, I am going to have to go with @milesthemonkey as 2nd place, edging out @snyderman. @thepointsjock has some solid yet unconventional cards even if one of them has a $2500 annual fee. @sdoyon is last on my list – the last 2 maybe 3 picks were weak IMO
thepointsjock
I won because I know how to maximize efficiency of miles and earning and redemption with avoiding hours of Award searching. Miles won because of CSR/CFU combo. Snyder had nature issues, @sdoyon apparently doesn’t know how to credit card.
pointswithacrew
i assume you didn’t list me because i was clearly far and above the winner – over to @snyderman
thepointsjock
The commissioner can’t play
snyderman
Biggest surprise to me was Richard’s first pick. Threw me off completely. I should have stuck with an all MR strategy since there is enough value there. That being said, I’m happy with one premium card for the perks, SPG for the level of MS I can do, the ~100k UR sign up and the UR combo, and the manageable annual fees (for me). I peg @pointswithacrew in 1st (mainly because of lack of AF), @milesthemonkey in 2nd, me in 3rd, @sdoyon in 4th, and @thepointsjock last because….$2,500 annual fee.
snyderman
And because that’s just where I feel like ranking him
pointswithacrew
1st place for amount of trash talked though!
thepointsjock
I have you all convinced I somehow won
milesthemonkey
hahaha
pointswithacrew
@sdoyon – final thoughts?
thepointsjock
Whomp sexy
sdoyon
I was hoping to get at least one UR card, so when that didn’t happen, I doubled down on MR. I tried to get a pretty diversified portfolio after that: an airline, a hotel, and since I can’t stay away from Amtrak, that too. Would have been nice to get ONE of the chase premium cards. My rankings are @milesthemonkey @pointswithacrew @snyderman @thepointsjock because whomp sexy
pointswithacrew
okay – thanks everyone for participating. I’ll get this up into a post and let you guys know when it’s live. had a lot of fun and maybe we’ll try this again in a few months and/or next year
pointswithacrew
#whompsexy
Poll: who won the credit card mock draft?
Now it’s your turn to vote – which 5 card portfolio do you rank as “best”?
An interesting stat – here are the 25 cards we picked, by issuing bank
American Express: 9
Chase: 8
Bank of America: 2
Barclaycard: 2
Citibank: 2
CapitalOne: 1
Alliant: 1
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Dan definitely gets it for practicality and low fees but I also like Richard’s pick for benefits–if they’re usable! Ian’s got some good picks as well. And I have to admit I’m using Sam’s plat/biz plus combo with a Schwab plat for a min 2.5% return, if I were to redeem for cash. Hopefully not, but you never know.
Ah, poor quick-reading comprehension on my part. Just didn’t expect the biz Centurion card to go #3 I guess…or that a biz version was actually available as Centurion unfortunately isn’t in my wheelhouse!
Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at dan@pointswithacrew.com.
Dan definitely gets it for practicality and low fees but I also like Richard’s pick for benefits–if they’re usable! Ian’s got some good picks as well. And I have to admit I’m using Sam’s plat/biz plus combo with a Schwab plat for a min 2.5% return, if I were to redeem for cash. Hopefully not, but you never know.
On first round pick of AMEX Biz Plat, I thought you only got Hilton Gold status, not Hilton Diamond. Yes?
“thepointsjock on his Amex Biz Platinum cc pick:
50% pay with points rebate still alive. Delta Platinum status. Hilton Diamond status #winner”
His pick was the Amex CENTURION Platinum card, which I believe does come with Hilton Diamond (and an annual fee of $2500)
Ah, poor quick-reading comprehension on my part. Just didn’t expect the biz Centurion card to go #3 I guess…or that a biz version was actually available as Centurion unfortunately isn’t in my wheelhouse!