With so many travel rewards card options available, it is possible to find something that fits your lifestyle and rewards point goals. If you want to maximize your rewards, choosing the right card is imperative. Here are some of the best travel rewards cards currently available. Not all these cards are suitable for every points collector, but each is a worthwhile choice for people whose spending habits and needs match the cards’ offerings.
Blue Sky, from American Express, is another option for people who want the flexibility to use their points any time, with any airline. American Express is known for its travel rewards programs, but most of its cards are geared towards serious miles-collectors. Unlike the American Express Gold and Platinum Cards (see below), which charge higher-than-average annual fees, Blue Sky does not have an annual fee. Another perk: Blue Sky card-holders get access to special travel deals that are offered American Express customers.
The American Express Platinum Card is the best choice for serious frequent fliers who travel often and will use the card’s other perks (concierge service and airport lounge access) as well as taking advantage of the 3 to 5 points per dollar on travel-related purchases. The $450 annual fee is steep, but there is no card that is more powerful for frequent fliers who are seeking to maximize their points earning potential.
Escape by Discover Card is another good option with a low annual fee. It costs $60 per year, but also offers an introductory 0% APR for qualified applicants. This kind of 0% offer is a rarity amongst rewards cards. Like the Capital One VentureCard, it rewards users with two points for every dollar spent in every category. The card rewards consistent spenders with 1,000 bonus miles for every month that they make at least one purchase. This deal lasts for up to 25 months (that’s 25,000 miles, enough for a ticket).
The Miles by Discover Card is Discover’s no-annual-fee option. It is a good card for less serious spenders. The card offers 2 points per dollar for the first $3,000 spent each year. After that, the ratio drops down to one point per dollar. The other advantage of the Miles card and the Escape card is that it is easy to redeem points for things other than travel.
Delta got ahead in the airline-specific rewards card game when they launched the Delta SkyMiles Card by American Express. This card has an annual fee and powerful points earning potential for Delta fliers. The fee is worthwhile, even for more casual Delta fliers because it qualifies the card-holder for free baggage checking (normally $25) on Delta flights. People accompanying the card-holder also get the checked baggage deal.
One of the best low-annual fee cards is the JetBlue Card from American Express. This card has a $40 annual fee. JetBlue starts offering rewards flights for 5,000 points; that’s much lower than most airline cards. Also, when booking JetBlue flights, card-holders can earn up to 8 points per dollar spent. So, if you are a frequent JetBlue flier, that is a tremendous amount of points-earning potential.