Credit cards is one of the core reasons how I’ve been able (and continue to) leverage free travel. Travel doesn’t have to be as expensive as many make it to be. All it takes is understanding the credit card ecosystem and sooner or later, you’ll have points and miles work for you.
Prepare for the Holidays
The holidays are right around the corner, which means it’s time for gift giving. With deals, discounts, and major sales happening all around, the chances that you’ll be spending more than your average monthly spend is likely.
This is the perfect time in which you earn a ton of points, quickly, and earn enough to pay for your next international flight.
Depending on the current cards that you have, I’d personally start off with the Capital One Venture X Card for all their plethora of shopping discounts. Plus, they just came out with the Chrome extension which adds on additional discounts whenever I’m shopping online. Then, I’d make sure I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card on hand, then the American Express Gold Card.
I go more in depth as to why I chose these cards for the month of November in the post. But if you want to learn more, don’t forget to read my full review on best travel credit cards.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best for Occasional Travelers
Earn 75,000 miles when spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. That’s equivalent to $750 in travel, and up to $1,388 when maximized through transfer partners.
Rewards Rate
- 5 miles per dollar on hotels and flights booked through Capital One Travel
- 2 miles per dollar on every other purchase
Regular APR
20.99% – 28.99% Variable
Recommended Credit Score
670 – 850
Annual Fee
$95
Why I Chose This Card
Packed with strong rewards, this card offers a solid incentive bonus while earning 2 points per every dollar spent. While earning miles at a consistent rate, it also offers a strong list of 15+ airline and hotel transfer partners. Even though I don’t receive all the benefits compared to the Capital One Venture X Card, it’s a great all rounder beginner credit card if you’re looking to start getting into the space.
Additional Benefits
- 5 miles per dollar on hotels and flights booked through Capital One Travel
- 2 miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
- Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Two one-time visit passes to Capital One lounges each year
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Best for Beginner Travelers
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards, and up $1,560 when maximized through transfer partners.
Rewards Rate
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3x on dining
- 2x on all other travel purchases
- 1x on all other purchases
Regular APR
21.49% – 28.49% Variable
Recommended Credit Score
670 – 860
Annual Fee
$95
Why I Chose This Card
If there’s one credit card I recommend anyone to have in their wallet, it’s the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. It’s been one of the most popular travel rewards credit card in the market for years, offers amazing return in travel and dining, which easily offsets the $95 annual fee. When booking travel through Ultimate Rewards, cardholders can also redeem points for 25% more on flights, hotels, etc.
Additional Benefits
- New $50 annual hotel credits booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 10% Ultimate Reward annual bonus points after every account anniversary from total purchases made the previous year
- 5 points per $1 spent on Lyft (through March 2025)
- Complimentary 4th night at Ennismore Hotel Properties (SLS, Mondrian, Delano, House of Originals, and Hyde Hotels)
- 1:1 transfer partners
American Express® Gold Card
Best Card for Foodies
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 6 months from account opening. That’s equivalent to $600 in travel, and up to $1,200 when maximized through transfer partners.
Rewards Rate
- 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, takeout, delivery in the U.S.
- 4x Membership Rewards points at supermarkets in the U.S. (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
- 3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked on amextravel.com or directly with airlines
- 1x Membership Rewards points on every other purchase
Regular APR
See pay over time APR
Recommended Credit Score
670 – 850
Annual Fee
$250
Why I Chose This Card
If you’re a foodie, then this card is a no brainer. If you’re not a foodie, this card is still a no brainer. With one of the highest rates of 4x back on dining at restaurants and supermarkets in the U.S., I find myself using my Amex Gold more than any other card in my wallet. There’s also an additional incentive of $120 annual dining credit that can be used at places like Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and selected Shake Shack locations. Plus, you will receive an additional $120 annual credits in Uber Credits ($10 per month). Just remember to enroll for these selected bonuses.
Additional Benefits
- $120 Uber Cash ($10 in monthly statement credits used towards Uber Cash or Uber Eats)
- $120 Dining Credit ($10 in monthly statement credits used at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations)
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best Card for Frequent Travelers
Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first 6 months from account opening. That’s equivalent to $800 in travel; up to $1,600 when maximized through transfer partners.
Rewards Rate
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Regular APR
See pay over time APR
Recommended Credit Score
670 – 850
Annual Fee
$695
Why I Chose This Card
When it comes to perks and benefits, the Amex Platinum hits the goldmine. If you’re looking for lounge access, hotel elite status, and you take advantage of a couple of the added benefits, then this card is well over the the annual fee price. I always say that even if you’re traveling only 3x per year, this world is worth having in your wallet, as it is my all time favorite card to travel with in the U.S.
Additional Benefits
- $200 Uber Cash ($15 per month + plus a $20 bonus in December)
- $200 Airline Fee Credit
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit
- $100 Credit at Saks Fifth Ave ($50 semi-annual statement credits)
- $200 Hotel Credit (2 day minimum booking)
- $189 with Clear (free membership, available at 45+ airport locations nationwide)
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Best Card for Small Businesses
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. That’s equivalent to $1,250 in travel, and up to $2,000 when maximized through transfer partners.
Rewards Rate
- 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Regular APR
21.24%-26.24% (Variable)
Recommended Credit Score
690 – 850
Annual Fee
$95
Why I Chose This Card
The Ink Business Preferred Card offers one of the high sign up bonuses from Chase. It still boggles my mind that the annual fee is only $95 while you can earn up to $150,000 from four major bonus categories (travel, advertising, shipping, and telecommunication providers). Although there aren’t a ton of travel perks, it offers pretty solid benefits in other areas, like trip delay reimbursement, extended warranty, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
Additional Benefits
- Easy transfer across personal and business Chase cards for redemption
- 25% additional boost in point value for travel redemptions
- Purchase protection, extended warranty protection, cell phone protection, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, roadside dispatch and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Best Card for Freelancers
Earn $750 in cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. But when maximized with cards with transferrable Ultimate Reward Points, you can earn up to $1,500 in travel rewards.
Rewards Rate
- 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
- 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
Regular APR
18.49% – 24.49% (Variable)
Recommended Credit Score
670 – 850
Annual Fee
$0
Why I Chose This Card
Although not everyone can sign up for a business credit card, it actually may be easier to be approved for one as a freelancer or other a proprietor. What’s great about this card is that there is no annual fee, yet you can earn a hefty amount of points, especially after combining points over in Ultimate Rewards with your other Chase cards. This allows your sign up bonus of $750 to be used for higher value travel redemptions.
Even if you don’t shop at office supply stores often, I found that you can purchase items like travel sized items or even toilet paper at at places like Staples. Plus, you can earn up to 2% back on the first $25,000 spent at gas stations and restaurants each account year.
Additional Benefits
- 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025
- Purchase protection that covers new purchases for up to 120 days against damage or theft, and up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
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