10 Credit Cards That Changed My Life | Why I Chose Them Based on 'Flow' Rather Than 'Quantity'

Having a lot of credit cards doesn't make you superior.
How to manage travel, hotels, work, corporate expenses, and daily payments.
For me, cards were tools to organize the flow of my life.

What you will gain from this article

By reading this article, you will gain the following:

・A way of thinking about credit cards based on their 'role' rather than the 'number of cards'
・The reason for separating personal cards from corporate cards
・A perspective on using different cards for travel, hotels, business entertainment, daily payments, and expense management
・Criteria to check before getting a high-annual-fee card
・The importance of deciding not only which cards to have, but which ones not to have
・A mindset of choosing cards based on the flow of your life and work, rather than status
・A perspective on viewing card selection as part of your life design

What I want to convey in this article is not a story about 'this card is the right answer'.

What kind of life do you want to live?

What kind of work flow do you want to create?

Where do you want to place your sense of security?

The cards you choose will change depending on those factors.

Introduction | It was more important how I used them than how many I had

'How many credit cards do you have?'

I am sometimes asked that.

But for me, the number is not what's important.

It's not about how many I have, but how I use them.

To put it another way,

it's about which part of my life or work that card supports.

That is what matters.

A card that is strong for travel.

A card that is effective at hotels.

A card that grows with daily payments.

A card for organizing corporate expenses.

A card that is easy to use for business entertainment and dining.

A card that can be expanded for employees and business operations.

Conversely, cards I decided not to own.

In my mind, each one has a role.

A card is just a means of payment.

However, if you don't make a mistake in how you choose them, they will reduce your travel anxieties.

They will enrich your time at hotels.

They will streamline your business expense management.

They will turn your daily payments into future experiences.

They will make your time with someone just a little bit better.

That is why I don't look at credit cards just for their 'benefits'.

I don't look at them just for their status, either.

I look at them as tools to organize the flow of my life.

Conclusion | Credit cards are not for 'showing off,' but for designing the flow of your life

To start with the conclusion, credit cards are not something you own to show off.

At least, that is what I think.

Of course, I can feel the appeal of the solid feel of a metal card or the presence of a platinum or black card.

I have no intention of denying that in itself.

But that is not what is truly important.

What does that card bring to your life?

How does it make your work easier?

How does it enrich your travels?

How much does it reduce your anxiety?

How much does it streamline your expense management?

Does it suit your usage style relative to the annual fee?

This is the point.

Increasing the number of cards is easy.

However, adding cards without a specific role only increases the burden of management.

What I am conscious of is not the number of cards, but their roles.

Have a reason for the cards you carry.

Have a reason for the cards you do not carry.

I believe this is the most important thing in credit card design.

Chapter 1 | Choosing Personal Cards to Support 'Life and Travel'

I choose personal cards to support my life and travels.

Daily payments.

Hotels.

Airports.

Travel insurance.

Lounges.

Restaurants.

Time spent with family and loved ones.

The quality of my life.

Personal credit cards are what connect to these things.

That is why I don't choose them based solely on simple reward rates.

Of course, reward rates are important.

But for me, the reward rate is not the only value of a card.

Being able to use a lounge when I'm tired at the airport.

Extending my stay at a hotel.

Having insurance and support when trouble occurs during a trip.

Having slightly better options for business dinners or travel.

These things are also value.

Cards change not just the moment of payment, but the experiences before and after payment as well.

That is why I view personal cards as 'tools to create breathing room in life'.

I don't just have them because they are a good deal.

It's not just about that,

I look at what kind of time I can create

by having this card.

Chapter 2 | The American Express Platinum was a card that turned travel into an 'experience'

For me, the American Express Platinum is a card that turns travel into an experience.

These are not just cards for making payments.

Hotels.

Airports.

Lounges.

Travel insurance.

Concierge services.

Time spent staying.

Peace of mind while traveling.

I view them as cards that support all of these things together.

Travel is not just about moving from place to place and staying overnight.

Where you wait.

Where you rest.

What kind of hotel you stay in.

Whether you have someone to consult when something happens.

Whether you can feel secure until you return home.

The satisfaction of a trip changes based on these small details.

Looking only at the annual fee, they are expensive.

However, in my case, since I prioritize the quality of travel, hotels, and transportation, I consider them not as mere luxury, but as an investment in experiences.

The important thing is that they are not necessary for everyone.

People who do not travel.

For those who don't use hotels.

For those who don't use lounges, insurance, or incidental services.

This card is too heavy for such people.

