The best credit cards to add to your wallet

As soon as friends or acquaintances find out that I work for The Points Guy, they almost always follow up with one question: “What’s the best credit card?”

Unfortunately, my answer is usually some version of, “It depends” — because there truly is no one-size-fits-all credit card that’s best for everyone. There are many factors that can determine the best credit card for your situation, including your spending habits, your credit score and the type of rewards you want to earn.

However, there are some regular contenders that frequently make the cut when I’m recommending new credit cards, since they offer solid value for a variety of travelers. And I’ve had my fair share of them over my 20-plus years of collecting points and miles.

Here are some of the best credit cards you can add to your wallet.

The best credit cards

* TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt advisor and investor.

**The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Comparing the best credit cards

Here are TPG’s top recommendations for the best credit cards.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: The Chase Sapphire Preferred was one of the first cards I opened that carried an annual fee. Initially, I got the card because it didn’t charge foreign transaction fees, but I quickly fell in love with the rewards I was earning — both abroad and back in the U.S.

And right now is an amazing time to add the card to your wallet, as the 100,000-point bonus is one of the best offers we’ve seen in years.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most valuable currencies out there, pegged at 2.05 cents each per TPG’s May 2025 valuations. As a Sapphire Preferred cardholder, you can redeem your points through Chase Travel at a rate of 1.25 cents apiece, but my favorite way to use Chase points is by transferring them to travel partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt.

Hyatt is my go-to redemption option here, as I almost always get well over 2 cents per point in value from my award stays. For example, I splurged for four nights at the Hyatt Centric Park City earlier this year, and even though it set me back 180,000 points, the paid rate would’ve been nearly $6,000. I was even able to apply a suite upgrade as a Hyatt Globalist.

Related: Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred should be your first card out of college

Beyond that, the card offers an incredible set of travel protections if things go wrong on your trip, including primary car rental coverage. You’ll also enjoy a $50 annual hotel credit for reservations made through Chase Travel.

I eventually upgraded to the card’s more premium sibling — the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) — a few years ago, but my wife continues to hold her Sapphire Preferred and still gets incredible value from it.

For more information, check out our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $395.

Standout benefits: I picked up the Capital One Venture X shortly after it launched in November 2021, and it quickly became a workhorse in my wallet because it earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase. I charge my utility bills and most of my online shopping to it, since those purchases generally aren’t eligible for bonuses on other cards.

The card also offers a ton of premium perks without a premium price tag. You’ll enjoy access to Capital One Lounges and a Priority Pass Select membership, along with the ability to enjoy value-added benefits on luxury hotel stays via the Premier Collection and Lifestyle Collection. All of this comes with an annual fee of just $395.

However, even that is super easy to offset with other perks on the card. You’ll get an annual $300 credit for purchases via Capital One Travel — including flights, hotels and rental cars. You can also use the card for up to $120 in statement credits to cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership every four years.

Related: Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Capital One Venture X

Finally, when you renew your card, you’ll receive 10,000 bonus miles on your account anniversary. Those are worth at least $100 if used for travel, but they have the potential for even more value when you redeem them with Capital One’s 15-plus transfer partners.

I recently transferred 70,000 Capital One miles to Air Canada Aeroplan to book a one-way business-class flight to Europe for Thanksgiving — a trip that would’ve otherwise set me back over $3,000. And that’s just one method of maximizing your Capital One miles.

For more information, check out our review of the Capital One Venture X.

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Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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American Express Gold Card

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee: $325.

Standout benefits: Believe it or not, I first added the Amex Gold to my wallet without earning a welcome bonus. I held an earlier version of the card, so I wasn’t eligible. However, I still earn tens of thousands of points on the card every year — and last year’s refresh made me love it even more.

I love dining out and cooking in, and the Amex Gold rewards you in both categories. You’ll earn 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases each year, then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases each year, then 1 point per dollar). Membership Rewards points are super valuable — with partners like ANA Mileage Club and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.

Related: How to maximize the Amex Gold’s benefits

However, the card can also save you money on everyday purchases as well, thanks to the following benefits (enrollment required):

• Resy: Earn up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year on eligible Resy purchases (up to $50 January-June and up to $50 July-December).
• Dunkin’: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits when you use the Amex Gold at U.S. Dunkin’ locations.
• Uber: Get $10 in Uber Cash each month, valid for rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.**
• Dining: Earn up to $10 in monthly statement credits when you use the Amex Gold at select dining partners, including Grubhub and Five Guys.

**Uber Cash is valid on purchases in the U.S. and you must first add your Amex Gold to your Uber account. You can then redeem with any Amex card.

In fact, I was getting so much value out of this card that my wife was convinced to get her own Amex Gold card last year — essentially doubling the value we can get from these statement credits every year.

For more information, check out our review of the Amex Gold Card.

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Apply here: American Express Gold Card

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: Before I got the Capital One Venture X, I had the regular Venture Card — which is a great alternative for those who aren’t willing to pay for a premium rewards card.

