FAVORITE CREDIT CARD OFFERS
This is not an exclusive list, but these are MY FAVORITE cards I used myself and recommend to others.
When it comes to earning credit card points and miles, I like to group cards into two main categories: primary cards and secondary cards. Primary cards earn flexible rewards points—like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards—that can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners. Secondary cards, on the other hand, are typically co-branded cards that earn specific points tied to one loyalty program (for example, a United card earns United MileagePlus miles).
I almost always recommend starting with a primary travel rewards card, since it offers more flexibility. Once you’ve got one of those in your wallet, it’s smart to consider adding secondary cards to support your specific travel goals. Business credit cards can fall into either category and often come with valuable sign-up bonuses and benefits—just like personal cards.
Here are my favorite credit cards to earn points and miles.
PERSONAL CREDIT CARDS
CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED
This is my FAVORITE beginner travel credit card. Spend $5,000 in three months and earn 75,000 points.
Why do I want this card?
- over $900 dollars worth of travel
- 11 transfer partners (including Hyatt, Southwest, United, JetBlue)
- primary rental car insurance
- trip delay insurance
- $50 annual hotel credit
- high earning categories
- 5x travel booked through the portal
- 3x on streaming, dining, online grocery (excluding Wal-Mart and Target)
- 2x on all other travel purchases
- low $95 annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
Is this card better than the Reserve?
I normally recommend this card over the Reserve for most people. Unless you fly a lot and want lounge access, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a better pick.
CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE
This is a PREMIUM card I recommend for people who fly a lot and enjoy perks like airport lounge access. Spend $5,000 in three months to earn 125,000 points. (Make sure you click the RESERVE option at the top of the page and not the PREFERRED).
Why do I want this card?
- luxury credit card
- $300 travel credit
- $500 travel credit (only the first year and must be used all at once AND it must be redeemed in the credit card portal)
- $250 semi-annual credit for The Edit hotels (must have a two night minimum stay)
- $150 semi-annual credit for StubHub
- $150 semi-annual credit to Chase Sapphire Exclusive Tables
- TSA/Global Entry Credit (up to $120 value)
- airport lounge access to Chase Lounges and Priority Pass (with two complimentary guests)
- Apple+ Subscription
- IHG Platinum Status through 2027
- $10 Lyft credit every month
- Free DashPass (through 2027)
- $10 DoorDash credit (excluding restaurants)
- $5 DoorDash Restaurant Credit every month
- $10 Peloton Credit every month
- primary rental car insurance
- trip cancellation and delay insurance (better than the preferred version)
- lost luggage insurance
- authorized users are $195
- High earning categories
- 8x points on purchases made through Chase Travel portal
- 5x points on Lyft Rides
- 4x points booked directly with hotels and airlines
- 3x on dining
- $795 annual fee
Is this better than the Preferred?
While the Reserve card does offer luxury travel perks, its high $795 annual fee is hard to justify for the average person. Unless you’re sure you’ll use all the credits that come with the Reserve, the Preferred is a better fit for beginners in the world of credit card points and travel rewards.
Important tip: The Sapphire Reserve’s annual fee typically posts within the first two months and usually does not count toward your minimum spending requirement for the welcome bonus—something to keep in mind when planning your spending.
If you’re just getting started with earning travel rewards through credit card points, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best beginner-friendly options available.
CAPITAL ONE VENTURE
This is another great intro travel credit card. Spent $4,000 in 3 months, and earn 75,000 points!
Why do I want this card?
- flexible points that transfer to multiple partners
- 2x points on all purchases
- 5x points on travel booked through the portal
- primary rental car insurance
- trip cancellation and delay insurance
- Baggage insurance
- TSA/Global Entry Credit
- $95 annual fee
- can only open a Capital One card once every 6 months
Is this better than the Venture X?
I actually prefer the Venture X, but the nice perk of Capital One, is that you can actually hold both the Venture and Venture X (you cannot do this with the Chase Sapphire).
CAPITAL ONE VENTURE X
This is a PREMIUM card I recommend for people who fly a lot and enjoy perks like airport lounge access. Spend $10,000 in six months to earn 100,000 points.
Why do I want this card?
- luxury credit card
- $300 travel credit
- 2x points on everything
- TSA/Global Entry Credit (up to $120 value)
- primary rental car insurance
- trip cancellation, delay insurance, and baggage insurance
- High earning categories
- 10x points on hotels and rental cars in the travel portal
- 5x points on flights booked in the travel portal
- 2x points on everything else
- airport lounge access through Priority Pass Select and access to Capital One lounges
- No cost for authorized user
- 10,000 anniversary points
- Cell Phone protection
- Hertz President’s Circle Status
- $395 annual fee
Is this better than the Venture?
