Which Travel Rewards Credit Cards to Look at Right Now (June 2021)
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After getting requests in the Facebook Group, I’ve begun putting together a monthly list of what I think are the best credit card offers available right now.
If you’re brand new to miles and points, make sure you understand Chase’s 5/24 rule and the first cards to get because of it.
You can learn more about the fundamentals in my free miles and points basics course, as well.
As always when applying for credit cards, think of your travel goals. Look not only at the card’s welcome bonus but also the bonus categories. Do they match up with your spending habits?
And, are there other credit card perks that come with the card, like lounge membership or hotel status that make sense for what you’re looking for in a travel rewards credit card?
Finally, know how you’re going to meet the minimum spend to earn the welcome offer. Travel rewards credit cards can add a ton of long-term value to your wallet but, initially, there’s no denying how lucrative a welcome bonus can be, particularly when the offer is increased or notable in some way.
Which Travel Rewards Credit Cards to
Look At Right Now (June 2021)
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Current Welcome Bonus: Earn a BEST-EVER 100,000(!) points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.
Favorite Card Features:
- $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit
- 5x on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal
- 3x on dining (including eligible delivery services)
- 3x on select streaming services & online grocery purchases
- 2x on other travel purchases
- 1x on all other purchases
- No foreign exchange fees
- Transfer Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like United, Flying Blue, and Hyatt
- 1.25 cents per point value if you redeem points for travel in the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal
- Get a 10% Anniversary points boost calculated by how much you spent on the card during the year
Annual Fee: $95
Reasons to Consider it:
This should be one of the first cards anyone new to miles and points considers adding to their wallet. It’s subject to the 5/24 rule and will add to your overall card count.
But, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are a flexible currency that can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to airline and hotel transfer partners for high-value redemptions. In addition, when you pay for a car rental with the Sapphire Preferred, you get primary collision damage waiver coverage.
Sapphire Preferred is arguably one of the best travel rewards credit cards out there and a perfect starter travel rewards card with an absolute best-ever knock-out offer!
American Express Gold Card
Current Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months from your account opening
Favorite Card Features:
- 4x on restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets
- 3x on flights booked with an airline directly or through Amex Travel
- $120 statement credits ($10 per month) for select food delivery services and merchants like Boxed
- $120 statement credits ($10 per month) in Uber Cash for rides or Uber Eats
- No foreign exchange fees
- Transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like Delta, Eithad, and Aeroplan.
Annual Fee: $250
Reasons to Consider it:
This is one of the best ever offers on the American Express Gold card, especially given the generous 6-month time-frame to satisfy the minimum spend requirement. It will add to your 5/24 count.
The card earns flexible Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to a variety of Amex airline and hotel transfer partners. These partners include airlines like Aeroplan, ANA, Delta, British Airways, Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic, and more.
American Express also offers periodic bonus transfers upwards of 40% for specific airline partners, further increasing the value of points earned with this card. Additionally, American Express cards come with Amex Offers, which allow you to add promotions and deals to your card for extra statement credits and/or bonus points.
The American Express Gold card is arguably one of the best travel rewards cards available given the fantastic bonus categories, the high-value of Amex Membership Rewards points, and the strong line-up of available airline transfer partners.
The Platinum Card by American Express
Current Welcome Bonus: 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months from your account opening. Plus, earn 10x for shopping small in the U.S. and for restaurant purchases globally up to $25k altogether during your first 6 months as a cardholder.
Favorite Card Features:
- Get Uber VIP Status + $200 each year in Uber rides & eats with monthly statement credits
- 5x on flights booked with an airline directly or through Amex Travel
- 5x on prepaid hotels with Amex Travel
- Statement credits for things like airline incidentals, CLEAR Membership, Digital Entertainment, Equinox, Fine Hotels and Resorts bookings, and Saks Fifth Avenue purchases
- Lounge privileges with Priority Pass, Centurion, and others around the globe
- No foreign exchange fees
- Transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like Delta, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, and Choice.
Annual Fee: $695
Reasons to Consider it:
The Platinum card earns Membership Rewards points and has access to the same transfer partners as mentioned above with the Gold card. The ability to earn 10x the points on U.S. gas and grocery purchases up to $15k in the first 6 months is an outstanding value. To put that in context, even if you only reached half of that $15k in spending, you’d earn 75k Amex points…in addition to the welcome bonus!
