Best Ways To Book Garuda Indonesia Business Class With Points [Step-by-Step]

Indonesia’s flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, is a generally beloved airline. It has a long history, and started as a successor of KLM Interinsulair Bedrijf, due to Indonesia’s previous status as the Dutch East Indies.

At its peak in the mid-1990s, this full-service airline had extensive service to all corners of the world, including Australia, Egypt, South Africa, the U.S., and Europe.

Since then, Garuda Indonesia’s footprint has shrunk dramatically due to financial hardships.

Today, it’s the second-largest airline in Indonesia after Lion Air, but it’s essentially the country’s only full-service carrier, making it an attractive option for those looking to enjoy a luxurious premium cabin experience.

Let’s take a look at how you can book Garuda Indonesia business class using points.

A Look Inside Garuda Indonesia Business Class

Garuda Indonesia is a member of the SkyTeam alliance alongside partners like Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM, and Korean Air.

Headquartered in Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta, it maintains 4 hubs in Jakarta (CGK), Bali-Denpasar (DPS), Makassar (UPG), and Medan (KNO).

When flying through select airports like Jakarta (CGK), Bali-Denpasar (DPS), and Surabaya (SUB), you’ll have access to a premium ground experience, including access to excellent lounges.

When flying business class, you’ll be able to skip the long check-in lines, freshen up with a shower, indulge in a large selection of hot food and beverage choices, and more.

Even if you’re not originating in Indonesia, you’ll have access to a wide range of SkyTeam partner lounges, including business class lounges from KLM, Korean Air, and even SkyTeam-operated lounges!

When you board the aircraft, you’ll enjoy forward-facing staggered seats that recline completely flat, have direct aisle access, and are equipped with a personal side table.

Some newer aircraft even have reverse herringbone seats for more privacy!

How To Fly Garuda Indonesia Business Class Using Points

It’s important to note that while a few of Garuda Indonesia’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft are equipped with an exceptional first class cabin, there’s no way to book award tickets besides using GarudaMiles (which has no U.S. transfer partners).

That being said, Garuda Indonesia business class is surprisingly easy to book using points.

You can generally find availability both far in advance and close to departure, and often you’ll find long-haul routes with 4 business class seats available at a given time.

Even if you couldn’t find award space all at once, Garuda routinely offers attractive cash upgrade deals at the airport.

Garuda Indonesia no longer offers direct flights from the U.S., but its international network reaches across Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Let’s dive into the best ways to book Garuda Indonesia business class with points.

ANA Mileage Club

Undoubtedly, ANA Mileage Club is the best frequent flyer program for booking Garuda Indonesia business class flights.

At first glance, it’s not an intuitive pick because ANA is in Star Alliance while Garuda Indonesia is in SkyTeam. But, ANA is actually one of Garuda Indonesia’s non-alliance partners, making it possible to redeem ANA miles for Garuda Indonesia flights.

Unfortunately, first class isn’t allowed, but we’ll “settle” for business class.

ANA Mileage Club only permits round-trip award bookings, but with an abundance of award availability, it shouldn’t be difficult to find outbound and inbound award tickets at the same time.

Also, ANA Mileage Club makes it easy to book award tickets completely online, which is a huge plus.

Here’s how much you can expect to pay for round-trip Garuda Indonesia flights to/from Jakarta:

ANA Mileage Club passes on fuel surcharges most of the time, but you’ll notice that the fuel surcharges levied by Garuda Indonesia are mostly reasonable to begin with.

Follow these steps to book your Garuda Indonesia flight completely online:

1. Go to ANA’s U.S. homepage.
2. On the left-hand side of the site, click Award Booking near the top of the search box.
3. Enter your ANA Mileage Club account login details.
4. On the redirected search page, click Round trip or Open-jaw. Enter the required travel information, and click Search.
5. Find your desired flights, redeem your ANA miles, and use a credit card to pay for taxes and fees.
   • At the top of the search results, you have the option to choose Non Star Alliance Award. Be sure to toggle this option if you’re looking to book Garuda Indonesia flights.

