What is a credit adjustment on my bank statement?

Whenever you get some sort of refund, whether you return an item or utilize a credit card benefit, you’ll see a credit adjustment on your credit card statement. This adjustment is simply giving you back the money so you don’t have to pay for the bill.

What is a statement credit?

A statement credit is the opposite of a payment in the sense that you get money credited back to your account which reduces your credit card bill instead of adding to it. This is a common type of reward that credit card companies use.

How do you use statement credits?

Depending on the exact type of statement credit and what bank is offering it, you might need to enroll and go through a process to use it. Some banks make it easy and you can automatically use statement credits just by swiping your card. How you’ll receive the credit depends on the exact terms and conditions of your benefit.

What is travel statement credit?

A travel statement credit is a statement credit that is specifically for travel purposes. Different banks have different definitions of travel. Some are extremely broad and some are quite restrictive. In order to find out what qualifies, you’ll want to check the terms and conditions of the exact credit card you are using.

Is a statement credit taxable?

Generally, statement credits are considered refunds, and they’re therefore not taxable. This isn’t financial advice, so consult your local tax professional.

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The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Statement Credits [Travel, Airline, Uber, Shopping & Dining]

Updated: November 14, 2024, 7:17am CST

Edited by:

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The credit card rewards landscape in the U.S. is one of the most aggressive business environments in the world. Rich rewards programs have emerged as a result of big, deregulated banks vying for market share.

While every bank takes a different approach to crafting a target market and suite of credit cards and benefits, you’ll notice that banks may offer similar perks.

Credit card statement credits are among the many benefits that are offered by the biggest players in the room: American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi, and more.

In this guide, we’ll dissect credit card statement credits and provide you with a one-stop shop to figure out what statement credits are offered by what cards.

This guide will be comprehensive, covering tons of different statement credit types. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get started.

What Are Credit Card Statement Credits?

Credit card statement credits are a particular benefit offered by credit card issuing banks. In simplest terms, a statement credit is a partial or full refund of specific charges on your credit card account after a qualifying activity is completed.

For example, if you have a $100 travel credit from a credit card and spend it on a qualifying plane ticket, you’ll get refunded up to $100, which basically discounts the cost by $100.

Why Should I Care About Statement Credits?

If you play by the rules of the banks and put the right purchases on the right cards, you can get money back for your purchases. In other words, using statement credits is like picking up free money from the table.

You’d probably much rather pay $100 for something than $200 for that same thing, which is exactly how statement credits can work for you.

Hot Tip: Remember that every bank has different rules on what purchases will count towards the statement credit, so it’s essential to read the terms and conditions of each credit card’s benefits carefully before pulling the trigger on your purchases.

What Types of Credits Are There?

Credit card statement credits can come from a variety of means, such as redeeming rewards points or completing qualifying activities. In this guide, we’ll be focusing on the statement credits you get for completing a qualifying activity.

There are numerous types of statement credits, including, but not limited to, dining, airline fees, inflight Wi-Fi, and hotel spending.

The statement credits we’re discussing will be ordered from highest to lowest in popularity and recognition, so just bear that in mind.

General Travel Credit

Our first statement credit is the general travel credit — this can encompass a broad variety of different transactions, which makes using the statement credit extremely easy.

As you can probably imagine, the travel credit is one of the most useful perks, up there with airport lounge access and spending bonus categories.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating

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.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

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.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

Pros

10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

$550 annual fee
Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$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 Travel℠ 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 Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
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, 2027.
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.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card, simply put, was the catalyst to the evolution of credit card rewards as we know them today. It’s long been one of the most valuable travel rewards credit cards on the market.

When this card was released in 2016, it offered a 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points welcome offer, which was an inconceivable number. However, this card has deservedly won over many hearts in doing so.

The ultra-premium card offers numerous benefits, including 10x points per $1 spent on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via the Chase travel portal, 5x points per $1 spent on airfare booked via the Chase travel portal, and 3x points on travel and dining. Cardholders receive 50% more value in travel redemptions, airport lounge access, elite hotel benefits, car rental privileges, travel protections, and much more.

Perhaps the best part of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, however, is the $300 annual travel credit. Every cardmember year, you are eligible to get $300 in total reimbursements for the following categories:

Airlines
Hotels
Campgrounds
Car rental agencies
Cruise lines
Discount travel sites
Motels
Operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, and ferries
Parking lots and garages
Timeshares
Toll bridges and highways
Travel agencies

Whether or not you make a big purchase greater than $300 or multiple small purchases totaling up to $300, you’ll get reimbursed the full amount, as long as they fall under these categories.

