Travel credit cards with big sign-up bonuses and high rewards rates is the essential package that we get from most Big Premium Cards these day and age, however, what distinctions makes Premium cards like the Chase Sapphire ReserveSM or the Platinum Card® from American Express stand out from their competitor’s? You should expect prestigious perks and benefits on top of a hefty annual fee that can either be worth it or not.
What makes a Premium Card the “Best Credit Card” is completely dependent upon what exactly you’re looking for. In which case, it’s our necessity to make those distinctions between publicly acclaimed premium cards with factors including long-term, short-term rewards value, etc.
| BONUS LINK | OFFER | REVIEW |
| Chase Business Complete Checking® | $300 or $500 Cash | Review |
| Chase Private Client | $3,000 Cash | Review |
| Chase Total Checking® | $300 Cash | Review |
| Chase College CheckingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
| J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing | Up To $700 Cash | Review |
| Chase Secure BankingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best Premium Travel
The Chase Sapphire ReserveSM is the card that broke the internet, with what is believed to be the most well-balanced and rounded premium credit card to date. With 3X the rewards on dining and travel, annual $300 travel credit, elite travel benefits and much more. Currently, you can get 50,000 Bonus Points when you spend $4,000 on the card within the first 3 months of account opening, worth $750 when redeemed for travel through Ultimate Rewards. Additionally, you get a 50% bonus when redeeming points through the UR portal for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 50,000 UR Points
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Annual Fee: $450, not waived for the first year
- Bonus Worth: The 50K points alone is worth $750 towards airfare/hotel.
- Expiration Date: No expiration
- Additional Advice: We recommend combining it with another Ultimate Rewards-earning card, such as the no annual fee cash-back card Chase Freedom Card. This way, you can transfer the points you earn on the Chase Freedom to your Chase Sapphire Reserve Card account and redeem them for more than 1 cent per point. Since both cards are on the Ultimate Rewards platform, you can also combine the points instead of using two different rewards platforms. That’s an immediate 25% increase on the value of your points when used for travel.
Benefits:
- 50,000 Bonus Points when you spend $4,000 on the card within the first 3 months of account opening, worth $750 when redeemed for travel through Ultimate Rewards
- 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points on Travel AND Dining.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve℠ cardholders can redeem points for travel through Chase at a rate of 1.5 cents each. The 3 points per dollar you’re earning on travel and dining is equivalent to a 4.5% rewards rate.
- $300 annual credit for travel purchases can be used on any travel spending. (Covers 2/3’s of the $450 annual fee).
- Chase Ultimate Rewards points are transferrable to several airline and hotel loyalty programs at a usual 1:1 ratio.
Platinum Card from American Express: Best in Luxury
Now, the Platinum Card from American Express has and always will be a favored luxury card in the heart of travelers and points/miles enthusiast. Along with their consistently exceptional concierge, you’ll be able to reap access to their Fine Hotels and Resorts. Booking your stay through the travel portal will get you exclusive benefits like late checkout, free room upgrades or complimentary breakfast as well as access to Airport (Centurion) lounges, $200 airline credit and Global Entry fee waiver. It’s necessary to keep in mind that there is a $550 annual fee. All practicality aside this card’s intentions are expanded towards luxury and elite benefits that set’s it apart from the countless other premiums out there.
Platinum Card from American Express Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 40,000 Bonus Points
- Spending Requirement: Must spend $5,000 within 3 months of account opening.
- Annual Fee: $450
- Bonus Worth: The 40000 Bonus Points is worth about $400
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: There is no cap on points and they never expire, so accumulate as much as you can!
Benefits:
- Get automatic Hilton Honors Gold and Starwood Preferred Guest Gold status, both of which offer point bonuses for stays, upgrades, late checkout, complimentary in-room Wi-Fi and more.
- Travel perks include an annual $200 airline fee credit (per calendar year); up to an additional $200 in credits for using Uber; a fee credit for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85) every five years; complimentary access to Centurion Lounges (widely considered to be the best U.S. airport lounges), Delta Sky Clubs, Airspace Lounges and Priority Pass Select lounges; free Boingo Wi-Fi access; and a free room upgrade and $75 hotel credit on qualifying activities when you book a hotel stay of at least two nights with your card.