Here’s what a successful Garuda Indonesia business class award search on ANA’s site would look like:

Hot Tip: ANA Mileage Club has a family account service that allows you to combine and redeem miles for award tickets. Adding 2 to 8 family members for Mileage Club members who reside outside of Japan comes with a registration fee of 1,000 ANA miles per person.

Earning ANA Miles

ANA miles are pretty easy to earn since the program is an American Express transfer partner and a Marriott transfer partner, which means you can rack up tons of miles quickly!

Amex transfers to ANA at a 1:1 ratio in 3 business days, while Marriott Bonvoy transfers to ANA at a 3:1 ratio in around 4 business days.

And when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to ANA at once, you’ll also get a bonus of 5,000 extra ANA miles!

Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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.

Welcome Offer

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

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 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)

Card Highlights

• 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

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American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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!

Welcome Offer

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

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,320

Annual Fee

$250

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
• 3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
• Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
• Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
• Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
• Access to American Express transfer partners

Cons

• $250 annual fee (see rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Card Highlights

• 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

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Delta SkyMiles

The next program we’d recommend for booking Garuda Indonesia business class flights is Delta SkyMiles.

Although this loyalty program has been criticized for getting devalued frequently, it’s still one of the best options in the context of booking Garuda Indonesia flights.

In particular, you can get solid value for your points, as this table demonstrates:

Delta SkyMiles doesn’t pass on many fuel surcharges, except flights between Indonesia and Australia.

Another piece of good news is that Delta SkyMiles allows you to search and book these flights directly online, thanks to a easy-to-operate user interface. Here’s how to do just that:

1. Visit Delta’s website.
2. On the homepage, look for the banner at the top of the screen.
3. First, check off the box that says Shop with Miles. Then, click Advanced search. Under the Best Fares For box, choose Delta One.
4. Enter the airport codes, number of travelers, and travel date(s).
5. Perform your search, find available flights, redeem your Delta SkyMiles, and use a credit card to pay for the taxes and fees.

Hot Tip: When using Delta SkyMiles’ search engine, be sure to indicate My dates are flexible if you want to see the largest calendar view of award availability.

Earning Delta SkyMiles

Earning Delta SkyMiles is easier than ever, thanks to Amex’s co-branded credit card offerings, in addition to Delta’s 2 transfer partners: Amex Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex transfers at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly, while Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio in around 1 business day.

Recommended Delta Cards

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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 provides bonus SkyMiles on all purchases, along with a free bag, priority boarding, and discounted award flights.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

This card provides bonus SkyMiles on all purchases, along with a free bag, priority boarding, and discounted award flights.

Welcome Offer

Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

40,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$480

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Frequent Delta flyers will love the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card. The card offers great benefits that will help save you money, effectively mimics low-level elite status with Delta SkyMiles, and helps you earn miles even faster, all for a low annual fee. Let’s dive into the benefits to see if the Delta Gold card is a good fit for your needs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Bonus earning on Delta purchases and U.S. supermarket and worldwide restaurant purchases
• First checked bag free on Delta flights
• 20% back on inflight purchases

Cons

• Moderate annual fee
• Earn rate for Delta flights is relatively low compared to other travel cards

Card Highlights

• Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
• Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
• $100 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, receive a Credit to use toward future travel.
• Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
• Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• With Send & Split^®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Delta SkyMiles Frequent Flyer Program

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Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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 Delta travelers will enjoy this card's bonus categories, benefits, and ability to reach higher levels of elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

Frequent Delta travelers will enjoy this card's bonus categories, benefits, and ability to reach higher levels of elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

50,000 bonus miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$600

Annual Fee

$250

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card can be a great option for those seeking additional ways to obtain a higher level of status — or to maintain their current status — with the airline.