Because the definition is so broad, it’ll be super easy to get the full value out of the $300 travel credit.

Citi Prestige^® Card

Note: At this time, the Citi Prestige card is no longer available for new applicants.

The Citi Prestige card is Citi’s counterpart to Chase. In other words, it is Citi’s ultra-premium travel rewards credit card and it’s impressive.

This credit card offers a slew of fantastic and unique benefits, including 5x points on air travel and restaurants, complimentary fourth night free, and the ability to transfer ThankYou Rewards Points to several airline partners.

One of the benefits of the Citi Prestige card is the $250 travel credit. According to Citi’s terms and conditions, the credit can be used towards purchases from:

Airlines
Bridge and road tolls
Bus lines
Car rental agencies
Commuter railways
Commuter transportation
Cruise lines
Ferries
Hotels
Parking lots/garages
Passenger railways
Subways
Taxis/limousines/car services
Travel agencies/travel aggregators/tour operators

As you can see, this list of qualifying travel purchases is extremely broad, which is why we’ve lumped this credit into the general travel credit category.It’s just so easy to use the travel credit, whether you use it on Uber rides, Avis car rentals, hotel room rates, airline tickets, or even cruise bookings!

U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite^® Card

Although U.S. Bank isn’t discussed much in the world of credit card points and award travel, it is definitely a force to be reckoned with for more simple rewards seekers.

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card is its ultra-premium credit card offering. This card has a hefty $400 annual fee, but you’ll get an awesome $325 travel credit per cardmember year.

This credit is automatic, and it can be used for purchases made directly from airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains, and cruise lines. Although not as flexible as the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or Citi Prestige card, this card still offers enough options for us to categorize it as a general travel credit.

In addition to the whopping $325 travel credit, you’ll get other perks like Priority Pass Select membership and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee statement credit (which will be discussed later).

Travel Portal Credit

Capital One’s entry into the luxury credit card market comes in the form of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. and Capital One Venture X Business CardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One., which offers cardholders an annual $300 travel credit.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome OfferEarn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

$395 annual fee (rates & fees)
Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Capital One Venture X Business Card

U.P. Rating

The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.

Capital One Venture X Business Card

The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
150,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$2,700

Annual Fee

$395

APR

All charges made on this account are due and payable in full when you receive your periodic statement. The minimum payment due is the New Balance as indicated on your statement.

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The Capital One Venture X Business card is a great all-around premium rewards card that helps you rack up miles on all of your business expenses.

From 2x miles per dollar on all purchases, airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, complimentary employee cards, and more, there is plenty to love about the Capital One Venture X Business card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

10x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
5x miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
2x miles per dollar on all other purchases

Cons

$395 annual fee (rates and fees)
10x and 5x bonus categories are limited to Capital One Travel bookings

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
This card has no preset spending limit, so you get purchasing power that adapts to your spending needs. The annual fee on this card is $395
Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
Earn unlimited 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get the best prices on thousands of options
Every year, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
Skip the lines with up to a $120 statement credit on TSA PreCheck^® or Global Entry. Then enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and a network of 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Priority Pass™ and Plaza Premium Group lounges
This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection

Financial Snapshot

APR: All charges made on this account are due and payable in full when you receive your periodic statement. The minimum payment due is the New Balance as indicated on your statement.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The travel credit benefit for these two cards is more restricted than others as it must be redeemed via the Capital One travel portal. However, you can find a variety of flights, rental cars, and hotels available via the portal, which makes it easy to use each year.

Airline Fee Credit

delta checked bag — Checked bag fees on Delta may be covered by your airline fee statement credit. Image Credit: Delta Air Lines

Now that we’ve discussed the broadest form of travel credits through the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, the Citi Prestige card, and the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card, let’s move onto the next category of statement credits.

In a world where airlines continue to come up with ways to upcharge the customer in addition to the airline ticket, there’s definitely a place for airline incidental fee credits. Using the airline incidental fee credit is a bit more involved than the general travel credit.

Eligible fees for using airline fee credits from American Express include checked bags, inflight refreshments, and more. While it’s not completely clear what is considered eligible, American Express outlines ineligible purchases as follows:

Airline tickets
Award tickets (taxes and fees)
Duty-free purchases
Gift cards
Mileage points purchases
Mileage points transfer fees
Upgrades

As you can see, this is more restrictive than the general travel credits shown above, as you can’t use the fee credit to buy airplane tickets, for example.