I prefer the Venture X because it comes with better perks, and if you use the $300 travel credit (which we will easily use on something like a rental car), it makes more sense to have the Venture X.
AMEX GOLD CARD
This is a GREAT card, but it comes with an annual fee of $325. It has WONDERFUL airline transfer partners. You can also transfer to Hilton at a 2:1 ratio. Spend $6,000 in 6 months to earn up to 100,000 points.
Why do I want this card?
- Up to 100,000 point welcome bonus
- $325 annual fee
- High earning categories
- 4x points at Supermarkets (up to $25,000 in a year)
- 4x point on dining (up to $50,000 in a year)
- 3x points on travel booked with the airline or with Amex travel
- 2x points on hotels booked through Amex travel
- 1x on everything else
- Extensive list of transfer partners
- Transfers to Hilton at 2:1 ratio
- Link your Rakuten account, and earn even more points
- Various credits monthly credits
- $7 Dunkin’
- $10 Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, Wine.com, or Grub Hub
- $10 Uber Credit
- $50 semi-annual Resy credit
- Rental car insurance
- baggage insurance
Why the Gold Card?
This has a much lower fee than the Amex Platinum, but it has a lot of potential with earnings categories. With 4x on goricieies and dining, this makes it solid card with great earning potential.
AMEX PLATINUM
This is honestly one of my favorite credit cards. It has an elevated offer up to 175,000 points after $12,000 of spend in six months.
It has WONDERFUL transfer partners, and I know the annual fee sounds high ($895), but this card easily saves me THOUSANDS of dollars.
Why do I want this card?
- up to 175,000 point welcome bonus
- $895 annual fee
- Earning categories
- 5x points on hotels booked in the portal
- 5x points on flights booked in the portal
- 1x on everything else
- Extensive use of credits
- $155 Wal-Mart+ Annual Membership (credited monthly)
- Lounge access to Centurion Lounge network
- this access also includes Priority Pass, where you can take in two guests
- $300 Lululemon credit (broken into four $75 annual credits)
- $600 Fine Hotel Credit (divided into two $300 semi-annual credits – this also comes with $100 resort credit, breakfast for two, and guaranteed 4 P.M. Check out)
- $200 Uber Cash Credit ($15 used monthly, $20 in December – this can also be used for Uber Eats)
- $120 Uber One Credit
- $200 Airline Fee Credit (must select a qualifying airline)
- $209 Clear Plus Credit
- $400 Resy Credit (broken into four $100 quarterly credits)
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit ($25 credits to be used monthly, think Disney+, Hulu, or even YouTube TV)
- $100 Saks credit (broken into two $50 semi-annual credits)
- $200 Oura Ring Credit (only for the ring itself, not the membership)
- $300 Equinox Credit
- Extensive list of transfer partners
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
- Hilton Honors Gold Statues
- Link your Rakuten account, and earn even more points
- Rental car insurance
- baggage insurance
Why the AMEX Platinum?
The annual fee is high, but the credits more than pay for itself. It has wonderful travel insurance, and the sign up bonus is incredibly high. I’ve quickly fallen in love with this card and all the credits, it will be in my wallet for a long time.
WORLD OF HYATT CARD
The World of Hyatt Credit Card isn’t one I recommend right away, but it is a good one to add to your wallet if you stay at Hyatt’s frequently and are interested in earning status. Right now it has an elevated offer, so it is definitely one to consider.
Why do I want this card?
- earns 60,000 bonus points. 30,000 bonus points after $3,000 of spend and then 30,000 more points (2x on every purchase up to $15,000 of spend within 6 months)
- 4x bonus points on Hyatt purchases
- 2x on dining, gym memberships, and airline tickets purchased directly through the airline
- One free night at a Category 1-4 property after your card anniversary and every year after (THIS IS HUGE, THIS CAN EASILY BE WORTH HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS)
- A category 1-4 night if you spend 15,000 dollars in an anniversary year
- 5 elite night credits towards status (there are perks if you can get to 20 nights, 30 nights, etc – see my article on Hyatt Status and Why I am Obsessed with it)
- Automatic Discoverist Status (free room upgrades within the same class of room booked)
- 2 Elite nights per 5,000 of spend, which allows you to reach status faster
We really do love this card!
This is honestly a card we use A LOT. We love our Hyatt status because we travel a lot, and this status saves us A LOT of money. However, I would say if you are taking one vacation a year at a Hyatt, it may not be worth it for you (unless you’re really just trying to accumulate those Hyatt points… they are so valuable!)
HILTON CREDIT CARDS – ELEVATED OFFERS!
