topic Re: Best credit card for travel in Credit Cards

Best credit card for travel

micvite — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 03:00:13 GMT

I'm looking to start traveling extensively again over the next few years (once covid is over), but what is the best rewards system for transfering points over to get the best value? Amex MR (would get the platinum, already have the gold), Chase (probably get the sapphire preffered) or one of the citi cards? If I'm primarily traveling to asia (Japan, China, Thailand, Taiwon) and pretty much all of Europe what do you guys recommend especially for which airline to transfer to and stuff? I'm completely new to booking travel with points through award trips and stuff so I have no clue what I'm doing. Currently have around 120k Amex MR points in stock, but can quickly stock up on other points as well. Would prefer to apply for at least 2 cards to get:

1) the most coverage for the most travel partners

2)the extra global entry credit for my wife as well as extra priority pass guests for when I'm traveling with other people.

But, I'm here for advice, so not sure if that's the smart thing to do. Currently using AMEX gold for all dining supermarket and flights (have yet to use the **bleep** 100$ yearly credit lol) The platinum makes sense for me for the 5x on airlines, but the Chase saphire reserve looks interesting for the 50% bonus on point redemption. So I'm quite torn. As far as getting more chase points, I'd probably have to look into applying for at least 1 other chase product as well, unless the 3x on dining and the 50% redemption make it better than the gold card for dining?

Re: Best credit card for travel

FormerCollegeDJ — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 05:39:28 GMT

Others on here are probably more knowledgeable than I am, but in summer 2020 I took a closer look at the three rewards programs you identified (American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards). The three programs actually have a good bit of overlap in terms of their non-U.S. airline partners (for example, all three programs include KLM, Air France, and Singapore Airlines, among other passenger air carriers). However, Amex Membership Rewards generally has the most partner airlines in each of the major global airline alliances (Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance, which are affiliated in the U.S. with American, Delta, and United respectively); American Express also directly partners with Delta. Citi ThankYou Rewards has the second-most non-U.S. airline partners, while Chase Ultimate Rewards has the fewest non-U.S. airline partners (though it also directly partners with both United and Southwest).

As for how to maximize rewards, if you decide to focus more heavily on Chase Ultimate Rewards, you'll likely want to get what is commonly called the Chase trifecta - either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Freedom Unlimited, and the Chase Freedom Flex. Both the CFU and CFF are no annual fee cards that provide some benefits the CSP/CSR do not. More specifically, the Chase Freedom Unlimited provides 1.5% minimum cash/points back on all purchases, 3% on restaurant and drug store purchases, and 5% on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. By contrast, the Chase Freedom Flex has rotating quarterly 5% cash back categories while also offering 3% rewards for restaurant and drug store purchases and 5% rewards for CUR-booked travel. Points earned on the two no annual fee Chase cards can then be transferred to the premium Chase card, which provides either 25% point bonus (CSP) or 50% point bonus (CSR) for travel booked using either Preferred or Reserve card.

I'm sure other people on here can provide additional, more in-depth information, but what I provided should at least get you started in your decision-making process.

Re: Best credit card for travel

micvite — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 05:50:34 GMT

@FormerCollegeDJ wrote:
Others on here are probably more knowledgeable than I am, but in summer 2020 I took a closer look at the three rewards programs you identified (American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards). The three programs actually have a good bit of overlap in terms of their non-U.S. airline partners (for example, all three programs include KLM, Air France, and Singapore Airlines, among other passenger air carriers). However, Amex Membership Rewards generally has the most partner airlines in each of the major global airline alliances (Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance, which are affiliated in the U.S. with American, Delta, and United respectively); American Express also directly partners with Delta. Citi ThankYou Rewards has the second-most non-U.S. airline partners, while Chase Ultimate Rewards has the fewest non-U.S. airline partners (though it also directly partners with both United and Southwest).

As for how to maximize rewards, if you decide to focus more heavily on Chase Ultimate Rewards, you'll likely want to get what is commonly called the Chase trifecta - either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Freedom Unlimited, and the Chase Freedom Flex. Both the CFU and CFF are no annual fee cards that provide some benefits the CSP/CSR do not. More specifically, the Chase Freedom Unlimited provides 1.5% minimum cash/points back on all purchases, 3% on restaurant and drug store purchases, and 5% on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. By contrast, the Chase Freedom Flex has rotating quarterly 5% cash back categories while also offering 3% rewards for restaurant and drug store purchases and 5% rewards for CUR-booked travel. Points earned on the two no annual fee Chase cards can then be transferred to the premium Chase card, which provides either 25% point bonus (CSP) or 50% point bonus (CSR) for travel booked using either Preferred or Reserve card.

I'm sure other people on here can provide additional, more in-depth information, but what I provided should at least get you started in your decision-making process.

