I contracted the travel virus quite young when my folks relocated us from Sydney to Seattle for a year during my tenth year. I recall feeling captivated by the distance we had covered—and just how lengthy that economy-class seat time was.
My love for traveling expanded further due to my experiences studying and working overseas in places like Japan, Mexico, and Spain, all while accumulating more time seated at the rear of airplanes.
I heaved a sigh of relief for both my back and my wallet upon uncovering the realm of points and miles roughly ten years ago. Ever since, traveling transformed into an entirely new experience: jetting around.
first class
to go see relatives over the Pacific and relax in an infinity pool at a
luxury resort
overlooking the Omani desert.
This is primarily due to credit cards — they account for at least six out of every ten frequent flyer points and miles acquired in the U.S.
Selecting the appropriate travel rewards credit card
— or
combination of cards
— has been crucial in enhancing my trips. Here are my four choices for the best travel credit cards and the reasons they stay in my wallet.
Amex Platinum
The American Express Platinum Card®
Has been a fixture in my wallet for numerous years. Despite this, it carries the most substantial annual fee among all cards listed here, amounting to $695 (see
rates and fees
), you can derive substantial value from it if you
optimize its wide array of statement credits
.
Unrivaled lounge access
This is the
top choice for individual cards to access lounges
since it provides entry to the most extensive collection
lounge networks
.
What I enjoy most when having a lengthy layover is taking a steaming-hot shower at a lounge. It feels incredibly luxurious to step off a night flight directly into a pristine, personal area filled with soft towels and high-quality toiletries—a routine that helps me regain my sense of humanity.
Considering how often I travel through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), I value the ability to utilize
Centurion Lounge
I gain entry irrespective of the airline or class I’m flying in for that particular trip (this can be particularly useful when making quick layovers to or from Austin, which serves as my main hub).
I also enter
Delta Sky Clubs
† occasionally use this card — however, I ensure not to reserve a basic economy ticket (as
they don’t allow access
).
†When you travel on same-day Delta flights, eligible Platinum Card members can enjoy up to 10 visits annually for access either to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go facilities during trips made on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
Useful hotel perks
The American Express Platinum offers cardholders free access to
Hilton
and
Marriott Gold elite status
, unlocking room upgrades, extended checkouts, and free breakfast (as offered by Hilton). Registration is necessary.
Actually, I composed this guide while staying at a Hilton location in Porto, Portugal. My total expense for the two nights was just $150, which covered a complimentary breakfast and three additional meals from the hotel’s restaurant.
That’s thanks to the up to $200
hotel statement credit
This card comes with, along with a $100 property credit that I got for making the reservation through this channel.
The Hotel Collection
.
(minimum two-night stay).
Frequent transfer bonuses
Amex
(and
Chase
) I prefer earning reward points, and they are some of the top rewards available.
most precious from any issuer
.
One thing I particularly enjoy about American Express is that they provide the
most frequent transfer bonuses
And a bountiful lineup of 18 airlines along with three
transfer partners
including two of my favorite programs: Air Canada Aeroplan and Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
I frequently travel between the East Coast and Madrid.
Iberia business class
, which
costs
Only 40,500 Avios for a one-way ticket. Considering a 30% transfer bonus, you only need 32,000 American Express points for this booking.
Learn more in our
complete analysis of the American Express Platinum card
.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
While the more affordable
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
(see
rates and fees
This is more than sufficient for an individual.
testing the waters in the realm of travel rewards
, its larger (and pricier cousin) the
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
(see
rates and fees
It caters more effectively to frequent travelers such as myself.
Leading benefits for trips and meals
Here’s the card I utilize for booking flights over the internet, covering transportation costs overseas, and settling bills at eateries whether they’re inside or outside the U.S. Annually, I accumulate thousands of reward points thanks to the card’s policy of awarding me triple points for every dollar spent on travel and food-related expenses.
Chase defines broadly
To incorporate elements such as bars and parking garages.
Next, I typically move them to my preferred loyalty partner.
World of Hyatt
For premium hotel bookings, for instance, my expenditure of $12,000 yielded 36,000 Chase points—sufficient for a 10-night accommodation in Cabo.
Effortless travel credit
The Sapphire Reserve has a steep annual fee of $550.
annual fee
becomes more appealing thanks to the
most flexible travel credit
out there.
I receive a statement
credit for the initial $300
Each anniversary year, I allocate funds for traveling. Given how much I travel—including flights, Airbnb stays, and using ride-hailing services—I usually hit the $300 mark within the initial two months of the year, which reduces my actual yearly expense to around $250.
Comfortable lounge access
Chase has an
impressive lounge network
, has opened multiple Chase Sapphire Lounges in recent years. Indeed, we designated the one located at New York’s LaGuardia Airport as the best.
top new lounges in the U.S.
last year.
The card includes a Priority Pass lounge membership, which proves useful during international travel, allowing me access to lounges in remote locations such as La Paz, Bolivia, and Da Nang, Vietnam.
(A
useful tip
To clarify, individuals who possess a Priority Pass membership have access to enter a Chase Lounge once per year—regardless of whether they hold an account.
Chase card
To gain entry, remember this rule applies to a single visit only, occurring once annually throughout the entire network.)
