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American Express and Chase are 2 of the most prolific banks for card rewards. These institutions have literally invested billions of dollars creating products that fit the sentiments and purchasing habits of consumers and business owners alike.
And in recent years, American Express and Chase have truly accelerated the pace with which they innovate in this space. The result? Amex and Chase have both pulled ahead of the competition, outshining other banks like Citi and Capital One.
But what isn’t so obvious is which bank between Amex and Chase has the best cards. There isn’t an all-encompassing answer for this, so what we’ve done is dive deep into research to try to get a clearer picture.
In this guide, we’ll share our findings with you and nominate a winner and runner-up in the major card segments and markets. Before we do that, we’ll be comparing the 2 banks’ rewards systems (and why you might prefer 1 over the other).
Emirates first class is a magical experience that can be booked using Chase Ultimate Rewards points or Amex Membership Rewards points. Image Credit: Stephen Au
Amex’s award-winning rewards program is called American Express Membership Rewards and the points you earn when making purchases on Amex Membership Rewards cards are called Amex Membership Rewards points.
Chase’s equally lauded rewards program is called Chase Ultimate Rewards. Similarly, the points you earn when making purchases on Chase Ultimate Rewards cards are called Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Every card from Amex and Chase has a different points-earning structure featuring different bonus categories, earnings caps, and accrual rates.
Amex Membership Rewards points and Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be used for statement credits, gift cards, travel bookings (through AmexTravel.com or the Chase travel portal), Amazon, merchandise, and charity.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points will generally net you better value for the above redemptions. For example, you will get:
Up to 1.5 cents per point on travel booked through Chase travel portal
1 cent per point on statement credits, checks, or direct deposit
Up to 1.1 cents per point on gift cards
0.8 cents per point on Amazon
To compare, Amex offers the following redemption structure:
Up to 1.53 cents per point (highest redemption value on flights with the 35% points rebate) on travel booked through AmexTravel.com
0.6 cents per point on statement credits
0.5 to 1 cent per point on gift cards
0.7 cents per point on Amazon
0.5 cents per point at Shop with Membership Rewards Points (the American Express shopping mall)
1 cent per point on charity
Transfer Partnerships
We very rarely recommend using your points for any of the redemptions we just mentioned. Instead, we recommend you explore the transfer partnerships that make these points so valuable in the first place.
To be specific, Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards have different transfer partners. Some transfer partners, like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Emirates Skywards, are shared by the 2 rewards systems, while others, such as World of Hyatt (for Chase) and ANA Mileage Club (for Amex) are only partners with 1 of the points systems.
Chase maintains a consistent 1:1 transfer ratio with all partners, while Amex mostly maintains the same 1:1 transfer partnerships with a few exceptions:
AeroMexico (1:1.6)
JetBlue (1:0.8)
Hilton Honors (1:2)
Both Amex and Chase have 2 of the best transfer partnership networks out there.
To offer broad generalizations, Amex Membership Rewards has the most lucrative airline partners, which will usually enable you to redeem as few points as possible for luxury premium cabin flights.
Chase Ultimate Rewards has the single most lucrative hotel partner in World of Hyatt, plus a handful of excellent transfer partners that’ll allow you to easily redeem your points for premium cabin travel (though probably not at the lowest points cost).
When all is said and done, we value Amex Membership Rewards points at around 2.2 cents each and Chase Ultimate Rewards points at around 2 cents each.
Bottom Line: Amex Membership Rewards is slightly more valuable than Chase Ultimate Rewards, thanks to an abundanceof amazingairline transfer partners like ANA Mileage Club. However, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for fantastic value, too, particularly with unique partners like World of Hyatt.
Best Overall Travel Rewards Card
Getting a solid mid-tier card is the single-best way you can accelerate the rewards you earn with the least effort possible.
Both banks offer incredible travel rewards cards, so let’s look at our top 2 choices!
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points atU.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.
There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.
Pros
4x points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
4x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
One of the game-changing cards out there, the Amex Gold card is probably the best card you can have if you’re a big spender in your daily life.
For a limited time, you can enjoy an exceptional welcome bonus that allows you to dip your toes in the incredible points landscape that American Express has built over the past several decades.
The Amex Gold card maintains an incredible earning structure, which is arguably the biggest benefit of holding this card:
4x points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
4x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly with airlines or at AmexTravel.com
So if you’re a big foodie, a home chef, or a jet setter, you’ll earn up to 4x points per $1. As a reminder, we value Amex Membership Rewards points at around 2.2 cents each, which means that earning 4x points is equal to an 8.8% return on spend.
