Whether you opened your first-ever credit card in the pursuit of free travel or already had a few accounts before you found this incredible world of points and miles, your first couple of moves may be highly scripted, thanks to Chase’s 5/24 rule. The issuer uses this rule to automatically reject applicants who have opened five or more cards in the last 24 months.

Some business cards don’t count, so be sure to check out our guide to 5/24 if you’re not familiar with how 5/24 works. But in general, you should open up your Chase cards first before moving on to other issuers because of this rule.

You might go with a tested card combination like the Chase trifecta, or you might build your own strategy after deciding which Sapphire card is better to anchor your strategy. Although there are plenty of great Chase card choices, there are only so many ways to use up those first five slots.

If you exceed five cards in 24 months, you’ll find yourself in the Wild Wild West of credit cards, where anything goes. After 5/24, there’s no uniform path for you to follow. It’s time to evaluate the cards in your wallet, figure out what you want from new credit cards and chart a new course.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of your best options for building a post-5/24 strategy.

Related: How to calculate your 5/24 standing

What NOT to do

Being ineligible for a Chase card doesn’t mean it’s time to stop getting new cards altogether. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is waiting on the sidelines to fall under 5/24 again and missing out on other valuable welcome bonuses in the meantime.

At any given time, there will be multiple welcome bonuses from other cards worth $1,000 or more that you’re eligible for (even if you’re over the 5/24 rule). By opening a card from a different issuer with a valuable welcome offer, you can earn and redeem tons of valuable rewards now rather than waiting for months or years to be eligible for another Chase card.

If you have your eye on a specific Chase card that you’re aiming to be eligible for quickly, you’ll want to be strategic. A great option is to apply for a business card in the meantime. These typically won’t count against your 5/24 status, so you can earn some bonus rewards while still making progress toward eligibility for the Chase card you want.

Related: Business credit cards that aren’t under the 5/24 rule

What to do if you’re over 5/24

If you are over the 5/24 limit, there are a few different strategies you should consider when deciding which cards to add to your wallet next.

Diversify your points

I’d argue that the 5/24 restriction is the main reason most people get Chase cards first rather than collecting other rewards currencies, such as American Express Membership Rewards points, Citi ThankYou points, Capital One miles or Bilt Rewards Points.

However, there is a benefit to having rewards from multiple programs, since each of them has a unique set of redemption options. Plus, they’re all valuable — TPG’s September 2025 valuations peg the value of these points at a minimum of 1.85 cents per point.

The true value of diversifying your points is access to each issuer’s transfer partners and the tremendous flexibility they offer. Citi has the most transfer partners, but the other issuers aren’t far behind.

All five issuers also have some transfer partners in common (British Airways and Air France-KLM Flying Blue make many appearances, for example), but their differences are incredibly complementary.

Star Alliance is a great example. Chase and Amex let you transfer to all the major loyalty programs in the largest airline alliance. This lets you pit United Airlines, Avianca, Air Canada and Singapore Airlines against each other and pick the absolute lowest cost for any award you want to book.

Furthermore, these issuers frequently offer transfer bonuses to transfer partners, meaning that the best transfer option might vary from month to month. By having access to multiple types of points, you can ensure you’re always ready to jump when the right redemption option presents itself.

Top cards to consider:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you’re eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees): Earn Bilt Points on rent without paying any transaction fees (up to 100,000 points per year; you must make at least five transactions each billing cycle to earn points).
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees): Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Look for gaps in earnings rates

While Chase cards are known for having solid bonus categories like travel and dining, you might find that your current portfolio has some bonus-earning gaps. If you’re over 5/24, look for cards from other issuers to fill those gaps.

For example, if you pay rent, the Bilt Mastercard allows you to earn points on rent without paying any transaction fees (see rates and fees) and earns flexible points, which can be redeemed for outsize value (up to 100,000 points on rent per year; you must make at least five transactions each billing cycle to earn points).

Additionally, you may not have a card that covers bonus earnings on groceries or gas. Now is a great time to consider adding a card like the Amex Gold or the Citi Strata Premier to your wallet to earn bonus rewards in those categories (bonus rewards on U.S. supermarkets on the Amex Gold can be earned on up to $25,000 in spending each calendar year, then you’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent).

Lastly, if you have all your bonus spending categories covered, you can opt for a fixed-rate card that earns at least 2 points or miles per dollar spent on all purchases, like the Capital One Venture Rewards card, to ensure you earn bonus earnings on essentially every purchase you make.

Related: The best cards for each bonus category

Consider cobranded cards

While it may seem easy to write off cobranded cards because Chase issues the majority of cobranded airline and hotel cards, there are some excellent offerings from other issuers.

If you’re loyal to Marriott, for instance, you can pick up one of the Amex Bonvoy cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

Hilton loyalists also have a number of Amex cards to choose from, and American Airlines and Delta flyers can pick up cobranded credit cards without worrying about 5/24. This can be a great way to get a free hotel night each year, save on checked bag fees or simply earn a welcome bonus that can help jump-start your next trip.

Top cards to consider:

Bottom Line

The 5/24 rule is the beginning, not the end, of your credit card rewards journey. Hitting that mark is a rite of passage to serious award travelers. Once you do, it’s time to look forward, not backward.

Figure out which of your Chase cards are keepers, and decide what benefits matter most in your next credit cards.

Whether you’re looking to diversify into a new rewards currency, fill in missing gaps or possibly both, you have plenty of options to consider. The important thing is that you continue to go out and take action so you can keep earning valuable rewards.

Related: The best ways to use your 5/24 slots

For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.

As soon as people find out that I work for The Points Guy, they almost always follow up with one question: “What’s the best credit card?”

My answer is usually, “It depends” — because there truly is no one-size-fits-all credit card that’s best for everyone. Several factors go into determining the best credit card for your situation, including your spending habits, your credit score and the type of rewards you want to earn.

Some regular contenders frequently make the cut when I recommend new credit cards since they offer solid value for a variety of spenders and their lifestyles. I’ve had my fair share of them over my 20-plus years of collecting points and miles.

Here are my top picks for the best credit cards you can add to your wallet.

The best credit cards

*TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.

**The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Comparing the best credit cards

Check out how my top recommendations for the best credit cards stack up against each other.

Card	Best for	Welcome offer	Earning rates	Annual fee
Chase Sapphire Preferred	Beginner travelers	Earn 75,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.	Earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs). Earn 2 points per dollar spent on other travel purchases. Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.	$95
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Premium travel	Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.	Earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.	$395
Amex Gold	Groceries and dining at restaurants	Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer	Earn 4 points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). Earn 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). Earn 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Earn 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on amextravel.com. Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.	$325 (see rates and fees)
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	Nonbonus spending	Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.	Earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.	$95
Amex Platinum	Luxury benefits	Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.	Earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). Earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.	$695 (see rates and fees)
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex	Sky Club access and Medallion status	Earn 70,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.	Earn 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta Air Lines purchases. Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.	$650 (see rates and fees)
Chase Freedom Flex	Rotating bonus categories	Earn $200 after spending $500 on eligible purchases within the first three months of account opening.	Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel. Earn 3% cash back on dining and drugstores. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.	$0
Ink Business Preferred	Bonus-earning	Earn 90,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.	Earn 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.	$95
Bilt Mastercard	Renters	N/A	Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining. Earn 2 points per dollar spent on travel. Earn 1 point per dollar spent on rent without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year; see rates and fees)†. Earn 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases. †You must use the card five times each statement period to earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.	$0 (see rates and fees)
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card	Free nights and hotel status	Earn 175,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership.	Earn 14 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 7 points per dollar spent on select travel, including flights booked directly with the airline or on amextravel.com and car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies. Earn 7 points per dollar spent on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Earn 3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.	$550

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Standout benefits: The Chase Sapphire Preferred was one of the first cards I opened that carried an annual fee. Initially, I got the card because it didn’t charge foreign transaction fees, but I quickly fell in love with the rewards I was earning — both abroad and back in the U.S.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most valuable currencies out there, pegged at 2.05 cents each per TPG’s August 2025 valuations. As a Sapphire Preferred cardholder, you can redeem your points through Chase Travel at a rate of 1.25 cents apiece, but my favorite way to use Chase points is by transferring them to travel partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt.

