2021
Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
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Travel credit cards can help you travel for free, while making your trips a bit less stressful and more enjoyable. You can earn valuable rewards — like points and miles — and, depending on your card, you'll get perks that can elevate your experience, like airport lounge access and elite hotel status. Travel cards also come with a variety of handy protections and insurance benefits, which can help if your trip is delayed or your bags are lost.
How We Picked These Cards Is a Travel Card Right for You?Credit Card Insider receives compensation from advertisers whose products may be mentioned on this page. Advertiser relationships do not affect card evaluations. Advertising partners do not edit or endorse our editorial content. Content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when it's published. Learn more in our Editorial Guidelines.
The information related to Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, World of Hyatt Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, American Express® Green Card, American Express® Business Gold Card, Capital One Spark Miles for Business, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card, and Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card have been collected by Credit Card Insider and have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of these products.
How We Picked These Cards
- Redeeming rewards: Do you know how to get a good value for your rewards? This usually means redeeming for flights or hotel rooms, but take note that point values can vary widely. You should be able to redeem for purchases or experiences that fit with your travel plans.
- Introductory bonus: Introductory bonuses (or signup bonuses) are great ways to earn a ton of points fast. These bonuses often give you a return on your spending of around 20%, but are sometimes as high as 50% or even more, making them some of the most lucrative offers in the credit card game.
- Fits your travel habits: Do you love Delta, Southwest, Marriott Bonvoy, or any other travel brand? Then one of their co-branded cards might be for you. If you don’t have a favorite, consider a general travel rewards card instead.
- Travel perks: Premium and mid-range travel cards tend to have valuable, cost-saving benefits like travel credits, airport lounge access, elite hotel status, or fee credits for expedited airport screening. Understand what you’ll be getting before you apply so you can make the most of your new card.
- Protection benefits: When something goes wrong, it’s good to have some backup. The best travel cards will help in certain unfortunate circumstances, with reimbursement for delayed trips or damaged bags, for example. Some even provide primary auto insurance for rental vehicles so your premiums won’t go up if you get in an accident.
- Foreign transaction fees: Most travel cards don’t have foreign transaction fees, but some do. If you’re going to be traveling outside the U.S. or purchasing anything in foreign currency, be sure to use a card without a foreign transaction fee.
- Chip-and-PIN EMV technology: If you’ll be traveling abroad it’s often a good idea to bring along a card with chip-and-PIN capability. Although regular chip-and-Signature cards are accepted at many locations, some terminals outside the U.S. only accept PIN cards.
Is a Travel Card Right for You?
As long as you’re a responsible credit card user, a credit card with travel rewards can help you travel for free and have a better time while you’re at it.
The best travel card for you depends on your preferences and travel habits. It could make sense for you to get more than one card (if you travel a lot, this is probably the case).
Travel credit cards come in several types:
- General travel credit cards
- Airline credit cards
- Hotel credit cards
- Cruise line credit cards
If you travel infrequently, like once per year or less, you should probably consider a card with no annual fee. If you spend a lot of time in the air, an airline-oriented card might be right. And if you stay at hotels — that’s right, there are hotel credit cards for you.
Do you have a favorite airline or hotel brand? You might enjoy using a co-branded credit card, which offers rewards and special perks with that company. If you don’t have any favorites, that’s OK too — there are plenty of general-use travel cards that are good for a variety of travel spending.
Are you a student traveling abroad? Check out The Best Credit Cards for Studying Abroad.
If you’re planning to travel to a different state or country, be sure to set a travel notice ahead of time to prevent your card from being declined while making purchases away from home.
Jump to section
What’s the Best Travel Credit Card?
BEST PICK FOR
General Travel
- Our best offer ever! Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,250 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 100,000 points are worth $1,250 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash’s subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review) makes a great first travel card.
It’s popular as an inexpensive and flexible way to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred to a variety of travel loyalty programs. It has an excellent signup bonus which could be worth enough for a few trips, and it’s also known for being made out of metal.
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You can get a 25% point bonus by redeeming for travel expenses through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal, which would give you a value of 1.25 cents per point. At that rate you’d be earning a cash back equivalent of 2.5% on travel purchases and dining.
But to really maximize your point value you’ll need to transfer them to a partner airline or hotel. That could give you upwards of 2 cents per point, which comes to a cash back equivalent of 4% on travel and dining.
With travel cards like these it generally pays to hold your points until you can redeem them at a good rate; otherwise you should just pay with your card as normal to earn more points.
- Point transfer: Transfer points at a 1:1 rate to leading airline and hotel frequent travel programs, like Marriott Bonvoy or United MileagePlus.
- 20,000-point referral bonus: Get 20,000 points for every friend you refer who applies for the card and is approved, up to 100,000 bonus points per year.
- $60 Peloton credit: Enroll to get up to $60 back for an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership (through 2021). No fitness equipment is required.
- DoorDash membership: A free membership (DashPass) for at least a year, which provides free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12
- Luxury Hotel Collection: Book eligible rooms to get perks like daily breakfast for two, complimentary WiFi, room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, and unique gifts.
- Shop through Chase/Chase Offers: Earn more points by shopping at participating retailers with the Shop through Chase and Chase Offers marketplaces.
- Visa Signature Concierge: Call to speak with your Visa Signature Concierge, any time, day or night.
- Premium Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Get primary coverage on eligible rental vehicles so your premiums won’t go up after an accident.
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card
- 2X points on:
- Travel
- Dining
- 1.5X points on everything else
- 50,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 90 days
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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- Perks: Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit; mile transfer
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
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- Perks: Mile transfer; Capital One CreditWise
- Shopping and travel protections (Visa Signature only): Auto Rental Insurance, Travel & Emergency Assistance, Warranty Manager Service, Travel Accident Insurance
- Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then 15.49% - 25.49% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
American Express® Green Card
- 3X Membership Rewards points for:
- Travel
- Restaurants
- 1X Membership Rewards point for all other purchases
- 30,000 bonus points for spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
- Perks: $100 annual CLEAR credit; $100 annual LoungeBuddy credit
- No foreign transaction fee (Rates & Fees)
- Annual fee: $150
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card
- 4X points per dollar on Travel for PenFed Honors Advantage members
- 3X points per dollar on Travel otherwise
- 1.5X points per dollar on all other purchases
- 50,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 90 days
- Perks: $100 annual air ancillary credit; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
BEST PICK FOR
Premium Travel Rewards
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. Through December 31, 2021, gas station & grocery store purchases will also count towards earning your Travel Credit
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 50% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review) is the better (and more expensive) cousin of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review).
It earns points at higher multiples for dining and travel, has a better redemption bonus, and comes with a variety of perks and services that can help you save money and access interesting experiences.
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You’ll get a 50% point bonus when redeeming for travel expenses through the Ultimate Rewards portal, which would make your points worth 1.5 cents each. That’d give you a cash back equivalent of 4.5% on travel and dining purchases, which isn’t too bad.
But the best way to use Ultimate Rewards points is to transfer them to a partner airline or hotel loyalty program. That could give you 2 cents per point or potentially quite a bit more, depending on how you use them.
At 2 cents per point you’d be earning a cash back equivalent of 6% on travel and dining, which is pretty competitive with the best credit cards.
- Point transfer: Transfer your points at a 1:1 rate to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, like United, JetBlue, and Marriott.
- $300 annual travel credit: A $300 travel credit every year that will be automatically applied toward a broad range of travel-related expenses charged to the card
- $120 Peloton credit: Enroll to get up to $120 back for an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership (through 2021). No fitness equipment is required.
- Priority Pass Select membership: Provides access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide plus a selection of restaurants. The cardholder and two guests can enter for free; additional guests cost $32 each
- Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection: Provides complimentary services and benefits at participating hotels and resorts, including room upgrades, daily breakfast for two, and special gifts
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: Get a statement credit to offset the cost of applying for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85), once every four years.
- Elite Hotel Benefits at Relais & Châteaux: Accelerated progress toward Club 5C member status with Relais & Châteaux luxury hotel and resort properties
- Visa Infinite Concierge: Call for non-emergency help of all kinds, like making dinner reservations or finding good tickets to a show.
- Special car rental privileges: Rental upgrades, discounts, and promotional offers at Avis, Silvercar, and National Car Rental
- Lyft Pink membership: One free year of Lyft Pink, which includes 15% off rides, relaxed cancellations, surprise offers, and priority airport pickup
- DoorDash membership: A free membership (DashPass) for a year, which provides free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12
- $60 annual DoorDash credit: Get $60 in DoorDash credits in 2020, and $60 in credits in 2021.
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection, a Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Delay Reimbursement, and more
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $550
The Platinum Card® from American Express
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- Perks: Global Lounge Collection; Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash; Uber Eats Pass; Uber VIP status; Up to $100 in annual Saks credits; Point transfer; The Hotel Collection; Fine Hotels and Resorts
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $695
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Citi Prestige® Card
- 5X ThankYou points for:
- Air travel
- Restaurants
- 3X ThankYou points for:
- Hotels
- Cruise lines
- 1X ThankYou point for every other purchase
- 50,000 ThankYou points for spending $4,000 within 3 months of account opening
- Perks: Fourth night free for eligible hotel rooms; $250 travel credit; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $495
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
- 3X points for:
- Travel
- Mobile wallet purchases
- 1X point for all other purchases
- Perks: $325 travel credit; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry application fee credit
- 50,000 bonus points for spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of membership
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $400
BEST PICK FOR
No Annual Fee
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Travel when you want with no blackout dates and fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime
- Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
- Transfer your miles to over 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 15.49% – 25.49% variable APR after that
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (Review) is an excellent no-fee choice for general travel expenses, although hotels are its strong suit.
