Why I Tap To Pay Almost Exclusively but Still Carry These Cards

What’s in my wallet? Hardly anything.

I have nearly 2 dozen active credit card accounts, but I usually carry only one. Instead, I use a digital wallet on my phone for most purchases, and I pack additional cards when I travel.

But just 1 card actually lives in my wallet every day: the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Why I Rarely Need a Physical Credit Card

Tap to pay is my preferred payment method anywhere it’s offered. It’s more secure than swiping or inserting a chip card (Source: BankFive). All the cards I use for everyday purchases and online payments are stored in my digital wallet, so I can choose the best card for each purchase instead of deciding which handful of cards I should carry around.

Almost every transaction I make is digital. When I pay bills online, my cards are already loaded in the account. Online purchases? I can select my digital wallet at checkout or let it autofill card data. I like that using a digital wallet makes online purchases more secure because it means merchants don’t receive my actual credit card number.

Most places I go don’t require me to take out a card from my wallet. Stores have increasingly adopted tap to pay at registers, and restaurant servers often come around with mobile payment terminals that accept contactless payments. I can use my phone or my watch to pay, so my wallet never makes an appearance. Even when I’m ordering fast food, I’ll use an app where I’ve loaded my credit card information.

Paying digitally is especially convenient when I open a new credit card. Many credit cards offer digital access before the physical card arrives in the mail. That’s helpful when I’m diverting spending to a new card to earn a welcome offer. I can load the card into my digital wallet and start making purchases the same day I’m approved.

I still carry a debit card for emergencies, but I rarely use cash and almost never make debit card purchases. It could be months or even years before I actually take it out of my wallet.

Credit Cards I Use the Most

I use several cards regularly, but most of them never leave my house. I put most of my spending on:

• Chase Freedom Unlimited^®: Dining and drugstores, 1.5% cash-back catchall
• Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card: Online groceries, gas, and EV charging
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card: Groceries, gas, and online purchases
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: 2x miles catchall
• Prime Visa: Amazon and Whole Foods purchases

Because I rely on these cards for everyday purchases, I keep them loaded in my wallet to make online purchases and tap to pay in person with my phone. With these cards available, I always earn at least 1.5% cash-back or 2x miles.

Why the Amex Platinum Card Is Always In My Wallet

The Amex Platinum card isn’t one I use every day, but it’s the only card I always carry with me, even though it’s not my first choice for dining, groceries, entertainment, or other routine purchases. I carry it not because I want to spend on it, but because I don’t want to accidentally leave it at home when I travel.

BEST LOUNGE CARD

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum card reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and elite status.

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum card reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount — all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.

As High as 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, the Platinum Card^® from American Express is a top choice.

The card offers premium perks like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and several annual card credits. The Amex Platinum card is easily worth the annual fee for frequent travelers who use the lounges and travel credits, and hard to justify for those who won’t.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far): Get access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5 points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags).

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card^® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
• $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4pm late check-out.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card^®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

I want to keep my Amex Platinum card with me while I travel, in case I need to present it for benefits like airport lounge access. It also has no foreign transaction fee. I travel often enough that it’s easier to keep it in my wallet permanently than to remember to grab it before every trip.

That might be overly cautious, but some Amex Platinum card lounge benefits require cardmembers to present a valid card. In practice, I can usually keep my card in my wallet and check in using the Amex or Priority Pass app. But I’d rather not find out when I’m at the lounge entrance that my phone isn’t enough.

I also use my Amex Platinum card for my up to $100 quarterly Resy credit (enrollment required), so it’s nice to have on hand if I’m at a restaurant where the credit applies and need to present a physical card.

Since my digital wallet handles almost everything, my Amex Platinum card is the backup when tap to pay isn’t an option. I don’t necessarily want to put everyday purchases on it, but it’s there if I need it. If I need to pay where Amex isn’t accepted (which is rare), I have my Visa debit card, which should work anywhere. But I have yet to encounter a situation where I can’t use tap to pay or Amex.

My husband usually carries his Freedom Unlimited card, and I typically ask him to use it instead of my Amex Platinum card if we need a physical card. That way, we can earn at least 1.5% cash-back. There’s also a less strategic reason I keep the Amex Platinum card in my wallet: It’s pretty. For the unusual occasion when I put down a physical card, it’s nice that it’s a good-looking one.

I Add Other Cards When I Travel

When I pack for a trip, I also skim through my cards to determine which ones I might need, because traveling often calls for a physical card. Usually, I bring a particular card because a travel provider might need it, but it’s also helpful for earning rewards the way I want to. My cards usually match the airline and hotel I’m using for the trip, and I carry a catchall card that earns 3x points on travel.

I don’t make many inflight purchases, but airline cards typically offer spending benefits with the airline that I don’t want to miss out on. For example, I can get 25% back on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi purchases when I’m flying with United and use my United℠ Business Card. I might not need my card if it’s loaded on my United account or if I can tap to pay, but I’d be irritated if that didn’t work and I missed out on a discount. It’s easier to bring the actual card, just in case.

When I arrive at a hotel, I’ve typically booked it in advance and paid online, but the front desk always asks for a card to put on file for incidentals. I’ve noticed more hotels accept tap to pay for incidentals these days, but it’s not a given. Often, hotels require that you bring the same card you used to make the reservation.

Because I might need a physical card at check-in, I bring my Hilton Surpass card when I’m staying at a Hilton property and The World of Hyatt Credit Card at Hyatt properties. I don’t have other hotel-specific credit cards, so I use my Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card (which earns 3x points on travel) when I’m not staying with Hilton or Hyatt.

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,000

Annual Fee

$95

APR

17.74% - 26.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Cell phone protection
• Purchase protection

Cons

• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Go further when you book with Chase Travel℠. Enjoy competitive rates, seamless booking and premium benefits.
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Receive complimentary access to DashPass by DoorDash.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.74% - 26.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Chase Ultimate Rewards

As with hotels, I typically reserve car rentals in advance using a credit card. Usually, the rental car company can use the card on file for the reservation, but a physical card is sometimes required when I pick up the vehicle. So if I’m renting a car on a particular trip, I’ll bring my Chase Sapphire Preferred card because it offers primary rental car insurance.

Are any of these cards absolutely critical? Not really. I’ve forgotten to pack the right card before, and the worst thing that’s happened is having to pay with a card that earns fewer rewards or has secondary, rather than primary, rental car insurance. It’s not a big deal, but remembering the right card makes everything better.

Why I Still Carry a Debit Card

I make every purchase I can with a credit card because they offer better fraud protection and often have purchase protection benefits that I can’t get with my debit card.

Most of the time, I don’t need a debit card. But there are rare occasions when I do, like when I need to access cash, or I’d have to pay a high fee to use a credit card instead of a debit card. Between my Amex Platinum card and Visa debit card, I can pay just about anywhere, even if it’s not with the exact card I’d prefer to use.

Final Thoughts

I carry my Amex Platinum card with me at all times, but it’s not my everyday spending card. My digital wallet, which stores all of my everyday spending cards, essentially serves as my real wallet. A digital wallet makes it easier to use a complicated card strategy without carrying around a bulky wallet.

Still, my Amex Platinum card earns a physical spot in my wallet for each trip. And any time I travel, my packing list includes the specific cards I might need for that trip, whether it’s an airline or hotel card or a card that offers the best protection when I rent a car.