Top Credit Cards for Travel Points and Rewards | 2025 Update

Trying to decide if the high fee for premium travel credit cards is worth it? This post will take you through the top credit cards for travel points and rewards. We'll dive into fees, perks, elite status, best ways to redeem, point value, what card to use for what purchases, and more! By the end of this post you should know whether it's smart to have one or all four cards in your wallet.

There are 4 cards in my wallet that I consider my top credit cards for travel points. I've had these cards for years and don't plan on closing them any time soon, if ever. They are not cards that I churn or open just for the welcome bonus.

I pay a good amount in fees for these 4 premium travel credit cards. 2.5K each year to be exact. And will continue paying that amount, because each year I use enough benefits that not only does the card pay for itself, but I often end up "net positive".

Yes, you read that right.

I'll show you how to come out ahead for each card in this post.

In my experience, the top credit cards for travel points are the Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant AMEX, and the Capital One Venture X (which replaced my Citi Prestige a few years back).

Though the annual fees may seem steep, the benefits, statement credits, instant elite status, and perks make these cards more than worthwhile.

After reading this post it will be clear if you should own one or all four cards depending on how much you travel, what’s important to you, and how much you value certain perks.

Be warned, this is a long post so stick with me to the very end.

Learning about the top credit cards for travel points is not a straight forward, simple journey. This topic is always evolving and you're going to have to do some math to decide which premium travel credit card is right for you. If it were a simple game, there wouldn't be a million blogs dedicated to the subject. 

Trust me, it's worth it to spend some time figuring out your credit card and travel points strategy. I haven't paid for a flight in 15+ years because I put time and effort into my credit card and travel points strategy. Do the same and you'll reap the benefits too!

Why I don’t include access to hotel programs in the benefits summary

Most premium travel credit cards come with access to a specific hotel program.

AMEX Platinum gives access to Fine Hotels & Resorts.

Chase Sapphire reserve includes access to The Edit.

What is the benefit of booking through this collection or program? If you book through the program’s website, you’ll receive perks like a $100 spa credit, free breakfast, room upgrades, etc.

I’m not including this in the perks summary for any card listed below. Every time I look into booking a hotel with one of these programs, the price is almost always higher than if I booked directly with the hotel or if I used a booking website like Expedia (even with the included benefits and free items).  

Perks included with each of these premium travel credit cards

So as not to repeat myself in each card section, the below benefits are included with each card:

Global Entry ($120)/TSA Precheck ($85) Fee Credit – Global Entry includes TSA Precheck, so you might as well just get Global Entry. Global Entry lasts 5 years. Effectively, you’ll save $24 a year by having your Global Entry fee reimbursed every 5 years.

Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty Protection – protection from damage or theft for 90 days (120 with Chase Sapphire Reserve) for new purchases and extended warranties. 

No Foreign Transaction Fees

Airport Lounge Access with Priority Pass Select - don’t count on gaining admittance into the luxurious Delta Sky Club or American Express lounge collection. Priority Pass includes the lower-status clubs.

The Priority Pass app will show you what clubs you can get into at each airport. I’ve found that the clubs on this list are much better abroad, like Europe, than in the US.

Priority Pass seems to come with every premium credit card now, so this isn’t a huge perk for me personally.

Because so many cardholders now have access to Priority Pass, it’s very common to arrive at a club and be denied entrance because they have reached capacity.  

See my other travel tips:

17 Essentials for International Travel | Items to Pack for EVERY Trip

How to Pack Light for 2 Weeks | Carry On Only

BEST Places to Visit in Europe | 11 MUST-Visit Destinations

How to Travel Europe on a Budget | 13 Tips to Save Money

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Use Chase Sapphire Reserve for all travel and dining purchases

Chase Sapphire Reserve has the best travel coverage and insurance.

The Capital One Venture X comes in close second.

Coverages include an emergency evacuation benefit and emergency medical and dental coverage while traveling. 

