Favorite Credit Cards
I am going to highlight the credit cards I have gotten and those I use on a regular basis. Like you, I want the BEST deal possible for welcome bonuses. I will strive to show the best publicly available offer.
Transferable Currency Credit Cards
These credit cards give you the most options when redeeming for flights and hotels.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – Best Starter Rewards Credit Card
$95 Annual fee, 60,000 sign-up bonus for $5,000 spend in first 3 months (referral link)
- Great spend categories – 3x on dining, 3x for online groceries and 2x for travel, 1x everywhere else
- Earns Ultimate Rewards points that can be used to transfer to partners or for 1.25x redemption in the Chase Travel portal
- Side benefits like Dashpass and Instacart
Capital One Venture Rewards Card – Great everyday card
$95 Annual fee, 75,000 miles + $250 travel credit for $4,000 spend in first 3 months
- 2x miles on all purchases, 5x on travel booking through the Capital One Travel Portal
- Miles can be transferred to airline and hotel partners or used as travel eraser on your credit card statement
Citibank Premier Strata Card – Maximize spend categories
$95 Annual fee, 60,000 points for $4,000 spend in first 3 months
- Great variety of spend categories: 3x groceries, 3x gas, 3x dining, 3x travel, 10x on travel booked through CitiTravel, 1x everywhere else
- The Citi ThankYou Rewards program has come solid transfer partners
American Express Gold Card – Big grocery & dining spend
$350 Annual fee
90,000 points for $6,000 spend in first 6 months (friend referral through Frequent miler)
75,000 for $6,000 spend in first 6 months + 20% back up to $250 in statement credits for first 12 months
- Amped up spend categories: 4x dining (up to $50K annually), 4x US groceries (up to $25K annually) and 3x on flights
- Amex Membership Rewards has some of the best airline transfer partners
- There are ways to offset the annual fee with dining credits, monthly Dunkin’ credits, but it takes some work
Airline Credit Cards
In addition to earning miles for a specific airline, these cards often come with perks for free baggage and some status. Many of these cards do not have the greatest category spend bonus.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card – Chase
$69 Annual fee, 65,000 miles for $1,000 spend in first 3 months (referral link)
- 2x commuter travel, 2x internet, cable, phone and select streaming, 2x Southwest Airlines purchases, 1x everywhere else
- 3000 points on card anniversary
AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard – Barclays
$99 Annual fee, 70,000 miles after 1 purchase in first 90 days
- 2x with American Airlines, 1x everywhere else
- First checked bag free, preferred boarding for primary cardholder and 4 guests
United Explorer Card – Chase
$0 introductory annual fee, then $150, 80,000 miles after $3,000 spend in first 3 months
- 2x United Airlines purchases, 2x restaurants, 2x hotel stays
- First checked bag free, priority boarding and 2 annual club visits per year
- Holding this card can get you discounts on Saver Award ticket bookings
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature – Bank of America
$95 Annual fee, 70,000 miles + $95 companion fare after $3,000 spend in first 3 months
- 3x Alaska Airlines purchases, 2x gas, local transit, cable and streaming, 1x everywhere else
- You can use Alaska Airlines to book American Airlines flights with low fees
Hotel Credit Cards
Hotel credit cards can come with status and perks, and usually a free night award every year you hold the card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card – Chase
$95 Annual fee, 5 x 50,000 point free night certificates after $5,000 spend in first 3 months (referral link)
- 6x Marriott purchases, 3x dining, gas and groceries, 2x everywhere else
- Annual free night certificate up to 35,000 points
- Although this category seems comparable to the transferrable currency, Marriott points are typically valued at less than 1 cent/point.