Hyatt is my go-to redemption option here, as I almost always get well over 2 cents per point in value from my award stays. For example, I splurged for four nights at the Hyatt Centric Park City earlier this year, and even though it set me back 180,000 points, the paid rate would’ve been nearly $6,000. I was even able to apply a suite upgrade as a Hyatt Globalist.

Related: Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred should be your first card out of college

Beyond that, the card offers an incredible set of travel protections if things go wrong on your trip, including primary car rental coverage. You’ll also enjoy a $50 annual hotel credit for reservations made through Chase Travel.

I eventually upgraded to the card’s more premium sibling — the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) — a few years ago, but my wife continues to hold her Sapphire Preferred and still gets incredible value from it.

New applicants can earn 75,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. The Sapphire Preferred features a $95 annual fee.

For more information, check out our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Standout benefits: I picked up the Capital One Venture X shortly after it launched in November 2021, and it quickly became a workhorse in my wallet because it earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase. I charge my utility bills and most of my online shopping to it, since those purchases generally aren’t eligible for bonuses on other cards.

The card also offers a ton of premium perks without a premium price tag. You’ll enjoy access to Capital One Lounges and a Priority Pass Select membership, along with the ability to enjoy value-added benefits on luxury hotel stays via the Premier Collection and Lifestyle Collection. All of this comes with an annual fee of just $395.

However, even that is super easy to offset with other perks on the card. You’ll get an annual $300 credit for purchases via Capital One Travel — including flights, hotels and rental cars. You can also use the card for up to $120 in statement credits to cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership every four years.

Related: Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Capital One Venture X

Finally, when you renew your card, you’ll receive 10,000 bonus miles on your account anniversary. Those are worth at least $100 if used for travel, but they have the potential for even more value when you redeem them with Capital One’s 15-plus transfer partners.

I recently transferred 70,000 Capital One miles to Air Canada Aeroplan to book a one-way business-class flight to Europe for Thanksgiving — a trip that would’ve otherwise set me back over $3,000. And that’s just one method of maximizing your Capital One miles.

New applicants can earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This card features a $395 annual fee.

For more information, check out our review of the Capital One Venture X.

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Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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American Express Gold Card

Standout benefits: Believe it or not, I first added the Amex Gold to my wallet without earning a welcome bonus. I held an earlier version of the card, so I wasn’t eligible. However, I still earn tens of thousands of points on the card every year — and last year’s refresh made me love it even more.

I love dining out and cooking in, and the Amex Gold rewards you in both categories. You’ll earn 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases each year, then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases each year, then 1 point per dollar). Membership Rewards points are super valuable — with partners like ANA Mileage Club and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.

Related: How to maximize the Amex Gold’s benefits

However, the card can also save you money on everyday purchases as well, thanks to the following benefits (enrollment required):

• Resy: Earn up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at Resy-affiliated restaurants in the U.S. and on other eligible Resy purchases (up to $50 January-June and up to $50 July-December).
• Dunkin’: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits when you use the Amex Gold at U.S. Dunkin’ locations.
• Uber: Get $10 in Uber Cash each month, valid for rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.***
• Dining: Earn up to $10 in monthly statement credits when you use the Amex Gold at select dining partners, including Grubhub and Five Guys.

***Uber Cash is valid on purchases in the U.S. and you must first add your Amex Gold to your Uber account. You can then redeem with any Amex card.

In fact, I was getting so much value out of this card that my wife was convinced to get her own Amex Gold card last year — essentially doubling the value we can get from these statement credits every year.

With the Amex Gold, you can find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. This card’s annual fee is $325.

For more information, check out our review of the Amex Gold Card.

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Apply here: American Express Gold Card

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Standout benefits: Before I got the Capital One Venture X, I had the regular Venture Card — which is a great alternative for those who aren’t willing to pay for a premium rewards card.

You’ll enjoy the same base earning rate of 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, and you’ll enjoy access to Capital One’s Lifestyle Collection of hotels around the world. The card also includes up to $120 in statement credits for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership every four years — a rarity for a card with just a $95 annual fee.

In addition, the Venture Card can be the perfect option for those just getting started who value simplicity but may want the option of maximizing rewards in the future. Capital One miles can be used to offset any travel purchase charged to the card at a value of 1 cent per point. However, you also have the ability to leverage Capital One’s transfer partners for even more value. This gives you a great starting point — with the chance to unlock more rewards down the road.

New applicants can earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This card features a $95 annual fee.

For more information, check out our review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.

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Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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The Platinum Card from American Express

Standout benefits: I’ve held the Amex Platinum for years, and it’s among the priciest travel cards out there, with a massive $695 annual fee. However, each time my card comes up for renewal, I crunch the numbers and realize that I easily get that much in value every year — and then some.

For example, when you add the Amex Platinum to your Uber account, you’ll receive $15 a month in Uber Cash plus a one-time bonus of $20 in the month of December (valid for rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.; can pay using any Amex card). I also enjoy the up to $20 a month in statement credits I receive for select digital entertainment providers, which I use to offset the cost of my daughter’s Disney+ obsession (enrollment is required).

Then there’s the up to $200 airline fee statement credit each calendar year — which I mainly use for Sky Club guest access for my daughter. These three perks alone can offer me up to $640 in annual benefits, nearly covering the card’s entire annual fee. Enrollment is required.

Related: Maximizing the Amex Platinum’s benefits

Beyond these statement credits, the Amex Platinum offers unparalleled airport lounge access, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment is required) and Plaza Premium locations. You can also access Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta Air Lines, though you are capped at 10 visits per year unless you spent $75,000 in the current (or previous) calendar year.

There’s nothing I love more than relaxing in a quiet space prior to a flight — and the Platinum Card delivers just that.

With the Amex Platinum, you can find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. This card’s annual fee is $695.

For more information, check out our review of the Amex Platinum Card.

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Apply here: Amex Platinum

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Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Standout benefits: I’ve been a longtime Delta flyer. In fact, I was a charter Diamond Medallion member when that elite status first launched in 2010 — qualifying entirely on domestic segments, no less. And even though I’m no longer a road warrior, I still love flying Delta. And the Delta Reserve Card helps make those trips even more rewarding.