The Amex Gold card also offers:
Up to $120 per year in dining statement credits at participating restaurants, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
$10 in monthly Uber Cash (up to $120 per year) to use for U.S. Uber Eats orders or U.S. Uber rides. Amex Gold card needs to be added to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points
$1,200
$95
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cardson the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.
Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.
Pros
5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
5x points on select Peloton purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
2x points on all other travel worldwide
$50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
Excellent travel and car rental insurance
10% annual bonus points
No foreign transaction fees
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
Complimentary Spot Club Platinum status with The Parking Spot for 2 years, 20% off of your first reservation, and points for 1 free day of parking (enroll by October 26, 2023)
Cons
$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is the best beginner travel rewards credit card there is.
One of the biggest reasons why it’s so popular is that Chase offers you a giant welcome bonus for the Sapphire Preferred; as long as you’re a new cardholder and meet the spending requirements in the first 3 months, you should see a nice bonus of points get deposited into your account.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards points in the following fashion:
5x Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft purchases through March 2025
5x Ultimate Rewards points on select Peloton purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
5x Ultimate Rewards points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3x Ultimate Rewards points on dining
2x Ultimate Rewards points spent on all other travel
1x Ultimate Rewards point everywhere else
Since we value Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents each, earning 2x points would translate to a 4% return on spend. If you take a lot of Lyft rides or make travel purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, you could earn a 10% return on spending!
This credit card also offers immense travel protections, such as primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, lost luggage insurance, baggage delay insurance, roadside dispatch, travel and emergency assistance, and travel accident insurance.
Also, you’ll find purchase protection, extended warranty protection, zero fraud liability, no foreign transaction fees, up to 25% more value in statement credit redemptions via Pay Yourself Back, no authorized user fee, and of course, access to Chase Ultimate Rewards travel partners.
Bottom Line: The Amex Gold card is the more rewarding option when compared to the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Being able to earn more than double the value on dining and grocery spending is a game-changer, and the Amex Gold card offers many other benefits. However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a lower annual fee, better travel insurance, and the ability to earn 5x points on Lyft purchases.
Best Overall Business Card
There’s a lot of stiff competition when it comes to business cards.
American Express and Chase both push their own types of exceptional cards to use, and in this guide, we’ll show you the best overall business cards.
Whether you’re looking at paying for shipping, internet, travel, gas, or software, Amex and Chase both have you covered.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).
Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).
Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership
70,000 points
$1,540
$295
19.49% - 27.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.
Pros
4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses , and subways
NEW! U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
NEW! Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
U.S. purchases at gas stations
U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
Trip delay insurance
Car rental insurance
Cell phone insurance
Cons
$295 ($375 if application is received on or after 2/1/24) annual fee (rates and fees)
No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status
Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
MORE REWARDS: Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month. 1X is earned for other purchases.**
**4X points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year.*
PAY OVER TIME OPTION: Decide whether you want to pay eligible purchases in full each month—or pay over time with interest.*
The Amex Business Gold card is the undisputed points juggernaut when it comes to high-spending business owners.
To give you a taste of the abundance of points you could be amassing by having this card, you’ll enjoy a hefty welcome bonus.
This card earns 4x Membership Rewards points on the top 2 categories in which your business spends the most every month (up to $150,000 in combined purchases every calendar year):
NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
NEW! U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
NEW! Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
U.S. purchases at gas stations
U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
Earning 4x points is equivalent to getting 8.8% back on your spending! But one of the coolest features of this card is that you will automatically earn 4x points on the top 2 categories every month — no need to select any bonus categories because Amex takes care of that for you.
If you maxed out the $150,000 cap every year, you’d be sitting with 600,000 Amex Membership Rewards points, worth at least $13,000 by our valuations.
In addition, this card grants access to the American Express Hotel Collection, offering a $100 property credit and a room upgrade (subject to availability) on select hotel stays of at least 2 nights.
Other ancillary perks consist of access to Amex Offers and Amex Membership Rewards, no preset spending limit, access to Pay Over Time, the ability to use Vendor Pay.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash-back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
100,000 points
$2,000
$95
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.
Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.
Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.
Pros
3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
Cell phone protection
Purchase protection
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Rental car insurance
Extended warranty coverage
Cons
No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
As long as you charge your and your employees’ cellular phone bills to this card, you’ll be eligible for up to $600 per claim ($100 deductible per claim and up to 3 claims per 12-month period) for loss or damage (including breaking or damaging your cell phone or if it’s stolen).
