It's March Madness season, and we're settling some long-standing credit card debates bracket-style. In the first round, we put cards head-to-head across six categories: premium cards, everyday cash back, flexible travel, hotel cards, airline cards, and business cards to pick which cards deserve to advance to the championship. No visual bracket required, just strong opinions and real experience from cards we actually carry in our wallets.

Episode 1 Matchups:

• Premium Cards: Amex Platinum vs. Citi Strata Elite
• Everyday Cash Back: Citi Double Cash vs. Amex Blue Cash Everyday
• Flexible Travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Bilt Mastercard
• Hotel Cards: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. IHG One Rewards Premier
• Airline Cards: Delta Amex Gold vs. United Explorer Card
• Business Cards: Amex Blue Business Cash vs. Chase Ink Business Preferred

Spoiler Warning - Episode 1 Winners Below

• Premium Cards: Amex Platinum
• Everyday Cash Back: Citi Double Cash
• Flexible Travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Hotel Cards: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
• Airline Cards: United Explorer Card
• Business Cards: Chase Ink Business Preferred

Agree with our picks? Disagree? Let us know in the comments or find us on Instagram. See you in round two!