After I first began out with rewards bank cards, I rapidly seen some playing cards acquired all the eye. I am taking a look at you, Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card (see charges and costs), Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card and, in fact, The Platinum Card® from American Specific.
Their reputation is comprehensible, as these playing cards include excessive welcome bonuses, stable incomes charges and a laundry listing of perks. In truth, I’ve two of those playing cards in my pockets proper now, although my technique at present substitutes the also-popular American Specific® Gold Card for the Amex Platinum.
As an instance you have added the preferred playing cards to your pockets already. What’s a factors and miles fanatic to do?
A number of components, together with your Chase 5/24 standing, different software restrictions from issuers and your loyalty to sure airways or resort chains, are price contemplating.
Along with your particular person scenario in thoughts, enable me to introduce you to 10 of my favourite decisions on your subsequent rewards card, damaged down into three classes: transferable rewards, airline and resort.
Finest playing cards to use for after well-liked bank cards
*TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.
Evaluating one of the best playing cards to use for after well-liked bank cards
Here is a side-by-side comparability of one of the best playing cards to contemplate after getting the preferred bank cards.
| Card | Finest for | Welcome bonus | Incomes charges | Annual payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilt Mastercard | Renters | N/A. |
|
$0 (see charges and costs) |
| Citi Strata Premier Card | A number of bonus classes | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$95 |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card | Versatile airline assertion credit score | Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$95 |
| Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard | Admirals Membership lounge entry | Earn 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 throughout the first three months of account opening. |
|
$595 |
| Delta SkyMiles Gold American Specific Card | Informal Delta Air Strains flyers | Earn 80,000 miles after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. |
|
$0 introductory annual payment for the primary yr, then $150 (see charges and costs) |
| United Explorer Card | Informal United Airways flyers | Earn 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$0 introductory annual payment for the primary yr, then $150 |
| United Quest Card | Frequent United flyers | Earn 70,000 miles and 500 Premier qualifying factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$350 |
| Hilton Honors American Specific Surpass Card | Semifrequent Hilton friends | Earn 130,000 factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. This supply ends Aug. 13. |
|
$0 introductory annual payment for the primary yr, then $150 (see charges and costs) |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card | IHG loyalists | Earn 5 free nights (every night time valued at as much as 60,000 factors) after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. |
|
$99 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card | Semifrequent Marriott friends | Earn 5 free nights (every valued at as much as 50,000 factors) after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases inside three months of account opening. Sure accommodations have resort charges. |
|
$95 |
Transferable rewards playing cards
Lots of the hottest playing cards earn Chase Final Rewards factors, American Specific Membership Rewards factors or Capital One miles. Nevertheless, there are different priceless currencies you may earn — and maximize — by including one among these bank cards.
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Bilt Mastercard
The Bilt Mastercard (see charges and costs) is price contemplating for those who’re a renter because it earns factors on lease with no added transaction charges (see charges and costs).
Welcome bonus: There is no such thing as a conventional welcome bonus for this card.
Annual payment: $0 (see charges and costs).
Incomes charges:
- Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on eating.
- Earn 2 factors per greenback spent on journey.
- Earn 1 level per greenback spent on lease with out the transaction payment (see charges and costs), as much as 100,000 factors in a calendar yr. You have to use your card 5 occasions every assertion interval to earn factors on lease.
- Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases.
- See rewards and advantages for extra info.
Standout advantages: The Bilt Mastercard’s spotlight characteristic is the power to earn Bilt Factors on lease with out incurring a transaction payment (see charges and costs; see rewards and advantages). The cardboard additionally earns in a number of well-liked bonus classes, making it a powerful contender, particularly since you will not pay an annual payment.
Bilt factors are price 2.05 cents apiece, per TPG’s June 2025 valuations, and switch to greater than 20 loyalty packages. These embrace Alaska Airways Mileage Plan, United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt.
As a renter, I maintain the Bilt Mastercard and use the factors I earn to e-book home American Airways flights via Alaska Airways Mileage Plan because the two are Oneworld alliance members. I additionally often switch to World of Hyatt to e-book low cost award nights.
It is price noting that you do not have to have the Bilt Mastercard to leverage Bilt Rewards, so this program could possibly be price testing, even for those who aren’t within the card.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the Bilt Mastercard.
Apply right here: Bilt Mastercard
Citi Strata Premier Card
The Citi Strata Premier Card offers stable incomes charges in a number of well-liked bonus classes for a modest annual payment.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. In keeping with TPG’s June 2025 valuations, this bonus is price $1,080.
Annual payment: $95.
