Travel Cards
The travel rewards cards we track
25 cards from 6 issuers across 5 transferable-points ecosystems. Pick a card by issuer or ecosystem to compare welcome bonuses, annual fees, and benefits.
Issuer
Points ecosystem
25 cards
United℠ Explorer Card
Chase · $150/yr (waived yr 1)
60,000
welcome
- ›First checked bag free — cardholder + 1 companion on same reservation
- ›2 United Club one-time passes per year
- ›Priority boarding
United Quest℠ Card
Chase · $350/yr
60,000
welcome
- ›$125 annual United purchase credit
- ›2 PQP per $500 spent (up to 6k PQP/yr) — counts toward status
- ›5,000 miles anniversary bonus
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Chase · $695/yr
80,000
welcome
- ›United Club membership (lounge access) — worth ~$650 standalone
- ›First + second bags free for cardholder + companions
- ›Premier Access travel services (priority check-in, boarding, baggage)
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Citi · $99/yr (waived yr 1)
80,000
welcome
- ›First checked bag free — cardholder + up to 4 companions
- ›Preferred boarding
- ›25% savings on AA in-flight purchases
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi · $595/yr
70,000
welcome
- ›Admirals Club membership (lounge access for cardholder + guests)
- ›Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit
- ›First checked bag free
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
American Express · $150/yr (waived yr 1)
70,000
welcome
- ›First checked bag free — cardholder + 8 companions
- ›$200 Delta flight credit after $10k spend in a year
- ›20% in-flight savings
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
American Express · $350/yr
80,000
welcome
- ›Annual companion certificate (main cabin)
- ›First checked bag free
- ›15% off Delta award redemptions (pay with miles)
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
American Express · $650/yr
100,000
welcome
- ›Delta Sky Club access (limited to 15 visits/yr unless $75k annual spend)
- ›Annual companion certificate (Comfort+ or Main Cabin)
- ›First Class companion cert at $35k spend
Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Card
Bank of America · $95/yr
50,000
welcome
- ›Annual $99 companion fare (+ taxes/fees) — one of the best benefits in the industry
- ›Free checked bag — cardholder + 6 companions
- ›10% discount on Alaska Lounge day passes
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Chase · $229/yr
90,000
welcome
- ›$75 annual Southwest travel credit
- ›7,500 anniversary bonus points
- ›4 upgraded boardings per year (when available)
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
Chase · $299/yr
80,000
welcome
- ›9,000 anniversary bonus points
- ›4 upgraded boardings per year
- ›In-flight Wi-Fi credits (up to 365/yr)
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase · $95/yr
75,000
welcome
- ›$50 annual hotel credit via Chase Travel
- ›Primary auto rental insurance
- ›Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase · $795/yr
125,000
welcome
- ›$300 annual travel credit (applies to virtually any travel purchase)
- ›Priority Pass Select lounge access (unlimited visits + guests)
- ›Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit ($100)
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase · No annual fee
20,000
welcome
- ›1.5x on all else — the best no-AF catch-all for Chase UR
- ›Points transfer to Sapphire Preferred/Reserve when paired
- ›No annual fee
American Express® Gold Card
American Express · $325/yr
60,000
welcome
- ›$120 annual dining credit ($10/mo at Grubhub, Cheesecake Factory, etc.)
- ›$120 annual Uber Cash ($10/mo)
- ›$100 hotel credit via Amex Hotel Collection
The Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express · $895/yr
80,000
welcome
- ›$200 airline incidental credit (select one airline)
- ›$200 hotel credit (Fine Hotels & Resorts or Hotel Collection)
- ›$240 digital entertainment credit
Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
American Express · No annual fee
15,000
welcome
- ›2x MR on everything (up to $50k) — no AF
- ›Transfers to all Amex MR airline partners
- ›No foreign transaction fees
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One · $395/yr
75,000
welcome
- ›$300 annual travel credit via Capital One Travel
- ›10,000 anniversary bonus miles (~$100 value)
- ›Priority Pass Select unlimited lounge access + guests
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Citi · $95/yr
60,000
welcome
- ›$100 annual hotel benefit (1 stay of $500+)
- ›No foreign transaction fees
- ›Strong 3x earn across 5 categories
Bilt Blue (Bilt 2.0)
Wells Fargo · No annual fee
- ›Earn points on rent — no processing fee (unique in market)
- ›Rent Day (1st of month): all earn rates double
- ›No annual fee
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Chase · $95/yr
30,000
welcome
- ›1 free night certificate annually (Cat 1–4 property)
- ›Discoverist status + qualifying nights toward higher tiers
- ›5 qualifying night credits per year just for having the card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Chase · $95/yr
125,000
welcome
- ›1 free night certificate annually (up to 35k points)
- ›Silver Elite status automatic
- ›15 Elite Night credits per year
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
American Express · $650/yr
100,000
welcome
- ›$300 Marriott statement credit (effectively ~$300 off the AF)
- ›1 free night cert annually (up to 85k points — the best free night in travel)
- ›Platinum Elite status automatic
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
American Express · $550/yr
175,000
welcome
- ›$200 Hilton resort credit annually
- ›$200 airline incidental credit annually
- ›1 free night reward annually (+ earn a 2nd at $60k spend)
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Chase · $99/yr
150,000
welcome
- ›Anniversary free night (up to 40k points) — nearly pays for the AF alone
- ›Fourth Night Free on award stays
- ›Platinum Elite status automatic