Start with what you’re looking for. Maybe you want something simple, points you can move to airlines and hotels for one big trip, or lounges and luxury perks. Find the one that sounds like you, and we’ll show you a good place to begin.
Which card fits if you want rewards without the work?
No annual fee, very little effort.
You want rewards that build quietly in the background. No fee to justify, and a trip that costs a little less when you're ready to book.
Top pick
Capital One VentureOne Rewards
No annual fee
You earn 1.25 miles on every purchase, so there are no categories to keep track of. The miles can move to Capital One's airline and hotel partners, and most airline partners are 1:1. Capital One lists it as a card for excellent credit, so it fits best if your credit is already in good shape.
Why it fits
5X on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
No foreign transaction fees
Watch out for
5X only through Capital One Travel
Transfers aren't 1:1 to every partner
Details come from each issuer's terms and can change, so check the issuer's current terms before you apply.
Consider Bilt Blue if you pay rent or a mortgage and want to earn travel points from those payments. Points transfer to more than 20 airline and hotel partners on their own, most at 1:1. The housing rate depends on how much else you spend, so check the card page.
Why it fits
No transaction fee on rent or mortgage paid through Bilt
Up to 4X at Bilt partner restaurants
3X on Lyft once accounts are linked
Watch out for
Housing earns up to 1.25X or up to 1X, depending on the option you choose
Rent earns points only when paid through Bilt
Details come from each issuer's terms and can change, so check the issuer's current terms before you apply.
Not for you if: you want lounges and premium travel perks. The Bilt Blue is also not for you if you pay neither rent nor a mortgage, or if most of your spending falls outside rent, partner restaurants and Lyft.
Already have a Chase card? Freedom Flex points can move to travel partners once you also hold a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred, so it is a way to start with Chase.
Everyday Traveler
Which card fits if you take a few real trips a year?
The same trips, a notch nicer.
You take real trips a few times a year and want each one a little smoother. A modest fee is fine, as long as you don't need a spreadsheet to justify it.
Buttons marked "Apply here" are links we may be paid for if you are approved, at no cost to you.
Top pick
Capital One Venture Rewards
$95 a year
You get 2X miles on every purchase and no foreign transaction fees, which are the extra charges some cards add to purchases made abroad. There's also up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, two programs that shorten airport lines. The credit is one per account every four years, and the fee must be charged to the Venture card (only the first fee posted is credited). The miles transfer to Capital One's airline and hotel partners on their own, so there's room to grow when you're ready.
Why it fits
5X on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Miles can transfer to 15+ airline and hotel programs
Watch out for
5X only through Capital One Travel
Capital One lists it as a card for excellent credit; approval isn't guaranteed
Details come from each issuer's terms and can change, so check the issuer's current terms before you apply.
Up to $100 back each year on hotels booked through Chase Travel, plus travel protections like primary rental car coverage and trip cancellation coverage. Its points transfer to Chase's airline and hotel partners, so it's a good start if you'd rather build Chase points from day one.
Why it fits
3X on dining, gas and top streaming services (exclusions apply)
Up to $120 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS, if the fee is charged to the card
Points can transfer to partners including United, Southwest, World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy
Watch out for
5X and the hotel credit need Chase Travel
No airport lounge access
Details come from each issuer's terms and can change, so check the issuer's current terms before you apply.
Note: Venture earns a flat rate on every purchase, while Preferred earns more in categories like dining and travel.
Not for you if: you'd never use a travel perk, and a no fee card would do the same job.
Big Trip Saver
Which card fits if you're saving up for one big trip?
Saving up for the one trip that matters.
You're collecting points for something big, like a honeymoon, a safari or business class seats. You want points that can move to airline and hotel partners once the trip is picked.
Buttons marked "Apply here" are links we may be paid for if you are approved, at no cost to you.
Top pick
Citi Strata Premier
$95 a year
It earns 3X in broad categories including restaurants, supermarkets and gas, and 10X on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel. There's no foreign transaction fee and a $100 hotel benefit once a calendar year on one stay of $500 or more booked through Citi Travel, but no lounge access. Points transfer to 20 airline and hotel partners including American, JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic, so check that your airline is a partner.
Why it fits
3X on air travel and other hotel purchases
No fee for authorized users
Transfer partners also include Cathay Pacific, EVA Air and Choice Hotels
Watch out for
The $100 hotel benefit needs a $500 stay before taxes and fees
Details come from each issuer's terms and can change, so check the issuer's current terms before you apply.
It earns 4X at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 a year, then 1X) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 a year, then 1X), plus 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel. There's no foreign transaction fee. Points transfer to 20 airline and hotel partners, and the card has monthly Uber Cash and dining credits (the dining credit needs enrollment).
