The 8 Best Credit Cards for Authorized Users [November 2024]
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What To Look for in a Credit Card for Authorized Users
If you’re looking for a superb credit card for authorized users, you’ll probably want a card that grants lots of benefits to your authorized user, even though the account is under your name.
Ideally, you’ll focus on a card that not only transfers a lot of benefits to your authorized user but also earns points and/or cash-back as well.
After all, it would be a shame to miss out on bonus points for spending that your authorized user would have to make anyway.
In our ranking list, we identify the cards that offer the most outsized value to authorized users.
Some of these cards will have fees to add authorized users, but you’ll notice that the incremental value you’d get from these cards far and away exceeds the marginal fee of adding an authorized user.
Lounge access, bonus categories, and travel insurance are all factors that might drive which credit card is the best fit for you and your authorized users.
You’ll also want to be able to track and manage an authorized user’s spending, whether that means setting spending limits or separating your primary cardholder expenses from the authorized user’s expenses.
Note: Looking for the best business credit cards for additional users? Instead of authorized users, the terminology for business credit cards is employee cards. Semantics aside, check out our guide to the best credit cards for multiple employees.
Quick Summary (Top Picks)
Card | Welcome Offer and Annual Fee | Earning Rates |
The Platinum Card® from American Express |
| 1x-5x points The Platinum Card® from American Express
|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® |
| 1x-5x points Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
|
Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
| 1x-10x points Chase Sapphire Reserve®
|
American Express® Gold Card |
| 1x-4x points American Express® Gold Card
|
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. |
| 2x-10x miles Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
|
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express |
| 1%-6% cash-back Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
|
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express |
| 1%-3% cash-back Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
|
1. The Platinum Card® from American Express (Top Pick, Best Card for Airport Lounge Access)
The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
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.
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
- The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
- 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
- 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
- $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
- Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Card Highlights
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- 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.
- APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)
Our #1 choice of the best cards for authorized users is the Amex Platinum card. Known as the best card for luxury travel benefits, this is absolutely one of the most comprehensive travel rewards cards out there.
You’ll earn 5x points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly from the airline or from American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and 5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Also, the Amex Platinum card comes with over $1,400 in statement credits for the primary cardmember only:
- Up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue statement credits
- Up to $200 in Uber Cash ($15 per month and $35 in December)
- Up to $200 in airline incidental fee credits every calendar year
- Up to $199 in CLEAR Plus credits every year
- Up to $300 in Equinox credits every year
- Up to $240 in digital entertainment credits every year
- Up to $200 in prepaid hotel credits at Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection (via Amex Travel) every year
- Up to $155 in Walmart+ credits every year
Some credits require enrollment, so if you’re the primary cardholder, make sure you explore your American Express account to get the most out of your card.
Although authorized users will not get their own statement credits, both primary cardmembers and authorized users will get an astonishing suite of benefits, including luxury travel perks:
- The ability to earn Amex Membership Rewards points on all purchases, including bonus category purchases
- Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Priority Pass lounges (upon enrollment)
- A Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
- Complimentary hotel and rental car statuses
- Access to Amex Offers
- Access to the Amex International Airline Program (airfare discounts)
You also get access to all travel insurance benefits, such as secondary car rental car insurance, trip interruption, trip cancellation, trip delay, lost/stolen baggage, damaged baggage, delayed baggage, and emergency evacuation. There are no foreign transaction fees, and cardmembers benefit from purchase protection, cell phone protection, extended warranty coverage, and zero fraud liability protection.
Note that some benefits require enrollment through your American Express account, so don’t miss out on getting the most out of your card.
Benefits for Authorized Users
When you add an authorized user, you have 3 options:
- Authorized user Amex Platinum card: $195 per card
- Authorized user American Express Gold card: $0 annual fee
- Authorized user American Express Green card: $0 annual fee
The long list of perks above applies only to authorized user Amex Platinum cards — if you have the complimentary Amex Gold card, you’ll get a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, access to The Hotel Collection, access to bonus categories, and access to Amex Offers.
The authorized user Amex Green card doesn’t present any benefit over the authorized user Amex Gold card; you should probably avoid it as a general rule.
All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.
Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card is one of the few cards that confers a huge collection of travel perks to authorized users. Sure, authorized user cards aren’t without a fee, but considering how you can get way more value than the annual fee for an authorized user, it’s simply a no-brainer that the Amex Platinum card is our top choice for authorized users.
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Excellent Travel Insurance, Primary Car Rental Insurance)
A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Why We Like This Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.
Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.
Pros & Cons
- 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
- 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
- 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
- $95 annual fee
- No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Card Highlights
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- Member FDIC
- APR: 20.74% - 27.74% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
We’ve always thought of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card as the best beginner rewards credit card you can get. It just offers some of the most well-thought-out benefits that most cardholders out there will find useful.
Its rewards aren’t terribly complicated, its fees are very mild, and it consistently delivers outsized value to customers.
Also, this credit card earns:
- 5x points per $1 on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
- 5x points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 1x points per $1 everywhere else
Incredibly, your spending would return you 2%, 4%, or 10%, based on a valuation of 2 cents per point! Plus, you’ll get a 10% anniversary boost of points earned every year, which will increase your return on spending even more!
