OptimalCardSetup Blog https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog Credit card optimization guides, comparisons, and news. en-us Sun, 05 Jul 2026 08:39:37 GMT <![CDATA[How OptimalCardSetup Finds Your Mathematically Optimal Card Setup]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/how-the-optimizer-works Sun, 01 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/how-the-optimizer-works guide <![CDATA[Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve: Which One Should You Get?]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/chase-sapphire-preferred-vs-reserve Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/chase-sapphire-preferred-vs-reserve comparison <![CDATA[How to Maximize Credit Card Rewards: The Complete Strategy]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/maximize-credit-card-rewards Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/maximize-credit-card-rewards guide <![CDATA[Capital One Savor vs Amex Blue Cash Everyday: Best No-Fee Cash Back Card]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/capital-one-savor-vs-amex-blue-cash-everyday Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/capital-one-savor-vs-amex-blue-cash-everyday comparison <![CDATA[Amex Gold vs Citi Strata Premier vs Chase Sapphire Preferred: Best Mid-Tier Rewards Card]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/amex-gold-vs-citi-strata-premier-vs-chase-sapphire-preferred Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/amex-gold-vs-citi-strata-premier-vs-chase-sapphire-preferred comparison <![CDATA[Credit Card Points for Beginners: What They Are, How They Work, and How to Use Them]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/credit-card-points-beginners-guide Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/credit-card-points-beginners-guide guide <![CDATA[When Is an Annual Fee Card Worth It? The Break-Even Math]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/when-annual-fee-cards-worth-it Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/when-annual-fee-cards-worth-it guide <![CDATA[Cash Back vs Travel Rewards: Which Strategy Wins?]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/cash-back-vs-travel-rewards Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/cash-back-vs-travel-rewards guide <![CDATA[The Best $0 Annual Fee Card Combinations]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/best-no-annual-fee-card-combos Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/best-no-annual-fee-card-combos guide <![CDATA[Understanding Spending Caps and Tiered Earn Rates]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/understanding-spending-caps-and-tiers Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/understanding-spending-caps-and-tiers guide <![CDATA[The 2026 Annual Fee Wave: Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, and What It Means for Your Setup]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/2026-annual-fee-increases Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/2026-annual-fee-increases news <![CDATA[Flat 2% Cards vs Category Cards: When Simple Wins]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/flat-rate-vs-category-cards Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/flat-rate-vs-category-cards comparison <![CDATA[Discover Cards Are Moving to Capital One on July 27 — What Actually Changes]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/discover-capital-one-migration-what-changes Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/discover-capital-one-migration-what-changes news <![CDATA[Amex Platinum Tightens Centurion Lounge Access Starting July 8]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/amex-platinum-centurion-lounge-changes-july-2026 Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/amex-platinum-centurion-lounge-changes-july-2026 news <![CDATA[Amex Gold vs Amex Platinum: Which Amex Card Actually Pays for Itself?]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/amex-gold-vs-amex-platinum Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/amex-gold-vs-amex-platinum comparison <![CDATA[Bilt Obsidian vs Amex Gold: Rent Rewards vs Food Rewards]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/bilt-obsidian-vs-amex-gold Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/bilt-obsidian-vs-amex-gold comparison <![CDATA[The Average 2-Card Wallet Leaves About $190/Year on the Table]]> https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/q3-2026-two-card-wallet-report Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://optimalcardsetup.com/blog/q3-2026-two-card-wallet-report data