Best Travel Credit Cards in 2026

Quick answer: The best travel credit cards in 2026 are the Amex Platinum for frequent flyers who want lounge access and hotel credits, the Amex Gold for dining and groceries, the Hilton Aspire for Hilton loyalists who want free Diamond status and a free night every year, and the Blue Business Plus for a free card that earns transferable points on everything. All 12 cards in this guide are American Express cards. One warning: these are US cards — you generally need a US address and US credit history to apply. And Amex is not accepted everywhere in Europe, so carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup. This guide has no affiliate links. We list the facts, the fees, and the honest catches, and you decide.

A good travel credit card can pay for your holiday. The welcome offer alone can be worth a free flight. The points you earn on everyday spending can become a free hotel night. Lounge access can turn a 4-hour airport wait into a free meal and a quiet chair. But a bad travel credit card can cost you money. A $895 annual fee is only worth it if you actually use the credits. A card that earns 5x points on flights is useless if you fly once a year. And a card that charges a 2.7% fee on every purchase abroad will eat your rewards on a European holiday.

This guide looks at the best travel credit cards in 2026. All 12 cards are from American Express, because Amex makes the strongest travel cards in the United States — the best lounges, the best hotel status, and the most flexible points. We will explain what each card does, what its welcome offer gives you, what it earns, what it costs, who it is best for, and what its honest limits are. We will not hide the limits. A credit card always has limits, and it is better to know them before you apply.

First, three important facts that apply to every card in this guide.

These are US cards. All 12 cards are issued in the United States. To apply, you generally need to be 18 or older, have a US street address (not a P.O. Box), have a valid Social Security Number or ITIN, and have US credit history. Amex does not publish a minimum credit score, but the standard guidance is Good to Excellent credit — a FICO score of 670 or higher, realistically 700 or higher, and 740 or higher for the premium cards. There is one exception. If you already hold an Amex card in another country, Amex Global Transfer can let you apply for a US card using your foreign Amex history. For everyone else, US credit history is a real requirement, not a formality. If you live in the UK and have no US credit history, these cards are not for you — you would need a UK-issued Amex card instead.

Welcome offers are "as high as", not guaranteed. Amex shows your exact welcome offer only when you apply, before you accept the card. The headline number — 175,000 points, 300,000 points — is the ceiling, not a promise. Your offer may be lower. And the once-per-lifetime rule applies: you can only earn the welcome offer on each card once in your lifetime. If you had the card before and cancelled it, you will not get the offer again.

Amex is not accepted everywhere in Europe. Amex is widely accepted at big hotels, large shops, and restaurants in tourist areas. But many small cafés, family restaurants, and rural shops in Europe do not take Amex, because Amex charges merchants higher fees than Visa and Mastercard. So if you travel to Europe with only an Amex card, you will sometimes be unable to pay. Always carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup. Three cards in this guide also charge a 2.7% foreign transaction fee — Blue Cash Everyday, Blue Cash Preferred, and Blue Business Plus. Do not use those three abroad at all.

This article is for you if you travel in the US, fly with Delta, stay at Hilton or Marriott hotels, run a small business, or want a free card that earns points you can actually use. You do not need any financial knowledge to follow this guide. We explain every term in plain English. One note: this guide has no affiliate links and no Apply Now buttons. We earn nothing if you apply. The user of this blog will add his own links later. For now, you get the facts only.

One important note before we start. Card offers change. A welcome offer can end, an annual fee can rise, and a credit can disappear. The facts in this article were checked in November 2026 from American Express official pages and The Points Guy, but you should always check the official card page for the latest offer, fee, and terms before you apply.

How to Choose the Right Travel Credit Card

There are many travel cards. You do not need all of them. You need the right one or two. Before you apply for anything, ask yourself four simple questions.

1. What do you spend money on: flights, hotels, food, or everything? Every card in this guide earns the most points in one or two categories. Platinum earns 5x on flights and prepaid hotels. Gold earns 4x on restaurants and US supermarkets. Hilton Aspire earns 14x on Hilton stays. Blue Business Plus earns 2x on everything. If you fly every month, pick a flight card. If you eat out every day, pick Gold. If you stay at the same hotel chain, pick that hotel's card. If your spending is spread everywhere, pick a flat 2x card. The best card is the one that matches where your money already goes.

2. Will the annual fee pay for itself? A $895 fee sounds like a lot. It is a lot. But the Platinum card gives you up to $600 a year in hotel credits, $400 in Resy credits, $300 in entertainment credits, $200 in airline credits, and $200 in Uber Cash. If you use all of them, the credits are worth more than the fee. If you use none of them, you lose $895. The same test applies to every card with a fee. Add up the credits you will actually use, not the credits on the list. If the number is bigger than the fee, the card is worth it. If it is smaller, pick a cheaper card or a no-fee card. We do this math for every card in this guide.

3. Can you meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer? A welcome offer of 175,000 points sounds free. It is not free. You must spend $12,000 in the first 6 months to earn it. If you normally spend $1,000 a month, you will not reach $12,000, and you will get nothing. Never spend money you do not have just to earn points. And never carry a balance to meet a minimum spend. These cards charge about 20% to 28% interest a year. One month of interest wipes out more value than the points are worth. Pick a card whose minimum spend fits your normal spending.

4. Do you travel enough to use the perks? Lounge access is only useful if you fly. A free hotel night is only useful if you stay at that hotel chain. A companion certificate is only useful if you travel with someone. A $200 airline fee credit is only useful if you pay for bags or seat selection on that airline. Be honest about how you travel. A card that matches your real trips is worth more than a card with a longer list of perks you will never use.

Here is a simple rule. Start with one card that matches your biggest spending category, and use it for six months. Then decide what is missing. Most people find that one good card and one no-fee backup card cover everything they need. You do not need five cards. You need one card you actually use.

In This Guide

1. The Platinum Card from American Express
2. The Business Platinum Card from American Express
3. American Express Gold Card
4. American Express Business Gold Card
5. Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
6. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
7. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
8. Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express
9. Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
10. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
11. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
12. Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

Best Travel Credit Cards at a Glance

Welcome offers are "as high as" and personalised. Amex shows your exact offer at application. Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms before you apply.

1. The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card is the most famous travel card in the United States. It is the card people picture when they think of airport lounges, first-class travel, and premium service. It costs $895 a year, which is the joint-highest fee in this guide. It is also the card with the longest list of credits and perks. The question is simple: will you use enough of them to make $895 worth it?

The welcome offer is as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $12,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. That is a very large offer, and a very large spend. $12,000 in 6 months means $2,000 a month. If you already spend that much on flights, hotels, and everyday purchases, the offer is within reach. If you spend $1,000 a month, you will not reach it, and you should pick a card with a lower spend requirement. Remember, Amex shows your exact offer at application. 175,000 is the ceiling, not a guarantee.

The Platinum Card earns 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, up to $500,000 a year, and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. Everything else earns 1x. That 1x rate is poor. If you buy groceries, clothes, or petrol with this card, you earn almost nothing. The Platinum Card is a travel card, not an everyday card. Use it for flights and hotels, and use a different card for everything else.

The real value of the Platinum Card is the credits. Add them up. Up to $600 a year in hotel credits — $300 every six months for Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings. Up to $400 a year in Resy credits — $100 every three months at restaurants booked through Resy. Up to $300 a year in digital entertainment credits — $25 a month. Up to $300 a year at lululemon — $75 every three months. Up to $200 a year in airline fee credits for incidentals on one airline you choose. Up to $200 a year in Uber Cash — $15 a month plus $20 in December — plus a $120 a year Uber One credit. Up to $219 a year for CLEAR+ membership. A $120 credit for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4 years. A $200 Oura Ring credit and a $300 Equinox credit. You also get Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, which give you room upgrades and late checkout at thousands of hotels.

But here is the honest part. Every one of those credits has its own clock. Some are monthly, some are every three months, some are every six months. If you forget a month, that month's credit is gone forever. You must enrol in most credits before you can use them. And the $895 fee is charged in full on day one. So the Platinum Card is a job. You must track a dozen credits across the year to get your money back. If you love that game, the card is excellent. If you will not track credits, you will lose money.

The lounge access is the best reason to hold this card. You get the Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select lounges, and 10 Delta Sky Club visits a year — unlimited visits if you spend $75,000 on the card in a year. Centurion Lounges are the best airport lounges in the US, with real food, drinks, and quiet space. If you fly 10 or more times a year, lounge access alone can be worth hundreds of dollars.

The Platinum Card is a charge card, not a credit card. That means there is no preset spending limit, but you must pay your balance in full each month. If you use Pay Over Time on part of your balance, the APR is 19.74% to 28.74% variable. There is no foreign transaction fee, so you can use it abroad without a penalty — but remember, Amex is not accepted everywhere in Europe, so carry a backup.

