Why I’m Ditching Hotel Status After Hyatt’s Latest Devaluation

Updated: March 25, 2026, 8:50am CDT

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Table of Contents

Chase Deals, Not Status
Focus on Transferable Points To Increase Booking Options
Stack Free Night Certificates
Take Advantage of Fourth- and Fifth-Night-Free Benefits
Use Premium Hotel Programs To Mimic Elite Status
Final Thoughts

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In case you missed it, Hyatt recently announced less-than-ideal changes to its award chart that could see many of its best hotels increase their award rates by as much as 67%.

While devaluations are inevitable in every program, they can hit especially hard for travelers who commit to a single program — only for it to devalue significantly.

I’d wager that many travelers would also benefit from free agency rather than bending over backward to stay loyal to one chain. Here’s a look at my strategy for booking hotels moving forward.

Chase Deals, Not Status

Have you ever stayed at a hotel that wasn’t your first choice, perhaps in a worse location, just to prioritize your elite status perks? Have you ever paid a higher room rate just to requalify for status and get so-so benefits like a slightly larger room or a free breakfast of cold pastries and lukewarm potatoes?

Many people jump through hoops just to qualify for elite status, like spending a lot on a credit card to earn elite night credits when you could’ve earned more points with another card.

Of course, there are times when top-tier elite status benefits in a program can be genuinely useful.

Sheraton Grand Rio de Janeiro Marriott Bonvoy elite sign — How much is your hotel elite status really worth going out of the way for? Image Credit: Chris Hassan

But consider how often you stay at hotels where you would really value having a spacious suite. And is that complimentary breakfast something you’d actually want to eat over going to a local restaurant? If the answer is only a couple of times per year and not really, the value you’re getting may not surpass the effort it took you to earn top-tier status.

Instead, you might get more value from an excellent cash deal. Or you might use rewards from a new credit card’s welcome offer rather than limiting yourself to hotels where you have status.

If there is one thing to take away, especially with the upcoming World of Hyatt changes, it’s that you’re much better off chasing a good deal over chasing status. Don’t spend a dollar to save a dime if you want to maximize the value from your travels.

Focus on Transferable Points To Increase Booking Options

It’s wise to refocus your efforts on transferable rewards programs, which give you significantly more options when booking hotel stays. This way, you can focus on which properties offer the best award pricing and fit your travel needs.

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Program	Hotel Transfer Partners	Best Booking Options
American Express Membership Rewards	Choice (1:1) Hilton (1:2) Marriott (1:1)	Transfer points to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 rate (with occasional 30% to 40% transfer bonuses) Use points for Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings
Bilt Rewards	Accor (3:2) Hilton (1:1) Hyatt (1:1) IHG (1:1) Marriott Bonvoy (1:1)	Transfer points to Accor Live Limitless at a 3:2 rate. Transfer points to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 rate. Take advantage of Bilt Rent Day to receive a 25% to 100% transfer bonus.
Capital One Miles	Accor (2:1) Choice (1:1) Preferred Hotels & Resorts (1:2) Wyndham (1:1)	Transfer points to Preferred Hotels and Resorts at a 1:2 rate (with occasional 30% transfer bonuses).
Chase Ultimate Rewards	Hyatt (1:1) IHG (1:1) Marriott (1:1) Wyndham (1:1)	Transfer points to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 rate. Use points for The Edit with Points Boost.
Citi ThankYou Rewards	Accor (2:1) Choice (1:2) Leading Hotels of the World (5:1) Preferred Hotels & Resorts (1:4) Wyndham (1:1)	Transfer points to Choice Privileges at a 1:2 rate (dropping to 1:1.5 on April 19, 2026). Transfer points to Leading Hotels of the World at a 5:1 rate. Transfer points to Preferred Hotels and Rewards at a 1:4 rate (dropping to 1:2 on April 19, 2026).

Instead of being fiercely loyal to 1 hotel program and being limited to where you can redeem points, transferable rewards cards let you transfer points to 3 to 5 different hotel programs.

Hot Tip:

You can keep track of all of the transfer partners of each program and their current transfer bonuses using our transfer partner calculator tool.

Stack Free Night Certificates

Many hotel credit cards come with free night certificates, and stacking them can be a great way to score multiple hotel nights for little to no out-of-pocket cost. Despite having to pay an annual fee for the hotel credit card, you can often redeem these free night certificates for 2x to 3x the value.