Even though it carries a hefty annual fee, the perks are extensive. You’ll receive 2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) each year just for having the card, putting you halfway to Silver Medallion status. You can then earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card, allowing you to spend your way to status.

The card also includes 15 visits to Sky Clubs every year plus four, one-time-use guest passes — though you can unlock unlimited visits as the primary cardmember when you spend $75,000 on purchases in a calendar year.

But my favorite perk is the annual companion certificate you receive upon renewal. This allows you to bring a travel companion on select Delta-operated flights just by paying the taxes and fees. It’s even valid on select Comfort+ and first-class tickets. Last year, I used this for a flight to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) for me and my daughter to go skiing, a ticket that would’ve otherwise been over $900.

New applicants can earn 70,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. This card’s annual fee is $650.

For more information, check out our review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve.

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Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex

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Chase Freedom Flex

Standout benefits: You may be surprised to see a cash-back credit card on this list, but the Freedom Flex is so much more — let’s start with the earning rates. Cardholders earn 5% cash back on the first $1,500 in combined purchases you spend each quarter in rotating bonus categories (after activation).

With a wife and 10-year-old daughter, I spend a ton at Amazon, so that’s a great return on purchases I’m already making.

However, I’m not just earning cash back. Instead, since I also have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I have the ability to combine these rewards in my Sapphire account — which effectively converts them to fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

In other words, this card allows me to earn 5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on these rotating categories.

Related: 4 reasons I recommend the Chase Freedom Flex to beginners

In fact, I max out the quarterly bonus so frequently that I have both this card and the old Chase Freedom card (no longer available to new applicants) — which means I have double the earning potential each month.

With this no-annual-fee card, new applicants can earn $200 after spending $500 on eligible purchases within the first three months of account opening.

For more information, check out our review of the Chase Freedom Flex.

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Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex

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Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Standout benefits: The Ink Business Preferred can be a great fit for virtually any small business — but especially those with a big online presence. That’s because of the bonus categories on the card.

Each year, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar on up to $150,000 in combined spending across the following categories:

• Shipping purchases
• Online advertising with social media platforms and search engines
• Internet, cable and phone services
• Travel

If you fully max out that bonus, you’ll take home 450,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points — which can then be used for cash back, gift cards or trips through Chase’s lucrative transfer partners.

It also has no foreign transaction fees when you’re outside the country, and with extensive travel and purchase protections for business trips, it can give you valuable peace of mind when on the road.

New applicants can earn 90,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. This card features a $95 annual fee.

For more information, check out our review of the Ink Business Preferred.

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Apply here: Ink Business Preferred

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Bilt Mastercard

Standout benefits: The Bilt Mastercard is the one card on this list that I’ve never had. However, that’s solely due to the fact that I own my home. If you’re a renter, and you’re not currently earning points on your monthly rent, this card should absolutely be in your wallet.

That’s because you can earn 1 point per dollar spent on rent (up to 100,000 points each calendar year) without paying any transaction fees (see rates and fees), as long as you charge at least five purchases to the card each month. This holds true even if your landlord or apartment management company isn’t part of the Bilt Rewards program and doesn’t accept credit cards. You can log in to the Bilt Rewards app and use your Bilt Mastercard to send a monthly rent check or direct deposit, earning points in the process.

Related: Guide to the Bilt Rewards program

In addition to rent, you also earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (after you link your Bilt and Lyft accounts), 3 points per dollar spent on dining, 2 points per dollar spent on travel and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. And Bilt Rewards Points are incredibly valuable, with a wildly lucrative list of transfer partners — including World of Hyatt and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

Plus, Bilt runs Rent Day promotions that allow you to earn even more points on your everyday purchases — and potentially get even more value from your redemptions.

The Bilt card does not come with a welcome offer and does not charge an annual fee (see rates and fees).

For more information, check out our review of the Bilt Mastercard.

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Apply here: Bilt Mastercard

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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

Standout benefits: It’s true that I have a lot of premium credit cards, but if you’re looking to up your hotel game, the Hilton Aspire Card can be a great option. Beyond the hefty welcome bonus, it also unlocks a ton of perks — both when staying at Hilton properties and across other spending activities.

For starters, you’ll enjoy automatic top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, just by holding the card. This grants you complimentary upgrades as well as a daily food-and-beverage credit at eligible properties in the U.S. (or complimentary breakfast at international locations). This status normally requires 60 nights to achieve, so this is a remarkable shortcut.

Related: 7 reasons to get the Hilton Amex Aspire card

In addition, you get a free night certificate when you open the card and then every year after renewal, and this can be used at virtually any Hilton property worldwide (with just a few exceptions). In addition, you’ll enjoy up to $400 in annual statement credits at Hilton resort properties — up to $200 from January to June and up to $200 from July to December.

Last year, I used the certificate to book the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach when the room rates were over $800 per night — and I used the $200 credit for the second half of the year to cover most of a spa treatment for my wife (it was her birthday). Talk about rewarding!

Finally, I love the up to $200 in statement credits for airline purchases each year, broken up as $50 each quarter. I’ve used this for taxes and fees on award tickets as well as inflight food and beverage purchases.

New applicants can earn 175,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership. This card features an annual fee of $550.

For more information, check out our review of the Hilton Aspire Card.

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What to consider when choosing the best card

There’s no denying that there are a lot of credit card options from which to choose. However, there are a few important things to consider when trying to pick the one that’s best for you.

However, one of the great things about having so many cards at your disposal is that you’re not locked into a long-term commitment. If you want to try a new card, you can earn the welcome bonus and utilize the perks for the first year. Then, if it’s not worth keeping, you can cancel it. (Just don’t do it before the first year is up.)

Preferred rewards

First, it’s critical to think about your preferred rewards currency. Do you want cash back or travel points? Are you interested in rewards in a specific airline or hotel loyalty program? Part of this may be geographical. After all, earning American miles if you’re based in Atlanta may not be worthwhile, given Delta’s hub. However, if you live in Charlotte or Philadelphia, American may be a much better option.

Alternatively, consider earning transferable rewards on cards like the Sapphire Preferred, Amex Gold or Capital One Venture. These points or miles convert to a number of airline and hotel partners, allowing you to book premium flights or luxury hotels by leveraging program sweet spots.

Welcome bonus

Most cards offer welcome bonuses to new applicants, and these are a great way to quickly boost your account balance. Cards sometimes offer limited-time, elevated offers, so if you time it right, you could take home a ton of points or miles that can go a long way toward your next trip.

Spending habits

Before you commit to a new card, take stock of your everyday spending habits. Most cards offer extra rewards in select categories of purchases, so you should pick one that matches where you spend your money.

Are you a prolific chef at home? Go for a card with a category bonus at grocery stores. Love dining out? Get one with a bonus at restaurants. Or, if your spending is all over the place, get a card that offers a solid earning rate on all purchases.

Annual fee

Finally, consider whether the cost of the card is worth it. The most rewarding cards out there typically impose an annual fee, and while this confers many perks, not all of them may be useful to you. While the welcome bonus typically offers enough value in year one, it’s a harder decision after that. Crunch the actual, real-world value you can get from the card to make sure you get at least enough to cover the annual fee.

Related: The 7 best credit cards with annual fees under $100

How we chose the best credit cards

We chose the best credit cards based on a range of factors, including earning rates, welcome offers, benefits and perks.

