Metal credit cards come with high annual fees but are worth their weight in gold if they match your spending habits and you have excellent credit. If your credit score is below 670, we recommend a fair credit card instead. For most Americans though, they’d be better off with a no or low annual fee rewards card. See our recommended rewards cards now.
on Chase's secure site
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular travel rewards card with a flexible rewards program and multiple perks! This consumer favorite boasts a big sign up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The ongoing rewards rate is a generous 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and 3x online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.
While this card does have a $95 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card makes up for it with its flexibility in redeeming the points you earn – plus you can earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel. You can even transfer points directly to popular hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy, IHG Rewards Club, and World of Hyatt.
on Chase's secure site
Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests with the powerful Chase Sapphire Reserve® card. This coveted card costs a hefty $795 each year, but offers plenty of perks including a large welcome bonus of 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Plus, receive a $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. Factor in the elevated points for travel – 8x points on Chase Travel℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct – and you can see how this card can completely change someone's traveling experience.
Limited Time Offer
on Capital One's secure site
The high-powered Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card takes the hassle out of travel rewards with unlimited 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Redeeming Miles is easy because you can use them as a statement credit towards virtually any travel purchase.
To kickstart your rewards, there's a big bonus of more than $1,000 in Travel Bonuses with a limited-time $300 Capital One Travel stays credit, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. You also receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. The annual fee is $95, but when you consider all the perks, it's easy to see why the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is such a popular travel credit card.
on Capital One's secure site
This list would not be complete without this top-tier travel rewards credit card. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a showstopping sign up bonus of 75,000 Miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The rewards rate for this card is equally impressive for travelers with 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
Additionally, there is a loyalty incentive that keeps the rewards coming for longtime card holders. The annual fee for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is $395, but when you factor in the top-tier travel perks, the annual fee seems justifiable.
on American Express' secure site
Terms Apply
Maximize earnings on dining, travel, and supermarkets with the American Express® Gold Card from our partner American Express. Cardholders earn an unbelievable 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X), 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X), 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™, 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines, 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com, and 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Additionally, apply and find out your welcome offer. You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. This $325 annual fee card might not be for everyone, but if you spend big bucks on food and travel, this prestigious card may be the perfect fit for your wallet.
on American Express' secure site
Terms Apply
This card, from our partner American Express, fully lives up to its formidable reputation. The American Express Platinum Card® greets new cardholders with a welcome offer: Apply and find out your welcome offer. You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. This card makes travel even more financially beneficial with a rewards rate of 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
The benefits continue with a $200 Airline Fee Credit, Uber Cash, and more (enrollment required)! While this card does come with an annual fee of $895, the perks can easily cover the cost.
