I’ve partnered with Upgraded Points because the site has the most detailed, user-friendly online miles and points guides that they keep regularly updated. I frequently advise on content and contribute to improve and update articles for beginner to advanced audiences.
I write the blog Rapid Travel Chai, founded the Facebook group Every Passport Stamp, and speak on travel and frequent flyer programs at conferences and events around the world.
Always on the Lookout for More Rewards and More Travel
Smart investment of time to maximize rewards on personal and business spend can pay off in ‘once in a lifetime’ trips again and again!
The red crab migration on Christmas Island, Australia, booked with Delta SkyMiles on Virgin AustraliaChase Ultimate Rewards
The most valuable credit cards for me have flexible rewards programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards that have both airline & hotel transfer partners, and solid points for cash travel awards.
My Ultimate Rewards points go to:
- Star Alliance carrier flights for my country collecting, booked with United MileagePlus
- Business class flights for my wife on Korean Air (her favorite airline)
- Romantic stays at Hyatts
I pool points earned from my personal and business Chase cards, maximizing category bonuses such as:
- 3x travel on the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred
- 5x category bonuses of the Chase Freedom and Ink Business Cash
- 1.5x everywhere ease of the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Ink Business Unlimited
My Recommended Chase Personal Cards
| CHASE PERSONAL CARD | BENEFITS & INFO |
|---|
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Learn More (at Chase's secure site) | - Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself BackSM, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Annual Fee: $95
$1,600
Must Reads: For more info on the Chase Sapphire Preferred, see our thoughts on its benefits and travel insurance coverage, which includes primary car rental insurance. Take a look at our full review to see why it’s one of our favorite cards. |
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Learn More (at Chase's secure site) | - INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 15.24% – 23.99%.
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
- Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Annual Fee: $0
Must Reads: For more info on the Chase Freedom Unlimited, see our thoughts on its benefits and our full review. |
My Recommended Chase Business Cards
| CHASE BUSINESS CARD | BENEFITS & INFO |
|---|
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Learn More (at Chase's secure site)
| - Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring
- With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Annual Fee: $0
Must Reads: For more info on the Ink Cash Card, see our guide on its benefits and our full review. This is one of several business credit cards from Chase. |
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Learn More (at Chase's secure site) | - Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
- Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases—with no limit to the amount you can earn
- 25% more value when redeeming points through Ultimate Rewards® travel
- Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Annual Fee: $95
$2,000
Must Reads: For more info on the Ink Business Preferred, see our guides on its benefits, 7 things to do as a new cardholder, and our full review. This is our favorite Chase business credit card. |
American Express Membership Rewards
The American Express Membership Rewards program is also great value for me:
- Delta is my primary airline and there are hidden gems with Delta SkyMiles when you know where to look
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is useful for awards on Delta that can be much cheaper than Delta charges
- ANA Mileage Club is an underrated Star Alliance program
- Air Canada Aeroplan works great for Star Alliance, too, on airlines where surcharges are not added
- British Airways Executive Club is great for short-distance flights on Oneworld airlines and Alaska Airlines
- Choice Privileges are a sleeper value for stays in Europe with breakfasts often included
The new American Express® Gold Card is incredible for spend at restaurants worldwide as well as US Supermarkets. See the details below!
Delta Elite Status
I love Delta Diamond Medallion status and the Medallion Qualification Mile (MQM) Boosts of the American Express Delta Platinum and American Express Delta Reserve get me closer to soon reaching 2 million lifetime miles!
I prefer the business versions of these cards because monthly spend does not show on credit reports. I frequently spend a lot on these cards and would not want my reported credit utilization to increase.
| CREDIT CARD | CARD INFO |
|---|
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Learn More (at Amex's secure site)
| - Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Check or stow your bag with ease: First Checked Bag Free on Delta Flights + Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding.
- Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta, on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. shipping purchases, on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants. Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
- Additionally, receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas.
- Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- Terms Apply. For rates and fees of the Delta Gold Business Card, click here.
$500 |
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Learn More (at Amex's secure site)
| - Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- You can receive a domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Take a friend or family member when you fly Delta. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Earn more miles on big purchases with 1.5 miles per dollar on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (that’s an extra half mile per dollar), up to 50,000 additional miles per year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply (ex. you would earn 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta and Hotel Stays instead of 1.5X).
- Delta Sky Club® Access – enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- With Status Boost®, earn 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, up to 2x per year getting you closer to Medallion Status.
- Good to Excellent (670-850)
- Annual Fee: $250
- Terms and limitations apply. For rates and fees of the Delta Platinum Business Card, click here.
$600 |
New from Hilton
The refreshed lineup of Hilton cards is worth a look, especially the Hilton Honors Surpass® Card from American Express or the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card for giving Hilton Honors Gold status and their earning potential.
A ‘No Brainer’ Card for Businesses
For business owners, the American Express Blue Business℠ Plus earns 2x points everyone up to $50,000 per year and has no annual fee, yet can transfer to all Membership Rewards partners. An incredible value!
For those who prefer cash back, the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a great small business option with a simple earning structure of 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% thereafter.
My Travel
Reaching remote Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic on the final call by the Royal Mail Ship St HelenaI travel America and the world for business and pleasure. I got into rewards credit cards to achieve my goal of traveling to every country in the world – I’ve been to 190 and have 3 to go.
I am decades ahead of where I thought I would be before I learned the value of miles and points.
Miles and points mean that when my wife wants to celebrate her birthday in Hong Kong, a bit of nostalgia from when we were living in Asia and dating, we can do it in style. Or I can bring my family in for my father’s 70th birthday celebration this year during peak summer travel season.
The information regarding the Chase Freedom Unlimited® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here.