So to confirm, even a cashback card from chase will allow me to get points instead of cashback? I did have a freedom unlimited they closed out 2 years ago, so chase may or may not be a no go. Will try to have it reopened now that my scores are high 700s and I've basically paid off the whole balance on the card except for a little tidbit to keep that possibility (when they closed it they told me I could ask to have it reconsidered as long as it was not PIF)

Re: Best credit card for travel

FormerCollegeDJ — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 10:56:14 GMT

RE: Chase no annual fee cards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points

Yes - both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex earn rewards that can be used as cash back but can also be used towards Chase Ultimate Rewards redemptions. With the latter they count on a 1 to 1 basis (i.e. 100 rewards points earned on either the CFU or CFF count as $1 regardless if it is redeemed as cash or used as part of a CUR redemption). The benefit of those cards is they sometimes earn higher points rates on some types of spending than the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve do. Conversely, points from the CFU and CFF can be moved to either the CSP or CSR, and points used in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal on either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve have 25% (with the CSP) or 50% (with the CSR) more value compared to when they are used for cash back.

Let me note one other important thing, and I say this as someone who has not (at least at this point) used Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel redemptions - based on playing around with the CUR site and also from what I've read at various credit card and travel rewards-focused websites, I think in many cases you can only really get bang for your Chase Ultimate Rewards (or for that matter Amex Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou Rewards) buck on flights IF you redeem them for premium tickets (often first/business class seats) on international flights. (The real value of the programs comes when you transfer your credit card rewards program points to an airline or hotel chain and convert them into airline or hotel rewards points when making a credit card program rewards redemption.) In the majority of cases, the Chase UR and also Amex MR and Citi TYR do not provide significantly more than 1 to 1 value (or in CUR's case, either 1.25 or 1.5 to 1 value when using the CSP or CSR) when you use them for domestic flights and/or non-premium seats. The rewards programs' value really comes from using the points for "premium" tickets/experiences. Others who have used one or more of the three rewards programs for travel can provide more detailed and accurate information.

The above is why it is important to understand airline and hotel programs' point valuations, so you can get a better handle on how much those points are really worth when you transfer credit card program rewards points to an airline or hotel partner. An airline or hotel rewards program can award lots of points, but if the points themselves have a low valuation, then you aren't getting as much bang for your buck to use the credit card rewards programs as it might initially appear. Sites like Upgraded Points shown below are very helpful in giving you a better idea of the average point valuation for rewards programs. Having said that, in many cases the actual program point values will be lower and in some cases they will be higher when you redeem rewards points in a real world situation. (One related tip - IMO you should NEVER trust reward program valuations on The Points Guy site; they always give overly high point value estimates, especially for hotel rewards programs.)

https://upgradedpoints.com/points-and-miles-valuations/

Hopefully other people will chime in and provide additional input and if necessary correct any misleading statements I may have accidentally made.

Re: Best credit card for travel

micvite — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 13:52:08 GMT

@FormerCollegeDJ wrote:
RE: Chase no annual fee cards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points

Yes - both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex earn rewards that can be used as cash back but can also be used towards Chase Ultimate Rewards redemptions. With the latter they count on a 1 to 1 basis (i.e. 100 rewards points earned on either the CFU or CFF count as $1 regardless if it is redeemed as cash or used as part of a CUR redemption). The benefit of those cards is they sometimes earn higher points rates on some types of spending than the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve do. Conversely, points from the CFU and CFF can be moved to either the CSP or CSR, and points used in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal on either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve have 25% (with the CSP) or 50% (with the CSR) more value compared to when they are used for cash back.

Let me note one other important thing, and I say this as someone who has not (at least at this point) used Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel redemptions - based on playing around with the CUR site and also from what I've read at various credit card and travel rewards-focused websites, I think in many cases you can only really get bang for your Chase Ultimate Rewards (or for that matter Amex Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou Rewards) buck on flights IF you redeem them for premium tickets (often first/business class seats) on international flights. (The real value of the programs comes when you transfer your credit card rewards program points to an airline or hotel chain and convert them into airline or hotel rewards points when making a credit card program rewards redemption.) In the majority of cases, the Chase UR and also Amex MR and Citi TYR do not provide significantly more than 1 to 1 value (or in CUR's case, either 1.25 or 1.5 to 1 value when using the CSP or CSR) when you use them for domestic flights and/or non-premium seats. The rewards programs' value really comes from using the points for "premium" tickets/experiences. Others who have used one or more of the three rewards programs for travel can provide more detailed and accurate information.