Incomes charges:
- Earn 10 factors per greenback spent on accommodations, automobile leases and sights booked on cititravel.com.
- Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on air journey and different resort purchases and at eating places, supermarkets, gasoline stations and EV charging stations.
- Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Standout advantages: The Strata Premier makes incomes Citi ThankYou Rewards straightforward, so if you have not explored Citi’s journey foreign money, this card is a superb place to start out.
TPG’s June 2025 valuations deem Citi ThankYou Rewards factors as price 1.8 cents every once you switch to one of many issuer’s journey companions, similar to Air France-KLM Flying Blue, JetBlue TrueBlue, Singapore KrisFlyer and Wyndham Rewards.
The cardboard additionally comes with a $100 resort profit as soon as per calendar yr once you e-book a resort keep of no less than $500 via cititravel.com. This credit score alone successfully justifies the $95 annual payment.
The Strata Premier is TPG bank cards author Danyal Ahmed‘s “go-to card” for groceries and gasoline; he famous that the cardboard helps him “really feel the sting of sky-high grocery costs much less.”
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the Citi Strata Premier.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier Card
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card is a stable journey rewards card because it earns bonus factors on travel-related purchases similar to accommodations and airways.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. In keeping with TPG’s June 2025 valuations, this bonus is price $960.
Annual payment: $95.
Incomes charges:
- Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on accommodations.
- Earn 4 factors per greenback spent on airways.
- Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on different journey and eating places.
- Earn 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Standout advantages: Wells Fargo jumped into the transferable factors world with the Autograph Journey, which earns bonus factors in classes usually utilized by frequent vacationers.
TPG’s June 2025 valuations set the worth of Wells Fargo Rewards factors at 1.6 cents per level, however the issuer’s present listing of companions is shorter than its counterparts. Nevertheless, it nonetheless options Air France-KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Membership and Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership.
The cardboard comes with a collection of journey and buy protections, similar to misplaced baggage reimbursement, journey cancellation and interruption safety, mobile phone safety and an auto rental collision injury waiver.
You may additionally obtain a $50 annual assertion credit score with a $50 minimal airline buy, which is an easy-to-use credit score that helps offset this card’s $95 annual payment.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey.
Apply right here: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card
Airline bank cards
Should you’ve collected your share of transferable rewards playing cards, it might be time to contemplate a cobranded possibility. Take a look at one among these playing cards for those who’re a frequent traveler.
Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard
The Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard is a stable card for those who’re an American Airways flyer who values Admirals Membership lounge entry.
Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 throughout the first three months of account opening. In keeping with TPG’s June 2025 valuations, this bonus is price $1,500.
Annual payment: $595.
Incomes charges:
- Earn 4 miles per greenback spent on eligible American Airways purchases.
- Earn 1 mile per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Standout advantages: A spotlight perk of this premium card is its Admirals Membership membership that comes with entry for quick household, youngsters underneath 18 or two friends. This lounge membership alone helps offset the excessive annual payment.
Frequent American Airways flyers will admire having the ability to test their first bag without cost on home American Airways flights. This profit is prolonged to as much as eight touring companions on the identical reservation.
Should you’re chasing American Airways AAdvantage elite standing, this card will make it easier to earn 1 Loyalty Level for each AAdvantage mile you acquire once you swipe the cardboard. Plus, you may get a bonus of 10,000 Loyalty Factors after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Factors in a standing qualification yr. You may add on one other 10,000 Loyalty Factors after you attain the 90,000-point threshold in the identical standing qualification yr.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard.
Apply right here: Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Specific Card
Should you’re a Delta flyer prepared to use for a cobranded card, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Specific Card is an effective start line.
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 miles after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. This supply ends July 16. In keeping with TPG’s June 2025 valuations, this bonus is price $1,000.
Annual payment: $0 introductory annual payment for the primary yr, then $150.
Incomes charges:
- Earn 2 miles per greenback spent on Delta purchases and at U.S. supermarkets and eating places worldwide (together with takeout and supply within the U.S.).
- Earn 1 mile per greenback spent on all different eligible purchases.
Standout advantages: The Delta Gold Amex offers baseline perks for an off-the-cuff Delta flyer, together with a free first checked bag with Delta, 20% again on inflight purchases and 15% off award flights once you e-book with Delta miles.
Should you spend $10,000 on purchases in a calendar yr, you may obtain a $200 Delta flight credit score. This card additionally gives a $100 credit score once you use the cardboard to e-book pay as you go accommodations or trip leases with Delta Stays.
Moreover, the cardboard options a number of journey and buy protections, together with baggage insurance coverage*, automobile rental loss and injury insurance coverage** and prolonged guarantee* and buy protections*.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the Delta Gold Amex.
*Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Phrases, circumstances and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm.
**Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Not all automobile varieties or leases are lined, and geographic restrictions apply. Phrases, circumstances and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm. Protection is obtainable via American Specific Journey Associated Providers Firm, Inc.
Apply right here: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Specific Card
United Explorer Card
The United Explorer Card is an effective alternative for those who’re a semifrequent United flyer who often seeks out United Membership lounge entry.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. In keeping with TPG’s June 2025 valuations, this bonus is price $810.
Annual payment: $0 introductory annual payment for the primary yr, then $150.
Incomes charges:
- Earn 2 miles per greenback spent on United purchases, eating and resort stays booked instantly with the resort.
- Earn 1 mile per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Standout advantages: The United Explorer options a number of advantages for a modest annual payment. For one, you may obtain your first checked bag free for your self and one companion on the identical reservation once you fly a United-operated flight.
A prime perk of this card is 2 one-time United Membership passes earned after account opening and on every account anniversary. Olivia Mittak, a bank cards editor at TPG, loves utilizing her United Explorer to entry United Golf equipment when she’s flying any Star Alliance airline.
Plus, you may obtain a number of assertion credit for Instacart, JSX and ride-hailing purchases. Yearly activation is required to obtain ride-hailing assertion credit.
You may additionally obtain as much as $100 in United Accommodations credit, granted in two $50 assertion credit on pay as you go accommodations booked instantly with United Accommodations. Lastly, you may earn $100 in United TravelBank money after spending $10,000 on purchases inside a calendar yr.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the United Explorer.
Apply right here: United Explorer Card
United Quest Card
The United Quest Card is an effective alternative for those who fly United extra continuously and would admire extra perks once you fly with the airline.
Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 miles and 500 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. In keeping with TPG’s June 2025 valuations, this bonus is price $945, not together with the worth of the PQPs.
Annual payment: $350.
Incomes charges:
- Earn 3 miles per greenback spent on United purchases.
- Earn 2 miles per greenback spent on eating, choose streaming providers and all different journey.
- Earn 1 mile per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Standout advantages: The United Quest offers as much as 20,000 miles in award flight reductions every anniversary yr, beginning with a ten,000-mile low cost earned in your first anniversary and every anniversary thereafter. You may earn one other 10,000-mile low cost for those who spend $20,000 on eligible purchases every calendar yr.
The cardboard additionally offers $200 in United TravelBank money after account opening and annually in your account anniversary, offsetting greater than half of its $350 annual payment every anniversary yr.
Should you’re chasing United elite standing, you may obtain 1 PQP for each $20 spent on the cardboard, as much as 18,000 PQPs in a calendar yr.
The cardboard additionally lets you test a primary and second bag free for the first cardholder and one companion. You may obtain precedence boarding, 25% again on United inflight and Membership premium drink purchases and an as much as $120 credit score on your International Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus software payment.
Should you spend $40,000 on the cardboard in a calendar yr, you may earn two world Financial system Plus seat upgrades. Do word that this card would not present United Membership entry, so it is not the best choice for these trying to maximize lounge entry.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the United Quest.
Apply right here: United Quest Card
Resort bank cards
Resort bank cards include every thing from elite standing to excessive incomes potential inside their loyalty packages. Take a look at one among these playing cards if you have not added one to your pockets.
Hilton Honors American Specific Surpass Card
The Hilton Honors American Specific Surpass Card is a stable possibility for individuals who stick with Hilton usually however do not need to pay a excessive annual payment.
Welcome bonus: Earn 130,000 factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. This supply ends Aug. 13. In keeping with TPG’s June 2025 valuations, this bonus is price $650.
Annual payment: $0 introductory annual payment for the primary yr, then $150.
Incomes charges:
- Earn 12 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases made instantly with a resort or resort throughout the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 6 factors per greenback spent on purchases at U.S. eating places, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gasoline stations.
- Earn 4 factors per greenback spent on U.S. on-line retail purchases.
- Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on all different eligible purchases.
Standout advantages: The Hilton Surpass was my first cobranded bank card, and it offers a superb entry level to anybody who stays with Hilton however would not need to pay an costly annual payment.
The cardboard comes with complimentary Hilton Gold standing, which offers perks like a fifth night time free once you e-book on factors and an 80% bonus on base factors earned throughout the program. You may additionally obtain 4 $50 quarterly assertion credit for Hilton purchases, totaling $200 in a calendar yr.
