I organize offers according to the issuing bank instead of the affiliated loyalty program, so be sure to scroll through the entire list.
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- Check the credit pulls database at CreditBoards.com.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. This site may be compensated through some of the included links.
I describe many cards on this page, but you can compare all of their benefits and apply by clicking on the ad immediately below. This is the easiest way to apply for a new travel rewards card while supporting this website.
Most Valuable Cards
Barclaycard Arrival™ World MasterCard® – Earn 2X on All Purchases
Affiliate Link: 40,000 miles ($400 credit) for spending $1,000 in 3 months
Like the Citi ThankYou points, Barlcaycard Arrival points are incredibly valuable for free travel that still earns miles and upgrades. However, awards are even easier since you book yourself and get a statement credit. Plus you get 2 miles back on everything!
- Earn 2X miles on all purchases.
- Earn 40,000 bonus miles if you make $1,000 or more in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. 40,000 bonus miles equates to $400 off your next trip.
- Carry-on miles™ – get 10% of your miles back when you redeem for travel.
- No mileage caps.
- Any airline seat to any destination with no seat restrictions and no blackout dates.
- Easily redeem by booking your flight and redeeming miles for a statement credit. Or redeem miles for statement credits toward cruises, car rentals, hotels and more.
- No foreign transaction fee.
- Complimentary subscription to TripIt® Pro mobile travel organizer ($49 annual value).
- $89 annual fee, waived for the first year.
Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card
Non-Affiliate Link: 25,000 points after spending $5,000 in 6 months
You can transfer points to several airlines and get 25K miles for every 20K points. Cash+Points awards save money, plus you also get elite stay credit for award redemption. Get status faster with 2 stays and 5 nights credit just for being a card holder.
- Starpoints® bonus: earn up to 25K bonus points — 10K with your first purchase and another 15K when you spend $5K within the first 6 months of Cardmembership – enough for a weekend getaway to a Category 4 hotel like the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
- Free Hotel Nights: redeem Starpoints at over 1,000 hotels in over 100 countries worldwide — with no blackout dates
- Free Flights: redeem Starpoints on over 350 airlines with SPG Flights — with no blackout dates
- Get 5,000 bonus Starpoints when you transfer 20,000 Starpoints to a frequent flyer program with more than 30 airlines
- No limits on the number of Starpoints you can earn
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65
- Terms and Restrictions Apply
American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card
Non-Affiliate Link: 25,000 points after spending $2,000 in 3 months
The Premier Rewards Gold Card is a long-time favorite of frequent travelers because of the bonus on all airfare, which exceeds the one provided by the Chase Sapphire Preferred. However, these cards have different airline transfer partners.
- Earn More: earn 25K Membership Rewards® points when you spend $2,000 during your first three months of Card membership; earn 15K points when you spend $30,000 within one calendar year
- Earn Fast: Earn triple points on airfare, double points on gasoline at U.S. stand-alone gas stations, double points at U.S. stand-alone supermarkets, and single points on other purchases
- Points are earned only on eligible purchases
- Travel Rewards: use Pay with Points to book flights, cruises, hotels and vacations packages with no seat restrictions or blackout dates on americanexpress.com/travel
- Redeem with Flexibility: use points for gift cards for dining, entertainment, and to shop over 300 of some of your favorite brands
- Access to Protections: enjoy the Baggage Insurance Plan* when you travel, and shop with confidence with Extended Warranty*, Purchase Protection*, and Return Protection. *Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $175
- Terms and Restrictions Apply
Platinum Card® from American Express for Mercedes-Benz
Non-Affiliate Link: 50,000 points after spending $1,000 in 3 months
It’s worth noting there are two Mercedes-Benz cards, and only the Platinum Card version gets you the high sign-up bonus. This card has benefits in addition to those of the regular Platinum Card and may be useful to Mercedes-Benz owners.