You’ll get a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription; simply activate by December 31, 2027.
This credit card is famous for its second-to-none travel coverage for a mid-tier premium credit card — the highlights are primary car rental insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage insurance, travel accident coverage, and much more.
Non-travel-related benefits that’ll come in handy are zero fraud liability, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.
Benefits for Authorized Users
Authorized users of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card can access all the benefits except any statement credits.
So, authorized users will get the full accouterment of travel coverage benefits, the bonus categories to earn Ultimate Rewards points, and a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription (activate by December 31, 2027) all without any additional fees!
3. Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Great Lounge Access and Travel Insurance)
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.
Why We Like This Card
If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options out there.
The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.
Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!
Pros & Cons
- 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
- 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
- 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
- $550 annual fee
- Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
Card Highlights
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 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 $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
- APR: 21.74% - 28.74% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
One of Chase’s ultra-premium credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is one of the most impressive with plenty of ultra-practical benefits.
Both the primary cardmember and authorized user will accrue points according to this structure:
- 10x points per $1 on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
- 10x points per $1 on Chase Dining purchases through Chase Travel when you make prepaid restaurant reservations
- 5x points per $1 on flights booked through Chase Travel (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
- 3x points per $1 on all other travel and all dining purchases
- 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
One of the best, easy-to-use benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the $300 annual travel credit every anniversary year.
Other amazing perks include a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit, a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership (activation required), a DoorDash DashPass subscription (must activate by December 31, 2027), and access to The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection.
One of the biggest selling points of this card is the amazing travel insurance and coverage you get, such as primary rental car coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage coverage, baggage delay, roadside assistance, emergency evacuation and transportation, emergency medical and dental coverage, travel accident insurance, and travel and emergency assistance.
Benefits for Authorized Users
Authorized users do not get an additional $300 travel credit, nor do they get an additional Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS reimbursement.
However, here’s what authorized users can get:
- The ability to earn Ultimate Rewards points on all purchases with no caps, including bonus categories
- A complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
- The full gamut of Chase Sapphire Reserve’s travel protections
- Car rental elite status (via Visa Infinite)
- Access to The Luxury Hotel Collection
Each authorized user is charged an annual fee of $75.
4. American Express® Gold Card (Best for Earning Points at Restaurants and U.S Supermarkets)
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
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.
Why We Like This Card
The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.
With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.
There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.
Pros & Cons
- 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
- 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
- 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com
- $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
- No lounge access
Card Highlights
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90k points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)
The Amex Gold card is one of the best cards for everyday purchases, and this card just makes a ton of sense for most people in the U.S.
Even though this is a fantastic everyday card, the rewards you earn can be used for exotic vacations for an incredible value!
What’s truly special is the points-earning structure:
- 4x points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., at up to $50,000 in purchases per year (1x thereafter)
- 4x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (1x thereafter)
- 3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly with the airline or at Amex Travel
- 1x points per $1 everywhere else
That means on common purchases like eating out and groceries, you could potentially earn up to 8.8% back on your spending, with a valuation of 2.2 cents per Amex point.
It doesn’t end there because the primary cardmember will get up to $120 per year in dining statement credits at participating restaurants, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys (enrollment required).
Other essential Amex Gold card benefits include access to the American Express Hotel Collection, secondary car rental coverage, travel insurance, a complimentary ShopRunner membership, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, no foreign transaction fees, and access to Amex Offers (rates & fees).
Benefits for Authorized Users
So what benefits are included for authorized users? Here are the included benefits:
- The ability to earn Amex points on your purchases, including up to 4x points at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (normal restrictions apply)
- All travel insurance and coverage offered to the primary cardmember
- Complimentary ShopRunner membership
- Access to Amex Offers
- No foreign transaction fees
You can add up to 5 additional cards for no annual fee — after that, you’ll pay $35 for each additional card.
5. Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (Best for Admirals Lounge Access)
Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.
Why We Like This Card
The Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is a go-to card thanks to its exclusive perks and benefits for people who love to fly American Airlines. With a complimentary Admirals Club membership, free checked bags, inflight discounts, and the ability to earn Loyalty Points for every $1 you spend, there is plenty to love about the card.
Pros & Cons
- Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn 10 miles per $1 spent on eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars
- Earn 10 miles per $1 spent on eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels
- $595 annual fee
- Doesn’t earn many miles on all other eligible purchases
Card Highlights
- Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Admirals Club® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation
- APR: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees:
The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card is marketed as the only travel credit card with Admirals Club membership, so it seems pretty clear who this card’s target market is.
Appealing to those looking for a complimentary Admirals Club membership and American Airlines-related benefits, the AAdvantage Executive World Elite card offers the most elite card for loyal American Airlines customers.
As far as spending categories go, you can earn 4x miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
As you can probably tell, the spending categories aren’t all that great — it’s the other benefits that matter the most.
