Credit card rewards programs offer benefits for everything from free dining to hotels to international flights! Here are some of my top picks to use in 2021.
Chase Sapphire Reserve:
The gold standard of travel cards – yes, there’s a high fee ($550) but you get so many perks that this card can definitely be worth the fee.
- 60,000 welcome offer after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months
- $300 in annual travel credit
- 3x points on travel and restaurants
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
- The ability to transfer to points to a dozen travel brands (I use this feature the most)
- A statement credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application
- Free Priority Pass lounge access (a super awesome perk)
- No foreign transaction fees
- 10x points on Lyft
- Free deliveries from DoorDash
When you factor in that $300 travel credit, you’re really paying $250 a year. For that, you get 3x on restaurants and travel (which is most of my spending) and, when combined with the other perks, you really make out on the card.
Chase Preferred:
This card is like the “starter” version of the previous card. You don’t get as many perks, but if you’re dead-set on not paying a high yearly fee (this card only $95 a year), you can’t go wrong with this card. It’s great for the more infrequent traveler. When you sign for this card, you’ll get:
- Welcome offer of 80,000 points after you spend $4,000 within the first 3 months
- 2x points on travel, groceries, and restaurants
- 1 point per $1 spent on everything else
- 25% more point redemtion value via Chase Ultimate Rewards
- No foreign transaction fees
It’s a simple, easy to use credit card.
Citi Prestige:
You get a $250 travel credit with this card so you have a great savings there. When used right, you can actually make some money on this card! This card comes with a $495 yearly fee and the following perks:
- 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months
- 5x points on airfare and restaurants
- 3x points on hotels and cruises
- 1x points on everything else
- Complimentary fourth night at a hotel when booking through ThankYou.com (capped at twice per year)
- Free Priority Pass
- $250 travel credit every year
- Points transfer to their 16 partners
- No foreign transaction fees
American Express EveryDay Preferred:
This low-fee Amex card is great for the bonus points and the 3x points at supermarkets. Use it when you buy groceries – it’s a great way to rack up Amex points. When you sign up for this card, you’ll get:
- 15,000 welcome points after you spend $1,000 within the forst 3 months
- 50% extra points when you use your card 30 or more times each billing cycle
- 3x points at supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
- 2x points at US gas stations
- 1 point for every other dollar spent
It’s simple, it’s only $95 annually, it’s a quick way to get points.
Capital One Venture:
This is a great card to use if you’re looking for an easy to use card with the first year fee waived. When you sign up for this card, you get:
- 60,000 bonus miles once you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months or 100,000 points once you spend $20,000 in the first 3 months.
- Unlimited 2x miles on every dollar spent
- Transfer miles to any of their 15 travel partners
- Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- No foreign transaction fees
- No fees for the first year, $95 after that
The Travel Guide 