*Some links on this page may be referral links, meaning I may receive a bonus if you're approved. I only recommend cards I personally use or would confidently recommend to friends and family.
I don't believe everyone needs ten credit cards.
I believe in opening the right cards at the right time to help your family travel more for less.
Every card on this page is one I either carry, have carried, or would confidently recommend to someone I care about.
Travel Cards I Recommend
Personal Travel Cards
Flexible Point Earning Cards
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- Up to $100 annual Chase Travel℠ hotel credit
- 5x on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining
- 3x on select streaming services
- 3x on online grocery purchases
- 2x on other travel purchases
Key Benefits
If you're just getting started with points and miles, this is the card I recommend most often. It has a reasonable annual fee, earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, and gives you access to some of the best airline and hotel transfer partners.
Why I Recommend It
Beginners and anyone looking to earn flexible travel rewards.
Best For
75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Current Welcome Offer
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- $300 annual flexible travel credit
- Complimentary access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass lounges for the primary cardholder plus two guests
- $500 annual credit for Chase The Edit Hotels
- $300 annual credit for Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables
- $120 annual Lyft Credits
- $300 annual Stub Hub Credits
- 1:1 Transfers to World of Hyatt
Key Benefits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve isn't the right card for everyone, but for frequent travelers—especially Hyatt loyalists—it can be well worth the annual fee. It offers premium travel benefits, some of the best travel and rental car protections available, airport lounge access, and is now the only personal Chase card that still transfers Ultimate Rewards® points to Hyatt at a full 1:1 ratio. If you'll consistently use the included credits and benefits, this card can deliver tremendous value.
Why I Recommend It
Frequent travelers who value premium travel perks, airport lounge access, and maximizing Hyatt redemptions.
Best For
100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Current Welcome Offer
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- Unlimited 2x miles on every purchase
- $300 annual Capital One Travel credit (I usually use mine for rental cars.)
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary (worth at least $100 toward travel)
- Complimentary lounge access for the primary cardholder at Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges
- Option to add authorized users who can also receive lounge access (additional fee may apply)
- Excellent travel and rental car protection
Key Benefits
If you travel at least once a year, don't let the $395 annual fee scare you. Between the annual travel credit and anniversary bonus miles, this card can easily pay for itself while earning an unlimited 2x miles on every purchase. It's my favorite card for everyday spending because I never have to think about bonus categories
Why I Recommend It
Travelers who want to earn at least 2x miles on every purchase while enjoying premium travel perks.
Best For
75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Current Welcome Offer
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- 4x Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (up to the annual spending limit, then 1x)
- 4x at restaurants worldwide (up to the annual spending limit, then 1x)
- Monthly Uber Cash
- Monthly Dunkin' credit
- Monthly dining credit at eligible partners, including Grubhub
- $50 Resy credit twice per year
Key Benefits
Groceries and restaurants are two of our family’s biggest spending categories, which makes the Amex Gold an easy way for us to earn Membership Rewards points on spending we’re already doing. It earns 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to the annual spending cap) and 4x at restaurants worldwide (up to the annual spending cap).
The annual fee is higher, so I only recommend this card if the credits fit naturally into your lifestyle. For us, they do. My kids genuinely look forward to using our monthly Dunkin’, Uber/Uber Eats and dining credits for little treats, and my husband and I use the semiannual Resy credit toward date nights. Because these are things we'd actually spend money on anyway, we get real value from the benefits rather than changing our habits just to use a credit.
Amex Gold also frequently has generous welcome offers, so I recommend checking the current offer—and potentially waiting for an elevated one—before applying.
Why I Recommend It
Families who spend heavily on groceries and dining and can naturally use the card’s monthly and semiannual credits.
Best For
100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within 6 months from account opening
Current Welcome Offer
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- 3x at supermarkets
- 3x at restaurants
- 3x at gas & EV charging stations
- 3x on air travel and other hotel purchases
- 10x on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel
- $100 annual hotel benefit on one $500+ hotel stay booked through Citi Travel
Key Benefits
I actually had the Citi Premier earlier in my points-and-miles journey, and at the time I didn't find enough value in it to keep it long term. Today, I feel very differently.
