What’s in My Wallet: Travel By Points

This week for our “What's in My Wallet” series we go to Jimmy, who writes the super helpful Travel By Points blog. Jimmy and his wife Prana, who writes beautifully evocative trip reports at TravelWhimsy each earned over one million miles and points last year from their travels and credit cards, so we're excited to peek into Jimmy's wallet! Turning it over to Jimmy:

I stick to a few principles, when thinking about how to maximize miles and points earned from everyday spending while minimizing unnecessary cost.

Avoid using cash whenever possible.

Withdraw small amounts of cash abroad when necessary (thanks to the Schwab ATM card).

Use Chase Ink at Office Depot to buy $500 Vanilla refills (for permanent prepaid American Express cards) and prepaid VISA cards (for when “Amex” is not accepted).

Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad.

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Jimmy's cards:

1. Charles Schwab ATM card

No minimum truly-free checking
ATM fee rebate
Free checks and debit card

2. Hyatt Visa

Hyatt Platinum status (free Internet)
Annual free night (category 1-4)
No foreign transaction fees
Chip & Signature technology

3. Chase Checking Account

Used with Chase Freedom for Chase Exclusives bonuses

4. AMEX Prepaid Card

Reloadable with Office Depot Vanilla refill card
Office Depot Vanilla refills earn 5X Ultimate Rewards points using Ink Classic
No foreign transaction fees = 5X on all foreign spend

5. Ink Classic

5X UR points on office supply store and telecom spend
Flexible points can be transferred to other people and to other Chase cards

6. Chase Sapphire Preferred

No foreign transaction fees
2X UR points on travel & dining + 7% annual dividend on earned points

7. Chase Freedom

5X UR points (quarterly category bonus)
10 extra points per transaction + 10% bonus points on base spend with Chase Exclusives by having Chase Checking

8. Presidential Plus