FlemingsMayfair — You can use Hilton Free Night Awards to stay in virtually any Hilton hotel worldwide, even properties that are part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection. Image Credit: Jarrod West

My favorite program to use for this is the Hilton Honors program, for a simple reason. Hilton is the only major hotel rewards program that lets you redeem a free night certificate at nearly any property, provided there is standard award availability. This can unlock huge value for you if you’re strategic about when and where you travel and how you earn these certificates.

My strategy for Hilton free night certificates is to hold multiple Hilton credit cards. With the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you receive 1 free night award each cardmember anniversary and can earn up to 2 additional free night awards by spending $30,000 and $60,000 on purchases in a calendar year.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

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.

Apply Now(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.

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 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/15/2026.
175,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $875

Annual Fee

$550

APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

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 flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants
3x points per $1 on all other eligible purchases

Cons

High annual fee of $550 (rates & fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/15/2026.
Enhance your hotel stay with complimentary Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status and enjoy a world of hotel privileges and benefits. Get exclusive perks at any of Hilton’s 25 hotel brands, like a 100% Bonus on Base Points earned on every stay, Premium Wi-Fi and space-available room upgrades at select properties, and more.
Enjoy an Annual Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors in your first year of Card Membership and every year upon Card renewal.
Card Members can earn 14X Points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Card Members can earn 7X Points on purchases of Flights booked directly with airlines or flights booked through American Express Travel, Car rentals purchased directly from select car rental companies, and purchases at U.S. Restaurants.
Card Members can earn 3X Points on all other eligible purchases.
$400 Hilton Resort Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on your Hilton Honors Aspire Card. That's up to $400 back annually.
$200 Flight Credit: Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with airlines or via AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ using your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
$209 CLEAR+ Credit: You can receive up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you sign up and pay for a CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your eligible Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you can earn an additional Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend an additional $30,000 (for a total of $60,000) in purchases on your Card in the same calendar year.
$100 Property Credit: Receive up to a $100 credit for qualifying charges at Waldorf Astoria^® Hotels & Resorts and Conrad^® Hotels & Resorts properties when you book a 2 night minimum stay with your Card at HiltonHonorsAspireCard.com and select the Aspire Card Benefit rate option on the booking page, or call Hilton Honors at 855-292-5757 with the proper booking reference.
Hilton Honors Aspire Card Members can enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status, including perks like Executive Area Access (for full-size reservations and above) in the USA and Canada. Card Members must enroll in the National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status through their American Express online account using their Card. Terms apply.
Pay It Plan It^®: Pay It^® lets you tap in the American Express^® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It^® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist^® Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
Points don’t expire while your Hilton Honors American Express Card is active and in good standing.
$550 annual fee.
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: 19.49%-28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

I also carry the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card, which earns 1 Free Night Award each year you spend $15,000 on the card.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

U.P. Rating

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Apply Now(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.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.

Welcome OfferEarn 130,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/15/2026.
130,000 points + 1 Free Night Reward

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $650

Annual Fee

$150

APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status to up to $200 in Hilton credits every year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.

Pros & Cons

Pros

12x points per $1 at Hilton hotels
6x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
4x points per $1 at U.S. online retail purchases

Cons

$150 (rates & fees)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 130,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/15/2026.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold status with your Card. Plus, spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year. Terms and Limitations apply.
Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card. That’s up to $200 in statement credits annually.
Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist^® Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
Pay It Plan It^®: Pay It^® lets you tap in the American Express^® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It^® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
Points don’t expire while your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card is active and in good standing.
$150 annual fee.
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: 19.49%-28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Hilton Honors

That said, while Hilton by far offers the best free night certificates, holding hotel credit cards across multiple programs can expand your options. My other favorites include:

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card: Free night award every year after account anniversary (valued up to 85,000 points, and can top off with 25,000 additional points)
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card: Free night award every year after account anniversary (valued up to 35,000 points, can top off with 25,000 additional points)
The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Free night certificate for a Category 1 to 4 hotel, another free night certificate after spending $15,000 on the card within a calendar year
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Free night award every year after account anniversary (valued up to 40,000 points, can top off with 15,000 additional points)
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Free anniversary night certificate (valued up to 40,000 points, can top off with 15,000 additional points), plus the ability to earn a second free night after spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year
Wyndham Rewards^® Earner℠ Business Card: 15,000 bonus points each anniversary year (enough for up to 2 free nights)

Take Advantage of Fourth- and Fifth-Night-Free Benefits

One glaring benefit missing from the World of Hyatt program relative to its competitors is the ability to score a free consecutive award night:

Hilton Honors Silver members and above score a fifth consecutive night free when using points
All Marriott Bonvoy members score a fifth consecutive night free when using points
All IHG One Rewards cardmembers score a fourth consecutive night free when using points

decor jw marriott masai mara — The extra night can make all the difference. Image Credit: Jarrod West

Needless to say, this can provide excellent value, as you’re effectively getting a 20% discount when staying exactly 5 nights at a Hilton or Marriott hotel, as I did at the JW Marriott Masai Mara. The savings amount to 25% off when staying exactly 4 nights at an IHG hotel.