Citi has since added American Airlines as a ThankYou® Points transfer partner, which makes this card much more interesting to me. Citi is currently the only major bank rewards program that lets you transfer its flexible points directly to American Airlines. Since AA miles can offer some fantastic award opportunities, I honestly wish I could go back and get this card again!
Beyond AA transfers, the card has useful everyday earning categories, including 3x at supermarkets, restaurants, gas and EV charging stations, plus 3x on air travel and other hotel purchases. For a $95 annual fee, I think it can now be a very compelling flexible-points card.
Why I Recommend It
Travelers who want flexible points that can transfer directly to American Airlines, plus strong earning categories for everyday spending.
Best For
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Current Welcome Offer
Personal Hotel Cards
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- Annual Category 1–4 Free Night Award after your cardmember anniversary
- Earn extra points on Hyatt stays when paying with your card
- Automatic Discoverist status with World of Hyatt
- Great companion to Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred to Hyatt for exceptional value
- No foreign transaction fees
Key Benefits
I don't usually recommend opening hotel credit cards until you've earned the most valuable transferable points first. But once you've built a solid Chase points strategy, the World of Hyatt Credit Card is one of my favorite long-term keeper cards. The annual Category 1–4 Free Night Award can easily offset the $95 annual fee, making this a card that's easy to justify keeping year after year.
Why I Recommend It
Travelers who regularly stay at Hyatt hotels and want an annual free night that can easily outweigh the annual fee.
Best For
Up to 75,000 World of Hyatt points
45,000 points after you spend $5,000 within 3 months of account opening. Up to 30,000 more bonus
points by earning 2 points per dollar in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that would normally earn 1 point per dollar.
Current Welcome Offer
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- $0 annual fee
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status
- Earn 7x Hilton points on eligible Hilton purchases
- Earn bonus points on U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations
- Spend toward higher Hilton status
- No foreign transaction fees
Key Benefits
I currently hold this card and plan to keep it long term. With no annual fee, it's an easy way to stay connected to the Hilton Honors program, earn additional Hilton points and receive cardholder benefits without having to justify another yearly fee.
I especially like this card when the welcome offer is elevated. Hilton periodically offers increased bonuses—and sometimes a Free Night Reward as part of the welcome offer—so if you don't need the card immediately, it can be worth waiting for a particularly strong offer.
Why I Recommend It
Travelers who want to earn Hilton points and get Hilton perks without adding another annual fee. It's an easy card to keep long term—and one I personally hold and plan to keep.
Best For
80,000 Hilton Honors Points after $2,000 in spend within the first 6 months of card membership.
Current Welcome Offer
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- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
- Earn 12x Hilton points on eligible Hilton purchases
- Up to $200 in Hilton statement credits each year—up to $50 per quarter
- Bonus earning on U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations
- Earn a Free Night Reward after $15,000 in eligible spending in a calendar year
- No foreign transaction fees
Key Benefits
I currently hold the Hilton Surpass and plan to keep it long term. For our family, the combination of Hilton Gold status and up to $50 in Hilton credits each quarter makes the $150 annual fee relatively easy to justify.
Even if we aren't staying at a Hilton that quarter, we find ways to use the credit on purchases at an eligible Hilton property—sometimes we'll eat at a nearby Hilton hotel restaurant, or let the kids pick out $50 worth of snacks from the market at our local Hilton Garden Inn. They think getting to choose whatever snacks they want is a pretty great credit!
Gold status is also especially valuable for family travel. Depending on the property, it can provide benefits such as complimentary breakfast or a daily food-and-beverage credit. Feeding a family while traveling adds up quickly, so that's a benefit we genuinely appreciate and use.