Key Features:

• 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels, up to $500,000 a year on flights
• Global Lounge Collection: Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select, and 10 Delta Sky Club visits a year
• Up to $600 a year in hotel credits, $400 in Resy credits, $300 in entertainment credits, $300 at lululemon, $200 in airline fee credits, and $200 in Uber Cash
• $219 CLEAR+ credit and $120 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck credit
• Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status included
• No foreign transaction fee

Best for: A frequent flyer who flies 10 or more times a year, uses airport lounges, and will track monthly and quarterly credits to earn the $895 fee back

Card at a Glance: Annual fee $895. Welcome offer as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after $12,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Top rewards: 5x flights booked directly or via Amex Travel, 5x prepaid hotels via Amex Travel, 1x everything else. APR: charge card, pay in full each month; Pay Over Time APR 19.74% to 28.74% variable. Foreign transaction fee: none. Recommended credit: Good to Excellent (670+, realistically 700+). Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms.

How to Get the Most From This Card Step by Step:

1. Apply on the official Amex page and read your exact welcome offer before you accept. Check the minimum spend — $12,000 in 6 months — and make sure your normal spending reaches it.
2. Enrol in every credit on day one: hotel credits, Resy, entertainment, Uber, CLEAR+, and Global Entry. Credits do not work until you enrol.
3. Book your flights directly with the airline or through Amex Travel to earn 5x points. Book prepaid hotels through Amex Travel for 5x points.
4. Use the lounge benefit on every trip. Find the Centurion Lounge or Priority Pass lounge before your flight, and arrive early enough to use it.
5. Set a monthly reminder to use your monthly credits — $25 entertainment, $15 Uber Cash, $7 to $10 in the other monthly credits — so none of them expire unused.

Watch out for: The $895 fee is only worth it if you use the credits, and the credits run on different monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual clocks. Miss a month and that credit is gone. The 1x earn rate on everyday spending is poor, so do not use this card for groceries or petrol. And the Saks $100 credit that older guides mention ended on 1 July 2026 — do not count it. Also, the welcome offer needs $12,000 of spending in 6 months. Never spend money you do not have just to earn points, and never carry a balance — the APR of about 20% to 28% wipes out the value of the points.

2. The Business Platinum Card from American Express

The Business Platinum Card is the business version of the Platinum Card, and it has the biggest welcome offer in this guide: as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months. That is an enormous offer, and an enormous spend. $20,000 in 3 months is about $6,700 a month. Only a real business with real expenses can reach it. If your business spends that much on flights, software, and supplies, this card is worth a serious look. If it does not, the welcome offer is out of reach, and you should look at the Business Gold Card or the Blue Business Plus instead.

The annual fee is $895, the same as the personal Platinum Card. The rewards are built for business spending. You earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on Amex Travel. You earn 2x points on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, and 2x on key business categories — US shipping, electronics, software and cloud services, and construction materials — up to $2 million a year. Everything else earns 1x. There is also a 35% points rebate when you redeem points for flights on a selected qualifying airline through Amex Travel, up to 1,000,000 points back a year. That rebate makes your points worth much more on flights.

The credits are also built for business. Up to $600 a year in hotel credits, $300 every six months. Up to $1,150 a year from Dell — $150 plus $1,000 after you spend $5,000 with Dell. Up to $360 a year from Indeed — $90 every three months. A $250 Adobe credit after you spend $600 a year with Adobe. Up to $300 a year for ChatGPT Business. Up to $120 a year for wireless phone service. Up to $200 a year from Hilton for Business enrolment. Up to $200 a year in airline fee credits. Up to $219 a year for CLEAR+, and the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. If your business already buys from Dell, Adobe, and Indeed, these credits can cover the $895 fee on their own.

The lounge access is the same as the personal Platinum Card: more than 1,550 lounges through the Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, and 10 Delta Sky Club visits a year. If you fly for business every week, the lounge is your office, and this card pays for itself in comfort alone.

One change to know. From 17 February 2027, the 2x points on shipping and wireless categories will be restricted to select merchants. That makes the card slightly less generous for businesses that buy shipping and phone service from many suppliers. Check the official page for the current list of eligible merchants before you apply.

Like the personal Platinum Card, this is a charge card with no preset spending limit, and you must pay in full each month. The Pay Over Time APR is 17.99% to 28.74% variable. There is no foreign transaction fee.

Key Features:

• 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amex Travel
• 2x points on purchases of $5,000 or more and on key business categories, up to $2 million a year
• 35% points back on flights with a selected airline through Amex Travel
• Up to $1,150 a year from Dell, $360 from Indeed, $250 from Adobe, $300 for ChatGPT Business
• Global Lounge Collection with Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass
• No foreign transaction fee

Best for: A high-spending business whose owner travels constantly and already buys from Dell, Adobe, and Indeed

Card at a Glance: Annual fee $895. Welcome offer as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months. Top rewards: 5x flights and prepaid hotels on Amex Travel, 2x on $5,000+ purchases and key business categories, 1x everything else. APR: charge card, pay in full each month; Pay Over Time APR 17.99% to 28.74% variable. Foreign transaction fee: none. Recommended credit: Good to Excellent. Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms.

How to Get the Most From This Card Step by Step:

1. Apply on the official Amex page and read your exact welcome offer. Check the $20,000 spend in 3 months against your real business spending — do not force it.
2. Enrol in the Dell, Indeed, Adobe, and Hilton credits on day one. Most of them need enrolment and a minimum spend before the credit appears.
3. Put all flights and prepaid hotels on Amex Travel to earn 5x points. Put large purchases of $5,000 or more on this card to earn 2x points.
4. Choose your qualifying airline for the 35% points rebate, and redeem points for flights on that airline through Amex Travel.
5. Use the lounge on every business trip. If you fly weekly, the Centurion Lounge alone can save you hundreds of dollars a year in food and drinks.

Watch out for: The $20,000 spend in 3 months is the highest in this guide. Do not apply unless your business genuinely spends that much. The Dell $1,000 credit only appears after you spend $5,000 with Dell, so it is not free money. And from 17 February 2027, the 2x shipping and wireless categories are restricted to select merchants, so check the official page. As with all charge cards, pay in full each month — the Pay Over Time APR of about 18% to 28% will destroy the value of your points.

3. American Express Gold Card

The Gold Card is the best food card in the United States. If you eat out a lot and buy groceries every week, no other card in this guide earns points faster on the money you already spend. It costs $325 a year, which is far less than the Platinum Card, and its credits are simpler to use.

The welcome offer is as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. That is $1,334 a month — much more reachable than the Platinum Card's $12,000. If you spend $300 a week on groceries, restaurants, and everyday life, you will reach $8,000 in 6 months without trying.

The rewards are where this card wins. You earn 4x points at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 a year, then 1x. You earn 4x points at US supermarkets, up to $25,000 a year, then 1x. You earn 5x points on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel, 3x points on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel, and 2x points on prepaid car rentals and cruises through Amex Travel. Everything else earns 1x. A family that spends $500 a month at restaurants and $400 a month at supermarkets earns about 43,000 points a year from food alone. That is enough for a free flight.

The credits are worth $424 a year in total, which is more than the $325 fee — if you use them all. You get $120 a year in dining credits — $10 a month at Grubhub, Seamless, Five Guys, Cheesecake Factory, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Wonder. You get $120 a year in Uber Cash — $10 a month. You get $100 a year in Resy credits — $50 every six months. You get $84 a year in Dunkin' credits — $7 a month. You also get a $100 Hotel Collection credit on stays of 2 nights or more. The credits are monthly and semi-annual, so you must use them regularly or lose them. But $10 a month at Grubhub and $10 a month in Uber Cash are easy to use if you already order food and take rides.

What the Gold Card does not have is lounge access. There is no airport lounge benefit at all. If you want lounges, you need the Platinum Card. The Gold Card is for people who spend on food, not people who live in airports.

The Gold Card is a charge card with no preset spending limit, and you must pay in full each month. The Pay Over Time APR is 19.74% to 28.74% variable. This range changed in late 2026, so check the official page for the current rate. There is no foreign transaction fee, so you can use it at restaurants abroad without a penalty — but remember, Amex is not accepted at every restaurant in Europe, so carry a backup card.

Key Features:

• 4x points at restaurants worldwide and at US supermarkets
• 5x points on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel, 3x on flights
• $120 a year in dining credits, $120 in Uber Cash, $100 in Resy credits, $84 at Dunkin'
• $100 Hotel Collection credit on 2-night stays
• No foreign transaction fee

Best for: People who spend heavily on dining out and groceries — the best food-earning card in the US

Card at a Glance: Annual fee $325. Welcome offer as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Top rewards: 4x restaurants (up to $50,000/yr), 4x US supermarkets (up to $25,000/yr), 5x prepaid hotels via Amex Travel, 3x flights, 1x everything else. APR: charge card, pay in full each month; Pay Over Time APR 19.74% to 28.74% variable. Foreign transaction fee: none. Recommended credit: Good to Excellent. Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms.

