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Nomadic Matt's Top Credit Card Picks
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Updated, October 22, 2020
CREDIT CARDS PAGE INDEX:
| Featured Offers | Best Overall Card | |
| Best Cards for Beginners | Travel Rewards Credit Cards | |
| Cash-Back Credit Cards | Airline Rewards | |
| Hotel Rewards | Small Business Credit Cards |
By Matt Kepnes, founder NomadicMatt.com
Hey there! Looking for an awesome card to help you travel cheaper, better and longer? These are my go-to cards when it comes to collecting points and miles. Whether you’re looking for free flights, discounts, or free hotel stays, these cards have you covered. They offer lucrative signup/welcome bonuses, awesome perks, and are great for everyday purchases. They are a must for any traveler, so if you’re serious about free travel, get these cards — and I’ve partnered with my friends at CardRatings to bring them to you! – Nomadic Matt (Read more about Nomadic Matt below)
FEATURED OFFERS
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$95
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 100,000 miles worth $1,000 in travel after spending $20,000 in the first 12 months or earn 50,000 miles, worth $500 in travel, after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn unlimited two miles per $1 spent
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$95
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn unlimited three points per $1 spent on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, hotel and air travel purchases. Earn one point per $1 on other purchases. Citi is a CardRatings advertiser
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$95
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This is the highest signup bonus available among any of the Ultimate Rewards® cards.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn.
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$250
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 6 months.
Rewards Rate
Earn 4x Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide as well as at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 spent each year, then 1x). Earn 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months; earn 5% cash back on up to $12,000 spent at grocery stores (excluding Target® and Walmart®) during your first year as a cardholder.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in categories that rotate quarterly (activation required); 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3% back at restaurants (takeout and delivery included); 3% back at drugstores; and 1% back on all other eligible purchases
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $200 cash-back bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $500 cash-back bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5% back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at gas stations and restaurants each account year. Earn 1% back on everything else.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn $500 cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. Combine this card with Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card to make your points worth more.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$550
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 50,000 points, worth up to $750, after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel (after earning your $300 travel credit) and on dining; 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Earn $200 cash back after $500 spent in the first three months; additionally, earn 5% cash back on up to $12,000 spent grocery stores (excluding Target® and Walmart®) in your first year
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and delivery; 3% at drugstores; 1.5% cash back on your other eligible purchases.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
Limited time offer: $0 introductory annual fee for one year, then $95 (offer expires 12/10/20)
WELCOME OFFER
For a limited time earn a $300 bonus statement credit after you spend $3,000 in the first six months of account membership (offer expires 12/10/20).
REWARDS RATE
Earn 6% back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets annually and 6% back on select U.S. streaming services; unlimited 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit purchases, and 1% back on everything else.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $89
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 140,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn up to 25 points total for every $1 spent at IHG hotels; 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants; and 1 point per $1 on your other purchases.
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you use your new card to make $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership, plus a Weekend Night Reward each calendar year you spend at least $15,000 with the card.
Rewards Rate
Earn 12X Hilton Honors points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio; earn 6X Hilton Honors points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations; and earn 3X Hilton Honors points for all other eligible purchases.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$250
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months (offer expires 10/28/2020).
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases and on purchases made directly with hotels; 2 miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets; and 1 mile on all other eligible purchases.
APPLY
BEST CREDIT CARD OVERALL
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$550
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 50,000 points, worth up to $750, after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel (after earning your $300 travel credit) and on dining; 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
MATT'S TAKE
For folks new to the credit card rewards landscape, this card offers plenty of bang for your buck without a lot of strategy required. Your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are transferable to a number of popular hotel and airline loyalty programs, which could allow you to receive significantly more value than the standard $.01 each. Even if you don't choose to transfer your points, when you redeem through the Ultimate Rewards® portal, points with this card are worth 50% more; that means your 50,000 bonus points are worth $750 when redeemed for travel.
BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR BEGINNERS
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$95
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 100,000 miles worth $1,000 in travel after spending $20,000 in the first 12 months or earn 50,000 miles, worth $500 in travel, after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn unlimited two miles per $1 spent
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 20,000 miles – worth $200 in travel – after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn unlimited 1.25 miles per $1 spent
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months; earn 5% cash back on up to $12,000 spent at grocery stores (excluding Target® and Walmart®) during your first year as a cardholder.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in categories that rotate quarterly (activation required); 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3% back at restaurants (takeout and delivery included); 3% back at drugstores; and 1% back on all other eligible purchases
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $200 cash-back bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Earn $200 cash back after $500 spent in the first three months; additionally, earn 5% cash back on up to $12,000 spent grocery stores (excluding Target® and Walmart®) in your first year
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and delivery; 3% at drugstores; 1.5% cash back on your other eligible purchases.
