Credit Cards
The travel cards worth carrying.
Honest editorial reviews of the credit cards we would actually recommend to a friend planning a trip. No pay-to-play rankings, no filler.
How we review cards. We evaluate every card on real math — welcome-bonus value, effective rewards rate after credits, and whether the perks pay for the annual fee. Our editorial rating is independent of any partnership. Read our editorial standards.
Travel Rewards
Chase
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The gateway travel-rewards card. Big welcome bonus, $95 annual fee, and points that transfer to airlines and hotels.
Rating 4.8Annual fee $95
American Express
American Express Gold Card
Four points per dollar at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, with transferable Amex Membership Rewards.
Rating 4.6Annual fee $325
Chase
Chase Sapphire Reserve
A premium travel card with a $300 annual travel credit and Priority Pass — the Sapphire Preferred with lounges.
Rating 4.5Annual fee $795
American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express
The premium travel card with the best lounge network — Centurion, Delta Sky Club, Priority Pass, and more.
Rating 4.4Annual fee $895
Capital One
Capital One Venture X Rewards
A premium travel card that returns more than its annual fee in credits and lounge access — before you swipe.
Rating 4.7Annual fee $395
American Express
American Express Green Card
Three points per dollar on travel, transit, and dining worldwide — plus Amex transfer partners, at a $150 annual fee.
Rating 3.9Annual fee $150
Capital One
Capital One Venture Rewards
A flat 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, transferable to airline partners — the Venture X's little brother at $95.
Rating 4.3Annual fee $95
Citi
Citi Strata Premier
The most underrated $95 travel card — 10x on portal hotels, 3x on the categories that matter, ThankYou transfer partners.
Rating 4.4Annual fee $95
US Bank
US Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature
4x on travel, gas, and EV charging at a $95 fee — the honest sleeper pick in the mid-tier travel category.
Rating 4.0Annual fee $95
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Autograph Card
3x across six major categories with no annual fee — the no-fee travel card that finally has real earning power.
Rating 4.5Annual fee $0
Hotel Cards
American Express
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Automatic Marriott Platinum status, a free-night certificate, and $300 in dining credit — a hotel card that punches above its class.
Rating 4.5Annual fee $650
American Express
Hilton Honors Aspire
Automatic Hilton Diamond status and $400 in annual Hilton credits — a hotel card whose credits alone justify the fee.
Rating 4.7Annual fee $550
Chase
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Chase's World of Hyatt card delivers the most valuable hotel points on the market — plus an annual free night at any category 1-4 property.
Rating 4.6Annual fee $95
Chase
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
The anniversary night alone often exceeds the $99 annual fee. Everything else is bonus.
Rating 4.3Annual fee $99
Chase
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
The most versatile Marriott co-brand — anniversary night, Silver Elite, and a $95 fee that pays back on one stay.
Rating 4.2Annual fee $95
Airline Cards
American Express
Delta SkyMiles Reserve
A premium Delta co-brand with Sky Club access and Medallion status boosts — for the loyal Delta flyer only.
Rating 4.0Annual fee $650
Chase
United Explorer Card
A mid-tier United co-brand that pays for itself on one round-trip a year via free bags alone.
Rating 4.1Annual fee $95
Chase
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
A domestic-only card that is a rounding error on cash value — except for those chasing Southwest Companion Pass.
Rating 3.9Annual fee $149
Bank of America
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
The card built around one perk that pays for itself annually: the $122 Companion Fare.
Rating 4.2Annual fee $95
American Express
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express
Free checked bags and priority boarding at $150 — for anyone flying Delta 2–4 times a year.
Rating 3.9Annual fee $150
American Express
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express
The mid-tier Delta card whose annual companion certificate typically pays for the entire $350 fee.
Rating 4.2Annual fee $350
Chase
United Club Infinite Card
A full United Club membership packaged with airline perks — for the frequent United traveler only.
Rating 4.0Annual fee $695
American Express
Aeroplan Credit Card
A U.S.-issued Aeroplan card that unlocks one of the best Star Alliance award programs at $120/year.
Rating 4.3Annual fee $120
Barclays
AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
The American Airlines card that gives you the welcome bonus for a single purchase — no spend hurdle.
Rating 3.7Annual fee $99
Barclays
JetBlue Plus Card
A JetBlue co-brand that pays for itself on one trans-con trip via free bag and anniversary points.
Rating 3.8Annual fee $99
Business Cards
Chase
Ink Business Preferred
The small-business version of the Sapphire Preferred, with a bigger welcome bonus and a broader 3x category.
Rating 4.8Annual fee $95
American Express
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The premium business card for high-spending operators — 1.5x on large purchases, 35% points rebate, and Centurion Lounges.
Rating 4.5Annual fee $895
Chase
Chase Ink Business Cash
A no-fee business card whose 5% categories cover exactly what small businesses actually spend on.
Rating 4.7Annual fee $0
Chase
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
The business version of the Freedom Unlimited — flat 1.5% that becomes 1.5x transferable points in the Chase ecosystem.
Rating 4.6Annual fee $0
American Express
American Express Business Gold Card
A business card that adapts to your spending — 4x on the two categories where you spend most.
Rating 4.3Annual fee $375
Cashback
Chase
Chase Freedom Unlimited
A no-fee cashback card that quietly becomes a 1.5x transferable-points earner in the Chase ecosystem.
Rating 4.7Annual fee $0
Chase
Chase Freedom Flex
Rotating 5% categories on $1,500/quarter — the highest cashback multiplier available on any no-fee card.
Rating 4.6Annual fee $0
Capital One
Capital One Quicksilver
The card for people who do not want to think about credit cards.
Rating 4.0Annual fee $0
Citi
Citi Double Cash
2% flat cashback with no annual fee — the benchmark against which every other cashback card is measured.
Rating 4.6Annual fee $0
Capital One
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards
Cashback rates on dining, grocery, and entertainment that beat every points-only card at similar spend.
Rating 4.2Annual fee $95
No Foreign Fee
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