Best Credit Cards — September 2024

To make choosing your next card a bit easier, we've ranked the best credit card offers below with an eye toward those that can help you book luxury travel. Factors include: the welcome/sign-up bonus, bonus categories, and perks/benefits.

We strive to find the best offers available even if we won't earn a commission or earn a referral bonus. If you think we've missed a better offer, please let us know so we can investigate.

Best travel credit cards

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Chase Ink Business Unlimited®
CURRENT OFFER
$900
Cash Back
after you spend $6,000 in 3 months.
ANNUAL FEE
$0
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
While listed as a cashback card, you can combine the points you earn with another Ultimate Rewards card. That will allow you to transfer the points from the Ink Unlimited to airline and hotel partners.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
CURRENT OFFER
60,000
Chase Ultimate Reward Points
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
ANNUAL FEE
$95
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
A go-to for beginners. It's an easy way to earn more points with bonus categories on travel, dining and more. Plus, you can transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
Chase Ink Business Preferred
CURRENT OFFER
90,000
Chase Ultimate Reward Points
after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening
ANNUAL FEE
$95
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
It’s tough to find a better business card with transferable points. Businesses can earn 3x points on a bunch of categories up to $150k per year. Plus, it comes with a great cell phone protection benefit.
Chase Ink Business Cash®
CURRENT OFFER
Up To $750
Cash Back
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
ANNUAL FEE
$0
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
While listed as a cashback card, you can combine the points you earn with another Ultimate Rewards card. That will allow you to transfer the points from the Ink Cash to airline and hotel partners.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
CURRENT OFFER
60,000
Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
ANNUAL FEE
$550
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
The big brother of the Sapphire Preferred, it's a good option if you want lounge access and the ability to redeem points at 1.5 cents per point.
British Airways Visa Signature
CURRENT OFFER
75,000
Avios
Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
ANNUAL FEE
$95
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
Earn a Travel Together (2-for-1) ticket after spending $30,000 in a calendar year.
Iberia Visa Signature
CURRENT OFFER
75,000
Avios
after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
ANNUAL FEE
$95
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
10% discount on Iberia flights and a $1,000 discount voucher if you spend $30,000 in a calendar year.
Aer Lingus Visa Signature®
CURRENT OFFER
75,000
Avios
after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
ANNUAL FEE
$95
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
Earn a Companion Ticket after spending $30,000 in a calendar year.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card
CURRENT OFFER
3
Free Nights
(Valued up to 150,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card. Certain hotels have resort fees.* Note: These card details have been collected independently by STTP and have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
ANNUAL FEE
$95
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
You’ll receive an annual free night certificate (worth up to 35k points) and 15 elite night credits which make it much easier to earn Platinum Elite status.
Aeroplan Credit Card
CURRENT OFFER
70,000
Aeroplan Points
Earn 70,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
ANNUAL FEE
$95
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
An easy way to earn points for award tickets on Star Alliance carriers, Etihad, and more. 3x at grocery stores is a great bonus category.
United℠ Business Card
CURRENT OFFER
75,000
United Miles
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
ANNUAL FEE
$99
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
A solid option to earn some more United miles for United or Star Alliance flights.
United Quest℠
CURRENT OFFER
60,000
United Miles
Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
ANNUAL FEE
$250
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
The United Quest Card is probably the co-branded United card overall with a nice bonus plus ways for United flyers to offset the annual fee.
United Club℠ Infinite
CURRENT OFFER
80,000
United Miles
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
ANNUAL FEE
$525
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
The best perk is the United Club membership. When flying United or Star Alliance carriers, this provides access to United Clubs (plus children or two guests) and many Star Alliance business class lounges (plus one guest on your flight).
United℠ Explorer Card
CURRENT OFFER
80,000
United Miles
after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn 5,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user to your account in the first 3 months your account is open. Note: These card details have been collected independently by STTP and have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
ANNUAL FEE
$95
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
The Explorer Card lost a bit of its luster with the launch of the Quest Card. However, with a good welcome bonus, the lower annual fee and free checked bag perk might be enough for some folks.
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
CURRENT OFFER
Up to 75,000
Bonus Points
Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 15,000 more Bonus Points after you spend $12,000 in the first 6 months.
ANNUAL FEE
$199
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
A solid welcome bonus plus the ability to earn elite nights per $10,000, it’s a great business card option for those who like Hyatt.
IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
CURRENT OFFER
140,000
IHG Points
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
ANNUAL FEE
$99
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
A solid option for business owners (and anyone with a side hustle) to earn some IHG points.
IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card
CURRENT OFFER
140,000
Bonus Points
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
ANNUAL FEE
$99
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
A free night certificate on your account anniversary worth up to 40k points, 4th night free on award bookings, and Platinum Elite status make this a card worth considering.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
CURRENT OFFER
$150
Cash Back
Earn a $150 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
ANNUAL FEE
$0
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
It might technically earn cashback but, when paired with a Sapphire or Ink Preferred, your points can be transferred to partners. Thanks to great 3% bonus categories and 1.5% back on all other spend, this is a great supplementary card.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
CURRENT OFFER
Up to 60,000
Bonus Points
Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
ANNUAL FEE
$95
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
You’ll get an annual free night certificate for a Category 1-4 property and you can earn a second by spending $15,000 in a year. You’ll get 5 elite nights each year with the card plus you can earn 2 elite nights per $5,000 spent.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
CURRENT OFFER
$150
Cash Back
Earn a $150 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
ANNUAL FEE
$0
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
It might technically earn cashback but, when paired with a Sapphire or Ink Preferred, your points can be transferred to partners. Thanks to great 3% bonus categories and rotating quarterly 5% bonus categories, this is a great supplementary card.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card
CURRENT OFFER
50,000
Rapid Rewards® Points
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
ANNUAL FEE
$149
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
Quite possibly the best personal Southwest card of the bunch. You get 4 upgraded boardings each year, 7,500 Rapid Rewards points upon renewal, and a $75 Southwest credit each year. And, of course, it can help you earn the Southwest Companion Pass.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
CURRENT OFFER
50,000
Rapid Rewards® Points
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
ANNUAL FEE
$69
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
With no annual fee, this card can help you earn the Southwest Companion Pass. You’ll also receive 2 upgraded boardings each year as well as 3,000 Rapid Rewards points upon renewal.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier
CURRENT OFFER
Up to 120,000
Rapid Rewards® Points
Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening and an additional 60,000 points when you spend $15,000 in 9 months.
ANNUAL FEE
$99
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
A cheaper alternative to the Southwest Priority card, you’ll receive 2 upgraded boardings each year as well as 6,000 Rapid Rewards points upon renewal. Points you earn with this card count toward the Southwest Companion Pass.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
CURRENT OFFER
80,000
Bonus Points
Earn 80,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
ANNUAL FEE
$0
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
Even with no annual fee, you can get a 4th night free on your award stays. Personally, I’d prefer the IHG Premier Card.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Card
CURRENT OFFER
Up to 120,000
Rapid Rewards® Points
Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening and an additional 40,000 points when you spend $15,000 in 9 months.
ANNUAL FEE
$199
Terms apply
WHY WE LIKE IT
A great option to help you earn the Southwest Companion Pass. Plus, you’ll receive 4 upgraded boardings each year and 9,000 Rapid Rewards points upon renewal.

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