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    The 12 Best Credit Cards for Flight Upgrades [September 2023]

    The 12 Best Credit Cards for Flight Upgrades [September 2023]

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    Top Picks (Quick Summary)

    If you’re seeking an upgraded airline experience, travel rewards cards can help make it happen. Here’s a summary of the options we’ll be covering in our article for using travel rewards cards for upgraded flights.

    CardWelcome Bonus and Annual FeeAirline Upgraded Seating
    The Platinum Card® from American Express
    • Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.
    • Annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)
    • Redeem Membership Rewards points to bid on flight upgrades
    • Use points at the rate of 1 cent each to purchase premium flights via Amex Travel
    • Transfer points to airline partners and redeem them for premium award flights
    American Express® Gold Card
    • Earn 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.
    • Annual fee of $250 (rates and fees)
    The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
    • OUR BEST OFFER: Earn 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
    • Annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)
    • Use points to bid on flight upgrades
    • Use points at the rate of 1 cent each to purchase premium flights via Amex Travel and receive a 35% point rebate
    • Transfer points to airline partners and redeem them for premium award flights
    American Express® Business Gold Card
    • Earn 70,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
    • Annual fee of $295 (rates and fees)
    • Use points to bid on flight upgrades
    • Use points at the rate of 1 cent each to purchase premium flights via Amex Travel and receive a 25% point rebate
    • Transfer points to airline partners and redeem them for premium award flights
    Chase Sapphire Reserve®
    • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
    • Annual fee of $550
    • Use points for 50% more value to purchase travel via the Chase travel portal
    • Transfer points to airline partners and redeem them for premium award flights
    • Use the $300 travel credit toward a flight upgrade
    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (rates and fees)
    • Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
    • Annual fee of $395
    • Transfer Capital One miles to airline partners and redeem them for premium award flights
    • Use Capital One Venture X card up to $300 travel credit toward a flight upgrade via Capital One Travel
    • APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable

    The Best Card for Upgrading With Points

    If your flight is booked with any of American Express’ airline upgrade partners, you may be able to use Membership Rewards earned on your American Express card for flight upgrades.

    The Platinum Card® from American Express (Top Pick, Access 1,400+ Airport Lounges Worldwide)

    The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

    The Platinum Card® from American Express

    U.P. Rating
    The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating.We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

    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.

    Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

    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.
    Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    80,000 points
    $1,760
    $695
    See Pay Over Time APR
    Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
    Good to Excellent (670-850)

    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

    American Express Membership Rewards

    Amex Platinum cardholders have the option to utilize Membership Rewards points to bid for upgrades on flights booked with several airline upgrade partners.

    How To Use the Card To Upgrade Your Airline Experience

    To use the Upgrade With Points option, log in to your online Amex card account and click on Rewards, then Membership Rewards Home. You’ll then see the Book or Upgrade Travel option and be able to bid for an upgrade.

    Why We Like the Card Overall

    Earning valuable Membership Rewards is just the beginning of the long list of premium benefits you’ll find on the Amex Platinum card. The card has become the gold standard for travel rewards cards with its complimentary worldwide lounge access to over 1,400 additional airport lounge locations, including Amex Centurion Lounges.

    With hundreds of dollars in statement credits each year, travel insurance protection, and shopping benefits, the card offers tons of value for its members.

    Additional Amex Cards With the Upgrade With Points Feature

    The Upgrade with Points feature available on the Amex Platinum card is also available on several additional American Express cards. Here is just a sampling of some of the more popular cards offering this option.

    • American Express® Gold Card
    • Amex Business Gold card
    • Amex Business Platinum card

    To find out if your specific American Express card has Upgrade with Points availability, login to your online Amex card account, select Rewards, then Membership Rewards Home. If you see the Book or Upgrade Travel option, your card is eligible.

    Bottom Line: Using Membership Rewards points to upgrade your flight may not be the best value for your points as the most you can expect to receive is about 1 cent per point. However, having a variety of redemption options is always a positive.

    The Best Cards for Purchasing Premium Flights With Points

    You may have heard this common word of advice: “If you want to be sure to fly in first class, buy first class.” Fortunately, instead of shelling out a lot of cash, there are options for using your rewards points to secure a business or first class ticket.

    Here are some of the best cards that allow you to earn flexible rewards points that can be used to purchase business and first class flights that can upgrade your flight experience.

    The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Top Business Card Pick, Access to 1,400+ Airport Lounges)

    OUR BEST OFFER
    The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

    The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

    U.P. Rating
    The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating.We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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

    Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

    The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

    This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
    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.
    120,000 points
    $2,640
    $695
    19.49% - 27.49% Variable
    Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
    Good to Excellent (670-850)

    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

    American Express Membership Rewards

    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.)

