Hey Reader,
One of the top questions we're asked is what credit card is best for racking up rewards, so we thought we'd share some of our favorites! After all, the quickest way to earn points is by signing up for a new card with a high bonus welcome offer and satisfying the minimum spend requirements to get those points.
Why Pay for Credit Cards?
Most travel credit cards charge an annual fee, and I was initially hesitant to sign up for one. However, many of these cards offer valuable perks—like annual travel credits or free hotel nights, TSA PreCheck, lounge access, and more. When you take advantage of these benefits, the annual fee can easily pay for itself—and then some! It's essentially prepaying for travel perks that are worth more than the cost of the card, as long as you use them.
Flexible Points Program: Chase Sapphire
Flexible points programs are great because not only can points be transferred to multiple airlines and hotel partners, but they can also be redeemed in travel portals (similar to Expedia), which opens up a whole world of redemption possibilities! The Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve are the perfect starter cards, depending on what benefits fit your lifestyle. The Preferred has a reasonable $95 annual fee, but lacks some of the benefits of the higher-tier Reserve, such as a $300 annual travel credit, lounge access, TSA PreCheck credit, and more.
Sapphire Preferred
Offer: 60,000 points
Annual Fee: $95
$50 annual travel credit
25% bonus via travel portal
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Sapphire Reserve
Offer: 60,000 points
Annual Fee: $550
$300 annual travel credit
50% bonus via travel portal
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🔥 Hot tip: Pair these with the free Chase Freedom Flex card to earn bonus points in rotating categories. The points can be combined with either of the Sapphire cards at no cost, maximizing the value of your bonus category rewards. Plus, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be pooled among household members—making it even easier to earn free travel as a family!
Hotel Card: IHG Premier
We highly recommend the IHG Premier credit card. IHG is the brand behind well-known hotel names like Kimpton, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and more, giving you access to a wide range of properties around the world. For a $99 annual fee, you get a free night each year (often worth more than the fee), up to $120 in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit (perfect for jetting through security!), and a fourth night free when you redeem points for three nights—making it a great value for frequent travelers.
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IHG Premier
Offer: 4 Free Nights
Annual Fee: $99
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Airline Card: United Explorer
The United Explorer Card is a solid, low-fee airline card we'd recommend applying for if you have either of the Chase Sapphire cards, as Chase points can be transferred to United, making it easy to accumulate a large balance of United miles quickly!
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United Explorer
Offer: 60,000 miles
Annual Fee: $0 for first year
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We also recommend researching which airline has a hub near you and choosing a credit card that aligns with it. This way, you can maximize your sign-up bonus and enjoy perks like free checked bags and priority boarding at your home airport.
Card selection can feel overwhelming since there's no universal solution — the best choices depend on your specific travel goals. Our typical recommendation is to start with one flexible points card and one hotel or airline card, provided you can meet the minimum spending requirements. From there, you can add cards based on your evolving needs. Pro tip: applying for multiple cards on the same day minimizes the impact on your credit score!
As always, we’re here to help you make smart, strategic moves — so stay tuned, and get ready to turn everyday spending into your next getaway! ✈️🌍
Happy travels,
Chris & Kristin
TravelWithCards.com
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Disclaimer: Use credit cards wisely. If you only pay the minimum or have poor credit, this isn't for you - you’ll lose more in interest than you gain in rewards. Improve your credit first, then come back. We may earn a referral bonus if you apply for a credit card through this email. This allows us to keep Travel With Cards accessible. Thanks for your support!
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