To use American Express airline fee credits, you must activate and select from 1 of the following airlines:

Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Hawaiian Airlines
JetBlue Airways
Southwest Airlines
Spirit Airlines
United Airlines

Simply put, these credits don’t cover the ticket cost itself, but they can help absorb costs associated with ancillaries like baggage fees and seat selection costs. We’ll talk about the cards that offer this, then we’ll review other bank cards that offer airline incidental credits.

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

ELEVATED OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome OfferEarn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
150,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.74% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

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.

Pros & Cons

Pros

5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
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)

Cons

High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the 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, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card^®, here.
$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 the Card.
$199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the 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.
$695 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 18.74% - 27.74% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 250k points with the Amex Business Platinum card. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The first option we’ll be discussing is the Amex Business Platinum card. This card is an iconic symbol of American Express as a provider of business credit solutions.

The Amex Business Platinum card gives you thousands of dollars in value through its benefits every single year, and we believe that holding this card is absolutely worth it.

Besides the fact that you’ll earn 5x points per dollar spent on AmexTravel.com purchases and get access to thousands of airport lounges worldwide (including Centurion Lounges), you also get a $200 airline fee credit every calendar year (enrollment required).

In addition to the $200 airline fee credit, you get up to a $400 Dell shopping credit (enrollment required) and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit, which we’ll discuss in the later sections. You’ll also get Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold status upon enrollment.

Bottom Line: The Amex Business Platinum card is undoubtedly one of the best Amex Business cards available . Besides the $200 airline fee credit, there is a slew of different travel perks you get just by holding the card. Don’t sleep on this card if you want to upgrade your travel!

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

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 dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

$695 annual fee (rates and fees)
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in 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 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 through American Express Travel using 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, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
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.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$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: Platinum Card^® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
$199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
Receive either a $120 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.
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.
$695 annual fee.¤
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum card. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Platinum card is what American Express is known for.

This quintessential Amex card is loaded to the brim with perks. Similar to the Amex Business Platinum card, the Amex Platinum card offers a $200 airline fee credit (enrollment required), among other benefits.

You’ll earn a whopping 5 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or on AmexTravel.com. You’ll also earn 5x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com. When you consider that we value each Membership Rewards point at around 2 cents per point, you’ll get an unbeatable 10% return on spend in these categories.

What’s better is that you’ll get so many other perks even if you don’t find yourself spending on this card every day. You’ll get benefits like access to the Global Lounge Collection, which is the only credit card airport lounge access program that includes proprietary lounge locations around the world (including the Centurion Lounges). You’ll also get complimentary access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program, which provides an average total value of $550 per stay.

You’ll get up to $200 airline fee credit per calendar year, as well as a laundry list of statement credits for prepaid hotels, Saks Fifth Avenue, Uber, digital entertainment, Equinox, CLEAR Plus, and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. Some credits require enrollment.

All of these factors, plus the complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (enrollment required), make having this card a no-brainer for most of us.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

U.P. Rating

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

Welcome OfferEarn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership
175,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$875

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.99% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
7x points per $1 on select travel and at U.S. restaurants
3x points per $1 on all other eligible purchases

Cons

High annual fee of $550

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership
Earn 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio
Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible travel purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery
Earn 3x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for other eligible purchases on your card
Enjoy up to $400 in Hilton Resort Credits (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually) on your card each anniversary year when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio
Enjoy complimentary Diamond status
$550 annual fee

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Hilton Aspire card has a lot going for it. If you look at the benefits it offers, you might feel the immediate need to apply for this card.

You wouldn’t be alone, because it offers unprecedented points-earning multipliers, complimentary top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status (including suite upgrades), and a Free Night Reward on every cardmember anniversary.

In fact, you might even think that it’s pretty similar to the Amex Platinum card.

Here’s what you can expect to get in terms of statement credits from the Hilton Aspire card:

Up to $200 airline fee credit
Up to $400 Hilton Resort credit
$100 property credit at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties

We’ll be talking about the last 2 credits in the below sections, but rest assured that they are valuable.

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Credit Card

The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is Bank of America’s flagship rewards credit card offering. You can earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1.5 points per dollar elsewhere.

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card

U.P. Rating

The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is a great travel rewards card for those looking for a simple approach to earning and redeeming rewards.

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card

The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is a great travel rewards card for those looking for a simple approach to earning and redeeming rewards.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$600

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.24% - 27.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card is a great option for anyone looking for a travel rewards card with a simple approach to how you earn and redeem your rewards.