How to Get the Most From This Card Step by Step:

1. Apply on the official Amex page and read your exact welcome offer. Check the $8,000 spend in 6 months against your normal food and household spending.
2. Enrol in the dining, Uber Cash, Resy, and Dunkin' credits on day one. Set a monthly reminder to use the $10 dining credit and the $10 Uber Cash before they expire.
3. Put every restaurant meal and every supermarket shop on this card to earn 4x points. Do not use it for 1x purchases if you have a better card for those.
4. Book flights directly with the airline or through Amex Travel for 3x points, and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel for 5x points.
5. Transfer your points to an airline or hotel partner when you want a free flight or a free night. Membership Rewards points are worth much more when transferred than when used for cash back.

Watch out for: The $325 fee is only worth it if you use the monthly credits. If you never order from Grubhub and never use Uber, you lose $240 a year of credits. The 4x rates have caps — $50,000 a year on restaurants and $25,000 a year on supermarkets — and after the cap you earn 1x. And there is no lounge access at all. If you fly often and want a lounge, this is the wrong card. Pay in full each month, because the Pay Over Time APR of about 20% to 28% will cost more than your points are worth.

4. American Express Business Gold Card

The Business Gold Card is the business version of the Gold Card, and it is built for small businesses whose spending is concentrated in a few categories. It costs $375 a year. It does not have lounge access, and it does not have the Platinum Card's long list of travel credits. What it has is a clever rewards system that follows your business.

The welcome offer is as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards points after $15,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months. That is $5,000 a month for 3 months. A small business that spends on advertising, software, and supplies can reach it. A side hustle that spends $500 a month cannot. Be honest about your business spending before you apply.

The rewards work like this. Each billing cycle, Amex looks at your two biggest spending categories and gives you 4x points on those two, up to $150,000 combined a year, then 1x. The categories are US advertising in select media, US electronic goods retailers and software or cloud services, US restaurants, US gas stations, transit, and US wireless telephone services. So if your business spends the most on Facebook ads and software, you earn 4x on both. If next month you spend the most on gas and restaurants, you earn 4x on those instead. You do not choose the categories — Amex chooses them for you based on your real spending. You also earn 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel, and 1x on everything else.

The credits are smaller than the Business Platinum Card's, but they are useful. Up to $240 a year in flexible business credits — $20 a month at Grubhub, office supply stores, and UPS.com. Note that FedEx was removed from this credit and UPS was added in October 2026, so check the official page for the current list. Up to $300 a year for ChatGPT Business. Up to about $155 a year for Walmart+ — $12.95 a month. Up to about $150 a year for Squarespace. The card also includes cell phone protection: up to $800 per claim, 2 claims in 12 months, with a $50 deductible, when you pay your wireless bill with the card. That protection alone can be worth more than the annual fee if your phone breaks.

The Business Gold Card is a charge card with no preset spending limit, and you must pay in full each month. The Pay Over Time APR is 17.99% to 28.74% variable. The foreign transaction fee is listed as none by NerdWallet, but we could not confirm it on the official Amex page in this research — check the official Rates and Fees page before you use this card abroad.

Key Features:

• 4x points on your top 2 business categories each cycle, up to $150,000 a year
• 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel
• Up to $240 a year in flexible business credits, $300 for ChatGPT Business, about $155 for Walmart+
• Cell phone protection up to $800 per claim
• No preset spending limit, as a charge card

Best for: Small businesses with heavy, concentrated spend in two categories, such as ads and software

Card at a Glance: Annual fee $375. Welcome offer as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards points after $15,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months. Top rewards: 4x on top 2 categories (up to $150,000/yr combined), 3x flights and prepaid hotels via Amex Travel, 1x everything else. APR: charge card, pay in full each month; Pay Over Time APR 17.99% to 28.74% variable. Foreign transaction fee: listed as none by secondary sources — confirm on the official Amex page. Recommended credit: Good to Excellent. Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms.

How to Get the Most From This Card Step by Step:

1. Apply on the official Amex page and read your exact welcome offer. Check the $15,000 spend in 3 months against your real business spending.
2. Enrol in the flexible business credit, ChatGPT Business, Walmart+, and Squarespace credits on day one.
3. Put your two biggest business expenses on this card every month — usually advertising and software — to earn 4x points automatically.
4. Pay your wireless phone bill with this card, so your phone is covered by the cell phone protection.
5. Book flights and prepaid hotels through Amex Travel for 3x points, and transfer points to an airline or hotel partner for the best value.

Watch out for: The 4x categories are chosen for you each cycle, and they are capped at $150,000 a year combined. You cannot pick your categories. The $375 fee has no lounge access, and the credits are monthly use-it-or-lose-it, so you must use the $20 monthly credit every month. And the foreign transaction fee could not be confirmed on the official Amex page in this research — check it before you travel abroad with this card. Pay in full each month, because the Pay Over Time APR of about 18% to 28% will cost more than your points are worth.

5. Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

The Delta Reserve Card is the top card for people who fly Delta all the time. It costs $650 a year. It is not a general travel card. It is a Delta card. If you fly Delta 10 or more times a year, it can pay for itself many times over. If you fly Delta once a year, it is a waste of $650.

The welcome offer is as high as 125,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. That is a reasonable spend — about $834 a month. Note that the previous limited offer, 50,000 miles plus 2 Delta Comfort round-trip certificates after $10,000 of spending, ended on 4 November 2026. Do not expect that offer. The current offer is 125,000 miles with no certificates.

The rewards are simple. You earn 3x miles on Delta purchases and 1x mile on everything else. That 1x rate is weak. Do not use this card for groceries or petrol. Use it for Delta flights, and use a different card for everything else. The real value of this card is not the earn rate. It is the perks.

The perks start with the lounge. You get 15 Delta Sky Club visits per Medallion year. After you spend $75,000 on the card in a year, your Sky Club access becomes unlimited. You also get Centurion Lounge access when you fly Delta on the same day and book with the card. But there are two limits to know. Sky Club access is capped at 15 visits unless you spend $75,000, and you get no Sky Club access at all on Basic Economy tickets. If you usually buy the cheapest Basic Economy fare, this perk is worth nothing to you.

The second big perk is the annual Companion Certificate. From your second year onwards, you get a certificate for a free companion ticket on Delta First, Comfort+, or Main Cabin. If you travel with a partner once a year, that certificate alone can be worth more than the $650 fee. The third perk is status. You get a 2,500 MQD Headstart each year, plus 1 MQD for every $10 you spend, which helps you reach Delta Medallion status faster.

The card also gives you a free first checked bag for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, plus a free second bag on domestic Delta flights — a benefit added in June 2026. If you check a bag on every flight, that saves you about $35 per flight, per person. You get up to $240 a year in Resy credits — $20 a month. Up to $200 a year in Delta Stays credits. Up to $120 a year in rideshare credits — $10 a month. A $120 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck credit. 15% off Delta award flights through TakeOff 15. Zone 5 priority boarding. And 20% back on Delta inflight purchases.

The Delta Reserve Card is a credit card, not a charge card. It has a variable APR of 19.74% to 28.74%, and no intro APR. There is no foreign transaction fee.

Key Features:

• 15 Delta Sky Club visits a year, unlimited after $75,000 of spending
• Annual Companion Certificate from year 2, for Delta First, Comfort+, or Main Cabin
• 2,500 MQD Headstart each year toward Medallion status
• First and second checked bags free on domestic Delta flights
• Up to $240 a year in Resy credits, $200 in Delta Stays credits, $120 in rideshare credits
• 15% off Delta award flights, Zone 5 priority boarding, 20% back on inflight purchases
• No foreign transaction fee

Best for: Frequent Delta flyers who live near a Sky Club and fly with a companion at least once a year

Card at a Glance: Annual fee $650. Welcome offer as high as 125,000 Bonus Miles after $5,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Top rewards: 3x Delta purchases, 1x everything else. APR: 19.74% to 28.74% variable, no intro APR. Foreign transaction fee: none. Recommended credit: Good to Excellent. Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms.