    The Amex Business Platinum card is one of the best cards to use when redeeming points for premium airline flights.

    How To Use the Card To Upgrade Your Airline Experience

    When you redeem Membership Rewards points via Amex Travel with your Amex Business Platinum card, you will receive a Flight Bonus benefit that rebates 35% of the points used to purchase a business or first class flight. You can also receive a 35% point rebate when purchasing any flight via Amex Travel that is on your pre-selected airline of choice.

    Just as an example, if you were to use 100,000 Membership Rewards points to purchase a business or first class flight, you would receive 35,000 points back into your account in the form of a rebate.

    Flights must be purchased with the Pay with Points option and there is a limit of 500,000 rebated points each year.

    American Express® Business Gold Card

    American Express® Business Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

    American Express® Business Gold Card

    U.P. Rating
    The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating.We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

    Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

    Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

    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).
    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
    70,000 points
    $1,540
    $295
    19.49% - 27.49% Variable
    Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
    Good to Excellent (670-850)

    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

    American Express Membership Rewards

    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.)

    The Amex Business Gold card also comes with a flight bonus rebate when using points to purchase premium flights.

    How To Use the Card To Upgrade Your Airline Experience

    The Amex Business Gold card earns Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed through the Upgrade with Points feature. You also have the option to purchase your business or first class flight with points via Amex Travel.

    If you use the same Pay with Points option or Points/Cash option as with the Amex Business Platinum card, you will receive a rebate of 25% of the points used.

    Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    U.P. Rating
    The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating.We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

    A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

    Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

    Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
    Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
    60,000 points
    $1,200
    $550
    Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
    Excellent (740-850)

    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 Ultimate Rewards

    Not all business or first class flights purchased with Ultimate Rewards points offer bottom-line good value, but there are a couple of sweet spots.

    How To Use the Card To Upgrade Your Airline Experience

    Purchasing premium flights with Ultimate Rewards points earned on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card is not always the best value for your points. A $6,000 business class flight, for example, would cost you 400,000 Ultimate Rewards points, even with the 50% bonus you receive for booking your flights via the Chase Travel portal.

    However, there are situations where your Ultimate Rewards points can receive good value when booking a premium flight. For example, if you find an inexpensive business or first class ticket, you can secure it with points and receive excellent value. You may also find value when booking domestic first class tickets.

    Another option for upgrading your flight is to utilize the card’s $300 annual statement credit for travel purchases. You can use a combination of points and cash to purchase a flight upgrade and the cash portion, paid with your card, will trigger the travel statement credit. You can also purchase a flight upgrade directly with the airline to trigger the credit.

    Bottom Line: When you use Ultimate Rewards points to purchase flights via the Chase travel portal, you’ll receive 50% more in value for your points. Purchasing an expensive business or first class flight may not provide good value, however. You’ll want to use this option only for well-priced domestic first class or inexpensive international business and first class flights to receive the best value. Ultimate Rewards points may receive greater value for business and first class flights when transferred to airline frequent flyer programs and used to purchase award tickets. 

    The Best Cards for Transferring to Airline Partners

    One of the best potential values for your rewards points may be realized by transferring the points to airline partners and subsequently redeem those miles for business or first class award flights.

    There are several rewards programs that allow you to transfer points to airline frequent flyer programs. Let’s look at a few travel rewards cards that earn this type of transferable points.

    Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Best Sub-$100 Annual Fee Card)

    Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

    Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

    U.P. Rating
    The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating.We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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

    Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

    Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

    A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
    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®.
    60,000 points
    $1,200
    $95
    Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
    Good to Excellent (670-850)

    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

    Chase Ultimate Rewards

    How To Use the Card To Upgrade Your Airline Experience

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is one of our favorite travel rewards cards. It earns flexible Ultimate Rewards points that have multiple redemption options and it comes with a long list of travel insurance benefits.

    One of the most valuable ways to redeem Ultimate Rewards points via any premium Chase travel rewards card is to transfer, at a ratio of 1:1, to one of several airline partners. Once transferred, you can use the miles to purchase business or first class flights.

    Additionally, you can redeem Chase Sapphire Preferred card Ultimate Rewards points via the Chase travel portal for 1.25 cents each. As mentioned previously, redeeming points via the travel portal for international business or first class tickets may not deliver good value due to the relative pricing of such flights. However, domestic first class or inexpensive business and first class flights may be worthwhile.