I’ll use my Chase Sapphire Reserve over the other three premium credit cards if I’m traveling outside the US and want peace of mind knowing I have insurance and emergency services covered with this card. 

The AMEX Platinum, Capital One Venture X, and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant all have some sort of travel coverage or insurance, but it’s not nearly as extensive as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

An example of an awesome Chase Sapphire Reserve benefit is the Trip Delay Reimbursement. You can receive up to $500 per ticket for expenses like lodging and meals if your trip is delayed over six hours. 

Reward Program/Portal: Chase Ultimate Rewards

Annual Fee: $795 (the fee was just increased from $550)

Effective Annual Fee: with the new changes in 2025, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is no longer a guaranteed net-zero cost. 

To cover the steep annual fee, some effort is required in tracking (and using) the card benefits. It's annoying, but worthwhile for frequent travelers.

The perks are worth it for me, and I'm able to essentially make money by owning the card and using the benefits.

Between the $300 annual travel credit, $120 Lyft credits, $300 OpenTable dining credits, shopping credits (more on that below...I usually earn $100 - $300 a year), 25% to 35% car rental savings, etc., it's not hard for frequent travelers to dwindle the annual fee to zero.

Earning Points:

• 8 points on hotels and flights booked through Chase Travel
• 4 points for flights and hotels booked directly through the airline/hotel
• 3 points per dollar on dining worldwide
• 5 points for Lyft rides
• 10x points on eligible Peloton hardware and accessory purchases
• 1 point for everything else.

Redeeming Points: 1 to 1 point transfers to 14 travel partners including Marriott, Hyatt, British Airways, and United Airlines or redeem for travel in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal at a value of 1 cents per point. Opportunities for "points boost" will be available for certain travel bookings.

The Points Guy values Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents a point. You can read more about his valuations here. This is my go-to resource for keeping up-to-date on points and credit cards. 

Benefit Summary

$300 in Annual Travel Credits - the travel category is broad and includes hotels, flights, Ubers, trains, Airbnb, and more. You’ll receive credits on your monthly statement until you reach $300. 

$500 annual credit towards The Edit - a handpicked collection of hotels found on the Chase booking portal. You'll also receive benefits like free breakfast, $100 resort credit, room upgrades, and more.

I don't take much stock in this benefit. I often find the hotel price is more expensive on the Chase portal versus booking directly through the hotel or a site like Expedia. This "exclusive collection" often appears to just be the most expensive hotels in each city/region.

$120 annual Peloton Credit - $10 credit each month for your Peloton membership.

$120 annual Lyft Credit - $10 credit each month for Lyft rides.

$300 in annual credits at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables on OpenTable.

$300 annual credit for StubHub concert and event tickets.

Complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music Subscription - valued at $250 a year.

IHG Platinum Status

Travel Coverage and Insurance - baggage delay insurance, rental car insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay insurance.

Roadside Assistance – you’re covered up to $50 per service four times a year.

Lost Luggage Reimbursement – receive up to $3,000 per passenger if your luggage is lost by the carrier. 

Emergency Evacuation Benefit – cardholders can be covered up to $100,000 for transportation and medical services if they or an immediate family member become sick or injured during a trip and requires emergency evacuation.

Emergency Medical and Dental Benefit – cardholders can be reimbursed up to $2,500 for medical expenses if they or an immediate family member becomes sick during a trip that’s 100 miles or more away from home. 

Rental Car Privileges - instant Executive Level status with National Rental Car and special car rental privileges with Avis and Hertz. The Executive status with National is the big perk here.

Not only do you save up to 25% on your car rentals once your Chase Sapphire Reserve card is linked with your account, but you also get to skip the line and head straight to the Executive section and pick whichever car you want.

This not only saves time, but the cars in this section are newer and nicer.

DoorDash (meal delivery credits and status) - free DashPass membership (valued at $120) and $300 in annual credit for restaurant, grocery, and retail orders.