How to Get the Most From This Card Step by Step:

1. Apply on the official Amex page and read your exact welcome offer. Check the $5,000 spend in 6 months against your normal spending.
2. Book all your Delta flights with this card to earn 3x miles and to unlock the lounge access and free bags.
3. Use your 15 Sky Club visits on your longest trips, where the lounge matters most. Remember, Basic Economy tickets get no lounge access.
4. Plan one trip a year with a companion, and use the Companion Certificate from year 2 onwards. That certificate is the biggest single saving on this card.
5. Enrol in the Resy, Delta Stays, and rideshare credits, and use them monthly so none expire. Check your MQD progress each year, and use the 1 MQD per $10 of spending to reach the next Medallion tier.

Watch out for: Sky Club access is capped at 15 visits unless you spend $75,000 a year, and Basic Economy tickets get no access at all. The Companion Certificate only starts in year 2, so you pay $650 in year 1 without it. The 1x earn rate on non-Delta spending is weak, so do not use this card for everyday purchases. And Delta miles have dynamic award pricing, which means the number of miles a free flight costs changes all the time. Your 125,000 miles may buy a flight today and not enough for the same flight next month. Finally, pay your balance in full — the APR of about 20% to 28% will cost more than your miles are worth.

6. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

The Hilton Aspire Card is the best hotel card in this guide, and it may be the easiest premium card to justify. It costs $550 a year. It gives you top-tier Hilton Diamond status for free, a free hotel night every year, and credits that can cover the fee on their own. If you stay at Hilton hotels even a few times a year, this card is hard to beat.

The welcome offer is 200,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. That is the highest Aspire offer on record — the previous best was 150,000 points. But note the deadline: this offer ends on 13 January 2027. If you apply after that date, the offer may be lower. Check the official page for the current offer.

The rewards are strong. You earn 14x points on Hilton purchases, 7x points on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel, on select car rentals, and at US restaurants, and 3x points on everything else. 14x is the highest earn rate in this guide. A $200 Hilton stay earns 2,800 points. A $1,000 stay earns 14,000 points. And the 3x rate on everything else is better than most cards' 1x rate.

The headline benefit is Diamond status. The Aspire Card is the only US card that grants Hilton Honors Diamond status outright, with no spending requirement and no nights requirement. Diamond status gives you room upgrades, free breakfast or a food-and-beverage credit at most Hilton brands, late checkout, and bonus points on every stay. Normally, Diamond status needs 30 stays or 60 nights a year. This card gives it to you for $550.

The second headline benefit is the free night. Every year, from year 1, you get a Free Night Reward that can be used at any Hilton property, with no points cap. A night at a Waldorf Astoria can cost $800 or more. That one free night can be worth more than the $550 fee. You also earn an extra free night after you spend $30,000 in a year, and another after $60,000.

The credits add more value. Up to $400 a year in Hilton resort credits — $200 every six months, at participating resorts only. Up to $200 a year in flight credits — $50 every three months. Up to $219 a year for CLEAR+. Up to $100 in property credit per stay of 2 nights or more at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels. But there is one important limit. The $400 resort credit only works at Hilton resorts, not at every Hilton hotel. If you stay at city Hiltons and never visit a resort, that credit is worth nothing to you.

One thing the Aspire Card does not have is lounge access. Priority Pass was removed from this card in October 2023. Do not expect airport lounges. If you want lounges, you need the Platinum Card.

The Aspire Card is a credit card with a variable APR of 19.74% to 28.74%. There is no foreign transaction fee.

Key Features:

• Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, the top tier
• Annual Free Night Reward at any Hilton property, from year 1, plus extra nights after $30,000 and $60,000 of spending
• 14x points on Hilton stays, 7x on flights, car rentals, and US restaurants, 3x on everything else
• Up to $400 a year in Hilton resort credits, $200 in flight credits, $219 for CLEAR+
• Up to $100 property credit at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad on 2-night stays
• No foreign transaction fee

Best for: Hilton loyalists who stay at Hilton resorts at least twice a year

Card at a Glance: Annual fee $550. Welcome offer 200,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after $6,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Offer ends 13 January 2027. Top rewards: 14x Hilton, 7x flights, car rentals, US restaurants, 3x everything else. APR: 19.74% to 28.74% variable. Foreign transaction fee: none. Recommended credit: Good to Excellent. Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms.

How to Get the Most From This Card Step by Step:

1. Apply on the official Amex page before 13 January 2027 if you want the 200,000-point offer. Read your exact offer before you accept.
2. Book all your Hilton stays directly with Hilton and pay with this card to earn 14x points and to use your Diamond status benefits.
3. Plan one expensive Hilton stay a year and use your Free Night Reward there. A night at a Waldorf Astoria or Conrad is worth far more than a night at a budget Hilton.
4. Book at least one Hilton resort stay every six months to use the $200 resort credit before it expires. Use the $50 quarterly flight credit on a real flight.
5. Enrol in CLEAR+ and use the $219 credit. Check your Diamond benefits at check-in every time — ask for an upgrade and late checkout.

Watch out for: The $400 resort credit only works at Hilton resorts, not at all Hilton hotels. If you never stay at a resort, that credit is worth zero. The welcome offer ends on 13 January 2027, so it may be lower after that date. There is no airport lounge access — Priority Pass was removed in October 2023. And the free night is only useful if you actually stay at a Hilton. If you prefer Airbnb or other hotel chains, this is the wrong card. Pay your balance in full, because the APR of about 20% to 28% will cost more than your points are worth.

7. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is the top card for people who stay at Marriott hotels. It costs $650 a year. Like the Hilton Aspire Card, its value comes from hotel status and a free night. Unlike the Aspire Card, it also gives you airport lounge access through Priority Pass.

The welcome offer is 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Note that a bigger limited offer — 150,000 points plus a $250 credit — ended on 30 September 2026. The current offer is 100,000 points. Check the official page for the current offer before you apply.

The rewards are 6x points on Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays, 3x points on restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2x points on everything else. The 2x rate on everything else is better than most cards in this guide. A $100 dinner earns 300 points. A $100 shop earns 200 points.

The headline benefit is status. You get complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, plus 25 Elite Night Credits a year. Platinum status gives you room upgrades, free breakfast at most brands, late checkout, and a welcome gift at check-in. It is one tier below Titanium and Ambassador, but it is the tier where the real benefits start. The 25 Elite Night Credits also push you closer to Titanium status, which needs 75 nights a year.

The second headline benefit is the free night. Every year, after your renewal month, you get a Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 points. That can cover a night at a Ritz-Carlton or a St. Regis in many cities. But there is a catch. The free night only arrives after renewal — not in year 1. You pay $650 in year 1 and get no free night. From year 2 onwards, the free night usually covers the fee on its own.

The card also gives you Priority Pass Select lounge access, with unlimited visits and 2 free guests, after enrolment. That is real lounge access, unlike the Hilton Aspire Card. You get up to $300 a year in dining credits — $25 a month at restaurants worldwide. You get the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. You get up to $100 in property credit on stays of 2 nights or more at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis hotels. And after you spend $60,000 in a year, you get an Earned Choice Award.

The Marriott Brilliant Card is a credit card with a variable APR of 19.74% to 28.74%. There is no foreign transaction fee.

Key Features:

• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status plus 25 Elite Night Credits a year
• Annual Free Night Award up to 85,000 points, from year 2 onwards
• 6x points on Marriott stays, 3x on restaurants and flights, 2x on everything else
• Priority Pass Select with unlimited visits and 2 free guests
• Up to $300 a year in dining credits, $25 a month
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, up to $100 property credit at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis
• No foreign transaction fee

Best for: Marriott loyalists staying 15 or more nights a year

Card at a Glance: Annual fee $650. Welcome offer 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points after $6,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Top rewards: 6x Marriott stays, 3x restaurants and flights, 2x everything else. APR: 19.74% to 28.74% variable. Foreign transaction fee: none. Recommended credit: Good to Excellent. Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms.

How to Get the Most From This Card Step by Step:

1. Apply on the official Amex page and read your exact welcome offer. Check the $6,000 spend in 6 months against your normal spending.
2. Book all your Marriott stays directly with Marriott and pay with this card to earn 6x points and to use your Platinum status benefits.
3. Enrol in Priority Pass Select on day one, and use the lounge on every trip. Bring up to 2 guests free.
4. Use the $25 monthly dining credit every month, and plan your free night from year 2 onwards at an expensive Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, or St. Regis property.
5. Check your Elite Night Credits each year. Your 25 free nights plus your real stays may push you to Titanium status, which adds even better upgrades.

Watch out for: The free night only arrives after renewal, so year 1 has no free night — you pay $650 and get status and credits only. The $300 dining credit is $25 a month, use it or lose it, so you must eat out every month to use it all. Platinum status is one tier below Titanium and Ambassador, so you will not always get the best room. And Marriott points have dynamic pricing, so a free night that costs 85,000 points today may cost more next year. Pay your balance in full, because the APR of about 20% to 28% will cost more than your points are worth.

8. Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday Card is the simplest card in this guide. It costs $0 a year, forever. It earns cash back, not points. And it is the best no-fee card for a US household that spends on groceries, gas, and online shopping. It is not a travel card in the usual sense — it has no lounge access, no free hotel night, and no travel credits. But the cash back it earns can pay for your travel, and that makes it worth a place in this guide.

The welcome offer is as high as $200 cash back, as a statement credit, after you spend $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. That is about $334 a month — easy for almost any household. Cash back is simpler than points. There are no transfer partners to learn and no award charts to read. You spend, you earn dollars, and Amex gives you the money back as a statement credit or at Amazon checkout.

The rewards are 3% cash back at US supermarkets, at US gas stations, and on US online retail purchases — each category capped at $6,000 a year, then 1%. Everything else earns 1%. A family that spends $400 a month at the supermarket earns about $144 a year from groceries alone. Add gas and online shopping, and the card can earn $300 to $400 a year for a normal household, with no annual fee.

The card also gives you up to $84 a year in Disney streaming credits — $7 a month for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. And up to $180 a year in Home Chef credits — $15 a month. Those credits are easy to use if you already pay for streaming and meal kits. There is also a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.74% to 28.74% variable. Balance transfers must be requested within 60 days.

Now the honest warning, and it is important. This card charges a 2.7% foreign transaction fee. That means every purchase you make abroad costs you 2.7% extra. If you spend $1,000 on a holiday in Europe, you pay $27 in fees. That wipes out almost all of your 3% cash back. Do not use this card abroad. Use a card with no foreign transaction fee instead. This is a card for spending at home, not for travel spending.

There is a second warning. Walmart, Target, Costco, and other warehouse clubs do not count as US supermarkets. If you buy your groceries at Walmart or Costco, you earn 1%, not 3%. Check where you actually shop before you count on the 3% rate.

Key Features:

• $0 annual fee, forever
• 3% cash back at US supermarkets, US gas stations, and US online retail, each up to $6,000 a year
• Up to $84 a year in Disney streaming credits, $180 a year in Home Chef credits
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
• Cash back as a statement credit or at Amazon checkout

Best for: US households wanting a no-fee grocery, gas, and online-shopping cash-back card

Card at a Glance: Annual fee $0. Welcome offer as high as $200 cash back after $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Top rewards: 3% at US supermarkets, gas stations, and US online retail (each up to $6,000/yr), 1% everything else. APR: 0% intro for 15 months, then 19.74% to 28.74% variable. Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% — do not use abroad. Recommended credit: Good to Excellent. Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms.

How to Get the Most From This Card Step by Step:

1. Apply on the official Amex page and read your exact welcome offer. Check the $2,000 spend in 6 months — most households reach it easily.
2. Use this card for all your supermarket shopping, gas, and online retail purchases to earn 3% cash back, up to $6,000 a year in each category.
3. Enrol in the Disney streaming credit and the Home Chef credit, and use them monthly.
4. If you need to carry a balance, use the 0% intro APR for 15 months — but make a plan to pay it off before the intro period ends.
5. Leave this card at home when you travel abroad. Use a card with no foreign transaction fee instead, and use the cash back you earned at home to pay for your trip.

Watch out for: The 2.7% foreign transaction fee is the biggest catch. Every purchase abroad costs you extra, and it cancels out your cash back. Walmart, Target, Costco, and warehouse clubs do not count as supermarkets, so you earn 1% there, not 3%. The 3% categories are capped at $6,000 a year each, then drop to 1%. And the 0% intro APR ends after 15 months — after that, the APR is about 20% to 28%, so pay your balance before the intro period ends.

9. Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred Card is the Blue Cash Everyday Card's bigger sister. It costs $0 in the first year, then $95 a year. In return, it doubles the grocery rate to 6% — the highest mainstream grocery rate in the United States. If your family spends a lot at the supermarket, this card earns more than the Everyday card, even after the $95 fee. If your family spends a little, it does not. The math decides.

The welcome offer is $250 cash back, as a statement credit, after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. That is the public offer. Note that a newer "as high as $300" version was reported in November 2026, but it appears to be targeted and personalised, not the standard public offer. Some applicants may see up to $300. Check the offer shown to you at application.

The rewards are 6% cash back at US supermarkets, up to $6,000 a year, then 1%. 6% on select US streaming subscriptions, with no cap. 3% cash back at US gas stations and on transit — taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, and buses. And 1% on everything else. The 6% grocery rate is the star. A family that spends $500 a month at the supermarket earns $360 a year from groceries alone. Subtract the $95 fee, and you are $265 ahead. The Everyday card, with no fee and 3% groceries, would earn $180 on the same spending. So if you spend $264 or more a month at real supermarkets, the Preferred card wins. If you spend less, the Everyday card wins.

The card also gives you up to $120 a year in Disney streaming credits — $10 a month for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. That credit alone covers the $95 fee, if you already pay for streaming. There is a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then 19.74% to 28.74% variable.

Now the same honest warning as the Everyday card. This card charges a 2.7% foreign transaction fee. Do not use it abroad. Every purchase outside the US costs you 2.7% extra, which cancels out your cash back. This is a card for spending at home. Use a different card on holiday.

The same supermarket warning applies too. Walmart, Target, warehouse clubs, and meal kits do not count as US supermarkets. If you buy your groceries at Walmart or Costco, you earn 1%, not 6%. And the 6% grocery rate is capped at $6,000 a year. After that, you earn 1%. A family that spends $600 a month at the supermarket will hit the cap in 10 months.

Key Features:

• 6% cash back at US supermarkets up to $6,000 a year, and 6% on select US streaming
• 3% cash back at US gas stations and on transit
• Up to $120 a year in Disney streaming credits
• 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
• $0 annual fee in the first year, then $95

Best for: Families spending $264 or more a month at real supermarkets — at that level the 6% beats the Everyday card, even after the $95 fee

Card at a Glance: Annual fee $0 in the first year, then $95. Welcome offer $250 cash back after $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Some applicants may see up to $300. Top rewards: 6% US supermarkets (up to $6,000/yr), 6% select US streaming, 3% gas and transit, 1% everything else. APR: 0% intro for 12 months, then 19.74% to 28.74% variable. Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% — do not use abroad. Recommended credit: Good to Excellent. Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms.

How to Get the Most From This Card Step by Step:

1. Apply on the official Amex page and read your exact welcome offer. Check whether you see $250 or the targeted $300 offer.
2. Use this card for all your supermarket shopping to earn 6% cash back, and for streaming subscriptions to earn 6% with no cap.
3. Enrol in the Disney streaming credit and use the $10 a month — that alone covers the $95 fee.
4. Track your grocery spending. Once you pass $6,000 in a year, switch to another card for groceries, because the rate drops to 1%.
5. Leave this card at home when you travel abroad. Use a card with no foreign transaction fee instead, and use the cash back you earned at home to pay for your trip.

Watch out for: The 2.7% foreign transaction fee is the biggest catch — do not use this card abroad. The 6% grocery rate is capped at $6,000 a year and excludes Walmart, Target, warehouse clubs, and meal kits. If you spend less than $264 a month at real supermarkets, the free Everyday card earns you more. And the 0% intro APR ends after 12 months — after that, the APR is about 20% to 28%, so pay your balance before the intro period ends.

10. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

The Delta Gold Card is the Delta card for people who fly Delta a few times a year, not every week. It costs $0 in the first year, then $150 a year. Its job is simple: the free checked bags pay for the fee, and the miles are a bonus. If you fly Delta twice a year and check a bag, this card pays for itself. If you fly Delta once a year with only a carry-on, it does not.

The welcome offer is as high as 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. That is a low spend — about $334 a month — and a generous offer for a card with no fee in year 1. Note that the previous offer, 80,000 miles plus a $250 statement credit after $3,000 of spending, ended on 4 November 2026. The current offer needs less spending but has no statement credit. Check the official page for the current offer.

The rewards are 2x miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants, and at US supermarkets, and 1x mile on everything else. That is a fair earn rate for a mid-tier card. It is not spectacular, but it is honest. You will earn miles on the things you already buy, without thinking about it.

The main benefit is the free bags. You get your first checked bag free for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, plus a second bag free on domestic Delta flights — a benefit added on 4 June 2026. A checked bag on Delta normally costs about $35 each way. One round trip with a checked bag saves you $70. Two round trips save you $140. That is almost the whole $150 fee, from bags alone. You also get TakeOff 15 — 15% off Delta award flights. You get a $200 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year. You get up to $120 a year in rideshare credits — $10 a month — but that credit only starts after your first renewal, in year 2. You get up to $100 a year in Delta Stays credits. You get Zone 5 priority boarding, and 20% back on Delta inflight purchases.