- Earn 50K Membership Rewards® points when you spend $1,000 during your first three months of Card membership
- Premium travel benefits: access over 600 lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select, no foreign transaction fees, bypass airport arrival lines with Global Entry
- Entertainment benefits: get Advance Tickets before the public and access once in a lifetime events with By Invitation Only®
- 24/7 Platinum Card® Concierge service for assistance with reservations, travel, gifts, and more
- Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: exclusive upgrades and amenities at over 700 boutique, resort, and luxury hotels worldwide
- 5 points per dollar at Mercedes-Benz, $100 credit toward Mercedes-Benz accessories, and $1,000 credit toward a Mercedes-Benz vehicle after spending $5,000
- $475 annual fee
- Terms and restrictions apply
Citi ThankYou® Premier Rewards Card
Non-Affiliate Link: 25,000 after spending $2,000 in 3 months
Points can be transferred between people and used to pay for flights that still earn miles and elite status. Flight Points distinguish this card since they allow you to earn bonus ThankYou® points based on the distance flown when you buy tickets with your card.
- Earn 25K ThankYou® Points after $2,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening
- After that, earn 1.2 ThankYou Points at supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, commuter transportation and parking merchants and 1 ThankYou point for every $1 on all other purchases
- Earn points for the miles you fly when you purchase a ticket with your Citi ThankYou Premier Card
- No foreign transaction fee on purchases
- Annual complimentary domestic companion ticket, within the contiguous U.S.
- No points cap and no expiration of points
- $125 annual fee waived the first year
Chase Sapphire PreferredSM Card
Non-Affiliate Link: 40,000 points after spending $3,000 in 3 months
This is my #1 card. Customer service is amazing, earning 2X on all travel is uncomplicated, and the annual fee is surprisingly reasonable for all that you get. Plus Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to all my favorite partners and family with no fee.
- 40,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months – that’s $500 toward travel rewards!
- 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining at restaurants & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 20% off airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises when you redeem through Ultimate RewardsSM
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Receive a 7% Annual Points Dividend on all new points earned on purchases – even on points already redeemed.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs – that means 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points equal 1,000 partner miles/points.
- Direct access to expert service advisors anytime.
- Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $95.
Ink Bold® Business Card
Non-Affiliate Link: 50,000 points after spending $5,000 in 3 months
I love Ink Bold for the 5 points per dollar you earn on telecommunications spend (cable/phone/Internet) and office supply purchases (like Office Depot or Staples). You’ll also get 2 points per dollar on purchases at hotels and gast stations.
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
- No interest charges because it’s a pay in full charge card.
- Earn 5X points per dollar in select business categories.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Direct access to a live service advisor anytime
- $0 Intro Annual Fee for the first year, then $95.
Ink Plus® Business Card
Non-Affiliate Link: 50,000 points after spending $5,000 in 3 months
Identical in almost every other way to the traditional Ink Bold, the Ink Plus card allows you to carry a balance and pay over time. The catch? The Ink Bold charge card counts as a different type of account on your credit report, and variety is good.
- Reward yourself with 50,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
- With Ink Plus, you have the cash flow flexibility with the choice to pay over time or pay in full.
- Earn 5x points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services.
- Earn 2x points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent annually at gas stations and for hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Free employee cards.
- 1:1 point transfer to participating travel programs with no transfer fees.
- Get 20% off travel redemptions when booked through Ultimate Rewards.
Runners-Up
Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Reserve Card
Affiliate Link: Two (2) weekend nights after spending $2,500 in 4 months
This card has a $95 annual fee but the most lucrative benefits of any Hilton credit card, incluing the best rate for Hilton hotels, so I recommend it for people who regularly stay at Hilton properties. Keep it for the long term with complimentary Gold status.
- Earn 2 weekend night certificates good at select hotels and resorts within the Hilton HHonors portfolio after $2,500 in eligible purchases within 4 months of account opening*
- Earn 10 HHonors Bonus Points per $1 spent on hotel stays within the Hilton HHonors portfolio*
- Earn 5 HHonors Bonus Points per $1 spent on airline and car rental purchases*
- Earn 3 HHonors Bonus Points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases*
- Enjoy the benefits of HHonors Gold status as long as you are a cardmember*
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases*
- Travel with ease and enjoy global acceptance with your Citi chip credit card
- Earn an anniversary bonus of 1 weekend night certificate at select hotels and resorts within the Hilton HHonors portfolio each cardmembership year with qualifying purchases*
The Hyatt Credit Card
Non-Affiliate Link: Two nights at any Hyatt after spending $1,000 in 3 months. (Platinum members also get two suite upgrades. Diamond members get only two nights, but in a suite.)