BEST GENERAL TRAVEL REWARDS CARDS
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$95
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 100,000 miles worth $1,000 in travel after spending $20,000 in the first 12 months or earn 50,000 miles, worth $500 in travel, after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn unlimited two miles per every $1 spent.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$95
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn unlimited three points per $1 spent on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, hotel and air travel purchases. Earn one point per $1 on other purchases.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 20,000 miles – worth $200 in travel – after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn unlimited 1.25 miles per $1 spent
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$250
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 6 months. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser
Rewards Rate
Earn 4x Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide as well as at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 spent each year, then 1x). Earn 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$550
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 50,000 points, worth up to $750, after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel (after earning your $300 travel credit) and on dining; 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2x ThankYou® Points at supermarkets and gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1 point per $1) and 1 point per $1 on everything else. Rewards are automatically rounded up to the nearest 10 points for every purchase.
BEST CASH-BACK CARDS
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months; earn 5% cash back on up to $12,000 spent at grocery stores (excluding Target® and Walmart®) during your first year as a cardholder.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in categories that rotate quarterly (activation required); 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3% back at restaurants (takeout and delivery included); 3% back at drugstores; and 1% back on all other eligible purchases
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $200 cash-back bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Earn $200 cash back after $500 spent in the first three months; additionally, earn 5% cash back on up to $12,000 spent grocery stores (excluding Target® and Walmart®) in your first year
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and delivery; 3% at drugstores; 1.5% cash back on your other eligible purchases.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent in a year, then 1%), 2% back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores and 1% back on other purchases.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
Limited time offer: $0 introductory annual fee for one year, then $95 (offer expires 12/10/20)
WELCOME OFFER
For a limited time earn a $300 bonus statement credit after you spend $3,000 in the first six months of account membership (offer expires 12/10/20).
REWARDS RATE
Earn 6% back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets annually and 6% back on select U.S. streaming services; unlimited 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit purchases, and 1% back on everything else.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $500 cash-back bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5% back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at gas stations and restaurants each account year. Earn 1% back on everything else.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn $500 cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. Combine this card with Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card to make your points worth more.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2x ThankYou® Points at supermarkets and gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1 point per $1) and 1 point per $1 on everything else. Rewards are automatically rounded up to the nearest 10 points for every purchase.
BEST AIRLINE CREDIT CARDS
ANNUAL FEE
$99, waived for first 12 months
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, at gas stations and at restaurants. Earn 1 mile per $1 on other purchases.
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$99
Welcome Offer
Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Receive 6,000 bonus points each year after your card member anniversary.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on your card in the first 3 months
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases and on purchases at restaurants worldwide as well as 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
APPLY
ANNUAL FEE
$450
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1 mile per $1 on other purchases.
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$149
Welcome Offer
Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Receive 7,500 bonus points each year after you cardholder anniversary.
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$69
Welcome Offer
Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Receive 3,000 bonus points each year after you cardholder anniversary.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$550
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 40,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile for every eligible $1 spent on all other purchases.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$250
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months (offer expires 10/28/2020).
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases and on purchases made directly with hotels; 2 miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets; and 1 mile on all other eligible purchases.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months (offer expires 10/28/2020).
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta, at restaurants worldwide, and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn one mile for every eligible dollar spent on all other purchases.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 10,000 bonus miles and a $50 statement credit after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at grocery stores (including grocery delivery services) and on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1 mile per $1 on other purchases.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants (also eligible delivery services like GrubHub, Caviar, Seamless and DoorDash), on hotel stays and on purchases with United; earn 1 mile per $1 on everything else.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0 intro annual fee, then $525 thereafter
WELCOME OFFER
N/A
REWARDS RATE
Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99
Welcome Offer
For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus miles after making qualified purchases and save with an intro $0 annual fee.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants, gas stations, office supply stores and on United purchases. Earn 1 mile per $1 on everything else.
ANNUAL FEE
$99, waived for first 12 months
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and on purchases with telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations. Earn 1 mile per $1 on other purchases.
ANNUAL FEE
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
WELCOME OFFER
For a limited time, new card members can earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months (offer ends Oct. 28, 2020).
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Delta as well as on eligible U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, on eligible U.S. shipping purchases and on eligible dining at restaurants. Earn 1 mile for every eligible $1 spent on all other purchases.
APPLY
ANNUAL FEE
$250
WELCOME OFFER
For a limited time, earn 70,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $4,000 in the first three months (offer ends Oct. 28, 2020).
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 miles on every dollar spend on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with hotels; earn 1.5 miles per dollar on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (that's an extra half point per dollar), up to 50,000 additional miles per year; and 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
APPLY
ANNUAL FEE
$550
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 45,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile for every eligible $1 spent on all other purchases.
APPLY
MATT'S TAKE
For the exceptionally brand-loyal, branded credit cards offer perks and features that you will no doubt appreciate. However, if you find yourself shopping around for the cheapest price and best times rather than going for an airline-specific ticket no matter what, a general travel rewards credit card could be a better, more beneficial card for you. If you plan to frequently fly with one specific airline though, it's probably worth having a co-branded credit card. Not only do they provide extra perks for members, but they also come with all the benefits standard on other cards such as $0 liability for unauthorized charges which is especially important while traveling.