What you do not get is lounge access. There is no Sky Club access on this card, and no Companion Certificate. Those belong to the Delta Reserve Card, which costs $650 a year. The Delta Gold Card is for people who want the bags and the miles, not the lounge.

The Delta Gold Card is a credit card with a variable APR of 19.74% to 28.74%, and no intro APR. There is no foreign transaction fee, so you can use it abroad without a penalty.

Key Features:

• First and second checked bags free on domestic Delta flights, for you and up to 8 companions
• TakeOff 15: 15% off Delta award flights
• $200 Delta flight credit after $10,000 of spending in a calendar year
• Up to $120 a year in rideshare credits from year 2, $100 a year in Delta Stays credits
• 2x miles on Delta, restaurants, and US supermarkets
• Zone 5 priority boarding, 20% back on Delta inflight purchases
• No foreign transaction fee

Best for: Occasional Delta flyers who fly 2 or more times a year and check a bag, so the bag fees pay for the $150 annual fee

Card at a Glance: Annual fee $0 in the first year, then $150. Welcome offer as high as 80,000 Bonus Miles after $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Top rewards: 2x Delta purchases, restaurants, and US supermarkets, 1x everything else. APR: 19.74% to 28.74% variable, no intro APR. Foreign transaction fee: none. Recommended credit: Good to Excellent. Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms.

How to Get the Most From This Card Step by Step:

1. Apply on the official Amex page and read your exact welcome offer. Check the $2,000 spend in 6 months — most people reach it easily.
2. Book all your Delta flights with this card, and check a bag on every trip. The free bags are the main reason to hold this card.
3. Use TakeOff 15 when you book award flights with miles. A 15% discount means your 80,000 welcome miles go further.
4. Track your spending toward the $10,000 a year target for the $200 Delta flight credit. If you reach it, use the credit on your next Delta flight.
5. From year 2 onwards, use the $10 monthly rideshare credit every month, and use the Delta Stays credit when you book a hotel through Delta.

Watch out for: There is no lounge access and no Companion Certificate — those need the Delta Reserve Card at $650 a year. The rideshare credit only starts in year 2, so you get nothing from it in year 1. The $200 flight credit needs $10,000 of spending in a year, which many people will not reach. And Delta miles have dynamic award pricing, so the number of miles a free flight costs changes all the time. Your 80,000 miles may buy a flight today and not enough for the same flight next month. Pay your balance in full, because the APR of about 20% to 28% will cost more than your miles are worth.

11. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

The Hilton Surpass Card is the Hilton card for people who want Gold status without paying $550 for the Aspire Card. It costs $150 a year, with no first-year waiver. Some older pages still say "$0 first year, then $150", but the official Amex page now shows $150 from day one. Do not expect a free first year.

The welcome offer is 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. That is a generous offer for a $150 card — 130,000 points plus a free night. Note the deadline: this offer ends on 13 January 2027. If you apply after that date, the offer may be lower. Check the official page for the current offer.

The rewards are 12x points on Hilton purchases, 6x points at US restaurants, US supermarkets, and US gas stations, 4x points on US online retail purchases, and 3x points on everything else. The 6x rate on restaurants, supermarkets, and gas is excellent for a hotel card. Most hotel cards earn 1x or 2x on everyday spending. This card earns 6x on the things you buy every week. And the 3x rate on everything else means you earn real points even on purchases that fit no category.

The headline benefit is Gold status. You get complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which gives you free breakfast or a food-and-beverage credit at most Hilton brands, room upgrades, and late checkout. Gold status normally needs 20 stays or 40 nights a year. This card gives it to you for $150. It is not Diamond status — Diamond is better, and it belongs to the Aspire Card — but Gold is the tier where the real benefits start, especially the free breakfast.

The card also gives you up to $200 a year in Hilton credits — $50 every three months on direct Hilton purchases. You get a Free Night Reward after you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. Note that this is separate from the free night in the welcome offer. The welcome-offer free night comes from signing up. The $15,000 free night comes from spending. You also get the 5th night free on Hilton award stays, which is a program benefit: book 5 nights with points, and the 5th night costs nothing.

What the Surpass Card does not have is lounge access. There is no Priority Pass and no airport lounge benefit. If you want lounges, you need the Platinum Card. This card is for Hilton guests, not for airport lounges.

The Surpass Card is a credit card with a variable APR of 19.74% to 28.74%. There is no foreign transaction fee.

Key Features:

• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status with free breakfast and room upgrades
• 12x points on Hilton stays, 6x on US restaurants, supermarkets, and gas, 4x on US online retail, 3x on everything else
• Up to $200 a year in Hilton credits, $50 every three months
• Free Night Reward after $15,000 of spending in a calendar year, plus a free night in the welcome offer
• 5th night free on Hilton award stays
• No foreign transaction fee

Best for: Hilton guests staying a few times a year who want Gold status without paying $550 for the Aspire Card

Card at a Glance: Annual fee $150, from day one, no first-year waiver. Welcome offer 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Offer ends 13 January 2027. Top rewards: 12x Hilton, 6x US restaurants, supermarkets, gas, 4x US online retail, 3x everything else. APR: 19.74% to 28.74% variable. Foreign transaction fee: none. Recommended credit: Good to Excellent. Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms.

How to Get the Most From This Card Step by Step:

1. Apply on the official Amex page before 13 January 2027 if you want the 130,000-point plus free night offer. Read your exact offer before you accept.
2. Book all your Hilton stays directly with Hilton and pay with this card to earn 12x points and to use your Gold status benefits.
3. Use the $50 quarterly Hilton credit every three months on a direct Hilton purchase, so none of it expires.
4. Put your restaurant, supermarket, and gas spending on this card to earn 6x points. Put online shopping on this card for 4x points.
5. Use the 5th night free benefit when you book a long stay with points. Five nights for the price of four is a 20% discount on every long trip.

Watch out for: The annual fee is $150 from day one — there is no free first year, despite what older pages say. The $200 Hilton credit is $50 every three months, use it or lose it, and only on direct Hilton charges. The free night from spending needs $15,000 in a year, which many people will not reach. And there is no lounge access at all. If you want Diamond status and an uncapped free night every year, the Aspire Card is better — but it costs $550. Pay your balance in full, because the APR of about 20% to 28% will cost more than your points are worth.

12. Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business Plus Card is the simplest business card in this guide, and it may be the most useful card here for a small business or a side hustle. It costs $0 a year, forever. It earns 2x points on everything. And it is the only no-annual-fee Amex card that earns transferable Membership Rewards points — the same points that the $895 Platinum Card earns. That makes it a free way to keep your points alive and to earn them on every purchase.

The welcome offer needs a careful note, because our sources disagree. The official Amex campaign page we could read showed 25,000 points after $5,000 in purchases in 3 months. The Points Guy, FinanceBuzz, and One Mile at a Time all say "as high as 50,000 points after $5,000 in 3 months". Older public offers were 15,000 points after $3,000. The 50,000 figure is the most widely cited in November 2026, and the screenshot of the official card page in this guide shows 50,000 points. The safest way to say it is this: the offer is as high as 50,000 points after $5,000 in purchases in 3 months, but your exact offer may be lower. Check the offer shown to you at application before you accept.

The rewards are 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases on the first $50,000 a year, then 1x. There are no categories to track and no rotating bonuses to remember. Every purchase earns 2x, whether it is office supplies, advertising, travel, or lunch. Purchases through Amex Travel also earn 2x and do not count toward the $50,000 cap. That simplicity is the point. You do not need to think about this card. You just use it, and you earn 2x on everything.

The card also gives you a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then 16.99% to 28.74% variable. That is useful if your business needs to buy equipment and pay for it over a few months. But make a plan to pay it off before the intro period ends, because the APR after that is high.

There are no travel perks on this card. No lounge access, no statement credits, no hotel status, no free night. That is fine. This card is not trying to be a travel card. It is trying to be a free, simple points card for a business. And because it earns transferable Membership Rewards points, you can move your points to an airline or hotel partner later, or combine them with the points from a Platinum or Gold Card.

One more feature to know. The card has Expanded Buying Power, which means you can spend beyond your credit limit, with no over-limit fee. Amex decides each purchase on its own. That is useful for a business with uneven spending, but it is not free money — you still have to pay it back.

Now the honest warning. This card charges a 2.7% foreign transaction fee. Do not use it abroad. Every purchase outside the US costs you 2.7% extra, which cancels out your 2x points. Use a card with no foreign transaction fee when you travel. And you need a business to apply — even a side hustle counts, but you must have business income to report.