Strong travel protections
Although the American Express Platinum card provides
greater earnings from reserving flights
(5 points per dollar spent on the Platinum card (capped at $500,000 annually, after which it drops to 1 point per dollar) when booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel versus 3 points per dollar for travel expenses on the Reserve), I opt for the Sapphire Reserve instead. This is due to the benefits it provides.
more generous protections
versus missed connections and delayed luggage issues more so than nearly any other travel rewards credit card
Learn more in our
complete assessment of the Chase Sapphire Reserve
.
Capital One Venture X
The
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
It’s American Express’s response to the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards, offering substantial benefits. Since its launch in 2021, I have frequently recommended this top-tier travel rewards card as my premier choice.
Affordable annual fee
The $395
annual fee
is the least expensive on this list — and more justifiable, as Capital One effectively provides me with $90 every year I retain the card.
You receive a $300 yearly allowance.
travel credit
Available exclusively via Capital One’s portal, this reduces the effective fee to $95. Additionally, you receive 10,000 annual anniversary miles, valued at $100 by Capital One — although
we peg them
at $185 if maximized.
It’s essentially being compensated for holding onto the card.
Strong everyday earnings
This card ranks among the best ones I frequently utilize.
non-bonus spending
. It offers unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on everything you buy (except travel booked through the Capital One portal, which
offers elevated rates
but comes with
drawbacks
when booking flights).
I’ve lately realized the benefit of moving Capital One miles to two different hotels.
partners
.
I reserved a room near the Carnival parade path in Barranquilla, Colombia — enjoying street dances during the day and resting in a tidy, peaceful room at night — everything made possible with merely 7,500 miles transferred.
Wyndham Rewards
Not too shabby for a city where last-minute hotel rooms were priced at $300 per night.
And I have redeemed 45,000 points through
Choice Privileges
To spend three nights at an upscale hotel (which includes complimentary breakfast) in Helsinki, Finland during the Kylie Minogue concert. (Choice Hotels has significant presence in pricey Scandinavian nations, making redemption with points particularly rewarding there.)
Premium rental car perks
In the end, I have utilized my Venture X for car rentals.
Hertz*
For extended stays of a week in Austin—and piled up some fantastic benefits in the process, such as:
- Utilizing the $300 yearly travel credit when making reservations via Capital One Travel
- Gaining 10 miles for every dollar spent on hotels and car rentals arranged via Capital One Travel
-
Having peace of mind thanks to built-in
rental car insurance -
Gain entry to any vehicle within the President’s Circle aisle, all because of
premium status from this card
Discover more in our complete guide
evaluation of the Capital One Venture X
.
*When you sign up via the Capital One website or mobile application, eligible cardholders will maintain their current status throughout the promotion period. Keep in mind that signing up using the standard Hertz Gold Plus Rewards registration process—such as on Hertz’s official site—won’t recognize your eligibility for this program, nor will it upgrade you to the corresponding elite tier. Further conditions may apply.
Hilton Aspire
My
preferred hotel co-branded credit card
—and the last selection on my list—is the
Hilton Honors Names American Express Aspire Card
Although I have elite status with some of the program’s leading competitors like Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott, this card provides me with the highest value among hotel credit cards.
The data regarding the Hilton Amex Aspire card has been gathered independently by The Points Guy. The specifics of the card featured on this page have not undergone review or provision by the card issuer.
Rewarding elite status
The Aspire’s complimentary
Diamond status
consistently gets me excellent
complimentary breakfasts
When traveling internationally, U.S.-based properties provide a somewhat diminished food and beverage credit. Additionally, I get access to the executive lounge when it’s offered. During my last visit to the Hilton Belfast, the complimentary appetizers during the evening reception were plentiful, helping me save on dining expenses.
I have similarly been presented with considerate welcoming presents such as port wine (from my present hotel), chocolate boxes, and fruit platters.
High-value free nights
You receive a
free night award
At nearly every Hilton location around the globe annually, you can use this card.
The previous month, I utilized my complimentary hotel voucher to enjoy a converted abbey functioning as a castle near Galway, Ireland – easily one of the most remarkable experiences from using such rewards, which saved me over $500 typically charged for this place. This accommodation featured a stony turret, walls adorned with ivy, along with a crackling hearth – all without spending anything directly from my wallet.
Useful travel credits
This card boasts a high value of $550.
annual fee
—but it can be justified if you do
maximize its credits
.
Each quarter, I utilize the flight credit to increase my United TravelBank Cash balance.
use this hack
To merge my two semi-annual up to $200 Hilton resort statement credits into a single stay each year.
Learn more in our
complete assessment of the Hilton Aspire
.
Bottom line
Points and miles have transitioned my travel experience from cramped hostel bunks and rear-middle airplane seats to luxurious flat-bed flights and high-end hotel accommodations that were previously beyond my budget.
I might handle more than 25 credit cards, yet these four premier travel credit cards always carry the most value. They have not only transformed my travels but also provided me with a lifetime of freedom, flexibility, and enjoyment. That’s the impact of using credit cards, points, and miles effectively.
Using the proper credit card tactics can turn travel expenses into rewards rather than costs.
Related:
Top luxury credit cards: A comparative analysis
To view the rates and fees for the Amex Platinum Card, please click.
here
For Capital One products featured on this page, certain benefits might be offered by Visa® or Mastercard® and can differ based on the specific product. For more information, check the individual Guide to Benefits, as terms and exclusions apply.
Editorial disclaimer: The views expressed herein belong solely to the author and do not represent the opinions of any bank, credit card company, airline, or hotel chain. These organizations have neither reviewed nor provided approval for these statements, nor have they endorsed them in any way.
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