The above is why it is important to understand airline and hotel programs' point valuations, so you can get a better handle on how much those points are really worth when you transfer credit card program rewards points to an airline or hotel partner. An airline or hotel rewards program can award lots of points, but if the points themselves have a low valuation, then you aren't getting as much bang for your buck to use the credit card rewards programs as it might initially appear. Sites like Upgraded Points shown below are very helpful in giving you a better idea of the average point valuation for rewards programs. Having said that, in many cases the actual program point values will be lower and in some cases they will be higher when you redeem rewards points in a real world situation. (One related tip - IMO you should NEVER trust reward program valuations on The Points Guy site; they always give overly high point value estimates, especially for hotel rewards programs.)

https://upgradedpoints.com/points-and-miles-valuations/

Hopefully other people will chime in and provide additional input and if necessary correct any misleading statements I may have accidentally made.

Good to know. Now with the CSR, does transferring the points to another airline still get the 50% bonus? Because you're right I'd mainly be using points to book double round trip first class tickets to either Asia or Europe.

Re: Best credit card for travel

Shooting-For-800 — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 14:07:22 GMT

Navy Fed Flagship is 3% back on travel and 2% on everything else.

Simple and straight forward.

Re: Best credit card for travel

TampaBAY86 — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 14:14:05 GMT

@micvite wrote:
@FormerCollegeDJ wrote:
RE: Chase no annual fee cards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points

Yes - both the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex earn rewards that can be used as cash back but can also be used towards Chase Ultimate Rewards redemptions. With the latter they count on a 1 to 1 basis (i.e. 100 rewards points earned on either the CFU or CFF count as $1 regardless if it is redeemed as cash or used as part of a CUR redemption). The benefit of those cards is they sometimes earn higher points rates on some types of spending than the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve do. Conversely, points from the CFU and CFF can be moved to either the CSP or CSR, and points used in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal on either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve have 25% (with the CSP) or 50% (with the CSR) more value compared to when they are used for cash back.

Let me note one other important thing, and I say this as someone who has not (at least at this point) used Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel redemptions - based on playing around with the CUR site and also from what I've read at various credit card and travel rewards-focused websites, I think in many cases you can only really get bang for your Chase Ultimate Rewards (or for that matter Amex Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou Rewards) buck on flights IF you redeem them for premium tickets (often first/business class seats) on international flights. (The real value of the programs comes when you transfer your credit card rewards program points to an airline or hotel chain and convert them into airline or hotel rewards points when making a credit card program rewards redemption.) In the majority of cases, the Chase UR and also Amex MR and Citi TYR do not provide significantly more than 1 to 1 value (or in CUR's case, either 1.25 or 1.5 to 1 value when using the CSP or CSR) when you use them for domestic flights and/or non-premium seats. The rewards programs' value really comes from using the points for "premium" tickets/experiences. Others who have used one or more of the three rewards programs for travel can provide more detailed and accurate information.

The above is why it is important to understand airline and hotel programs' point valuations, so you can get a better handle on how much those points are really worth when you transfer credit card program rewards points to an airline or hotel partner. An airline or hotel rewards program can award lots of points, but if the points themselves have a low valuation, then you aren't getting as much bang for your buck to use the credit card rewards programs as it might initially appear. Sites like Upgraded Points shown below are very helpful in giving you a better idea of the average point valuation for rewards programs. Having said that, in many cases the actual program point values will be lower and in some cases they will be higher when you redeem rewards points in a real world situation. (One related tip - IMO you should NEVER trust reward program valuations on The Points Guy site; they always give overly high point value estimates, especially for hotel rewards programs.)

https://upgradedpoints.com/points-and-miles-valuations/

Hopefully other people will chime in and provide additional input and if necessary correct any misleading statements I may have accidentally made.
Good to know. Now with the CSR, does transferring the points to another airline still get the 50% bonus? Because you're right I'd mainly be using points to book double round trip first class tickets to either Asia or Europe.

No, the transfer rate for UR will be 1:1, unless they are running a promo at that time. Same for MR. Not sure about TYP.

Re: Best credit card for travel

Loquat — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 14:20:19 GMT

"Best" is subjective. It comes down to what do you want in a travel card? Do you only care about the card providing travel benefits or are you looking for something that has other categories to complement travel?

As far as transfer partners, Citi, Chase, and Amex all have them. Amex clearly has the longest list. With that being said, each of the ecosystems has access to OneWorld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance partners which will allow for international booking. The value of each currency will be dependent upon where you want to go, when, and the comfort level you want enjoy as travel.

All of the best Amex earners typically require an annual fee..and the really good cards come with expensive annual fees. Same to be said for Chase and Citi. In my opinion Amex ecosystem has more options but is the most expensive because it's very difficult to get a lot of coverage with just one card. The same can also be said for Chase. You'll need to carry at least 2 of their products to get the most coverage but at least Chase can be achieved with just one expensive AF card and can be complemented by something such as the Freedom Flex.