However, for those who incorporate travel and hotels into their lives, I believe this card holds real meaning.

Chapter 3 | The Luxury Card Black is a card for business entertainment and setting the right tone.

For me, the Luxury Card Black is a card for business entertainment, dining out, and setting the right tone for special occasions.

The substantial feel of a metal card.

The ease of use as a Mastercard.

The presence of a concierge.

The way it fits naturally in high-end establishments and business dinners.

I find value in these aspects.

This is not for showing off.

Having a card that suits the occasion is surprisingly important in business.

Business dinners.

Entertainment.

Hotels.

Restaurants.

The atmosphere with the other party.

The moment of payment.

Ensuring the card doesn't feel out of place there.

Don't panic unnecessarily.

Ensure payments are completed smoothly.

This is also part of the job.

Of course, credit cannot be built solely through credit cards.

However, you can reduce discomfort in minor situations.

For me, the Luxury Card Black is less about status and more about a card that doesn't disrupt the atmosphere of a setting.

Chapter 4 | JCB THE CLASS is a card that creates a sense of security within Japan

In my mind, JCB THE CLASS is a card that provides a strong sense of security domestically.

Domestic travel.

Theme parks.

Gifts.

Time with family.

Ease of use within Japan.

I feel the value in these situations.

Some credit cards are strong for overseas use or hotels, while others offer a sense of security domestically.

JCB offers a sense of stability when used in Japan.

When choosing a card, it is important not only to consider whether it is strong overseas, but also where you typically use it.

People who travel abroad frequently.

People who travel domestically frequently.

People who prioritize hotels.

For those who prioritize theme parks and family time.

For those who prioritize corporate expenses.

The cards you need are different for each person.

For me, the JCB THE CLASS is a card that supports my time in Japan.

It is less about flashiness and more about peace of mind.

I view it not as a card for aggressive use abroad, but as one that organizes experiences within the country.

Chapter 5 | The Sumitomo Mitsui Card Platinum Preferred is a card that cultivates daily life

I view the Sumitomo Mitsui Card Platinum Preferred as a card that cultivates daily payments.

When choosing a card, it is easy to focus on the extraordinary, like travel and hotels.

However, what you actually use most often is your daily life.

Convenience stores.

Dining out.

Online payments.

Apple Pay.

Subscriptions.

Living expenses.

Small payments while working.

How you organize these daily payments is quite important.

It is not just big trips; daily payments also add up.

If you haven't decided on a card for daily use, your points and management will become scattered.

Conversely, having a core for daily payments makes it easier to see the flow of money.

For me, the Sumitomo Mitsui Card Platinum Preferred is a card for turning daily life into future experiences.

Not flashiness, but accumulation.

Not status, but habits.

That is how I position it.

Chapter 6 | The Rakuten Black Card is a card that connects the Rakuten ecosystem with travel

I view the Rakuten Black Card as a card that sits between the Rakuten ecosystem and travel.

For those who use Rakuten on a daily basis, Rakuten-affiliated cards are easy to understand.

Rakuten Ichiba.

Rakuten services.

Points.

Travel.

Payments.

It is easy to consolidate these areas.

However, even with a Rakuten card, its value diminishes if you just 'hold it for no reason'.

How much do you use the Rakuten ecosystem?

Do you use the travel benefits?

How do you use the points?

Does its role overlap with other cards?

You need to look at these points.

For me, the Rakuten Premium Card is an all-rounder.

It is not so much a flashy premium card as it is one that bridges daily life and travel.

It is a card that combines everyday shopping with peace of mind while traveling.

That is how I position it.

When choosing a card, you should look at whether it fits into your daily routine, rather than just the flashiness of its benefits.

Chapter 7 | The Reason I Don't Have a Marriott Bonvoy AMEX Premium Was Also Part of the Design

What is important when choosing cards is not just deciding which ones to have.

It is deciding which ones not to have.

I intentionally do not hold a Marriott Bonvoy AMEX Premium.

The reason is that its functions overlap.

I understand that it is an attractive card as a hotel-branded card.

I think it is a very good match for people who use Marriott frequently.

However, in my case, I had already assigned a similar role to my American Express Platinum.

In other words, the roles overlap.

Cards do not necessarily become stronger just because you have more of them.

Management increases.

Annual fees increase.

Differentiating how you use them becomes complicated.

You may not be able to use all the benefits.

These are the risks involved.

Therefore, even if a card is attractive, I do not hold it if it does not fit my design.

This is quite important.

Credit card design is not just about addition.

Subtraction is also necessary.