In my opinion, the $300 annual credit is a wash. Each month, you have one $5 credit for restaurant purchases and two $10 credits for grocery/retail purchases. The prices are almost always higher on DoorDash than if you purchased directly. I even find that Uber Eats is often cheaper than DoorDash.

Once you add the higher price, delivery/service fee, and tip, it ends up being the same price or more than if you bought directly from the company or in-store.

Chase Offers - a list of offers is constantly updated on the Chase website. $10 back when you spend $50 at Cole Haan, $50 back when you spend $200 at Omni Hotels, etc.

I check these offers every month. You have to click “add offer to your card” for Chase to register the purchase and award the resulting statement credit. On average, I earn between $100 and $300 back in statement credits each year for purchases I would have normally made. 

Capital One Venture X

Use Capital One Venture X for "default spending".

A quick word on "default spending"

By "default spending" I mean:

• all spend that I don't put on my other premium credit cards (I use the AMEX Platinum and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant for specific purchases, which will be explained below).
• purchases that don't fall in a bonus category.
  • For example: Chase bonus categories include 4 points for flights and hotels booked directly through the airline/hotel, 5 points for Lyft rides, 3 points for dining, etc.

The Venture X is the only premium travel credit card that earns 2 points for all purchases that don't qualify as "bonus categories".

Reward Program/Portal: Capital One Travel

Annual Fee: $395 (the lowest of all the premium credit cards for travel).

Effective Annual Fee: it's easy to get the Capital One Venture X fee to net zero. Combine the $300 travel credit, the 10,000 annual anniversary points bonus (worth $185 if transferred to travel partners), $24 for Global Entry ($120 every 5 years), and you're already at a positive $114.

Earning Points:

• 10 points for hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5 points for flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2 points for everything else

Redeeming Points: 1 to 1 point transfers to 16 travel partners including Qantas Airlines, Air France/KLM, British Airways, and Turkish Airlines, or redeem for travel in the Capital One Travel portal at a value of 1 cent per point.

While the transfer options are good for Capital One Venture X, AMEX Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve are better.

I've discovered the Capital One Travel portal is better for flight prices than the AMEX portal and the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Chase, for example, uses Expedia when finding prices. Capital One uses the same technology as Hopper.

I can often find the same prices, sometimes lower, than what's listed on Google Flights. With AMEX, the prices are almost always higher. With Chase, it's usually the same or a bit higher.

The Points Guy values Ultimate Rewards points at 1.85 cents a point. You can read more about his valuations here. This is my go-to resource for keeping up to date on points and credit cards. 

Benefit Summary

$300 in Annual Travel Credits - for travel booked via the Capital One Travel portal.

Travel Coverage and Insurance - rental car insurance (primary), trip cancelation/interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, and more.

Lost Luggage Reimbursement – receive up to $3,000 per trip if your luggage is lost by the carrier. 

Rental Car Privileges - Hertz President's Circle status which comes with guaranteed upgrades, 50% bonus points, and more.

Cell Phone Protection - up to $800 per claim with a maximum of two claims a year.

Capital One Offers - this is where you get a percentage of your purchase back if you click on the link through the Capital One Offers and use your Venture X credit card. 10% back up to $25 at lululemon, 13% back on Viator, etc.

While this is a decent perk, I don't place much value in it. Often, these offers are not much better than what I find via cashbackmonitor where I can use whatever credit card I want.

American Express Platinum

Use American Express Platinum for flights booked directly with the airline and for shopping with AMEX offers.

Reward Program/Portal: AMEX Membership Rewards

Annual Fee: $695

Effective Annual Fee: similar to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the AMEX platinum is NOT a guaranteed net-zero cost.

I use the $200 in Uber credits, which includes UberEats, every year. The Global Entry fee reimbursement can be assumed as well which equals $24 each year since it’s $120 every 5 years to renew. AMEX Platinum also covers the $209 Clear Plus membership fee each year (skip the security line at airports).

That means my annual $695 fee becomes a guaranteed $262. 