A key feature of this card is the ability to earn bonus Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) that are essential for earning Delta status. This could help you get closer to earning free flights and other valuable rewards.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• 3x SkyMiles per $1 spent on Delta purchases
• 3x SkyMiles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with hotels
• 2x SkyMiles per $1 spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
• 1x SkyMile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Annual companion certificate
• Complimentary checked bags
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
• 20% back on inflight purchases
• Delta Status Boost
• Discount on Delta Sky Club visits (Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available)

Cons

• $250 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Card Highlights

• Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
• Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
• Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
• Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• Get access to Delta Sky Club^® at a rate of $50 per person per visit for you and up to two guests or immediate family when traveling on a Delta flight from now until 12/31/23. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Earn 10,000 Medallion^® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Delta Platinum Card, up to two times through 12/31/23. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• $250 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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.

Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

60,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$720

Annual Fee

$550

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card is a stellar option for frequent travelers who always fly with Delta thanks to its lounge access, status boost, annual companion certificate, and many other great benefits.

Here is a full look at everything the Delta Reserve card can offer to you to help you decide whether the card deserves a place in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• 3x SkyMiles per $1 on Delta purchases
• 1x SkyMile per $1 on all other purchases
• Complimentary Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
• Delta Status Boost
• Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Waiver
• Annual Companion Certificate
• Access to Complimentary Upgrades and Upgrade Priority
• Free checked bags
• 20% back on inflight purchases
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
• Travel and purchase protection

Cons

• $550 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No bonus categories other than Delta purchases

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
• Enjoy Delta Sky Club^® access at no cost and bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
• Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion^® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
• With Status Boost^®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
• Eligible Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+^® or domestic Main Cabin round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
• Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• $550 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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• Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve
• Comparison of Amex Delta Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for Delta Flyers
• How To Get Delta Medallion Status

Korean Air SKYPASS

Korean Air SKYPASS gets a lot of love at Upgraded Points. That’s because even though the miles are pretty hard to earn, they can be used to get excellent value.

In the event you find yourself with a bunch of Korean Air miles, you can book round-trip award flights on any of Korean Air’s partners (one-way award tickets are only allowed on Korean Air-operated flights).

All fuel surcharges are passed on, but it isn’t such a big deal with Garuda Indonesia, since this airline doesn’t levy large fuel surcharges on most flights.

Here’s the redemption table for Garuda Indonesia-operated flights booked with Korean Air miles:

The other drawback, in addition to the difficulty in earning Korean Air miles, is the booking process.

SKYPASS allows you to book award flights only for up to 5 immediate family members, and you must provide proof of relationship through Korean Air’s website, via fax, or through a local Korean Air office.

Once you’re approved, you can book award flights for your children, spouse, children-in-law, parents-in-law, siblings, grandchildren, or grandchildren.

To book your Korean Air flights, follow these instructions:

1.  Visit Korean Air’s website.
2. In the top-right corner, click Log in. Enter your login credentials and click Log in. You’ll be redirected to the homepage after that.
3. In the search box on the right-hand side of the page, click the … icon to the right of Award.
4. Click SkyTeam awards.
5. Enter your search details, number of passengers, and choose Prestige Class.
6. Click Search Flights.
7. Find your desired business class flight on Garuda Indonesia.
8. Proceed with the travel booking and confirm the ticket.

Earning Korean Air SKYPASS Miles

Korean Air has just 1 transfer partner in Marriott Bonvoy.

Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio to Korean Air. Transfers may take up to 3 weeks, but they often take as few as 2 days to transfer.

Other ways to earn Korean Air miles include signing up for U.S. Bank’s co-branded Korean Air SKYPASS credit cards.

Recommended Marriott Bonvoy Cards

Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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 great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

30,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$210

Annual Fee

$0

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card.

The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
• 2x points per $1 on travel purchases
• 15 Elite Night Credits each year (automatically gives you Silver Elite status)
• No foreign transaction fees
• No annual fee

Cons

• Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
• Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier

Card Highlights

• Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card from Chase^®!
• Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Card.
• 2X points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains).
• 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, qualifying you for Silver Elite Status. Restrictions apply.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Hotel Credit Cards
• No Annual Fee Cards

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

More Reads

• Marriott Transfer Partners
• Best Credit Cards for Marriott Loyalists
• Best Marriott Credit Cards

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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.

