When I looked back at my credit card spending for 2025, I knew exactly what I was trying to accomplish.
I had mapped out several spending goals, including earning a Hilton free night certificate and a Delta flight credit, while also juggling a handful of sign-up bonuses. The plan made sense, even if a few unexpected new cards threw it off course.
This year has been different.
I didn’t start 2026 with a detailed spending strategy. Instead, I just used the cards that felt right for each purchase. When I finally pulled up my spending totals for the first half of the year, I realized that some clear patterns had emerged—and a few of them surprised me.
The biggest surprise? Without even trying, I’m once again on track to earn another free night certificate with my World of Hyatt Credit Card.
That wasn’t the plan. But now that I’m this close, it’s definitely the plan.
Here’s where our spending stands so far this year—and what it’s telling me about the rest of 2026.
The Card I’m Accidentally Chasing Again
Even though the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card offers one of the most valuable spending bonuses in my wallet, I decided not to pursue the $15,000 free night certificate again this year. We earned it last year, and once again I’m having trouble finding somewhere to use it.
Ironically, it led me right back to another spending bonus.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card has quietly become my biggest spending card of 2026. Thanks to our trip to Germany and several larger purchases, I’m already well on my way to earning another Category 1-4 free night certificate. I didn’t even realize how close I was until I looked at the numbers.
Since I’m already so close, I’ll almost certainly finish the remaining spending.
After that, the next target is easy. I’ll probably move spending to the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card to earn the $200 Delta flight credit after $10,000 in purchases.
Beyond that, I’m leaving my options open. Rather than chase another spending threshold just because it’s there, I may apply for a new card and put the rest of our spending toward another sign-up bonus instead.
The Cards That Took Over My Wallet
Bilt Palladium
This was intentional…at least initially.
The card came with a generous sign-up bonus, so I expected it to see plenty of spending. But after earning the bonus, it stayed in my wallet because I started using Bilt Cash to increase my earning rate to 3X on all purchases. At that point, it became one of the best-earning cards I own, making it easy to keep reaching for.
Citi Double Cash
One of the bigger changes this year didn’t involve me—it involved my wife Sharon.
Since she isn’t chasing the Hilton Surpass free night certificate this year, I handed her the Citi Double Cash to use for most purchases, except groceries and dining, which go on the Strata Premier. She’s got a potent Citi ThankYou points-earning machine working.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
This card looks like a major player in my spending, but appearances are deceiving.
Most of that spending occurred early in the year while I was earning the welcome bonus. After meeting that goal, the card went right back into the drawer.
Now it only comes out for Marriott stays and to trigger the monthly dining credit.
Final Thoughts
One thing I’ve learned from these spending reviews is that your spending patterns don’t always align with the plan you made in January.
Last year, every purchase had a purpose because I was juggling spending thresholds and multiple sign-up bonuses. This year, I mostly let my spending happen naturally—and the results are kind of shocking.
When I stopped chasing every spending threshold and let the spending go where it wanted, I accidentally found myself chasing Hyatt. Bilt became one of my strongest everyday earners. And finally, Sharon’s got herself a Citi duo of cards that earn 2X points or more on all her purchases.
I’m sure things will change before the end of the year. I’ll finish the Hyatt spending, probably earn the Delta flight credit, and there’s a good chance another sign-up bonus will find its way into my wallet.
Sometimes reviewing your spending confirms your strategy. Other times, it shows you that you’ve already developed a new one without realizing it.
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