There are three Hilton credit cards, each with their own individual perks. Right now ALL the Hilton Cards come with a FREE night certificate, in addition to points. Unlike Hyatt and Marriott, you can use a certificate at any hotel where there is standard availability.
Another perk of Hilton is if you have silver, gold, or diamond status, the fifth night on points is free, and Hilton also waives resort taxes and fees on award stays.
Hilton Honors Surpass Credit Card
- Earns 130,000 points with $3,000 of spend in six months
- Earning categories:
- 12x points at Hilton Proprieties
- 6x points on groceries
- 6x points on gas
- 6x points on dining
- 4x points online retail purchases
- 3x on other purchases
- $50 credit every quarter on eligible purchases made directly with Hilton ($200 a year)
- Complimentary Gold Status, which means the fifth night can be free when booked on points
- National Car Rental Emerald Club Status
Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card
- 175,000 point sign up bonus AND a free night certificate every year after $6,000 in six months
- Free night certificate is valuable – you can use this on ANY property as long as there is standard availability (this means you can stay at incredibly luxurious properties – think Conrads, Waldorf Astoria, etc)
- Additional free night after $30,000 spend
- Annual fee is $550
- Earning Categories:
- 14x on Hilton purchases
- 7x on Restaurants
- 3x on other purchases
- Complimentary Diamond Status (means free breakfast and fifth night free when you stay on points)
- $400 Hilton Resort Credit ($200 semi-annual credit on eligible purchases at Hilton properties)
- $200 quarterly (four credits at $50 each) on purchases made directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
- $199 CLEAR PLUS Credit
- National Car Rental Emerald Club Elite Status
- Baggage insurance
- Trip delay and cancellation insurance
- Car Rental insurance
- Cell phone protection
Hilton Honors Credit Card
- 70,000 points and A FREE NIGHT AWARD after $2,000 of spend
- no annual fee
- Earning categories:
- 7x points at Hilton Proprieties
- 5x points on groceries
- 5x points on gas
- 5x points on dining
- 3x points on all other purchases
- Silver Status
- 5th night free when four nights are on award bookings (free night doesn’t count)
- No foreign transaction fees
- NO ANNUAL FEE
SOUTHWEST PERSONAL CARDS
There are three personal Southwest cards. Each one will earn the Promotional Companion Pass until February 2027, but they all have different spend requirements, annual fees, and even bonus points.
SOUTHWEST PLUS
- 20,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- $99 annual fee
- Earning categories:
- 2x points on Southwest purchases
- 2x points on gas and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per calendar year
- 1x points on everyday purchases
- FREE checked bag for everyone on the reservation (up to 8 guests – this is a huge savings and pays for the annual fee in one round-trip flight)
- 10,000 points towards Companion Pass (these are not miles you can spend, but help you earn Southwest Companion Pass)
- 3,000 anniversary points every year
- Complimentary Standard Seat within 48 hours of departure when available
- Boarding Group 5 for card holder and up to 8 people on the reservation (which allows access to overhead bin space)
- 10% promo code each anniversary year
SOUTHWEST PREMIER
- 30,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- $149 annual fee
- Earning categories:
- 3x points on Southwest flights
- 2x on gas and grocery stores up to $8,000 in combined purchases per year
- 1x on other purchases
- One FREE checked bag for everyone on the reservation – up to 8 people
- 10,000 points towards Companion Pass (these are not miles you can spend, but help you earn Southwest Companion Pass)
- Complimentary Preferred Seat 48 hours prior to departure (if available)
- 6,000 points each anniversary year
- 15% off promo each anniversary year
SOUTHWEST PRIORITY
- 40,000 points after $5,000 spend in 3 months
- $229 annual fee
- Earning categories:
- 4x on Southwest purchases
- 2x points on gas and groceries
- 1x on everything else
- One FREE checked bag for everyone on the reservation – up to 8 people (this is a huge perk and is worth the annual fee)
- 7,500 points each anniversary year
- Complimentary Preferred Seat 48 hours prior to departure (if available)
My Favorite Business Credit Cards to Travel on Credit Cards Points and Miles
So many people are people eligible for business credit cards and do not realize it (do you sell goods on Facebook, eBay, yard sales? Do you tutor or teach piano? All of these would make you eligible for a business credit card. CLICK HERE for a guide about signing up for a business card).
Chase Business Ink Cash
This is my favorite business card. It has $0 annual fee, which makes it even better. The current sign-up bonus is 75,000 points after $6,000 of spend in six months. Note: It is advertised as cash back card, but you can transfer those points to your sapphire, and then transfer them to travel partners or book in the portal.
Why do I want this card?