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Welcome Offer

Earn 3 Free Nights after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases (each night valued up to 50,000 points) within the first 3 months from account opening.

Up to 3 Free Nights

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,050

Annual Fee

$95

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn big when you use your card at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• New benefit to earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
• Automatic Silver Elite Status
• 1 Free Night Award each cardmember anniversary (up to 35,000 points)
• DoorDash DashPass subscription
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Marriott Silver status is the lowest status tier

Card Highlights

• Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
• Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
• 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
• Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Card.
• Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Hotel Credit Cards

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

More Reads

• The 75,000 or 100,000 Bonus Point Offer for the Marriott Boundless
• 23 Valuable Benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
• Best Marriott Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for Marriott Loyalists
• Best Hotel Credit Cards for Free Nights
• Marriott Transfer Partners

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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 Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Welcome Offer

Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.

125,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$875

Annual Fee

$250

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
• 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2X points)
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• 15 Elite Night Credits per year
• 1,000 bonus points per paid stay
• 1 Free Night Award (up to 50,000 points) when you spend $15,000 on the card in a year
• No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

• $250 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit

Card Highlights

• Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• With complimentary Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy^® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card^® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Plan It^® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
• $250 Annual Fee.
• Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Hotel Credit Cards

More Reads

• Marriott Transfer Partners
• Best Credit Cards for Marriott Loyalists
• Best Marriott Credit Cards

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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 premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn two 85K Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in your first 6 months.

Two 85K Free Night Awards

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,190

Annual Fee

$650

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
• 25 Elite Night Credits each year
• Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
• Annual Free Night Award after card renewal
• Complimentary Platinum Elite status

Cons

• Steep annual fee of $650 (rates and fees)
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card

Card Highlights

• Earn two 85K Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in your first 6 months. Each award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Card Members could enjoy a value of up to $1,200 when redeeming each reward. Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 11/1/2023.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Marriott Brilliant Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, you will be eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton^® or St. Regis^® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck^® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy^® member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited access to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Hotel Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

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Aeromexico Club Premier

One of the quirkier frequent flyer programs is Aeromexico Club Premier, which belongs to Mexico’s flag carrier.

Unfortunately, this program is fairly complex due to unnecessarily complicated rules, making it a less-than-popular option for U.S.-based travelers.

Here’s how much Garuda Indonesia flights would cost if booked via Club Premier:

You’ll notice there’s a seasonality element. The high season includes:

• The Monday before Easter season until the Sunday after Easter season (4 weeks)
• June 1 to August 18
• December 8 to January 16

If you decide to book a Garuda Indonesia business class flight from Tokyo-Haneda to Jakarta using Club Premier points departing on July 15, you’ll redeem at the high season rate of 62,000 points instead of the low season rate of 56,000 points.

These prices appear to be on the higher end, especially for long-haul flights, but, as you’ll find out in the next section, you can transfer points at a better ratio than 1:1 to Club Premier.

Whatever the case, Aeromexico Club Premier requires all award tickets to be booked over the phone. Here are the recommended steps to take:

1. Perform an award search on Delta’s website to find suitable availability.
2. Give Club Premier a call at 855-412-2650 and request to book a Garuda Indonesia business class flight.
3. Provide the representative with your itinerary, and confirm availability.
4. Use your points, provide all travelers’ information, use a credit card for taxes and fees, and process the ticket.

Earning Aeromexico Club Premier Points

Earning Club Premier points is easy, thanks to an abundance of transfer partnerships.

Amex transfers at a 1:1.6 ratio, while Citi, Brex, and Capital One transfer at a 1:1 ratio. Lastly, Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio with a bonus of 5,000 points when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to Club Premier.

Amex transfers take anywhere from 2 to 12 business days, while Citi and Capital One transfers are almost instant. Brex takes around 1 business day, while Marriott Bonvoy takes around 4 business days.

Recommended Citi Cards

Citi Premier^® Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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.