To read more about how TPG evaluates and chooses cards to spotlight in our roundups, check out our methodology.

Redemption options for the best credit cards

It’s no coincidence that the vast majority of the cards on this list earn transferable rewards (the only exceptions are the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and the Chase Freedom Flex, though the latter becomes transferable in my wallet when paired with the Sapphire Reserve). That’s because this type of rewards offers immense flexibility to book incredibly valuable trips.

For example, let’s say you want to book a flight to London by leveraging your Amex Platinum. Your first option is through American Express Travel, which offers a value of 1 cent per point. Alternatively, you can transfer Amex points to Delta, though SkyMiles award rates tend to be sky high.

However, there’s another option: Transfer your Amex points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which can offer incredibly low rates to Europe — including economy and business class.

Bottom line

Whenever someone asks me to name the best credit card, I always say that it depends. There are so many cards that could work for the average traveler, so it’s critical to take some time to analyze what you want out of a card and where you spend your money.

And if you’re still overwhelmed, you really can’t go wrong with any of the cards on this list — especially if you want to dip your toes into maximizing your rewards for your next trip.

Related: Why there’s no such thing as the ‘best’ credit card

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For the rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
For the rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click here.
For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) charges a hefty $795 annual fee — so is it worth adding to your wallet? For travelers who value luxury perks, it’s likely worth it.

The Sapphire Reserve delivers exceptional value to those ready to maximize its benefits. However, budget-minded travelers may not appreciate what the card has to offer.

Right now, new applicants can earn a welcome bonus of 100,000 points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit* after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening.

This bonus is worth up to $2,550 per TPG’s July 2025 valuations of Chase points, and is an excellent way to collect a chunk of points upfront.

Here’s who might — and might not — want to add the Chase Sapphire Reserve to their wallet.

*The promotional credit is valid for a one-time use only; if you apply the promotional credit to a transaction less than $500, you will forfeit the remaining balance.

Who should get the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Let’s explore why you may want to add the Chase Sapphire Reserve to your wallet.

You spend a lot on travel

The Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit. This credit is very flexible and automatically applies to the first $300 spent on travel with the card.

Travel is a broadly defined category on the Sapphire Reserve, so it’s easy for frequent travelers to use.

You value lounge access

The Sapphire Reserve grants access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and more than 1,700 Priority Pass lounges for cardholders and up to two guests at no charge. When traveling with a Star Alliance airline, cardholders also receive access to more than 20 Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges.

If you fly frequently in or out of an airport with a Chase lounge or value Priority Pass membership, this card is the ticket.

You want luxury hotel perks

Sapphire cardholders also receive access to The Edit by Chase Travel, Chase’s luxury hotel collection. This program is only open to those who hold a Sapphire Reserve or J.P. Morgan Reserve® Card.

The information for the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

If you don’t have elite status with popular programs such as Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors — or you want to stay at boutique properties outside of these programs and still receive perks — The Edit properties provide comparable benefits like complimentary breakfast, early check-in, late checkout and complimentary upgrades (when available). Plus, the Sapphire Reserve offers up to $500 annually in The Edit credits.

If you enjoy staying at IHG properties, this card also provides automatic IHG One Platinum elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027).

You want to maximize redeeming your points

Sapphire Reserve cardholders are eligible to redeem Chase points through the Chase Travel portal with the Points Boost accelerator. With Points Boost, you can redeem your Chase points for select hotel bookings and flights through Chase Travel at a value of up to 2 cents per point. (This depends on the redemption you choose; see your rewards program agreement for full details.)

With Points Boost, we’ve seen hotels near Disneyland for just 17,000 Chase points a night — instead of 57,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

You’re willing to book through a portal to earn double the points

If you’re open to booking with the Sapphire Reserve through the Chase Travel portal, you’ll earn 8 points per dollar on those purchases. This is double the return you’d receive with the card on flight or hotel bookings made directly with the airline or property (4 points per dollar spent).

If you don’t have elite status or loyalty to a particular airline or hotel, booking with the portal could help you earn more on your booking.

You have a Chase card that earns cash back

Pairing the Sapphire Reserve with a Chase cash-back card is a smart way to boost your rewards.

That’s because you’ll be able to transfer your points to one of Chase’s 14 loyalty program partners when you also hold the Sapphire Reserve. Transferring to partners allows you to unlock the value of Chase points at 2.05 cents per point, per TPG’s July 2025 valuations.

If you have a Chase cash-back card — but not one that allows you to transfer Chase points to transfer partners such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) — adding the Sapphire Reserve could be a good option.

Some cards that pair well with the Sapphire Reserve are:

The information for the Chase Freedom Flex has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

You value strong travel protections

The Sapphire Reserve is an excellent card for travel and shopping protections. The card provides trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.

Related: The ultimate guide to the best credit card combinations

Who shouldn’t get the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great choice for many travelers, but it isn’t for everyone. Here are some reasons this card may not be ideal for you.

You rarely travel

The Sapphire Reserve is designed for frequent travelers. Its flexible annual travel credit and multiple statement credits toward travel-related purchases are geared toward them. Plus, if you don’t need airport lounge access because you aren’t flying much, the Sapphire Reserve likely isn’t the card for you.

You prefer cash back

The Sapphire Reserve earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points for spending. If you’d prefer cash-back rewards, apply for a card that earns cash back instead.

You won’t maximize most of the statement credits

The Sapphire Reserve comes with a long list of statement credits for multiple types of spending. This includes up to $300 in annual StubHub and Viagogo credits through Dec. 31, 2027 ($150 biannually), up to $300 in annual dining credits with Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables and up to $300 in annual promos with DoorDash through Dec. 31, 2027.

Maximizing these credits is a sure-fire way to get the full value out of the card in exchange for its high $795 annual fee. However, if you aren’t interested in keeping track of statement credits or want a simpler card, the Sapphire Reserve may not be for you.

You currently hold the Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card does not cancel out the Sapphire Reserve by any means, since the cards are quite different. The Sapphire Preferred doesn’t offer lounge access and the Sapphire Reserve no longer has a general travel bonus category, so it may make sense to hold both cards in some circumstances.

The reason you may not want the Sapphire Reserve if you already hold the Sapphire Preferred is the welcome bonus. Due to Chase’s updated welcome bonus eligibility requirements, you’re unlikely to earn the Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus if you currently hold the Sapphire Preferred.

This could mean missing out on a significant part of the Sapphire Reserve’s overall value, so you may want to skip the premium card if you’re happy with your Sapphire Preferred.

If you’re thinking of upgrading to the Sapphire Reserve from the Sapphire Preferred, you’ll gain more from Points Boost redemptions — but you’d lose out on the general travel bonus category. Consider what you’d gain and what you’d lose before making the decision.

You’ve applied for 5 or more cards in the last 24 months

Chase’s famous 5/24 rule restricts those who have opened five or more cards in the last 24 months from being approved for one of its cards.

If you’re over 5/24, you may want to consider another premium card until you’re back under the threshold. The Platinum Card® from American Express or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card could be good options in its place — or you could wait to submit your Sapphire Reserve application.

As with most premium cards, you may also have trouble qualifying if you’re new to credit entirely.

