Credit Card Programs - Which card to use for most monthly purchases?

So, I now have both the Hiltons (feeless), SPG AMEX, Fido AMEX (2%). Normally, I use the Fido AMEX to get 2% back on all purchases. I spend about 10k - 12k per month. I travel a bit, but not really that much. However, if I want to do or go somewhere and stay at a nice place, I can see where these points come in handy.

So, you think I should break it up 50/50 or 1/3 each way?

What's the best spread? Most of the purchases are not 5% categories.

If you're looking to stay at a Hilton, use those cards first. I'd second the SPG due to the flexibility of the points.

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If you're spending on SPG to throw points into an airline such as US Airways, then consider maintaining spend on Fido Amex. Those 2 worldpoints/$ transfer and become 2 Aeroplan miles/$, which you can use to fly on US, UA, etc.

So, I now have both the Hiltons (feeless), SPG AMEX, Fido AMEX (2%). Normally, I use the Fido AMEX to get 2% back on all purchases. I spend about 10k - 12k per month. I travel a bit, but not really that much. However, if I want to do or go somewhere and stay at a nice place, I can see where these points come in handy.

So, you think I should break it up 50/50 or 1/3 each way?

What's the best spread? Most of the purchases are not 5% categories.

When you travel--do you have a preference where to stay? Second thing to consider--if you travel overseas all the above cards (not 100% about Fido) have foreign transaction fees which negate whatever points you earn on the card. For foreign travel you definitely need to look into some Chase no FOREX fee cards if you don't have them already. Otherwise, all else be equal, the Amex Hilton is a clear winner. 3 HHonors points on a $ for everything and 6 for select categories (telecom, drugstore, supermarkets) and for staying at Hilton of course. This is my everyday go-go card when I'm not too busy meeting spend requirements (which is almost never).

1) There are some no annual fee cards with no forex fee, I know Capital One has one with 1% cash back; yeah 1% ain't great but this can be a very good deal for someone spending anything up to a few thousand a year overseas.

2) I would definitely not put my spend on hotel cards. Maybe signup for the signup bonuses, but for hotels, use Priceline, unless you either (a) are traveling to out-of-the-way places or (b) want to stay in very expensive places. I'm no expert on hotel redemptions (since I follow my own advice and don't earn hotel points) but I typically get 30-60% off using Priceline's Name Your Own Price.

3) Not to be annoying, but do be aware that bookings on Air Canada have very obnoxious fuel scamcharges.

If you are mostly traveling domestically, then 2% cash back is probably as good as collecting miles - although there's no reason not to try to get some signup bonuses. (Do keep in mind that some airline's miles expire, so you have to have some small transaction every 12-18 months.) And you never know when you might want a last-minute ticket that is available for low miles but would be very expensive. (I once got a ticket for 25K miles that was selling for $2000 - not that I would have paid $2000, but I would have paid $1000.) So having some miles in the cupboard never hurts.

+1 Starwood