With the Platinum Card, you get access to the Global Lounge Collection which includes American Express Centurion Lounges. Card benefits like the $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit and $200 in Uber/Uber Eats credits help to offset the card’s annual fee.
Plus, American Express has remained highly competitive with their temporary credits to account for card use changes during the pandemic. For the first 6 months of 2021, Platinum cardholders will get $30 PayPal credits each month for up to $180 in value.
I love using American Express Membership Rewards points to redeem for award flights. I’ve used them to fly to Europe and Asia and especially love when I can combine a redemption with an airline partner transfer bonus. With this stellar Platinum Card offer, you can do the same!
IHG Rewards Club Premier
Current Welcome Bonus: Earn a best-ever 150,000 IHG points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
Favorite Card Features:
- Earn a free night each card anniversary at eligible hotels up to 35k points per night
- 25x on IHG purchases
- 2x on restaurants, gas, and grocery spend, 1x on all other purchases
- 4th night free on award stays
- Platinum Elite status
- No foreign Exchange Fees
Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $89
Reasons to Consider it:
This is the absolute best welcome bonus ever offered for this IHG card! This combined with the earnings for paid IHG stays and the free anniversary night every year means this card deserves a spot in your wallet. IHG hotels include brands like Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, & InterContinental. This IHG Premier card is subject to and will add to your 5/24 count. However, it’s totally worth one of those slots.
I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Springdale, Utah for a trip to Zion National Park. Especially in peak season, IHG redemptions can help save a ton. This Holiday Inn Express is nearly $300 a night in summer!
Keep in mind, IHG has moved to a dynamic pricing model. This means award night prices fluctuate based on demand, time of year, etc. However, award nights can still be booked for a reasonable number of points and, with a little flexibilty in your plans, you might even lower your overall cost by tens of thousands of IHG points.
If you’re planning a trip with IHG hotels nearby and/or building out your hotel points portfolio, the IHG premier and this best-ever offer should be a top consideration right now.
United Quest Card
Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 United miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.
Favorite Card Features:
- 3x on United purchases, restaurants, and hotels, & eligible delivery services
- 2x on all other travel purchases
- 2x on all dining, select delivery services, and select streaming services
- Get a $125 United Statement Credit for United purchases
- No foreign exchange fees
- A free checked bags and priority boarding when you fly with United
- $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Fee Credit
Annual Fee: $250
Reasons to Consider it:
The new United Quest card comes with this fantastic debut offer. This United Quest card is subject to and will add to your 5/24 count. However, for the return value it offers, it’s more than worth considering.
United miles can be used to book United and Star Alliance partner flights. You’ll be able to book United flights to Hawaii, as well as Swiss Air business class to Europe.
By maxing out this particular welcome offer, you could fly a family of 4 round trip domestically or be nearly able to redeem miles for 2 round trip business class tickets to Europe.
And remember, Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer 1:1 to United. So, it’s quick and easy to top off your United mileage account should you need more miles for a redemption.
The opportunity to earn 100k United miles and get the card’s benefits like the $125 United statement credit and free checked bags, the United Quest Card will easily bring outsized value.
Business Credit Cards
Applying for a business credit card is another great way for business owners to earn miles and points. The great thing about business credit cards, aside from the additional earnings, is they don’t add to your 5/24 count. So if you’re 4/24 and you get approved for a business credit card with Chase or another bank, you’ll still be 4/24 even after getting the card.
Most people wonder, though, if they can even apply for a business credit card. The biggest thing to understand is a business can be a side hustle. It doesn’t need to be your primary source of income. This might include teachers who tutor, anyone who consults or sells a service, selling on eBay, and even someone who bakes and sells trays of cookies from home.
However, the economic climate of 2020 has made business cards harder to be approved for as banks have tightened credit lending.
You can apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor, using your name as the business name. A social security number is fine to use if you don’t have an EIN.
Business cards are even for new businesses whose earnings just starting, although newer businesses right now may need to answer additional questions or wait until they can show enough revenue.
Use this guide to answer all your questions about how to apply for a business credit card.
Just remember to be honest about your business. If it’s your first time applying for a business credit card, a bank may naturally have some additional questions for you about your application.