Welcome Offer

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

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$960

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.24% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

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

Card Highlights

• 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

• Credit Card Reviews
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

More Reads

• Benefits of the Citi Premier
• Authorized User Benefits of the Citi Premier
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Citi Premier Card [Detailed Comparison]
• Best Citi Credit Cards
• Best Credit Card Sign Up Bonuses
• Best Travel Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for Groceries and Supermarkets
• Best Virtual Credit Cards

Citi Rewards+^® Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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 no annual fee card rewards cardholders for everyday purchases. Earn bonus points at supermarkets and gas stations, plus your points are rounded up on every purchase.

Learn More(at our partner's secure site)

Citi Rewards+^® Card

This no annual fee card rewards cardholders for everyday purchases. Earn bonus points at supermarkets and gas stations, plus your points are rounded up on every purchase.

Welcome Offer

Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $250 in gift cards at thankyou.com.

20,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$320

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months and on purchases. After that, the variable APR of 18.74% - 28.74%.

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-840)

Card Highlights

• Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
• Plus, for a limited time, earn 5 ThankYou^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel(SM) portal through June 30, 2024.
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% – 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Earn 2X ThankYou^® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou^® Points on All Other Purchases.
• The Citi Rewards+^® Card – the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase – with no cap.
• No Annual Fee

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months and on purchases. After that, the variable APR of 18.74% - 28.74%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each purchase transaction in US dollars

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• No Annual Fee Cards

More Reads

• Best Citi Credit Cards
• Citi Transfer Partners

Citi^® Double Cash Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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.

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Learn More(at our partner's secure site)

Citi^® Double Cash Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Welcome Offer

None

Annual Fee

$0

APR

19.24% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi^® Double Cash Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
• Flexible redemption options
• No annual fee

Cons

• No bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fees
• Lack of premium travel benefits

Card Highlights

• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Cash Back Credit Cards
• No Annual Fee Cards

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

More Reads

• Capital One Venture vs Citi Double Cash
• The 8 Best 2% Cash-back Credit Cards [2023]
• Best 0% Interest Credit Cards
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• Best Credit Cards for Bills and Utilities
• Best Everyday Credit Cards
• Citi Transfer Partners

Citi Custom Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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.

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

Learn More(at our partner's secure site)

Citi Custom Cash^® Card

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%.

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Custom Cash^® Card is inventive when it comes to cash-back credit cards. Instead of earning a set amount of cash-back on predetermined bonus categories, the Citi Custom Cash card earns 5% cash-back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, without an annual fee.

Thanks to that unique perk, you’ll never need to worry about whether you’re using the right card for the right purchase, as your Citi Custom Cash card will always pay you 5% back on whichever category you end up spending the most on each month.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5% cash-back (on up to $500 each billing cycle) from your largest purchase category, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment
• No annual fee
• Multiple redemption options
• No redemption minimums

Cons

• Your 5% category is limited to $500 in spend ($25 in cash-back) each month
• Not particularly rewarding for any purchases outside of your top 5% cash-back category

Card Highlights

• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
• No Annual Fee
• Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash^® Card account per person.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Cash Back Credit Cards
• No Annual Fee Cards

More Reads

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Air France/KLM Flying Blue

The last loyalty program we’ll discuss is Air France/KLM Flying Blue, which is one of the most popular SkyTeam frequent flyer programs.

Unfortunately, in this situation, it doesn’t make much sense to redeem points through Flying Blue, unless you only have Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Normally, this program has an attractive redemption scheme, especially for U.S. to Europe flights, but award fares are quite expensive on Garuda Indonesia’s main nonstop long-haul routes.

Flying Blue uses a dynamic award pricing structure, but here’s a look at the Saver award ticket pricing for Garuda Indonesia flights:

The good news is you can complete your award booking 100% online — follow these steps to do so:

1. Go to the Air France U.S. website.
2. Click Log in in the homepage’s top-right corner and log into your Flying Blue account.
3. On the redirected page, you’ll see a search box. Click Book with Miles on the top-left corner of the search box.
4. Click Round trip or One-way.
5. Fill in the search box and click Search flights.
6. Redeem your Flying Blue miles, use your credit card for taxes and fees, and confirm your ticket.