Citi has a few cards that will work but the one thing Citi lacks that the others have is travel protections if that means anything to you. Where Citi lacks in travel protections they make up for having a few cards that cover a lot of ground. For a total of just $95 you can get a lot of coverage with Citi by way of the Premier that earns 3x in a lot of useful travel categories, a Double Cash that allows earnings from thar car to be converted into ThankYou points as needed, and the Rewards+ that has points round up and 10% rebate on redeemed TYPs on the first 100k each calendar year.

Determine where you want to travel and what carrier/alliance is the best option for getting there. Build your selection around such. But just asking which card is better...well you're going to get a lot of answers from a wide variety of perceptions.

Best of luck to you as you narrow down your search.

Re: Best credit card for travel

Remedios — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 14:26:21 GMT

If Chase closed your account only two years ago as a result of AA, they might be a no-go for a while.

Unfortunately, the only way to find out is to apply.

I'd focus on other reward programs, or try Chase first so at least they can be eliminated from your list in case you get "previous unsatisfactory relationship" letter from them.

Re: Best credit card for travel

notmyrealname23 — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 16:06:30 GMT

It's much easier to app spree AMEX in conjunction with other cards (after your first card, everything is a soft pull) than Chase (5/24 and some limits on acquisition speed), if you're diving into a heavy card acquisition phase to bulk up on miles and points. This isn't to say that Chase would be a bad choice, it just means more planning.

The AMEX Platinum (100k, 125k occasionally on offer) + CSP (80k) signup offers are as high as they will likely be for a while, so it's a good time to get those top-end cards.

Citi Premier or Prestige + Citi Double Cash is probably a combination you don't want to ignore either, since the DC is a 2x card on unbonused spend in conjunction with one of those cards (you don't have to do "hacks" like the Amex Blue Business Plus as a business card). The Premier card is a pretty broad category earner (3x flights, dining, groceries, gas, only $95). Prestige is more expensive ($495) and is a premium travel card with broader earning than the AMEX Platinum: 5x airfare, dining, 3x hotels, cruises + a $250 general travel credit, Priority Pass. (The one other thing these Citi cards don't have is any rental car insurance, if that's important to you, along with no travel protection.) ThankYou doesn't have as many partners as AMEX and Chase do, but they'll do the trick.

Re: Best credit card for travel

notmyrealname23 — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 16:15:44 GMT

@Shooting-For-800 wrote:
Navy Fed Flagship is 3% back on travel and 2% on everything else.
Simple and straight forward.

It's more difficult (but not impossible) to leverage cashback into award bookings using miles or points (you basically use cash to buy miles in various airline or hotels programs). It's very difficult to leverage cash into low cost premium award cabin bookings instead of using points, especially if you're starting in the United States. A $3000 business class ticket is $100,000 in Navy Federal Flagship spend... but I've done many business or first class trips involving miles that would have cost four or five figures in cash. I would not call using cashback cards for things like that "simple and straightforward".

That being said, if your needs are simple and straightforward (maybe you don't mind coach and you want to stay away from miles and points, maybe all you want to do is a road trip or camping), a cashback card is a completely fine way to go.

Re: Best credit card for travel

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 16:22:36 GMT

@notmyrealname23 wrote:
@Shooting-For-800 wrote:
Navy Fed Flagship is 3% back on travel and 2% on everything else.
Simple and straight forward.
It's more difficult (but not impossible) to leverage cashback into award bookings using miles or points (you basically use cash to buy miles in various airline or hotels programs). It's very difficult to leverage cash into low cost premium award cabin bookings instead of using points, especially if you're starting in the United States. A $3000 business class ticket is $100,000 in Navy Federal Flagship spend... but I've done many business or first class trips involving miles that would have cost four or five figures in cash. I would not call using cashback cards for things like that "simple and straightforward".

That being said, if your needs are simple and straightforward (maybe you don't mind coach and you want to stay away from miles and points, maybe all you want to do is a road trip or camping), a cashback card is a completely fine way to go.

This! Cashback is fine for "non-aspirational" travel, but impractical for really premium tickets. And a similar distinction can happen even with points sytems. If you have the CSR (and to a lesser extent the CSP), for coach domestic tickets, it is often better to use the points through the chase portal and get the 1.5 multiplier, than to transfer to an airline partner. Apart from relative cost, this avoids needing award space and you will get airline miles on the revenue ticket.

And in the cashback space, the Wells Fargo propel + VS will give you 4.5% on travel for no annual fees.

Re: Best credit card for travel

Aim_High — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 17:53:38 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
And in the cashback space, the Wells Fargo propel + VS will give you 4.5% on travel for no annual fees.

+1. The Wells Fargo Trifecta (Cash Wise, Propel, and Visa Signature) are often overlooked.

But if you want the Propel, you must act soon!! There was a previous thread on My Fico referencing announcement on DoC website that Propel would be discontinued to new applicants on April 19th. I contacted customer service and the rep was able to confirm that change and the date. Apparently, existing accounts will continue to be serviced.