This is a card that gives us value after the welcome bonus, which is why I plan to keep it. I would still be strategic about when you apply—Hilton frequently runs elevated welcome offers, sometimes including a Free Night Reward, and those are worth waiting for if you aren't in a hurry.
Why I Recommend It
Travelers who stay at Hilton several times a year and can naturally use the card's Hilton credits and Gold status. I personally hold this card and plan to keep it.
Best For
130,000 Hilton Honors Points after $3,000 in spend within the first 6 months of card membership.
Current Welcome Offer
Personal Airline Cards
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- 25,000-point Global Companion Award every account anniversary
- 3x points on eligible foreign transactions
- 3x on dining and eligible Alaska/Hawaiian purchases
- 8 Alaska Lounge passes each calendar year
- Redeem Atmos points across Alaska, Hawaiian, oneworld and other global airline partners
- Partner award booking fees are waived for cardholders
Key Benefits
Living on the East Coast, Alaska Airlines was never really on my radar—until I learned how valuable its partner awards can be. Atmos points can unlock some fantastic award rates on airlines around the world, making this program much more useful than the name “Alaska” might suggest.
My husband and I each opened the Summit specifically with a Hawaii trip in mind, and the 25,000-point Global Companion Award is one of the biggest reasons we're considering keeping the cards long term. You receive one each account anniversary, and it can be used toward a companion's award ticket on Alaska, Hawaiian or eligible global partners—even in premium cabins.
I've also unexpectedly come to love this card for international travel. It earns 3x points on eligible foreign transactions, so when we're overseas and a purchase doesn't fall into a better bonus category, the Summit has become an easy card to reach for.
Why I Recommend It
Travelers who want access to valuable international partner awards—and especially couples or families who can put the annual Global Companion Award to good use
Best For
80,000 Atmos Reward Points after $4,000 in spend within 90 days of account opening.
Current Welcome Offer
$0 Intro Annual Fee First Year, then $150 · Delta Miles
Delta Skymiles Gold Amex Card
Best Value for Occasional Delta Flyers
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- TakeOff 15: at least 15% off eligible Delta-operated award tickets
- First checked bag free on Delta flights—and currently a second checked bag free on domestic Delta flights
- 2x miles on Delta purchases
- 2x miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
- Up to $100 annual Delta Stays credit
- $200 Delta Flight Credit after $10,000 in calendar-year purchases
Key Benefits
I've held the Delta Gold before, and this is actually one card I wish I hadn't closed. Cardholders now receive TakeOff 15—at least 15% off the miles required for eligible Delta-operated award flights. Since I live in a Delta hub, that's a benefit I could use again and again.
I think the Gold hits a nice sweet spot for many Delta travelers. You get the award discount and useful airline benefits without paying the much higher annual fees of Delta's premium cards. I'll likely add a Delta card back to my wallet when I see an elevated welcome offer that makes sense.
Why I Recommend It
Travelers who fly Delta enough to benefit from discounted award bookings and checked-bag benefits but don't need the higher annual fee and premium benefits of the Platinum or Reserve cards
Best For
Current Welcome Offer
$99 Annual Fee · Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Best Low Fee Card for Companion Pass
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- Welcome-bonus points can help toward Companion Pass qualification
- 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying-point boost annually
- 3,000 anniversary points each year
- 2x points on Southwest purchases
- First checked bag free
- 10% annual flight discount promo code (excluding Basic fares)
Key Benefits
The biggest reason I recommend Southwest credit cards isn't everyday spending—it's the Companion Pass. When timed strategically, credit-card welcome bonuses can play a major role in earning one of my favorite benefits in family travel: the ability to designate a companion who flies with you for just the taxes and fees on eligible Southwest flights.
I would not open this card randomly. Timing matters when you're pursuing Companion Pass, so I recommend understanding the strategy before applying.
→ Read my Complete Guide to Earning the Southwest Companion Pass
Why I Recommend It
Travelers who want a lower-annual-fee Southwest card—especially when strategically earning a Southwest Companion Pass.