Bottom line

Despite its high $795 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve could make an excellent addition to the luxury traveler’s wallet. This is especially true if you’re a frequent traveler who values lounge access, wants to maximize their points redemptions and would book through the Chase Travel portal often.

Occasional travelers, budget-conscious consumers and those who prefer cash-back rewards would be better with another option.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

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Points, miles and credit card bonuses are what lit the travel flame for me once I entered my mid-30s and decided to prioritize travel in my life.

I have more than two dozen credit card accounts on my credit report, which have fed my travel addiction and enabled me to fly in the front of the plane all over the world. Since I started at TPG more than five years ago, my credit card habit has only grown.

But the biggest transformation for me has been in seeing how credit card bonuses can unlock the world of travel for everyone.

No matter if you want to fly business class to Asia or are eager to see grandma for Christmas for free, there is a credit card that can empower you, too.

These are my picks for the best credit cards that unlock amazing travel experiences thanks to points and miles.

The best credit cards

*TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.

**The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Comparing the best credit cards

Here are my top recommendations for the best credit cards.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: The Sapphire Preferred offers lucrative earning rates and valuable perks like 2 points per dollar spent on travel and 3 points per dollar spent on dining purchases. It’s one of the best beginner credit cards, and I tell newbies to go with this card first when they’re ready to get into the world of credit card rewards.

That being said, the Sapphire Preferred isn’t just for beginners. I consider myself an expert, and it’s a card I use again and again because of its lucrative earnings and — the best part — its roster of more than a dozen stellar Chase transfer partners.

If you’re looking for a product that offers several lifestyle credits, excellent travel perks and is still within the Chase family, consider the recently refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees).

Both Chase Sapphire cards let you transfer points directly to World of Hyatt and Air France-KLM Flying Blue, where you can book hotel rooms and flights that provide maximum value. Over the years, I’ve used Chase points to book stays at some of the nicest hotels in the world, including the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome.

I’ve also used my Chase points to transfer to Air France for some amazing redemptions in business class. This allows me to get even higher value when redeeming my points.

Of course, leveraging transfer partners may not be for everyone. If this is you, the easiest way to use your stash of points may very well be through Chase Travel.

I love the points-earning power of my Chase Sapphire Preferred. I also manage to use the $50 Chase Travel hotel credit every year, which helps offset more than half of the $95 annual fee. If you are looking for a great card with a low annual fee and lots of perks, the Sapphire Preferred is an excellent place to start.

For more information, check out our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $395.

Standout benefits: If your goal, like mine, is to earn more than 1 point or mile per dollar on everyday purchases, the Capital One Venture X can be a solid addition to your wallet. This card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on nonbonus items like toys, clothes and utilities.

Most cards only offer bonus rewards in special categories like dining, groceries and gas. The base earning rate on the Capital One Venture X is like having a guaranteed bonus. Plus, cardholders earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked via Capital One Travel, which equates to a pretty sweet deal.

The Venture X has a $395 annual fee, but that’s easily offset by a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit and an extra 10,000 bonus miles received each account anniversary.

Remember that Capital One also has 15-plus transfer partners, so you can send your miles to airlines and hotel partners to really maximize your redemptions. This card also gets you access to Capital One Lounges and lounges in Capital One’s partner network.

For more information, check out our review of the Capital One Venture X.

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Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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American Express Gold Card

Welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible to earn as high as 100,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Annual fee: $325.

Standout benefits: This card has been on my wish list for years, but Amex won’t issue it to me since I already have over two dozen cards. The best thing about the Amex Gold (aside from the welcome bonus, of course) is that you get bonus miles in two huge categories: dining and groceries.Cardholders earn 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). This is a generous earning bonus for these two categories, which make up a big chunk of my budget. I also love that cardholders can earn 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

The plethora of statement credits almost entirely offsets the card’s annual fee. This includes up to $120 in Uber Cash (up to $10 per month, valid for rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. after using any Amex card when adding the Amex Gold to your Uber account) and up to $120 in dining statement credits with eligible dining partners (up to $10 per month). Enrollment is required.

Pro tip: Remember to look for transfer bonuses that Amex runs with travel partners so you can turn your points into miles and book airfare.

For more information, check out our review of the Amex Gold Card.

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Apply here: Amex Gold

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: This is another great card, whether you are new to points and miles or use it as part of a bigger strategy. Just like the Venture X, you earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. This makes the Venture Rewards a solid earner on purchases that don’t otherwise fall into a bonus category.

I like that you can redeem these miles at 1 cent each against any travel charges you put on the card, which makes for a decent baseline redemption. You can also book flights, rental cars and hotels through Capital One Travel with your miles — also at a value of 1 cent apiece.

However, to get the maximum value out of your miles, you should transfer them to one of Capital One’s 15-plus hotel and airline programs.

Just one example? Transfer the miles to Air France-KLM Flying Blue and book fancy business-class seats from the U.S. to Europe starting at 60,000 miles plus taxes and fees each way.

For more information, check out our review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.

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Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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The Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible to earn as high as 175,000 after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Annual fee: $695.

Standout benefits: The Amex Platinum remains my favorite card because it offers an impressive number of benefits, perks and statement credits, plus stellar lounge access. While I find the $695 annual fee outrageous, the statement credits alone more than make up for it, so much so that I wrote a whole article about why I’ll never close it.These are among the benefits that, to me, justify the annual fee:

• Complimentary Gold status with Marriott and Hilton
• Up to $200 per calendar year in airline fee statement credits with an airline of my choosing
• Complimentary car rental status: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle, Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive
• Up to $200 in Uber Cash per calendar year, valid on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (this credit is divvied into monthly up to $15 credits, plus an up to $20 bonus in December; Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Platinum as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card)
• Up to $200 statement credit per calendar year for prepaid bookings with American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection when you pay with your Amex Platinum (note that Hotel Collection stays require a two-night minimum)

Enrollment is required for each benefit in the bulleted list above.

I also put all my airfare purchases on my Amex Platinum because I earn 5 points per dollar spent on airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) when I book directly with an airline or via Amex Travel.

I love getting access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, too. (Enrollment is required for select benefits.)

Additionally, I’ve had amazing success using my American Express Membership Rewards points several times in the past few years to transfer Amex points to Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue program. This allowed me to fly business class from New York to Paris and back for as few as 60,000 miles.

This remains my favorite card, even if I don’t typically use it for everyday spending.

For more information, check out our review of the Amex Platinum Card.

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Apply here: Amex Platinum

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The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.

Annual fee: $695.

Standout benefits: While I don’t have this card (yet), the best benefit by far is Pay with Points. Cardholders receive a 35% bonus when they Pay with Points on first- or business-class tickets through Amex Travel (up to 1 million points per calendar year). That means you essentially get to fly in the front of the plane on a steep discount when you pay with points.

The Amex Business Platinum comes with premium travel perks and business statement credits similar to the consumer Platinum Card, including Centurion Lounge access, a Priority Pass membership, an airline credit fee of up to $200 annually and Gold elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy (as outlined above for the consumer Platinum Card; enrollment may be required).

