Stephen’s Travel Rewards Card Picks [2023]
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I’ve had the privilege of writing the most comprehensive guides on the Internet with Upgraded Points, including some really technical stuff!
I also have my own consulting services company in this space, AuPACS, and it’s designed to bring one-on-one services to help you optimize your cards and points.
And while a lot of people see the value of learning how to get free luxury travel, it’s easier said than done! It all starts with having the right credit cards.
Chase Ultimate Rewards
I love Chase Ultimate Rewards because it has a diverse set of transfer partners, both for airlines and hotels! Also, it’s incredibly easy to get industry-leading value even without travel redemptions.
My favorite ways to use Ultimate Rewards points are:
- Round-trip ANA first class to Japan with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Emirates first class to the Middle East and Africa with Emirates Skywards
- Singapore Airlines First Class Suites to Southeast Asia with Singapore KrisFlyer
- Cheap business class flights from the East Coast U.S. to Europe with Iberia Plus
- 5-star hotel stays at Hyatt properties without paying an arm and a leg in points
I always combine my Ultimate Rewards points into the flagship card available, which is the Chase Sapphire Reserve in my case.
I’m able to maximize my Chase points earning by taking advantage of:
- 3x on dining with the Chase Sapphire Reserve
- 3x on travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred
- 5x category bonuses with the Chase Freedom Flex and Ink Business Cash
- 1.5x everywhere else with the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Ink Business Unlimited
My Recommended Chase Personal Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.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
- 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
- 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
- 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
- 2x points on all other travel worldwide
- $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
- Excellent travel and car rental insurance
- 10% annual bonus points
- No foreign transaction fees
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
- Complimentary Spot Club Platinum status with The Parking Spot for 2 years, 20% off of your first reservation, and points for 1 free day of parking (enroll by October 26, 2023)
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
Rewards Center
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred 80k or 100k Bonus Offer
- Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Score Requirements
- Military Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Sapphire Preferred
- Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve
- Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Insurance
- Best Metal Credit Cards
- Best Credit Cards for Military
- Best Credit Cards with Travel Insurance
- Best High Limit Credit Cards

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.
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.If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options out there.
The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.
Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!
Pros
- 10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
- 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
- 5x points on airfare booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass airport lounge access
- TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
- Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
- Rental car elite status with National and Avis
Cons
- $550 annual fee
- Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
- Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
Rewards Center
- Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus Offer
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Airport Lounge Access
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance Benefits
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Benefits
- Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve
- Best Credit Cards for Military
- Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
- Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Insurance
- Best High Limit Credit Cards
My Recommended Chase Business Cards

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.
Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.
Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.
Pros
- 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
- Cell phone protection
- Purchase protection
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Rental car insurance
- Extended warranty coverage
Cons
- No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
- Credit Card Reviews
- Business Credit Cards
- Credit Cards
- Travel Rewards Credit Cards
- Best Sign Up Bonuses
Rewards Center
- The Chase Ink Business Preferred 100k Bonus Offer
- Benefits of the Ink Business Preferred
- Chase Ink Business Preferred Cell Phone Protection
- Chase Ink Business Preferred vs Amex Business Gold
- Ink Business Cash vs Ink Business Preferred
- Amex Business Platinum vs. Chase Ink Business Preferred
- Ink Business Preferred vs Ink Business Unlimited
- Best Chase Business Credit Cards
- Best Business Credit Card for Advertising
- High Limit Business Credit Cards
- Best Credit Cards with Travel Insurance
- Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Insurance

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has a lot going for it that makes it a compelling choice for small business owners. The card features a very lucrative 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year.
When you factor in that the card has no annual fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter, you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.
Pros
- Earn 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
- Travel insurance and purchase protection
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
- Employee cards at no additional cost
- No annual fee
Cons
- Spending caps in bonus categories
- Low points earning outside of bonus categories
- 3% foreign transaction fees
- Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
Rewards Center
- Chase Ink Business Cash $900 Welcome Bonus Offer
- Benefits of the Chase Ink Business Cash
- Ink Business Cash vs Ink Business Preferred
- Ink Business Cash vs Ink Business Unlimited
- Best Chase Business Credit Cards
- Best Business Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
- Best 0% APR Business Credit Cards
- Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Insurance

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.
If so, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.
Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Pros
- 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
- Employee cards at no additional cost
- Earn flexible rewards
Cons
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
Rewards Center
- The Ink Business Unlimited $900 Welcome Bonus Offer
- Benefits of the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
- Ink Business Cash vs Ink Business Unlimited
- Ink Business Preferred vs Ink Business Unlimited
- Best Business Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
- Best Chase Business Credit Cards
- Best Business Credit Cards for Multiple Employees
- Best 0% APR Business Credit Cards
- Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Insurance

Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card
Earn up to 5% cash-back for your business without complex bonus earning categories!
Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card
Earn up to 5% cash-back for your business without complex bonus earning categories!Chase has introduced the Ink Business Premier℠ Credit Card to its business credit card lineup. With straightforward cash-back earnings on everyday purchases and large expenses, tools to help you monitor your business, and multiple ways to redeem your rewards, this is a great card option to consider.
Pros
- Earn 2.5% total cash-back on purchases of $5,000 or more
- Earn 2% cash-back on all other business purchases
- Unlimited 5% total cash-back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- No foreign transaction fees
- Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
- No additional cost for employee cards
- Cell phone protection
- Primary rental car coverage
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty coverage
Cons
- $195 annual fee
- Some purchases need to be paid in full each month and don’t qualify for Flex for Business APR
- Rewards cannot be pooled with Chase cards that offer access to transfer partners
- Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
- Travel Benefits: Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, No Foreign Transaction Fees and Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance.
- The only business credit card with 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more.
- For businesses who prefer to pay their balance in full each month, Ink Business Premier gives access to increased spending power, rich rewards, and premium benefits.
- Pay off eligible purchases over time with interest up to assigned Flex for Business limit. All other purchases must be paid in full each month.
- Purchase with confidence with built-in protections like Fraud Protection, Zero Liability Protection, Purchase Protection, Cell Phone Protection, and Extended Warranty Protection.
- There's no additional cost for employee cards. Monitor spend with digital tools like purchase alerts, set spending limits, reporting, and more.
- Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
American Express Membership Rewards
The American Express Membership Rewards program offers exceptional value for me, and it complements Chase Ultimate Rewards so well!
Chase has the best hotel transfer partnership in Hyatt, but Amex has more airline transfer partners. Here are a few ways I love to redeem Amex points:
- ANA Mileage Club has some of the best prices for round-trip business class flights on Star Alliance
- Delta SkyMiles for SkyTeam business class flights
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles for unicorn Cathay Pacific first class availability for 2
- Qantas Frequent Flyer for the best Qantas first class availability for 2
- Alitalia for the best Alitalia business class availability between the West Coast and Italy
- AeroMexico Club Premier for SkyTeam round-the-world business class trips
These are very niche, powerful ways to redeem points where you wouldn’t be able to with Chase.
I’m able to maximize my Amex points earning by taking advantage of:
- 5x points on flights booked directly with the airline or airfare and prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel with the Amex Platinum card
- 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year) and 4x points dining (uncapped) at restaurant worldwide with the Amex Gold card
- 4x points on my top 2 spending categories every month (including U.S. gas stations, advertising in select media, and shipping) from a list of 6 spending categories with the Amex Business Gold card. Note that the 4X points applies to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year, and then you’ll earn 1 point per dollar.
- 2x points on all purchases (up to the first $50,000 spend per year, then 1x after) with the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.
- 1.5x points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year) with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
My Recommended American Express Personal Cards

The Platinum Card® from American Express
This card is undoubtedly the #1 card for luxury travel benefits. From the best lounge access (of any card) to statement credits, to complimentary elite status, you can’t go wrong.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
This card is undoubtedly the #1 card for luxury travel benefits. From the best lounge access (of any card) to statement credits, to complimentary elite status, you can’t go wrong.When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.
Pros
- The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
- 5x points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
- 5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
- Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
- Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
- Access to Amex International Airline Program
- No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)
Cons
- $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
- Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
- $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
- APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
Rewards Center
- Amex Platinum 150k Welcome Bonus Offer
- Benefits of The Amex Platinum
- How to Use 100,000 Amex Platinum Points
- Amex Platinum Card Requirements
- American Express Platinum Military Benefits
- Amex Platinum and Business Platinum Lounge Access
- Amex Platinum Benefits for Authorized Users
- Amex Platinum vs Delta Platinum
- Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Capital One Venture X vs Amex Platinum
- Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve
- Best American Express Credit Cards
- Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
- Best Credit Cards for Military

American Express® Gold Card
This is the go-to card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants and those who want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
American Express® Gold Card
This is the go-to card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants and those who want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!The American Express® Gold Card is definitely a game-changer.
With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.
There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are a number of other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.
Pros
- 4x points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 4x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
- 3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
- Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
- Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
- No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
- Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
- Access to American Express transfer partners
Cons
- $250 annual fee (see rates and fees)
- No lounge access
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
- APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
Rewards Center
- Find the Amex Gold 75k or 90k Welcome Bonus Offer
- Benefits of the Amex Gold
- Upgrade Amex Gold to Amex Platinum
- Amex Gold Benefits for Military
- Amex Gold vs Blue Cash Preferred
- Amex Platinum vs Amex Gold
- Amex Gold vs Delta Gold
- Best Credit Cards for Military
- Best Credit Cards for Groceries and Supermarkets
- Best Luxury and Premium Credit Cards
- Best Metal Credit Cards
- Best High Limit Credit Cards
My Recommended American Express Business Cards