From travel and purchase protections to airline incidental and Global Entry credits, there is plenty to love about the Bank of America Premium Rewards card.

Plus, those that hold status in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can get even more value from the card by boosting their rewards by 25% to 75%!

Pros & Cons

Pros

2x points per $1 on travel and dining purchases
1.5x points per $1 on all other purchases
Up to $100 annual airline incidental statement credit

Cons

$95 annual fee
Points are worth a fixed 1 cent per point, so it isn’t possible to get outsized redemptions via airline and hotel transfer partners

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Receive 60,000 online bonus points – a $600 value – after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87-2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
No limit to the points you can earn and your points don’t expire.
Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America^® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill^® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck^® or Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $120, every four years.
No foreign transaction fees.
Low $95 annual fee.
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.24% - 27.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Although not an ultra-premium credit card, this card will enable you to enjoy up to $200 in statement credits as follows:

Up to $100 airline incidental fee credit
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years (as of October 1, 2024)

We’ll be talking more in-depth about the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit in the later sections. According to Bank of America, qualifying transactions for incidentals are made on domestic-originated flights on certain U.S.-domestic airline carriers including:

Airport lounge fees
Checked baggage fees
Inflight entertainment
Onboard food and beverage charges
Preferred seating upgrades
Ticket change/cancellation fees

Here’s what doesn’t count:

Airline ticket purchases
Award tickets and fees incurred with airline alliance partners
Duty-free purchases
Gift cards
Mileage point purchases
Mileage point transfer fees

All in all, the fee credit functions more like the American Express airline incidental fee credit than the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or Citi Prestige card travel credit.

Crystal^® Visa Infinite^® Credit Card

City National Bank is a private bank focused on more affluent consumers, particularly in the media space. Its ultra-premium credit card is the Crystal Infinite card.

Besides earning 3 points per $1 spent on gasoline, grocery, airline, hotel, taxi (including Uber and Lyft), limousine, rental car, train, bus, and dining (including fast food and takeout) purchases, and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases, you’ll get a $350 statement credit for airline fees. Authorized users do not get additional statement credits.

The airline fee credit counts for eligible U.S.-domestic airline carriers and includes:

Ticket change/cancellation fees
Checked baggage fees
Inflight entertainment
Onboard food and beverage charges
Airport lounge membership fees and day passes
Onboard wireless charges (excluding Gogo inflight Wi-Fi)

Besides this, you can enjoy other benefits found here.

The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card

The Ritz-Carlton card is a Chase credit card that is actually no longer available to new applicants. You can upgrade a Chase Marriott Bonvoy card to the Ritz-Carlton card as long as you’ve had the previous card for at least 12 months.

If you have the card, you’ll enjoy these benefits (among other perks):

6x Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 at Marriott properties
3x Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 on dining, car rentals, and airline purchases
2x Marriott Bonvoy points per $1 on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit per calendar year
Free Night Certificate every year after account anniversary, valid for a 1-night stay at a property with a redemption level of up to 85,000 points
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year

This particular travel credit functions a little differently than any other credit in the sense that you must call 855-896-2222 after your purchase has been processed to apply the travel credit.

Here are the non-ticket purchases that count towards the $300 travel credit:

Airline baggage fees
Airline lounge membership or day pass fees
Airline seat upgrades
Inflight entertainment/internet (Gogo inflight Wi-Fi counts)
Inflight meals

To learn more about the Ritz-Carlton card, click here.

Southwest Annual Travel Credit

Southwest Mobile Boarding Pass — Image Credit: Southwest

Chase is the exclusive issuer of co-branded Southwest credit cards. With a total of 4 cards available, you’ll definitely see lots of ways to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points.

Interestingly, there is only 1 credit card that offers a travel credit. Let’s talk about that below.

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card

NEW OFFER

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card

U.P. Rating

This card focuses on the Southwest traveler with anniversary points, travel credit, upgrades, and money back on inflight purchases.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card

This card focuses on the Southwest traveler with anniversary points, travel credit, upgrades, and money back on inflight purchases.

Welcome OfferEarn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
$400 + 40,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$880

Annual Fee

$149

APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card is the most premium personal Southwest card offering from Chase. When you peel back the curtain, it is easy to see why.

Not only does the card offer multiple bonus categories to help you earn more Southwest Rapid Rewards points, but it is also loaded with benefits that are sure to offer quite a bit of value to Southwest flyers.