Several perks are also unique to the Business Platinum Card (enrollment required for select benefits; terms apply):

• Dell: up to $150 in statement credits on U.S. Dell purchases each calendar year, and an additional $1,000 in statement credits after spending $5,000 on the same card each calendar year
• Indeed: An up to $360 statement credit per calendar year (up to $90 per quarter)
• Adobe: A $250 statement credit after spending $600 on U.S. Adobe purchases each calendar year
• Up to $200 in Hilton credits per calendar year (up to $50 per quarter; Hilton for Business membership required)
• Up to $120 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. wireless telephone providers (up to $10 per month)

While I haven’t gotten the Business Platinum Card myself, it’s high on my wish list. I’ll try my luck at applying when I know I have some big purchases in the pipeline and can earn its massive welcome bonus.

For more information, check out our review of the Amex Business Platinum.

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Apply here: Amex Business Platinum

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Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn 90,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: I love my Ink Business Preferred card and its bonus categories — especially the online internet advertising category, which earns 3 points per dollar spent on up to $150,000 a year (then 1 point after that).

If you max out this annual bonus, those 450,000 points you earn can be used for travel bookings via Chase Travel for 1.25 cents each — but possibly more if you leverage Chase’s network of airline and hotel transfer partners and transfer bonuses (when available).

Chase points are very versatile, and I use mine as quickly as I earn them. If you own a small business or even have a business idea, you can apply using your Social Security number. If you’re looking for a solid business card, the Ink Business Preferred is a heavyweight, especially for the low annual fee of $95.

For more information, check out our review of the Ink Business Preferred.

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Apply here: Ink Business Preferred

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Bilt Mastercard

Welcome offer: None.

Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees).

Standout benefits: The best benefit of the Bilt card is the ability to earn points on paying rent without a transaction fee (see rates and fees).

As long as you make at least five purchases with the card each statement period, you can earn reward points on your rent payments — an incredible proposition for renters (since rent is typically a person’s largest monthly bill).

As a renter in New York City, the Bilt card is a must-have in my wallet. What’s even better is that this card offers the ability to make transaction fee-free rent payments without charging cardholders an annual fee (see rates and fees). Even if your landlord only takes checks, Bilt can send checks and automated clearing house direct deposits so you can earn points on the transactions (up to 100,000 points per year).

But that’s not the card’s only selling point. I also earn a large number of points on dining and pharmacy purchases every month. I use my Bilt card at Walgreens, where Bilt Rewards members can earn extra Bilt Points on purchases, no matter what credit card they use.

I earn 1 point per dollar spent on all Walgreens purchases, 2 points per dollar spent on Walgreens-branded items and 100 points per prescription refill (subject to certain exclusions). This specific perk alone has netted me thousands of points.

Dining is another solid Bilt reward-earning category. I earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining and 2 points per dollar spent on travel purchases. But on the first day of every month (aka “Rent Day”), these earnings double (excluding rent, up to 1,000 points).

Here’s an example of how those earnings can add up. On May 1, I spent $7.65 at the Chicago Athletic Association, $24.31 at Shake Shack and $20 at Starbucks. Because it was a Bilt Rent Day, I earned 22 points for dining on that $7 purchase, plus another 22 points for Rent Day. Shake Shack earned me 144 points, and Starbucks got me 60 points. That’s 248 points on just $51 in purchases.

With Bilt Rewards, the points really add up. The best feature, I think, is that Bilt often runs transfer bonuses to one or more of its 19 transfer partners. For example, back in January 2024, Bilt ran a 100% transfer bonus to Air France-KLM Flying Blue. I transferred 32,000 Bilt points to Air France, and, thanks to that transfer bonus, 32,000 points became 64,000 miles in my Flying Blue account — a truly stellar deal.

For more information, check out our review of the Bilt Mastercard.

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Apply here: Bilt Mastercard

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Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 miles after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months from account opening.

Annual fee: $650.

Standout benefits: I’ve written extensively about the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex over the years, and while the benefits have changed, it continues to hold a place in my wallet despite a high $650 annual fee.

The card gives some valuable statement credits (several of which require enrollment), including an up to $20 monthly Resy credit (up to $240 each calendar year) to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants. I’ve been able to use this credit at local Upper West Side neighborhood restaurants.

I’ve also been able to maximize the up to $10 per month credit for ride-hailing services (up to $120 each calendar year) with eligible providers within the U.S. I usually use it to get a Revel car service ride at least once a month.

The card also comes with an up to $200 annual Delta Stays statement credit. Last year, I was able to use it to save some cash on an Atlanta hotel reservation.

I like the annual companion certificate benefit as well. It lets you bring a companion with you on a round-trip ticket within the continental U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America for the cost of taxes and fees. This can even be used for domestic first-class tickets.

Then there’s the TakeOff 15 benefit, which I think is one of the Delta Reserve’s standout features, as it gives you a 15% discount on all Delta award tickets.

For more information, check out our review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve.

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Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex

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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Welcome offer: Earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months from account opening.

Annual fee: $550.

Standout benefits: The Hilton Aspire is another of my favorite credit cards. It comes with automatic top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, which has come in handy during multiple stays over the years of holding the card.

That status means you’re eligible for suite upgrades and get automatic executive lounge access (where there’s a lounge). You’ll also sometimes be granted early check-in or late checkout. No other hotel chain offers top-tier status just for keeping its branded card.

I recently got access to the swanky lounge at the Conrad Seoul in South Korea just for having Diamond status, saving me hundreds of dollars on food.

The card also has valuable bonus categories where you can really rack up the Hilton Honors points. Among the bonus categories are 14 points per dollar spent at hotels within the Hilton portfolio, 7 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com, 7 points per dollar spent on select dining at U.S. restaurants and 3 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.

As a Hilton Diamond, you also get a 100% points bonus at most Hilton properties.

You’ll get a bunch of statement credits to boot as well. These include up to $200 a year in airline incidental credits (broken up as up to $50 per quarter statement credits for eligible flights made directly with an airline or through amextravel.com) and another up to $400 in Hilton resort credits (broken up as up to $200 semiannually).

Finally, and potentially most lucratively, the card gets you a free night award that can be used at almost any Hilton property in the world. I’ve used mine over the years at the Niepce Paris Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton; the Waldorf Astoria Chicago; and the incredible Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

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Learn more: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

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What to consider when choosing the best card

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy for picking the best credit cards. There are several factors you should analyze before selecting which ones deserve a spot in your wallet.

Preferred rewards

First, consider the type of rewards you want to earn for your purchases. If you want simplicity, a cash-back card may be a great option since you generally have few limitations on how those rewards can be used. On the other hand, if you’re after free travel or want to really maximize your spending, you may be better off with a transferable rewards currency like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Welcome bonus

Earning a big haul of points or miles as a welcome bonus is typically the best way to quickly boost your rewards balance. This is particularly lucrative if one of the cards you’re considering has a limited-time offer. Just be sure to review each issuer’s eligibility requirements, and consider checking your credit score in advance of your application so you have an idea of whether you’ll be approved.

Spending habits

Before opening any credit card (or opening a new one), take some time to analyze your spending habits over the last year, along with how you’re earning rewards on any cards currently in your wallet.

If you spend a ton at restaurants, be sure you have a card that rewards you when making dining purchases. If you have a significant commute, pick up a card that rewards you for gas or transit expenses. It’s easy to double or even triple your earning rates for many purchases with the right combination of cards.

Annual fee

Finally, you should consider the out-of-pocket cost of any new card on your radar. While some have no annual fee (or skip the annual fee for the first year), others have hefty ones, as you saw in the list above.