This credit card also comes with top-tier travel coverage, including primary rental car insurance when renting for business, trip interruption and cancellation insurance, trip delay coverage, baggage insurance, baggage delay coverage, travel accident insurance, and more.
There are also key shopping protection benefits like purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, zero liability, fraud protection, and more.
Also, if you decide to redeem your points through the Chase travel portal, your points will be worth 25% more (1.25 cents each).
Enjoy access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection with our top pick. Centurion Lounge Hong Kong. Image Credit: Greg Stone
Let’s say you spared no expenses in amassing your points and had no qualms with a large annual fee, as long as it paid for itself multiple times over. Or perhaps you’re looking for the best luxury travel benefits in the world.
Whatever the case, American Express and Chase both offer premium travel rewards cards that fit this bill. We’ll walk you through the best options in detail.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.
Pros
The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges,Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
5x points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $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®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
$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 is available to Basic Card Member only.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
$100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
Our winner in the premium card world is the Amex Platinum card. It is the #1 card for luxury travel perks by a long shot, and the list of card benefits is literally longer than most people can even imagine.
Even with the welcome bonus alone (which could be up to 100,000, 125,000, or even 150,000 welcome bonus points), you will get over $1,500 of value. Beyond that, let’s talk about the different ways you can earn loads of bonus points.
Currently, can earn up to 10x Amex Membership Rewards points as follows:
5x points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or at AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com; then, 1x points everywhere else
The Amex Platinum card comes with a swathe of fantastic statement credits, too:
Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit ($50 from January to June and another $50 from July to December)
Up to $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through AmexTravel.com when you pay with your card. Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
Up to $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 are available to Basic Card Member only.
Up to $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year on eligible Equinox memberships when you pay with your card. Enrollment required.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your Card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR® Plus membership.
But the real highlights are with the travel benefits, featuring some unique perks you can’t get elsewhere. First, you have access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which gives you the best airport lounge access of any card out there:
On top of that, you’ll get a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement, complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, access to the famed Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection, access to the Amex International Airline Program for discounts, and rental car status (Avis, Hertz, and National).
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 points
$1,200
$550
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)
If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options out there.
The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.
Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!
Pros
10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
5x points on airfare booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit
Priority Pass airport lounge access
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
Rental car elite status with National and Avis
Cons
$550 annual fee
Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
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.
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 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
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 every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the main premium travel rewards credit card offered by Chase, and it’s also jam-packed with value.
This credit card offers a great welcome bonus, but generally not as big as the Amex Platinum card’s bonus.
And this card comes with a rewarding earnings structure, particularly for dining:
10x points spent on Lyft purchases (through March 2025)
10x points on hotels and car rentals if purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
10x points on select Peloton purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on air travel if purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3x points spent on all travel and dining purchases
1x point spent on all other purchases
The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with a $300 annual travel credit every card anniversary year.
This card offers a Priority Pass Select membership (activation required), a TSA PreCheck/Nexus/Global Entry application fee credit, a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription when activated by December 31, 2024, and so much more.
For hotel bookings, you can use the Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection, which isn’t as good as the Fine Hotels & Resorts but is still a worthwhile option to consider. There’s also complimentary rental car elite status with National and Avis.
But one of the areas where the Chase Sapphire Reserve might shine brighter than the Amex Platinum card is the travel protections. In fact, you get complimentary primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost baggage and delayed baggage coverage, roadside assistance, and much more.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
120,000 points
$2,640
$695
19.49% - 27.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.
5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
Statement credits on select purchases with your card
35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
The Amex Business Platinum card boasts a fantastic welcome offer.
Additionally, you will earn the usual 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked at AmexTravel.com and will enjoy the same incredible lounge access benefits courtesy of the Global Lounge Collection as you would with the Amex Platinum card.
You’ll also get up to $200 in airline fee credits every calendar year, the ability to book Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, up to $400 in statement credits for Dell purchases in the U.S. (via 2 semi-annual credits of $200), a 35% rebate when using Pay with Points on airfare, and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and more.
You’ll earn 1.5x points for each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more and every dollar spent on Eligible U.S. purchases in these select business categories:
Construction material and hardware suppliers
Electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
Shipping providers
Your 1.5x earning is capped on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
Best No Annual Fee Credit Card
So now that we’ve discussed the top travel rewards credit cards, especially those for big spenders, let’s pivot our attention to a different focus: rewards with no annual fee.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.
