Premium Cards
The next family is the Premium cards. These are high annual fee cards that also come with the heftiest of benefits to help recoup that large fee. These cards are often best for frequent travelers as they are often catered to provide access to lounges, concierge services, travel and hotel rebates, among more.
Not all credit-card connoisseurs need to have a premium card to maximize value - At the moment, I hold none! If the personal value is there, then go for it - otherwise, do not feel bad holding off on applying.
American Express
American Express Platinum
$695/year
Rewards: 5X Membership Rewards Points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel. 5X Membership Rewards Points on eligible prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com. 1X Membership Rewards Points on other purchases
Other Perks: Up to $200 in annual credit for airline incidental fees, Up to $200 in Uber cash for rides, Up to $200 in annual hotel credit. Up to $300 Equinox credit, $300 SoulCycle credit, Up to $240 in digital entertainment credit, $189 Clear credit, Reimbursement of application fees for TSA Precheck or Global Entry, Up to $100 in statement credits annually at Saks Fifth Avenue, Walmart+ Monthly Membership Credit
Intro Bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
Chase
Chase Sapphire Reserve
$550/year
Rewards: 5x total points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 10x total points on hotels (excluding The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection) and car rentals, 3x points on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out, 3x points on other travel worldwide, 10x total points on Chase Dining
Other Perks: $300 Annual Travel Credit, Chase Airport Lounge Access, Lyft Pink Membership, DoorDash DashPass Subscription, Monthly DoorDash Credit, Instacart Membership, Monthly Instacart Credit, Priority Pass Select Membership, Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
Intro Bonus: 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Capital One
Capital One VentureX
$395/year
Rewards: 10X Miles on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 5X Miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. 2X Miles on all other purchases, every day.
Bonus Perks: Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary. Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel. Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Intro Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Bank of America
Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite
$550/year
Rewards: Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases, and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and points don’t expire. Calculate RewardsPremium Elite Rewards. Preferred Rewards members earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5 to 3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 to 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
Other Perks: Get up to $550 in combined Airline Incidental, TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry, and Lifestyle Statement Credits. Plus, a suite of luxury benefits to fit your lifestyle: full-service concierge, airport lounge and experience access, premier hotel amenities, travel and purchase protections.
Intro Bonus: 75,000 online bonus points — a $750 value — after you make at least $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Airline Branded Premium Cards
Citi / AAdvantage Executive
World Elite Mastercard
$595/year
Rewards: Earn 10 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible car rentals and hotels, Earn 4 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, Earn a 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year. Earn another 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year.
Other Perks: Complimentary Admirals Club® membership, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit up to $100 every 4 years, First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 travel companions, 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when you use your card
Intro Bonus: $7,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
United Club Infinite Card
$525/year
Rewards: 9x total miles on United flights, 5x miles on fare from United as a MileagePlus member, plus 4x miles earned on entire purchase with the United Club Card, 4x total miles on hotel stays booked through United Hotels, 2x miles on all other travel & Dining, 1x mile on all other purchases
Other Perks: United Club membership, Free first and second checked bags, Premier Access travel services, Priority check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling privileges, Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit, 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases
Intro Bonus: 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
