What We Actually Carry

What We Actually Carry

And Why It Might Work for You

A practical list of the credit cards and banking accounts we rely on while traveling. We travel full-time, and this is what's in our wallet. These cards and accounts have held up across countries, cruise terminals, and tiny towns with one ATM. We've figured out what works for us over time. We hope this helps you skip some of the trial and error when figuring out what works for you.

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Everyday cards

Everyday Cards

These are the general-purpose cards we reach for most often, whether we're at home in the U.S. or traveling abroad. Each one earns solid rewards without requiring us to jump through hoops, and together they cover both everyday spending and dedicated travel purchases.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Annual Fee: $95Authorized User Fee: None

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 2x points on travel, 3x on dining, 5x on travel booked through Chase Travel
  • Points may be worth up to 1.5x through Points Boost on select Chase Travel bookings
  • Includes $100 annual hotel credit and trip protections
  • Status Partnerships: Points transfer to Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, and United at 1:1 ratio

Personal Note: We signed up for this card during a 100K point offer that was too good to pass up. Streaming services earn 3x points, which adds up quickly. We also used the $100 annual hotel credit without any issues.

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Capital One Venture X

Annual Fee: $395Authorized User Fee: None

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 2x miles on all purchases, 5x on flights, 10x on hotels through Capital One Travel
  • Miles can be transferred to airline partners or used as statement credits
  • Includes $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles (~$100 value)
  • Status Partnerships: Hertz President's Circle status; Priority Pass lounge access
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Capital One Quicksilver

Annual Fee: $0Authorized User Fee: None

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1.5% cash back on all purchases
  • No portal required—simple cash back

Personal Note: We originally had the Savor card for its 3x grocery rewards, but overseas it didn't consistently recognize the stores we actually shop at. After repeated issues, we switched to Quicksilver. It pays reliable cash back without the category guesswork, which made it a better fit for our travel style.

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Chase Freedom Unlimited

Annual Fee: $0Authorized User Fee: None

  • Has foreign transaction fees—best used domestically
  • 1.5% cash back on all purchases
  • 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel
  • Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance and rental car coverage

Personal Note: This was our original card in the U.S., and we still use it stateside. It has foreign transaction fees, so we avoid using it abroad. It pairs well with Sapphire cards for point pooling, which makes consolidating rewards straightforward.

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Royal ONE Visa Signature

Annual Fee: $0Authorized User Fee: None

  • Has foreign transaction fees—best used domestically or for cruise perks
  • Earns Royal ONE Rewards points redeemable for cruise discounts and onboard credit
  • 3x points on eligible Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea purchases
  • 2x points on eligible grocery, gas, and EV charging purchases
  • Status Partnerships: Visa Signature tier includes travel protections and no foreign transaction fees on eligible purchases

Personal Note: This card was formerly the Bank of America Royal Caribbean® Visa Signature®. Bank of America and Royal Caribbean relaunched the program under the Royal ONE name in 2026, and existing cardholders were automatically converted. We currently carry the no-annual-fee Royal ONE version, but we're planning to upgrade to Royal ONE Plus for the higher earn rate and added cruise perks.

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DiscoverIt Miles

Annual Fee: $0Authorized User Fee: None

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1.5x miles on all purchases, doubled in the first year (effectively 3x)
  • Miles redeem for travel purchases or cash
  • Accepted at 99% of U.S. merchants; international acceptance is inconsistent

Personal Note: We rarely use this abroad—good domestic backup.

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Hotel co-branded credit cards

Hotel Co-Branded Cards

These are the hotel cards we actually use. Each one earns points within its own ecosystem and includes status perks that help with late checkout, upgrades, and free nights. We only keep the ones that consistently deliver value.

Chase Hyatt

Annual Fee: $95Authorized User Fee: None

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Up to 9x points on Hyatt stays, 2x on dining and travel
  • Points redeem through World of Hyatt portal
  • Includes annual free night at Category 1–4 hotel
  • Status Partnerships: Discoverist status with Hyatt (late checkout, preferred room placement)
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Chase IHG One Rewards Premier

Annual Fee: $99Authorized User Fee: None

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Up to 26x points on IHG stays, 5x on travel, dining, and gas
  • Points redeem through IHG portal; includes 4th night free on award stays
  • Includes annual free night and United TravelBank credits
  • Status Partnerships: Platinum Elite status with IHG (room upgrades, late checkout)

Personal Note: We used our sign-up points for a full week in Barcelona before hopping on a cruise—no hotel costs out of pocket. IHG runs double point promos throughout the year, which helps cut down the cost of future stays. They're part of a bigger hotel group (Holiday Inn, InterContinental, Kimpton, etc.), so there's a decent range depending on where we are and what we need.

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Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Business

Annual Fee: $99Authorized User Fee: None

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Same earning structure as personal card, plus business categories
  • Points redeem through IHG portal
  • Status Partnerships: Same Platinum Elite status as personal card
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Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Annual Fee: $95Authorized User Fee: None

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Up to 17x points at Marriott properties, 2x on other travel
  • Points redeem through Marriott Bonvoy portal
  • Includes annual free night (up to 35,000 points) and elite night credits
  • Status Partnerships: Silver Elite status with Marriott; path to Gold with $35K spend
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Hilton Honors American Express

Annual Fee: $0Authorized User Fee: None

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 7x points at Hilton, 5x at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations, and restaurants
  • Points redeem through Hilton Honors portal
  • Includes Silver status and 5th night free on redemptions
  • Status Partnerships: Hilton Silver status (free bottled water, late checkout)
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Banking and investment accounts

Banking & Investment Accounts

These are the accounts we use while traveling full-time. They've worked across borders, cruise terminals, and tiny towns with one ATM. We picked them because they're reliable, easy to manage, and don't surprise us with fees.

Charles Schwab Investor Checking

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide
  • Mobile wallet support, card lock, and travel alerts

Personal Note: ATM reimbursements alone save $5–$10 per withdrawal abroad.

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Charles Schwab One Brokerage

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Same ATM perks as Investor Checking
  • Fewer mobile features; best used as a backup
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Capital One 360 Performance Checking

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Mobile wallet, card lock, and travel alerts
  • Reliable everyday banking with no hidden fees
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Capital One 360 Performance Savings

  • High APY, no fees
  • No ATM access—must transfer to checking to withdraw
  • Ideal for storing emergency funds or travel reserves
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Wise

Monthly Fee: $0Setup Fee: None

  • Real exchange rates with low, transparent transfer fees
  • Multi-currency account with local bank details in several countries
  • Can hold, convert, and spend in 40+ currencies
  • Debit card available for international purchases and ATM access
  • Simple way to move money between U.S. and international accounts

Personal Note: Wise is how we move money internationally and convert funds when we need another currency. The fees are clearly shown before we confirm, and it gives us a straightforward way to move money between our U.S. accounts and accounts overseas.

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Revolut

Monthly Fee: $0 (standard plan)Setup Fee: None

  • Hold and exchange multiple currencies in one account
  • Spend worldwide with a Revolut debit card
  • Fee-free withdrawals at in-network ATMs; fees and limits apply elsewhere
  • Send domestic and international bank transfers
  • In-app card controls and spending-management tools
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