Use Premium Hotel Programs To Mimic Elite Status

For certain stays where you’re missing out on elite status benefits, there are multiple credit card booking platforms that provide similar elite perks that you might expect when booking directly through the hotel.

Amex Fine Hotels+ Resorts and The Edit from Chase are great examples, both with a bevy of benefits not only at hotels that are part of large hotel chains but also at hotels that are independent or part of programs where you wouldn’t normally receive any perks.

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Benefit	Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts	Chase’s The Edit
Complimentary room upgrade	If available	If available
Complimentary daily breakfast for 2 people	Yes	Yes, at most properties
Early check-in	If available	If available
Late checkout	4 p.m. guaranteed	If available
Property credit per stay	$100	$100
Ability to earn hotel points and elite night credit	Yes	Yes
Minimum stay requirement	1-night	2-nights
Bookable properties	Over 1,800	Over 1,300

As you can see, the benefits offered here closely mirror what you might expect if you had elite status, including complimentary room upgrades, free breakfast, late checkout, and more.

Not all American Express and Chase cards provide access to Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Edit, so you need one of these cards in your wallet:

BEST LOUNGE CARD

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

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.

Apply Now(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.

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 OfferYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted. 
As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

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 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), 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
Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash and Uber One, Resy, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, lululemon 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 and Amex International Airline Program
Access to Amex transfer partners
No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

$895 annual fee (rates and fees)
Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
$200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
$300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
$600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
$209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
$300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
$895 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of as high as 175,000 points with the Amex Platinum. Welcome offers may vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

ELEVATED WELCOME 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!

Apply Now(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 150,000 200,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
150,000 200,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $4,400

Annual Fee

$895

APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Amex Business Platinum Card is a premium travel rewards card tailored for business owners who are frequent travelers with high annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers, like the best airport lounge access at over 1,550 lounges and numerous annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases like flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid short-term rentals booked through AmexTravel.com
Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)

Cons

High annual fee of $895 (rates & fees)
Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Elevated Welcome Offer: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Business Platinum Card^® within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
See how you can unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
Enhanced! 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
1X points on other eligible purchases
$895 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 17.74% - 28.49% 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 250,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum card. The current public offer is ~~150,000~~ 200,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
125,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$2,500

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.49% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent

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.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
5x points on Lyft rides
4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

$795 annual fee

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Card Highlights

Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^® every 4 years
Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.49% - 27.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Chase Ultimate Rewards

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Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

U.P. Rating

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.

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Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening and access more than $6,000 in total business and travel value in your first year.
150,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$3,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

Flex for Business Variable APR: 17.74% - 28.49%

Credit Recommended

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card is a great pick for business owners who can easily make use of the annual credits for travel, Google Workspace, ZipRecruiter, and more. Plus, it offers helpful bonus categories such as ad spend and offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges — including Chase Sapphire Lounges.

Pros & Cons

Pros

8x points on Chase Travel purchases
4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
3x points on advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (uncapped)

Cons

$795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$6,000+ in value your first year. 150K points, valued at $3,000 for select flights and hotels through Chase Travel℠, plus $3,000+ in annual value through travel and business benefits.
Earn 8x points on Chase Travel℠ for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit℠, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours.
Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct.
Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising.
Get the most flexible travel credit compared to any other card, with up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year on travel purchases.
Enjoy complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club network and Priority Pass™ Select membership. Two guests may accompany the Primary Cardmember to the lounges free of charge.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: Flex for Business Variable APR: 17.74% - 28.49%
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Even better, all of these cards offer annual hotel credits when you book through their respective programs. With the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card, you can receive up to $600 in prepaid hotel credits biannually, while Chase Sapphire Reserve Business cardmembers receive 2 $250 credits per year for up to $500 in value.

Final Thoughts

The draw of pursuing elite status can be alluring, since that’s precisely how the programs are designed, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the right strategy for everyone. For many, committing to a single hotel chain might actually cost more in the long run — and diversifying may just be the way to go in 2026.