The "Go Far Rewards" points can be pooled between those three cards and moved to the Visa Signature for 50% more value on airfare, all at no AF. So the Cash Wise's 1.5% rewards rate becomes 2.25% value and the Propel's 3% categories all earn 4.5%.

Re: Best credit card for travel

Aim_High — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 18:35:45 GMT

Just to clarify, @micvite, your thread title asks "Best Card for Travel" but travel is a wide definition. From your discussion, it sounds like you're primarily interested in earnings on airfare redemptions, as well as perks on air travel. Is that correct? Some cards are much better for air travel but not so much for other travel charges such as cruises, rental cars, hotels, taxis-limos-rideshares, other common carriers like buses or trains, parking and tolls, campgrounds, etc.

As mentioned above, the big three bank travel programs which allow transfer to partners and can have the best redemption rates are AMEX (MR), Chase (UR), and Citi (TY). If you're going "all-in" for any of these programs, I would suggest investing in the higher AF cards which would include the AMEX Platinum ($550), Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550), or Citi Prestige ($495.)

AMEX Platinum has the best network of transfer partners and the best airport lounge network. Since you already have the Gold and are 'in' with AMEX, adding a Platinum may be an excellent choice if you mainly desire redemption for flights. That's especially true since Chase may not be an option for you right now. You could combine the Gold and Platinum with the Blue Business Preferred which earns 2x MR points per dollar and/or the Everyday or Everyday Preferred cards which both earn well with MRs.

I picked Chase Sapphire Reserve a few years ago over Platinum because it has a much wider travel definition for 3x UR earnings, includes dining at the 3x UR earnings at the same AF (without having to carry both a Platinum and Gold card), has easier-to-achieve credits ($300 automatically credited for any travel charges), has wider acceptance on the Visa network, and has much better travel protections than most other premium cards including Platinum. I also like that if I desire to convert points to cash, I will never earn less than 1ccp. Platinum's cash redemption rate is less than 1 ccp unless you have the Schwab version.

(See more details in my recent comparison of CSR-Platinum:

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Amex-Platinum-or-Chase-Sapphire-Reserve/m-p/6293965#M1772715)

I'll add a little more about the Chase bi-fecta, tri-fecta, or quadfecta cards. Yes, you can combine the cash back from the Freedom, Freedom Flex, and Freedom Unlimited cards on a 1:1 transfer to either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve. So one cent in cash becomes one UR point. Same applies to the INK business cards. The Sapphire Preferred magnifies the UR point redemption by 25% when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal and the Sapphire Reserve magnifies by 50%. On my CSR, the 1.5% on Freedom Unlimited earns effectively 2.25% for travel in UR points on the portal. And my 5% rotating categories on Freedom (or Freedom Flex) or the 5% categories on my INK Cash card earn effectively 7.5% through the portal. Or I can transfer them to partners. Overall, between the cash value, the UR portal value, or transfer partner options, I just feel that Chase gives me a little more flexibility and value for my points. But YMMV, depending on how and where you would redeem points and your ability to extract maximum value.

There are other excellent travel cards in the no-AF to $150 range which are a better value for some lifestyles and spending patterns. But sometimes, the value of the higher AF cards may actually be better than the lower-AF cards once you do an analysis of your spending and usage.

Re: Best credit card for travel

micvite — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 02:41:00 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
If Chase closed your account only two years ago as a result of AA, they might be a no-go for a while.
Unfortunately, the only way to find out is to apply.
I'd focus on other reward programs, or try Chase first so at least they can be eliminated from your list in case you get "previous unsatisfactory relationship" letter from them.

Good idea! Again I'll try to see what they say about reopening since I clearly asked about any deadlines and the 2 csr I spoke to both said as long as I still had a balance and my credit score went up and my util went down I should be good, but if not it is what it is. Chase will probably be a no go at least until 2023 when my inquiries all drop off. (32 TU, 16 EQ, 21EX)

Re: Best credit card for travel

micvite — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 02:44:44 GMT

@notmyrealname23 wrote:
It's much easier to app spree AMEX in conjunction with other cards (after your first card, everything is a soft pull) than Chase (5/24 and some limits on acquisition speed), if you're diving into a heavy card acquisition phase to bulk up on miles and points. This isn't to say that Chase would be a bad choice, it just means more planning.

The AMEX Platinum (100k, 125k occasionally on offer) + CSP (80k) signup offers are as high as they will likely be for a while, so it's a good time to get those top-end cards.

