Which travel card is right for me?

Phew, it feels like there's so much to consider out there in rewards world! My finances and habits are in a period of transition - looking to travel and dine out more, started a new job with less commute/gas, buying fewer groceries thanks to meal perksat new job, etc. but stats below are my best estimate for the near future.

Typically my partner and I travel domestically a few times a year with one bigger international trip. I'm especially interested in rounding out my wallet with travel and dining rewards, and getting some travel perks out of it - I've never used an airport lounge before but would like to! My home airport is SFO/SJC, and I visit BOS and MDW/ORD most regularly.

We're planning to go to Japan next fall. Besides just recommending a card, do y'all think it matters WHEN I apply for it? Sooner the better vs trying to time annual fee?

Also! My partner and I have separate finances and split our bills, usually alternating who pays when we buy groceries or go out to eat, venmo each other for travel etc- how should we go about maximizing our point earn/minimizing annual fees while maintaining this balance? Add her as an authorized user vs opening her own account?

TIA!!

• Current cards:
  • AAA Daily Advantage Visa $18k limit, April 2024
  • Quicksilver Visa $11k limit Sept 2019
• FICO Score: 799
• Oldest account age: 14yrs 10 mths
• Income: $85,000
• Average monthly spend and categories:
  • dining*: $300*
  • groceries: $300+ (AAA for 5% back)
  • gas: $100-200, shifting with high prices and new habits (AAA for 3% back)
  • travel: $2-3kish annually?concentrated in 2-4 trips throughout the year
  • other: big fluctuations, currently not so worried about maximizing points in this category
• Open to Business Cards: No
• What's the purpose of your next card? Building rewards in dining and travel. Planning a trip to Japan fall '27
• Do you have any cards you've been looking at? Chase Sapphire Preferred (my sister wants to refer me), Capital One Venture X, to a lesser extent Chase Sapphire Reserve because I'm not sure I can make it worth it
• Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card? Fine with categories and interested in learning more about how to max points