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!
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!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.
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)
Pros
- 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
- Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
- Statement credits on select purchases with your card
- 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
- Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
- Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
- Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program
Cons
- High annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)
- Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
- Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 19.49% - 27.49% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
Rewards Center
- Find The Amex Business Platinum 150k Welcome Bonus Offer
- Find The Amex Business Platinum 170k Welcome Bonus Offer
- Benefits of the Amex Business Platinum
- Authorized Users Benefits of the Amex Business Platinum
- 35% Points Rebate with the Amex Business Platinum
- Amex Business Platinum vs Amex Platinum
- Amex Platinum and Business Platinum Lounge Access
- Best American Express Business Credit Cards
- Best Business Credit Card for Advertising
- Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
- Best Credit Cards with Priority Access
- Best Credit Cards with Travel Insurance

American Express® Business Gold Card
Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).
American Express® Business Gold Card
Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).The American Express® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.
The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 110,000 points with the Amex Business Gold card! The current public offer is 70,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)
Pros
- 4x Membership Rewards points per $1 on the 2 categories where your business spends the most:
- Airfare purchased from airlines
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
- U.S. purchases made from select technology providers of computer hardware, software, and cloud solutions
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- U.S. purchases at restaurants
- U.S. purchases for shipping
- 25% airline bonus when using Pay With Points
- Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
- Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
- Trip delay insurance
- Car rental insurance
Cons
- $295 annual fee (rates and fees)
- No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
- MORE REWARDS: Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month. 1X is earned for other purchases.**
- **4X points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year.*
- PAY OVER TIME OPTION: Decide whether you want to pay eligible purchases in full each month—or pay over time with interest.*
- *Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 19.49% - 27.49% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
Rewards Center
- Amex Business Gold 110k Welcome Bonus Offer
- Benefits of the Amex Business Gold
- Amex Business Gold vs. Amex Plum
- Amex Business Gold vs. Amex Gold
- Best American Express Business Credit Cards
- Best Business Credit Card for Advertising
- Best Business Credit Cards for Shipping Purchases
- Best Business Credit Cards for Gas
- Best Credit Cards for Flight Upgrades
- High Limit Business Credit Cards

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.
With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).
The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.
Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.
Pros
- 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
- Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
- No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
Cons
- No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
- No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
- You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
- *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Card Categories
Rewards Center
An Incredible Cash-Back Card for Businesses
For those who prefer cash-back to reinvest back into your business, The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card is a fantastic 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% cash-back.

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Take control of your cash-back with the Amex Blue Business Cash card, and earn 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in purchases each year.Looking for a way to keep tabs on your office supply costs and business travel expenses while earning cash-back? Then The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card could be a good fit.
This card offers expense management solutions that are designed to give companies more control, along with a much clearer picture of their business spending. In doing so, the more you spend, the more cash-back you can earn.
Pros
- 2% cash-back on up to $50,000 in spend, then 1% back thereafter
- No annual fee
- Travel and purchase protection
Cons
- Not ideal for those who spend a lot on a specific category like groceries or gas
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49% Variable, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to U.S. dollars
Card Categories
Hot Tip: You might be able to access an enhanced welcome bonus by going through CardMatch — give it a shot to see if you can get a better bonus!
Citi ThankYou Rewards
Citi ThankYou Rewards is one of my favorite points currencies — with 1:1 transfer partners, a generous list of unique airline frequent flyer programs for niche redemptions, and an easy way to accumulate lots of points with just 1 credit card, it’s one of the best rewards systems out there.
Some of my favorite redemptions with Citi ThankYou points have been:
- Avianca LifeMiles for Lufthansa first class
- Emirates Skywards for Emirates first class
- Air France/KLM Flying Blue for Air France business class
- Etihad Guest for American Airlines Flagship First Class
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles for Qantas business class
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club for Qatar Airways QSuites
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer for Singapore Airlines business class
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for ANA first class
One of my absolute favorite credit cards is the Citi Premier® card, and it earns 3x points on a few ultra-useful bonus categories that I absolutely find plenty of value in, such as groceries, supermarkets, air travel, hotels, and gas stations.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is best known as a hotel loyalty program, but did you know that these are the most flexible points in the world? With tons of transfer partners, you’ll never regret amassing a pile of Marriott points!
Here are some of my favorite flight redemptions using Marriott points:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan for Qantas first class and Cathay Pacific first class at rock-bottom rates
- Asiana Airlines Mileage Club for the absolute best price on Lufthansa first class flights
- Korean Air SKYPASS for exclusive nonstop availability on Korean Air first class you can’t find with any other partners
- Japan Airlines Mileage Bank for the best prices on Emirates first class flights
- Aegean Miles+Bonus for business or first class flights to Africa
And here are some of my favorite hotel redemptions using Marriott points:
- The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort from 70,000 points per night [Average cash rate is $2,000 per night]
- The St. Regis Bora Bora from 70,000 points per night [Average cash rate is $1,550 per night]
- The St. Regis Deer Valley from 70,000 points per night [Average cash rate is $1,500 per night]
- Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai from 70,000 points per night [Average cash rate is $1,300 per night]
- The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort from 70,000 points per night [Average cash rate is $1,000 per night]
- JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa from 30,000 points per night [Average cash rate is $325 per night]
Imagine a world where you are able to savor the most refined, lavish luxury hotels without having to shell out $1,000+ per night! Or a world where you can book the world’s best first class flights with maximum flexibility!
That’s what Marriott Bonvoy can help you accomplish.
My Recommended Marriott Cards