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The Venture miles you earn with this card are typically worth 1 cent each, but Capital One recently introduced the ability to transfer your miles to a variety of airline partners.
Transfers could provide 2 cents per mile or more, which would give you a cash back equivalent of 2.5% for everything you buy.
Although this card’s base rewards are fairly small, it has valuable airline and hotel-related features that some travelers could find very useful.
- Mile transfer: Transfer miles to a variety of airline and hotel partners, at varying rates.
- Dining, sports, and music event access: Get access to exclusive culinary experiences, sports discounts and VIP packages, and concert tickets/perks.
- Capital One CreditWise: See your VantageScore 3.0 credit score, based on your TransUnion credit report, along with some information from that report.
- Shopping and travel protections (Visa Signature only): Auto Rental Insurance, Travel & Emergency Assistance, Warranty Manager Service, Travel Accident Insurance
- Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then 15.49% - 25.49% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
- 3X points at the Bank of America Travel Center
- 1.5X points for every other purchase
- 25,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days after account opening
- Purchase APR: 0% for 12 billing cycles, then 13.99%–23.99% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
- 3X points on:
- Dining
- Gas
- Travel
- Streaming services
- 1X point for every other purchase
- 20,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
- Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 12 months from account opening, then 14.49%-24.99% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card
- 3% cash back in your choice of one category every month:
- Gas
- Online shopping
- Dining
- Travel
- Drugstores
- Home improvement/furnishings stores
- 2% cash back at Grocery stores and Wholesale clubs
- 1% cash back for all other purchases
- Spending limit: 3% and 2% categories are limited to the first $2,500 in combined spending per quarter (then 1%)
- $200 cash rewards bonus for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles, then 13.99%–23.99% Variable
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%
- Annual fee: $0
Discover it® Miles
- 1.5X miles for every purchase
- Discover Match: Double miles earned during the first year, awarded at the end of the first year
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
The information related to Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
BEST PICK FOR
Airport Lounge Access
- Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- New! American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on select Equinox memberships. Enrollment required.
- $179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
When it comes to lounge access, there’s really no beating The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review) and its Global Lounge Collection.
There are quite a few cards offering the popular Priority Pass Select membership, but the Platinum card grants access to that along with a host of other lounge brands, including Delta Sky Clubs and Amex’s own exclusive Centurion lounges (enrollment required for lounge access).
It’s worth noting that the Platinum card’s Priority Pass Select membership excludes non-lounge experiences, though they’re still offered through competing premium cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review).
The business version of this card provides the same excellent lounge access, though some other card features are different: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Review).
Premium credit cards aren’t your only options for lounge access; check out the full marketplace of credit cards that provide airport lounge access.
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Normal redemptions for flights will yield 1 cent per point, which is a poor way to use your rewards. It would be better to save up for point transfers, which could provide upwards of 2 cents per point.
At 2 cents per point you’d earn a cash back equivalent of 10% in the 5X categories. But those bonus categories are a bit limited compared to what you’ll get from some other premium travel cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review) or Citi Prestige® Card (Review).
- Global Lounge Collection: Enroll for complimentary access to Priority Pass, Centurion, American Express International, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Airspace, Lufthansa, and Plaza Premium Lounges.
- Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get up to $15 in Uber Cash per month, plus a bonus $20 in December; U.S. Eats orders and rides only.
- $200 hotel credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits each year for prepaid hotels booked through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts; must pay with the Platinum card.
- $300 Equinox credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $300 in statement credits annually with Equinox (up to $25 per month), for Equinox All Access, Destination, E by Equinox, or Equinox+ membership fees.
- $240 digital entertainment credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $240 in statement credits annually for digital entertainment (up to $20 per month), only for eligible purchases from Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times.
- CLEAR credit: Up to $179 in statement credits annually for CLEAR biometric security, enough for a membership.
- Uber Eats Pass: Get unlimited $0 delivery fees and 5% off orders at eligible restaurants for 12 months; must enroll by 12/31/21. Taxes and service fees may apply and do not count toward the order minimum. Eats Pass will start auto-billing 12 months from enrollment, at then-current monthly rate. Learn more.
- Uber VIP status: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get Uber VIP status where available.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100 every four years) or TSA PreCheck ($85 once every four and a half years)
- Complimentary elite hotel statuses: Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- The Hotel Collection: A $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available for every eligible two-night stay
- Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: Daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available, amenities valued at $100, and more at eligible properties
- $100 annual Saks credit: Up to $100 in statement credits each year for Saks Fifth Avenue: $50 from January through June, and $50 from July through December
- Global Dining Access by Resy: Resy provides access to exclusive reservations and dining experiences.
- Point transfer: To a selection of airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $695
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Authorized users of the Sapphire Reserve cost $75 each per year, and they get their own Priority Pass Select memberships.
- Priority Pass Select membership: Provides access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide plus a selection of restaurants; the cardholder and two guests can enter for free; additional guests cost $32 each
- 10X Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides (through 3/31/22)
- 3X Ultimate Rewards points on:
- Travel (after using the full $300 travel credit)
- Dining
- 1X Ultimate Rewards point on all other purchases
- 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
- Perks: $300 travel credit; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; Lyft Pink membership; DoorDash membership, $60 annual credits; primary auto rental collision damage waiver
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $550
Citi Prestige® Card
Authorized users of the Citi Prestige cost $75 each, and they get their own Priority Pass Select memberships.
- Priority Pass Select membership: Access to over 1,200 Priority Pass airport lounges and restaurants around the world. Free access for you and two guests; additional guests cost $32 each.
- 5X ThankYou points for:
- Air travel
- Restaurants
- 3X ThankYou points for:
- Hotels
- Cruise lines
- 1X ThankYou point for every other purchase
- 50,000 ThankYou points for spending $4,000 within 3 months of account opening
- Perks: Fourth night free for eligible hotel rooms; $250 travel credit; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $495
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
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- Perks: Hilton Honors Diamond status; Annual free Weekend Night Award; Annual $250 Hilton resort statement credit; Annual $250 airline fee statement credit; $100 Hilton on-property credit; Priority Pass Select membership; American Express Concierge
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Rates & Fees)
PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card
- Priority Pass Select membership
- 4X points per dollar on Travel for PenFed Honors Advantage members
- 3X points per dollar on Travel otherwise
- 1.5X points per dollar on all other purchases
- 50,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 90 days
- Perks: $100 annual air ancillary credit; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
UNFCU® Elite Visa® Card
Authorized users of this card do not get additional free visits.
- Priority Pass Select membership: Five free lounge/restaurant visits per year; additional visits cost $27 per person
- 2X points for:
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Online food delivery
- 1X point on all other purchases
- Purchase APR: 0% for 6 months, then 9.90% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $50
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
BEST PICK FOR
Long Hotel Stays
- 5X ThankYou points on Air travel and Restaurants
- 3X ThankYou points on Hotels and Cruise Lines
- No limit to the amount of points you can earn
- Rewards never expire
- $250 travel credit
- Complimentary 4th night free on eligible hotel stays, capped at twice per year
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
- Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ Application Fee Credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- $495 annual fee
Frequent travelers have had a long-lasting love affair with the Citi Prestige® Card (Review).
This card offer is unique for giving your fourth night free on hotel stays, a valuable perk that could help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year, if you stay at high-end properties.
The Prestige used to be a powerhouse because you could use that benefit as often as you wanted, but now it’s capped at two uses per year.
This new limitation is a bit of a downer, but most people hopefully won’t mind too much as Citi stated that the average cardholder didn’t use that perk more than twice per year anyway.
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ThankYou points are only worth 1 cent each when redeeming for past travel expenses, and so, like with many travel cards, the best way to use your rewards is a point transfer.
Citi has a variety of airline travel partners, but unfortunately there are no hotel partners. You’ll find some popular and some less-popular airlines, and point values could reach 2 cents per point or higher.
At 2 cents per point, you’d be earning a cash back equivalent of 10% in the 5X categories, and 6% in the 3X categories. That’s as good or better than what you’ll get from other top travel cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review) and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review).
- Point transfer: To a variety of frequent flyer programs, including Etihad Guest, JetBlue TrueBlue, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Annual $250 travel credit: Good for airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and other travel expenses
- Complimentary 4th Night Stay: Get your fourth night free when booking four nights in a row through ThankYou.com and paying with your card, ThankYou points, or a combination of both; capped at twice per year.
- Priority Pass Select membership: Access to a vast array of Priority Pass airport lounges and restaurants around the world
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85), once every five years
- Citi Prestige Concierge: Call for non-emergency help any time you need it.