Key Features:

• $0 annual fee, forever
• 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases up to $50,000 a year, then 1x
• The only no-fee Amex card that earns transferable Membership Rewards points
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
• Expanded Buying Power — spend beyond your credit limit with no over-limit fee
• No categories to track

Best for: Any small business or side hustle wanting a free, simple 2x-everywhere points card

Card at a Glance: Annual fee $0. Welcome offer as high as 50,000 Membership Rewards points after $5,000 in purchases in 3 months — your exact offer may be lower, so check at application. Top rewards: 2x on everyday business purchases up to $50,000/yr, then 1x. APR: 0% intro for 12 months, then 16.99% to 28.74% variable. Foreign transaction fee: 2.7% — do not use abroad. Recommended credit: Good to Excellent. Check the official card page for the current offer, fee, and terms.

How to Get the Most From This Card Step by Step:

1. Apply on the official Amex page and read your exact welcome offer. Check whether you see 25,000 or 50,000 points.
2. Use this card for every business purchase to earn 2x points, up to $50,000 a year. There are no categories to track.
3. Book business travel through Amex Travel to earn 2x points without using up your $50,000 cap.
4. If you also hold a Platinum or Gold Card, combine your points. The points from this free card are the same Membership Rewards points, and they are worth more when you transfer them to an airline or hotel partner.
5. If you use the 0% intro APR, make a plan to pay the balance off before the 12 months end.

Watch out for: The earn rate drops to 1x after $50,000 a year, so a business that spends more than that needs a second card. The 2.7% foreign transaction fee means you should never use this card abroad. The welcome offer is disputed — 25,000 on one official page, as high as 50,000 elsewhere — so check your exact offer at application. And you need a business, even a side hustle, to apply. Finally, pay your balance before the 0% intro APR ends, because the APR after that is about 17% to 28%.

How to Pick the Right Card

You do not need all 12 cards. You need one card that matches how you travel, and maybe one no-fee card as a backup. Here is a simple routine for picking the right one, using only the cards in this guide.

If you fly often and want lounges: Get the Platinum Card. It has the best lounge network in the US — Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, and Delta Sky Clubs. Enrol in every credit on day one, and set a monthly reminder to use the monthly credits. Use the card for flights and prepaid hotels to earn 5x points. Use a different card for groceries and everyday spending, because the Platinum Card only earns 1x on those.

If you run a business and travel for work: Get the Business Platinum Card if your business spends $20,000 in 3 months, or the Business Gold Card if it spends $15,000 in 3 months. Put all flights and hotels on Amex Travel. Put your two biggest business expenses on the Business Gold Card for 4x points. And get the Blue Business Plus Card as well — it costs nothing, it earns 2x on everything up to $50,000 a year, and its points are the same Membership Rewards points.

If you stay at the same hotel chain: Get that chain's card. Hilton loyalists should get the Aspire Card if they stay at resorts and want Diamond status, or the Surpass Card if they want Gold status for $150. Marriott loyalists should get the Brilliant Card for Platinum status, Priority Pass, and the free night from year 2. Book directly with the hotel, pay with the card, and use the free night at the most expensive property you can find.

If you fly Delta: Get the Delta Reserve Card if you fly Delta 10 or more times a year and travel with a companion — the Companion Certificate and the lounge visits pay for the $650 fee. Get the Delta Gold Card if you fly Delta 2 or 3 times a year and check a bag — the free bags pay for the $150 fee, and the first year is free.

If you want a free card: Get the Blue Business Plus Card if you have a business or a side hustle — 2x points on everything, no fee, and transferable points. Get the Blue Cash Everyday Card if you want cash back at home — 3% on groceries, gas, and online shopping, no fee. Do not use either card abroad, because both charge a 2.7% foreign transaction fee.

If you eat out every day: Get the Gold Card. 4x points on restaurants and supermarkets is the best food earn rate in the US. Use the $10 monthly dining credit and the $10 monthly Uber Cash, and the card nearly pays for itself.

Here is a real example. A consultant flies Delta twice a month, stays at Hilton hotels, and eats out every day. She gets the Delta Reserve Card for the lounge and the Companion Certificate. She gets the Hilton Aspire Card for Diamond status and the free night. She gets the Gold Card for 4x points on restaurants. She uses the Delta Reserve Card for Delta flights, the Aspire Card for Hilton stays, and the Gold Card for food. She pays $1,525 a year in fees, but she gets a Companion Certificate worth $600, a free Hilton night worth $400, lounge access worth $500, and Diamond status worth hundreds more. The fees pay for themselves because every card matches a real habit.

Is the Annual Fee Worth It?

Most people ask this question the wrong way. They look at the fee and think it is too much. The right question is: will I use enough credits and perks to earn the fee back? Let us do the math for the five most expensive cards in this guide.

Platinum Card, $895. The credits add up to more than $2,000 a year on paper — $600 in hotel credits, $400 in Resy, $300 in entertainment, $300 at lululemon, $200 in airline fees, $200 in Uber Cash, $120 in Uber One, $219 for CLEAR+, and $120 for Global Entry. But nobody uses all of them. A realistic user might use the hotel credits ($600), the airline fee credit ($200), Uber Cash ($200), CLEAR+ ($219), and Global Entry ($120). That is $1,339 — more than the $895 fee. Add lounge access, which is worth $300 to $500 a year if you fly 10 times, and the card is clearly worth it. But if you never stay at a Fine Hotel, never use Resy, and never fly, you will lose $895. Be honest about your habits.

Business Platinum Card, $895. The Dell credit alone can be worth $1,150 a year, but only if you spend $5,000 with Dell. The Indeed credit is $360, Adobe is $250, ChatGPT Business is $300. A business that already buys from Dell, Adobe, and Indeed will earn the fee back from credits alone, before counting the lounge access and the 300,000-point welcome offer. A business that buys none of those things will not.

Hilton Aspire Card, $550. The free night alone can be worth $400 to $800 at a good Hilton property. Add Diamond status, which is worth hundreds of dollars in upgrades and free breakfast, and the $400 resort credit and $200 flight credit. If you stay at a Hilton resort twice a year, this card pays for itself easily. If you never stay at a Hilton, it is a $550 mistake.

Marriott Brilliant Card, $650. The free night, worth up to 85,000 points, usually covers a $300 to $500 hotel night from year 2 onwards. Add Platinum status, Priority Pass lounge access, and $300 in dining credits. From year 2, the card is worth it for anyone who stays at Marriott 15 nights a year. In year 1, there is no free night, so the card is harder to justify — you pay $650 for status, lounges, and $300 in dining credits.

Delta Reserve Card, $650. The Companion Certificate is the key. One free companion ticket on Delta can be worth $300 to $800. Add 15 Sky Club visits, free bags for you and 8 companions, and $240 in Resy credits. If you fly Delta with a partner once a year, the certificate alone covers the fee. If you always fly alone and never check a bag, it does not.

The no-fee cards need no math. Blue Cash Everyday and Blue Business Plus cost nothing, so any cash back or points you earn is pure profit. The only question is whether you use them enough to bother. If you spend $500 a month on groceries, the Everyday card earns you $180 a year for free. That is free money.

Before you apply for any card with a fee, write down the credits you will actually use, and add them up. If the total is bigger than the fee, apply. If it is smaller, pick a cheaper card or a no-fee card. Do not apply for a card because the welcome offer is big. Apply because the card matches your life.

Mistakes to Avoid

1. Paying a fee for credits you never use. The Platinum Card gives you $600 in hotel credits, $400 in Resy credits, and $300 in entertainment credits. But if you never stay at a Fine Hotel, never book through Resy, and never pay for streaming, those credits are worth zero. Add up the credits you will actually use, not the credits on the list. If the total is less than the fee, do not apply.

2. Chasing a welcome offer with money you do not have. A welcome offer of 175,000 points needs $12,000 of spending in 6 months. If you do not normally spend that much, do not force it. Do not buy things you do not need. And never carry a balance to meet a minimum spend. These cards charge about 20% to 28% interest a year. One month of interest on a $5,000 balance costs you about $100. That wipes out more value than the points are worth.

3. Applying without US credit history. These are US cards. You need a US address, a Social Security Number or ITIN, and US credit history. If you live in the UK and have no US credit history, Amex will decline your application, and the hard inquiry will still appear on your credit report. The one exception is Amex Global Transfer, for people who already hold an Amex card in another country. For everyone else, US credit history is a real requirement.

4. Relying on Amex alone in Europe. Amex is not accepted everywhere in Europe. Small cafés, family restaurants, and rural shops often do not take it. If you travel to Europe with only an Amex card, you will sometimes be unable to pay. Always carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup. And never use the three cards with a 2.7% foreign transaction fee abroad — Blue Cash Everyday, Blue Cash Preferred, and Blue Business Plus.

5. Forgetting the once-per-lifetime rule. You can only earn the welcome offer on each Amex card once in your lifetime. If you had the Platinum Card before, cancelled it, and apply again, you will not get the 175,000 points. Amex will tell you before you accept the card, but many people do not read the message. Do not cancel a card and expect to earn the offer again.