In the first year, almost every card with a solid welcome offer will pay for itself (and then some), but you should take some time before you apply to make sure you can truly take advantage of that card’s benefits, both now and in the future.

How we chose the best credit cards

Many factors go into our selection of the best credit cards, including earning rates, welcome offers, benefits and perks. The cards I list above have personally allowed me to earn tens of thousands of dollars worth of rewards over the years.

You can learn more about how we analyze cards here at TPG on our methodology page.

Redemption options for the best credit cards

Most of the cards I list above have something in common: Several of them earn transferable points or miles … and that’s no coincidence. These rewards are incredibly valuable because of the flexibility they offer.

In most cases, you’re not locked into one airline and its partners or one hotel program and its participating brands. You are in the driver’s seat when it comes time to redeem.

For example, I want to fly business class on Virgin Atlantic from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) home to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in the carrier’s Upper Class on July 28.

The one-way flight I need is $10,185. I could use more than a million American Express Membership Rewards points to book it through American Express Travel. However, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has prices as low as 66,000 points (plus $898 in taxes and fees), and it, too, partners with Amex.

That means I can transfer 66,000 points from Amex to Virgin to book a seat that would have cost more than $10,000 in cash. That’s the power of points and miles.

Bottom line

My journey through the world of travel has been fueled by credit card bonuses and rewards. I always tell people that since they are going to be spending money anyway, they might as well earn points and miles on every charge and get something back.

Sometimes, the things we get back can be a whole lot better than just getting 1% to 2% cash back.

While there isn’t one perfect card, the ones I’ve discussed here are some of the best that work for my earn-and-redeem reward strategy. I hold several of the cards on this list and use them frequently, even paying exorbitant annual fees year after year after year, simply because of all the benefits these cards provide.

Weigh the pros and cons of each card before deciding which ones might work best for your unique spending patterns. And remember, if you’re unable to pay off your card balances every month, then opening a new card with a higher spending requirement to earn a welcome bonus may not be the best call. Instead, consider starting with a product that features a manageable spending threshold — and that you’ll use responsibly. The value of your credit card rewards significantly decreases if you accrue high-interest debt to earn them.

Apply the right strategy so you come out ahead. Happy shopping!

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
For the rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click termsConditions pid=”22504813″ overridetext=”here”].
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.

Transfer bonuses can offer lucrative opportunities to maximize your points and miles and work your way toward fantastic award redemptions. You can sometimes get significantly more value from your rewards by transferring them to an airline or hotel partner during one of these bonus periods.

Remember, though, that these are limited-time offers, so you’ll need to act fast if you find one that suits your travel plans.

We’ve compiled transfer bonus updates for most major programs with transferable rewards to make tracking these offers easier. Just note that transfer bonuses are sometimes targeted, so some may not be available.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening (see rates and fees).

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Active credit card transfer bonuses

We’re currently seeing multiple transfer bonuses from American Express and Chase, plus one from Citi.

Transfer from	Transfer to	Bonus details	End date
American Express Membership Rewards	British Airways Club, Iberia Club and Aer Lingus AerClub	30%	July 15
American Express Membership Rewards	Hilton Honors	up to 30%; targeted	Amex has not disclosed an expiration date for this offer.
American Express Membership Rewards	Marriott Bonvoy	20%	July 15
Chase Ultimate Rewards	Air Canada Aeroplan	20%	July 17
Chase Ultimate Rewards	Marriott Bonvoy	50%	Aug. 15
Citi ThankYou Rewards	Air France-KLM Flying Blue	20%	July 19

American Express Membership Rewards transfer bonus

American Express Membership Rewards is currently running three 30% transfer bonuses with loyalty programs that use Avios, including British Airways Club, Iberia Club and Aer Lingus AerClub. This means you’ll receive 1,300 Avios for every 1,000 points you transfer to any of these three programs.

These bonuses will end July 15.

There are many solid ways to redeem Avios transferred to these programs. These include short-haul flights within Europe and business-class seats from the U.S. to Spain.

Avios is a versatile currency that Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Loganair and Qatar Airways use. British Airways Avios can be moved to any of these loyalty accounts, which makes this transfer bonus stretch even further.

For instance, you could transfer your Membership Rewards points at a bonus to British Airways, then move your Avios to Qatar Airways Privilege Club to book a luxurious Qsuite at a great value.

American Express is also offering a targeted (up to) 30% transfer bonus to Hilton Honors. This targeted offer does not have a set expiration date, but check your accounts to see if you have access to this bonus.

Amex points typically transfer to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio. Several TPG staff members were targeted for the 30% transfer bonus, which means 1,000 Amex points will turn into 2,600 Hilton points. Another TPG staffer was only targeted for a 25% transfer bonus, which means 1,000 Amex points equate to 2,500 Hilton Honors points. Hilton uses dynamic pricing, so the number of points needed to book an award stay can vary depending on timing, seasonality and other factors.

How to earn American Express Membership Rewards points

If you’re looking to earn more of these valuable points, the following American Express cards could prove useful additions to your wallet:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible to earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible to earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

You can also earn extra Membership Rewards points when you enroll in Amex Offers and shop with Rakuten.

Based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations, Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents each, and our tests indicate that they transfer instantly to most of American Express’ transfer partners.

Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards points for maximum value

Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer bonus

Chase is currently offering a 20% bonus when you transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Air Canada Aeroplan through July 17. This means 1,000 Chase points will equal 1,200 Aeroplan points.

If you also have the Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees), you can receive an additional 10% bonus for every 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points transferred to Air Canada Aeroplan (up to 25,000 bonus points per year), meaning you could stack the offers to receive 30% bonus Aeroplan points.

Though Aeroplan prices award flights operated by Air Canada and select partners dynamically, the loyalty program still uses an award chart for most partner-operated flights. Therefore, you can often find sweet spots within the program.

For instance, we’ve seen availability to book short-haul domestic flights on United Airlines for 10,000 Aeroplan points, which would set you back 9,000 Chase points with this current transfer bonus. We’ve also seen first-class flights to Germany on Lufthansa for 90,000 to 100,000 points. This would cost 75,000 to 84,000 Chase points when you factor in the bonus.

As always, before transferring any points, make sure you find award availability since point transfers are irreversible.

You can also transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy for a 50% bonus. If you transfer 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you’ll get 1,500 Marriott Bonvoy points. This transfer bonus ends Aug. 15.

Since TPG values Marriott points at 0.7 cents apiece and Chase points at 2.05 cents per point, per our June 2025 valuations, we typically wouldn’t recommend transferring your Chase points to Marriott Bonvoy, as you’ll most likely lose value. However, if you need to top off your account or find a really good redemption rate, transferring your points may make sense. As always, it’s best to crunch the numbers and find availability before transferring your points.

Remember, transfers are irreversible.

Related: When to transfer Chase points instead of booking a hotel through Chase Travel?

How to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points

If you want to earn more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, the following Chase cards could make good additions to your wallet:

According to TPG’s June 2025 valuations, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2.05 cents each when maximized with travel partners. Most Ultimate Rewards transfers will process instantly.

Related: Chase Ultimate Rewards points: How to redeem for maximum value

Capital One transfer bonus

Capital One is not currently running any active transfer bonuses.