Chapter 8: Choose Corporate Cards to Organize the 'Flow of Expenses and Credit'

Corporate cards have a different role than personal cards.

Personal cards support your life and travels.

Corporate cards organize the flow of expenses and credit.

Separate payments.

Visualize expenses.

Manage employee cards.

Process business trips and entertainment on the corporate side.

Connect with accounting.

Keep a history of payments.

This is the role of a corporate card.

The meaning of having a corporate card is not simply to increase your credit limit.

It is to organize the flow of money.

If personal and corporate payments are mixed, it becomes troublesome later.

Expense reimbursement, accounting processes, and management all become prone to failure.

Therefore, if you are operating as a corporation, a corporate card is quite important.

For me, corporate cards are tools for organizing the payment flow of business management.

I hold them not just for their appearance or status, but for management and credit purposes.

Chapter 9 | The Amex Business Platinum is a card that turns corporate travel and entertainment into investment.

I view the American Express Business Platinum as a card that supports corporate travel, entertainment, business trips, and dining.

It is similar to the personal Platinum card, but the meaning of using it for business is slightly different.

Using it for corporate expenses.

Deploying it for employees.

Incorporating business trips and dining into the workflow.

Thinking of the travel and stays necessary for business not as mere costs, but as investments.

This is how I use it.

When running a business, your judgment changes depending on whether you view travel and dining as mere expenses or as investments to build credit.

Of course, wasteful spending is different.

Having a card with a high annual fee doesn't make you important.

However, if you have travel and entertainment necessary for your business, the card that supports those activities has meaning.

For me, the Amex Business Platinum is a card that supports corporate activities.

A card for increasing the value of work experiences.

A card for cultivating a sense of credit.

That is how I position it.

Chapter 10 | Bluebank Visa Platinum is a card that realistically supports corporate operations.

I view the Bluebank Visa Platinum as a card that leans toward practical business use among corporate cards.

It is a card that realistically supports the management of corporate expenses, rather than just offering luxury or status.

For small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, a card is quite important.

Purchasing.

Advertising costs.

Subscriptions.

Cloud services.

Business trips.

Payments.

Expense settlement.

Just consolidating these types of payments makes management much easier.

Corporate cards do not need to be flashy.

Rather, it is about the statement being easy to read.

Easy to process for accounting.

Easy to manage payments.

Easy to handle international payments.

These practical aspects are more important.

For me, the Bluebank Visa Platinum is a card to keep corporate payments consistent.

Operations over flashiness.

Management over status.

That is its role.

Chapter 11 | The JCB Corporate Standard is plain, but essential for corporate operations

The JCB Corporate Standard is not a flashy card.

However, I believe it is a quietly essential presence in corporate operations.

ETC.

Expense diversification.

Employee management.

Domestic usage.

Organizing corporate payments.

It is a card that is easy to use in these situations.

When choosing a card, it is easy to focus on premium cards.

But in practice, plain cards can sometimes be more effective.

Organizing monthly payments.

Separating them for employees.

Stabilizing domestic payments.

Having multiple routes for expenses.

These aspects are quite important in management.

Corporate cards do not need to stand out.

Ensuring work does not stop.

Being able to organize payments.

Being able to manage them.

This is more important.

The JCB Corporate Standard is the card that supports the foundation of my corporate operations.

Chapter 12 | Why I Generally Do Not Carry Telecommunications Carrier Cards

As a general rule, I have a policy of not carrying telecommunications carrier cards.

d Card.

au PAY Card.

SoftBank-related cards.

This is not to say that these types of cards are bad.

They are quite valuable for people who have good compatibility with communication costs and point-based economic zones.

However, they have a low priority in my card design.

The reason is that their usage tends to be limited.

Travel.

Hotels.

Corporate expenses.

Business entertainment.

Daily payments.

Expense management.

When viewed in terms of this overall flow, it is difficult to place telecommunications carrier cards at the center of my strategy.

Of course, there are exceptional situations where I use them.

Communication expenses.

Smartphone payments.

Complements like PayPay.

I use them if they are necessary for practical reasons.

However, they are not my main cards.

In card design, it is important to treat exceptions as exceptions.

Adding everything just because it is convenient.

Keeping everything just because there are points.

If you do this, your card configuration becomes cluttered.

Distinguish between your main and supplementary cards for yourself.

This is what is important.

Chapter 13 | Deciding Which Cards Not to Carry Makes Your Card Design Stronger

When choosing cards, many people only think about "what to carry."

But what is truly important is "what not to carry."