- World Elite Car Rental Program: Elite memberships at Avis, Silvercar, and National
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $495
The Platinum Card® from American Express
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- Perks: Global Lounge Collection; Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash; Uber Eats Pass; Uber VIP status; Up to $100 in annual Saks credits; Point transfer; The Hotel Collection; Fine Hotels and Resorts
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $695
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
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- Perks: $300 annual Marriott Bonvoy hotel credit; Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status; Free Night Award; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit; 15 Elite Night Credits annually; Bonus points for airline transfers
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
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- Perks: Hilton Honors Diamond status; Annual free Weekend Night Award; Annual $250 Hilton resort statement credit; Annual $250 airline fee statement credit; $100 Hilton on-property credit; Priority Pass Select membership; American Express Concierge
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Rates & Fees)
Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
BEST PICK FOR
Business Travel Rewards
Rewards
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Frequent business travelers need to know about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
Some may find the rewards a bit wanting, but the travel perks can’t be beat. You’ll get the best airport lounge access possible on a credit card, elite status at Marriott and Hilton to up your hotel game, and all the valuable protections and services you’d expect with a premier business travel card.
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The annual fee may seem a bit high at first glance, but consider everything you’ll get from the benefits, plus any rewards you earn: With enough travel each year you should be able to justify this card without much problem.
- Global Lounge Collection: Complimentary access to Priority Pass, Centurion, American Express International, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Airspace, Lufthansa, and Plaza Premium Lounges
- Up to $200 in airline fee statement credits annually: Good for incidental costs like checked bags and inflight food, not tickets, at your selected airline
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100 once every four years) or TSA PreCheck ($85 once every four-and-a-half years)
- Complimentary elite hotel statuses: Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- $200 Dell statement credit: Enroll to get an annual $200 statement credit for U.S. purchases with Dell: $100 from January through June, and $100 from July through December
- The Hotel Collection: A $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available for every eligible two-night stay
- Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: Daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available, amenities valued at $100, and more at eligible properties
- Point transfer: To a selection of airline and hotel partners
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $595
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- 5X Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides
- 3X Ultimate Rewards points on up to $150,000 spent per year for:
- Travel
- Shipping purchases
- Internet, cable, and phone services
- Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
- 1X Ultimate Rewards point on all other purchases
- 100,000 bonus points for spending $15,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
- Perks: 25% point bonus for travel redemptions via Ultimate Rewards; point transfer; shopping and travel protections; primary auto rental collision damage waiver
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
American Express® Business Gold Card
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- Perks: 25% points back when booking eligible airfare through Amex Travel; The Hotel Collection; Point transfer; Amex Offers
- Shopping and travel protections: Baggage Insurance Plan, Trip Delay Insurance, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $295
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
American Express® Business Gold Card (Rates & Fees)
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
- 5X miles per dollar for hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per dollar for every other purchase
- 50,000 bonus miles for spending $4,500 in the first 3 months
- Perks: Mile transfer; Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit; Visa Signature Business benefits
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0 intro for first year; $95 after that
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
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- Perks: Amex Offers; Point transfer; Connect to QuickBooks
- Connect to QuickBooks: Enroll to automatically tag your card transactions with your QuickBooks categories.
- Shopping and travel protections: Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline
- Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months from date of account opening, then 13.24% - 19.24% Variable
- Annual fee: No annual fee
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)
The information related to The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
BEST PICK FOR
Co-Branded Hotel Rewards
- Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you use your new Card to make $4,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, enjoy a free Weekend Night Reward within your first year and every year after renewal.
- Earn 14X Hilton Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your Card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio.
- Earn 7X Bonus Points for eligible purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies & at U.S. restaurants.
- Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Enjoy up to $250 in Hilton Resort Credits on your Card each anniversary year, when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- Enjoy complimentary Diamond status with your Hilton Honors Aspire Card.
- $450 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
You can get a lot out of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card if you’ll stay at Hilton properties several times per year. You’ll earn lots of points, and there are a variety of hotel credits and perks to make your stays less expensive and more enjoyable.
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As you can see, there’s no shortage of points with this card. But Hilton points aren’t usually valued as highly as points with other hotel reward programs.
At a value of 0.4–1 cent per point, you’ll be earning a cash back equivalent of 13.6%–34% at Hilton properties, and 2.8%–7% in the three 7X categories.
See the best hotel credit cards here for more great options for different hotel brands.
- Hilton Honors Diamond status: Includes a 100% bonus on Base points earned, room upgrades to suites when available, executive lounge access, a 48-hour room guarantee, and more
- Annual free Weekend Night Award: One free night every year, and earn another free weekend night by spending $60,000 in a calendar year
- Annual $250 Hilton resort statement credit: Get up to $250 in Hilton Resort Credits on your Card each anniversary year, when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio
- Annual $250 airline fee statement credit: For incidental fees only
- $100 Hilton on-property credit: Good for every eligible stay of two nights or more at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, valid for incidental fees only
- Priority Pass Select membership: Complimentary access to Priority Pass airport lounges (excludes non-lounge experiences)
- American Express Concierge: Call for help with select services, like buying event tickets, making dining and other reservations, and finding hard-to-find items.
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Rates & Fees)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
- 6X Bonus points for eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with participating Marriott Bonvoy properties
- 3X Bonus points for:
- Flights booked directly from airlines
- U.S. restaurants
- 2X Bonus points for all other purchases
- 75,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months; up to $200 in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first 6 months
- Perks: $300 hotel credit; annual Free Night Award; Priority Pass Select membership; Gold Elite hotel status; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
- No foreign transaction fee (Rates & Fees)
- Annual fee: $450 (Rates & Fees)
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- 12X Hilton Honors Bonus points per dollar for eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio
- 6X Bonus points at:
- U.S. restaurants
- U.S. supermarkets
- U.S. gas stations
- 3X Bonus points for all other purchases
- 150,000 bonus points for spending $2,000 in the first 3 months; 50,000 bonus points for spending a total of $10,000 in the first 6 months
- No foreign transaction fee (Rates & Fees)
- Annual fee: $95, $0 first year
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card
- 6X Marriott Bonvoy Bonus points per dollar for eligible purchases charged on your Card directly at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties
- 2X Bonus points for all other purchases
- 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases + 10X total points on eligible purchases in select categories
- Perks: Annual free night stay; Silver Elite status; 15 annual Elite Night credits
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
- 25X points at IHG properties
- 10X Bonus points from the card
- 15X Base points for IHG Platinum Elite status
- 2X Bonus points at:
- Gas stations
- Restaurants
- 1X Bonus point for all other purchases
- 150,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $89
Radisson Rewards™ Premier Visa Signature® Card
- 35X points per dollar at Radisson properties
- 10X Bonus points per dollar from the card
- 25X Base points per dollar on eligible purchases for being a Radisson Gold member
- 5X Bonus points per dollar on all other purchases
- 50,000 points after first purchase; 35,000 points after spending $2,500 in the first 90 days
- 40,000 Bonus points each year after renewing your card
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $75
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
The information related to Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
BEST PICK FOR
Co-Branded Airline Rewards
- Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles.
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United purchases including tickets, Economy Plus, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining at restaurants and eligible delivery services
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit
- Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip. Terms Apply
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights when you pay with your Club Card.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card (Review) is the premier card for flying United, with perks like access to the United Club lounge, free first and second checked bags, and priority treatment at the airport.
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See the best airline credit cards for more airline cards for different travel brands, or learn more about the other co-branded cards available from United.
- United Club membership: Complimentary membership to the United Club airport lounge, with free access for you and two guests
- Premier Access airport travel services: Includes priority check-in and security screening, and boarding/baggage handling privileges
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit: Get a $100 credit for the application fee of Global Entry, or $85 for TSA PreCheck, once every four years.
- Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection: Hotel perks like daily breakfast for two, complimentary WiFi, and room upgrades when available
- World of Hyatt Discoverist status: A 10% point bonus, room upgrades, and other benefits at Hyatt properties
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle Elite Status: Get a 25% point bonus, upgrades, and exclusive offers at Hertz.
- Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United award flights: MileagePlus Premier members can get award ticket upgrades when available.
- Free first and second checked bags: For you and one traveling companion on United flights
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $525
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
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- Perks: Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access; Annual Companion Certificate; First checked bag free, Priority Boarding, and 20% in-flight discount on Delta flights; Complimentary upgrades; Status Boost
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $550
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
- 7X AAdvantage miles for American Airlines purchases
- 5X miles as an AAdvantage member
- 2X miles from the card
- 1X AAdvantage mile for every other purchase
- 50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles for spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
- Perks: Admirals Club lounge access; enhanced airport experience; first checked bag free; 25% in-flight discount; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card
- 3X miles on Alaska Airlines & Virgin America purchases
- 1X mile on all other purchases
- 40,000 bonus miles and a Companion Fare for spending $2,000 in the first 90 days
- Perks: Annual Companion Fare credit; first checked bag free; 20% in-flight discount; Alaska Lounge discount
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $75
United℠ Explorer Card
- 2X United miles for:
- With United Airlines
- On hotel accommodations made directly with the hotel
- At restaurants
- 1X United mile on other purchases
- 60,000 bonus miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months; an additional 10,000 bonus miles for spending $6,000 in the first 6 months
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- 2X points at:
- Southwest Airlines
- Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- 1X point for every other purchase
- 40,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $149
JetBlue Plus Card
- 6X points for JetBlue purchases
- 2X points at:
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
- 1X point everywhere else
- 60,000 bonus points for paying the annual fee and spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- Perks: 10% redemption bonus; first checked bag free; 50% discount on in-flight purchases
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $99
BEST PICK FOR
Chip-and-PIN Card
- 5X ThankYou points on Air travel and Restaurants
- 3X ThankYou points on Hotels and Cruise Lines
- No limit to the amount of points you can earn
- Rewards never expire
- $250 travel credit
- Complimentary 4th night free on eligible hotel stays, capped at twice per year
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
- Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ Application Fee Credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- $495 annual fee
If you’ll be traveling outside the U.S., you’ll probably want a credit card or two with chip-and-PIN capability.