To start, you will enjoy:
- A complimentary Admirals Club membership (valued at around $850 alone)
- A Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $120 every 4 years, as of October 1, 2024
- Your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for yourself and up to 8 travel companions
- Priority boarding on American Airlines flights
- Priority check-in and priority airport screening (where available for you and up to 8 travel companions)
- 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights
Other benefits include zero fraud liability and access to Citi Entertainment.
6. Capital One Venture X Rewards Card (Great Lounge Access + Travel Insurance)
The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
Why We Like This Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.
Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.
Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.
Pros & Cons
- 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
- $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
- Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
Card Highlights
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- APR: 19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
As the flagship Capital One credit card, the Capital One Venture X card focuses on offering the flexibility of cash-back rewards while still having some great transfer partnerships with airlines and hotels.
This “best-of-both-world” approach, combined with its simple earning categories, is one of the reasons why we like the Capital One Venture X card a lot!
As one of the most rewarding credit cards for everyday spending, this card will enable you to earn bonus points on every purchase you make. Specifically, you’ll earn an unlimited 2x Capital One miles on all purchases with no caps!
The primary cardmember will get a $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles every anniversary year, access to Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges, a Priority Pass Select membership, complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status, $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, as well as other important travel coverages like primary car rental insurance, lost luggage coverage, roadside dispatch, and travel assistance services.
Just like most credit cards out there, you’ll have cell phone insurance, purchase security, extended warranty, zero fraud liability, and access to Capital One Miles. You also won’t pay any foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).
Benefits for Authorized Users
There are also no additional fees for adding up to 4 authorized users (rates & fees), who get these perks:
- Priority Pass Select membership
- Access to Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges
- Hertz President’s Circle status
- The ability to earn Capital One miles on all purchases with no caps
- Travel insurance benefits
- Purchase security
- Extended warranty
- Zero fraud liability
- No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
Authorized users do not receive the $300 annual travel credit, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement, or anniversary bonus.
7. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Best for Cash Back)
This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.
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.
Why We Like This Card
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a stellar cash-back credit card for those looking to maximize every purchase they make.
With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select U.S. streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases, this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases, this could be the card for you!
Pros & Cons
- 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
- 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)
Card Highlights
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 18.49% - 29.49%.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- 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.
- APR: 18.49%-29.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
- Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Redeem cash-back through your American Express account
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card is an amazing card for the right consumer.
If you generally don’t eat out at restaurants, consume lots of digital media, and spend a significant chunk on your commute, then the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card might be the best cash back card for you.
This card earns some incredible cash-back:
- 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases (then 1%)
- 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more)
- 1% cash-back on all other purchases
Being able to get up to 6% cash-back on purchases is a good enough reason alone to get the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card because all of your authorized users will be able to help you save big on your purchases, too.
One other benefit you might find useful is the 0% introductory APR period. Regular APR, as shown in the table above, applies after the introductory period.
But in addition to this benefit, you are entitled to benefits such as secondary rental car insurance, return protection, and fraud protection.
There are no authorized user fees.
Benefits for Authorized Users
Authorized users get access to pretty much all of the same perks as the primary cardholder does.
However, while authorized users can participate in the 0% introductory APR period, the period applies to the primary cardholder’s card opening date only.
8. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (Great Cash Back, Low Intro APR)
This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!
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.
Why We Like This Card
When it comes to cash-back credit cards, there are dozens of options to choose from. So what sets the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express apart from the rest?
This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.
Pros & Cons
- 3% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
- 3% back on purchases at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
- 3% back on purchases on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
- Rewards are not flexible and can only be redeemed for cash-back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Card Highlights
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 18.49% to 29.49% variable APR.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
- Terms Apply.
- APR: 18.49%-29.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months
- Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
A step down from the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card offers headache-free rewards and useful bonus categories.
As the name suggests, you’ll earn some great cash-back rewards by using this product:
- 3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)
- 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)
- 3% cash-back at U.S. online retailers (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)
- 1% cash-back on everything else
This is a great card for those who typically shop the most at these common destinations — but it doesn’t end there!
You’ll also get access to one of the best 0% introductory APR promotions out there. Regular APR, as shown in the table above, applies after the introductory period.
Since this isn’t a travel rewards credit card, the travel-related benefits aren’t as plentiful; in any case, you’ll get a few perks including secondary car rental insurance, purchase protection, fraud protection, access to the Global Assist hotline, and the ability to book American Express Experiences.
You’ll also get a $7 per month statement credit when you spend $9.99 per month or more on The Disney Bundle, as well as $15 per month in Home Chef credits. Enrollment is required for these benefits. The Disney Bundle credit is only valid at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
There is no authorized user fee.
Benefits for Authorized Users
Authorized users get access to all of the primary card member’s perks above, save for an additional 0% introductory APR and statement credits towards The Disney Bundle or Home Chef.
The introductory APR is applicable only for the primary cardholder after the new card opening, not for authorized users.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
For the purchase protection benefit of the American Express® Gold Card, and Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the car rental loss & damage insurance of the American Express® Gold Card, Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express, Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, and The Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
For the extended warranty benefit of the American Express® Gold Card, and The Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the return protection of the Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
For the baggage insurance plan of the American Express® Gold Card, and The Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Global Assist Hotline of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
For the trip delay insurance of The Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance of The Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
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 Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express, click here.