Best For
50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
Current Welcome Offer
$229 Annual Fee · Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest Priority Credit Card
Best Southwest Card for Frequent Flyers
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- Welcome bonus can contribute toward Companion Pass qualification
- 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying-point boost annually
- 7,500 anniversary points
- 4x points on Southwest purchases
- Complimentary Preferred seat at booking when available, plus Extra Legroom seat benefits
- First checked bag free
Key Benefits
Like the Plus, I think about this card first through the lens of Companion Pass strategy. But the Priority has stronger ongoing benefits that can make its higher annual fee worthwhile for someone who flies Southwest regularly.
It earns more on Southwest purchases, provides more anniversary points and includes better seating benefits. If Southwest is one of your family's primary airlines, I'd compare the ongoing benefits with the Plus rather than automatically choosing whichever card has the lower annual fee.
And again: don't apply until you've thought through your Companion Pass timing.
→ Read my Complete Guide to Earning the Southwest Companion Pass
Why I Recommend It
Frequent Southwest flyers who can use the stronger ongoing travel benefits—and travelers strategically working toward Companion Pass when the welcome offer fits their plan.
Best For
60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
Current Welcome Offer
$0 Intro Annual Fee First Year • $99 Thereafter
AAdvantage® Platinum World Elite
Best Starter Card for American Airlines
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- First checked bag free on eligible domestic AA itineraries for you and up to 4 companions
- Preferred boarding for you and up to 4 companions
- 2x AAdvantage miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 2x at restaurants
- 2x at gas stations
- No foreign transaction fees
Key Benefits
American Airlines miles have given our family some fantastic redemption opportunities, including international travel. That's why I think having another way to build an AA balance can be extremely valuable.
The Platinum Select is a straightforward entry point into the AAdvantage program. You don't need a premium annual fee to get useful American Airlines benefits, and a strong welcome bonus can give your AA balance a meaningful boost.
As with most airline cards, though, I'd rather wait for an elevated welcome offer than apply simply because the card is available.
Why I Recommend It
Travelers who want an accessible way to build an American Airlines mileage balance while getting useful AA travel benefits.
Best For
Current Welcome Offer
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- Cardmember award pricing on eligible United award flights
- Expanded access to Saver Award availability
- First checked bag free when requirements are met
- 2 United Club one-time passes each year
- Priority boarding
- Earn additional MileagePlus miles on eligible United purchases
Key Benefits
This is one card on this list that I haven't personally held yet, but I'm seriously considering it.
What interests me most isn't everyday earning—it's award access. Holding an eligible United card can give you cardmember award pricing and access to additional Saver Award availability that isn't necessarily available to general members.
United is also a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner, but having a United card gives you another way to build MileagePlus miles while unlocking benefits that simply transferring Chase points to United doesn't provide.
Since finding good award availability is often more important to me than earning another bonus category, that's enough to put this card on my radar.
Why I Recommend It
Travelers who redeem United miles and want access to cardmember award pricing and expanded award availability without paying for one of United's premium cards
Best For
Up to 60,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities.
Current Welcome Offer
Don't think you own a business? You might qualify.
Learn more in my blog Post
Business Travel Cards
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- $0 annual fee
- 5x on the first $25,000 in combined annual spending at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services
- 2x on the first $25,000 in combined annual spending at gas stations and restaurants
- 1x on other eligible purchases
- Rewards can be combined with eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards accounts
- Employee cards available at no additional cost
Key Benefits
This is one of my favorite cards for earning Chase points long after the welcome bonus is gone. The 5x earning at office supply stores can be incredibly valuable, and I use this category strategically to earn more points on purchases our family would be making anyway.
Although Chase markets the rewards as cash back, they are earned as Ultimate Rewards points. When paired with an eligible Chase card that allows transfers*, those rewards can become transferable points—which is where I find the real value.
With no annual fee, this is also an easy card to keep long term.
*Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Ink Preferred
Why I Recommend It
Business owners who can take advantage of the card’s 5x categories—especially office supply stores, internet, cable and phone services—and want a card with no annual fee.
