BEST FOR BEGINNER TRAVELERS

Chase Sapphire Preferredยฎ Card

Best Rewards Credit Card &Raquo;
at American Express’s secure site Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees

BEST FOR BEGINNER TRAVELERS

Chase Sapphire Preferredยฎ Card

REWARDS RATES
5X Get 5X Membership Rewardsยฎ points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com
3X 3x on dining.
2X 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
INTRO OFFER
60,000 points

120,000 points

INTRO OFFER
$95
INTRO OFFER
670-850 Excellent/Good
REWARDS RATES
2 – 5x points
INTRO OFFER
75,000 miles
INTRO OFFER
$95
RECOMMENDED CREDIT
670-850 Excellent/Good
WHY WE CHOSE IT
The Chase Sapphire Preferredยฎ Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points at 1.25 cents each for travel booked through Chase or transfer points to one of Chaseโ€™s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

PROS

  • Youโ€™ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
  • The current sign-up bonus on this card is quite generous. TPG values it at $1,200
  • New annual $50 hotel statement credit when booked through Ultimate Rewards
  • Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance


CONS

  • The card comes with a $95 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 Rewardsยฎ.
  • Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewardsยฎ, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewardsยฎ. 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.
PROS
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
  • $400 annual statement credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases
  • Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
  • Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
  • Extended warranty protection
  • International Airline Program
  • Cruise Privileges Program
PROS
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
  • $400 annual statement credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases
  • Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
  • Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
  • Extended warranty protection
  • International Airline Program
  • Cruise Privileges Program
PROS
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
  • $400 annual statement credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases
  • Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
  • Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
  • Extended warranty protection
  • International Airline Program
  • Cruise Privileges Program
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BEST FOR NON-BONUS SPENDING

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best Rewards Credit Card &Raquo;
at American Express’s secure site Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees

BEST FOR NON-BONUS SPENDING

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

REWARDS RATES
5X Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
2X Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
INTRO OFFER
75,000 miles
INTRO OFFER
$95
INTRO OFFER
670-850
Excellent, Good
REWARDS RATES
2 – 5x points
INTRO OFFER
75,000 miles
INTRO OFFER
$95
RECOMMENDED CREDIT
670-850 Excellent/Good
WHY WE CHOSE IT
When it comes to simplicity and strong rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for most travelers. Youโ€™ll earn earns 2 miles per dollar on every purchase with no bonus categories to memorize, making it an ideal card for those with busy lives. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
PROS
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
  • $400 annual statement credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases
  • Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
  • Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
  • Extended warranty protection
  • International Airline Program
  • Cruise Privileges Program
PROS
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
  • $400 annual statement credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases
  • Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
  • Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
  • Extended warranty protection
  • International Airline Program
  • Cruise Privileges Program
PROS
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
  • $400 annual statement credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases
  • Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
  • Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
  • Extended warranty protection
  • International Airline Program
  • Cruise Privileges Program

PROS

  • Youโ€™ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
  • The current sign-up bonus on this card is quite generous. TPG values it at $1,200
  • New annual $50 hotel statement credit when booked through Ultimate Rewards
  • Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance


CONS

  • The card comes with a $95 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 Rewardsยฎ.
  • Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewardsยฎ, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewardsยฎ. 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.

WHERE TO NOW?

Best Rewards Credit Card &Raquo;

be inspired

WHERE TO NOW?

BEST PREMIUM TRAVEL CREDIT CARD

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Best Rewards Credit Card &Raquo;
at American Express’s secure site Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees

BEST PREMIUM TRAVEL CREDIT CARD

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

REWARDS RATES
10X Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
2X 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
INTRO OFFER
75,000 miles
INTRO OFFER
$395
INTRO OFFER
740-850 Excellent
REWARDS RATES
2 – 5x points
INTRO OFFER
75,000 miles
INTRO OFFER
$95
RECOMMENDED CREDIT
670-850 Excellent/Good
WHY WE CHOSE IT
If you can maximize the up to $300 statement credit toward Capital One Travel, the Venture Xโ€™s annual fee effectively comes down to $95, the same annual fee pegged to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Add in a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary (worth $185, according to TPG valuations) and lounge access, and the card may become the strongest option out there for a lot of travelers. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
PROS
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
  • $400 annual statement credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases
  • Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
  • Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
  • Extended warranty protection
  • International Airline Program
  • Cruise Privileges Program
PROS
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
  • $400 annual statement credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases
  • Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
  • Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
  • Extended warranty protection
  • International Airline Program
  • Cruise Privileges Program
PROS
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
  • $400 annual statement credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases
  • Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
  • Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
  • Extended warranty protection
  • International Airline Program
  • Cruise Privileges Program

PROS

  • Youโ€™ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
  • The current sign-up bonus on this card is quite generous. TPG values it at $1,200
  • New annual $50 hotel statement credit when booked through Ultimate Rewards
  • Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance


CONS

  • The card comes with a $95 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 Rewardsยฎ.
  • Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewardsยฎ, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewardsยฎ. 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.

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Best Rewards Credit Card &Raquo;

BEST FOR LUXURY BENEFITS

The Platinum Cardยฎ from American Express

Best Rewards Credit Card &Raquo;
at American Express’s secure site Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees

BEST FOR LUXURY BENEFITS

The Platinum Cardยฎ from American Express

REWARDS RATES
5X Earn 5X Membership Rewardsยฎ Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5X Earn 5X Membership Rewardsยฎ Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
INTRO OFFER
Earn 80,000 points
INTRO OFFER
$695
INTRO OFFER
670-850 Excellent/Good
REWARDS RATES
2 – 5x points
INTRO OFFER
75,000 miles
INTRO OFFER
$95
RECOMMENDED CREDIT
670-850 Excellent/Good
WHY WE CHOSE IT
The Amex Platinum is unmatched when it comes to travel perks and benefits. If lounge access, hotel elite status and annual statement credits are important to you, this card is well worth the high annual fee. Read our full review of the Platinum Card from American Express.
PROS
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
  • $400 annual statement credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases
  • Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
  • Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
  • Extended warranty protection
  • International Airline Program
  • Cruise Privileges Program
PROS
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
  • $400 annual statement credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases
  • Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
  • Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
  • Extended warranty protection
  • International Airline Program
  • Cruise Privileges Program
PROS
  • Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
  • $400 annual statement credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases
  • Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
  • Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
  • Extended warranty protection
  • International Airline Program
  • Cruise Privileges Program

PROS

  • Youโ€™ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
  • The current sign-up bonus on this card is quite generous. TPG values it at $1,200
  • New annual $50 hotel statement credit when booked through Ultimate Rewards
  • Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance


CONS

  • The card comes with a $95 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 Rewardsยฎ.
  • Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewardsยฎ, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewardsยฎ. 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.