Most cards in the U.S. are only chip-and-Signature, and, although many checkout terminals in foreign countries accept both signature and PIN cards, some terminals only accept PIN cards (like some automated kiosks in Europe and other regions). So if you’re looking for the best credit cards for international travel it’s useful to have some chip-and-PIN cards in the mix.
A few U.S. credit card issuers offer chip-and-PIN cards (see a full list here), and out of those options it’d be tough to beat the Citi Prestige® Card (Review). Although this premium credit card is known for its fourth night free perk on hotel stays, its PIN capability will come in handy while traveling abroad.
If these bonus categories and benefits aren’t very appealing, check out the runners up for some other PIN cards with different features, including some cards without annual fees.
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Your ThankYou points will be worth from 1 cent to potentially over 2 cents each, depending on how you redeem them. Point transfers will be your best option.
At a rate of 1–2 cents per point, you’d be earning a cash back equivalent of 5%–10% in the 5X categories, and 3%–6% in the 3X categories.
- Point transfer: To a variety of airline loyalty programs, including Etihad Guest, JetBlue TrueBlue, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Annual $250 travel credit: Good for airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and other travel expenses
- Complimentary 4th Night Stay: Get your fourth night free when booking four nights in a row through ThankYou.com and paying with your card, ThankYou points, or a combination of both; capped at twice per year.
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership: Access to a vast array of Priority Pass airport lounges and restaurants around the world
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85), once every five years
- Citi Prestige Concierge: Call for non-emergency help any time you need it.
- World Elite Car Rental Program: Elite memberships at Avis, Silvercar, and National
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $495
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card
- 2X points on:
- Travel
- Dining
- 1.5X points on everything else
- 50,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 90 days
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
- 3X points at the Bank of America Travel Center
- 1.5X points for every other purchase
- 25,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days after account opening
- Purchase APR: 0% for 12 billing cycles, then 13.99%–23.99% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Citi Premier® Card
- 3X ThankYou points at:
- Air travel
- Hotels
- Gas stations
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants
- 1X ThankYou point on all other purchases
- 80,000 ThankYou points for spending $4,000 in first 3 months (worth $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com)
- Perks: $100 annual hotel credit; point transfer
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
- 2% cash back on every purchase (must pay at least the minimum due on time)
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers, then None
- Annual fee: $0
Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
BEST PICK FOR
Student Travelers
- $200 cash rewards bonus for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- New Offer: Maximize your cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement /furnishings
- Now earn 3% cash back in your choice category and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases
- You can update your choice category for future purchases once each calendar month using the Mobile banking app or Online banking, or do nothing and it stays the same.
- No changing categories and no expiration on rewards
- 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, then, 13.99%–23.99% Variable APR. 3% fee (min $10) applies to balance transfers.
- If you’re a Preferred Rewards client, you can increase that bonus to 25% – 75%. Click “Apply Now” to learn more about Preferred Rewards.
- Now with chip technology for enhanced security and protection at chip-enabled terminals
- No annual fee
Student travelers actually have several good options here, of travel cards designed for people with limited credit histories.
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards™ Credit Card for Students (Review) may be the best all-around student card for travel, but you’ll need to plan your travel spending a bit in advance to get the most out of it. That’s because this card allows you to choose your 3% bonus category each month, and you’ll need to set it to Travel for the appropriate time frame before making purchases.
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With this flexible card you can adjust your bonus category each month to fit your expected spending. So if you’re going on a trip beginning at the end of a month, for example, you could use the Travel category to get 3% back on your airfare and hotels, and even a car rental. Then, when the new month begins, you can switch your category to Gas to help fuel your adventure.
- Bank of America Preferred Rewards: Eligible bank account holders get a 25%–75% bonus on rewards earned, depending on how much money is held in BofA bank accounts.
- Free credit score: Check your FICO Score 8 for free, based on your TransUnion credit report.
- Visa Platinum or Signature benefits: Depending on creditworthiness
- Purchase and Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles, then 13.99%–23.99% Variable
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%
- Annual fee: $0
Bank of America Travel Rewards® Credit Card for Students
- 3X points on purchases from the Bank of America travel center
- 1.5X points for all other purchases
- 25,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months
- Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then 14.99%–22.99% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Deserve Edu Mastercard
Applicants of Deserve credit cards have a better chance of approval because Deserve checks factors like education and income potential, in addition to the typical credit scoring criteria.
- 1% cash back for all purchases
- One year of Amazon Prime Student for spending $500 in the first 3 billing cycles
- Limited one-year Priority Pass Select membership for spending $1,000 in 120 or 155 days; $27 fee per visit, per person (not all cardholders will receive this offer).
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Take note that Deserve will need to connect to your bank account to verify your balance. If you have privacy or security concerns this might worry you, but it seems logical because Deserve bases its decision on more than the typical credit approval criteria.
BEST PICK FOR
Hilton Hotels
- Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you use your new Card to make $4,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, enjoy a free Weekend Night Reward within your first year and every year after renewal.
- Earn 14X Hilton Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your Card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio.
- Earn 7X Bonus Points for eligible purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies & at U.S. restaurants.
- Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Enjoy up to $250 in Hilton Resort Credits on your Card each anniversary year, when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- Enjoy complimentary Diamond status with your Hilton Honors Aspire Card.
- $450 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
American Express issues several different cards that are co-branded with Hilton hotels, including one luxury card and one business card. The luxury card obviously offers the best perks, and comes with the highest annual fee.
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card isn’t cheap, but it comes with a variety of rewards and cost-saving benefits to offset its annual fee.
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- Hilton Honors Diamond status: Includes a 100% bonus on Base points earned, room upgrades to suites when available, executive lounge access, a 48-hour room guarantee, and more
- Annual free Weekend Night Award: One free night every year, and earn another free weekend night by spending $60,000 in a calendar year
- Annual $250 Hilton resort statement credit: Get up to $250 in Hilton Resort Credits on your Card each anniversary year, when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio
- Annual $250 airline fee statement credit: For incidental fees only
- $100 Hilton on-property credit: Good for every eligible stay of two nights or more at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, valid for incidental fees only
- Priority Pass Select membership: Complimentary access to Priority Pass airport lounges (excludes non-lounge experiences)
- American Express Concierge: Call for help with select services, like buying event tickets, making dining and other reservations, and finding hard-to-find items.
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Rates & Fees)
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
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- Perks: Hilton Honors Silver status; ShopRunner membership; Amex Offers; Shopping and travel protections
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95, $0 first year
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (Rates & Fees)
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
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- Perks: Hilton Honors Silver status, with a fast track to Gold status; ShopRunner membership; Entertainment Access program
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty, Car Rental Insurance Plan, Global Assist Hotline
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
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- Perks: Hilton Honors Gold status, and fast track to Diamond; Priority Pass Select membership (10 free visits per year, then $32 per person); Annual Weekend Night Award for spending $15,000 in a calendar year, and a second for spending $60,000; Amex Offers
- Shopping and travel protections: Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Baggage Insurance Plan, Global Assist Hotline
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (Rates & Fees)
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
The information related to Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
BEST PICK FOR
Hyatt Hotels
- Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent
- Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
- Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
- Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
- Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
- Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status everytime you spend $5,000 on your card
- Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 you can earn as a World of Hyatt member
- Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airlines tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
Your only option for a Hyatt-branded credit card is the World of Hyatt Credit Card (Review) from Chase, but it comes with quite a few perks to take advantage of every year.
Spending Rewards Introductory Bonus
- Free Night Stay: Get one free night stay at a category 1–4 Hyatt hotel or resort, every year after your cardmember anniversary.
- Additional Free Night Stay: Spend $15,000 in an anniversary year to get another free night stay at a category 1–4 Hyatt hotel or resort.
- World of Hyatt Discoverist status: Includes perks like premium internet, free bottled water, room upgrades when available, and more
- Visa Signature Concierge: Call for help with all sorts of non-emergency tasks, like travel information or dining reservations.
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
The information related to World of Hyatt Credit Card has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
BEST PICK FOR
IHG Hotels
- Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
- Enjoy a Reward Night after each account anniversary year at eligible IHG hotels worldwide. Plus, enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for any stay of 4 or more nights
- Earn up to 25 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member
- Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Fee Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG Rewards Club Bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
If you’re looking for a card branded with the InterContinental Hotels Group, the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card (Review) is your best option. It earns a wealth of points at IHG properties, comes with complimentary Platinum Elite status, and provides a free reward night each year after your cardmember anniversary.
| Spending Rewards |
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- Free Night Stay: An annual free night’s stay at any eligible IHG property worldwide
- Fourth Night Free: Fourth reward night is free when redeeming points for stays of four nights or more
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit: Every four years, get up to $100 for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
- Point discount: 20% discount when purchasing points
- Complimentary IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite status: Includes a 50% bonus on base points earned, free internet, priority check-in, room upgrades when available, and guaranteed room availability (72 hours in advance)
- Annual bonus offer: 10,000 Bonus points for spending $20,000 and making one additional purchase per account anniversary year
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $89
IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card
| Spending Rewards |
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Perks: 20% discount on point purchases; Fourth reward night free
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
The information related to IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
BEST PICK FOR
Marriott Bonvoy Hotels
- Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $200 in Statement Credits for eligible purchases at U.S. Restaurants within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enjoy up to $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy(TM) program.
- Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy(TM) program. 3 points at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2 points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 free Night Award every year after your Card account anniversary. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points) at a participating hotel. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy unlimited airport lounge visits when you enroll in Priority Pass(TM) Select membership.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $450 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Since the merger of Marriott with Starwood, which included Ritz-Carlton, there are now several co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit cards.
The lineup includes one luxury card with great rewards and benefits — the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (Review). The annual fee is fairly high but you’ll get more than a few cost-saving perks to justify the money.
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- $300 annual Marriott Bonvoy hotel credit: Up to $300 in statement credits for eligible purchases
- Free Night Award: Every year after your account anniversary you’ll get a Free Night Award, good for redemption values of 50,000 points or less.
- Priority Pass Select membership: Free access to Priority Pass airport lounges for you and up to two guests (excludes non-lounge experiences)
- Application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100 every five years) or TSA PreCheck ($85 every four-and-a-half years)
- Complimentary Gold Elite hotel status: Includes perks like a 25% bonus on base points, 2 p.m. late checkout, and more
- 15 Elite Night Credits: Each year you’ll get 15 Elite Night Credits towards a higher member status.
- $100 property credit: Earn up to $100 in property credits when booking at least two nights direct with a special rate code at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis.
- Bonus points for airline transfers: Get 15,000 bonus points for every 60,000 points transferred to airline programs
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card
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- Perks: Annual free night stay; Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status; 15 Elite Night credits; Visa Signature Concierge
- Annual fee: $95
Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card
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- Perks: 15 annual Elite Night credits; Shopping and travel protections
- Annual fee: $0
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Perks: Free Night Award after account anniversary, and a second Free Night Award for spending $60,000 in a calendar year; Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, with a fast track to Gold Elite; Free premium in-room WiFi; 15 Elite Night Credits; $100 property credit at The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis
- Shopping and travel protections: Baggage Insurance Plan, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $125
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
BEST PICK FOR
Radisson and Club Carlson Hotels
- 10X points per dollar spent in eligible net purchases at participating Radisson Family of Hotels
- 5X points per dollar spent in eligible net purchases everywhere else
- 40,000 renewal bonus points each year when you renew your card
- Up to 85,000 Bonus Points – receive 50,000 points after your first purchase plus 35,000 points once you spend $2,500 on your card within the first 90 days
- Earn up to three Free Night E-Certs when you charge up to $30,000 then renew your card. One E-Cert per $10,000
- Exclusive Gold Status Radisson Rewards membership upgrade with included benefits
- Earn free stays at more than 1,100 hotels across the globe
- $75 annual fee
You’ll have a couple different options for Radisson-branded hotel cards. The Radisson Rewards™ Premier Visa Signature® Card is the best offer, but there’s also a no annual fee card for those who won’t stay at Radisson very often.
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- Radisson Rewards Gold status: Includes perks like a bonus on Base points, a 15% discount on food and drink, welcome gifts, room upgrades, and more
- Free Night E-Certificates: Earn one Free Night E-Cert for each $10,000 spent in a given year, up to 3 free nights per year.
- Visa Signature Concierge: Call for non-emergency help with travel planning, making reservations, finding restaurants, and more.
- Visa Signature perks: Entertainment offers, shopping discounts, invites to sports events, etc.
- Foreign transaction fee: 2% of each foreign purchase or foreign ATM advance in USD; 3% of each foreign purchase or foreign ATM advance in a foreign currency
- Annual fee: $75
Radisson Rewards™ Visa® Card
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- Annual fee: $0
BEST PICK FOR
Long Hotel Stays
- 5X ThankYou points on Air travel and Restaurants
- 3X ThankYou points on Hotels and Cruise Lines
- No limit to the amount of points you can earn
- Rewards never expire
- $250 travel credit
- Complimentary 4th night free on eligible hotel stays, capped at twice per year
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
- Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ Application Fee Credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- $495 annual fee
The Citi Prestige® Card (Review) has an excellent rewards program for anyone who tends to stay with different hotel brands, with 3X points for every stay (plus other handy categories for travelers).
But the best part? You’ll get your fourth night free on hotel bookings, up to twice per year, when you book with ThankYou.com. Plan to use those on a nice vacation, at a fancy hotel or resort, and they could easily be worth over $1K per year.
There’s also solid airport lounge access through Priority Pass, and a travel credit to help offset the annual fee.
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- Complimentary 4th Night Free: Get your fourth night free on stays of four nights or more when booked through ThankYou.com, capped at twice per year.
- $250 annual travel credit: Good for airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and other travel expenses
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit: A credit for the Global Entry ($100) or TSA Pre✓ ($85) application fee, once every five years
- Citi Prestige Concierge: Call for non-emergency help at any time, like making reservations or finding hotels.
- Mastercard Airport Concierge: Get a 15% discount on select airport services.
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $495
- Metal credit card
Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
BEST PICK FOR
Elite Hotel Status
- Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- New! American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on select Equinox memberships. Enrollment required.
- $179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Don’t want to be treated like a commoner? Tap into complimentary elite hotel statuses with The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review), and upgrade your next Hilton or Marriott Bonvoy stay.
You’ll enjoy both Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, which means more points per dollar, better rooms, and some nice amenities.
Hilton Honors Gold comes with an 80% point bonus, room upgrades, free breakfast, and more. Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite gives you a 25% point bonus, room upgrades, a welcome gift of points, and enhanced in-room internet access.
If you prefer a particular hotel brand — like Hilton, Marriott Bonvoy, Hyatt, or IHG — you’ll find hotel member status included with many co-branded credit cards as well.
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- Global Lounge Collection: Enroll for complimentary access to Priority Pass, Centurion, American Express International, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Airspace, Lufthansa, and Plaza Premium Lounges.
- Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get up to $15 in Uber Cash per month, plus a bonus $20 in December; U.S. Eats orders and rides only.
- $200 hotel credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits each year for prepaid hotels booked through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts; must pay with the Platinum card.
- $300 Equinox credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $300 in statement credits annually with Equinox (up to $25 per month), for Equinox All Access, Destination, E by Equinox, or Equinox+ membership fees.
- $240 digital entertainment credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $240 in statement credits annually for digital entertainment (up to $20 per month), only for eligible purchases from Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times.
- CLEAR credit: Up to $179 in statement credits annually for CLEAR biometric security, enough for a membership.
- Uber Eats Pass: Get unlimited $0 delivery fees and 5% off orders at eligible restaurants for 12 months; must enroll by 12/31/21. Taxes and service fees may apply and do not count toward the order minimum. Eats Pass will start auto-billing 12 months from enrollment, at then-current monthly rate. Learn more.
- Uber VIP status: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get Uber VIP status where available.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100 every four years) or TSA PreCheck ($85 once every four and a half years)
- Complimentary elite hotel statuses: Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- The Hotel Collection: A $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available for every eligible two-night stay
- Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: Daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available, amenities valued at $100, and more at eligible properties
- $100 annual Saks credit: Up to $100 in statement credits each year for Saks Fifth Avenue: $50 from January through June, and $50 from July through December
- Global Dining Access by Resy: Resy provides access to exclusive reservations and dining experiences.
- Point transfer: To a selection of airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $695
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
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- Perks: Hilton Honors Diamond status; Annual free Weekend Night Award; Annual $250 Hilton resort statement credit; Annual $250 airline fee statement credit; $100 Hilton on-property credit; Priority Pass Select membership; American Express Concierge
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Rates & Fees)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
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- Perks: $300 annual Marriott Bonvoy hotel credit; Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status; Free Night Award; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit; 15 Elite Night Credits annually; Bonus points for airline transfers
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
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- Perks: Hilton Honors Silver status; ShopRunner membership; Amex Offers; Shopping and travel protections
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95, $0 first year
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (Rates & Fees)
Hilton Honors American Express Card
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- Perks: Hilton Honors Silver status, with a fast track to Gold status; ShopRunner membership; Entertainment Access program
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty, Car Rental Insurance Plan, Global Assist Hotline
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
World of Hyatt Credit Card
| Spending Rewards |
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Perks: World of Hyatt Discoverist status; Free Night Stay; Visa Signature Concierge
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Perks: Annual free night stay; Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status; 15 Elite Night credits; Visa Signature Concierge
- Annual fee: $95
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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- Perks: Accelerated progress toward Club 5C membership status at Relais & Châteaux luxury hotel and resort properties; $300 annual travel credit; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; Lyft Pink membership; DoorDash membership and credits; point transfer partners
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $550
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
BEST PICK FOR
No Annual Fee
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 8/25/2021.
- Limited Time Offer: Plus, earn up to $100 in statement credits on eligible purchases made on the Card at any of the Hilton family of hotels in the first 12 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 8/25/2021.
- Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
- No Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Most hotel credit cards have annual fees around $100, and it might be hard to decide whether it’s worth applying or not. Will you use the card enough?
But, if you don’t travel often and still have a favorite hotel brand, a hotel card with no annual fee, like the Hilton Honors American Express Card (Review), might be a good option. Or you might be better off with a general travel rewards card with no annual fee.
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- Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status: Includes a 20% point bonus, room upgrades when available, late checkout, and more
- Fast track to Gold status: Upgrade to Gold Status by spending $20,000 or more with the card in a given year.
- Complimentary ShopRunner membership: Register with ShopRunner for free two-day shipping and returns at select online retailers.
- Entertainment Access: Exclusive discounts to dining events, concerts, sports, and shows
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty, Car Rental Insurance Plan, Global Assist Hotline
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card
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- Perks: 15 annual Elite Night credits; Shopping and travel protections
- No foreign transaction fee
IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Perks: Save 20% on purchased points; Gold Elite membership for spending $10,000 in a year; Shopping and travel protections
- No foreign transaction fee
Radisson Rewards™ Visa® Card
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- Perk: Earn up to three Free Night E-Certs when you charge up to $30,000 then renew your card; one E-Cert per $10,000 spent per year
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Perks: Mile transfer; Capital One CreditWise
- Shopping and travel protections (Visa Signature only): Auto Rental Insurance, Travel & Emergency Assistance, Warranty Manager Service, Travel Accident Insurance
- Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then 15.49% - 25.49% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Perks: Free FICO credit score; Preferred Rewards point bonus
- Purchase APR: 0% for 12 billing cycles, then 13.99%–23.99% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Perks: Three-month DoorDash membership; Lyft credits; Shop through Chase/Chase Offers; Shopping and travel protections
- Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 14.99% - 23.74% Variable
Discover it® Miles
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Purchase APR: See Terms for See Terms, then See Terms
- Balance Transfer APR: See Terms for See Terms, then See Terms
- No foreign transaction fee
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
BEST PICK FOR
Premium Travel
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. Through December 31, 2021, gas station & grocery store purchases will also count towards earning your Travel Credit
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 50% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
If you’re not willing to settle for a lesser travel card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review) should be on your shortlist. With a solid rate for just about every travel expense, including hotels, travelers should earn quite a few points per trip.
The points are accompanied by excellent perks, including a big travel credit to help bring the effective cost down and airport lounge access via Priority Pass Select membership.
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Point transfer: Transfer your points at a 1:1 rate to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, like United, JetBlue, and Marriott Bonvoy.
- $300 annual travel credit: A $300 travel credit every year that will be automatically applied toward a broad range of travel-related expenses charged to the card
- $120 Peloton credit: Enroll to get up to $120 back for an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership (through 2021). No fitness equipment is required.
- Priority Pass Select membership: Enjoy access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide plus a selection of restaurants. The cardholder and two guests can enter for free; additional guests cost $27 each.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: Get a statement credit to offset the cost of applying for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85), once every four years.
- Elite hotel benefits at Relais & Châteaux: Accelerated progress towards Club 5C member status with Relais & Châteaux luxury hotel and resort properties
- Visa Infinite Concierge: Call for non-emergency help of all kinds, like making dinner reservations or finding good tickets to a show.
- Special car rental privileges: Rental upgrades, discounts, and promotional offers at Avis, Silvercar, and National Car Rental
- Lyft Pink membership: One free year of Lyft Pink, which includes 15% off rides, relaxed cancellations, surprise offers, and priority airport pickup
- DoorDash membership: A free membership (DashPass) for a year, which provides free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12
- $60 annual DoorDash credit: Get $60 in DoorDash credits in 2020, and $60 in credits in 2021.
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection, a Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Delay Reimbursement, and more
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $550
The Platinum Card® from American Express
| Spending Rewards |
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Perks: Global Lounge Collection; Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash; Uber Eats Pass; Uber VIP status; Up to $100 in annual Saks credits; Point transfer; The Hotel Collection; Fine Hotels and Resorts
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $695
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Citi Prestige® Card
| Spending Rewards |
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Perks: Complimentary 4th Night Free for stays of four nights or more when booked through ThankYou.com, capped at twice per year; $250 annual travel credit; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Citi Concierge
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $495
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
| Spending Rewards |
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| Introductory Bonus |
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- Perks: Annual $325 travel credit; Global Entry fee credit; Limited Priority Pass Select membership
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $400
BEST PICK FOR
Business Trips
Rewards
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You don’t have many options for co-branded hotel business cards, so you may want to expand your search to include general business travel cards, or the personal hotel cards on this page.
If Marriott’s a regular feature of your itinerary, consider the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card (Review). With a reasonable annual fee and solid perks, like upgraded member status and a free night every year after your anniversary, it might even make those business trips something to look forward to.
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- Free Night Award: Every year after your account anniversary you’ll get a Free Night Award, good for redemption values of 35,000 points or fewer; earn a second free night by spending $60,000 in a calendar year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status: Includes a 10% bonus on Base points and priority late checkout
- Earn Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status: Spend $35,000 in a calendar year to gain a Gold Elite membership.
- Free premium in-room WiFi
- 15 Elite Night Credits: Each year you’ll get 15 Elite Night Credits towards a higher member status.
- $100 property credit: Earn up to $100 in property credits when booking at least two nights direct with a special rate code at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis.
- Shopping and travel protections: Baggage Insurance Plan, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $125
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
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- Perks: Limited Priority Pass Select membership; Hilton Honors Gold status; Spend to earn annual weekend night awards; Amex Offers
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (Rates & Fees)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
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- Perks: Global Lounge Collection airport lounge access; Up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status; Up to $200 in annual Dell statement credits; The Hotel Collection; Fine Hotels & Resorts program; Point transfer
- Shopping and travel protections: Baggage Insurance Plan, Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Return Protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $595
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
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- Perks: Mile transfer; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Shopping and travel protections
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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- Perks: Point transfer; 25% point bonus for travel redemptions via Ultimate Rewards; Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection; Shopping and travel protections
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business
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- Perks: Mile transfer; Shopping and travel protections
- Purchase APR: 0% for 9 months, then 14.49% - 22.49% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
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- Perks: Amex Offers; Point transfer; Connect to QuickBooks
- Connect to QuickBooks: Enroll to automatically tag your card transactions with your QuickBooks categories.
- Shopping and travel protections: Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline
- Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months from date of account opening, then 13.24% - 19.24% Variable
- Annual fee: No annual fee
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Brex Daily Card
- Rewards: Choose from one of three valuable rewards programs, two of which offer 5X points on hotels and airfare booked through Brex Travel
- Perks: Point transfer; Thousands of dollars in statement credits, plus discounts and more, for services like Amazon Web Services, WeWork, Google Ads, SendGrid, and Twilio (explained here)
- Expense management and receipt reconciliation tools
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
- Not available to sole proprietors, unregistered businesses, and other non-individual liability companies
The information related to Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.
BEST PICK FOR
Alaska Airlines
- NEW – 40,000 Bonus Mile + Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ Offer.
- Get 40,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22) with this offer. To qualify, make purchases of $2,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account.
- Save with a free checked bag on Alaska flights for you and up to six other guests on the same reservation.
- Get Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ every year! EACH YEAR on your account anniversary get a companion fare from $121 ($99 plus taxes and fees from $22). Valid on all Alaska flights booked on alaskaair.com.
- Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Get exclusive access to discounted redemption levels when you redeem miles for hotel stays at over 400,000 properties using Alaska Airlines Hotels.
- Earn unlimited miles and travel with no blackout dates and no foreign transaction fees.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card is one of the more popular airline cards thanks to the yearly Companion Fare, which can completely offset the annual fee and make this card basically free to use.
In fact, as long as you avoid interest and other fees, you’re effectively getting paid to use this card if you always take advantage of the Companion Fare.
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- Annual Companion Fare credit: A yearly Companion Fare credit ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22)
- Additional mile-earning opportunities: Use Alaska Airlines’ shopping portal to earn bonus miles at select retailers.
- First checked bag free on Alaska Airlines flights: For you and up to six other travelers on the same reservation
- 20% in-flight purchase discount: 20% back on all Alaska Airlines in-flight purchases
- Alaska Lounge discount: Get 50% off day passes at the Alaska Lounge.
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $75
Alaska Airlines Visa® Business credit card
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- First checked bag free on Alaska Airlines flights: For you and up to six other travelers on the same reservation
- 20% in-flight purchase discount: 20% back on all Alaska Airlines in-flight purchases
- Alaska Lounge discount: Get 50% off day passes at the Alaska Lounge.
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $50 for the company and $25 per card
BEST PICK FOR
American Airlines
- Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage®bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- Admirals Club® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
- Earn 10,000 AAdvantage® Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the year
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.99% – 24.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (Review) is the premier card for flying American Airlines, with a hefty price tag. But if you’re already spending a lot of money and time with the airline, this card’s benefits, particularly the Admirals Club airport lounge membership, could make your life quite a bit more comfortable.
Authorized users of this card have no cost and actually get Admirals Club access as well, a rare feature on premium travel cards like this. Up to ten authorized users can be added.
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- Admirals Club membership: You and up to ten authorized users have access to the Admirals Club airport lounge.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application credit: Get a credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85) once every five years.