Here is a full overview of the card to help you decide if it is a good fit for your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

3x points per $1 on Southwest purchases
2x points per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshare purchases
2x points per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases

Cons

$149 annual fee
Does not earn transferable points

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
7,500 anniversary points each year.
Earn 3X points on Southwest^® purchases.
Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
$75 Southwest^® travel credit each year.
No foreign transaction fees.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Southwest Rapid Rewards Frequent Flyer Program

The credit card that offers a Southwest travel credit is the Southwest Priority card — this comes with a $75 Southwest travel credit each cardmember year.

You’ll get a generous welcome bonus by getting approved for the card and meeting the spending requirements, in addition to a bonus of 7,500 points after every anniversary.

Hot Tip: Learn more about the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards loyalty program and how the Companion Pass can get you some serious savings.

The $75 Southwest travel credit can be used for all Southwest Airlines purchases except:

Upgraded Boardings
Inflight purchases

Plus, you’ll get statement credits for 4 Upgraded Boardings (A1-A15) per year when available!

Reward Flight Statement Credit

One of the most interesting statement credits is a Reward Flight Statement Credit. Whenever you book award travel, you’ll always be on the hook for taxes and fees.

One significant component of taxes and fees is fuel surcharges. If you’re booking a British Airways award ticket, you’ll routinely find one-way business class fuel surcharges of $500 and one-way first class fuel surcharges of $900.

This will put a massive dent in your wallet… unless you have a card that can offset these taxes and fees in the form of a statement credit.

British Airways Visa Signature^® Card

U.P. Rating

This card is great for British Airways frequent flyers, and traveling couples will find great value in the Travel Together Ticket.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

British Airways Visa Signature^® Card

This card is great for British Airways frequent flyers, and traveling couples will find great value in the Travel Together Ticket.

Welcome OfferEarn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
75,000 Avios

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$938

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The British Airways Visa Signature^® Card is a stellar option for travelers who regularly travel with the airline. From all of the Avios the card helps you earn, to a 10% discount off cash tickets, and the award flight statement credits, you can get tons of value out of the card each year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

3x Avios per $1 on British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL purchases
2x Avios per $1 on hotel accommodations purchased directly through hotels
1x Avios per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

$95 annual fee
Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL.
Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.
10% off British Airways flights starting in the US when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.
Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you'll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.
Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
Simply tap to pay with your contactless British Airways Visa Signature Card. Just look for the contactless symbol at checkout. It's fast, easy and secure!
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

British Airways Executive Club

Currently, the only credit card that offers a statement credit specifically for reward flight taxes and fees is the British Airways Visa card.

Also, if you spend $30,000 in a calendar year, you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket that will enable you to get a second award seat for a companion on the same flight in the same cabin when you book a reward flight on a British Airways mainline flight originating in and returning to the U.S. You’ll just have to pay for the taxes and fees.If you pay for your British Airways reward flight taxes and fees with the British Airways Visa card, you’ll receive a statement credit of $100 for an economy or premium economy booking or $200 for a business or first class booking. You can receive 1 statement credit per reservation up to 3 times per year.

This means that if you book 3 business or first class award reservations, you can earn up to $600 in reward flight statement credits per year!

Bottom Line: This unique benefit is a welcome addition to the statement credit world, and it goes a long way to easing the financial burden of British Airways award travel.

Uber Cash

The crowdsourcing ride-share app Uber is one of the most convenient additions to make personal and business travel easier. If you have the right card, you can get free Uber rides, meals via Uber Eats, and even elite status!

Amex Platinum Card

We discussed the Amex Platinum card in detail above as it relates to the airline fee credits and other perks. However, the Amex Platinum card also comes with $200 in annual Uber Cash.

The structure is the Uber Cash benefit is split into $15 increments every month, plus an additional $20 in December. Additionally, you’ll become an Uber VIP, connecting you to drivers who have at least a 4.8-star rating and “high-quality cars.”

To use it, all you have to do is add your Amex Platinum card to your Uber account. Once you add your card, you’ll see Uber Cash as a payment option. Choose that and simply begin taking rides. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.

American Express^® Gold Card

Similar to the Amex Platinum card, the Amex Gold card receives $10 in Uber Cash per month, up to $120 a year, to use for U.S. Uber Eats and Uber rides. Ensure that you add your Amex Gold card as your payment method within the Uber app to receive the benefit.

Saks Fifth Avenue Credit

In the spirit of unique benefits, Amex also offers a shopping credit for Saks Fifth Avenue purchases on some cards.