Citi Premier or Prestige + Citi Double Cash is probably a combination you don't want to ignore either, since the DC is a 2x card on unbonused spend in conjunction with one of those cards (you don't have to do "hacks" like the Amex Blue Business Plus as a business card). The Premier card is a pretty broad category earner (3x flights, dining, groceries, gas, only $95). Prestige is more expensive ($495) and is a premium travel card with broader earning than the AMEX Platinum: 5x airfare, dining, 3x hotels, cruises + a $250 general travel credit, Priority Pass. (The one other thing these Citi cards don't have is any rental car insurance, if that's important to you, along with no travel protection.) ThankYou doesn't have as many partners as AMEX and Chase do, but they'll do the trick.

The thing is... I basically have one hand in each jar, I have Amex Gold, citi DC, WF Propel, and assuming I can get good with Chase the freedom unlimited. Rental car insurance isn't a big deal for me, literally every one of my other cards has it, even my Cap one QS, and as far as "travel" I'm specifically looking for airline business or first class ticket redemptions with points. I'm willing to dish out the money on a 1 week resort stay but can't justify 20-30k on a single flight.

Re: Best credit card for travel

micvite — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 02:48:45 GMT

@Loquat wrote:
"Best" is subjective. It comes down to what do you want in a travel card? Do you only care about the card providing travel benefits or are you looking for something that has other categories to complement travel?

As far as transfer partners, Citi, Chase, and Amex all have them. Amex clearly has the longest list. With that being said, each of the ecosystems has access to OneWorld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance partners which will allow for international booking. The value of each currency will be dependent upon where you want to go, when, and the comfort level you want enjoy as travel.

All of the best Amex earners typically require an annual fee..and the really good cards come with expensive annual fees. Same to be said for Chase and Citi. In my opinion Amex ecosystem has more options but is the most expensive because it's very difficult to get a lot of coverage with just one card. The same can also be said for Chase. You'll need to carry at least 2 of their products to get the most coverage but at least Chase can be achieved with just one expensive AF card and can be complemented by something such as the Freedom Flex.

Citi has a few cards that will work but the one thing Citi lacks that the others have is travel protections if that means anything to you. Where Citi lacks in travel protections they make up for having a few cards that cover a lot of ground. For a total of just $95 you can get a lot of coverage with Citi by way of the Premier that earns 3x in a lot of useful travel categories, a Double Cash that allows earnings from thar car to be converted into ThankYou points as needed, and the Rewards+ that has points round up and 10% rebate on redeemed TYPs on the first 100k each calendar year.

Determine where you want to travel and what carrier/alliance is the best option for getting there. Build your selection around such. But just asking which card is better...well you're going to get a lot of answers from a wide variety of perceptions.

Best of luck to you as you narrow down your search.

Thank you for your input, specifically I'm mainly looking for airline business and first class ticket redemptions with points, I guess from what I'm hearing Amex might be the way to go for me since I basically will be going... everywhere lol... as far as annual fee, the way I look at it is the benefits literally pay for the fee if used fully, and half of the time even have more value.

Re: Best credit card for travel

micvite — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 03:09:43 GMT

@Aim_High wrote:
Just to clarify, @micvite, your thread title asks "Best Card for Travel" but travel is a wide definition. From your discussion, it sounds like you're primarily interested in earnings on airfare redemptions, as well as perks on air travel. Is that correct? Some cards are much better for air travel but not so much for other travel charges such as cruises, rental cars, hotels, taxis-limos-rideshares, other common carriers like buses or trains, parking and tolls, campgrounds, etc.

As mentioned above, the big three bank travel programs which allow transfer to partners and can have the best redemption rates are AMEX (MR), Chase (UR), and Citi (TY). If you're going "all-in" for any of these programs, I would suggest investing in the higher AF cards which would include the AMEX Platinum ($550), Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550), or Citi Prestige ($495.)

AMEX Platinum has the best network of transfer partners and the best airport lounge network. Since you already have the Gold and are 'in' with AMEX, adding a Platinum may be an excellent choice if you mainly desire redemption for flights. That's especially true since Chase may not be an option for you right now. You could combine the Gold and Platinum with the Blue Business Preferred which earns 2x MR points per dollar and/or the Everyday or Everyday Preferred cards which both earn well with MRs.

I picked Chase Sapphire Reserve a few years ago over Platinum because it has a much wider travel definition for 3x UR earnings, includes dining at the 3x UR earnings at the same AF (without having to carry both a Platinum and Gold card), has easier-to-achieve credits ($300 automatically credited for any travel charges), has wider acceptance on the Visa network, and has much better travel protections than most other premium cards including Platinum. I also like that if I desire to convert points to cash, I will never earn less than 1ccp. Platinum's cash redemption rate is less than 1 ccp unless you have the Schwab version.
(See more details in my recent comparison of CSR-Platinum:
https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Amex-Platinum-or-Chase-Sapphire-Reserve/m-p/6293965#M1772715)

