MY TOP PICKS - 2025
ECONOMY CLASS
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95 annual fee
60,000 points
3x dining & streaming purchases
2x travel purchases
1:1 Transfer Partners
Trip Protection (Delay & Car Rental)
$50 annual hotel credit
Hot Tip: Historically, the sign up bonus has increased to 80k points in Spring & Fall. If you can, hold off for the increased offer.
*My go to beginner award travel card. All around great points earning, solid trip protection for delayed flights & car rentals, and a sign up bonus to offset the annual fee.
PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS
American Express Gold Card
$325 annual fee
60,000 points
4x grocery & restaurants
$120 Uber credit ($10/month)
$100 Resy credit ($50 every 6 months)
$84 Dunkin credit ($7/month)
1:1 Transfer Partners
A weekly spender card. 4x on grocery and dining out are the top hits here. If you can max out the monthly credits; it nearly offsets the $325 annual fee. Amex rewards can be used top off your Delta Skymiles account.
BUSINESS CLASS
Capital One Venture X
$395 annual fee
75,000 points
$300 annual travel credit
10,000 annual point bonus
Lounge Access (Priority Pass & others)
Trip Protection
2x points on ALL purchases
1:1 Transfer Partners
A high end card for a logical annual fee. The $300 annual credit is easy to use, lounge access is a +, 2x points on all spending makes this the card we use on all ‘non-bonused’ spending (think Costco…).
EXTRA LUGGAGE
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™
$250 annual fee
85,000 points
1 annual free night (after $15k spend)
Gold Elite Status
6x hotels
4x restaurant/grocery
I call it extra luggage because a hotel card is, “extra”. Not needed, but nice to have. At $250 annual fee, you get a free annual night certificate for a up to 50,000 point stay. Play it right, that could be worth $250. With 6x on hotel stays, I’d use this card at Marriott only and watch the Bonvoy points add up.
Final Thoughts: I may receive a commission when you apply through my links.
I do my best to offer the best available sign up bonus, but please double check the public offers before applying through my links. I appreciate your support.
If you have questions about other cards, please contact me. There are many other cards that could benefit your travel goals.