Amex Platinum Card

The first Amex card that offers the Saks Fifth Avenue credit is the ultra-premium Amex Platinum card. The structure of the Saks credit is such that you’ll get 2 equal statement credits up to $50 each half of the year. Specifically, you’ll get up to $50 from January to June and then another $50 from July to December.

This credit is valid only at Saks Fifth Avenue online or at U.S. and U.S. territories store locations. It’s not valid for Saks Fifth Avenue gift cards, purchases at outlet locations (both in-store and online), restaurant purchases located within the store, online bill pay for Saks credit, online purchases shipped outside the U.S., or at Saks OFF 5th locations.

You need to enroll in this benefit to use it. After that, simply use the card as normal and you’ll see a statement credit within 2 to 4 weeks.

Dining Credit

Amex Rose Gold card paying for dessert and coffee — The Amex Gold card offers dining credits at participating restaurants. Image Credit: American Express

With gourmet dining options all around the world and a growing need for convenience, it’s not terribly surprising that people are spending more at restaurants and food delivery. Dining credits can help offset some of the costs of eating out, so let’s take a glance at how you can get dining credits.

Amex Gold Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating

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!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

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!

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
60,000 points 

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, 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 & Cons

Pros

4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

$325 annual fee (rates and fees)
No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
$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. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90k points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Currently, the only card that offers a dining credit is the Amex Gold card. Incidentally, the Amex Gold card also offers an abundance of key benefits that foodies and travelers will love.

The Amex Gold card, is, quite possibly, one of the most useful cards. The earning structure is epic:

4 Membership Rewards Points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S, on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases (1x thereafter)
4 Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases (1x thereafter)
3 Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline, as well as airfare, prepaid hotels, vacation packages, or cruises booked through AmexTravel.com
1 Membership Rewards Point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Besides the jaw-dropping points-earning categories for normal spending, you’ll get up to a $10 statement credit per month (up to $120 per year) at participating restaurants, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. All you have to do is enroll and make purchases at these restaurants with your Amex Gold card and you’re all set!

If you make the most of it, you’ll come out saving lots of cash. If you pair this with a welcome bonus offer, you’ll find that the Amex Gold card is really worth it.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
95,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$665

Annual Fee

$650

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros & Cons

Pros

6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
2x points per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

Steep annual fee of $650 (rates & fees)
6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
$300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card at restaurants worldwide.
With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy^® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy^® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card.
Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
$100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton^® or St. Regis^® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck^® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
$650 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is an ultra-premium hotel credit card that offers loads of perks, including a dining credit. The annual credit of up to $300 is spread out across 12 months for a maximum benefit of up to $25 in statement credits per month. You get to enjoy up to $25 per month in dining statement credits each calendar year for eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide. Enrollment is required.

Digital Entertainment Credit

One of the newest statement credits available is the digital entertainment credit, which was created in the aftermath of COVID-19.

Let’s see what it’s all about!

Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum card offers up to a $240 digital entertainment credit that comes in the form of up to $20 in statement credits every month.

Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your card on one or more of the following: Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.

After spending on your Amex Platinum card, you’ll see a statement credit posted to your account within 6 to 8 weeks.

Equinox Credit

Equinox is known as a chain of luxury gyms — in practice, it’s a luxury lifestyle brand that even encompasses hotels!

And whether Equinox is relevant to you in the context of brick-and-mortar gyms or on-demand fitness streaming, this credit will be useful to you.

Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum card offers a total of up to $300 in Equinox statement credits every year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with card upon enrollment.

To receive the credit after enrollment, you must visit this link to verify your eligibility using your Amex Platinum card, whether you’re a new or existing Equinox member. After you make your Equinox purchases, expect a statement credit within 2 to 4 weeks.

Dell Credit

Office supplies and electronics can make up a bulk of your expenses, depending on the nature of your business. This is where a statement credit from Dell might come in handy. When this particular statement credit is leveraged properly, you can seriously upgrade your computer set-up, headphone game, audio accessories, and much more.

Amex Business Platinum Card

The only card that offers the Dell statement credit is the Amex Business Platinum card. This card was refreshed to include the full gamut of business perks.

The $400 Dell credit is split up into 2 semi-annual credits of up to $200. You’ll get a credit of up to $200 valid from January to June and the remaining credit of up to $200 valid from July to December.

You have to activate the benefit by logging into your Amex online account. This benefit is valid only on purchases made directly with Dell or at dell.com in the U.S. and U.S. territories where Dell is the merchant. It’s not valid for online purchases shipped outside of the U.S.