- Elite Qualifying Miles: Earn 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles after spending $40,000 on purchases in a given year.
- Reduced Mileage Awards: Get discounted travel for round trip (7,500 miles off) and one-way flights (3,750 miles off).
- Enhanced Airport Experience: Including priority check-in, screening, and boarding privileges
- 25% discount on in-flight purchases on AA flights: The 25% discount will be applied to in-flight purchases of food and beverages only.
- First checked bag free on AA flights: For you and up to eight traveling companions
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®
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- Perks: First checked bag free, Preferred Boarding, 25% savings on eligible in-flight purchases
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $99, waived for first 12 months
AAdvantage® Aviator™ Red World Elite Mastercard®
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- Perks: First checked bag free, Preferred Boarding, 25% savings on eligible in-flight purchases, $25 annual credit for in-flight WiFi
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $99
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card
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- Perks: 25% savings on eligible in-flight purchases
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%
- Annual fee: $0
AAdvantage® Aviator™ Business Mastercard®
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- Perks: First checked bag free, Preferred Boarding, 25% savings on eligible in-flight purchases, 5% AAdvantage mileage bonus
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®
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- Perks: First checked bag free, Preferred Boarding, 25% savings on eligible in-flight purchases
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $99, waived for first 12 months
Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
BEST PICK FOR
Delta Air Lines
- Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion(R) Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost(R). Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus Medallion(R) Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help you reach Medallion Status.
- Receive a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+(R) or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card.*Payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Complimentary access into the Delta Sky Club(R) for you when travelling on a Delta flight.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion(R) Lounge when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R).
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $550 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Review) is expensive, but it comes with quite a few valuable benefits. You get complimentary Delta Sky Club access and two free one-time Sky Club guest passes (guests are $39 after that), plus complimentary access to Centurion Lounges (where guests will cost $50).
Other perks include an annual Companion Certificate and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit.
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- Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access: Get complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs, with up to two guests at $39 each, plus complimentary access to Centurion Lounges, with up to two guests at $50 each. Includes two free Delta Sky Club one-time guest passes.
- Annual Companion Certificate: A certificate for a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin round-trip flight
- Status Boost: Earn 15,000 MQMs for spending $30,000, up to four times per calendar year.
- First checked bag free on Delta flights: For you and up to eight traveling companions
- Priority Boarding on Delta flights: Get on the plane more quickly with Zone 1 priority boarding.
- Complimentary upgrades: If you don’t have Medallion status you can still get some upgrades for free.
- 20% in-flight discount on Delta flights: A 20% discount, in the form of a statement credit, on eligible in-flight purchases, like food, beverages, movies, and audio headsets
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $550
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
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- Perks: Annual Companion Certificate; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; First checked bag free, Main Cabin 1 Priority boarding, and 20% in-flight discount on Delta flights; Delta Sky Club access for $39 per person; Status Boost
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $250
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
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- Perks: First checked bag free on Delta flights; Main Cabin 1 priority boarding; 20% back on in-flight purchases; $100 Delta flight credit for spending $10,000; ShopRunner membership
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
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- Perks: 20% in-flight discount on Delta flights; Amex Offers; ShopRunner membership
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
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- Perks: Delta Sky Club an Centurion Lounge access; Annual Companion Certificate; First checked bag free, Priority Boarding, 20% in-flight discount on Delta flights; Complimentary upgrades; Status Boost; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $550
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
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- Perks: Annual Companion Certificate; First checked bag free, Main Cabin 1 Priority boarding, 20% in-flight discount on Delta flights; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Status Boost
- Shopping and travel protections: Baggage Insurance Plan, Trip Delay Insurance, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $250
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
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- Perks: First checked bag free, Main Cabin 1 priority boarding, 20% back on in-flight purchases on Delta flights; $100 Delta flight credit for spending $10,000 in a calendar year
- Shopping and travel protections: Baggage Insurance Plan, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
BEST PICK FOR
Frontier Airlines
- 5X miles per dollar spent on purchases from Frontier Airlines
- 3X miles per dollar spent at restaurants
- 50,000 bonus miles after paying the annual fee and spending $500 in the first 90 days
- No award redemption fee when you book an award ticket using your Frontier Airlines World Mastercard to pay the related taxes and fees, starting from $5.60 for a one-way ticket
- $100 Frontier Airlines flight discount voucher after your account anniversary, after spending $2,500 on purchases in a given year
- Use your Frontier Airlines Mastercard for at least one purchase every six months to keep your miles from expiring
- 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles (for transfers completed within 45 days of account opening) on balance transfers, and then your rate will be 18.24%, 22.24% or 27.24% Variable
- View your FICO® Score online – with no charge and no hidden fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- Annual fee: $79, $0 first year
The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard (Review) is one of the less expensive cards on this list, but it offers miles at a relatively high rate and has a good signup bonus, too. Frontier miles usually aren’t valued very highly, however, typically coming in around 1 cent each.
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Take note that your Frontier miles will expire unless there is some activity in your Frontier Miles account at least once every six months. Any purchase will qualify as account activity, so you can just buy a pack of gum to keep your miles active.
- Award redemption fee waiver: A fee waiver when you pay for flights using Frontier miles, starting at $5.60 for one-way tickets
- $100 Frontier Flight Voucher: Get a $100 Flight Voucher after your account anniversary for every year that you spend at least $2,500.
- Fast track to Elite Status: Earn 1 Qualifying Mile for every $1 spent on purchases.
- Priority Boarding on Frontier flights: Zone 2 priority boarding privileges
- Purchase APR: 18.24%, 22.24% or 27.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles (for transfers completed within 45 days of account opening), then 18.24%, 22.24% or 27.24% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $79, $0 first year
BEST PICK FOR
Hawaiian Airlines
- Min. credit levelGood
- Annual Fee$0 intro annual fee first year, then $99
- Regular APR18.24%, 22.24% or 27.24% variable Variable
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
- First checked bag free on eligible bags for the primary cardmember when you use your card to purchase eligible tickets directly from Hawaiian Airlines
- One-time 50% off companion discount for roundtrip coach travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines
- Earn 3X miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases
- Earn 2x miles on gas, dining and grocery store purchases
- Earn 1X miles on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees means you don’t pay additional transaction fees on international purchases
- Receive an annual $100 companion discount for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines after each account anniversary
- Share Miles allows you to send and receive miles from family and friends through HawaiianAirlines.com, without a fee
- No blackout dates
The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® (Review) is your only consumer card option for flying Hawaiian Airlines.
The spending rewards are about average for an airline card, but it has a valuable annual companion discount that can completely offset the annual fee.
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- $100 annual companion ticket discount: Each year you’ll get a $100 discount on a companion ticket for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America.
- One-time 50% companion ticket discount: Eligible for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America
- Free first checked bag on Hawaiian Airlines flights: For the primary cardholder only
- Discounted award prices for Hawaiian Airlines flights
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee first year, then $99
Hawaiian Airlines® Business Mastercard®
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- Perks: One time 50% off companion discount, up to 40,000 annual bonus miles, discounted award flights
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $99
BEST PICK FOR
JetBlue
- Earn 40,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days.
- Earn 6X points per $1 on JetBlue purchases, 2X points per $1 at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1X point per $1 on all other purchases.
- Earn 5,000 bonus points every year automatically after your account anniversary.
- Get 10% of your points back every time you redeem.
- No blackout dates on JetBlue-operated flights & redeem for any seat, any time on JetBlue-operated flights.
- Free first checked bag for you and up to three traveling companions.
- 50% savings on eligible inflight purchases like cocktails and food.
- Enjoy TrueBlue Mosaic benefits after you spend $50,000 or more on purchases each calendar year with your card.
- Enjoy a $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your JetBlue Plus Card.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- $99 annual fee.
The JetBlue Plus Card is one of three rewards cards available through JetBlue. It offers more points than your average airline card, along with an excellent discount rate on in-flight purchases.
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- 10% point redemption bonus
- 5,000 annual bonus points: Get 5,000 bonus points every year on your account anniversary.
- First checked bag is free on JetBlue flights: For you and up to three traveling companions
- 50% discount on in-flight purchases on JetBlue flights: 50% off eligible in-flight purchases, like food and cocktails
- Fast track to TrueBlue Mosaic status: Spend $50,000 on purchases in a given year to get TrueBlue Mosaic status for a year.
- $100 vacation package credit: Get a $100 statement credit every year that you buy a vacation package of $100 or more.
- Purchase APR: 18.24%, 22.24%, or 27.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 12 months (for balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening), then 18.24%, 22.24%, or 27.24% Variable
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $99
JetBlue Card
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- Perk: 50% discount on in-flight purchases
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
JetBlue Business Mastercard®
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- Perks: 50% discount on in-flight purchases, free first checked bags, TrueBlue Mosaic boost, vacation package benefits
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $99
BEST PICK FOR
Southwest Airlines
- Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
- 7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year.
- $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
- 20% back on inflight drinks and WiFi.
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (Review) is the newest entry in Southwest’s line of credit cards, offering an annual flight credit to help offset the annual fee.
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Read more about how you can fly for free with Southwest Airlines credit cards.
- 7,500 annual bonus points: You’ll receive 7,500 bonus points every year on your account anniversary.