6. Missing the minimum spend deadline. Welcome offers have a deadline — 3 months or 6 months from approval. If you spend $11,000 of the $12,000 needed for the Platinum Card, you get nothing. Not half the points. Nothing. Track your spending from day one, and make sure you reach the target before the deadline. Set a reminder for one month before the deadline.

7. Ignoring the monthly and quarterly credit clocks. Most credits on these cards run on monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual clocks. A $25 monthly credit that you forget in January is gone forever. A $100 quarterly credit that you forget in March is gone forever. Set a reminder on your phone for the first day of every month, and use your monthly credits first.

8. Redeeming points badly. Membership Rewards points are worth about 1 cent each if you use them for cash back or statement credits. They are worth 2 cents or more when you transfer them to an airline or hotel partner and book a flight or a hotel. Never use your points for cash back if you can transfer them instead. And never let your points expire — Membership Rewards points do not expire as long as you hold at least one card that earns them, but Hilton and Marriott points can expire if your account is inactive.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I apply for these cards if I live outside the US? Generally, no. These are US-issued cards. You need a US street address, a Social Security Number or ITIN, and US credit history. If you live in the UK, you need a UK-issued Amex card instead. The one exception is Amex Global Transfer: if you already hold an Amex card in another country, Amex can use your foreign Amex history to approve a US card. For everyone else, US credit history is a real requirement.

2. What credit score do I need for these cards? Amex does not publish a minimum score. The standard guidance is Good to Excellent credit — a FICO score of 670 or higher, realistically 700 or higher, and 740 or higher for the premium cards like Platinum and Business Platinum. Your income, your existing debt, and your credit history also matter. A high score alone does not guarantee approval.

3. Are the welcome offers guaranteed? No. Welcome offers are "as high as" and personalised. Amex shows your exact offer when you apply, before you accept the card. The headline number — 175,000 points, 300,000 points — is the ceiling, not a promise. Your offer may be lower. And the once-per-lifetime rule means you can only earn the welcome offer on each card once.

4. What is the difference between a charge card and a credit card? A charge card, like the Platinum, Business Platinum, Gold, and Business Gold cards, has no preset spending limit, but you must pay your balance in full each month. A credit card, like the Delta, Hilton, Marriott, and Blue Cash cards, has a credit limit and lets you carry a balance — but the APR is about 20% to 28%, so carrying a balance is expensive. Never carry a balance on any of these cards if you can avoid it.

5. Which card is best for Europe travel? The Platinum Card, because it has no foreign transaction fee and the best lounge access. But remember, Amex is not accepted everywhere in Europe. Many small shops and cafés do not take it. Carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup. And never use the Blue Cash Everyday, Blue Cash Preferred, or Blue Business Plus cards in Europe — they charge a 2.7% foreign transaction fee on every purchase.

6. Do any of these cards charge a foreign transaction fee? Yes, three of them. Blue Cash Everyday, Blue Cash Preferred, and Blue Business Plus all charge 2.7% on purchases made outside the US. The other nine cards charge no foreign transaction fee. Do not use the three 2.7% cards abroad.

7. What is the best no-annual-fee card in this guide? The Blue Business Plus Card, if you have a business or a side hustle. It earns 2x Membership Rewards points on everything up to $50,000 a year, and the points are transferable to airlines and hotels. For personal use, the Blue Cash Everyday Card is best — 3% cash back on groceries, gas, and online shopping, with no fee. Both cards charge a 2.7% foreign transaction fee, so use them at home only.

8. Is the $895 Platinum Card fee worth it? It depends on how you use it. If you use the hotel credits, airline fee credit, Uber Cash, CLEAR+, and Global Entry credit, the credits alone are worth more than $895. Add lounge access, and the card is clearly worth it for frequent flyers. If you never use the credits and rarely fly, you will lose $895. Add up the credits you will actually use before you apply.

9. What is the best card for Delta flyers? The Delta Reserve Card if you fly Delta 10 or more times a year and travel with a companion — the Companion Certificate and the lounge visits pay for the $650 fee. The Delta Gold Card if you fly Delta 2 or 3 times a year and check a bag — the free bags pay for the $150 fee, and the first year is free.

10. What is the best card for Hilton hotels? The Aspire Card if you stay at Hilton resorts and want Diamond status and a free night every year. It costs $550, but the free night alone can be worth more than the fee. The Surpass Card if you want Gold status for $150 and you stay at Hilton a few times a year. Both cards earn 12x to 14x points on Hilton stays.

11. What is the best card for Marriott hotels? The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card. It gives you Platinum Elite status, a free night worth up to 85,000 points from year 2 onwards, and Priority Pass lounge access. It costs $650. If you stay at Marriott 15 or more nights a year, it pays for itself. Note that the free night only arrives after renewal, not in year 1.

12. Can I get lounge access with a cheaper card? Yes, but not the best lounges. The Marriott Brilliant Card gives you Priority Pass Select with unlimited visits for $650. The Delta Reserve Card gives you 15 Sky Club visits a year for $650. The Platinum Card gives you the best lounge network — Centurion, Priority Pass, and Delta Sky Clubs — for $895. There is no cheap card in this guide with lounge access. If lounges matter to you, you must pay for a premium card.

13. What is a Companion Certificate, and how does it work? A Companion Certificate is a voucher for a free ticket for a second person on the same flight. The Delta Reserve Card gives you one every year from year 2 onwards, for Delta First, Comfort+, or Main Cabin. You buy your ticket, and your companion flies free on the same flight, paying only taxes and fees. If you travel with a partner once a year, the certificate can be worth $300 to $800 — more than the card's annual fee.

14. How much are Membership Rewards points worth? About 1 cent each if you use them for cash back or statement credits. About 2 cents or more when you transfer them to an airline or hotel partner and book a flight or a hotel. Never use your points for cash back if you can transfer them instead. Transfer partners include Delta, British Airways, Air France-KLM, Hilton, Marriott, and many others. Check the transfer ratios on the official Amex page before you transfer, because they are not all 1 to 1.

15. What happens if I miss the minimum spend for a welcome offer? You get nothing. If the offer needs $12,000 in 6 months and you spend $11,000, you earn zero bonus points. Not half. Zero. Track your spending from day one, and set a reminder one month before the deadline. If you realise you will not reach the target, do not buy things you do not need just to reach it — the points are not worth more than the things you buy.

16. Can I hold more than one of these cards? Yes. Many travellers hold two or three. A common combination is the Platinum Card for flights and lounges, the Gold Card for dining and groceries, and the Blue Business Plus Card for 2x points on everything else. But do not apply for many cards at once. Each application is a hard inquiry on your credit report, and too many at once can lower your score and lead to declines. Space your applications months apart.

17. Does this guide have affiliate links? No. This guide has no affiliate links and no Apply Now buttons. We earn nothing if you apply for a card. We list the facts, the fees, and the honest catches, and you decide. The blog owner will add his own links later. For now, check the official card page on the Amex website for the current offer, fee, and terms before you apply.

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Final Thoughts

The best travel credit cards in 2026 are good enough to pay for real holidays. You do not need to pay for a flight if you use a welcome offer well. You do not need to pay for a hotel night if you use a free night award well. You do not need to wait in a crowded airport if you have lounge access. But you only need to pick the right card for how you actually travel, and to know its limits before you apply.

Here is the simple answer. If you fly often and want lounges, get the Platinum Card. If you eat out every day, get the Gold Card. If you stay at Hilton hotels, get the Aspire Card for Diamond status or the Surpass Card for Gold status. If you stay at Marriott hotels, get the Brilliant Card. If you fly Delta, get the Reserve Card for frequent trips or the Gold Card for occasional trips. If you run a business, get the Business Platinum Card or the Business Gold Card, plus the Blue Business Plus Card for free 2x points on everything. If you want a free card, get the Blue Cash Everyday Card for cash back at home.

Remember the three warnings. First, these are US cards — you need a US address and US credit history to apply. Second, Amex is not accepted everywhere in Europe, so carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup, and never use the three cards with a 2.7% foreign transaction fee abroad. Third, a welcome offer is not free money — you must meet the minimum spend, you can only earn it once per lifetime, and carrying a balance at 20% to 28% interest wipes out more value than the points are worth.

Start with one card that matches your biggest spending category. Use it for six months. Then decide what is missing. Most people find that one good card and one no-fee backup card cover everything they need. And when you do pay an annual fee, pay it because the credits and perks are worth more than the fee — not because the welcome offer looked big.

Your trips are worth planning well. Use these cards to earn the flight, the hotel, and the lounge. Then go and enjoy the journey.