Deciding which cards not to carry makes your design stronger.

This is because a reason is born for your card configuration.

There is a reason for the cards I do not carry or for which I have lowered the priority.

Apple Card cannot be used in Japan.

Marriott AMEX has overlapping roles.

Orico and Epos can be replaced by other cards.

Career-specific cards have limited uses.

ANA-affiliated cards offer limited added value in my current situation.

In this way, I articulate the reasons for not holding certain cards.

The more cards you have, the more complex management becomes.

Annual fees also increase.

Points become scattered.

Benefits become impossible to fully utilize.

Therefore, the decision not to hold a card is quite important.

Credit cards are not a collection.

At least for me, they are tools to organize the flow of life and work.

If they are tools, you only need what is necessary.

There is an aesthetic in that.

Chapter 14 | You Will Fail If You Choose Cards Only Based on 'Deals'

A common mistake in choosing credit cards is looking only at the deals.

High reward rates.

Low annual fees.

Campaigns.

Many points.

Strong sign-up bonuses.

Of course, these are important.

However, choosing cards solely for their benefits can lead to failure.

This is because you might end up with cards that don't fit your lifestyle.

Having a travel card when you don't travel.

Prioritizing hotel perks when you don't stay in hotels.

Choosing based on corporate logic when you have no business expenses.

Focusing on the Rakuten ecosystem when you don't use Rakuten.

Prioritizing overseas benefits when you don't go abroad.

In these cases, even if there are perks, you won't be able to use them fully.

Cards should be chosen based on your daily life flow, not just their specs.

Where do you spend your money?

What kind of time do you want to increase?

What kind of anxieties do you want to reduce?

What do you want to manage?

If you don't look at these things, your cards will just keep piling up.

Chapter 15 | Cards Become the Blueprint That Supports Your Life

Honestly, I don't think having a lot of them makes you superior.

To me, cards are not just payment tools.

They are things that reduce anxiety while traveling.

They are things that make time at hotels a little richer.

They are things that help organize business expenses.

Cards that don't disrupt the atmosphere of business entertainment or dining.

Cards that turn everyday payments into future experiences.

They are entities that build up that kind of small peace of mind.

There is a reason for each card I have chosen.

It is not for flashiness or showing off.

'What kind of life do I want to continue living from here on?'

'What kind of work flow do I want to create?'

'Where do I want to place my sense of security?'

I have chosen them one by one by thinking about these things.

Before I knew it, cards were no longer just payment methods, but a part of my life design.

Travel is not just a schedule, but an extension of one's way of life.

Business payments are not just expenses, but a accumulation of trust.

Everyday payments lead to future experiences.

When you think about it that way, choosing a card is quite profound.

Read more deeply into this theme

Conclusion | For cards, the 'reason for choosing' is more important than just having them

It is not about having a lot of credit cards.

It is not about being superior just because you have a card with a high annual fee.

Your life will not improve just because of the name 'Platinum' or 'Black'.

What matters is the reason for choosing.

What is the purpose of holding this card?

Which payments will you entrust to it?

What kind of experiences will it support?

What kind of anxieties will it reduce?

Which card does its role overlap with?

Why not hold it?

When you think this far, your approach to choosing cards changes significantly.

For me, credit cards are the blueprints that support my life.

Travel.

Hotels.

Work.

Corporate expenses.

Daily payments.

Peace of mind.

Credit.

How do you channel these?

That is where I place my cards.

I believe there is a card out there that fits your life and work as well.

It might not necessarily be a premium card.

It might be a no-annual-fee card.

It might be a card strong for daily payments.

It might be a card strong for travel.

It might be a card for organizing corporate expenses.

What matters is not having the same card as everyone else.

It is about choosing a card that fits your life.

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Disclaimer

This article reflects the author's personal views based on their own credit card usage experience, lifestyle, work environment, and corporate operations.

Annual fees, benefits, incidental insurance, point rewards, lounge access, hotel privileges, concierge services, enrollment requirements, screening criteria, and campaign details for credit cards are subject to change.

This article does not recommend applying for, signing up for, using, borrowing against, revolving, paying in installments, or engaging in financial transactions with any specific credit card.

Please make careful decisions regarding card usage based on your own income, expenses, credit history, repayment capacity, living environment, and business situation.

Do not judge based solely on annual fees or benefits; always check the official website of each card issuer, membership terms, important notices, fees, payment conditions, and details of incidental services.

Credit cards are convenient tools, but mismanaging payments can affect your household finances and credit history.

Please make final decisions at your own responsibility.