Using the right credit card to maximize earnings

Once you apply for a few credit cards, it's important to use the right credit card to maximize the points earned. For example, the Chase FREEDOM card changes bonus categories every quarter. Right now, if you use the card at wholesale club stores like Costco, you earn 5x Chase Ultimate Rewards Points. Those points can be used for cash back, gift cards or travel. The travel is a little tricky since you need to have the Chase Sapphire Preferred to be eligible to transfer rewards points to airlines.
But earning 5x rewards points is huge!
The Chase Ink card Business Cash offers 5% cash back on office supply store, internet, cable and phone bills. So you should always auto pay those bills to your Chase Ink card to maximize earnings.
Starwood Points are super valuable because you can transfer them to lots of different airlines and get a bonus so I use this card as my default. American Express offers savings on their website so check those out every once in a while and add them to your card.
Especially helps during holiday shopping. Always, always use a portal when you do your online holiday shopping. I check a variety of them i.e. cash back and airline before I purchase.
In January, I may start using my Southwest card again to collect points towards a companion pass.
And for the rest of this year, I'll use my Marriott card since I'm hoping to buy a Marriott Vacation Package in January and gain a Southwest Airlines companion pass. Check my previous blog post to read about how to do this.
There are other cards that have bonus categories and some cards that are co-branded that will give you a bonus if you use that card to stay at the hotel or buy plane tickets on that particular airline.
I actually mark the physical card with the bonus category so I remember which card to use. Good luck!