Earning Flying Blue Miles

Flying Blue miles are some of the easiest to amass because of the program’s long list of transfer partners, including the Amex Membership transfer partners, Chase transfer partners, Citi transfer partners, Brex transfer partners, Capital One transfer partners, and Marriott transfer partners.

Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, and Brex transfer at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly.

Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio with a bonus of 5,000 miles when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at once to Flying Blue.

Lastly, Bank of America is the sole issuer of Flying Blue co-branded credit cards that earn miles directly.

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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.

Welcome Offer

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

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

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

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

Card Highlights

• 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

• Credit Card Reviews
• Credit Cards
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

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Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and 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.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

Credit Recommended

Credit ranges are only a recommendation and a variation of FICO© Score. Issuers may use many types of credit scores when considering an application.

Excellent (740-850)

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

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

Card Highlights

• 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

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• Credit Card Reviews
• Credit Cards
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

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Chase Ultimate Rewards

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• Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
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• Best High Limit Credit Cards

Business Owner? Check out our article on the best Chase business cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points.

Other Options for Booking Garuda Indonesia

There are a number of other frequent flyer programs you can use, including Aeroflot Plus and China Eastern Eastern Miles.

Unfortunately, these programs may have an absence of transfer partners, high redemption prices, difficult booking processes, or a combination of these.

That’s why we recommend sticking to the airline programs mentioned in each section.

Bottom Line: Your first choice for booking Garuda Indonesia business class should generally be using ANA miles. But depending on what types of points and miles you’ve accumulated, you may have to look at other partners like Delta SkyMiles, Korean Air SKYPASS, Aeromexico Club Premier, or Air France/KLM Flying Blue.

Great Garuda Indonesia Business Class Redemptions

Garuda Indonesia business class is readily bookable using a few different programs.

And while the exact program you choose will depend on what types of credit cards you have, what routes you’re planning on flying, and even your preexisting mileage balances, it’s incredibly valuable to compare each option head-to-head.

That’s exactly what we’ve done. In the table below, you’ll be able to see how much each program charges on specific Garuda Indonesia business class flights:

As you can see, ANA Mileage Club is the undisputed winner across all the major routes we looked at. Behind ANA, Korean Air is the runner-up, while Delta is a great option for intra-Asia flights. Aeromexico and Flying Blue also work, but they are generally significantly more expensive than their peers.

If you have Amex points, you should always be redeeming through ANA Mileage Club. With Chase, though, your best bet is Air France/KLM Flying Blue.

If you happen to have Citi ThankYou Points, Brex points, or Capital One miles and are flying intra-Asia, you should probably book through Aeromexico Club Premier (if you feel confident in navigating its quirks).

If you have Citi ThankYou Points, Brex points, or Capital One miles and are flying between Asia and another continent, Flying Blue is a great choice.

Keep in mind that Flying Blue offers transfer bonuses of 15% to 30% relatively frequently — Aeromexico has also offered these from time to time.

Now, let’s talk about stopovers:

• Air France/KLM Flying Blue and Delta SkyMiles do not allow stopovers.
• ANA Mileage Club allows 1 stopover and 1 open-jaw on award bookings.
• Korean Air allows 1 stopover on SkyTeam award bookings.
• Aeromexico Club Premier allows 1 stopover on round-trip flights only.

Here are some example redemptions in Garuda Indonesia business class that ought to inspire you:

• Jakarta (CGK) – Amsterdam (AMS) round-trip for 115,000 Korean Air miles + ~$410 in taxes and fees
• Jakarta (CGK) – Hong Kong (HKG) one-way for 56,000 Aeromexico Club Premier points + ~$81 in taxes and fees
• Jakarta (CGK) – Seoul (ICN) round-trip for 62,000 ANA miles + ~$82 in taxes and fees
• Jakarta (CGK) – Sydney (SYD) one-way for 90,000 Flying Blue miles + ~$191 in taxes and fees
• Jakarta (CGK) – Tokyo (HND) one-way for 45,000 Delta SkyMiles + ~$31 in taxes and fees

How To Earn Enough Miles for Garuda Indonesia Business Class

As we mentioned, Garuda Indonesia business class is easy to book. It’s also easy to find award availability, as virtually all of its regional and long-haul routes have an abundance of award space.