Once you keep that in mind, just spend your card on Dell.com or at a Dell shop and you’ll see a statement credit back 2 to 4 weeks later.

Hotel Credits

Businessman Checking In At Hotel Reception Front Desk — Enjoy a statement credit on your next hotel stay with our recommended cards. Image Credit: Monkey Business Images via Shutterstock

If you’re traveling a lot, you’re going to want to make the best of hotel statement credits to avoid paying an arm and leg for your lodging costs. Let’s talk about the cards that currently offer a hotel-specific credit.

Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum card offers up to $200 in prepaid hotel credits, which is one of the only benefits of its kind that can be used at more than 1 hotel chain.

Here’s how it works – get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through AmexTravel.com when you pay with your card.

Typically, you make 1 of 2 booking types through AmexTravel.com:

Prepaid (can earn 5x points)
Pay at hotel (can’t earn 5x points)

And you might be curious about what is defined as “prepaid.” Don’t worry, because prepaid bookings made through AmexTravel.com are almost always flexible and cancellable.

So as long as the booking is made with your Amex Platinum card, the booking is prepaid, and the booking is at a Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection property, you’ll get up to $200 in statement credits back per calendar year.

Hilton Aspire Card

As we’ve mentioned above, there are so many different benefits you get from the Hilton Aspire card. We won’t go through all of them again; instead, we’ll focus on the hotel-specific credits you get.

When you hold the Hilton Aspire card, you’ll get these hotel credits:

$400 Hilton Resort credit every cardmember year
$100 credit at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties

The $400, which is paid out in $200 increments semi-annually, is usable at any qualifying Hilton resort, and almost everything counts towards this credit. You’ll get reimbursed even for room rates, as long as it’s not an Advance Purchase rate.

The $100 credit is a bit harder to use in the sense that you must use a specific rate code ZZAAP1 and book a minimum 2-night stay using the special rate code. You can use this towards a massage, food, and other on-property purchases. Find out more details at this link.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card includes great spending categories and a Free Night Award (up to 85,000 points) every year after your cardmember anniversary.

Additionally, this card comes with hotel benefits including:

6x points on Marriott purchases at participating properties
$100 Marriott Bonvoy property credit at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
Automatic Platinum Elite status
25 elite night credits

The $100 property credit must be used on a Marriott Bonvoy account linked to your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. It is booked via the “$100 Property Credit, Luxury Credit Card Rate” when searching online. The good news is that this particular credit isn’t usually more expensive than the member rate. Remember that stays must be 2 nights or longer to qualify.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 bonus points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on 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 & Cons

Pros

5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)

Cons

$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Enjoy beneﬁts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. 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, 2027.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a revamped benefit: a $50 annual hotel credit every cardmember year for stays booked through Chase Travel.

Because of how new this benefit is, it’s available now for new cardmembers; for existing cardmembers, you’ll need to wait until your next cardmember anniversary to use this credit.

All you need to do is book a stay through the Chase Travel portal at any available property!

CLEAR Plus Credit

CLEAR is a biometric system for making airport security more streamlined and painless. It charges a membership fee, which can be reduced by leveraging a CLEAR Plus Credit.

Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum card offers up to $199 in statement credits towards a CLEAR Plus membership per year. And since a CLEAR Plus membership for an individual costs $199 per year, you’re basically getting a free CLEAR Plus membership every year just by holding the Amex Platinum card.

American Express^® Green Card

The Amex Green Card offers an enrollment-required CLEAR Plus credit of up to $199 per calendar year. Simply enroll your card by going to the Benefits page of your online American Express account and you’ll be good to go.

LoungeBuddy Credit

LoungeBuddy is an airport lounge service that allows you to purchase access to a global network of airport lounges, regardless of cabin class or elite status. You’ll typically be charged on a per-visit basis.

Amex Green Card

The Amex Green card has an up to $100 LoungeBuddy credit that you can use per calendar year. All you have to do is put your charges on the Amex Green card and you’ll see a statement credit anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks after your purchase.

All information about the American Express^® Green Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Inflight Wi-Fi Credits

If you travel around the world back and forth for business, you’ll find that inflight Wi-Fi charges can add up over time. The best way to avoid these charges is to get cards that offer inflight Wi-Fi statement credits.

AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Red World Elite Mastercard^®

The AAdvantage Aviator Red card from Barclays is an example of a card that reimburses you for inflight Wi-Fi. Every cardmember year, you’ll get up to $25 in inflight Wi-Fi statement credits when flying on American Airlines-operated flights.

This includes its subsidiaries such as Compass Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and more. Simply use your card and you’ll see a statement credit around 4 weeks later.

AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Silver Mastercard^®

The AAdvantage Aviator Silver card from Barclays is a more premium card than the AAdvantage Aviator Red card. Instead of getting a $25 inflight Wi-Fi credit every cardmember year with the AAdvantage Aviator Red card, you’ll get a $50 credit every cardmember year.

Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business Credit Card

U.P. Rating

Southwest frequent flyers will love the upgraded boarding positions, inflight Wi-Fi credits, and bonus points on each cardmember anniversary.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business Credit Card

Southwest frequent flyers will love the upgraded boarding positions, inflight Wi-Fi credits, and bonus points on each cardmember anniversary.

Welcome OfferEarn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,040

Annual Fee

$199

APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business Credit Card is a phenomenal option for business owners who are Southwest frequent flyers. It helps you earn more points on all of your business expenses, offers upgraded boarding certificates and Wi-Fi credits, and helps you reach higher levels of Southwest elite status.

Pros & Cons

Pros

4x points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases
3x points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases
2x points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services

Cons

$199 annual fee
Doesn’t earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
Earn 4X pts on Southwest^® purchases.
Earn 3X points on Rapid Rewards^® hotel and car rental partners.
Earn 2X points on rideshare.
Earn 2X points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services and 1X points on all other purchases.
4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Southwest Performance Business card is Southwest’s most premium business credit card. Issued by Chase, this card has a lot of perks.

One of the perks is that you’ll receive inflight Wi-Fi credits for Wi-Fi purchases on Southwest flights. You can use the $8 Wi-Fi credit a total of 365 times every year. You’ll see it credited back to you within 1 to 2 business cycles.

Inflight Food and Beverage Credits

There’s also a way to get refunded for inflight food and beverage without using a travel credit. This is through inflight food and beverage credits, which are specifically for inflight meals/drinks.

AAdvantage Aviator Silver card

The AAdvantage Aviator Silver card also card offers an astonishing benefit of up to $25 back per day as statement credits on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines-operated flights. In theory, if you flew American Airlines every day, you could max out the credit by getting $25 of free food every day.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Application Fee Credit

One of the most universal credits for ultra-premium and even premium credit cards is the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck will reduce your waiting time at the airport, often dramatically.

To apply for Global Entry, you’ll need to pay $120 (as of October 1, 2024) and renew every 4 years. For TSA PreCheck, the application fee is $78 and you renew every 4.5 years.

There are a number of cards that offer Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit.

Final Thoughts

Wow! What a whirlwind of credit cards we just discussed. As you can see, the world of credit card statement credits is growing and will continue to grow. Whether it’s general travel credits you can use on airplane tickets, luggage credits, lounge day pass credits, or even hotel statement credits, there are so many different ways to reduce your day-to-day costs.

Now you have an idea of the top credit card statement credits and the major rewards credit cards that offer these statement credits. Let us know about the best refunds you’ve received with statement credits!

The information regarding the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite^® Card and Crystal^® Visa Infinite^® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information for the Citi Prestige^® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the American Express^® Green Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Red World Elite Mastercard^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Silver Mastercard^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express^® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® card, click here.

Table of Contents

What Are Credit Card Statement Credits?

Why Should I Care About Statement Credits?

What Types of Credits Are There?

General Travel Credit

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Citi Prestige® Card

U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

Travel Portal Credit

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Business Card

Airline Fee Credit

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card

Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card

The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card

Southwest Annual Travel Credit

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Reward Flight Statement Credit

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

Uber Cash

Amex Platinum Card

American Express® Gold Card

Saks Fifth Avenue Credit

Amex Platinum Card

Dining Credit

Amex Gold Card

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

Digital Entertainment Credit

Amex Platinum Card

Equinox Credit

Amex Platinum Card

Dell Credit

Amex Business Platinum Card

Hotel Credits

Amex Platinum Card

Hilton Aspire Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

CLEAR Plus Credit

Amex Platinum Card

American Express® Green Card

LoungeBuddy Credit

Amex Green Card

Inflight Wi-Fi Credits

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®

AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

Inflight Food and Beverage Credits

AAdvantage Aviator Silver card

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Application Fee Credit

Final Thoughts

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

Citi Prestige^® Card

U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite^® Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® Credit Card

Crystal^® Visa Infinite^® Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card

British Airways Visa Signature^® Card

American Express^® Gold Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

American Express^® Green Card

AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Red World Elite Mastercard^®

AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Silver Mastercard^®

Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business Credit Card