- spend $6.000 in three months and earn 75,000 points
- points can move to your sapphire account, so you can transfer them to 11 different partners or use the portal
- Earning categories:
- 5% back at office supply stores – this means you can buy a visa gift card (on weeks when fees are waived) and earn 5x points (I try to keep this within reason and not abuse it)
- 5x points on internet, cable, and phone
- 2x points on gas and dining
- 1x points on everything else
Is this card better than other business cards?
I honestly think this is my top INK business card. I really like the option to get 5x back and office supply stores, where I can buy gift cards like Amazon, Target, and even VISA cards.
Chase Business Ink Unlimited
This is another great business card option. Every purchase is 1.5x points, and you earn 75,000 points after spending $6,000 in 3 months.
Why do I want this card?
- no annual fee
- cash back is actually points you can transfer to your Chase Sapphire card and then transfer to travel partner os use in the portal
- rental car insurance
- 1.5x on every purchase
Is this better than other business cards?
This is a great card to have because it always earns 1.5x points. So, if you don’t like thinking about what card to use where, this is a great option.
Chase Business Ink Preferred
ELEVATED OFFER!!! This is another great option, you can earn 100,000 points, but you must spend $8,000 dollars in three months (a little steeper than the other INK cards but a higher bonus). It has a $95 annual fee.
Why do I want this card?
- 3x points on travel and select categories like shipping, internet, cable, advertising
- 1x points on all purchase
- Transfer to travel partners or use in the portal
- Trip delay and cancellation insurance
- Rental car insurance
- $95 annual fee
Is this better than the other Ink cards?
This is a great card, but the $8,000 spend in three months is steep. If you do commit to this card, make sure you have a plan to hit the minimum spend.
Chase Business Ink Cash
This is my favorite business card. It has $0 annual fee, which makes it even better. The current sign-up bonus is 75,000 points after $6,000 of spend in six months. Note: It is advertised as cash back card, but you can transfer those points to your sapphire, and then transfer them to travel partners or book in the portal.
Why do I want this card?
- spend $6.000 in three months and earn 75,000 points
- points can move to your sapphire account, so you can transfer them to 11 different partners or use the portal
- Earning categories:
- 5% back at office supply stores – this means you can buy a visa gift card (on weeks when fees are waived) and earn 5x points (I try to keep this within reason and not abuse it)
- 5x points on internet, cable, and phone
- 2x points on gas and dining
- 1x points on everything else
Is this card better than other business cards?
I honestly think this is my top INK business card. I really like the option to get 5x back and office supply stores, where I can buy gift cards like Amazon, Target, and even VISA cards.
Southwest Premier Business Credit Card
You earn 60,000 Southwest points after spending $3,000 in three months. You will also get a free bag for each person up to eight people on your reservation (you can hold both Southwest Business Credit Cards, but you can only hold ONE Southwest personal credit card).
Why do I want this card?
- 6,000 points every anniversary year
- Select a standard or preferred seat 48 hours before departure
- 15% promo code each year on your anniversary (excludes basic fare)
- Earning Categories
- 3x points on Southwest purchases
- 2x on Gas Stations and Restaurants (up to $8,000 per year)
- 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental cars
- 2x points on transit and commuting
- 25% back on in flight purchases
- 2,000 tier qualifying points towards A List
- Group 5 Boarding for everyone on your reservation (up to 8 people)
- 10,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points (these count towards companion pass but can’t actually be used for flights)
- No foreign transaction fees
- $149 Annual fee
Is this better than the Southwest Performance?
I honestly recommend the Performance over the Premier, but there are times where this card makes sense. It is a much lower minimum spend, and a much lower annual fee, but the trade off is the sign up bonus is lower and there are less perks.
Southwest Performance Business Credit Card
80,000 points after $5,000 of spend in three months. This is my favorite card to pair with a Southwest Personal Credit Card to earn Companion Pass. You will also get a free bag for each person up to eight people on your reservation.
Why do I want this card?
- Spend $5,000 in three months, earn 80,000 Southwest points
- 9,000 anniversary points per year
- COMPLIMENTARY Preferred Seat at booking (this includes people in your party)
- Earning Categories
- 4x points on Southwest purchases
- 2x points on gas and restaurants
- 2x points on hotel accommodations made directly with the hotel
- 2x on local transit, commuting, and rideshare
- First checked bag free for you and up to 8 people on your reservation
- Boarding with Group 5 for you and up to 8 people on your reservation
- Extra leg room seat upgrade if available
- up to $120 TSA Pre-check, Global Entry, or NEXUS
- Annual fee $299
Which Southwest Business Credit Card do you recommend?
We personally like the Performance. It comes with 20,000 extra points for only $150 dollars more (most sites value Southwest points at 1.4 cents per point, so this can be an additional $280 in value).
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