You can book Garuda Indonesia business class using any transferable rewards program available.

The best program overall is ANA Mileage Club, while Korean Air SKYPASS is a solid runner-up.

ANA Mileage Club, Delta SkyMiles, Korean Air SKYPASS, and Flying Blue all allow you to make Garuda Indonesia bookings completely online, while Aeromexico Club Premier requires a phone call.

Here’s what each transferable currency looks like, in light of its transfer partnerships:

• Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to ANA, Delta, and Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio, while transfers to Aeromexico come at a 1:1.6 ratio. Amex transfers to Delta and Flying Blue almost instantly, while ANA and Aeromexico take 3 business days and 2 to 12 business days, respectively.
• Brex Rewards points transfer to Flying Blue and Aeromexico almost instantly at a 1:1 ratio.
• Capital One miles transfer to Aeromexico and Flying Blue  at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly.
• Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly.
• Citi ThankYou Points transfer to Aeromexico and Flying Blue almost instantly at a 1:1 ratio.
• Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to ANA (3 days), Delta (1 day), Korean Air (2 days), Aeromexico (4 days), and Flying Blue (3 days) at a 3:1 ratio. Some airlines also offer a bonus of 5,000 miles when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at a time.

One last consideration: transfer bonuses. If you can, time your transfers to align with a transfer bonus, especially with Flying Blue or Club Premier. These transfer bonuses may give you anywhere from 15% to 30% bonus miles.

When You Should Search for Award Space

The good news with Garuda Indonesia is it doesn’t really matter when you search for award availability. In general, you should start searching when you have an idea of when and where you want to travel.

But, you shouldn’t have a problem finding last-minute award availability, either. We recommend searching on Delta’s website first, thanks to its easy-to-use search engine.

What Makes Garuda Indonesia a Great Redemption

Garuda Indonesia is Indonesia’s only full-service airline.

That means if you want airport lounges, a robust check-in kiosk, a customer service center, a quality premium cabin seat, and the ability to access award flights through partner frequent flyer programs, Garuda is your best bet.

The good news is that Garuda Indonesia’s business class seats are generally excellent, whether you’re on the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft or the newer Airbus A330-900neo planes.

You should expect direct aisle access, a quality food-and-beverage program, and more when you fly on any of these planes.

Here are some of the highlights of flying business with Garuda:

Convenient Schedules to Indonesia

Indonesia’s incredible landscape and culture make it one of the best countries to visit as a tourist!

If you want to hit the ground running, you ought to prioritize convenience — that’s one of the areas where Garuda Indonesia excels.

This airline optimizes its fleet, route network, and schedules for those who are flying into or out of Indonesia.

Although there are no nonstop flights between the U.S. and Indonesia, you can access convenient nonstop connectivity to Seoul, Tokyo, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and even the Netherlands.

Hot Tip: Learn about the best ways to fly to Southeast Asia and Bali with points and miles!

Excellent Service

Garuda Indonesia is constantly heralded as being one of the best airlines in the world for service.

The airline has a strong service culture with the cabin crew members going out of their way to make sure you’re treated with warmth and that you’re getting everything you need.

You’ll enjoy a comprehensive pre-departure service and have your needs anticipated and met with professionalism.

Final Thoughts

Garuda Indonesia is a fraction of the airline it once was, due to financial strains.

Still, this SkyTeam airline is one of the better business class airlines you can fly, especially to/from Indonesia.

And whether you have Chase, Amex, Brex, Citi, Capital One, or Marriott Bonvoy points, there’s an option to book award tickets using points.

We recommend transferring Amex points to ANA Mileage Club as our top choice, simply because of the great deals you can find on round-trip award tickets.

That said, you can absolutely explore other options like Delta SkyMiles, Korean Air SKYPASS, Aeromexico Club Premier, or Air France/KLM Flying Blue.

The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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 Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® card, click here.