Best For
Limited time, Elevated Offer
$1,000 cash back after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 4 months.
Current Welcome Offer
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- $0 annual fee
- Unlimited 1.5x rewards on every purchase
- No spending categories to track
- Rewards can be combined with eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards accounts
- Employee cards available at no additional cost
- Currently includes a 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases; regular variable APR applies afterward
Key Benefits
The Ink Unlimited is the easy button of the Chase Ink family. It earns 1.5x on every purchase, so it's a great option for business expenses that don't fall into a higher-earning category on another card.
I especially like that it has no annual fee while still earning Chase Ultimate Rewards. Just like the Ink Cash, you can combine the rewards with an eligible Chase card that allows transfers*, turning what Chase markets as cash back into points you can potentially transfer to airline and hotel partners.
For someone who doesn't want to think about which card to use for every business purchase, this is a simple long-term keeper.
*Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Ink Preferred
Why I Recommend It
Business owners who want a simple card that earns rewards on every purchase without having to keep track of bonus categories.
Best For
Limited time, Elevated Offer
$1,000 cash back after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 4 months.
Current Welcome Offer
$95 Annual Fee • Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Ink Business Preferred®
Best Card for Transferable Chase Points
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- Earn 3x points on the first $150,000 in combined annual spending on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone services and eligible social media/search-engine advertising
- 1x on other purchases
- Transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Chase airline and hotel partners
- $95 annual fee
- Employee cards available at no additional cost
- Travel protections including trip cancellation/interruption coverage and primary auto rental coverage when renting for business purposes
Key Benefits
The Ink Business Preferred is different from the Ink Cash and Unlimited because its points are transferable on their own—you don't need to pair it with a Sapphire card to unlock Chase's airline and hotel transfer partners.
It also has an excellent combination of a relatively manageable $95 annual fee, strong business earning categories and frequently valuable welcome offers.
For someone building a Chase points strategy through business cards, I think this can be a particularly useful card because it gives you both strong earning potential and direct access to Chase transfer partners
Why I Recommend It
Business owners who want to earn transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points directly and can take advantage of bonus categories such as travel, advertising, shipping and internet/phone services.
Best For
100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Current Welcome Offer
Tracy's Tip
Don't overlook a card just because it doesn't have a massive welcome offer. Welcome bonuses are a huge part of how we earn points, but long-term earning matters too. A $0 annual-fee card that earns 2x and gives you a home for Membership Rewards earned through Rakuten can be valuable long after the application bonus is gone.
Don't overlook a card just because it doesn't have a massive welcome offer. Welcome bonuses are a huge part of how we earn points, but long-term earning matters too. A $0 annual-fee card that earns 2x and gives you a home for Membership Rewards earned through Rakuten can be valuable long after the application bonus is gone.
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- $0 annual fee
- Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each calendar year, then 1x
- No bonus categories to track
- Membership Rewards points can transfer to eligible airline and hotel partners
- Great option for linking to Rakuten to earn Membership Rewards instead of cash back
- Employee cards available with no annual fee
Key Benefits
The Blue Business Plus isn't a card I'd choose for a huge welcome bonus—I like it for what it does year after year. It earns 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases up to the annual spending cap, with no bonus categories to remember and no annual fee.
It's also one of my favorite options for someone who wants to earn Membership Rewards through Rakuten. If you choose Membership Rewards instead of cash back in your Rakuten account, eligible Rakuten earnings can be deposited into your linked Amex Membership Rewards account. That can turn everyday online shopping into points you can potentially transfer to airline and hotel partners.
With no annual fee, it's an easy card to hold long term and a great way to keep an Amex Membership Rewards account available even if you don't want to pay for one of Amex's higher-fee cards
Why I Recommend It
Business owners who want a simple, no-annual-fee way to earn Membership Rewards points on everyday purchases—and anyone looking for an Amex Membership Rewards card to pair with Rakuten.