BEST HOTEL CREDIT CARDS
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$95
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 5 free nights after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 6X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2X points everywhere else.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3x points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2x points on other travel purchases such as airfare, taxis, trains and more.
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$125
Welcome Offer
For a limited time, earn 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of card membership; enjoy Platinum Elite status for one year, Feb. 1, 2021-Jan.31, 2022 (offer ends 1/13/2021)
Rewards Rate
Earn 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 4x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, on wireless phone services purchased directly from U.S. providers, and on U.S. shipping purchases; 2x points on other eligible purchases.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$95
WELCOME OFFER
Earn up to 50,000 bonus points. Spend $3,000 in the first 3 months to earn 25,000 points; then earn another 25,000 points after spending a total of $6,000 in the first 6 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 9 points for every $1 spent at Hyatt and 2 points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly with airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club/gym memberships. Earn 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $89
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 140,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn up to 25 points total for every $1 spent at IHG hotels; 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants; and 1 point per $1 on your other purchases.
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you use your new card to make $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership, plus a Weekend Night Reward each calendar year you spend at least $15,000 with the card.
Rewards Rate
Earn 12X Hilton Honors points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio; earn 6X Hilton Honors points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations; and earn 3X Hilton Honors points for all other eligible purchases.
APPLY
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months of card membership.
Rewards Rate
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Honors portfolio of brands; 5X bonus points on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations; and 3X bonus points for all other purchases.
APPLY
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of account membership.
Rewards Rate
Earn 12X bonus points on eligible purchases made directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio, 6X bonus points on select business and travel purchases and at U.S. gas stations and U.S. restaurants, and 3X bonus points for all other purchases.
APPLY
Credit Card
Annual Fee
$450
Welcome Offer
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you make $4,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of membership. Also enjoy a free Weekend Night Reward within your first year and each year after you renew.
Rewards Rate
Earn 12X bonus points on eligible purchases made directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio, 6X bonus points on select business and travel purchases and at U.S. gas stations and U.S. restaurants, and 3X bonus points for all other purchases.
APPLY
MATT'S TAKE
Like with airline credit cards, hotel credit cards can be a good fit for the truly brand-loyal, but since general travel rewards cards offer options that allow you to transfer rewards to loyalty programs or redeem rewards with flexibility for any hotel, depending on what type of traveler you are, a co-branded card might not always be right for you. If you are loyal to Hilton or Marriott though, it's tough to beat these cards. A Hilton Honors credit card is the easiest way to boost your points balance; the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card automatically provides you with gold elite status which provides you with a plethora of perks, including an 80% bonus on base points earned with the card. Same with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card— this card gets you automatic elite silver silver status, and puts you on a path to gold status.
BEST BUSINESS CREDIT CARDS
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$95
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $500 cash-back bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5% back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at gas stations and restaurants each account year. Earn 1% back on everything else.
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$0
WELCOME OFFER
Earn $500 cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. Combine this card with Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card to make your points worth more.
ANNUAL FEE
No annual fee
WELCOME OFFER
Earn up to $100 in statement credits at each of the following merchants: Dell Technologies, DocuSign or FedEx after you make an eligible purchase on your new card within the first three months of card membership.You can take advantage of an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening (then, 13.24% - 19.24% Variable).
REWARDS RATE
Earn two Membership Rewards® points per $1 spent on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 spent per calendar year, then one point per $1.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
No annual fee
WELCOME OFFER
You can earn up to $100 in the form of statement credits at each of the following merchants: Dell Technologies, DocuSign or FedEx after you make an eligible purchase on your new card within the first three months of card membership. Plus, take advantage of an intro 0% interest on purchases for 12 months from account opening (then, 13.24% - 19.24% Variable)
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2% cash back on the first $50,000 spent on purchases per calendar year, then 1% after that.
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
$295
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 35,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month, and 1X on other purchases. Four points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year.
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ANNUAL FEE
$595
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 75,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points after spending an $15,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5x the Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels through amextravel.com. Earn an extra half-point (1.5 points) per $1 on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more and earn 1 point per $1 on everything else.
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Get to know Nomadic Matt: Matthew Kepnes runs the award winning budget travel site, Nomadic Matt. He took his first trip to Costa Rica in 2004 and fell in love with the freedom and possibility travel had to offer. After a trip to Thailand in 2005, Matt decided to quit his job, finish his MBA and head off into the world.
His original trip was supposed to last a year.
His writings and advice have been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, Lifehacker, Budget Travel, BBC, Time, Wall Street Journal, and countless other publications. You can find him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram with the handle @nomadicmatt.
To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees; Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees; Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: See Rates and Fees; Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: See Rates and Fees; Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: See Rates and Fees; Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: See Rates and Fees; American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: See Rates and Fees; Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: See Rates and Fees; The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: See Rates and Fees; Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: See Rates and Fees; Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card: See Rates and Fees; Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: See Rates and Fees; American Express® Gold Card: See Rates and Fees; Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: See Rates and Fees; The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: See Rates and Fees; Hilton Honors American Express Card: See Rates and Fees; Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: See Rates and Fees; American Express® Business Gold Card: See Rates and Fees