American Express Business Gold Card
Current Welcome Bonus: 70,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening. Also, get up to $300 in statement credits on eligible U.S. shipping and advertising purchases.
Favorite Card Features:
- 4x on 2 bonus categories that make sense for your business on up to $150k in spending each calendar year. Choices include advertising, U.S. gas, restaurants, or shipping, flights booked directly with the airline, and technology costs involving cloud services and software.
- No foreign exchange fees
- Transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like Aeroplan, Delta, ANA, and Etihad.
- Get a 25% point rebate when you book a flight with American Express Travel on your selected airline or on any premium class flight.
Annual Fee: $295
Reasons to Consider It:
This card gives you the opportunity to earn valuable Membership Rewards Points that can be transferred to fantastic airline partners to book award flights for destinations around the globe. Personally, American Express Membership Rewards Points are among my most favorite points to earn and redeem.
The flexible bonus categories allow you to earn the most from your company’s biggest areas of spending like gas, restaurants, shipping, or advertising. The current offer has the potential to offset the card’s annual fee with up to $300 in statement credits.
And, the ability to get 25% of your points back when using the pay with points option for business class seats or for flights in any class with your selected airline is a definite plus when you’re looking to keep award flight redemptions hassle-free.
With this American Express Business Gold Card welcome offer, this card is worth serious consideration for any business looking to get a return on their spending by earning Membership Rewards Points.
ProTip: Pair it with my all-time favorite American Express business card, the Blue Business Plus Credit Card. Together, you’d have 2 selected bonus categories earning 4x and everything else earning 2x with the Blue Business Plus.
Chase Ink Business Preferred
Current Welcome Bonus: 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.
Favorite Card Features:
- 3x on travel, shipping costs, internet, phone & cable services, and advertising with social media sites and search engines on the first $150k in combined category spending
- No foreign exchange fees
- Transfer Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like United, Flying Blue, and Hyatt
1.25 cents per point value if you redeem points for travel in the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal
Annual Fee: $95
Reasons to Consider it:
This top-notch welcome bonus on the Ink Preferred can return at least $1,250 in value for your travel redemptions.
It has the same 1:1 transfer to airline and hotel transfer partners like the Sapphire Preferred. These transfer partners can help you redeem for award travel all over the globe whether you’re dreaming of Rome or an African Safari.
In addition, the Ink Preferred comes with solid cell phone protection. Get up to $600 per claim for cell phone theft or damage when you use your card to pay for your phone bill.
The Ink Preferred, like all Chase business credit cards, is subject to 5/24, but it won’t add to your overall count. If you’re a business owner who’s new to miles and points, the Ink Preferred should be one of the first credit cards you consider.
Chase Ink Business Cash
Current Welcome Bonus: Earn $750 after spending $7,500 in the first 3 months from opening your account.
Favorite Card Features:
- 5% on office supply stores and internet, phone & cable services on the first $25k in combined category spending
- 2% on gas stations and dining on up to a combined $25k in spending
- Paired with an Ink Preferred or Sapphire, the $750 welcome bonus becomes 75k Ultimate Rewards points that have access to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners like United, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Hyatt.
Annual Fee: $0
Reasons to Consider it:
This no-fee business card is offering its highest welcome bonus ever. Ink Cash Ultimate Rewards points can be combined with Ultimate Rewards earned with cards like the Ink Business Preferred or a Sapphire card. Pairing an Ink Cash with one of these cards also gives you access to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners.
The 5%/5x back on internet, cable, and phone, and office supply expenses up to $25k each year offers the opportunity to earn 125k Ultimate Rewards annually, which puts the Ink Cash at the top of the list of small business cards to add to your wallet.
Chase Ink Buisness Unlimited
Current Welcome Bonus: $750 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $7,500 in the first 3 months from opening your account.
Favorite Card Features:
- 1.5x on all purchases with no spending cap.
- Paired with an Ink Preferred or Sapphire, the $750 welcome bonus becomes 75k Ultimate Rewards points that have access to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners like United, Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic, and Hyatt.
Annual Fee: $0
Reasons to Consider it:
Another no-fee business card that is offering its highest welcome bonus ever. The Ink Unlimited is a great card for everyday purchases earning 1.5%/1.5x for every dollar spent with no annual limit.