    American Express® Gold Card

    American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

    American Express® Gold Card

    U.P. Rating
    The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating.We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

    This is the go-to card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants and those who want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

    Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

    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!
    Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
    60,000 points
    $1,320
    $250
    See Pay Over Time APR
    Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
    Good to Excellent (670-850)

    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

    • 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

    American Express Membership Rewards

    The Amex Gold card earns flexible Membership Rewards points that can be used to purchase premium flights via Amex Travel, or transferred to airline partners for potentially greater value when redeeming for award flights via a frequent flyer program.

    How To Use the Card To Upgrade Your Airline Experience

    Membership Rewards in your account can be transferred to several airline frequent flyer programs, most at a ratio of 1:1. You can then use the miles to purchase award flights with the respective airline and its partners.

    Transferring rewards to airline partners is one of the best ways to receive top value for your rewards points, especially for business and first class tickets.

    Several Amex cards that earn Membership Rewards points (we mentioned a few earlier in this article) also allow you to transfer points to airline partners.

    To find out if your card has this benefit, log in to your online Amex card account, click on Rewards, then Transfer Points. A list of current transfer partners will appear.

    Capital One Miles Cards

    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

    U.P. Rating
    The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating.We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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

    Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

    The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
    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.
    75,000 miles
    $1,350
    $395
    22.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
    Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
    Excellent (740-840)

    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

    • 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
    • 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
    • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
    • $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
    • Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
    • 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
    • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
    • Add authorized users for no additional annual fee
    • No foreign transaction fees

     

    Cons

    • $395 annual fee
    • 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

     

    • 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 booked through Capital One Travel
    • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
    • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
    • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more – you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
    • Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
    • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

    Financial Snapshot

    • APR: 22.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
    • Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

    Card Categories

    Rewards Center

    Capital One Miles

     

    Popular Capital One Miles cards such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offer simple flat-rate earning structures yet give cardholders several flexible redemption options. We compare the best Capital One credit cards in this article.

    How To Use Capital One Cards To Upgrade Your Airline Experience

    Capital One’s airline transfer partners mostly have a transfer ratio of 1:1, so there is great value found when transferring rewards and then purchasing premium flights with miles.

    Log into your Capital One card online account and on the homepage select Transfer Miles. You’ll then see the list of transfer partners.

    Because Capital One miles can be a good option for securing upgraded flights, we’ve done some legwork and put together a list of suggestions for receiving the best value for your Capital One transfers.

    The up to $300 annual travel credit on the Capital One Venture X card is also a good resource for securing a flight upgrade. You’ll need to make the purchase via Capital One Travel to trigger the credit. Additionally, the cash portion, when combining miles and cash to pay for an upgrade or first class ticket, is also an option for triggering the $300 travel credit.

    Citi ThankYou Rewards Cards

    Citi Premier® Card

    Citi Premier® Card

    U.P. Rating
    The rating for this card has been determined by our own industryexperts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as ratesand fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating.We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

    Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.

    Learn More(at our partner's secure site)

    Citi Premier® Card

    Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.
    Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
    60,000 points
    $960
    $95
    21.24% - 29.24% Variable
    Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
    Good to Excellent (670-850)

    The Citi Premier® Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!

    Pros

    • 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
    • Access to Citi transfer partners
    • Annual hotel credit
    • No foreign transaction fees

    Cons

    • $95 annual fee
    • Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
    • Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
    • Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
    • Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
    • Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
    • 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
    • No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

    Financial Snapshot

    • APR: 21.24% - 29.24% Variable
    • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

    Card Categories

    Rewards Center

    Citi ThankYou Rewards

    When your Citi ThankYou Rewards credit card earns ThankYou Points, you can find value in transferring those points to airline partners for the purpose of purchasing a business or first class award ticket.

    How To Use Citi Cards To Upgrade Your Airline Experience

    Citi’s airline partners all offer a transfer ratio of 1:1 if you hold a premium card such as the Citi Premier card. Transfers can be made by logging in to your online Citi card account, selecting Travel, then Transfer Points.

    For step-by-step instructions on how to transfer ThankYou Points and which transfer options offer the best value, you’ll want to access these informative articles.

    Final Thoughts

    There are so many options for securing a seat in the front of the plane with points earned on a premium travel rewards card. In addition, some airline-branded cards give you an advantage for securing complimentary upgrades.

    If you frequent a particular airline or function as a free agent using whichever airline has the best price and schedule, travel rewards cards could offer an upgraded airline experience in either situation.

    Whether it’s securing an upgrade on an existing flight, purchasing a business or first class flight with points, transferring points to airline partners, or gaining an advantage for a complimentary upgrade, chances are there’s a card that can help you obtain that elusive seat up front.

    The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
    The information regarding the Capital One VentureOne Rewards 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 Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
    For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
    For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
    For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

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