Our Favorite Travel Rewards Credit Cards
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The Feeding the Family Favorite
American Express Gold Card: Earn 4x points on resturants and groceries. Although it has an annual fee of $325, it can actually be a money maker card for you with $424 worth of statement credits for Uber Eats, GrubHub, Dunkin and Resy. That doesn't even account for the Amex Offers you'll also have access to and the ability to link this card with Rakuten to earn cash back as Amex Membership Rewards points. This is definitely a keeper card for us! We love Amex points the most for buying international business class flights on points.
The Ultimate Travel Gatekeeper
Chase Sapphire Preferred: We love earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points. In order maximize their power, you need either a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve card. They are the gatekeepers to utilizing transfer partners like World of Hyatt, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and more. We find Chase points to be extremely valuable for both domestic and international travel. It's a must have card simply for the excellent transfer partners.
The Catch All
Capital One Venture X: This card is a wonderful catch all because, while it has extra bonus categories as well, it earns a flat 2x points on everything not included in a bonus spending category. Most cards just earn 1x points on "everything else," so 2x points is a great return. This card as a $399 annual fee that can be offset with its $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus points (worth at least $100). Another option from Capital One is their original Venture Card which also earns 2x points on everything but without a few of the bells, whistles and annual fee of the Venture X.
The Business Owners MUST Have
Chase Ink Cards: Both the Chase Ink Business Unlimited and Chase Ink Business Cash cards are no annual fee cards that have wonderful sign-up bonuses. If you have a business, you should absolutely be earning rewards on your spending. These points can combine with your personal Chase Sapphire Preferred (or Reserve) cards to be transferred to travel partners.
The Gatekeeper's Compliment
Chase Freedom Flex: This no annual fee card gives SO MUCH return when complimenting a Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve card. With rotating 5x points earning categories each quarter, it's a great way to earn Chase points. Those points can then be transferred to your CSP or CSR to be used for travel partners.
Companion Pass for the WIN
Southwest Credit Cards: The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the most valuable assests for domestic (and limited international) travel. The best way to get one is through credit card Sign-Up bonuses. There are many routes, but it takes some strategy. It's possible to earn the SW Companion Pass for almost two full years. Please reach out to us via email for a strategy consultation to make sure you earn the Pass. It is not automatic with the credit card sign-up.