How to earn Capital One miles

If you’re looking to earn more transferable miles, the following Capital One cards are solid options to consider:

TPG’s June 2025 valuations peg Capital One miles at 1.85 cents apiece, and most transfers from Capital One will process instantly. For more details, check out our guides to the Capital One transfer partners and how to transfer Capital One miles.

Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer bonus

Citi ThankYou Rewards is currently offering a 20% transfer bonus to Air France-KLM Flying Blue. This means you’ll receive 1,200 Flying Blue miles for every 1,000 Citi ThankYou Rewards points you transfer. The bonus runs through July 19.

Flying Blue offers saver-level award pricing for some itineraries between the U.S. and Europe, starting at the following rates:

• Economy awards: 25,000 miles (one-way)
• Premium economy awards: 40,000 miles (one-way)
• Business-class awards: 60,000 miles (one-way)

With this transfer bonus, you could book economy, premium economy and business-class flights to Europe by transferring 21,000, 34,000 and 50,000 ThankYou Rewards points to Flying Blue, respectively. Plus, you can save even more of your hard-earned rewards if your itinerary is part of Flying Blue’s monthly Promo Rewards.

TPG tip: Though availability can be sparse when searching for business-class fares, be sure to look ahead using the program’s calendar search function and set award seat alerts through third-party websites.

How to earn Citi ThankYou Rewards points

These Citi credit cards could make useful additions to your wallet for earning Citi ThankYou Rewards points:

The information for the Citi Strata Card and Citi Rewards+ has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

TPG values Citi ThankYou Rewards points at 1.8 cents each, per our June 2025 valuations, and most transfers happen instantly.

Related: Citi transfer partners: Maximize your ThankYou points with these loyalty programs

Marriott Bonvoy transfer bonus

Though you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to various airlines, the program is not currently offering any transfer bonuses.

How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points

If you’re looking to earn Marriott Bonvoy points, the following Marriott cards may be of interest:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership and an extra 50,000 bonus points after making an additional $2,000 in purchases within the first six months.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn five free nights (each night valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn three free night awards after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Each free night award has a redemption level of up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 60,000 bonus points plus one free night award (valued at up to 50,000 bonus points) after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees.

According to TPG’s June 2025 valuations, Marriott Bonvoy points are worth 0.7 cents each. Some airlines take a few days (or even weeks) to receive the points.

Related: Marriott Bonvoy program: How to redeem points for hotel stays, airfare and more

Should you transfer points and miles?

We only recommend transferring points or miles if you have a short-term plan to use them. Many programs have implemented devaluations over the last few years, so speculative transfers could prove a losing proposition. Transfers are irreversible, and you don’t want to be stuck with thousands of points or miles in a program you have little use for.

If you don’t have a specific redemption in mind but still want to earn points or miles, you’re likely better off earning rewards through card welcome bonuses and everyday spending.

And we always recommend you ensure award availability before transferring your rewards.

Bottom line

When a program with a transferable currency offers a transfer bonus, it’s important to run the numbers to determine whether it is worthwhile.

Generally, you won’t want to transfer your points or miles without a specific redemption in mind. After all, a large part of the value of transferable points and miles comes from their flexibility, which you’ll give up when you convert them to a partner’s currency. However, a transfer bonus can help you get more value from your points and miles if you use a partner program frequently or plan to redeem soon.

Related reading:

I’m a big fan of Daily Drop. It’s a points, miles, travel, and credit card newsletter created by my friends, Kara and Nate (they run a big YouTube channel of the same name). Daily Drop keeps you informed about the latest news and information around points & miles, as well as updates across the airline and hotel industries.

While the newsletter is free, they also have a subscription service called Daily Drop Pro, which promises even more points deals, alerts, and tools to help you find the award availability you need for your next trip.

But does it deliver? Is it worth the price?

As Daily Drop has gotten bigger, I’ve gotten questions about the service from readers so I figured it was time to breakdown the service and talk about who it is right for.

What is Daily Drop Pro?

According to the team at Daily Drop, Daily Drop Pro was created to be your one-stop shop for flights and hotels (whether with points or cash), deals, and chatting with like minded people in their community forum. The service has five main features:

• Flight Points Search
• Hotel Points Search
• Deal Alerts
• Wallets
• Daily Drop Pro Lounge

Let’s walk through all of them.

Flights Point Search

There are lots of websites that let you search for points flights. In addition to Daily Drop, there’s Point.me, Seats.aero, Points Path (a chrome browser extension), and a few others. The space has become incredibly crowded in the last few years.

What makes Daily Drop Pro Different?
The main feature that I really, really like is that you change your preferences to narrow the results based on time of day, stops, duration, maximum points, and aircraft type (which is a feature that is unique to them). They also have a feature that lets you compare the cash rate but that just sends you Google Flights and I don’t think that a real selling point. I think the real edge here is that you can get really specific on the award flights you want, which is something the other services lack.

Hotel Points Search

Daily Drop Pro also lets you search for award space for hotels. There’s not a lot of other competitors in this space and Daily Drop has a ton of options that let you customize your results based on points, programs, award certificates, which hotel programs you can transfer credit cards points, and so many more. I think the hotel award search is the best in class and, like the flight search, its ability to let you get hyper specific is really awesome.

Deal Alerts

This feature lists points and cash deals. It’s really cool because you can see not only award fare sales (which happen all the time but are a pain in the butt to keep track of) but also cash fare deals. You can select your home airports, choose your preferred travel regions, and let the deals decide your destinations.

Daily Drop Pro’s points deals are detailed, too — showing the taxes and fees of an award, which program to book through and how the redemption stacks up to Daily Drop’s point valuations. It’s one of the more comprehensive deal feeds out there.

Wallet & Points Management

The Wallet lets to link your different accounts (award programs and credit cards) and have them all displayed in one place. Plus, it will remind you of all the perks, credits, and other benefits you get with each card / loyalty program.

If you have a lot of different cards, this can be really helpful because it can be confusing to remember all the perk and deals that come with each card. Heck, even I forget sometimes and I’m expert at this stuff (but when you start to have double digit cards, it’s a lot to remember)!

The Daily Drop Pro Lounge

The lounge allows you to chat with other members. It’s a message board and like all message boards it didn’t seem that active. It’s a good feature but not one that I would rely on given that there’s not a lot of activity on the forum.

How much does Daily Drop Pro cost?

Daily Drop Pro Membership is $149 a year.

Is Daily Drop Pro worth it?

I think Daily Drop Pro is a good product if you have a lot of credit cards and are heavy into the points & miles game. Inputting all your cards and membership programs takes some initial start up time but the ability to track all your points, benefits, and rewards in one place is really convenient. As I said, even I forget about card benefits sometimes. It’s hard to keep multiple cards in your head so having it in one place is nice.

The hotel award feature is definitely the best in class. And, while there are other airline search tools, I do like the increased search filters (especially the ability to filter by plane type!).

And the deals feature can allow you to keep track of all the deals happening in one place rather than subscribe to multiple newsletters and websites.

So, is the service worth $12 a month? I think so. Daily Drop Pro essentially bundles lots of other programs, improves on them, and puts them all into one dashboard for you and that is a real time saver. I think the service is definitely worth it.