As we come up to the end of the year, I’m really starting to think about which credit cards I should really keep paying the annual fees on. Any thoughts on the “best” cards to keep in your wallet?

I currently have the following fee based cards:
Chase Sapphire Reserve
AMEX Platinum
Delta SkyMiles AMEX Platinum
Marriott Bonvoy AMEX Brilliant

I have some other no fee cards too, but really only use the Chase Freedom Unlimited for everyday purchases. The Discover, Citi ThankYou and AMEX Blue Sky only come out when necessary.

Airline wise I typically fly Delta. For hotels, it’s a mix between Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton properties.

CSR is the easiest single card to keep, assuming you spend enough on travel to hold any premium cards. Plus it makes your Freedom Unlimited points more valuable.

I have a tough time justifying the Bonvoy Brilliant, though you might find the free night worth the fee. Given the rewards structure and price you’d have to spend a LOT of time at a Marriott for it to be a worthwhile return on spend compared to the other cards.

You should evaluate your own spend and fly habits regarding the Delta card, but I’ll be dropping mine with the recent benefit changes as I don’t think the MQD waiver is necessary for me to hit the lower status levels and I’ll never hit the Diamond $250k spend.

I love my AmEx Plat benefits and with the upcoming addition of travel insurance it’ll be even better for buying airline tickets, and for Delta flyers it includes SkyClub access. But it’s definitely pricey if you can’t extract value from the various credits, so look at whatever effective fee you have to pay and decide if that’s worth the lounge access and hotel status. It’s certainly not good for spending on anything besides airlines...

CSR for sure.

I despise Amex new structure treating holders like little children with monthly allowances on overpriced junk.

I definitely see the most spend on the CSR between travel and dining. The AMEX Platinum I use for airfare, which has been adding up lately. I also use the Uber and Saks credits, and Delta SkyClub access so that’s a keeper too.

I’m thinking it might be time to part with the Marriott card for sure. Although I do use the $300 Marriott credit and the free night, I don’t use the card other than the infrequent Marriott stays. I get Marriott Gold with the AmEX Plat anyways.

I guess I can’t figure out the Delta Plat card, either. The companion cert is fine, but I only use the card to get 20% off onboard purchases. I’m Silver and hopefully will get to Gold Medallion next year from flying anyways.

Your self analysis on Bonvoy sounds reasonable to me. I had to look that card up and YIKES at $450 for that and only coming with Gold which you get from your Amex Platinum. I vote GONE even for $150 out of pocket. Save that money to keep your CSR.

And if you're Delta Silver and predict maintaining it, I'd probably drop the Skymiles Plat card with the upcoming annual fee increase to $250. Of course I don't know what trips you have used your BOGO on but $250 cash can go towards a regular economy flight and not have fare restrictions and earn MQMs.

Amex Platinum is admittedly a PITA to use the credits but Skyclub access and 5x points and the IAP make it worth my time.

you may be able to downgrade amex bonvoy to the $95 version (that succeeded the SPG card)

get annual night up to 35k/year, plus the amex offers

if you want to clean slate, then sure cancel it