This is when you have to ask if access to AMEX airport lounges, including the highly coveted AMEX Centurion Lounge collection, is worth $262 (if you don’t take advantage of the other benefits). My personal answer is no. Especially with how crowded these lounges have become.

Let’s assume you’re on top of squeezing every last drop from this premium travel credit card.

If you fly often, you'll probably use the $200 in airline fee credits. I often earn these credits by using the AMEX platinum to pay for my taxes and fees when booking a reward ticket. Usually, if the taxes and fees are under $60, AMEX will consider this an airline fee.

Now we are down to $62.

If you use the $100 Saks shopping credit and/or the $240 in digital entertainment (WSJ subscription, Hulu+, etc.) statement credits, you're now at a "net positive". 

Include statement credits through AMEX shopping offers and you can "earn" even more. I make sure to take advantage of all the above.

Earning Points:

• 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel
• 5 points on prepaid hotels through amextravel.com
• 1 point for everything else.

Redeeming Points: Transfer points to 18 airlines and 3 hotels (best value) or redeem directly in the AMEX membership rewards portal for a value of 1 cent per point.

AWA Tip: I NEVER redeem AMEX points in the travel portal. It makes more sense to transfer to a travel partner. Flights and hotels are often more expensive on the Amex travel portal than if you booked direct or through a site like Expedia. 

Amex also has "bonus transfers", like a 30% bonus when you transfer points to British Airways.

The Points Guy values AMEX Rewards points at 2 cents a point.

Benefit Summary

AMEX Offers – a list of offers is constantly updated on the AMEX website when you’re logged into your account. $10 back when you spend $50 at Cole Haan, $50 back when you spend $200 at Omni Hotels, etc. I check these offers every month.

You have to click “add offer to your card” for AMEX to register the purchase and award the resulting statement credit. On average, I earn about $300 to $900 back in statement credits each year for purchases I would have normally made. In 2021 I earned $882 from AMEX offers.

*I've found AMEX offers are more substantial than Chase offers. I usually earn $100 a year with Chase offers but can earn up to $900 with AMEX offers.

International Airline Program - book discounted first-class, business, and premium economy tickets with participating airlines for international routes originating in the United States. While this sounds like a good perk, I have yet to find a good enough deal with this program to actually use it.

$100 Saks Shopping Credit - $50 statement credit two times a year for purchases with Saks.  

Access to AMEX Lounges and Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta) – gain access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide. AMEX Centurion Lounges are known as the crème de la crème of airport lounges.

The new Capital One lounges and upcoming Chase Sapphire lounges are quickly bypassing AMEX lounges in quality and experience. The AMEX lounges have become increasingly crowded. I now opt for the Capital One lounge over the AMEX.

Overall, the space, food, cocktails, wine, and overall aesthetics are wonderful at AMEX lounges. They've also become less crowded since guests of AMEX platinum holders are no longer free.

If you're a frequent traveler and visit airports that have Centurion Lounges, this is a huge perk. Some lounges even have showers and free spa treatments.

$200 in Uber/UberEats Credits - $15 credit to use towards Uber each month ($20 in December) and automatic Uber VIP status. 

$200 Airline Fee Credit – this includes baggage fees, in-flight refreshments, and other incidental fees charged by airlines. I'm usually able to get this fee covered for taxes when booking an award ticket. I've found as long as the charges are under $60, AMEX will reimburse them.

I've also found a WiFi subscription through American Airlines will be reimbursed.

$240 Annual Digital Entertainment Credit - get $20 back in statement credits each month for subscriptions including Disney+, Hulu, WSJ, and more. This perk has been downgraded over the years and it's no longer a benefit I assign value to. Sad was the day when they dropped Audible and Sirius XM.

Instant Hilton Honors Gold Status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status - Hilton Gold Status gets you free WiFi, room upgrades when available, 80% bonus points on paid stays, free continental breakfast, 5th night free when you book with points, and more. Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status gets you 25% bonus points on stays, room upgrades when available, and a 2:00 pm late checkout.