Why it fits
5X on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel
Up to $100 a year at U.S. Resy restaurants
Points can transfer to airline and hotel partners
Watch out for
Resy credit needs enrollment
Uber credit needs the card added to Uber
Details come from each issuer's terms and can change, so check the issuer's current terms before you apply.
Note: Leave your points where they are until you've picked the trip and found the seat or room. That's the moment to move them.
Not for you if: you're not saving for a particular trip and just want simple everyday rewards. The Gold is also not for you if you rarely eat out or buy groceries, or if its benefits wouldn't justify the fee.
Splurger
Which card fits if you want lounges and the good seats?
Lounges, perks and the good seats.
You travel enough to enjoy airport lounges, hotel perks and a little extra comfort along the way. You're willing to pay a higher annual fee, but only when the benefits are worth it.
Buttons marked "Apply here" are links we may be paid for if you are approved, at no cost to you.
Top pick
Chase Sapphire Reserve
$795 a year
Up to $300 in statement credits each year for travel purchases, plus Chase Sapphire Lounges and more than 1,300 Priority Pass lounges. Statement credits take money off your bill. Points transfer to Chase's airline and hotel partners.
Why it fits
8X on purchases made through Chase Travel
Chase Sapphire Lounge access, with up to two guests
Up to $500 a year for The Edit stays (up to $250 per prepaid booking, two-night minimum)
Watch out for
$195 for each authorized user
Several credits need activation or end on set dates
Details come from each issuer's terms and can change, so check the issuer's current terms before you apply.
You get the Global Lounge Collection, plus Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (enrollment required for each). Points transfer to 20 airline and hotel partners, but the fee is the highest on this page and the credits come with enrollment and partner rules.
Why it fits
5X on flights booked direct or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 a year, then 1X)
Centurion Lounges, plus Priority Pass membership (enrollment required)
Up to $600 a year in hotel credits (paid as up to $300 twice a year, on eligible prepaid bookings)
Watch out for
Hotel credit needs prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through Amex Travel
Delta Sky Club is 10 visits on eligible Delta flights
Details come from each issuer's terms and can change, so check the issuer's current terms before you apply.
It comes with a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles each year starting at your first anniversary, and lounge access for the primary cardholder, meaning the person whose name is on the account. Miles transfer to Capital One's airline and hotel partners on their own.
Why it fits
Capital One Lounges plus 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges for the primary cardholder (Priority Pass needs enrollment)
10X on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Up to $120 every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, if the fee is charged to the card
Watch out for
Any unused part of the $300 credit expires at your next account anniversary, and it works only on Capital One Travel bookings
Capital One lists it as a card for excellent credit; approval isn't guaranteed
Details come from each issuer's terms and can change, so check the issuer's current terms before you apply.
Note: These higher fee cards are worth considering only if you'll use their benefits. If you're not sure, a card from the Big Trip Saver list is the lower fee place to start, and you can move up later.
Not for you if: you won't use the credits and lounges enough to cover the fee.
What about the welcome bonus?
A welcome bonus can give your points a big head start. Just make sure the card fits your needs and you can meet the spending requirement with purchases you’d make anyway.
Offers change often, so each card page shows the current bonus, if it has one, and its terms. Our guide to spotting an elevated welcome offer shows how to tell a great one from an average one.
Already loyal to one hotel or airline?
If you already know the hotel or airline you’ll stay with, that brand’s own card is one place to look. This is a signpost, not a fifth pick, and the perks have conditions and can change, so read the card page and the issuer’s terms first.
Chase IHG One Rewards Premier
$150 a year
It gives you a free night every account anniversary on a room up to 50,000 points, and the fourth night free on standard room reward stays of four or more nights.
Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Reserve American Express cards
The personal and business versions give you at least 15% off the miles price on award flights booked on delta.com or the Fly Delta app, when the whole trip is on Delta or Delta Connection flights. That doesn't apply to partner airline flights or to taxes and fees, and the Blue card doesn't get it.
Other airline and hotel cards have their own perks and rules, so check the card page for the one you’re loyal to.
Before you apply
Start with the trip, not the card. A card only makes sense when it fits the travel you actually want, whether that’s a cheaper weekend away or a seat you’d never buy with cash. A new card is optional, and one is plenty if you want one.
Transfer means moving your card points into an airline’s or hotel’s own rewards program, where you book your flight or room. Our guide to how points transfers work has the full picture.
Results depend on how you spend and which award seats are open, and nothing here is guaranteed. Card terms and bonuses change, so check the issuer’s page before you apply.
How we picked these cards: Every card here had its terms checked on the issuer’s own pages when this guide was last updated, and we look for a fee that fits the type of traveler and points you can use. Whether a card pays us does not decide which cards we feature.
Your next move
Each card above has its own page with its fee, terms and any current welcome bonus. The card finder lets you browse and sort more of them.