You’ll enjoy the same base earning rate of 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, and you’ll enjoy access to Capital One’s Lifestyle Collection of hotels around the world. The card also includes up to $120 in statement credits for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership every four years — a rarity for a card with just a $95 annual fee.

In addition, the Venture Card can be the perfect option for those just getting started who value simplicity but may want the option of maximizing rewards in the future. Capital One miles can be used to offset any travel purchase charged to the card at a value of 1 cent per point. However, you also have the ability to leverage Capital One’s transfer partners for even more value. This gives you a great starting point — with the chance to unlock more rewards down the road.

For more information, check out our review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.

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Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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The Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee: $695.

Standout benefits: I’ve held the Amex Platinum for years, and it’s among the priciest travel cards out there, with a massive $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). However, each time my card comes up for renewal, I crunch the numbers and realize that I easily get that much in value every year — and then some.

For example, when you add the Amex Platinum to your Uber account, you’ll receive $15 a month in Uber Cash plus a one-time bonus of $20 in the month of December (valid for rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.). I also enjoy the up to $20 a month in statement credits I receive for select digital entertainment providers, which I use to offset the cost of my daughter’s Disney+ obsession.

Then there’s the up to $200 airline fee credit each calendar year — which I mainly use for Sky Club guest access for my daughter. These three perks alone can offer me up to $640 in annual benefits, nearly covering the card’s entire annual fee.

Related: Maximizing the Amex Platinum’s benefits

Beyond these statement credits, the Amex Platinum offers unparalleled airport lounge access, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges and Plaza Premium locations. You can also access Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta Air Lines, though you are capped at 10 visits per year unless you spent $75,000 in the current (or previous) calendar year.

There’s nothing I love more than relaxing in a quiet space prior to a flight — and the Platinum Card delivers just that.

For more information, check out our review of the Amex Platinum Card.

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Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express

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Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee: $650.

Standout benefits: I’ve been a longtime Delta flyer. In fact, I was a charter Diamond Medallion member when that elite status first launched in 2010 — qualifying entirely on domestic segments, no less. And even though I’m no longer a road warrior, I still love flying Delta. And the Delta Reserve Card helps make those trips even more rewarding.

Even though it carries a hefty annual fee, the perks are extensive. You’ll receive 2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each year just for having the card, putting you halfway to Silver Medallion status. You can then earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card, allowing you to spend your way to status.

The card also includes 15 visits to Sky Clubs every year plus four, one-time-use guest passes — though you can unlock unlimited visits as the primary cardmember when you spend $75,000 on purchases in a calendar year.

But my favorite perk is the annual companion certificate you receive upon renewal. This allows you to bring a travel companion on select Delta-operated flights just by paying the taxes and fees. It’s even valid on select Comfort+ and first-class tickets. Last year, I used this for a flight to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) for me and my daughter to go skiing, a ticket that would’ve otherwise been over $900.

For more information, check out our review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve.

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Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

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Chase Freedom Flex

Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0.

Standout benefits: You may be surprised to see a cash-back credit card on this list, but the Freedom Flex is so much more — let’s start with the earning rates. You’ll earn 5% cash back on the first $1,500 in combined purchases you spend each quarter in rotating bonus categories (after activation). Right now, that applies to Amazon and select streaming purchases.

With a wife and 10-year-old daughter, I spend a ton at Amazon, so that’s a great return on purchases I’m already making.

However, I’m not just earning cash back. Instead, since I also have the Sapphire Reserve, I have the ability to combine these rewards in my Sapphire account — which effectively converts them to fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points. In other words, this card allows me to earn 5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on these rotating categories.

Related: 4 reasons I recommend the Chase Freedom Flex to beginners

In fact, I maxed out the quarterly bonus so frequently that I have both this card and the old Chase Freedom card (no longer available to new applicants) — which means I have double the earning potential each month.

The information for the Chase Freedom Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

For more information, check out our review of the Chase Freedom Flex.

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Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex

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Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn 90,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: The Ink Business Preferred can be a great fit for virtually any small business — but especially those with a big online presence. That’s because of the bonus categories on the card. Each year, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar on up to $150,000 in combined spending across the following categories:

• Shipping purchases
• Online advertising with social media platforms and search engines
• Internet, cable and phone services
• Travel

If you fully max out that bonus, you’ll take home 450,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points — which can then be used for cash back, gift cards or trips through Chase’s lucrative transfer partners.

It also has no foreign transaction fees when you’re outside the country, and with extensive travel and purchase protections for business trips, it can give you valuable peace of mind when on the road.

For more information, check out our review of the Ink Business Preferred.

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Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

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Bilt Mastercard

Welcome offer: N/A.

Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees).

Standout benefits: The Bilt Mastercard is the one card on this list that I’ve never had. However, that’s solely due to the fact that I own my home. If you’re a renter, and you’re not currently earning points on your monthly rent, this card should absolutely be in your wallet.