This card more than earns its fee through a free night each year, which I often use for New Year’s Eve, but free WiFi and better rooms are nice, too. Hyatt will also regularly offer cardholders 50% bonuses on earned points during quarterly promotions.
- Begin with 2 Free Nights at Hyatt properties worldwide, after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months from account opening with the Hyatt Credit Card
- Receive 1 Free Night each year on your anniversary in any Category 1–4 property
- No foreign transaction fees and Smart Chip protection on international purchases
- 3 Hyatt Gold Passport points for every $1 spent with your Hyatt Card at all Hyatt properties
- NEW: Now more points in more places, 2 Hyatt Gold Passport points for every $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly with the airline and at car rental agencies
- 1 Hyatt Gold Passport point for every $1 spent on purchases elsewhere
- There are no limits to the points you can earn
- $75 annual fee
British Airways Visa Signature®
Non-Affiliate Link: 50,000 points after spending $1,000 in 3 months.
The distance-based Avios program is a great deal for domestic flights on U.S. partners American and Alaska without any connections, but less so for international travel. Plus British Airways has fuel surcharges on its own tickets.
- You will get 50,000 bonus Avios after you make $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- In addition to the bonus, you will also get 2.5 Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways purchases and 1.25 Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Smart Chip Technology allows you to use your card for chip based purchases in Europe & beyond, while still giving you the ability to use your card as you do today at home
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad
- Every year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years
- $95 annual fee
US Airways Premier World MasterCard®
Affiliate Link: 30,000 miles after first purchase
While I normally wouldn’t fly US Airways domestically, they are a great way to redeem for cheap award tickets on Star Alliance Partners. Don’t forget that off-peak award tickets are even cheaper during the winter, and they have a great international Envoy Class.
- 30K miles after first purchase
- 10K bonus miles for a qualifying balance transfer
- Annual fee: $89 (NOT waived)
- Two $99 companion tickets each year
- One US Airways Club day pass each year
- 5K mile discount when purchasing award travel
- 2X miles at USAirways.com
- 1X miles on other purchases
Hawaiian Airlines® Visa Signature®
Non-Affiliate Link (Bank of America): 35K miles after spending $1K in 4 months
Non-Affiliate Link (Bank of Hawaii): 35K miles after spending $1K in 4 months
This card is a good opportunity for award redemptions to Australia, where Hawaiian also flies; for partner redemptions on Virgin Atlantic with no fuel surcharges; and to transfer to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio. You can apply for the BofA and BofH versions at the same time!
- 35K miles after spending $1,000 within 4 months
- Annual fee: $79 (NOT waived)
- 2X miles at HawaiianAir.com
- One-time 50% discount certificate for a companion on the same itinerary
- Miles can be transferred to Hilton at 1:2 ratio, so 35K = 70K points
- Hawaiian has one of the only shopping portals that includes Amazon.com
United MileagePlus® Club
Non-Affiliate Link: $100 statement credit toward $395 annual fee
Non-Affiliate Link: See if you’re targeted for a full $395 waiver
The primary benefit of this card is that it includes a United Club membership at a discount to buying it alone, and it also has several other perks like 1.5 miles on all purchases, primary car rental insurance, and eligibility for upgrades on award tickets.
- Sign-up offer: $100 statement credit (targeted offers exist for a full waiver)
- Annual fee: $395
- Includes access to the United Club and other Star Alliance lounges
- One free checked bag and Priority Access for you and a companion
- Cardholders with elite status are eligible for upgrades on award travel
- Primary car rental insurance
- No foreign exchange fees
- 1.5X miles on all purchases
This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through the American Express Affiliate Program.
