Credit cards
Travel Rewards credit cards
Cards that earn transferable points or flexible travel credit rather than miles in one airline or hotel program. These are usually the ones worth holding first, because the points keep their options open.
American Express
American Express® Gold Card
Open to new applicants
A restaurant and supermarket card with a travel-points engine attached. The dining credits are narrow, so check the merchant list before you count them.
Offer: Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points
Annual fee$325American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Open to new applicants
The most credit-heavy card on the market. It only makes sense if you will genuinely use the Resy, Uber, hotel and entertainment credits.
Offer: Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points
Annual fee$895Bank of America
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Open to new applicants
The card gets considerably better if you already bank with Bank of America, because Preferred Rewards multiplies the earning rate.
Offer: 60,000 online bonus points
Annual fee$95Bank of America
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Open to new applicants
A no-fee travel card whose appeal is almost entirely the Preferred Rewards multiplier.
Offer: 25,000 online bonus points
Annual fee$0Capital One
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Open to new applicants
A flat 2x travel card with no categories to track. The mid-tier default for people who do not want a portal-credit routine.
Offer: 75,000 bonus miles plus a $300 Capital One Travel Stays credit
Annual fee$95Capital One
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Open to new applicants
The simplest premium card to justify: the travel credit and anniversary miles cover most of the fee without any monthly admin.
Offer: 75,000 bonus miles
Annual fee$395Capital One
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Open to new applicants
The no-fee entry point to Capital One Miles. Lower earning, but the miles behave the same way.
Offer: 20,000 bonus miles
Annual fee$0Chase
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Open to new applicants
Still the most sensible first travel card for most people. Modest fee, real transfer partners, useful trip protections.
Offer: 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points
Annual fee$95Chase
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Open to new applicants
Chase's premium card, and the key to The Edit hotel program. The credits are generous but tied to Chase Travel.
Offer: 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points
Annual fee$795Citi
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Open to new applicants
Citi's answer to the premium tier. Worth a look if you already live in the ThankYou ecosystem; otherwise the credits are narrow.
Offer: 75,000 ThankYou points
Annual fee$595Citi
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Open to new applicants
A wide set of 3x categories for $95, including supermarkets and gas, which most travel cards leave out.
Offer: 60,000 ThankYou points
Annual fee$95U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Open to new applicants
U.S. Bank's mid-tier travel card and the closest open substitute for the Altitude Reserve.
Offer: 20,000 bonus points
Annual feeNot verifiedU.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Open to new applicants
A dining-led no-fee card in the U.S. Bank Altitude family.
Offer: 20,000 bonus points
Annual feeNot verifiedWells Fargo
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey® Card
Open to new applicants
A $95 travel card with strong hotel and airline multipliers and a hotel credit that is easy to trigger.
Offer: 60,000 bonus points
Annual fee$95Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Open to new applicants
One of the better no-fee category cards: 3x across a wide set of everyday spending, and the points can transfer.
Offer: 20,000 bonus points
Annual fee$0American Express
American Express® Classic Green Card
Closed to new applicants
Closed to new applicants since July 2026. Still live for existing cardholders under the Classic Green name.
Offer: No public welcome offer
Annual fee$150U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Closed to new applicants
Closed to new applicants since November 2024. Still notable for 3x on mobile wallet spending, which nothing else matches.
Offer: No public welcome offer
Annual fee$400
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