The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$200
$0
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.
The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.
Pros
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
No annual fee
Excellent cell phone insurance
Ability to pool points
Mastercard World Elite benefits
Cons
3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
5% cash-back per $1 spent on purchases made through the Chase travel portal
3% cash-back per $1 spent on all dining purchases, including takeout and eligible delivery services
3% cash-back per $1 spent at drugstores
1% cash-back per $1 spent everywhere else
This laundry list of bonus categories rocked the world of no annual fee credit cards because you can earn up to 5% cash-back on so many different types of purchases!
In fact, one of the biggest benefits is the fact that you can earn 5% cash-back on quarterly rotating bonus categories like Amazon, warehouse clubs, gas stations, and more.
You can convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points at a 1% to 1x ratio if you have an Ultimate Rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
Holders of the Freedom Flex card get a complimentary 3-month subscription to DoorDash DashPass, plus the ability to renew for another 9 months after that period for 50% off.
Also, you’ll find an introductory 0% APR perk, secondary car rental coverage, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and cell phone protection coverage.
The cell phone protection coverage allows up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year with up to 2 claims in a 12-month period and a $50 deductible per claim.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year! There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn.
Matched Cash Back
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.
When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.
Pros
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
1.5% back on all other purchases
No annual fee
Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
Ability to pool points
Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Use your card for all your purchases and at the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned! There is no limit to how much you can earn. Every dollar in cash back rewards you earn is a dollar Chase will match.
Unlimited 1.5% cash back is just the beginning of what you can earn. You’ll enjoy 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24%.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Before we touch on the bonus categories, you’ll be pleased to know that this no annual fee card also has a great welcome bonus and 0% introductory APR offer.
As you can see, the rotating bonus categories are absent here, and the substitute is the extra cash-back on all other purchases, which is why this card is one of the best credit cards for everyday purchases.
And if you have an Ultimate Rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
15,000 points
$330
No annual fee
18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).
The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.
Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.
Pros
2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
Cons
No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
Charges foreign transaction fees
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
*The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
The Amex Blue Business Plus card is arguably the best no-annual-fee business credit card you can have.
The reason why is because you can earn 2x Amex Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on everyday business purchases, up to $50,000 per calendar year. That’s equal to a 4.4% return on spend.
This is one of the only cards out there that can get you access to a transferable rewards program for no annual fee. Furthermore, the ability to earn 2x points on everyday business purchases is stellar.
If you maxed out the cap, you would end up with 100,000 points that are worth around $2,200.
As far as other benefits go, your Amex Blue Business Plus card includes employee cards for no additional fee, access to Amex Offers, and the ability to redeem Membership Rewards points with travel partners (see rates & fees).
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$900
$900
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.
If so, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.
Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Pros
1.5% cash-back on all purchases
No annual fee
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Employee cards at no additional cost
Earn flexible rewards
Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
No Annual Fee
Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
The Ink Business Unlimited card is one of our favorite business credit cards with no annual fee because of the huge welcome bonus you can earn and the ability to get rewards without having to pay close attention to bonus categories.
You’ll also get an introductory 0% APR offer on top of your welcome bonus. With this card, you will earn a flat 1.5% cash-back on all your purchases without caps, equal to a 3% return on spend.
While that’s not as impressive as the 4.4% return on spend from the Amex Blue Business Plus card, this credit card has no caps on bonus earnings, while the Amex Blue Business Plus has a $50,000 cap every calendar year.
The Ink Business Unlimited card includes primary rental car coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, zero liability protection, and the usual suite of travel insurance benefits like trip cancellation and interruption coverage.
Best Card for Cash-Back
If you’re trying to cut back on your daily expenses, aren’t focusing on travel rewards at all, but still want to get a solid return on your spending, we’ll show you just how exactly you can do that.
When it comes to Chase and Amex, it’s very clear which bank offers the best cards for cash-back. Let’s get into our favorite picks.
Winner: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.
This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases, this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases, this could be the card for you!
Pros
6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and on select streaming services
6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)
1% cash-back on all other purchases
Cons
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
The Blue Cash Preferred card is your best friend if you’re generally a very frugal person who avoids eating out and doesn’t need travel rewards at this moment.
You’ll love this card, starting with the generous welcome bonus. After that, you can earn:
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!
This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$200
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; then 19.24%-29.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.