I'll add a little more about the Chase bi-fecta, tri-fecta, or quadfecta cards. Yes, you can combine the cash back from the Freedom, Freedom Flex, and Freedom Unlimited cards on a 1:1 transfer to either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve. So one cent in cash becomes one UR point. Same applies to the INK business cards. The Sapphire Preferred magnifies the UR point redemption by 25% when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal and the Sapphire Reserve magnifies by 50%. On my CSR, the 1.5% on Freedom Unlimited earns effectively 2.25% for travel in UR points on the portal. And my 5% rotating categories on Freedom (or Freedom Flex) or the 5% categories on my INK Cash card earn effectively 7.5% through the portal. Or I can transfer them to partners. Overall, between the cash value, the UR portal value, or transfer partner options, I just feel that Chase gives me a little more flexibility and value for my points. But YMMV, depending on how and where you would redeem points and your ability to extract maximum value.

There are other excellent travel cards in the no-AF to $150 range which are a better value for some lifestyles and spending patterns. But sometimes, the value of the higher AF cards may actually be better than the lower-AF cards once you do an analysis of your spending and usage.

Yes you are correct airline redemptions primarily followed by hotel if something really good pops up. I can't see myself carrying 3 high AF cards since the benefits just overlap too much IMO, ideally I was thinking Chase and Amex, but you are correct Chase may be a no-go for me for the time being, but we will see shortly. If there is anything that will give me some good rewards on tolls I'd love to hear it lol.

Again with the 3x Chase, ID still uss the Amex Gold for 4x since I basically outweigh the AF with the 120$ dining credit and the 100$ airline credit and whatever benefit I randomly might get from booking a hotel here and there with it. Either way a 30$ AF when combined with more or less 100k a year on dining turns into 400k points rather than 300k on top of the random +3 or +4 MR point offers I get. Does Chase have anything similar that awards bonus points for certain purchases randomly? I do like the idea of the Freedom Flex earning 5x points on rotating categories now that I know it's not just cashback.

I'll be honest I've never had to use travel protection, like... ever so I'm not really sure what benefits it brings and how it would help in any way or form.

I can definitely justify at least 2 high AF cards for the lounge access and clear and or global entry for me and my wife. Just don't particularly want to spread between 3-4 different programs since it's not very helpful.

70% of my spend is on restaurants, 20% on gas, the rest is on shopping currently. After covid decides to take a hike I'll be spending on airfare and hotels again as well. (Typically buy a cheap economy flight and upgrade at the gate for a sometimes very reasonable 100$ fee).

From what I'm gathering is Chase and Amex are probably best for what suits me. Eventually get the rotating Chase 5x, maybe even the Freedom uimited for the 1.5x keep using gold for food, use Platinum for airfare, and use CSR for gas and tolls and anything the define as "travel"?

Re: Best credit card for travel

TampaBAY86 — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 11:38:22 GMT

@micvite wrote:
@notmyrealname23 wrote:
It's much easier to app spree AMEX in conjunction with other cards (after your first card, everything is a soft pull) than Chase (5/24 and some limits on acquisition speed), if you're diving into a heavy card acquisition phase to bulk up on miles and points. This isn't to say that Chase would be a bad choice, it just means more planning.

The AMEX Platinum (100k, 125k occasionally on offer) + CSP (80k) signup offers are as high as they will likely be for a while, so it's a good time to get those top-end cards.

Citi Premier or Prestige + Citi Double Cash is probably a combination you don't want to ignore either, since the DC is a 2x card on unbonused spend in conjunction with one of those cards (you don't have to do "hacks" like the Amex Blue Business Plus as a business card). The Premier card is a pretty broad category earner (3x flights, dining, groceries, gas, only $95). Prestige is more expensive ($495) and is a premium travel card with broader earning than the AMEX Platinum: 5x airfare, dining, 3x hotels, cruises + a $250 general travel credit, Priority Pass. (The one other thing these Citi cards don't have is any rental car insurance, if that's important to you, along with no travel protection.) ThankYou doesn't have as many partners as AMEX and Chase do, but they'll do the trick.
The thing is... I basically have one hand in each jar, I have Amex Gold, citi DC, WF Propel, and assuming I can get good with Chase the freedom unlimited. Rental car insurance isn't a big deal for me, literally every one of my other cards has it, even my Cap one QS, and as far as "travel" I'm specifically looking for airline business or first class ticket redemptions with points. I'm willing to dish out the money on a 1 week resort stay but can't justify 20-30k on a single flight.

Be careful with the rental car insurance on many cards, it is only secondary to your personal insurance. The only ones I am 100% sure have primary coverage (when you use the card to pay the entire fee) are the CSP and CSR from Chase. I'm sure others can chime in with any additional cards.

