Best Credit Cards for 2025 Incoming Analyst Class
I know this has been asked before, but personalized questions should avoid redundancy. Thanks in advance--
I am an incoming IB analyst anticipating rent and dining to be my top expenses next year. I am not expecting to travel much and do not anticipate receiving a corporate AMEX (other forums indicate this is common, is that true?) I'm just looking to maximize benefits of a card for the reimbursed dinners and rent without overdoing it on annual fees.
Hence, the travel-heavy benefits offered by AMEX Gold and Platinum are making me wary. Is the $325 annual fee worth almost strictly dining benefits in my case? Were you able to spend $6,000 in your first 6 months for bonus points?
Also, is everyone utilizing the unique BILT card for rent?
Are there any other cards you would recommend for an incoming first-year?
Have both Amex Gold and Bilt. Bilt is free so no harm done in getting it and you get points on rent. Amex gold is also valuable as long as you use the credits — do not manufacture spending simply to use the credits, as that won’t be beneficial to you. However, living in NYC makes it super easy to maximize value on the gold card and I’m planning to book flights for my parents with the points so also not a worry that I can’t travel as an analyst.
Alternatively, you can look at the Capitol One Savor One for cash back on dining, super good card if they renew the Uber benefit.
Dubai First Royal Mastercard or the Amex Black Card
Also a 2025 incoming analyst —
I would look into Capital One Savor One, especially if dining or transportation is getting reimbursed. For $0 AF, you get 10% Uber/UberEats, 3% Dining/Grocery/Streaming. Can’t sleep on Bilt either, $0AF and 1% on rent after any transaction fees. Just make sure the apartment you rent next year accepts them as a payment method.
These were super lucrative cards to hold this summer (really in all of college as well since I’m always ordering food or a ride, and I rent off-campus).
If getting reimbursed for Ubers/dining, wouldn’t the benefit of the card be worse?
No, it’s just cash back. You will still be billed for the gross amount so it flows straight to bottom line. My bank has a $40 dinner stipend so it’s $7 a day essentially including Ubers home.
Re: bilt, even if building doesn’t “accept” them you can still send physical checks via Bilt to landlord and still earn points. This is what I’m currently doing - no issues so far.
Thinking about getting the bilt card, but a bit annoyed at the 5 transctions you need per month. What do you use the other 4 on?
As someone who is just getting into the credit card game and beginning to manage your own money there is a few things you should be focused on: 1) low annual fees, 2) low maintenance cards (i.e. not having to do much to earn rewards), and 3) decent multipliers.
Now to your specific situation, as a renter the BILT card is a no brainer as it does not have an annual fee and gives you good multipliers + access to transfer partners. For dining/groceries, a good alternative to the Amex gold card is the Capital One Savor One card which has no annual fee and great multipliers for those categories. I would also wait to see if your bank gives you a corporate Amex gold card (yes it is fairly common).
The BILT card + the Capital One Savor One will be a good starting point that covers your bases coming out of college and from there you can expand into other eco-systems/higher tier cards.
PM with any CC questions regarding best cards by category, climbing the credit card ladder, using for travel, etc.
Any recommendations for UK analysts
Move out of the UK
Wait till you get the corporate amex to get the amex gold — you get $100 off the annual fee if you sign up with a corporate card
I find that earning points is much more valuable than cash back. get the BILT card and the Amex Gold.
BILT for rent, Amex Gold for food, then maybe when you get some more flexibility for traveling, get a travel card.
It's so amazing to see that young professionals are taking their personal finance seriously and responsibly, investigating cc options and discussing. Smart budgeting and awareness of where your money is going is really important and doesn't preclude you from buying luxury items. It merely prevents you wondering where your hard-earned funds went. Using cc advantages and understanding ways to maximize - points, etc. - genius.
Many of you will be accredited investors at quite a young age based on income, and eligible to participate in private placements. The bonus is you also have the background to be able to analyze investment opportunities for sophisticated investors. There's an enormous world out there for your capital that can earn solid returns and help you diversify your holdings beyond a company 401(k), as well as provide tax advantages for you high income earners. Look into this and learn.
And please - take advantage of the ROTH option! Taxes are not going down (and unfortunately, you will age). It's just a couple grand a year max you'd contribute, think of it like a bank account - if you need the principal, you can take it out the contributions without penalty. It's only the earnings you must leave. I definitely like contributing at least to your max company match on a 401(k), but beyond that, there are a lot of options. The point is, investigate and evaluate. Learn this stuff now.
Expenses are high in NYC, London and other cities where IB offices exist...it's easy to spend right up to your net earnings...but be sure you are saving something (maybe put it on autopilot), constantly learning about investing, and taking action. Devote time and energy to studying. Listen to all different voices, read, see what resonates. Starting young gives you a huge advantage. Take taxes and fees (including within a company 401k) into account as well as you evaluate opportunities.
>doesn’t answer the question, not even in four paragraphs
>“most helpful”
So terribly sorry it wasted your time. I was just commenting, not answering the question. I am learning about those cards, too.
Look into Chase Sapphire Preferred. 3x points on dining 2x on travel, $95 annual fee, and 60,000 points if you spend 4k in first 3 months (60,000 = ~$750 if redeemed on travel, cash probably closer to $600?). This made a lot of sense for me as a year one analyst as I had a lot of early one-time expenses and will be spending a lot on reimbursable dining. Will also use the travel credit eventually and will have to book travel. I am not sure everyone would hit the $4,000 spend minimum for points bonus, but if you buy some future birthday presents, travel, etc. and use for everything else you can get there. Buy a sofa, beers, and the mistress a gold necklace and you might get your $750 travel credit. Happy card hunting
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