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit: An automatic statement credit every year for Southwest purchases, excluding upgraded boardings and in-flight purchases
- Upgraded Boardings: Get four upgraded boardings per year (reimbursed as a statement credit at the end of the year).
- Tier Qualifying Points: Every $10,000 spent earns 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List status, up to $100,000 spent.
- 20% discount on in-flight purchases on Southwest flights: 20% off eligible in-flight purchases, like food, drinks, and WiFi
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $149
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
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- No foreign transaction fee
- Perks: Anniversary bonus points, earn tier qualifying points
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $99
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
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- Foreign transaction fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- Annual fee: $69
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
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- Perks: Four upgraded boardings per year, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, in-flight WiFi credits, anniversary bonus points
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $199
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
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- Perks: Earn tier qualifying points, anniversary bonus points
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $99
BEST PICK FOR
United Airlines
- Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles.
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United purchases including tickets, Economy Plus, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining at restaurants and eligible delivery services
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit
- Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip. Terms Apply
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights when you pay with your Club Card.
Compared to the other United co-branded credit cards available, the United Club℠ Infinite Card (Review) is expensive, but it comes with several perks to help make your time spent at airports and hotels more enjoyable.
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- United Club membership: Complimentary membership to the United Club airport lounge, with free access for you and two guests
- Premier Access airport travel services: Includes priority check-in and security screening, and boarding/baggage handling privileges
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit: Get a $100 credit for the application fee of Global Entry, or $85 for TSA PreCheck, once every four years.
- Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection: Hotel perks like daily breakfast for two, complimentary WiFi, and room upgrades when available
- World of Hyatt Discoverist status: A 10% point bonus, room upgrades, and other benefits at Hyatt properties
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle Elite Status: Get a 25% point bonus, upgrades, and exclusive offers at Hertz.
- Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United award flights: MileagePlus Premier members can get award ticket upgrades when available.
- Free first and second checked bags: For you and one traveling companion
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $525
United℠ Explorer Card
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- Perks: Two United Club passes, priority boarding, first checked bag free, 25% in-flight discount, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
United Gateway℠ Card
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- Perk: 25% in-flight discount
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0
United Club℠ Business Card
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- Perks: United Club membership, Premier Access travel services, first and second checked bags free, 25% in-flight discount
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $450
United℠ Business Card
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- Perk: Two United Club passes, priority boarding, first checked bag free, 25% in-flight discount, $100 credit after seven United flights over $100
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
BEST PICK FOR
Various Airlines
- Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- New! American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on select Equinox memberships. Enrollment required.
- $179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Maybe you don’t have a favorite airline, or you tend to take whatever flight will work best for you. If that’s the case, a general travel rewards card will probably be more useful than a co-branded airline card.
General travel cards can be used to earn points anywhere, no matter which airline you’re taking. And they provide points for other travel purchases as well, like hotels, car rentals, and taxis.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review) is a great example, with a 5X point category for airlines and some great transfer partners.
Airline and hotel transfer partners give you a way to move your points to your favorite loyalty programs, where they’ll often be worth more. So, if you’re planning a trip and you’ve got a bunch of points ready and waiting, you can transfer them to the airline you’re booking and look for a great redemption value.
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- Global Lounge Collection: Enroll for complimentary access to Priority Pass, Centurion, American Express International, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Airspace, Lufthansa, and Plaza Premium Lounges.
- Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get up to $15 in Uber Cash per month, plus a bonus $20 in December; U.S. Eats orders and rides only.
- $200 hotel credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits each year for prepaid hotels booked through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts; must pay with the Platinum card.
- $300 Equinox credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $300 in statement credits annually with Equinox (up to $25 per month), for Equinox All Access, Destination, E by Equinox, or Equinox+ membership fees.
- $240 digital entertainment credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $240 in statement credits annually for digital entertainment (up to $20 per month), only for eligible purchases from Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times.
- CLEAR credit: Up to $179 in statement credits annually for CLEAR biometric security, enough for a membership.
- Uber Eats Pass: Get unlimited $0 delivery fees and 5% off orders at eligible restaurants for 12 months; must enroll by 12/31/21. Taxes and service fees may apply and do not count toward the order minimum. Eats Pass will start auto-billing 12 months from enrollment, at then-current monthly rate. Learn more.
- Uber VIP status: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get Uber VIP status where available.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100 every four years) or TSA PreCheck ($85 once every four and a half years)
- Complimentary elite hotel statuses: Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- The Hotel Collection: A $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available for every eligible two-night stay
- Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: Daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available, amenities valued at $100, and more at eligible properties
- $100 annual Saks credit: Up to $100 in statement credits each year for Saks Fifth Avenue: $50 from January through June, and $50 from July through December
- Global Dining Access by Resy: Resy provides access to exclusive reservations and dining experiences.
- Point transfer: To a selection of airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $695
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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- Perks: $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass Select membership, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, Lyft Pink membership, DoorDash membership and credits, point transfer partners
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $550
Citi Prestige® Card
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- Perks: 4th night free on hotel stays, Priority Pass Select membership, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, point transfer partners, $250 travel credit
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $495
American Express® Gold Card
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- Perks: Up to $120 annual dining credit; Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash; Uber Eats Pass; The Hotel Collection; Amex Offers; ShopRunner membership; Point transfer
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $250
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees)
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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- Perks: 25% redemption bonus, DoorDash membership, Shop through Chase/Chase Offers, primary auto rental collision damage waiver, point transfer partners
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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- Perks: Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, Visa Concierge, point transfer partners
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $95
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
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- Perks: Global Lounge Collection airport lounge access; Up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit; Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status; Up to $200 in annual Dell statement credits; The Hotel Collection; Fine Hotels & Resorts program; Point transfer
- Shopping and travel protections: Baggage Insurance Plan, Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Return Protection
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee: $595
Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.
What’s the Best Travel Credit Card?
There’s a diverse selection of travel rewards cards, designed for different lifestyles and purposes. Some of our favorites are:
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (Review): For a no annual fee card with flat-rate rewards on every purchase
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review): For premium travel rewards and excellent point transfer opportunities
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review): If you want luxury perks and wide-ranging airport lounge access
- Citi Prestige® Card (Review): For anyone who likes long hotel stays
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Review): For small business owners who want travel rewards and great benefits
What Travel Card Gives the Best Airport Lounge Access?
You’ll get the most diverse airport lounge access with this pair of American Express cards:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review)
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Review)
Most cards that offer airport lounge access only come with a Priority Pass Select membership; but the cards above provide access to the following lounge brands:
- Priority Pass
- American Express Centurion
- International American Express Lounges
- Delta Sky Club
- Escape
- Lufthansa Business
- Plaza Premium
How Much Is a Point or Mile Worth With Travel Cards?
The value of your points or miles depends on the particular card you have. In some cases your points will be worth 1 cent each, but many cards come with redemption options that can provide more (or less) value.
American Express Membership Rewards points, for example, typically give 0.6 to 1 cent per point for statement credits and certain travel expenses. But you can also transfer your points to loyalty programs from a wide variety of airline and hotel partners, where you could book travel that provides a higher value per point.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are similar when it comes to point transfers (in this case, all transfers are at a 1:1 ratio). And certain Chase cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Review) and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review), provide bonuses for travel redemptions through Chase’s own travel portal (which come to 1.25 and 1.5 cents per point, respectively).
And then there are travel cards from Citi and Capital One. Depending on the card, you may see a value of 1 cent per point for normal redemptions. But you’ll also have some point transfer opportunities, although the options here may not be as robust as those from Amex and Chase.
Expert Q&A
Q1) What are the most important features you look for in a travel credit card?
Answer by: Linchi Kwok, Ph. D, Associate Professor, The Collins College of Hospitality Management, California State Polytechnic University Pomona
I pay more attention to the fees and perks than APR because I always pay off my credit card bills in full on time. I usually assess how likely I will use the perks. I will sign up for a credit card if I know the perks I will use are worth the fees.
Q2) Is a hotel or airline specific credit card a better choice than a general travel card?
Answer by: Linchi Kwok
It depends. If a person is a frequent traveler of one hotel chain or an airline, having a hotel- or airline-affiliated credit card will likely help the traveler reach a desirable elite status faster. Hotels and airlines usually take very good care of their top loyal customers, sometimes with free upgrades. A general travel credit card will probably make more sense for those who do not travel much, fly with different airlines, or stay in diverse chains or independent hotels.
Q3) What can a travel credit card offer beyond rewards?
Answer by: Linchi Kwok
Besides rewards, I like the perks that come with the travel credit card. The perks are worthy of the money if I can use them. On some occasions, using a hotel- or airline-affiliated credit card can also help travelers get more attention from the hotel or airline staff.
Q4) What are some things to consider when choosing a travel credit card?
Answer by: Linchi Kwok
Besides the fees, perks, and APR, I recommend people read the terms carefully. Some terms, such as fees for late payments or cash advances, might mean more than others. People should carefully evaluate all terms and fine print before making a decision. I also suggest people compare different options because a hotel or airline might offer more than one brand-affiliated credit card with various levels of fees, perks, and elite status. There are also many options for general travel credit cards. It is critical to spend time finding the right credit card that fits a person’s travel and spending needs.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, please click here.
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