Re: Best credit card for travel

TampaBAY86 — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 11:43:47 GMT

@micvite wrote:
@Aim_High wrote:
Just to clarify, @micvite, your thread title asks "Best Card for Travel" but travel is a wide definition. From your discussion, it sounds like you're primarily interested in earnings on airfare redemptions, as well as perks on air travel. Is that correct? Some cards are much better for air travel but not so much for other travel charges such as cruises, rental cars, hotels, taxis-limos-rideshares, other common carriers like buses or trains, parking and tolls, campgrounds, etc.

As mentioned above, the big three bank travel programs which allow transfer to partners and can have the best redemption rates are AMEX (MR), Chase (UR), and Citi (TY). If you're going "all-in" for any of these programs, I would suggest investing in the higher AF cards which would include the AMEX Platinum ($550), Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550), or Citi Prestige ($495.)

AMEX Platinum has the best network of transfer partners and the best airport lounge network. Since you already have the Gold and are 'in' with AMEX, adding a Platinum may be an excellent choice if you mainly desire redemption for flights. That's especially true since Chase may not be an option for you right now. You could combine the Gold and Platinum with the Blue Business Preferred which earns 2x MR points per dollar and/or the Everyday or Everyday Preferred cards which both earn well with MRs.

I picked Chase Sapphire Reserve a few years ago over Platinum because it has a much wider travel definition for 3x UR earnings, includes dining at the 3x UR earnings at the same AF (without having to carry both a Platinum and Gold card), has easier-to-achieve credits ($300 automatically credited for any travel charges), has wider acceptance on the Visa network, and has much better travel protections than most other premium cards including Platinum. I also like that if I desire to convert points to cash, I will never earn less than 1ccp. Platinum's cash redemption rate is less than 1 ccp unless you have the Schwab version.
(See more details in my recent comparison of CSR-Platinum:
https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Amex-Platinum-or-Chase-Sapphire-Reserve/m-p/6293965#M1772715)

I'll add a little more about the Chase bi-fecta, tri-fecta, or quadfecta cards. Yes, you can combine the cash back from the Freedom, Freedom Flex, and Freedom Unlimited cards on a 1:1 transfer to either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve. So one cent in cash becomes one UR point. Same applies to the INK business cards. The Sapphire Preferred magnifies the UR point redemption by 25% when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal and the Sapphire Reserve magnifies by 50%. On my CSR, the 1.5% on Freedom Unlimited earns effectively 2.25% for travel in UR points on the portal. And my 5% rotating categories on Freedom (or Freedom Flex) or the 5% categories on my INK Cash card earn effectively 7.5% through the portal. Or I can transfer them to partners. Overall, between the cash value, the UR portal value, or transfer partner options, I just feel that Chase gives me a little more flexibility and value for my points. But YMMV, depending on how and where you would redeem points and your ability to extract maximum value.

There are other excellent travel cards in the no-AF to $150 range which are a better value for some lifestyles and spending patterns. But sometimes, the value of the higher AF cards may actually be better than the lower-AF cards once you do an analysis of your spending and usage.
Yes you are correct airline redemptions primarily followed by hotel if something really good pops up. I can't see myself carrying 3 high AF cards since the benefits just overlap too much IMO, ideally I was thinking Chase and Amex, but you are correct Chase may be a no-go for me for the time being, but we will see shortly. If there is anything that will give me some good rewards on tolls I'd love to hear it lol.

Again with the 3x Chase, ID still uss the Amex Gold for 4x since I basically outweigh the AF with the 120$ dining credit and the 100$ airline credit and whatever benefit I randomly might get from booking a hotel here and there with it. Either way a 30$ AF when combined with more or less 100k a year on dining turns into 400k points rather than 300k on top of the random +3 or +4 MR point offers I get. Does Chase have anything similar that awards bonus points for certain purchases randomly? I do like the idea of the Freedom Flex earning 5x points on rotating categories now that I know it's not just cashback.

I'll be honest I've never had to use travel protection, like... ever so I'm not really sure what benefits it brings and how it would help in any way or form.

I can definitely justify at least 2 high AF cards for the lounge access and clear and or global entry for me and my wife. Just don't particularly want to spread between 3-4 different programs since it's not very helpful.

70% of my spend is on restaurants, 20% on gas, the rest is on shopping currently. After covid decides to take a hike I'll be spending on airfare and hotels again as well. (Typically buy a cheap economy flight and upgrade at the gate for a sometimes very reasonable 100$ fee).

From what I'm gathering is Chase and Amex are probably best for what suits me. Eventually get the rotating Chase 5x, maybe even the Freedom uimited for the 1.5x keep using gold for food, use Platinum for airfare, and use CSR for gas and tolls and anything the define as "travel"?

Yes. Like Amex, Chase has offers, but in my experience, they are no where near as expansive as Amex. In your account, you can just add any you may use and they are pretty quick about adding the additional points or cash.

Unless something has changed, the CSR does not give bonus points on gas. I have the CSP and have not seen anything for it.