Rental Car Privileges and Status - instant Executive Level status with National Rental Car, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, and Avis Preferred. Executive status with National is the big perk here. You get to skip the line and head straight to the Executive section and pick whichever car you want. This not only saves time, but the cars in this section are always newer and nicer than the rest. 

Travel Coverage and Insurance - lost baggage insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance (not as good as Chase Sapphire Reserve as car rental coverage is secondary coverage, not primary).

Cell Phone Protection - up to $800 per claim with a maximum of two claims a year.

ShopRunner – free 2-day shipping and free returns at over 140 online stores

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express

Use Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express for all Marriott purchases (hotel, dining, spa - anything purchased at a Marriott property) if you don't have the chase sapphire reserve.

A Marriott-branded credit card is a solid choice to add to your collection. You'll have maximum flexibility and options with over 6,500 properties worldwide.  

Reward Program/Portal: Marriott Rewards

Annual Fee: $650

Effective Annual Fee: after perks like $300 in dining/restaurant credits ($25 per month), Global Entry fee reimbursement, and the free annual night award, this card ends up with a net positive annual fee.

You’re already down to a $350 annual fee once you subtract the $300 in annual dining credits. 

The free night award is easily redeemed for a nightly rate of $350 or more. In fact, I typically save this award for a hotel night that is $800+.

If you take advantage of the AMEX shopping rewards (this works just like the AMEX Platinum) and the $100 credit at The Ritz and St. Regis (you have to book a special rate for this), you can easily make money by owning this card. 

This card also gives you instant Marriott Platinum Status. This is a HUGE perk. Platinum status gets you free breakfast at many of the Marriott brands, free upgrades, and 50% bonus points for all your Marriott hotel purchases.

Plus, the 25 annual elite credits is a considerable help to reach status each year.

Earning Points:

• 6 points per dollar at Marriott
• 3 points on restaurants and flights
• 1 point for everything else.

AWA Tip: if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve (earning 4 points per dollar, points valued at 2.05 cents), use that for Marriott purchases vs using the Marriott Brilliant (earning 6 points per dollar, points valued at .08 cents).

Since I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I only use the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant AMEX for specific AMEX shopping offers (like spend $500 at X and get a $50 statement credit) or to earn the monthly $25 dining credit.

Otherwise, this card just sits in my wallet.

The Points Guy values Marriott Rewards points at .8 cents a point.

Benefit Summary

$300 Dining Statement Credit – receive $25 in statement credits each month for purchases made at restaurants, cafes, etc. 

Annual Free Night Award – receive a free night award for properties with a redemption value of 85,000 points or less each anniversary year.

Instant Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status - earn 50% bonus points on stays, room upgrades, 4:00 pm late checkout, lounge access, and more. One of the biggest perks is that for most Marriott hotel brands, if there isn't a lounge, you get free breakfast for 2 each day.

Travel Coverage and Insurance - lost baggage insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and car rental loss and damage insurance...again, not nearly as good as the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture X.

AMEX Offers – a list of offers is constantly updated on the AMEX website when you’re logged into your account. $10 back when you spend $50 at Cole Haan, $50 back when you spend $200 at Omni Hotels, etc. I check these offers every two weeks. You have to click and “add them to your card” for AMEX to register the purchase and award the resulting statement credit. On average, I earn about $200-$600 back in statement credits each year for purchases I would have normally made.

ShopRunner – free 2-day shipping and free returns at over 140 online stores 

25 Elite Night Credits – each calendar year receive 25 Elite Night Credits to help you reach the next Marriott Bonvoy status level. 

$100 Property Credit – receive up to $100 when you book a minimum of two nights using a special rate at The Ritz and St. Regis.

Summary

I hope this post helps you decide if you should upgrade to a premium travel credit card based on your spending habits and travel patterns. You may just find you could make good use and benefit from having all four.

Because I travel a good amount and invest time tracking/using each card's benefits, I have yet to experience a year where any of these luxury credit cards cost me a penny.

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Top Credit Cards for Travel Points and Rewards | 2025 Update

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