- Get 5 Membership Rewards® points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
- Get 5 Membership Rewards® points on eligible hotels booked on amextravel.com.
Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card: Best for Luxury Hotel Stays
We had to have the Ritz-Carlton Rewards VISA Infinite on our list considering just how potentially rewarding this card would be for individuals that make frequent hotel stays within their travel plans. Of course, you should expect utmost luxury and prestige on top of a beautiful two complimentary nights at any participating Tier 1-4 Ritz-Carlton Hotel after you make a spending of $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
Estimated value can be around $900+ depending on the property you’re staying at. Cardholders receive a $100 hotel credit towards their Ritz-Carlton stays, and free Platinum Elite Status anytime they spend $75k+ in one year. On top of that, you will be able to get 3 free upgrades to the Ritz-Carlton Club Level annually on paid stays up to 7 nights. Essentially, you’ll be getting dedicated concierge and personalized amenities attached.
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card Summary:
- Maximum Bonus: 2 complimentary nights
- Spending Requirement: Must spend $4,000 within first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $450
- Bonus Worth: Roughly $533
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: Application links for the 3 nights will be a limited time offer. Understand that Chase could pull the only living application page of the offer at any time.
Benefits:
- $300 Airline Travel Credit
- Automatic Platinum Elite when you spend $75,000 on purchases each account year
- 5x points on Ritz-Carlton & partner hotel stays
- 2x points on travel & restaurants
- $100 hotel credit, can be used towards dining, spa or other hotel recreational activities on paid stays of two nights or longer
- Save $100 on multi-passenger ticket purchases. This benefit can be redeemed at:http://visadiscountair.com/ritzcarltoncard (can be used unlimited times)
- Global Entry or TSA Pre Check credit
- Lounge Access with Priority Pass Select
- Annual Fee: $395
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®: Best for Flight
Why the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard deserves a spot on our “Best Premium Card” List is primarily because of it’s program concentrated solely on flight rewards. Firstly, you could earn 50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after making a spending of $5,000 within the first 3 months of account opening, worth $600 in free flights. You’ll receive $100 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every five years, Admirals Club membership, 10,000 elite qualifying miles when you spend at least $40,000 per calendar year and so much more!
Citi / AAdvantage Executive WorldElite TM MasterCard Summary:
- Learn More
- Maximum Bonus: 50,000 AAdvantage Bonus Miles
- Spending Requirement: Must spend $5,000 within 3 months of account opening.
- Annual Fee: $450
- Bonus Worth: The 50,000 bonus points is worth about $465 in airfare or $400 in gift cards
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: The Citi / AAdvantage Executive WorldElite TM MasterCard provides top of the line benefits and the 50,000 bonus miles is even more of a reason to get this card. This card may be worth getting if you travel often and wish to receive the many features it offers. However, the annual fee is a bit pricey at $450 and may not be worth it if you do not travel often.
Benefits:
- Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening*, worth $600 in free flights.
- Travel perks: $100 for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every five years; 10,000 elite qualifying miles when you spend at least $40,000 per calendar year; Admirals Club membership (bring in immediate family members or up to two traveling guests free); early boarding; a 25% discount on in-flight purchases when flying American; and the first checked bag free for you and up to eight traveling companions
- No additional annual fee for authorized user cards.
- Belonging to the Oneworld Alliance, you will have the flexibility to use your miles to travel practically anywhere in the word.
Conclusion:
The cards all have suitable perks and benefits that justify the pricey annual fee, however, each card has it’s defining perks that can easily be distinguishable which is why we categorized each card individually as to what the best usage the card should be under in terms of identity. I emphasize that each of these cards are not ranked by superiority nor does it conclude that one card is superior to the other, it’s to your decision which card would prove the most benefit towards your lifestyle. For all means of practicality, I recommend the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Lastly, be sure to check out our complete list of Credit Card Promotions for all credit card necessities you may have.