Pros
3% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
3% back on purchases at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
3% back on purchases on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
Monthly credit towards The Disney Bundle
Monthly credit towards Home Chef
Cons
Rewards are not flexible and can only be redeemed for cash-back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
No Annual Fee.
Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; then 19.24%-29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars
The next-best cash-back rewards card is the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card, which is essentially the no-annual-fee version of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card.
3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year; then 1% thereafter)
3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 per year; then 1% thereafter)
3% cash-back at U.S. online retailers (up to $6,000 per year; then 1% thereafter)
1% cash-back on everything else
A great perk of this card is that it comes with monthly statement credits for eligible Disney Bundle subscriptions and Home Chef orders (enrollment is required for both offers).
Another unique benefit that this card has is the introductory 0% APR benefit on purchases and balance transfers!
Our last category of business cards focuses on getting the most cash-back. Wouldn’t it be nice to get cash-back on your purchases that you can reinvest into your business?
We’ll show you the best cards to accomplish that here!
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.
This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
$900
$900
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has a lot going for it that makes it a compelling choice for small business owners. The card features a very lucrative 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year.
When you factor in that the card has no annual fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter, you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.
Pros
Earn 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
Earn 2% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
Travel insurance and purchase protection
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Employee cards at no additional cost
No annual fee
Cons
Spending caps in bonus categories
Low points earning outside of bonus categories
3% foreign transaction fees
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
No Annual Fee
Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter.
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
The Ink Business Cash card is our best business credit card for cash-back. This credit card is currently offering a fantastic welcome bonus and a 0% introductory APR offer.
You’ll also notice that you can earn up to 5% cash-back on select bonus categories:
5% cash-back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
5% cash-back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025)
2% cash-back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
1% cash-back on all other purchases
In order to maximize the rewards on this credit card, you should try to max out the bonus categories.
Also, you’ll notice that there’s a cap of $25,000 for bonus categories, which is pretty low, so you’d generally want to use this credit card if your business doesn’t have big expenses.
The Ink Business Cash card’s rewards can be converted to Ultimate Rewards points so that your 5%, 2%, and 1% can become 5x, 2x, and 1x Ultimate Rewards points.
This credit card offers primary rental car coverage, travel insurance, and zero liability protection.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.
Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
$250
$0
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Looking for a way to keep tabs on your office supply costs and business travel expenses while earning cash-back? Then The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card could be a good fit.
This card offers expense management solutions that are designed to give companies more control, along with a much clearer picture of their business spending. In doing so, the more you spend, the more cash-back you can earn.
Pros
2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in spend, then 1% back thereafter
No annual fee
Travel and purchase protection
Cons
Not ideal for those who spend a lot on a specific category like groceries or gas
Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars
The Amex Blue Business Cash card is a business owner’s best friend for earning cash-back.
This cash-back card is one of the best no-frills rewards systems you can get, thanks to the ability to earn 2% cash-back on all eligible purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year), then 1% thereafter.
As a bonus, you will also get a 0% introductory APR benefit to defer interest payments and grow your business. Regular APR, as shown above, applies after the introductory period.
The coolest aspect of this card is the fact that the cash-back is automatically credited on your statement, which means you don’t have to worry about any redemptions!
This card has no employee card fee, and access to Amex Offers for even more cash-back (see rates & fees).
Final Thoughts
As you can tell, Amex and Chase have lots of different cards for lots of different types of customers, whether you’re a consumer, business owner, travel fanatic, or a cash-back queen.
Regardless of which bucket you fit in, there’s bound to be a great Amex or Chase card for you.
One big lesson to learn is not to be afraid of large annual fees, because by sticking with premium Amex or Chase cards, you can often come out further ahead than with a no-annual-fee card.
The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here. For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here. For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here.
Featured Image Credit: American Express
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card the best credit card?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a great premium credit card, but we believe that the Amex Platinum card is better, thanks to the luxury travel benefits, awesome earning categories, and much more.
Which card is better, Chase or American Express?
Both are fantastic. Although it depends on what exact needs you have, you can’t go wrong with the Amex Gold card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
Is American Express the best card to have?
American Express has some of the world’s best cards for premium travelers, including the Amex Platinum card, the Amex Gold card, the Amex Business Platinum card, the Amex Business Gold card, the Amex Blue Business Plus card, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card, and the Amex Blue Business Cash card.
Which is better --- Chase Sapphire Reserve card or Amex Platinum card?
We think the Amex Platinum card is better than the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. If you’re looking for the best card with a lower annual fee, check out the Amex Gold card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.