Personally, I am a huge fan of the Hilton Surpass, which offered me with a free improve once I traveled to Europe and stayed on the Hilton Backyard Inn Birmingham Brindleyplace within the U.Okay. I’ve used the $50 quarterly credit score twice in 2025, each occasions towards paid resort stays to go to mates.
My first $50 went towards reserving a three-night keep on the Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown NuLu in March. My second $50 credit score went towards reserving a one-night keep at a Tru by Hilton in Columbia, South Carolina.
The cardboard additionally confers Nationwide Emerald Membership Govt standing, which is helpful if you end up renting automobiles usually (enrollment required).
Should you spend $15,000 on the cardboard in a calendar yr, you may earn a free night time reward.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the Hilton Honors Surpass Amex.
Apply right here: Hilton Honors American Specific Surpass Card
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card is a stable possibility for IHG loyalists because it offers a variety of advantages once you stick with the chain.
Welcome bonus: Earn 5 free nights (every night time valued at as much as 60,000 factors) after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. In keeping with TPG’s June 2025 valuations, this bonus is price $1,500.
Annual payment: $99.
Incomes charges:
- Earn as much as 26 factors per greenback spent once you keep at IHG Accommodations & Resorts properties.
- Earn 5 factors per greenback spent on journey and at gasoline stations and eating places.
- Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Standout advantages: On prime of the exceptionally excessive incomes charges at IHG properties, the cardboard comes with computerized IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite standing, a fourth-night-free profit once you e-book with factors and an anniversary free night time price as much as 40,000 factors earned every account anniversary yr. That is an distinctive listing of perks for a card with a $99 annual payment.
The cardboard additionally offers as much as $120 each 4 years for International Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus software charges and as much as $50 in United TravelBank money (earned after you hyperlink your card together with your MileagePlus account).
Katie Genter, a lead author at TPG, loves the IHG Premier card due to the ongoing worth it offers annually.
“Even when I do not totally maximize it, the account anniversary night time certificates nonetheless simply offers extra worth than the cardboard’s annual payment annually,” she stated. “However the place the cardboard really shines for frequent IHG award vacationers like myself is the profit that offers me a fourth reward night time free when redeeming IHG factors.”
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the IHG One Rewards Premier.
Apply right here: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card
Should you favor Marriott properties, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card is an effective possibility to start out incomes extra factors inside Marriott Bonvoy.
Welcome bonus: Earn 5 free nights (every valued at as much as 50,000 factors) after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases inside three months of account opening. Sure accommodations have resort charges. In keeping with TPG’s June 2025 valuations, this bonus is price as much as $1,750.
Annual payment: $95.
Incomes charges:
- Earn as much as 17 factors per greenback spent at accommodations within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio.
- Earn 3 factors per greenback spent on the primary $6,000 spent in mixed grocery retailer, gasoline station and eating purchases annually.
- Earn 2 factors per greenback spent on all different purchases.
Standout advantages: For a modest annual payment, you may earn computerized Silver Elite standing inside Marriott Bonvoy, which lets you earn 10% extra factors on stays, entry precedence late checkout and obtain complimentary Wi-Fi.
You may proceed to work towards increased Bonvoy standing by receiving 15 elite night time credit every calendar yr towards standing, in addition to incomes one elite night time credit score for each $5,000 you spend on the cardboard. Meaning you may make it to Gold Elite standing after spending $35,000 on the cardboard in a calendar yr.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless additionally offers one free night time award annually in your account anniversary, price as much as 35,000 factors. The cardboard options a number of journey and buy protections, together with baggage delay insurance coverage, misplaced baggage reimbursement, buy safety and journey delay reimbursement.
You may convert the Marriott Boundless to the premium Ritz-Carlton™ Credit score Card after 12 months of holding the cardboard. It has a steep $450 annual payment however offers a number of perks, similar to an annual journey credit score, computerized Gold Elite standing, annual club-level improve certificates and airport entry. If that sounds attention-grabbing to you, opening the Boundless is a good way to get began on the trail to the Ritz-Carlton card.
The knowledge for the Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
Apply right here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card
Backside line
A very powerful consider deciding in your subsequent bank card depends upon your journey targets and the state of your pockets.
If you have not gone in on a cobranded card, it might be price contemplating to select up some elitelike perks together with your favourite chain. Should you’re missing in a much less well-liked transferable foreign money, this could possibly be the right time to dip your toes into its program.
Both method, take into account your distinctive scenario and present pockets earlier than you apply.
Associated: Why there isn’t any such factor because the ‘finest’ bank card
For charges and costs of the Bilt Mastercard, click on right here.
For rewards and advantages of the Bilt Mastercard, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Delta Gold, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Hilton Honors Surpass, click on right here.