Like with the Ink Cash, Ultimate Rewards points can be combined with Ultimate Rewards earned with cards like the Ink Business Preferred or a Sapphire card. An Ink Unlimited with one of these cards also gives you access to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners.
The Ink Unlimited is a great addition for small business owners looking to target all categories of their spending in order to earn Ultimate Rewards points.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of your account opening.
Favorite Card Features:
- 3x on Southwest purchases
- 2x on internet, cable, and cell phone costs, as well as advertising purchases for social media and search engines
- Perks include a Global Entry fee credit and 4 upgraded boarding positions
- Get 9k Rapid Rewards points each year you renew your card
Annual Fee: $199
Reasons to Consider it:
This is Southwest’s premium business card. It comes with Global Entry/TSA Pre-Check credits which can be super useful when flying from any of Southwest’s international locations.
Speaking of which, Southwest has routes to Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean, which can be some of the best uses of Southwest points. Southwest award flights also come with a no-fee change or cancellation policy. If your plans change, simply change dates or have your points refunded.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card is subject to 5/24 but won’t add to your overall count. A great option for mainly domestic travelers!
You can book Southwest award flights for as little as a few thousand points and there are no blackout dates or award seat caps. If there’s an available seat on the flight you want, the points you earn with your Southwest Performance Business Card can help you book it.
United Business Card
Current Welcome Bonus: 75,000 United miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.
Favorite Card Features:
- 2x on United purchases, dining, at gas stations, office supply stores, local transit & commuting (including things like tolls, taxis, and rideshare costs)
- 5k United miles each year on your account anniversary if you have a United business and personal credit card
- $100 United travel credit after making 7 United flight purchases > $100
- Get 25% off United inflight purchases for things like drinks and wifi
- No foreign exchange fees
- A free checked bag when you fly with United
- 2 United Club passes each year
- 1-year DashPass for free and reduced delivery fees on DoorDash offers over $12
Annual Fee: $0 in the 1st year, $99 thereafter
Reasons to Consider It:
United miles are easy to use and also easy to top off because United is a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards. The welcome offer, combined with the ongoing ability to earn 2x in categories like gas, restaurants, office supply stores, and transit costs means United miles will also be easy to earn!
United has moved to a dynamic pricing model for their award flights. Even still, the best ways to redeem United miles include making use of their Excursionist Perk to add a free one-way segment to award flights. I’ve used United miles to fly to Patagonia, Thailand, & southern Africa!
Like other Chase business cards, this card is subject to the 5/24 rule but because it’s a business card, it won’t add to your overall count. The annual fee is waived in the first year of having the card so you’ll be able to take advantage of its immediate return value.
After meeting the full minimum spend, even at just the 1x earning rate, you’ll have enough United miles to book a round trip economy award or a one-way in a premium class to Europe or Asia, making the United Business Card certainly something to consider!
Bottom Line
Which travel rewards credit card is right for you depends on your travel plans and whether you’re just starting out with miles and points or not. Applying for new credit cards helps you earn valuable miles, points, and perks that’ll up your travel game.
Just remember, to pace yourself according to which credit card offers make sense for your travel goals. And, always pay off that bill in full at the end of the month to avoid high-interest fees that’ll negate the value of the miles and points you’re earning.
So, which travel rewards credit card offers do you think are the best right now?
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Great information here! I have some large expenses in the next month. Ofcourse, i could use one of the cards I already have or I could apply for another card, meet the minimum spend and get the sign up bonus. The spend I have isn’t hotel, car, office supply, etc. I would love to find a good card that would give me more than 1 point/mile per dollar spent. We have most hotel cards and airline cards. We don’t have a Southwest card because Southwest doesn’t fly out of our airport. I don’t know if that is a great reason or not. If you have any advise, I’d love to hear it. Thanks for all the great content on your site.
Thanks for reading, Kathy. It’s always a good idea to look at using a big purchase to meet a minimum spend. Many of the cards that earn more than 1x per dollar are cards that don’t always have the highest welcome bonus. They include cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the Blue Business Plus from Amex, and the Citi DoubleCash. These cards earn flexible points and can be combined with any other points balances you have in these currencies (Chase, Amex, Citi). That being said, though, I’d look for an opportunistic offer to take advantage of the big purchase you have coming up and then look to get or product change to one (or more) of the cards I just mentioned to improve your longterm earning strategy. Hope that helps!