That’s because you can earn 1 point per dollar spent on rent (up to 100,000 points each calendar year) without paying any transaction fees (see rates and fees), as long as you charge at least five purchases to the card each month. This holds true even if your landlord or apartment management company isn’t part of the Bilt Rewards program and doesn’t accept credit cards. You can log in to the Bilt Rewards app and use your Bilt Mastercard to send a monthly rent check or direct deposit, earning points in the process.

Related: Guide to the Bilt Rewards program

In addition to rent, you also earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (after you link your Bilt and Lyft accounts), 3 points per dollar spent on dining, 2 points per dollar spent on travel and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. And Bilt Rewards Points are incredibly valuable, with a wildly lucrative list of transfer partners — including World of Hyatt and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

Plus, Bilt runs Rent Day promotions that allow you to earn even more points on your everyday purchases — and potentially get even more value from your redemptions.

For more information, check out our review of the Bilt Mastercard.

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Apply here: Bilt Mastercard

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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership.

Annual fee: $550.

Standout benefits: It’s true that I have a lot of premium credit cards, but if you’re looking to up your hotel game, the Hilton Aspire Card can be a great option. Beyond the hefty welcome bonus, it also unlocks a ton of perks — both when staying at Hilton properties and across other spending activities.

For starters, you’ll enjoy automatic top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, just by holding the card. This grants you complimentary upgrades as well as a daily food-and-beverage credit at eligible properties in the U.S. (or complimentary breakfast at international locations). This status normally requires 60 nights to achieve, so this is a remarkable shortcut.

Related: 7 reasons to get the Hilton Amex Aspire card

In addition, you get a free night certificate when you open the card and then every year after renewal, and this can be used at virtually any Hilton property worldwide (with just a few exceptions). In addition, you’ll enjoy up to $400 in annual statement credits at Hilton resort properties — up to $200 from January to June and up to $200 from July to December.

Last year, I used the certificate to book the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach when the room rates were over $800 per night — and I used the $200 credit for the second half of the year to cover most of a spa treatment for my wife (it was her birthday). Talk about rewarding!

Finally, I love the up to $200 in statement credits for airline purchases each year, broken up as $50 each quarter. I’ve used this for taxes and fees on award tickets as well as inflight food and beverage purchases.

For more information, check out our review of the Hilton Aspire Card.

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What to consider when choosing the best card

There are a few factors you’ll want to take into account before choosing a credit card to ensure you’re making the best choice for you, and we’ve gone into detail on them below.

Remember, though, that it doesn’t necessarily have to be a long-term commitment if you’re not happy with your card after the first year. At that point, it’s always possible to do a product change to a different card without affecting your credit score.

Preferred rewards

It’s important to think about what type of rewards you want to earn for your spending. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve, for example, will only earn Delta miles, while the Amex Platinum and the Amex Gold will earn Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to a range of airline and hotel partners, including Delta.

If you’re eager to earn transferable rewards, remember to consult each issuer’s list of transfer partners to make sure your preferred programs will be accessible.

Welcome bonus

Welcome bonuses are important in the world of travel credit cards, as they’re the best opportunity you’ll have to earn a large sum of points or miles all at once. If a specific card has an elevated, limited-time offer, it may be worth considering. The Chase Sapphire Preferred’s 100,000-point offer, for example, can provide immense value if you transfer those points to travel partners.

Spending habits

Before taking out a credit card, think through where you spend most of your money. Ideally, your credit card’s bonus categories will align with your top spending categories to ensure you’re earning as many points as possible. Someone who always eats out won’t benefit from a bonus on groceries, for example, and would be better off going with a card that rewards them at restaurants.

Annual fee

Of course, you’ll also want to consider whether you can maximize enough of the perks and benefits included with your card to justify paying an annual fee. While it’s possible to get great value from just about any card, if you don’t pick one that suits your lifestyle and travel habits, you risk paying extra for features you aren’t using. The good news is that there are options on this list to suit every budget, from $0 all the way up to $695.

Related: The 7 best credit cards with annual fees under $100

How we chose the best credit cards

We chose the best credit cards based on a range of factors, including earning rates, welcome offers, benefits and perks.

To read more about how TPG evaluates and chooses cards to spotlight in our roundups, check out our methodology.

Redemption options for the best credit cards

Aside from the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and the Chase Freedom Flex (if not paired with an Ultimate Rewards points-earning card), every card on this list earns transferable points or miles, and that’s no coincidence. Having a card with transferable rewards opens up a world of travel options and often gives you many ways to book an itinerary.

Let’s say you want to book a United business-class flight with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, for example. You can book it through the Chase Travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents per point. Alternatively, you can transfer your Chase points to United, which often yields better value. But there’s another option, too: Transfer your points to Air Canada Aeroplan, which often requires fewer points for United’s flights than United itself.

Bottom line

There’s no one-size-fits-all best credit card, but that’s not a bad thing. With the multitude of great options out there, if you do a little homework and think through your spending patterns and travel habits, you can zero in on the best card (or set of cards) for you. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, rest assured that any of the cards on this list would make a great place to start.

Related: Why there’s no such thing as the ‘best’ credit card

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For the rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
For the rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click here.
For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.