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.
The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Pros
- Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
- 2x points per $1 on travel purchases
- 15 Elite Night Credits each year (automatically gives you Silver Elite status)
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
Cons
- Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier
- Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase®!
- Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card.
- 2X points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains).
- 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, qualifying you for Silver Elite Status. Restrictions apply.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.
Pros
- Earn big when you use your card at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- New benefit to earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- Automatic Silver Elite Status
- 1 Free Night Award each cardmember anniversary (up to 35,000 points)
- DoorDash DashPass subscription
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Marriott Silver status is the lowest status tier
- Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
- Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
- Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
- 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
- Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.
Pros
- 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
- 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2X points)
- 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- 15 Elite Night Credits per year
- 1,000 bonus points per paid stay
- 1 Free Night Award (up to 50,000 points) when you spend $15,000 on the card in a year
- No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)
Cons
- $250 annual fee (rates and fees)
- Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit
- Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
- Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- With complimentary Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card® you can receive 15 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. Terms apply.
- Plan It® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms apply.
Financial Snapshot
- APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories

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.
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.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
- 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
- 25 Elite Night Credits each year
- Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
- Annual Free Night Award after card renewal
- Complimentary Platinum Elite status
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650 (rates and fees)
- 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
- Earn two 85K Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in your first 6 months. Each award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Card Members could enjoy a value of up to $1,200 when redeeming each reward. Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 11/1/2023.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant 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®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Marriott Brilliant 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 an 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 ($100) 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. Terms apply.
- Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited access 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: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Card Categories
Rewards Center
Co-Branded Airline Credit Cards
I personally find co-branded airline credit cards incredibly useful. Not only do you get a handsome welcome bonus when you open these credit cards, but you’ll also usually get some unique credit card benefits, such as complimentary checked bags, priority boarding, companion passes, one-time lounge passes, and much more!
That’s why I’ve jumped on the opportunity to keep a number of airline credit cards in my back pocket for these situations.
Here are a few of my favorite picks:
- United Quest℠ Card
- United℠ Business Card
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
- United℠ Explorer Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Hilton Credit Cards
Just like airline credit cards, hotel credit cards can be amazing for the right purposes. Many hotel credit cards offer free night certificates after each cardmember anniversary, which is one of my favorite reasons to open a hotel credit card.
Importantly, you’ll almost always get a large chunk of hotel points from opening hotel credit cards, particularly Hilton credit cards.
But I am a huge proponent of Hilton credit cards because, for a modest annual fee, you can get complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which offers daily breakfast at many Hilton properties as a benefit! Check out our full guide to the best Hilton credit cards.
Hot Tip: Other hotel credit cards that offer great welcome bonuses and ongoing perks include The World of Hyatt Credit Card and the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
My Travel
I’ve had the opportunity to savor the world’s best first and business class flights. I’ve pulled off some vacations that seem totally out of reach to regular people, but thanks to my commitment to points and miles, I’ve flown multiple times in Emirates first class, Lufthansa first class, ANA first class, and more.
I’ve had the privilege of staying at jaw-dropping hotels like the Conrad Maldives, Al Maha, the St. Regis New York, Alila Ventana Big Sur, and much more.
Ultimately, points have allowed me to sustainably travel in first class for many years past, and it has empowered me to travel the way I wish. Because of the time investment I’ve made to maximizing credit card rewards, I will not be traveling in coach for the next 10 years, probably ever again.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The World of Hyatt Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
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 American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here.