Ink cash/classic, CSP, and freedom would have a vast majority of spending covered as a bonus category....

Rotating - Freedom
Dining - Sapphire Preferred
Authorized user card (my parents use the card and give me the cash each month)- CSP
Everything else - United Club

Yeah that is the combo I use (although ink bold until the AF is up). Was just trying to make it simple for the poster since it appears he primarily uses his southwest visa

Agree for simplicity Freedom and CSP. If you want to go all the way add INK card.

Because the SPG points are like 1:5 in some other hotel chains and 1:3 or 1:2 in some others. (i.e. spg vs. Hilton is probably 1:5, Marriott is probably 1:2 or 3).

and at least 1:1 in many air miles programs.^

They are very flexible points to transfer (with a good transfer value) and earning them is a little harder (due to their value). So you don't have to collect as many to be useful in some cases.

Transfer 20K spg points =25K miles (in many cases).


+1^

Oh, that's right. Thanks for the reply. I had always been wondering how people can earn SPG points other than the $25k sign-up bonus. But you are right, it is very flexible:)

Citi Forward
 

Most of my purchases for less than $10 are for fast food / cheap restaurants. Since Citi Forward offers 5% at restaurants, it is my go-to card for most cheap purchases (Except I still get the Freedom 10 pt. bonus, so I still use it more for the time being).

Otherwise, I use the Club Carlson card for non-bonus category purchases. 5 CC points is > 1 SPG is > 1 UR for me.

I'm still getting the 10 points per transaction as of my statement yesterday

They are converting in waves...

bonus
 

I use whatever card has the bonus spend. I am currently working on the AAA BOA rewards-- thru AAA of NY. Spend 500/90days, get 100.00 GC for grocery store of your choice. Saw this offer in the AAA magazine, nice little bonus to add to my collection. In about 2 weeks, I have the USBank Travel rewards sig visa (already in wallet)to start using(500.00/90 days) for a 200.00 credit on acct. I will have the CSP in a few days and that will be next for a while,3k/90days for 40k points. That's what i do for spending.

The difference is you're meeting minimum spend, that is a no brainer. He is asking in general since this bonus for small spend is dead.

Don't have it yet but i'm going for the United Club card for all non-category spend. Even if I don't care for lounges, if I spend at least $32K (which I usually do) on the card, the 1.5x is still worth it for me. So:

Freedom: 5% Categories
CSP: 2.14% Categories
UA Club: everything else

CSP or Amex BCE.

SPG Amex. Too much flexibility not to be using it everyday.

Problem is that it is only 1 point per dollar. Flexible yes but too much spend to earn decent reward.